Abstract: Online information is centrally stored for various devices, and the online information includes reference manual and related information such as related products, new products and maintenance information. The online information is retrieved from a user display unit that is either independent or is incorporated in the device. The online information is selected from a list of devices that is connected to the network. The online information is also further searched based upon a key that a user specifies.

Abstract: In a document management method and apparatus of the invention, data of a paper document to which revision data are added are acquired, and data of a document file corresponding to the paper document are acquired based on document-file identification information that identifies the document file. Difference data indicating differences between the data of the paper document and the data of the document file are extracted. The revision data contained in the difference data, revision attribute information concerning the revision data, and the document file are associated so that the document file is managed with the association.

Abstract: A document-database access device enables a WWW client to access a URL-linked document correctly and efficiently when accessing a document with a URL link if the document with the URL link and the URL-linked document are uploaded onto a document database, and also enables the WWW client to access each document under a particular folder by supplying different URL formats to the document for specifying an individual document even if documents with a single name exist under the particular folder.

Abstract: Online information is centrally stored for various devices, and the online information includes reference manual and related information such as related products, new products and maintenance information. The online information is retrieved from a user display unit that is either independent or is incorporated in the device. The online information is selected from a list of devices that is connected to the network. The online information is also further searched based upon a key that a user specifies.

Abstract: Online information is centrally stored for various devices, and the online information includes reference manual and related information such as related products, new products and maintenance information. The online information is retrieved from a user display unit that is either independent or is incorporated in the device. The online information is selected from a list of devices that is connected to the network. The online information is also further searched based upon a key that a user specifies.

Abstract: A computer-readable recording medium is disclosed that stores a workflow function addition program for causing a computer to execute a method including the steps of (a) displaying a list of work items on a screen related to an e-mail program and (b) changing the display state of the list displayed in step (a).

Abstract: A workflow management apparatus for managing one or more document-related workflows is disclosed. In the workflow management apparatus, the document-related workflows are managed by an object-oriented model that includes a process instance class defining one of the document-related workflows, an activity instance class defining one of steps of the document-related workflows, and a form instance class defining one of user interfaces employed in executing the steps of the document-related workflows.

Abstract: In a document management method and apparatus of the invention, data of a paper document to which revision data are added are acquired, and data of a document file corresponding to the paper document are acquired based on document-file identification information that identifies the document file. Difference data indicating differences between the data of the paper document and the data of the document file are extracted. The revision data contained in the difference data, revision attribute information concerning the revision data, and the document file are associated so that the document file is managed with the association.

Abstract: In a service information providing apparatus including a service providing part for providing a service which a user utilizes, the service providing part includes a service information providing part providing information concerning the service in that the information is utilized when the user selects the service, in response to a request from a user terminal.

Abstract: A service providing apparatus includes a service providing section to provide services. The service providing section has an authentication information managing section to manage authentication information related to the services and having a term of validity, an extension request accepting section to accept an extension request to extend the term of validity of the authentication information, and an authentication information updating section to extend the term of validity of the authentication information depending on the extension request.

Abstract: A service offering apparatus can offer various services, which relates to objects such as document data, with a limited right to a client having no account while maintaining security. The service offering apparatus receives an acquisition request for requesting an acquisition of authentication information used for establishing a session having a limited right with respect to the service offering apparatus and the objects. The service offering apparatus transmits the authentication information, and receives a start request for requesting a start of the session containing the authentication information from a client different from an end to which the authentication information is transmitted.

Abstract: Online information is centrally stored for various devices, and the online information includes reference manual and related information such as related products, new products and maintenance information. The online information is retrieved from a user display unit that is either independent or is incorporated in the device. The online information is selected from a list of devices that is connected to the network. The online information is also further searched based upon a key that a user specifies.