Abstract: An image forming apparatus which makes it possible to improve the ease and convenience of firmware update processing. The image forming apparatus includes storage units. The image forming apparatus identifies differential packages and acquires the differential packages from an update server. Then, the image forming apparatus acquires package information from the differential packages. Further, the image forming apparatus identifies storage units as installation destinations where the differential packages are to be installed, based on the package information. Then, the image forming apparatus calculates an update processing time period required to install the acquired packages in the identified storage units. The image forming apparatus notifies a user of the calculated update processing time period.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which is connected to a plurality of information processing apparatuses receives notification information, which includes information about each information processing apparatus and is transmitted from the plurality of information processing apparatuses, and displays an information processing apparatus corresponding to the notification information as a list. When a deletion instruction to delete a specific information processing apparatus from among the information processing apparatuses that are objects to be displayed is accepted, the image processing apparatus deletes the specific information processing apparatus from the list.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus which makes it possible to improve user operability in selecting a desired one from a plurality of image processing apparatuses by selecting functions of the image processing apparatuses. A virtual printer driver acquires function information on a plurality of printers existing on a network. One printer is selected as a default printer from the printers. Configuration items associated with functions of the default printer, and configuration items associated with functions of the other printers are displayed on a configuration screen in a manner selectable by a user. The configuration items associated with the functions of the printers except the default printer are displayed such that a printer equipped with a function associated with each of the configuration items can be identified by the user. Print data is transmitted to one of the printers, based on a configuration item selected by the user.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which makes it possible to improve the ease and convenience of firmware update processing. The image forming apparatus includes storage units. The image forming apparatus identifies differential packages and acquires the differential packages from an update server. Then, the image forming apparatus acquires package information from the differential packages. Further, the image forming apparatus identifies storage units as installation destinations where the differential packages are to be installed, based on the package information. Then, the image forming apparatus calculates an update processing time period required to install the acquired packages in the identified storage units. The image forming apparatus notifies a user of the calculated update processing time period.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which is connected to a plurality of information processing apparatuses receives notification information, which includes information about each information processing apparatus and is transmitted from the plurality of information processing apparatuses, and displays an information processing apparatus corresponding to the notification information as a list. When a deletion instruction to delete a specific information processing apparatus from among the information processing apparatuses that are objects to be displayed is accepted, the image processing apparatus deletes the specific information processing apparatus from the list.

Abstract: A printer that enables to grasp a printer name on an information processing apparatus by a user easily when a printer driver is installed to the information processing apparatus from the printer side. A connection unit connects a portable information storage medium that equips an information processing module provided with an information acquisition unit that acquires and saves device information of the information processing apparatus, and a name saving unit that saves printer name information. An acquisition unit acquires the device information and the printer name information from the portable information storage medium. A registration unit accesses the information processing apparatus based on the device information acquired by said acquisition unit, and to register the printer into the information processing apparatus. A setting unit sets up the printer name acquired by said acquisition unit as a printer name of the printer registered into the information processing apparatus.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus in an arrangement where image processing apparatuses are connected to the same network, which is capable of upgrading a version of a common function module of the image processing apparatus while maintaining the consistency between the image processing apparatuses. An MFP connected via the network to a distribution server inquires the server about whether there is a version upgrade program for a function module of a type corresponding to the MFP. If so, the MFP acquires integrated version information on the version upgrade program from the server, updates version upgrade information on the function module based on the acquired information, acquires version upgrade information on function modules of MFPs of other types, and upgrades the version of the function module based on the acquired version upgrade information and the updated version upgrade information.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus which makes it possible to improve user operability in selecting a desired one from a plurality of image processing apparatuses by selecting functions of the image processing apparatuses. A virtual printer driver acquires function information on a plurality of printers existing on a network. One printer is selected as a default printer from the printers. Configuration items associated with functions of the default printer, and configuration items associated with functions of the other printers are displayed on a configuration screen in a manner selectable by a user. The configuration items associated with the functions of the printers except the default printer are displayed such that a printer equipped with a function associated with each of the configuration items can be identified by the user. Print data is transmitted to one of the printers, based on a configuration item selected by the user.

Abstract: Upon receiving a request from a communications terminal, a server apparatus performs some processes and returns processing results to the communications terminal. Before returning the processing results, the server apparatus sends the communications terminal a response containing an address needed to acquire the processing results to prevent communications from being cut off due to a communications timeout which occurs, for example, if the processing on the server takes time.

Abstract: As an apparatus which provides a high-quality service that reduces the service usage load of users, there is disclosed an information processing apparatus accessed from a communication terminal to browse images, which includes an issuing unit that assigns a session identification to a communication terminal, a storage unit that stores the session identification and the communication terminal user's personal information, a receiving unit that receives a session identification and a printing request of images, a determination unit that determines if the session identification is stored in the storage unit, a transmission unit that transmits the personal information to the communication terminal if the determination unit determines that the session identification is stored with the personal information in the storage unit, and an obtaining unit that obtains the user's personal information if the determination unit determines that the session identification is not stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and a method for performing re-printing after correction of an original, the apparatus and method including storing first data including a plurality of pages, inputting second data including a plurality of pages, extracting difference data by comparing the first data and the second data, displaying a preview of the difference data, selecting a page based on the preview, loading a recording medium having the first data printed thereon, and performing an overwrite printing by printing the difference data of the selected page on the loaded recording medium.

Abstract: Upon receiving a request from a communications terminal, a server apparatus performs some processes and returns processing results to the communications terminal. Before returning the processing results, the server apparatus sends the communications terminal a response containing an address needed to acquire the processing results to prevent communications from being cut off due to a communications timeout which occurs, for example, if the processing on the server takes time.

Abstract: As an apparatus which provides a high-quality service that reduces the service usage load of users, there is disclosed an information processing apparatus accessed from a communication terminal, which includes a session information generation unit that generates, for each session with a communication terminal, session information containing identification information of the session and storing the session information in a storage unit, an invalidation unit that invalidates session information related to a session which has no access for a first predetermined time, an accumulating unit that accumulates an image, a display image copy unit that copies display image data corresponding to the image accumulated in the accumulating unit to a predetermined area in response to a request from the communication terminal, and a deletion unit that deletes the display image data which is not referred to for a second predetermined time