Abstract: This invention provides an information processing apparatus which obtains screen information via a network from an external apparatus and displays an operation screen based on information registered in association with a specific application, when a predetermined key is operated while the specific application is in progress. To accomplish this, an MFP obtains screen information from a Web server based on URL information registered in association with a Web application, and displays the initial screen of the Web application, when a reset key is pressed while the Web application is in progress.

Abstract: A distribution apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect a work required for a device based on information received from the device. A first distribution unit is configured to distribute image data for a display of information relating to the required work detected by the detection unit to the device. A determination unit is configured to determine whether the device has shifted its operation into a maintenance state, based on information received from the device to which the first distribution unit has distributed the image data. A second distribution unit is configured to distribute a subsequent part of the image data that follows a part having been displayed immediately before the device shifts its operation into the maintenance state, if the determination unit determines that the device has shifted its operation into the maintenance state, to a terminal apparatus of a worker who performs the work.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store a list which makes the version of software correspond to mapping information, a first determination unit configured to, when updating the version of the software, determine by referring to the list, whether mapping information corresponding to a version before update is different from that corresponding to a version after update, a recognition unit configured to, when the first determination unit determines that these pieces of mapping information are different from each other, recognize a different mapping information item as information to be backed up, and an update unit configured to update the version of the software when the first determination unit determines that these pieces of mapping information coincide with each other.

Abstract: A monitoring server that monitors an image forming apparatus and detects an error if any has occurred thereon, identifies a type of firmware that has caused the error, and issues an instruction for replacing a version of the identified type of firmware. The image forming apparatus issues, to a transmission server, a request for transmitting a replacement version of the identified type of firmware. The transmission server refers to a firmware version list table to determine another type of firmware whose version is to be replaced in association with the replacement version of the identified type of firmware. The transmission server transmits the replacement version of the identified type of firmware and the determined another type of firmware to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus receives each firmware transmitted from the transmission server and applies the received firmware to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A centralized monitoring system for managing maintenance information of an image forming apparatus has a database for registering a device identifier, to identify a device including an image forming apparatus or a local monitoring apparatus that goes between said image forming apparatus and a server system, as master information. The centralized monitoring system obtains the device identifier communicated from the device. In response to the obtaining of the device identifier, the centralized monitoring system responds to the notifying device to communicate the maintenance information indicating an operating status of the image forming apparatus, even if the obtained device identifier is not registered in the database. Then, if it is determined that the obtained device identifier is not registered in the database, the centralized monitoring system determines whether the device identifier is registered in the database or not.

Abstract: The data amount of department counters stored in a database is reduced. In department counter information, departments with their data not having been updated in a predetermined period are set as ineffective departments so as not to register these departments in the database. This allows a reduction of department counter data maintained in a central control device because only effective departments are registered in the database. The validity of effective department/ineffective department classification is determined by comparison with the value of charge counters acquired along with the department counters.

Abstract: A centralized monitoring system for managing maintenance information of an image forming apparatus has a database for registering a device identifier to identify a device including an image forming apparatus or a local monitoring apparatus that goes between said image forming apparatus and a server system as master information. The centralized monitoring system obtains the device identifier notified from the device. In response to the obtainment of the device identifier, the centralized monitoring system responds to the notifying device to notify the maintenance information indicating an operating status of the image forming apparatus, even if the obtained device identifier is not registered in the database. Then, if it is determined that the obtained device identifier is not registered in the database, the centralized monitoring system determines whether the device identifier is registered in the database or not.

Abstract: A polyvinyl chloride paste composition exhibits enhanced characteristics of fluidity, pot life, adhesiveness to substrate materials and workability, by incorporating therein a low molecular weight N-substituted acrylamide polymer comprising the acrylamide recurring unit having the structural formula: ##EQU1## wherein R and R' are either hydrogen or lower alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and wherein R and R' together cannot both be hydrogen.