An apparatus includes multiple image processing units configured to execute image processing on input data, which are connected in serial, and include two or more image processing units having the same image processing function. The image processing units include a transfer unit configured to transfer input first data to a next image processing unit without changing the data, and an image processor configured to execute image processing on the first data to output second data. At least one of the image processing units transfers the first data to the next image processing unit without changing the first data when the first data is input, and also outputs the second data.

An image processing apparatus includes a division unit and a generation unit. The division unit divides an image represented by image forming data into multiple division regions. The generation unit generates a piece of bitmap image data by causing a hardware processing unit to process a piece of division-region data selected from among pieces of division-region data of the multiple division regions in descending order of processing loads of image processing performed when pieces of bitmap image data are generated from the respective pieces of division-region data, the processing loads being obtained for the respective division regions, and by causing a CPU to perform software processing on a piece of division-region data selected from among the pieces of division-region data in ascending order of the processing loads.

An information product or item, such as a for sale sign, can be configured with contact information and/or elements that link the information product to a networked system and related services (with the product being called a for information product or FIP in the description). These services can make available applications such as phone and web application that can be helpful in providing an additional mechanism/electronic media as it relates to the FIP and/or any FIP related product/object/item. These services may aid someone to whom the FIP belongs in fielding, FIP related, viewer inquires while providing the FIP viewer with more options, upon making requests to said system services. The FIP may make available linked application system services to viewers of the FIP, which may belong to someone who does not know how to link such services in other ways.

An inkjet printer having a platen to which a suction unit is disposed suppresses increasing the time required for printing to end and suppresses unnecessary operation of the suction fan. The inkjet printer 1 receives control data from a host computer 3, and starts operation of the suction fan 26f if a printing-related command instructing rendering image data to be printed by the inkjet head 10 in the image buffer BF is included in the received control data.

Example embodiments presented herein are directed towards the implementation of a FPGA where a printing core may be dynamically reconfigured with respect to a currently used printing type. Example embodiments are also directed towards print handling, direct memory access printing, and the use of an internal FPGA timer.

In a method for print tuning of a printer or copier, at least one first region of a first printing element to be printed is selected. Further, at least one third region of a second printing element to be printed is selected. The second printing element can be different from the first printing element. Additionally, the first and the third region can be repeatedly printed on a same proof sheet to print tune the printer or copier. The at least one printing parameter can be varied from region to region in the repeated printing of the first region, and from region to region in the repeated printing of the third region.

In accordance with one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a printing section configured to execute at least a decolorable printing; a input section configured to receive a command from a user; a first print control section configured to execute a test printing of a printing subject image by controlling the printing section when receiving a printing command from the user, and then wait until a command is input from the user; and a second print control section configured to print the printing subject image when receiving a command to continue printing from the user after the test printing is executed by the first print control section. The test printing executed by the first print control section is the decolorable printing.

An inkjet printer having a platen to which a suction unit is disposed suppresses increasing the time required for printing to end and suppresses unnecessary operation of the suction fan. The inkjet printer 1 receives control data from a host computer 3, and starts operation of the suction fan 26f if a printing-related command instructing rendering image data to be printed by the inkjet head 10 in the image buffer BF is included in the received control data.

An image processing apparatus includes a division unit and a generation unit. The division unit divides an image represented by image forming data into multiple division regions. The generation unit generates a piece of bitmap image data by causing a hardware processing unit to process a piece of division-region data selected from among pieces of division-region data of the multiple division regions in descending order of processing loads of image processing performed when pieces of bitmap image data are generated from the respective pieces of division-region data, the processing loads being obtained for the respective division regions, and by causing a CPU to perform software processing on a piece of division-region data selected from among the pieces of division-region data in ascending order of the processing loads.

An information product or item, such as a for sale sign, can be configured with contact information and/or elements that link the information product to a networked system and related services (with the product being called a for information product or FIP in the description). These services can make available applications such as phone and web application that can be helpful in providing an additional mechanism/electronic media as it relates to the FIP and/or any FIP related product/object/item. These services may aid someone to whom the FIP belongs in fielding, FIP related, viewer inquires while providing the FIP viewer with more options, upon making requests to said system services. The FIP may make available linked application system services to viewers of the FIP, which may belong to someone who does not know how to link such services in other ways.