Abstract: In a multi-domain environment, an access control apparatus belonging to a first domain obtains access control information for controlling usage of a function of an image forming apparatus corresponding to a user belonging to the first domain. When the user belonging to the first domain instructs usage of a function of an image forming apparatus belonging to a second domain, the access control apparatus belonging to the first domain requests an access control apparatus belonging to the second domain to add authentication information managed by the second domain to the access control information. The access control apparatus belonging to the first domain transmits access control information including the added authentication information to a client computer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus registers a message using a microblogging function in a Web server. When the image forming apparatus confirms a comment to the registered message, it analyzes the comment and converts it into control information for executing processing by the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus generates an analysis result comment for confirming whether or not the analysis result is correct, and registers the analysis result comment in the Web server. When a comment of the user to the registered analysis result comment is affirmative, processing in accordance with the control information is executed.

Abstract: In a multi-domain environment, an access control apparatus belonging to a first domain obtains access control information for controlling usage of a function of an image forming apparatus corresponding to a user belonging to the first domain. When the user belonging to the first domain instructs usage of a function of an image forming apparatus belonging to a second domain, the access control apparatus belonging to the first domain requests an access control apparatus belonging to the second domain to add authentication information managed by the second domain to the access control information. The access control apparatus belonging to the first domain transmits access control information including the added authentication information to a client computer.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus determines whether data to be printed has an attribute indicating that printing is required to be performed according to a printing function in which data received from an external device is printed after a user input is received via an operation unit of the printing device. When the data to be printed has the attribute indicating that printing is required to be performed according to the printing function, the information processing apparatus controls the printing device that is capable of performing the printing function so that the data to be printed is printed according to the printing function.

Abstract: In a multi-domain environment, an access control apparatus belonging to a first domain obtains access control information for controlling usage of a function of an image forming apparatus corresponding to a user belonging to the first domain. When the user belonging to the first domain instructs usage of a function of an image forming apparatus belonging to a second domain, the access control apparatus belonging to the first domain requests an access control apparatus belonging to the second domain to add authentication information managed by the second domain to the access control information. The access control apparatus belonging to the first domain transmits access control information including the added authentication information to a client computer.

Abstract: In a job processing system, usage restriction information is managed for restricting user usage of functions of a job processing apparatus. An information processing apparatus acquires usage restriction information corresponding to a first operator instructing generation of job data, and writes the usage restriction information into job data to be transmitted to the job processing apparatus. The job processing apparatus checks whether or not the usage restriction information is written in the job data received from the information processing apparatus, and when the usage restriction information is confirmed, processes the job data in accordance with the usage restriction information, and when the usage restriction information is not confirmed, processes the job data in accordance with usage restriction information of a second operator instructing execution of a job in the job processing apparatus.

Abstract: In a job processing system, usage restriction information is managed for restricting user usage of functions of a job processing apparatus. An information processing apparatus acquires usage restriction information corresponding to a first operator instructing generation of job data, and writes the usage restriction information into job data to be transmitted to the job processing apparatus. The job processing apparatus checks whether or not the usage restriction information is written in the job data received from the information processing apparatus, and when the usage restriction information is confirmed, processes the job data in accordance with the usage restriction information, and when the usage restriction information is not confirmed, processes the job data in accordance with usage restriction information of a second operator instructing execution of a job in the job processing apparatus.

Abstract: According to a print controller of this embodiment, when a part of print data is specified to be encrypted, a client 102 determines functions supported by a printer 104. If the printer 104 is capable of handling partial encryption, the client 102 encrypts the specified portion, specifies the portion by PDL commands or XML tags, and sends the print data to the printer. The printer 104 decrypts it and then prints it out. Meanwhile, in the case of a printer 151 which does not support partially encrypted printing, printing is terminated, or the print data is sent to the printer 151 after replacing the portion specified to be encrypted with a different character string.

Abstract: A method for controlling a service providing device includes the steps of determining whether the service providing device has already acquired a global address of a client station accessing the service providing device, requesting the client station to notify the global address of the client station when the determining step determines that the service providing device has not yet acquired the global address, and providing the client station with different services based on whether or not the client station notifies the service providing device of the global address in response to the request at the requesting step.

Abstract: In a job processing system, usage restriction information is managed for restricting user usage of functions of a job processing apparatus. An information processing apparatus acquires usage restriction information corresponding to a first operator instructing generation of job data, and writes the usage restriction information into job data to be transmitted to the job processing apparatus. The job processing apparatus checks whether or not the usage restriction information is written in the job data received from the information processing apparatus, and when the usage restriction information is confirmed, processes the job data in accordance with the usage restriction information, and when the usage restriction information is not confirmed, processes the job data in accordance with usage restriction information of a second operator instructing execution of a job in the job processing apparatus.

Abstract: A printing system and its control method are provided allowing flexible function restrictions during print job execution even with an image forming apparatus incapable of highly advanced functions such as interpreting functional restriction information, etc. The invention is applied to a printing system where an information processing apparatus and a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected via a network. The information processing apparatus transmits a print job assigned access restriction information, the information indicating whether or not to authorize the execution of the print job, only when an image forming apparatus or output destination of the print job is capable of interpreting such access restriction information.

Abstract: In a multi-domain environment, an access control apparatus belonging to a first domain obtains access control information for controlling usage of a function of an image forming apparatus corresponding to a user belonging to the first domain. When the user belonging to the first domain instructs usage of a function of an image forming apparatus belonging to a second domain, the access control apparatus belonging to the first domain requests an access control apparatus belonging to the second domain to add authentication information managed by the second domain to the access control information. The access control apparatus belonging to the first domain transmits access control information including the added authentication information to a client computer.

Abstract: A print system, which comprises a print data issuance device which issues print data, a printing device which executes printing based on the print data output from the print data issuance device, and an access control device which generates access control information required to limit user's access to the printing device, reduces labor of setting and management of access control information by making integrated management of access control information, and facilitates installation of a driver for the printing device.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus determines whether data to be printed has an attribute indicating that printing is required to be performed according to a printing function in which data received from an external device is printed after a user input is received via an operation unit of the printing device. When the data to be printed has the attribute indicating that printing is required to be performed according to the printing function, the information processing apparatus controls the printing device that is capable of performing the printing function so that the data to be printed is printed according to the printing function.

Abstract: According to a print controller of this embodiment, when a part of print data is specified to be encrypted, a client 102 determines functions supported by a printer 104. If the printer 104 is capable of handling partial encryption, the client 102 encrypts the specified portion, specifies the portion by PDL commands or XML tags, and sends the print data to the printer. The printer 104 decrypts it and then prints it out. Meanwhile, in the case of a printer 151 which does not support partially encrypted printing, printing is terminated, or the print data is sent to the printer 151 after replacing the portion specified to be encrypted with a different character string.

Abstract: A method for controlling a service providing device includes the steps of determining whether the service providing device has already acquired a global address of a client station accessing the service providing device, requesting the client station to notify the global address of the client station when the determining step determines that the service providing device has not yet acquired the global address, and providing the client station with different services based on whether or not the client station notifies the service providing device of the global address in response to the request at the requesting step.

Abstract: Polyoxymethylene compositions exhibiting improved heat stability and reduced formation of mold depositions during molding are usefully employed to form molded articles used as parts for electrical or electronic equipment since such parts experience few malfunctions due to formic acid generated from the composition. The preferred composition includes a blend of 100 parts by weight of polyoxymethylene resin with (a) 0.01 to 5.0 parts by weight of an antioxidant, (b) 0.01 to 5.0 parts by weight of a melamine-formaldehyde polycondensate, and (c) 0.001 to 10 parts by weight of at least one metallic compound selected from magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate, and calcium oxide.