Abstract: A multifunctional product connected with a plurality of terminals over a network includes an image information obtaining device that obtains image information, a document file storing device that stores the image information in a prescribed location as a document file, and a designating device that designates a prescribed terminal to receive the document file. A file transmission device is provided to transmit the document file to the prescribed terminal simultaneously when the document file storing device stores the image information in the document file.

Abstract: A multifunctional product connected with a plurality of terminals over a network includes an image information obtaining device that obtains image information, a document file storing device that stores the image information in a prescribed location as a document file, and a designating device that designates a prescribed terminal to receive the document file. A file transmission device is provided to transmit the document file to the prescribed terminal simultaneously when the document file storing device stores the image information in the document file.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a communication unit which receives email through a communication line, the email having been sent by a user and including a first identifier and data. The apparatus further includes an accumulation unit which stores therein the data, a printout unit, an input unit which receives a second identifier entered by the user through direct operation thereof, and a control unit which controls the printout unit to print the data corresponding to the first identifier by reading the data from the accumulation unit if the second identifier matches the first identifier.

Abstract: In a multi-function input/output device, an optical reading unit optically reads an optically readable code from a device control setting medium on which device control setting information, including use authentication information and unit-control-setting information for a document input control setting unit, a document-data-processing control setting unit, and a document-data-output control setting unit, is recorded. The device control setting information including the use authentication information is recognized from the code read by the optical reading unit. A user authentication unit authenticates the user by using a use authentication code of the use authentication information. A setting processing unit sets the unit-control-setting information based on a recognition result of the device control setting information and the use authentication information.

Abstract: A document OCR implementing device, includes a reading part configured to read a document and form a recognition image; an obtaining part configured to perform image processing of the recognition image and obtain a state of the recognition image; a plurality of OCR engines configured to perform a character recognition process of the recognition image; and a designating part configured to designate the OCR engine by combining the recognition image and the OCR engine; wherein the character recognition process is implemented by using the OCR engine designated by the designating part.

Abstract: A document input and output device for identifying external devices, the document input and output device being connected to a network and using a plurality of communication protocols, the document input and output device communicating documents in various data forms with plural information devices, includes a first identifying part configured to implement an identifying process wherein a function of a first information device can be used by identification of an individual; a second identifying part configured to implement an identifying process wherein a function of the document input and output device can be used by identification of an individual; a third identifying part configured to implement an identifying process wherein a function of a second information device can be used by identification of an individual; and an identification control part configured to control the first through third identifying parts.

Abstract: A received document input and output device connected to a network and using a plurality of communication protocols, the document input and output device communicating documents in various data forms with a plurality of information devices, includes a storing part configured to store the documents received via a communication part; a printing part configured to print the documents; a setting part configured to set management information; and a periodic implementation part configured to control the parts processing the document based on the management information and an output of a clock part configured to count day and time.

Abstract: A pin point searching map document input and output device connected to a network and using a plurality of communication protocols, the pin point searching map document input and output device communicating documents in various data forms with a plurality of information devices includes a position obtaining part configured to obtain position information on a map from address information of an input part; an extracting part configured to extract an address file based on the address information; a file forming part configured to form another address file based on setting information and the position information from the position obtaining part; and a rendering part configured to form an image of the map from the address file.

Abstract: A document input and output device with a security protection function, the document input and output device being connected to a network and using a plurality of communication protocols, the document input and output device communicating documents in various data forms with plural information devices, includes a protection part configured to provide security protection for the document that is input; a confirmation part configured to encourage reconfirmation of information that is input by a user; and a restriction part configured to limit use of functions of the document input and output device. The document is protected and a document input and output process is performed.

Abstract: An external device document input and output device that is connected to a network and uses a plurality of communication protocols, the external device document input and output device communicating documents in various data forms to and from a plurality of information devices, the external device input and output device includes a first identifying part configured to implement a process of identification so that a function of the information device can be used by individual identification; a second identifying part configured to implement a process of identification so that a function of the external device document input and output device can be used by individual identification; and a registration part configured to register folders permitted to be used by a user identified by the first identifying part and the second identifying part and register setting information of a recording medium provided in the external device document input and output device, in common media.

Abstract: In a network communication system, data is exchanged between a source computer and a destination computer via a file server. The source computer is a network multifunction product and includes an uploading unit that uploads a file to the file server; and a URI sending unit that sends a Universal Resource Identifier (URI) of the file to the destination computer by e-mail. The destination computer is also a network multifunction product and includes a table that holds security information that is required to access to the file; a URI receiving unit that receives the URI; and a downloading unit that downloads the file from the file server using the security information that corresponds to the URI.

Abstract: A multifunctional product connected with a plurality of terminals over a network includes an image information obtaining device that obtains image information, a document file storing device that stores the image information in a prescribed location as a document file, and a designating device that designates a prescribed terminal to receive the document file. A file transmission device is provided to transmit the document file to the prescribed terminal simultaneously when the document file storing device stores the image information in the document file.

Abstract: In a multi-function image forming apparatus connected with a network, an email transmission device extracts image data of an address area, a subject area, and a body area of an original document from image data of the original document according to a designated one of a plurality of pieces of OCR area information stored in an OCR area information storage device, performs character recognition relative to the extracted image data of an address area, a subject area, and a body area of the original document with an OCR device to obtain character strings of the address area, the subject area, and the body area of the original document, sets the obtained character strings of the address area, the subject area, and the body area of the original document as an address, a subject, and a body of an email, and transmits the email while attaching the image data of the original document to the body of the email.

Abstract: When fingerprint information is input by users to login from the fingerprint sensor, an authentication priority is set for each of the users based on login information of each of the users. The login information is stored in a login information table. Authentication of the users are carried out by comparing the fingerprint information input and fingerprint information of each finger of the users that are registered in a fingerprint information table in order based on the authentication priority from a user that has a highest ranking.

Abstract: A service providing apparatus includes an operating part that receives a usage request from outside. A sending part sends the usage request to a control processor via a network. A receiving part receives usage permission corresponding to the usage request from the control apparatus via the network. A service process part is enabled based on the usage permission and disabled upon reception of a predetermined end instruction.

Abstract: An information providing system is disclosed that includes: plural multifunctional information stations having at least printing, facsimile, and e-mailing functions; and a center server connected to the multifunctional information stations via a network. The center server receives applications, issues documents, and distributes information via the multifunctional information stations. A user can file an application and have a document issued using the multifunctional information station disposed in a convenience store.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image processing unit that sets a predetermined equal value for pixels in a color image data having red, green, and blue saturation values less than a predetermined first value. A printer engine forms an image with black for pixels that have been set with the equal value to form an image with any one of yellow, magenta, and cyan for pixels other than the pixels that have been set with the equal value.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus creates a layout image by fetching a layout with various data according to layout information that is held by a desired form which is selected from either one type or a plurality of types of forms which are registered. The image processing apparatus includes a new-form creating unit that creates new layout information and creates a new form from the new layout information; and a new-form registering unit that registers the new form.

Abstract: A desired area, a desired resolution of the desired area, and a desired reduction ratio of an area other than the desired area are specified. An image data of the desired area is extracted from an image data of a document read at the desired resolution. A changed image data is created by changing the image data of the document based on the desired reduction ratio. The image data of the desired area and the changed image data are subjected to multi-page filing and saved as one file.

Abstract: A control unit of a multifunction image forming apparatus obtains document information concerning copied documents, scanner read documents, and e-mail documents, and stores the obtained document information to a storing unit of a document storing unit. The control unit counts usage frequency concerning each document stored in the document storing unit, and stores the information as usage frequency information. The control unit has the operator, who carries out document searching, input predetermined information. The control unit matches the input information, and determines whether the operator is an authorized person concerning the searched document. In a case where it is determined that the operator is a legitimate authorized person, the control unit displays the information of the documents stored in the document storing unit, in an order of high usage frequency, to a display unit of an input operation unit, based on the usage frequency information.