Abstract: A message, including ordering-data receiving process of receiving ordering data including price information representing a price of a target product to be purchased and personal information including ID information which has previously been given to at least one purchaser for sales, via a network a payment determination process of determining whether to pay the price of the target product to a seller, based on the price information included in the received ordering data and purchaser ID Information included in the received personal information a settlement-permission information sending process of sending, in a case where it is determined at said determining step to pay the price of the target product for the at least one purchaser, settlement permission information representing that it is determined to pay the price for the purchaser to the seller through a network, while the ID information is secret from the seller.

Abstract: A managing apparatus connected to a computer network manages an image processing apparatus via the computer network. The image processing apparatus is connected to the computer network via a firewall that allows data transmitted using predetermined protocols to pass through, and at least one of the predetermined protocols has an immediacy. A report generation/transmission unit provided in the image processing apparatus generates and transmits a report data to the managing apparatus through the computer network, using the protocol having the immediacy. The managing apparatus outputs contents of the report data received, and sends a reply data in response to the report data, to the image processing apparatus through the computer network using the protocol having the immediacy.

Abstract: A dynamically configurable network architecture comprising networked office appliances which provide network addressing, network naming, service discovery, and user identification in one system. The network architecture provides automatic configuration services for unadministered networks while being automatically adaptable within administered environments.

Abstract: A message, including ordering-data receiving process of receiving ordering data including price information representing a price of a target product to be purchased and personal information including ID information which has previously been given to at least one purchaser for sales, via a network a payment determination process of determining whether to pay the price of the target product to a seller, based on the price information included in the received ordering data and purchaser ID Information included in the received personal information a settlement-permission information sending process of sending, in a case where it is determined at said determining step to pay the price of the target product for the at least one purchaser, settlement permission information representing that it is determined to pay the price for the purchaser to the seller through a network, while the ID information is secret from the seller.

Abstract: A message, including ordering data regarding a price of a product that a purchaser wants to purchase and personal information including a credit card number of the purchaser, is given to a settlement agency computer from a purchaser computer used by the purchaser. The settlement agency computer determines whether to pay for the product for the purchaser, based on the ordering data and the personal information. In a case where it is determined to pay for the product for the purchaser, the settlement agency computer sends settlement permission information representing that payment can be made for the purchaser, to a seller computer used by a seller, while keeping the credit card number to be confidential. Hence, before delivering the product to the purchaser, the settlement is completed, and the credit card number of the purchaser is kept secret from the seller.

Abstract: A dynamically configurable network architecture comprising networked office appliances which provide network addressing, network naming, service discovery, and user identification in one system. The network architecture provides automatic configuration services for unadministered environments.

Abstract: A dynamically configurable network architecture comprising networked office appliances which provide network addressing, network naming, service discovery, and user identification in one system. The network architecture provides automatic configuration services for unadministered networks while being automatically adaptable within administered environments.

Abstract: The digital copying machine has a MBD that controls the overall device of the digital copying machine. The machine also has an LDU that controls a drawing laser with which an image is drawn onto a photoconductive drum, an SCU that controls a scanner, and a PCU that controls a control panel through which a user gives an instruction for an operation. These units are directly connected to the MBD by serial cables via their respective high performance serial interfaces.

Abstract: The digital copying machine has a MBD that controls the overall device of the digital copying machine. The machine also has an LDU that controls a drawing laser with which an image is drawn onto a photoconductive drum, an SCU that controls a scanner, and a PCU that controls a control panel through which a user gives an instruction for an operation. These units are directly connected to the MBD by serial cables via their respective high performance serial interfaces.

Abstract: A managing apparatus connected to a computer network manages an image processing apparatus via the computer network. The image processing apparatus is connected to the computer network via a firewall that allows data transmitted using predetermined protocols to pass through, and at least one of the predetermined protocols has an immediacy. A report generation/transmission unit provided in the image processing apparatus generates and transmits a report data to the managing apparatus through the computer network, using the protocol having the immediacy. The managing apparatus outputs contents of the report data received, and sends a reply data in response to the report data, to the image processing apparatus through the computer network using the protocol having the immediacy.

Abstract: A dynamically configurable network architecture comprising networked office appliances which provide network addressing, network naming, service discovery, and user identification in one system. The network architecture provides automatic configuration services for unadministered networks while being automatically adaptable within administered environments.

Abstract: A message, including ordering data regarding a price of a product that a purchaser wants to purchase and personal information including a credit card number of the purchaser, is given to a settlement agency computer from a purchaser computer used by the purchaser. The settlement agency computer determines whether to pay for the product for the purchaser, based on the ordering data and the personal information. In a case where it is determined to pay for the product for the purchaser, the settlement agency computer sends settlement permission information representing that payment can be made for the purchaser, to a seller computer used by a seller, while keeping the credit card number to be confidential. Hence, before delivering the product to the purchaser, the settlement is completed, and the credit card number of the purchaser is kept secret from the seller.

Abstract: The disclosure of the current invention describes the methods and systems for inputting and outputting to and from the large capacity memory cards which are used as external data storage and expanded random access memory.

Abstract: The disclosure of the current invention describes the methods and systems for inputting and outputting to and from the large capacity memory cards which are used as external data storage and expanded random access memory.

Abstract: A method for generating character pattern data includes steps of providing contour information of a character having m.sub.1 .times.m.sub.2 coordinate values in a coordinate space; and making and outputting gradated character pattern data of l.sub.1 .times.l.sub.2 picture elements for an output device having n gradiations per picture element (where m.sub.1, m.sub.2, l.sub.1, l.sub.2, and n are positive integers). In an image making method, picture subelements provided by dividing an original picture element are set as a scanning unit and an image is made by scanning conversion using the picture element having a gradation to perform a coloring operation with respect to the interior of a two-dimensional contour line.

Abstract: A medicament containing a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein ##STR2## is a trans-isoprene unit, ##STR3## is a cis-isoprene unit, and n is an integer of from 12 to 18, or a pharmaceutically acceptable ester thereof.The medicament is useful for the treatment of anemia, particularly aplastic anemia.