Abstract: A multifunction machine/server system capable of dealing with electronic documents at a higher efficiency and being actualized at low costs, is disclosed. The multifunction machine executes, when given a request for a second kind of process, the requested second kind of process without linkage with the server, and, when given a request for a first kind of process, requests the server to execute the first kind of process. The server incorporates a function of executing the first kind of processes that a plurality of multifunction machines request the server to execute. The multifunction machine/server system is constructed of the thus structured server and the plurality of thus structured multifunction machines.

Abstract: A multi-function unit includes a printer engine, a logical copying machine carrying out a copying process with respect to a recording medium by the printer engine, and a plurality of logical printers carrying out printing processes with respect to the recording medium by the printer engine. The logical copying machine and the logical printers carry out apparent parallel operations.

Abstract: A peripheral equipment management device and method for integrally managing peripheral equipment connected via a network are provided. In the peripheral equipment management device, a command is given to a plurality of printers at predetermined intervals. The peripheral equipment management device receives responses from the printers, stores the responses, and reports the responses to a monitoring device which monitors the printers.

Abstract: A multifunction machine/server system capable of dealing with electronic documents at a higher efficiency and being actualized at low costs, is disclosed. The multifunction machine executes, when given a request for a second kind of process, the requested second kind of process without linkage with the server, and, when given a request for a first kind of process, requests the server to execute the first kind of process. The server incorporates a function of executing the first kind of processes that a plurality of multifunction machines request the server to execute. The multifunction machine/server system is constructed of the thus structured server and the plurality of thus structured multifunction machines.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a composite machine-server system which can handle electronic documents more efficiently and can be realized at a low cost. A composite machine-server system is constructed by connecting a plurality of composite machines and a server to a network. Each of the composite machines has a second-kind process function of executing a second-kind process without cooperating with the server when requested to execute the second-kind process, as well as a first-kind process function of sending, when requested to execute a first-kind process, an electronic document necessary for execution of the first-kind process to the server and requesting the server to execute the first-kind process on the electronic document. The server has a function of executing first-kind processes whose execution is requested by the composite machines.

Abstract: A multi-function unit includes a printer engine, a logical copying machine carrying out a copying process with respect to a recording medium by the printer engine, and a plurality of logical printers carrying out printing processes with respect to the recording medium by the printer engine. The logical copying machine and the logical printers carry out apparent parallel operations.

Abstract: A multi-function unit includes a printer engine, a logical copying machine carrying out a copying process with respect to a recording medium by the printer engine, and a plurality of logical printers carrying out printing processes with respect to the recording medium by the printer engine. The logical copying machine and the logical printers carry out apparent parallel operations.

Abstract: When a control unit is in a non-operating (non-printing) state, data to be saved (character-image data) in a RAM cache memory is transferred to a disk cache memory at regular intervals in order of priority, thereby saving the data in the disk cache memory. If a power supply is cut off and then power is reintroduced, high-priority character-image data, which has been transferred from the RAM cache memory to the disk cache memory and saved in the disk cache memory when printing is not being carried out, is restored in the RAM cache memory. As a result, the high-priority data saved in the RAM cache memory when the power supply was cut off can be restored in the RAM cache memory, thereby raising the hit rate.

Abstract: A method for transferring data from one memory to another within a memory hierarchy in a data processing system. The memory hierarchy includes a random access memory (RAM) cache within a control unit and a lower level disk cache memory. When the control unit is in a non-operating (non-printing) state, data to be saved (character-image data) in the RAM cache memory is transferred to the disk cache memory at regular intervals in order of priority, thereby saving the data in the disk cache memory. If a power supply is cut off and then power is reintroduced, high-priority character-image data, which has been transferred from the RAM cache memory to the disk cache memory and saved in the disk cache memory when printing is not being carried out, is restored in the RAM cache memory. As a result, the high-priority data saved in the RAM cache memory when the power supply was cut off can be restored in the RAM cache memory, thereby raising the hit rate.