What is claimed is:
1. A print layout device for providing a layout for a recording sheet comprising:
setting means for setting a margin for a sheet;
determination means for ascertaining the size of a printable area based on said margin that is set;
enlargementreduction means for enlarging or reducing data to be printed in consonance with said printable area; and
layout means for providing a layout for said margin for said sheet and for said data to be printed that are enlarged or reduced, and for employing said layout to control the printing.
2. A print layout device according to claim 1, wherein said setting means is capable of independently setting vertical and horizontal margins for a sheet.
3. A print layout device according to claim 1, wherein said setting means is capable of setting a binding margin adjacent to the line of the fold in a sheet that is folded once.
4. A print layout device according to claim 3, wherein said setting means is capable of setting margins that are equidistant from the line of the fold in the center of a sheet that is folded once.
5. A print layout device according to claim 1, wherein said enlargementreduction means enlarges or reduces data to be printed using an enlargementreduction ratio that provides a maximum inclusive area that does not exceed the limits of a printable area.
6. A print layout device according to claim 1, wherein said enlargementreduction means employs a designated, arbitrary enlargementreduction ratio to enlarge or reduce said data to be printed.
7. A print layout device according to claim 1, wherein said enlargementreduction means so enlarges or reduces said data to be printed that the ratio of the length and the width of said data, after being enlarged or reduced, to that of the original data is not changed.
8. A print layout device according to claim 1, wherein said layout means centers said enlarged or reduced data to be printed in an area on a sheet that excludes the binding margins, and performs the layout process.
9. A print layout device according to claim 1, further comprising: storage means for storing size information for data to be printed that is used for the determination of an enlargementreduction ratio.
10. A print layout device according to claim 1, wherein, when a size for data to be printed and a sheet size differ, said enlargementreduction means employs said size of said data to be printed and said sheet size to obtain an enlargementreduction ratio for providing said binding margin, and said layout means performs a layout process for a sheet based on said enlargementreduction ratio that is obtained and, in accordance with said layout, prints out said data to be printed.
11. A print layout device according to claim 1, wherein said layout means prints data for a plurality of pages on one sheet using a layout for a sheet for which a margin has been set.
12. A print layout device according to claim 1, wherein said layout means is capable of adjusting the position of binding margins on the obverse and the reverse sides of a sheet, so that for double-sided printing said binding margin will be located at the same position on said sheet.
13. A print layout device according to claim 1, which is applicable for a system by which said data to be printed are transmitted by an upper-level device, such as a computer, to a printing device, such as a printer to perform a printing process.
14. A print layout device according to claim 13, further comprising:
saving means for temporarily saving data in an intermediate code form that differs from that for said data to be printed; and
preparation means for preparing data to be printed based on said data that are temporarily saved.
15. A print layout method for providing a layout for a recording sheet comprising:
a setting step of setting a margin for a sheet;
a determination step of ascertaining the size of a printable area based on said margin that is set;
an enlargementreduction step of enlarging or reducing data to be printed in consonance with said printable area; and
a layout step of providing a layout for said margin for said sheet and for said data to be printed that are enlarged or reduced, and of employing said layout to control the printing.
16. A print layout method according to claim 15, wherein at said setting step, vertical and horizontal margins are capable of being independently set for a sheet.
17. A print layout method according to claim 15, wherein at said setting step a binding margin is capable of being set adjacent to the line of the fold in a sheet that is folded once.
18. A print layout method according to claim 17, wherein at said setting step margins that are equidistant from the line of the fold are capable of being set in the center of a sheet that is folded once.
19. A print layout method according to claim 15, wherein at said enlargementreduction step data to be printed are enlarged or reduced using an enlargementreduction ratio that provides a maximum inclusive area that does not exceed the limits of a printable area.
20. A print layout method according to claim 15, wherein, at said enlargementreduction step, a designated, arbitrary enlargementreduction ratio is employed to enlarge or reduce said data to be printed.
21. A print layout method according to claim 15, wherein at said enlargementreduction step said data to be printed are so enlarged or reduced that the ratio of the length and the width of said data, after being enlarged or reduced, to that of the original data is not changed.
22. A print layout method according to claim 15, wherein at said layout step said enlarged or reduced data to be printed are centered in an area on a sheet that excludes the binding margins, and the layout process is performed.
23. A print layout method according to claim 15, further comprising: storage means for storing size information for data to be printed that is used for the determination of an enlargementreduction ratio.
24. A print layout method according to claim 15, wherein, when a size for data to be printed and a sheet size differ, at said enlargementreduction step, said size of said data to be printed and said sheet size are employed to obtain an enlargementreduction ratio for providing said binding margin, and wherein at said layout step a layout process is performed for a sheet based on said enlargementreduction ratio that is obtained and, in accordance with said layout, said data to be printed are printed out.
25. A print layout method according to claim 15, wherein at said layout step data for a plurality of pages are printed on one sheet using a layout for a sheet for which a margin has been set.
26. A print layout method according to claim 15, wherein at said layout step the position of binding margins is capable of being adjusted on the obverse and the reverse sides of a sheet, so that for double-sided printing said binding margin is located at the same position on said sheet.
27. A print layout method according to claim 15, which is applicable for a system by which said data to be printed are transmitted by an upper-level device, such as a computer, to a printing device, such as a printer to perform a printing process.
28. A print layout method according to claim 27, further comprising:
a saving step of temporarily saving data in an intermediate code form that differs from that for said data to be printed; and
a preparation step of preparing data to be printed based on said data that are temporarily saved.
29. A memory medium on which is stored a program for providing a layout for a recording sheet, said program comprising:
a setting step of setting a margin for a sheet;
a determination step of ascertaining the size of a printable area based on said margin that is set;
an enlargementreduction step of enlarging or reducing data to be printed in consonance with said printable area; and
a layout step of providing a layout for said margin for said sheet and for said data to be printed that are enlarged or reduced, and of employing said layout to control the printing.
30. A memory medium according to claim 29, wherein at said setting step, vertical and horizontal margins are capable of being independently set for a sheet.
31. A memory medium according to claim 29, wherein at said setting step a binding margin is capable of being set adjacent to the line of the fold in a sheet that is folded once.
32. A memory medium according to claim 29, wherein at said setting step margins that are equidistant from the line of the fold are capable of being set in the center of a sheet that is folded once.
33. A memory medium according to claim 29, wherein at said enlargementreduction step data to be printed are enlarged or reduced using an enlargementreduction ratio that provides a maximum inclusive area that does not exceed the limits of a printable area.
34. A memory medium according to claim 29, wherein, at said enlargementreduction step, a designated, arbitrary enlargementreduction ratio is employed to enlarge or reduce said data to be printed.
35. A memory medium according to claim 29, wherein at said enlargementreduction step said data to be printed are so enlarged or reduced that the ratio of the length and the width of said data, after being enlarged or reduced, to that of the original data is not changed.
36. A memory medium according to claim 29, wherein at said layout step said enlarged or reduced data to be printed are centered in an area on a sheet that excludes the binding margins, and the layout process is performed.
37. A memory medium according to claim 29, further comprising: storage means for storing size information for data to be printed that is used for the determination of an enlargementreduction ratio.
38. A memory medium according to claim 29, wherein, when a size for data to be printed and a sheet size differ, at said enlargementreduction step, said size of said data to be printed and said sheet size are employed to obtain an enlargementreduction ratio for providing said binding margin, and wherein at said layout step a layout process is performed for a sheet based on said enlargementreduction ratio that is obtained and, in accordance with said layout, said data to be printed are printed out.
39. A memory medium according to claim 29, wherein at said layout step data for a plurality of pages are printed on one sheet using a layout for a sheet for which a margin has been set.
40. A memory medium according to claim 29, wherein at said layout step the position of binding margins is capable of being adjusted on the obverse and the reverse sides of a sheet, so that for double-sided printing said binding margin is located at the same position on said sheet.
41. A memory medium according to claim 29, which is applicable for a system by which said data to be printed are transmitted by an upper-level device, such as a computer, to a printing device, such as a printer to perform a printing process.
42. A memory medium according to claim 29, in which is stored a program that further comprises:
a saving step of temporarily saving data in an intermediate code form that differs from that for said data to be printed; and
a preparation step of preparing data to be printed based on said data that are temporarily saved.
43. A print layout device for performing a layout process for a recording sheet comprising:
dispatcher means for receiving, from drawing means and depending on which OS is used, common print information that is generated and is based on drawing data prepared by an arbitrary application;
intermediate data conversion means for converting into intermediate data said print information received by said dispatcher means and for storing said intermediate data in spooling means;
setting means for setting a margin for said sheet;
processing means for processing said intermediate data stored in said spooling means in consonance with a printable area based on said margin that is acquired, and for outputting said processed intermediate data in said drawing data form to said drawing means; and
print data generation means for converting said print information received by said dispatcher means into print data consisting of a control command and for outputting said print data to an external device.
44. A print layout device according to claim 43, wherein said processing means changes the size of said intermediate data to a maximum size that is available in said printable area and for which the ratio of the width and the length of said drawing data is not changed.
45. A print layout device according to claim 43, wherein said drawing data are GDI (Graphical Device Interface) data.
46. A print layout device according to claim 43, wherein said print information is DDI (Device Driver Interface) information.
47. A print layout device according to claim 43, wherein said data to be printed are written in a page description language.
48. A print layout method for performing a layout process for a recording sheet comprising:
a reception step of receiving, from drawing means and depending on which OS is used, common print information that is generated and is based on drawing data prepared by an arbitrary application;
an intermediate data conversion step of converting into intermediate data said print information received at said reception step, and of storing said intermediate data in spooling means;
a setting step of setting a margin for said sheet;
a processing step of processing said intermediate data stored in said spooling means in consonance with a printable area based on said margin that is acquired, and of outputting said processed intermediate data in said drawing data form to said drawing means; and
a print data generation step of converting said print information received at said reception step into print data consisting of a control command and for outputting said print data to an external device.
49. A print layout method according to claim 48, wherein at said processing step the size of said intermediate data is changed to a maximum size that is available in said printable area and for which the ratio of the width and the length of said drawing data is not changed.
50. A print layout method according to claim 48, wherein said drawing data are GDI (Graphical Device Interface) data.
51. A print layout method according to claim 48, wherein said print information is DDI (Device Driver Interface) information.
52. A print layout method according to claim 48, wherein said data to be printed are written in a page description language.
53. A memory medium on which is stored a print layout program for performing a layout process for a recording sheet, said print layout program comprising:
a reception step of receiving, from drawing means and depending on which OS is used, common print information that is generated and is based on drawing data prepared by an arbitrary application;
an intermediate data conversion step of converting into intermediate data said print information received at said reception step, and of storing said intermediate data in spooling means;
a setting step of setting a margin for said sheet;
a processing step of processing said intermediate data stored in said spooling means in consonance with a printable area based on said margin that is acquired, and of outputting said processed intermediate data in said drawing data form to said drawing means; and
a print data generation step of converting said print information received at said reception step into print data consisting of a control command and for outputting said print data to an external device.
54. A memory medium according to claim 53, wherein at said processing step the size of said intermediate data is changed to a maximum size that is available in said printable area and for which the ratio of the width and the length of said drawing data is not changed.
55. A memory medium according to claim 53, wherein said drawing data are GDI (Graphical Device Interface) data.
56. A memory medium according to claim 53, wherein said print information is DDI (Device Driver Interface) information.
57. A memory medium according to claim 53, wherein said data to be printed are written in a page description language.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. An automated developer for immuno-stained biological samples, comprising:
a platform with a surface configured to receive an incubation box, wherein the platform is a rocking platform;
a processor configured to control the duration andor intensity of the rocking of the platform;
a tower coupled to the platform surface;
at least one incubation box comprising a housing and a lid, wherein said incubation box comprises at least one waste port, and at least one entry port positioned to allow entry of a reagent into the interior of the incubation box;
at least one syringe holder coupled to the tower and configured to receive a syringe, said syringe configured to hold the reagent within the syringe barrel, wherein the syringe holder is positioned to hold the syringe relative to the entry port in order to allow delivery of the reagent from within the syringe, through the entry port, into the incubation box;
a temperature control device configured to control the temperature of the reagent within the syringe;
a motorized syringe pusher configured to mechanically force the reagent from within the syringe barrel, through the entry port into the incubation box;
a stirrer configured to agitate the reagent within the syringe; and
a processor configured to control one or more of the motorized syringe pusher, the stirrer, and the temperature control device.
2. The automated developer of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a first and a second reagent entry port.
3. The automated developer of claim 2, comprising two syringe holders configured to receive a first and a second syringe, wherein the first and second syringes are configured to hold a first and a second reagent within the syringe barrel of the first and second syringe, respectively, and a first and second motorized pusher, configured to mechanically force the reagent from the first and second syringe barrels, respectively, wherein the syringe holder is positioned to hold the first and the second syringe relative to the first and the second entry port in order to allow transfer of the first and the second reagents from within the first and the second syringes, through the first and the second entry ports, respectively.
4. The automated developer of claim 2, further comprising a buffer source, configured to hold a buffer.
5. The automated developer of claim 4, wherein the housing lid further comprises a third entry port through which buffer from the buffer source enters into the interior of the incubation box.
6. The automated developer of claim 5, wherein the buffer source is connected to a pump.
7. The automated developer of claim 1, wherein the waste port is connected to a peristaltic pump through a tubing.
8. The automated developer of claim 1, wherein the platform is configured to receive a plurality of incubation boxes.
9. The automated developer of claim 1, wherein the stirrer is a magnetic disc located within the syringe barrel.
10. The automated developer of claim 9, further comprising a solenoid coil positioned relative to the reagent source to allow the solenoid coil to control movement of the magnetic disc.
11. The automated developer of claim 1, wherein said incubation box is rectangular, and wherein said drain channel is located external to said rectangle and adjacent to one of the corners of the rectangle.
12. The automated developer of claim 1, wherein the rocking platform is configured to position the incubation box at an angle, wherein the angle allows the reagent or the buffer within the incubation box to drain through the drain channel into the waste port.
13. The automated developer of claim 1, wherein the processor controls the addition of the reagent into the incubation box, and removal of the reagent through the drain channel at predetermined times.
14. The automated developer of claim 1, wherein the processor controls the addition of the wash buffer into the incubation box, and removal of the wash buffer through the drain channel at predetermined times.
15. The automated developer of claim 14, wherein the processor is programmable to add a predetermined amount of the reagent source into the incubation box.
16. The automated developer of claim 1, wherein the temperature control device comprises a ventilated peltier junction cooler.
17. The automated developer of claim 16, wherein the ventilated peltier junction cooler is located within the syringe housing.
18. The automated developer of claim 1, further comprising:
a channel, wherein the channel comprises a vertical portion running parallel to the length of the tower, and an angled portion at the top of the vertical portion;
a pusher arm configured to push the syringe barrel into the syringe;
an internally threaded riser within the tower, wherein the pusher arm is coupled to the internally threaded riser, and wherein the pusher arm extends through the channel from within the tower to the exterior of the tower;
an externally threaded shaft to which the internally threaded riser is coupled, wherein said externally threaded shaft is coupled to and rotated by a motor.
19. An automated developer for immuno-stained biological samples, comprising:
a platform with a surface configured to receive an incubation box, wherein the platform is a rocking platform;
a processor configured to control the duration andor intensity of the rocking of the platform;
a tower coupled to the platform surface;
a incubation box comprising an incubation box housing and a lid, wherein said incubation box housing comprises a drain means, configured to drain reagents and buffers from within the incubation box housing;
at least one syringe holder configured to receive a syringe, said syringe configured to hold the reagent within the syringe barrel, wherein the syringe holder is positioned to hold the syringe relative to the entry port in order to allow delivery of the reagent from within the syringe, through the entry port, into the incubation box, wherein said syringe holder is coupled to the tower;
a temperature controlling means, configured to control the temperature of the reagent within the syringe;
a motorized syringe pusher configured to mechanically force the reagent from within the syringe barrel, through the entry port into the incubation box;
an agitation means, configured to agitate or stir the reagent within the syringe; and
a means for automatically controlling one or more of the motorized syringe pusher, the agitating means, and the temperature control means.