Abstract: A collective output system includes an information processing device and a plurality of terminal devices. The information processing device holds content containing multiple elements in association with time information, generates a map that associates each piece of position information with each of the elements, receives output position information from a terminal device, acquires, on the basis of the map, an element associated with the position information corresponding to the output position information, acquires the time information associated with the content, and transmits the element and the time information to the terminal.

Abstract: A communication management system manages group information regarding one or more groups of a plurality of communication terminals, while the plurality of communication terminals are communicating in the same communication session. In response to a request from one communication terminal, the communication management system updates the group information to reflect the currently-established groups, and transmits updated group information to all of the plurality of communication terminals communicating in the same communication session.

Abstract: A communication management system manages group information regarding one or more groups of a plurality of communication terminals, while the plurality of communication terminals are communicating in the same communication session. In response to a request from one communication terminal, the communication management system updates the group information to reflect the currently-established groups, and transmits updated group information to all of the plurality of communication terminals communicating in the same communication session.

Abstract: A collective output system includes an information processing device and a plurality of terminal devices. The information processing device holds content containing multiple elements in association with time information, generates a map that associates each piece of position information with each of the elements, receives output position information from a terminal device, acquires, on the basis of the map, an element associated with the position information corresponding to the output position information, acquires the time information associated with the content, and transmits the element and the time information to the terminal.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for managing documents. The system includes a document manager that is configured to search for application services providers (ASPs) over a network and based on a user input. The document manager can search documents within the ASPs, retrieve documents and URLs, store documents and data, format documents, generate and issue unified bills from a plurality of bills from a plurality of ASPs. The documents manager can provide consulting advise to the user regarding document managing, and can manage the documents stored on a user storage device, for example by transferring these documents to a ASP storage device after storage time periods associated with the documents.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for managing documents are disclosed. The system includes a document manger configured to receive job information from a remote user via a network, the job information being related to a job performed on a document. The document manager can generate billing information based on the job information; and transmit the billing information to an application service provider (ASP) providing a service on the document. The document manager can also transmit the information to the ASP. The document manager can receive login information from the user, and verify the login information. The document manager can generate a job profile based on the login information, and transmit the job profile to the user. The image processing apparatus used in this system, and the method performed by such an image processing apparatus, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for managing documents are disclosed. The system includes a document manger configured to receive job information from a remote user via a network, the job information being related to a job performed on a document. The document manager can generate billing information based on the job information; and transmit the billing information to an application service provider (ASP) providing a service on the document. The document manager can also transmit the information to the ASP. The document manager can receive login information from the user, and verify the login information. The document manager can generate a job profile based on the login information, and transmit the job profile to the user. The image processing apparatus used in this system, and the method performed by such an image processing apparatus, are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a disclosed order support system, devices connected to a communication network are searched for and device information is acquired from each of the found devices. Specified information used for extracting devices to be monitor target candidates is obtained, which is specified according to a predetermined attribute in the device information. Based on the obtained information, devices to be monitor target candidates are extracted from among the found devices. A list of the extracted devices is displayed, and devices to be monitor targets are selected. Status information of a consumable element in each monitor target device is acquired and sent to an order-support apparatus. The order-support apparatus creates an e-mail including a URL of a website used for ordering the consumable element detected as being deficient according to the received status information, and sends the e-mail to an e-mail address associated with the device with the deficient consumable element.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for managing documents. The system includes an image forming apparatus configured to display interactive menus so as to allow an operator of the image forming apparatus to interact with a document manager. The display interactive menus are downloaded from the document manager to the image forming apparatus based on a request by the operator. The document manager is configured to search for application services providers (ASPs) over a network and based on operator inputs. The document manager can search documents within the ASPs, retrieve documents and URLs, store documents and data. The system can provide basic and/or customized interactive menus displayed on the screen of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An order supporting system includes a machine monitoring apparatus including an obtaining part for repetitively obtaining status data of plural supplies of plural machines connected to a network, a storing part for storing the status data obtained by the obtaining part, a detecting part for detecting change in the status of the supply by comparing the status data stored in the storing part and new status data that is newly obtained by the obtaining part, and a transmitting part for transmitting status data corresponding to the supply of the machine from which status change is detected by the detecting part, and an order supporting apparatus for receiving the status data transmitted from the transmitting part via the network and transmitting an electronic mail to a mail address associated to the machine corresponding to the transmitted status data in accordance with the received status data.

Abstract: A disclosed information processing apparatus includes an information processing unit configured to operate as a daemon process; an information displaying unit configured to operate as a process different from the daemon process and display a screen relevant to the information processing unit; a first ending unit configured to end the information displaying unit due to a first factor; and a second ending unit configured to end the information displaying unit due to a second factor different from the first factor. The information displaying unit ends the information processing unit in the event of receiving a request to end from the first ending unit and the information displaying unit does not end the information processing unit in the event of receiving a request to end from the second ending unit.

Abstract: A disclosed information processing apparatus includes an information processing unit configured to operate as a daemon process; an information displaying unit configured to operate as a process different from the daemon process and display a screen relevant to the information processing unit; a first ending unit configured to end the information displaying unit due to a first factor; and a second ending unit configured to end the information displaying unit due to a second factor different from the first factor. The information displaying unit ends the information processing unit in the event of receiving a request to end from the first ending unit and the information displaying unit does not end the information processing unit in the event of receiving a request to end from the second ending unit.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for managing documents. The system includes an image forming apparatus configured to display interactive menus so as to allow an operator of the image forming apparatus to interact with a document manager. The display interactive menus are downloaded from the document manager to the image forming apparatus based on a request by the operator. The document manager is configured to search for application services providers (ASPs) over a network and based on operator inputs. The document manager can search documents within the ASPs, retrieve documents and URLs, store documents and data. The system can provide basic and/or customized interactive menus displayed on the screen of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for managing documents. The system includes a document manager that is configured to search for application services providers (ASPs) over a network and based on a user input. The document manager can search documents within the ASPs, retrieve documents and URLs, store documents and data, format documents, generate and issue unified bills from a plurality of bills from a plurality of ASPs. The document manager can also manage, e.g. create, receive, transmit, store, merge, watermark information for documents managed by the document manager. The document manager can request that a document be merged with a corresponding watermark information so that the document be printed with an embedded watermark. Alternatively, the document manager can merge the watermark information with the document and can transmit the merged document data to a printing entity.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for managing documents. The system includes a document manager that is configured to search for application services providers (ASPS) over a network and based on a user input. The document manager can search documents within the ASPs, retrieve documents and URLs, store documents, and data, format documents, generate and issue unified bills from a plurality of bills from a plurality ASPs. The document manager can also manage, e.g. create, receive, transmit, store, merge, watermark information for documents managed by the document manager. The document manager can request that a document be merged with a corresponding watermark information so that the document be printed with an embedded watermark. Alternatively, the document manager can merge the watermark information with the document and can transmit the merged document data to a printing entity.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for storing document information in an application service provider (ASP) which is connected to a user terminal through a network, such as the Internet. The method on which the system and computer program product are based includes inputting the document information into the user terminal, inputting a previously created e-mail address into the user terminal, the e-mail address being confirmed by the ASP and corresponding to a storage location in the ASP, and sending the document information to the e-mail address via the network. The document information may be input into the user terminal either manually or automatically and a storage folder may be created for storing documents to the ASP. Where the user terminal is an Internet fax machine, the Internet fax machine can be set up to automatically send all document information received by the Internet fax machine to the ASP for storage.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for managing documents. The system includes an image forming apparatus configured to display interactive menus so as to allow an operator of the image forming apparatus to interact with a document manager. The display interactive menus are downloaded from the document manager to the image forming apparatus based on a request by the operator. The document manager is configured to search for application services providers (ASPs) over a network and based on operator inputs. The document manager can search documents within the ASPs, retrieve documents and URLs, store documents and data. The system can provide basic and/or customized interactive menus displayed on the screen of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for managing bills issued from applications service providers (ASPs). The method on which the system and computer readable medium are based includes receiving an ASP service request from a remote user, forwarding the ASP service request to an ASP, receiving a service bill from the ASP, and incorporating the service bill into a unified bill and issuing the unified bill to the remote user. Calculating the ASP fee may include determining a discount offered by the ASP. The discount offered by the ASP may be determined on a customer by customer basis or based on a volume usage of a document management system providing access to the ASP for a plurality of users. The accuracy of the service bill from the ASP may be verified, and a discrepancy between a calculated fee and the billing amount may be determined, and negotiations undertaken with the ASP to resolve the discrepancy. Whether the user pays the bill issued may also be monitored.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for managing applications service provider (ASP) transactions between an ASP and an ASP user. The method on which the system and computer program product are based includes receiving an ASP transaction request from the user via a communications network such as the Internet, selecting an ASP for processing the transaction request, and transmitting instructions for performing the transaction request, via the communications network, to the selected ASP. The ASP transaction request may be received by receiving a user identifier from the user or by receiving a document consultation request from the user. Selecting an ASP may include selecting a special service ASP.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for storing document information in an application service provider (ASP) which is connected to a user terminal through a network, such as the Internet. The method on which the system and computer program product are based includes inputting the document information into the user terminal, inputting a previously created e-mail address into the user terminal, the e-mail address being confirmed by the ASP and corresponding to a storage location in the ASP, and sending the document information to the e-mail address via the network. The document information may be input into the user terminal either manually or automatically and a storage folder may be created for storing documents to the ASP. Where the user terminal is an Internet fax machine, the Internet fax machine can be set up to automatically send all document information received by the Internet fax machine to the ASP for storage.