Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion that synthetically prints image data and ID image data specific to a user on a recording paper, a paper discharge tray that discharges and accumulates the recording papers, and an ID image reading portion that reads the ID images of the recording papers accumulated in the paper discharge tray, and notifies an external device specified by a user corresponding to the read ID image that the recording papers in the paper discharge tray must be removed. The image forming apparatus includes an output condition setting portion that sets output conditions of the recording papers, and the image forming portion prints the image data on a recording paper and the ID image data on an edge of the recording paper in accordance with the output conditions set by the output condition setting portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which, when a conference material or the like is printed, is capable of printing the material according to the preferences of presentees of the conference while avoiding the conference material from being printed according to print settings by users responsible for printing the conference material. Print setting information is registered on a user-by-user basis. An image printing process is executed based on the registered print setting information. When the image printing process is executed based on the registered print setting information, a user-identifying image corresponding to the print setting information is added to the image to be printed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of functions including a function of executing an operation involving use of a consumable, a selecting unit that selects one function from the plurality of functions, a detector that detects a remaining level of the consumable and a controller. The controller is operable to switch displayed contents to information corresponding to the one function when the one function is selected, instruct execution of an operation corresponding to the changed displayed information, display a warning indication when the remaining level of the consumable is not more than a predetermined level, determine whether the selected one function is the function of executing the operation involving use of the consumable, and inhibit the switching the displayed contents when one function is selected and is determined to be the function of executing the operation involving use of the consumable while the warning indication is displayed.

Abstract: A management server is connected to an MFP and a client PC through LAN. The management server includes a leaving information acquiring portion that acquires leaving information related to recording paper sheets left unremoved for each print job accepted by the MFP, a leaving information count portion that counts the acquired leaving information for each user, and a warning portion that transmits warning information for prompting a user not to leave a recording paper sheet. The leaving information count portion counts the number of print jobs associated with the detection of the recording paper sheets left unremoved for each time zone based on the leaving detection time and the user ID from the leaving information acquiring portion, and when accepting a print job from a client PC, the warning portion transmits warning information to the client PC for a user having the counted number not less than a predetermined number.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus with a plurality of paper feeders includes a job generation unit which generates a print job containing current print settings as a target print job, a history obtaining unit which obtains, among print settings contained in a print job output before the target print job, a paper setting associated with a paper feeder as history information, a history determination unit which determines whether a paper setting which is contained in the history information and corresponds to a paper setting contained in the target print job is associated with a paper feeder different from a paper feeder designated by print settings contained in the target print job, and a job control unit which stops or continues a print process in accordance with a user instruction when the history determination unit determines that the paper setting is associated with the different paper feeder.

Abstract: The image data transmitting apparatus acquires the address book data corresponding to the user or such data and the transmittal cover letter data from the server apparatus, selects, out of the acquired information on destinations, the destination according to selecting operation by the user, generates transmittal cover letter image data based on the transmittal cover letter data related to the selected destination and attaches the image data to be transmitted as second and subsequent pages, thereby generating the image data with the transmittal cover letter attached thereto. While thus generated image data with the transmittal cover letter attached thereto is transmitted to the destination, transmission is prohibited of image data other than thus generated image data with the transmittal cover letter attached thereto.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit configured to form an image onto an image forming medium based on received print data by using a cartridge removably provided, a cartridge determination unit configured to determine whether an MICR cartridge is inserted as the cartridge, a determination unit configured to compare a password input by an password input unit and a password registered in a password storage unit and determine whether an image forming process of the received print data is allowed to be performed, and a control unit configured to temporarily stop processing the print data, cause the notification unit to send the notification to input the password, and perform an MICR image forming control process that causes the image forming unit to resume the processing of the print data.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including applications and system side software for providing system side services to the applications is provided, in which the image forming apparatus includes: an authentication module for displaying an authentication screen on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus, wherein the authentication module allows the image forming apparatus to display a screen for using the image forming apparatus instead of the authentication screen if authentication data input from the authentication screen satisfies an authentication condition, and wherein the authentication module is provided in the image forming apparatus separately from the system side software.

Abstract: A printing system and a method of charging to print a document therein. The printing system includes a server and a printing apparatus. The sever includes a storing part in which reference information on a document to be printed, a host communication part which receives a document including relevant information, and a host controller which charges a document registrant corresponding to the relevant information to print the document. The printing apparatus includes a printer communication part which receives the document, and a printer controller which prints the document received through the printer communication part.

Abstract: A communication device has a reading unit, a wireless tag reading unit, and a transmitting unit. The reading unit reads image data from an original document. The original document has a first wireless tag including wireless tag data. The wireless tag data has data size. The wireless tag reading unit reads the wireless tag data from the wireless tag. The transmitting unit associates the image data with the wireless tag data to transmit the associated image data and wireless tag data to another device.

Abstract: A printer controller includes: a selecting unit that selects authentication information from among a plurality of authentication information; a first transmitting unit that transmits the authentication information selected by the selecting unit to a printer connected to the printer controller via a network; and a second transmitting unit that transmits print data to be printed to the printer. The authentication information selected by the selecting unit is used for authentication for allowing the printer to print an image based on the print data.

Abstract: There is provided a multi function peripheral which has a plurality of functions which includes a communication unit that communicates with an external storage device which has a connection with the multi function peripheral, and a registration information acquisition unit that acquires registration information stored in the storage device indicating whether each of the plurality of functions is allowed to be used, through the communication unit. The multi function peripheral operates so that functions for which usage is indicated to be allowed by the registration information are caused to be executed according to operations of the multi function peripheral by a user, and functions of which usage is indicated not to be allowed by the registration information are prevented from being executed irrespective of operations of the multi function peripheral by the user.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is described. The image forming apparatus may be for printing sheets on the basis of a print instruction input therein, including: a limit quantity storage unit storing a predetermined limit quantity; an accounting storage unit storing an accounting for printing one sheet; and a printing authorization unit authorizing execution of printing, when the print instruction is input, after a quantity of a consumer product consumed by printing reaches the limit quantity stored in the limit quantity storage unit, on condition that a user pays a price obtained by multiplying the number of sheets which should have been continuously printed on the basis of the print instruction by the accounting with reference to the accounting storage unit.

Abstract: A device, such as a printer or copier, identifies the type of module being used. If the type of module requires the device to receive an unlock code, the device prompts for the unlock code (which can be a hash of the serial number of the device). Once the unlock code is received, the device can be used with modules of that type. If the unlock code is not received, the device does not operate with modules of that type.

Abstract: An apparatus including: a processor configured to execute system side software that provides system side services to application software; an authentication module setting unit configured to add an authentication module and set the authentication module to perform use restriction of the application software; an authentication information obtaining unit configured to obtain authentication information used to determine whether the use restriction of the application software may be released; and a display unit, wherein the authentication module is configured to cause the display unit to display an authentication screen at a predetermined timing, the authentication module is configured to permit the application software to display a screen for using the application software instead of the authentication screen, and the application software is configured to perform processing based on an operation from a user in response to the authentication information obtained by the authentication information obtaining unit sa

Abstract: An image forming apparatus spools normal print requests received from external equipment as normal print jobs which are sequentially executed by a printer, spools a private print request received from an external equipment in a spooler as a private print job executed by a printer in response to an instruction by a user who has requested the private print, and changes a normal print job in an execution waiting state of the user which is spooled in the spooler to a private print job of the user in response to a request from the user authenticated by a user authenticating portion.

Abstract: A scanner section, a printing section, and an operation section having an input section for receiving operational information and a display section are provided. A setting table section is provided and is formed from non-contact type and contact type IC card reader use sections, in which the non-contact type and contact type IC card readers are arranged, respectively. The non-contact type and contact type IC card reader use sections are closer to and farther from an operator, respectively.

Abstract: A printer of the present invention allows a plurality of sheet feeding apparatuses, each having a particular sheet feed speed range adaptive to a plurality of print speeds, to be selectively connected thereto. When any one of the sheet feeding apparatuses is connected to the printer, a controller automatically sets a print speed range on the printer in accordance with print speed range information corresponding to the sheet feeding apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of restricting copying using, as a master copy, a copy of a produced work such as a book. An MFP is provided with a printing permission/prohibition judging section and an output paper sheet selection section. The printing permission/prohibition judging section judges whether or not restriction information for restricting image formation is contained in either (i) an information tag provided in a document, or (ii) image data acquired by an image scanning section. The output paper sheet selection section selects a regulatory-information-containing recording paper sheet (i.e.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes: a body, to which a plurality of image forming cartridges containing developers are attachable; and a communication device which wirelessly communicates with a plurality of non-contact tags provided to the plurality of image forming cartridges, respectively. The communication device includes: a plurality of antennas which are provided correspondingly with the plurality of image forming cartridges; and a switching controller which switches signals from the plurality of antennas.

Abstract: Generation/non-generation of print data for a printer driver is controlled in correspondence with an external print policy for a document to be printed. The print policy includes a print policy file, and defines print-inhibited items in a predetermined description. The predetermined description includes a description directly stored in the print policy file, and a description that requires an external reference.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus and a monitoring system monitor a person who removed an output sheet for a print job or a copy job from an image forming apparatus that can be used by a plurality of users. With the use of a job-start notification, a job-end notification, and a sheet-removal notification received from the image forming apparatus, a video image during a period including the time at which the sheet output from the image forming apparatus was removed by a person can be recorded, and the video image can be managed in association with job information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a distributed system control method information processing apparatus that enables a user to ascertain easily and in real time the environment around such user, that is, the status of other users and of peripheral devices, during use of the distributed system, in particular enabling the user to obtain easily information on peripheral devices the user is permitted to use. In a distributed system in which a plurality of user terminals and peripheral devices are dispersed, information indicating the current status of the users of the user terminals and information indicating the current status of the peripheral devices is stored, updated according to changes in status, and the current status of users of other user terminals and the current status of the peripheral devices selectively displayed on the same display screen at each of the plurality of user terminals.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including applications and system side software for providing system side services to the applications is provided, in which the image forming apparatus includes: an authentication module for displaying an authentication screen on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus, wherein the authentication module allows the image forming apparatus to display a screen for using the image forming apparatus instead of the authentication screen if authentication data input from the authentication screen satisfies an authentication condition, and wherein the authentication module is provided in the image forming apparatus separately from the system side software.

Abstract: An image forming device including a printer having a plurality of operation modes sets beforehand the number of pages printed by the printer to be counted in a division counter or a division undefined counter for each operation mode of the printer. The image forming device counts, in the division counter corresponding to the division to which the user belongs who has requested the printing, the number of the pages printed in the operation mode in which the number of the pages is set to be counted in the division counter, and counts, in the division undefined counter, the number of the pages printed in the operation mode in which the number of the pages is set to be counted in the division undefined counter.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an acquisition unit for acquiring information for identifying a user, a log-in unit for allowing the user to log in the image forming apparatus when the acquisition unit acquires the information for identifying the user, a log-off unit for causing the logged-in user to log off from the image forming apparatus after a first predetermined time period elapses, a determination unit for determining whether a secure printing job to be performed based on the acquired information for identifying the user is present in the image forming apparatus, and a control unit for controlling the log-off unit to cause the user to log off from the image forming apparatus within a second predetermined time period which is shorter than the first predetermined period time, when the determination unit determines that the secure printing job is present in the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: The subject application is directed to a system and method for generating a user customizable default user interface for a document processing device. First, screen data representing each of a plurality of different user interfaces is stored. Each user interface includes visual representations of a unique subset of controls associated with operation of the associated document processing device. Identification data is then acquired from an associated user. A display is generated representing each of the different user interfaces. Selection data representing a selected user interface as a default user interface is then received. Data associating the default user interface with the identification data is stored. Thereafter, a display is generated of the default user interface upon login of the associated user on the document processing device.

Abstract: For a network printer function and a network scan function, a trial using mode whose use frequency is limited can be set. When the preset trial using mode is finished, the use of the tried function is permitted according to setting of an exclusive key.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus decides, in response to an information request transmitted from an information processing apparatus, a priority image forming unit from a plurality of image forming units in accordance with the states of image forming units. The image forming apparatus transmits identification information containing an identifier of the decided image forming unit.

Abstract: An image forming device including a document tag reader that detects a contactless IC tag (document tag) attached to the document. If the document tag reader detects a document tag attached to a document, the tagged document is recognized as having a high management level, and a tagged recording sheet is fed (selected) from a sheet tray storing tagged recording sheets to which a contactless IC tag (sheet tag) is attached. On the other hand, if the document tag reader does not detect a document tag, the document is recognized as having a low management level, and a not-tagged recording sheet is fed (selected) from a sheet tray storing not-tagged recording sheets to which a contactless IC tag (sheet tag) is not attached.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including applications and system side software for providing system side services to the applications is provided, in which the image forming apparatus includes: an authentication module for displaying an authentication screen on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus, wherein the authentication module allows the image forming apparatus to display a screen for using the image forming apparatus instead of the authentication screen if authentication data input from the authentication screen satisfies an authentication condition, and wherein the authentication module is provided in the image forming apparatus separately from the system side software.

Abstract: A job execution system comprises a job execution apparatus, an image data storage portion which is installed either outside or inside the job execution apparatus and stores image data in each box, a group information storing portion which is installed either outside or inside the job execution apparatus and stores group information preset for each group to which the user belongs in association with the box, a group information acquisition portion which is installed to the job execution apparatus and acquires the group information associated with the box when the box in which the image data is stored is designated by the user, and a controller which operates the job execution apparatus in conformity to the acquired group information.

Abstract: A user interface is controlled to support a user using an image processing apparatus which can perform a task, for example, for storing image data obtained by a scanner in a memory or printing the image by a printer. In a display apparatus which can display a user interface including operation items, a user's intention is estimated, and an operation by the user for specifying a task is supported. For example, statuses of an image input unit and an image accept unit relating to execution of the task are monitored, and display forms of the operation items are varied in accordance with results of the monitoring.

Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming device which forms an image based on image data, and an image processing device such as a personal computer, and the image forming system is capable of restricting image output of the image forming device. In the image forming system, data information of the output image data or working environment of the image forming device is judged, so as to allow or disallow image output based on the working environment so judged. This judges whether or not devices such as digital complex device or scanner device in the image forming system are used properly, thus providing an image processing system which can be used efficiently.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus with a plurality of functions includes an image information member at a position in a scan area of a scanner and outside an original document placement area. Image information which can be read by the scanner and specifies a permitted function or a prohibited function in the plurality of functions is formed in the image information member. Besides, a processing unit is provided which reads the information to specify the permitted function or the prohibited function from the image information read by the scanner and performs a permission or prohibition processing on the function.

Abstract: A network-based image forming device and method for storing and printing files sent from at least one user terminal connected through a network is disclosed. The network-based image forming device and method comprises an interface unit for providing a communication interface with the user terminal; a storage unit for storing a protected file and the print-authorized user information if the protected file having print-authorized user information set therein is sent from the user terminal through the interface unit; and a control unit for displaying a list of the files stored in the storage unit in response to a display request signal, and if a file selected out of the displayed list of files is a protected file, displaying a request message to request an input of user information and determine whether the user is an authorized user, and, if the user information input in response to the message matches the print-authorized user's information set in the selected file, printing the selected file.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems, methods and devices for allowing a plurality of concurrent users to use a single imaging device account.

Abstract: An image forming system, and a user authenticating method and a control method thereof, the image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses communicably connected and performing a first authentication of a user in a first image forming apparatus of the plurality of image forming apparatuses; requesting a second authentication of the user from at least one second image forming apparatus of the plurality of image forming apparatuses in response to the first authentication failing in the first image forming apparatus; and finally authenticating the user based on a result of the second authentication.

Abstract: The subject application is directed to a system and method for generating a user customizable default user interface for a document processing device. First, screen data representing each of a plurality of different user interfaces is stored. Each user interface includes visual representations of a unique subset of controls associated with operation of the associated document processing device. Identification data is then acquired from an associated user. A display is generated representing each of the different user interfaces. Selection data representing a selected user interface as a default user interface is then received. Data associating the default user interface with the identification data is stored. Thereafter, a display is generated of the default user interface upon login of the associated user on the document processing device.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus preferably includes a process unit, an acquisition unit, a detection unit, and a selection unit. The process unit executes processes in a plurality of modes corresponding to identification information for identifying a user. The acquisition unit acquires identification information for identifying a user. The detection unit detects presence or absence of an object to be used in at least any one of the plurality of modes. The selection unit selects a mode corresponding to the presence or absence of the object detected by the detection unit from the plurality of modes corresponding to the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming section to fix a developer image to a sheet material and to output it, an output sheet material holding section to hold the sheet material to which the developer image is fixed, and a cover mechanism to prevent the sheet material outputted to the output sheet material holding section from being taken out.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for printing a digital print file using a system comprising a digital network which interconnects a plurality of service units, for example a plurality of printers, and a print file memory.

Abstract: A method of configuring a printing system includes providing a document key having an initial image and providing a printing system that includes a memory storing a first system setting. The method also includes scanning the document key and validating the initial image. The method can optionally include marking a first overlay image over at least a portion of the initial image, scanning the document key, and verifying the marking of the first overlay image thereon. The method also includes configuring or permitting the configuration of the printing system after the initial image has been validated or the marking of the first overlay, image on the initial image has been verified. A printing system that is capable of being configured using the document key is also included.

Abstract: An apparatus manages a usage amount associated with each of a plurality of functions included in a work flow. The work flow is executed after it is determined whether an operation of each step included in the work flow can be executed or not.

Abstract: A usage limiting method for a device executing a job generated by a driver, in which a driver corresponding to a device manages a usage state of the device, and when the usage state agrees with a predetermined condition, the driver stops generation of a job corresponding to the device.

Abstract: An image forming system for receiving an identification signal from a first identification tag, identifying a user associated with the first identification signal, and storing information that tracks usage of a functional unit by the user are disclosed.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a user job history database for storing execution condition information that indicates an execution condition of the job in relationship with user identification information for distinguishing a user who made the instruction for each executed job, a device structure detection portion for detecting a change in a state of the image processor, a notification target determination portion for determining a notification target user who is a user to be notified of the change in accordance with the execution condition information and the user identification information stored in the user job history database, and a new function notification portion for notifying the change to the determined notification target user.

Abstract: A device for performing a processing in response to a request received from a requester, comprises a receiving unit that receives the request or authentication information from the requestor; a processing unit that performs processing according to the request received by the receiving unit; a job history memory that stores a history of job performed by the processing unit; and a job history display controller that controls a display of a job history list in response to the request from the requestor, wherein the job history display controller restricts a display of a history of job which has been performed in response to a request from other requestor than the first-mentioned requestor and belongs to the other requester.

Abstract: A condition determination unit (102) determines a to-be-used copy-forgery-inhibited-pattern image from a first copy-forgery-inhibited-pattern image generated using a latent pattern designed as a pattern that becomes visible upon copy and a background pattern designed as a pattern that becomes invisible upon copy and a second copy-forgery-inhibited-pattern image generated using the latent pattern. A tint block image generation unit (105) generates the determined copy-forgery-inhibited-pattern image. A combining unit (106) combines the generated copy-forgery-inhibited-pattern image with a print target image. A print data processing unit (107) generates print data on the basis of the combined data and outputs the print data to a printer (108).

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including applications and system side software for providing system side services to the applications is provided, in which the image forming apparatus includes: an authentication module for displaying an authentication screen on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus, wherein the authentication module allows the image forming apparatus to display a screen for using the image forming apparatus instead of the authentication screen if authentication data input from the authentication screen satisfies an authentication condition, and wherein the authentication module is provided in the image forming apparatus separately from the system side software.