Abstract: In order to integrally manage computers and peripheral devices at a user site, when a device monitoring server (203a) receives a trouble message from a device, it sends a message indicating this to a device center server (210) via a router (204). If the received message is a trouble message, the device center server (210) controls an event adapter to convert the received message into a format that a center server can process, and transfers the converted message to the center server (110). Upon receiving the message, the center server (110) displays occurrence of a trouble in an event list using an event monitor (110a). The user can simultaneously monitor the versatile computers and peripheral devices by observing the event monitor.

Abstract: A multi-functional apparatus of all-in-one type has a plurality of functions and comprises a plurality of devices having respective functions, a designation device for designating one of the functions, where each function utilizes at least one of the plurality of devices, and a controller for controlling at least one of the plurality of devices for execution of the designated one function. A management device manages information that specifies an external apparatus from which an extension program is to be acquired for execution of the designated one function, and an acquisition device acquires the extension program from the specified external apparatus based on the managed information for extension of the functions of the multi-functional apparatus.

Abstract: A compound peripheral device which is connected to a computer and executes different function processes comprises a plurality of function processing means for executing predetermined different function processes, a communication unit for communicating through a telephone line with a server computer in which a plurality of closed application programs have previously been stored, a memory such as internal or external memory medium for down loading each of the closed application programs stored in the server computer by the communication unit and for storing, an instructing unit for instructing the selection and execution of either one of the application programs stored in the memory, a program executing unit for executing either one of the application programs read out from the memory on the basis of the selection execution instruction by the instructing unit, an application selecting unit for selecting and instructing either one of the application programs to be down loaded from the server computer, and a tran

Abstract: A multi-function peripheral is connected to a computer and has a plurality of devices with respective functions, the plurality of devices including a printing unit. A designation means of the peripheral designates one of the functions of the peripheral, and a sending means of the peripheral sends a request to download, from the computer to the peripheral, a program for controlling at least one of the devices. A memory means of the peripheral stores a plurality of programs downloaded from the computer, an instruction means selects and executes one of the stored programs, and a control means controls the functioning of a device of the peripheral by executing the selected program in the peripheral in response to an instruction received from the instruction means.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a reading unit, a recognizing unit, a registering unit, a searching unit, and a control unit. The reading unit reads image information including character data such as a phone number recorded in a recording medium. The recognizing unit recognizes the character data in the image information read by the reading unit. The registering unit registers the character data recognized by the recognizing unit. The searching unit searches a desired phone number from the character data registered in the registering unit. The control unit performs communication processing on the basis of the phone number searched by the searching unit.

Abstract: A compound peripheral device which is connected to a computer and executes different function processes comprises a plurality of function processing means for executing predetermined different function processes, a communication unit for communicating through a telephone line with a server computer in which a plurality of closed application programs have previously been stored, a memory such as internal or external memory medium for down loading each of the closed application programs stored in the server computer by the communication unit and for storing, an instructing unit for instructing the selection and execution of either one of the application programs stored in the memory, a program executing unit for executing either one of the application programs read out from the memory on the basis of the selection execution instruction by the instructing unit, an application selecting unit for selecting and instructing either one of the application programs to be down loaded from the server computer, and a tran

Abstract: In order to integrally manage computers and peripheral devices at a user site, when a device monitoring server (203a) receives a trouble message from a device, it sends a message indicating this to a device center server (210) via a router (204). If the received message is a trouble message, the device center server (210) controls an event adapter to convert the received message into a format that a center server can process, and transfers the converted message to the center server (110). Upon receiving the message, the center server (110) displays occurrence of a trouble in an event list using an event monitor (110a). The user can simultaneously monitor the versatile computers and peripheral devices by observing the event monitor.

Abstract: There is disclosed a communicating apparatus such as a television telephone connected to the ISDN having a calling party number display service, including a receiving unit for receiving image data sent from a calling party communicating apparatus; a memory for storing the image data received by the receiving unit in correspondence to ID data indicative of the calling party communicating apparatus; and a display apparatus for receiving the ID data upon call reception from the calling party communicating apparatus and for reading out the image data corresponding to the received ID data from the memory and for displaying. Before a speech is started, the user can see the image information regarding the calling party and can immediately disconnect the communication if he does not want to speak to the calling party upon call reception therefrom.