Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus in which even in the event that a print job is suspended by reason of payment of an insufficient fee, image formation continues effectively and appropriately. The image forming apparatus, which charges for image formation processing, has determination means for determining whether or not a fee necessary in order to execute a specified print job has been received; printing suspension means for suspending the print job if the determination means has determined that a fee received is insufficient; and authentication means for authenticating user information during suspension of printing. The apparatus further includes printing control means for saving data relating to the suspended print job and accepting a print job from a different user if use of user information that is identical with user information of the suspended print job has not been sensed by the authentication means.

Abstract: An approval workflow management system capable of preventing a mismatch from being caused between a document of which the contents have been confirmed for approval, and an electronic document stored in a file server, for approval, thereby enhancing the reliability of an approval workflow. The approval workflow system is formed by connecting client computers, MFPs, a file server, and an approval information management server to a network. When an MFP receives a request for printing a file, from the client computer, the MFP requests the file server to restrict editing the file, and the approval information management to approve the file. When the approval information management server notifies the MFP that approval of the file has been successful, the MFP requests the file server to cancel restriction of editing the file.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is premised on the assumption that it is connected to a policy server. If no access policy is given to a file to be transmitted, the image processing apparatus forms definition information for defining an access policy, and registers the formed definition information in the policy server. The image processing apparatus then transmits, to a client computer across a network, a file to which the access policy is given.

Abstract: When a user logs in and inputs document data into a box, a usage history of the box as used by the user is determined by referring to a user information management table. If there is a record, process attributes are set, and a process associated with the box is executed. If there is no record, a message indicating that there is no record is displayed. If execution is selected in response to this display, the process is executed. Once the process has ended, the usage record of the box as used by the user is updated to “used”.

Abstract: A user can easily recognize a settable post-processing position when the user selects settings of post-processing to be performed on document information in a general-purpose file format. The present invention provides a control method for controlling a printing apparatus to which a post-processing apparatus for performing post-processing on a printed sheet is connectable. The control method includes storing, into a storage unit, document information of which file format is a predetermined file format, generating an image corresponding to the document information by analyzing the stored document information, determining a size of the sheet on which the image is printed, obtaining a capability of the post-processing apparatus, and displaying a settable post-processing position on a display unit according to the determined size of the sheet, and the obtained capability of the post-processing apparatus.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, to which a portable storage medium can be electrically connected, includes a generation unit configured to generate a pair of a public key and a private key, a medium detection unit configured to detect that the portable storage medium is connected to the image processing apparatus, a determination unit configured to determine whether the public key generated by the generation unit is stored in the portable storage medium detected by the medium detection unit, and a storage unit configured to store the public key generated by the generation unit in the portable storage medium based on the determination by the determination unit that the public key generated by the generation unit is not stored in the portable storage medium.

Abstract: An approval workflow management system capable of preventing a mismatch from being caused between a document of which the contents have been confirmed for approval, and an electronic document stored in a file server, for approval, thereby enhancing the reliability of an approval workflow. The approval workflow system is formed by connecting client computers, MFPs, a file server, and an approval information management server to a network. When an MFP receives a request for printing a file, from the client computer, the MFP requests the file server to restrict editing the file, and the approval information management to approve the file. When the approval information management server notifies the MFP that approval of the file has been successful, the MFP requests the file server to cancel restriction of editing the file.

Abstract: This invention further improves the operability of a mobile device by changing the operation screen of the mobile device in accordance with the operation status of the mobile device or that of an image forming apparatus in a communicable state when the mobile device and image forming apparatus become communicable with each other. When it is detected that the mobile device exists within a range of a predetermined short distance, status information is acquired from the mobile device to determine whether a file is selected in the operation screen of the mobile device. Information which designates an operation screen to be displayed on the mobile device is transmitted on the basis of the determination result.

Abstract: When a user logs in and inputs document data into a box, a usage history of the box as used by the user is determined by referring to a user information management table. If there is a record, process attributes are set, and a process associated with the box is executed. If there is no record, a message indicating that there is no record is displayed. If execution is selected in response to this display, the process is executed. Once the process has ended, the usage record of the box as used by the user is updated to “used”.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is premised on the assumption that it is connected to a policy server. If no access policy is given to a file to be transmitted, the image processing apparatus forms definition information for defining an access policy, and registers the formed definition information in the policy server. The image processing apparatus then transmits, to a client computer across a network, a file to which the access policy is given.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus in which even in the event that a print job is suspended by reason of payment of an insufficient fee, image formation continues effectively and appropriately. The image forming apparatus, which charges for image formation processing, has determination means for determining whether or not a fee necessary in order to execute a specified print job has been received; printing suspension means for suspending the print job if the determination means has determined that a fee received is insufficient; and authentication means for authenticating user information during suspension of printing. The apparatus further includes printing control means for saving data relating to the suspended print job and accepting a print job from a different user if use of user information that is identical with user information of the suspended print job has not been sensed by the authentication means.