Image forming apparatus

• US 7,755,785 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2003
• Issued: 07/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Lee, Kanghoon
• Primary Examiner(s): Garcia; Gabriel I
• Application Number:
  US10/684,429
• Publication Number:
  US 20050002056A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,463 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.1, 358/1.8, 358/1.13, 358/1.14, 358/1.15, 358/1.18, 358/402, 358/448
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1204 resulting in reduced user or operator actions, e.g. presetting, automatic actions, using hardware token storing data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1253 Configuration of print job parameters, e.g. using UI at the client
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1255 Settings incompatibility, e.g. constraints, user requirements vs. device capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1287 via internet
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/00 Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data , e.g. computer output printersprinting or plotting combined with another operation, e.g. with conveying, G06K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2215/0011 characterised by a particular command or data flow, e.g. Page Description Language, configuration commands

Abstract

A method and system for printing documents based on Java commands. A Java printer receives page layout requests and converts the requests into a rasterized image which is transferred to a recording medium. Page layout can be interactively modified. The Java printer also monitors print requests and is configurable using a World Wide Web interface.

Claims

1. A printer, comprising:

a communication interface configured to receive a request from a computer remote from the printer;

a memory, within the printer, configured to store a Java application for printing;

a processor configured to execute the Java application in response to the request, wherein a result of the executed Java application is output to an image forming device at the printer; and

the image forming device configured to output an image onto a recording medium in response to the result of the executed Java application.

2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein:

the processor is configured to control the printer using a graphics operator.

3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein:

the processor is configured to control the printer using a complex graphics operator.

4. The printer according to claim 2, wherein:

the processor is configured to control the printer using a graphics operator which is a subclass of an existing graphics primitive.

5. The printer according to claim 1, wherein:

the processor is configured to process a command related to security.

6. The printer according to claim 1, wherein:

the processor is configured to process a command related to networking.

7. The printer according to claim 1, wherein:

the processor is configured to process commands in multiple languages.

8. The printer according to claim 1, wherein:

the processor is configured to process a Java command to download a font.

9. The printer according to claim 1, wherein:

the processor is configured to performing multi-tasking using Java.

10. The printer according to claim 1, wherein:

the processor is configured to use Java to transmit a status report.

11. The printer according to claim 1, wherein:

the communication interface is configured to receive Java as a print language, and the processor is configured to process the Java which is the print language.

12. The printer according to claim 1, wherein:

the processor includes a Java interpreter.

13. A method of printing with a printer, comprising:

receiving a request from a computer remote from the printer;

storing, at a memory within the printer, a Java application for printing;

executing, at a processor of the printer, the Java application in response to the request;

outputting a result of the executed Java application to an image forming device at the printer; and

outputting an image onto a recording medium in response to the result of the executed Java application.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:

controlling the printer with a graphics operator.

15. The printer according to claim 14, wherein said step of controlling the printer with a graphics operator comprises:

controlling the printer with a complex graphics operator.

16. The printer according to claim 14, wherein said step of controlling the printer with a graphics operator comprises:

controlling the printer with a graphics operator which is a subclass of an existing graphics primitive.

17. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:

processing a command related to security.

18. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:

processing a command related to networking.

19. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:

processing a first command or request in a first language; and

processing a second command or request in a second language.

20. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:

processing a Java command to download a font.

21. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:

performing multi-tasking using Java.

22. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:

processing a Java command to transmit a status report.

23. The method according to claim 13, wherein:

said step of receiving comprises receiving Java as a print language; and

said step of executing comprises processing the Java received as the print language.

24. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:

interpreting Java.

25. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:

storing information related to said printer command or a request for printer information.

26. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:

executing a printer command or a providing a printer information in response to said printer command or a request for printer information.

27. A printer, comprising:

means for receiving a request from a computer remote from the printer;

means for storing, within the printer, a Java application for printing;

means for executing the Java application in response to the request;

means for outputting a result of the executed Java application to a means for forming an image at the printer; and

means for forming an image on a recording medium in response to the result of the executed Java application.