The printer obtains template data from an application. Further, the printer drive obtains image data of a composition image from a scanner or a folder stored in a data storage area. The printer driver identifies, in a template image indicated by the template data, a composite area in which the composition image is to be composed based on the template data or information stored in the data storage area. Then, the printer driver generates image data of an image in which the composition image is composed in the identified composite area of the template image. With this configuration, the image in which the composition image is composed can be generated without requiring a user to obtain the composition images or without requiring the user to compose the composition image with the template image.

Methods and apparatus for validating paper forms are provided. A node can receive paper-form data from a paper form that has first and second data items (DIs). The node can: determine first and second metadata for the first and second DIs respectively, determine respective first and second validation entities (VEs) to validate respective values of the first and second DIs based on the respective first and second metadata, where the first and second VEs can differ, provide a user interface (UI) including a display of the first DI, receive a validation status for the first DI via the first UI from the first VE, select a first distributed storage system (DSS) associated with the first DI, and record the value of the first DI and the validation status in the first DSS. The node can generate an output related to the paper-form data based on the first DSS.

A reading device includes an imaging element and correcting circuitry. The imaging element is configured to receive light from an object selectively irradiated with visible light or invisible light. The correcting circuitry is configured to apply correction processing based on a difference in an optical characteristic between an invisible light region and a visible light region to an image signal in the invisible light region output from the imaging element and output the image signal corrected.

Methods and apparatus for validating paper forms are provided. A node can receive paper-form data from a paper form that has first and second data items (DIs). The node can: determine first and second metadata for the first and second DIs respectively, determine respective first and second validation entities (VEs) to validate respective values of the first and second DIs based on the respective first and second metadata, where the first and second VEs can differ, provide a user interface (UI) including a display of the first DI, receive a validation status for the first DI via the first UI from the first VE, select a first distributed storage system (DSS) associated with the first DI, and record the value of the first DI and the validation status in the first DSS. The node can generate an output related to the paper-form data based on the first DSS.

Methods and apparatus for validating paper forms are provided. A node can receive paper-form data from a paper form that has first and second data items (DIs). The node can: determine first and second metadata for the first and second DIs respectively, determine respective first and second validation entities (VEs) to validate respective values of the first and second DIs based on the respective first and second metadata, where the first and second VEs can differ, provide a user interface (UI) including a display of the first DI, receive a validation status for the first DI via the first UI from the first VE, select a first distributed storage system (DSS) associated with the first DI, and record the value of the first DI and the validation status in the first DSS. The node can generate an output related to the paper-form data based on the first DSS.

A multi-function/multi-purpose portable electronic device is disclosed. In one aspect, the device may include a display monitor configured to display an image and a scanner disposed below the display monitor and extending to cross the display monitor, the scanner not directly contacting the display monitor. The device may also include a base configured to support the scanner, the base including a first portion having a first thickness and a second portion having a second thickness greater than the first thickness, the first portion at least partially vertically overlapping the display monitor and the scanner. The device may further include a speaker disposed only in the second portion of the base. The device may also include a connector physically interconnecting the base and the display monitor to support the display monitor, at least a portion of the connector vertically overlapping the second portion of the base.

A device for capturing rendered text is described. The device incorporates one or more visual sensors that receive visual information as a part of capturing rendered text. The visual sensors are collectively capable of capturing both text that is permanently printed on a page, and text that is displayed transitorily on a dynamic device. The device further incorporates a visual information disposition subsystem for disposing of visual information received by the visual sensors. The device further incorporates a package that bears the visual sensors and the visual information disposition subsystem, and is suitable to be held in a human hand.

An expanding appliance includes a connect port, an image capturing module, an intelligent control module, an image transmitting module, and a result displaying module. The expanding appliance connects an image input device through the connect port, connects a display device through the result displaying module, and connects one or more image-applied function module through the image transmitting module. The intelligent control module generates a demanding command according to a successfully-connected image-applied function module. The image capturing module controls the image input device to capture image data based on the demanding command, and quantizes samples of the image data as computation data. The image transmitting module provides the computation data to the image-applied function module for image identification and receives an identification result. Finally, the intelligent control module triggers the result display module for displaying the identification result on the display device.

A reading device includes an imaging sensor that reads a document; a document-transporting unit that transports the document to a position facing the imaging sensor; a control unit that controls the imaging sensor and the document-transporting unit; a housing that covers the imaging sensor, the document-transporting unit, and the control unit; and a power switch electrically connected to the control unit; where a recessed portion is formed in the housing and the power switch is disposed in the recessed portion.

A scanning network includes a central server configured to distribute a scan task. The scan task is associated with a scanning of an identified document. The scanning network further includes a plurality of imaging devices configured to receive and execute a scan task and a storage database configured to receive a document image created from execution of a scan task.