An image forming apparatus includes a printer, a drawing data generating circuit, and a medium feeding circuit. The drawing data generating circuit generates, from print data, drawing data that causes the printer to execute a print job. The medium feeding circuit feeds the print medium to the printer. The medium feeding circuit executes: a first feeding stage in which the print medium moves to a specific position; and a second feeding stage in which the print medium moves from the specific position to the printer. The medium feeding circuit starts the first feeding stage after the drawing data is generated by the drawing data generating circuit when the image forming apparatus is in specific states, and starts the first feeding stage before the drawing data is generated by the drawing data generating circuit when the image forming apparatus is not in the specific states.

A printing method of an image forming apparatus is provided. The printing method includes receiving, from one of an external apparatus and a server connected to the external apparatus, job information and first identification (ID) information related to printing of content, receiving, from a user, second ID information, transmitting accounting information based on the job information to a billing system, when the second ID information received from the user and the first ID information received from one of the external apparatus and the server correspond to each other, and printing the content based on the job information, when payment completion information regarding payment by the user is received from the billing system.

A computer-implemented method programmed for execution in a computing environment for ordering and facilitating payment of a print product. The method comprises storing a digital image in a memory of the computing system; allowing for the selection of a print product using a user interface to establish a print order, wherein the print product includes the digital image, and wherein the print order includes an identification of the selected print product and an order cost; generating a unique payment link by the processor that corresponds to the print order and provides a user computing device with access to communicate payment information to a remote payment processing system; providing access to the unique payment link to the user computing device; receiving a payment notification at the processor from the remote payment processing system; and allowing for the fulfillment of at least a portion of the print order using a printing device.

The present invention enables a desired number of original gift boxes to be produced easily. An image print device includes an input unit to which a user image is input, a storage unit storing a template image of a gift box, an edit processing unit combining the template image with the user image to generate a combined image, and a printer printing, for output, the combined image on a sheet. The storage unit stores a plurality of template images of gift boxes different in shape or size. The image print device further includes a box selection unit receiving selection of a gift box shape or size, and the edit processing unit combines a template image with the user image, the template image corresponding to the gift box shape or size that is selected.

A process and apparatus for sublimating printed images onto two or more products substantially simultaneously are disclosed. Software components are configured to receive input of a desired number of products to sublimate, and then determine a spatial arrangement of the printed images on transfer media to sublimate the desired number of products substantially simultaneously. The apparatus is configured to print the images onto the media according to the spatial arrangement, then position the media onto a substrate. The products are automatically placed on the media proximate to their corresponding printed images. The apparatus manipulates the media to substantially surround the products and places at least one image onto each side of each product to be sublimated. One or more heating platens engage the media to sublimate the images. The heating platens are configured, using a control, to sublimate multiple products substantially simultaneously in a single thermal cycle.

A process and apparatus for sublimating printed images onto two or more products substantially simultaneously are disclosed. Software components are configured to receive input of a desired number of products to sublimate, and then determine a spatial arrangement of the printed images on transfer media to sublimate the desired number of products substantially simultaneously. The apparatus is configured to print the images onto the media according to the spatial arrangement, then position the media onto a substrate. The products are automatically placed on the media proximate to their corresponding printed images. The apparatus manipulates the media to substantially surround the products and places at least one image onto each side of each product to be sublimated. One or more heating platens engage the media to sublimate the images. The heating platens are configured, using a control, to sublimate multiple products substantially simultaneously in a single thermal cycle.

A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage medium to implement a wagering paradigm in which a player can place a wager amount to wager on a random potential outcome of a series chosen randomly by a computer. The series can be a sporting event such as the World Series, and the random potential outcome can be an electronically randomly picked team. If the randomly picked team turns out to be the actual team that wins the World Series, then the wager would win. The payout on a winning wager can be determined using a number of algorithms, for example each possible team is given an equal payout. The wager can be placed before the series begins, during the series (e.g., after at least one game has been played or has been started), and even after the series has ended.

Electronic watch faces can be created in customized and associated with a block chain system. More particularly, the block chain's system uses non-fungible tokens which are in general unique, to represent the ownership of a specific watch face. Users own the token and can display the watch face only while they own the token. After selling the watch face, the token is changed to represent the new owner of the token and the original owner can no longer display the watch face at that point.

Systems and methods for converting consumer coins, cash, and/or other forms of value for use with mobile commerce platforms implemented on, for example, smart phones, PDAs, and other mobile devices. In one embodiment, a method for implementing a mobile commerce account on a mobile device includes receiving coins and/or other funds from a user at a consumer-operated kiosk. The method can further include counting the coins and/or other funds to determine a value, and then communicating at least a portion of the value from the kiosk to the hand-held mobile device for deposit in the mobile commerce account.

Systems and methods for converting consumer coins, cash, and/or other forms of value for use with mobile commerce platforms implemented on, for example, smart phones, PDAs, and other mobile devices. In one embodiment, a method for implementing a mobile commerce account on a mobile device includes receiving coins and/or other funds from a user at a consumer-operated kiosk. The method can further include counting the coins and/or other funds to determine a value, and then communicating at least a portion of the value from the kiosk to the hand-held mobile device for deposit in the mobile commerce account.