Abstract: A printing system prevents mistakes such as that a printed paper sheet printed by requesting from a PC to an image forming apparatus is left in an ejected-paper tray. The image forming apparatus transmits to the server printing execution result information that includes the serial number and the time and date of the printing. The server manages the state of unfetch of the printed paper sheet using a fetch flag in a printing record list created based on the printing execution result information, changes the fetch flag from “unfetched” to “fetched” when information indicating that the printed paper sheet has been fetched is sent from the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: When image data is outputted in a special image processing apparatus which has printed confidential data before, a server confirms whether the user who has instructed output is a permitted user or an unpermitted user. If the user is a permitted user, the server permits printing. If the user is an unpermitted user, the server confirms whether a predetermined period has elapsed after the special image processing apparatus was used last. If the predetermined period has elapsed, the server permits printing. If the predetermined period has not elapsed, the server restricts output by stopping printing or by document filing for storing image data. Thus, by restricting use by an outside user, leakage of confidential data is prevented.

Abstract: Processing for extending function of an information processing apparatus having functions, the use of which is restricted, is managed by canceling the restriction of the use of function in association with an information storing device which is connected to information processing apparatus A, B. The information storing device holds information on a list of product keys and the number of possible function extensions (the number of restriction cancellations and the number of licenses) as information for canceling the restriction in advance. The number of information processing apparatus, the functions of which are extended, is managed by reducing the number of possible function extensions each time when one function of the information processing apparatus A is extended. Unnecessary function is deleted from the information processing apparatus A so as to increase the number of licenses. Correspondingly, the function of the information processing apparatus B can be extended.

Abstract: When image data is outputted in a special image processing apparatus which has printed confidential data before, a server confirms whether the user who has instructed output is a permitted user or an unpermitted user. If the user is a permitted user, the server permits printing. If the user is an unpermitted user, the server confirms whether a predetermined period has elapsed after the special image processing apparatus was used last. If the predetermined period has elapsed, the server permits printing. If the predetermined period has not elapsed, the server restricts output by stopping printing or by document filing for storing image data. Thus, by restricting use by an outside user, leakage of confidential data is prevented.

Abstract: A printing system prevents mistakes such as that a printed paper sheet printed by requesting from a PC to an image forming apparatus is left in an ejected-paper tray. The image forming apparatus transmits to the server printing execution result information that includes the serial number and the time and date of the printing. The server manages the state of unfetch of the printed paper sheet using a fetch flag in a printing record list created based on the printing execution result information, changes the fetch flag from “unfetched” to “fetched” when information indicating that the printed paper sheet has been fetched is sent from the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image job totaling apparatus which acquires an operating state of an image processing apparatus detects occurrence of an error in the image processing apparatus at an early stage, while reducing the load of processing to acquire the operating state as much as possible. A job information notification section 212 of an image processing apparatus (A) 2 notifies image job processing information to an account server 1 each time print processing or copy processing is performed. A totalization processing section 111 performs totalization processing to the image job processing information sent from the image processing apparatus (A) 2. A status transmission section 211 of the image processing apparatus (A) 2 transmits an error state and the amount of consumables of the image processing apparatus (A) 2 in response to a request of a status acquisition management section 113 of the account server 1.

Abstract: Processing for extending function of an information processing apparatus having functions, the use of which is restricted, is managed by canceling the restriction of the use of function in association with an information storing device which is connected to information processing apparatus A, B. The information storing device holds information on a list of product keys and the number of possible function extensions (the number of restriction cancellations and the number of licenses) as information for canceling the restriction in advance. The number of information processing apparatus, the functions of which are extended, is managed by reducing the number of possible function extensions each time when one function of the information processing apparatus A is extended. Unnecessary function is deleted from the information processing apparatus A so as to increase the number of licenses. Correspondingly, the function of the information processing apparatus B can be extended.

Abstract: The invention provides a file processing apparatus, with which files can be selected easily when subjecting files to a predetermined process. A window W that is displayed during file processing is partitioned into three regions, namely a file display window W1, a selected file display window W2, and an execution icon display window W3. While ascertaining the contents of the files in a predetermined folder and comparing among the files with the icons displayed as thumbnails in the file display window W1, the user can select files to be processed by double-clicking. Once a file has been selected, it is displayed as an icon in the window W2, so that file selection can be performed easily and accurately while scrolling down the window, for example. After the file selection is terminated, a process can be executed, for example by double-clicking a process icon displayed in the window W3.

Abstract: The invention provides a file processing apparatus, with which files can be selected easily when subjecting files to a predetermined process. A window W that is displayed during file processing is partitioned into three regions, namely a file display window W1, a selected file display window W2, and an execution icon display window W3. While ascertaining the contents of the files in a predetermined folder and comparing among the files with the icons displayed as thumbnails in the file display window W1, the user can select files to be processed by double-clicking. Once a file has been selected, it is displayed as an icon in the window W2, so that file selection can be performed easily and accurately while scrolling down the window, for example. After the file selection is terminated, a process can be executed, for example by double-clicking a process icon displayed in the window W3.