Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which program objects represented in byte codes can be loaded, the program objects providing services for image forming processing, the apparatus including: (a) a hardware resource unit including at least one of a printing unit and an image pickup unit; and (b) a memory unit configured to store an operating system, an interpreter which runs on the operating system and interprets the program objects represented in byte codes, a driver program for controlling image forming processing. and the program objects represented in byte codes, wherein the program objects stored in the memory unit perform a message communication, wherein the driver program operates the hardware resource unit, and wherein function programs each having an API (Application Programming Interface) are (a) defined between the program objects and the driver program. (b) used commonly by the program objects, and (c) interpreted by the interpreter.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus communicable with an image processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus including a transmission unit configured to transmit a job that requests execution of image processing, a switching unit configured to automatically switch a transmission destination of the job to the image processing apparatus during a communication with the image processing apparatus, and a unit configured to revert the transmission destination of the job, after completion of the communication with the image processing apparatus, to a setting before the transmission destination of the job was switched by the switching unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises a print request data stream reception unit for externally receiving a print request data stream, a print job controller for controlling a print job of interpreting the print request data stream and executing image formation, and a filter for executing a data process to the print request data stream and thus generating the processed print request data stream. The image processing apparatus sends the print request data stream received by the print request data stream reception unit to the filter through a first interface, and sends he processed print request data stream generated by the filter to the print job controller through a second interface.

Abstract: When information on addition and change of data which is stored in an apparatus and dynamically changes is set as a monitoring target, the information is accumulated in a syndication DB (1705) by an application management interface (1703). Periodically or in response to a request, an update information generation unit (1707) reproduces an entry in the syndication DB as an RSS feed, i.e., XML data complying with the RSS feed standard in accordance with a template (2300), and saves the XML data in an update information storage unit (1708). A computer (101) executes an RSS reader (1710) to acquire and display the RSS feed in the update information storage unit (1708).

Abstract: An information processing apparatus fully utilizing contents available on a network by processing content that cannot be displayed on a built-in browser. A web browser displays in a pop-up fashion a dialog window that queries a user about the process to be performed on undisplayable data if the received data is undisplayable. The user can select between “print” and “send” as an alternative process for the undisplayable data.

Abstract: When a user (4201) requests display of a list of documents in a box, an embedded RSS reader (4210) receives the information. The RSS reader (4210) establishes communication with an HTTP server (212), and transmits an RSS feed acquisition request. The HTTP server (212) sends back an update information feed file stored in an image processing apparatus to the RSS reader (4210) as a response to the HTTP request. The RSS reader (4210) analyzes the acquired feed file, formats an entry which has not been read by the user (4202), and displays the entry on the operation unit of the image processing apparatus. If the user selects the anchor of a link contained in the entry displayed by the RSS reader (4210), the RSS reader (4210) causes an embedded Web browser (211) to format and display a resource specified by a URI.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus fully utilizing contents available on a network by processing content that cannot be displayed on a built-in browser. A web browser displays in a pop-up fashion a dialog window that queries a user about the process to be performed on undisplayable data if the received data is undisplayable. The user can select between “print” and “send” as an alternative process for the undisplayable data.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to reduce network traffic when a remote copy process is done using network devices. To achieve this object, a computer (13) acquires stub drivers (610, 612) from image input/output devices (12-1, 12-2) (S1601, S1602), and sends the stub driver (610) to the image input/output device (12-1) (S1605). The image input/output device (12-1) drives the image input/output device (12-2) by executing the received printer stub driver (610), sends scanned data, and makes the image input/output device (12-2) print the data.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to search for a document including a plurality of image components. The apparatus designates a key image to be used as a search key for an image search, sets a pattern of appearance in a document of the image component equivalent to the designated key image as a search condition, and searches for a document using the set search condition.

Abstract: A document retrieving apparatus includes a document retrieving unit adapted to retrieve document data which include images that match an input retrieval condition, a retrieval result list display unit adapted to display, on a display unit, a list display of document data that match the retrieval condition based on the retrieval results of the document retrieving unit, and a thumbnail display unit adapted to display, in the list display by the retrieval result list display unit, a first thumbnail image associated with a page or an image element which matches the retrieval condition, and a second thumbnail image associated with another page or another image element which forms the document data that includes the page or the image element which match the retrieval condition.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which can execute an image process which is desired by a client while minimizing a connection time and an interactive communication between the client and the image processing apparatus is provided. To accomplish the above object, according to the invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus for receiving an agent including an operation train via a network and allowing an image processing unit to execute image processes. This apparatus is constructed to include: a control unit for controlling the image processing unit; an interpreting unit for interpreting the operation train of the agent; and a message output unit for outputting a message to the control unit in response to the operation train interpreted by the interpreting unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which can execute an image process which is desired by a client while minimizing a connection time and an interactive communication between the client and the image processing apparatus is provided. To accomplish the above object, according to the invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus for receiving an agent including an operation train via a network and allowing an image processing unit to execute image processes. This apparatus is constructed to include: a control unit for controlling the image processing unit; an interpreting unit for interpreting the operation train of the agent and a message output unit for outputting a message to the control unit in response to the operation train interpreted by the interpreting unit.

Abstract: An inner electrode formed inside a dielectric body and a surface electrode formed on a surface of the dielectric body. The surface electrode is formed in a grid pattern with pointed parts formed inside the grid section. Each pointed part is in the shape of a triangle whose vertices are two arbitrary points on a side of the grid section and an arbitrary point inside the grid section, or a quadrangle whose vertices are a crossing of grid lines, an arbitrary point near a straight line connecting crossings of grid lines in the diagonal positions, and two arbitrary points on sides of the grid section. An ion generating element is formed which can generate positive ions and negative ions. The ion generator can be used in an air conditioning apparatus, cleaner or refrigerator.

Abstract: The present invention easily implements a virtual copying machine by connecting a scanner and printer on a network. When a passive scanner and passive printer are connected through a proxy device, the device profiles of the devices are collected to generate a transfer path profile. By referring to the transfer path profile, the proxy device issues an input request to the scanner to cause it read an image, receives the image data, issues an output request to the printer, and transfers the data received from the scanner to the printer to cause it to print the data.

Abstract: In a network system capable of providing various services dispersed among plural apparatuses, the invention provides a service management apparatus capable of managing service information on the services present in the network system. The service management apparatus transfers the managed service information in response to a request from an external apparatus, and also renews the service information based on the current actual quality of the service.

Abstract: In a network connecting a plurality of devices, the image processing function of each device, information for specifying each device, and the like are collected and controlled, and functions realizable by combining two or more devices are determined. Profiles indicating respective combinations are transferred to each device. Each device which has received the profiles displays executable functions based on the profiles, and performs control, such as the operation of the device, transfer of data, and the like, in order to realize a function selected from among the displayed functions.

Abstract: By simply logically connecting a client computer and an office apparatus together for a minimum required amount of time and allowing them to engage in a minimum required amount of interactions, the client computer can fully, easily, and expandably control a desired service of the office apparatus. In addition, the office apparatus can provide the client computer with response information required for processing in the client computer or can fully, easily, and expandably control a desired service provided by another apparatus. The present invention provides an office apparatus, a network system, and their control method all of which enable the above operations.

Abstract: An embedded device incorporating a Web browser, which enables a server to provide a dynamic content adapted and linked to a function specific to the embedded device and a status of the same, as an easily and flexibly expandable service in response to access from the embedded browser, and enables securing privacy and security of information on a client. In an image processing apparatus (110) implementing the embedded device, a Web browser module (211) loads Web content data containing at least document data which is described in a markup language and has a script or information for reference to a script embedded therein, and performs presentation based on the loaded Web content data. A controller unit (111) controls information and operation of the image processing apparatus. A script interpreter (805) incorporated in the Web browser module interprets the document data contained in the loaded Web content data and processes the script or the information for reference to a script embedded in the document data.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus fully utilizing contents available on a network by processing content that cannot be displayed on a built-in browser. A web browser displays in a pop-up fashion a dialog window that queries a user about the process to be performed on undisplayable data if the received data is undisplayable. The user can select between “print” and “send” as an alternative process for the undisplayable data.

Abstract: An image processing device communicable with a server on a LAN includes a scanner that inputs image information, a user interface that inputs a URL for specifying an information resource on the server, a web browser module which receives, from the server, an HTML document for sending image data to the information resource, an operating portion that displays a display screen for starting data transmission to the information resource based on the HTML document, and a control unit that starts input of the image data to the scanner and starts the transmission of the image data in accordance with an operation of the display screen.