Abstract: An inside-vehicle information communication method, includes the steps of: causing a server, provided in a vehicle, to output a request for vehicle using right information, possessed by a user, to an electric device possessed by the user, upon receipt of a request for connection outputted by the electric device; causing the server to receive the vehicle using right information, outputted from the electric device upon receipt of the request for the vehicle using right information; and causing the server to confirm whether the electric device has the using right of the vehicle or not, in accordance with the vehicle using right information, and to allow an electric device having the using right to be connected to the server. Thus, the server can be connected to only the electric device having the using right, so that it is possible for users to receive information communication service by performing a simple procedure.

Abstract: A display section of a scanner is connected to a printer controller of a printer via a bus line, so that detailed information regarding the scanner the printer and so on is controlled by the printer controller. Both display contents respectively regarding the printer or the scanner are stored in a VRAM of the printer controller. Because of this, the detailed information regarding the printer is displayed on the display section of the scanner, which is a large LCD. This provides an image forming system, which notifies a user of the detailed information of the printer in a such manner that the user can easily understand the detailed information, when the scanner and the printer, each of which can be used independently, are combined as a system.

Abstract: In the digital image-forming apparatus of the present invention, when, for example, a liquid crystal video camera is connected thereto as an external input device, display data related to the shape of the operation section of the liquid crystal video camera is read based upon recognition data so that the operation section of the liquid crystal video camera is displayed on a display device placed on one part of the operation panel of the digital image-forming apparatus. In the operation section, a monitor and key switches are displayed in the same manner as the actual operation section of the liquid crystal video camera connected to the digital image-forming apparatus, and the liquid video camera connected thereto is operated through operations on the key switches, and images, recorded in the liquid crystal video camera, are displayed on the monitor.

Abstract: An information display system capable of displaying the instruction input frame(basic frame) for allowing instructions of conditions of an arbitrary processing job to be input therethrough and the status confirmation frame (job status frame) for allowing the status of an arbitrary processing job to be checked is characterized in that with the basic frame preferentially displayed, a job list area that presents brief content of a processing job displayed in the job status frame can be displayed along with the basic frame.

Abstract: An image forming system, wherein a second digital copying machine stores image data temporarily on behalf of a first digital copying machine at its request and returns the stored image data upon receipt of a return request. When the second digital copying machine has not received any return request from the first digital copying machine within a predetermined period, the second digital copying machine erases the stored image data to utilize its own memory efficiently.

Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming device which forms an image based on image data, and an image processing device such as a personal computer, and the image forming system is capable of restricting image output of the image forming device. In the image forming system, data information of the output image data or working environment of the image forming device is judged, so as to allow or disallow image output based on the working environment so judged. This judges whether or not devices such as digital complex device or scanner device in the image forming system are used properly, thus providing an image processing system which can be used efficiently.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to simplify the procedure for obtaining related information related to specific electronic information such as an electronic ticket. According to the invention, an electronic ticket related information providing system comprising an electronic ticket issuing apparatus, which issues an electronic ticket as specific electronic information through an electronic transaction via a communication network, and a portable terminal, which stores ticket information corresponding to the issued electronic ticket, further includes a related information management apparatus for managing related information that is related to the ticket information and that carries, for example, information about the postponement or cancellation of an event such as a concert, transportation means to the concert site, etc.

Abstract: In the digital image-forming apparatus of the present invention, when, for example, a liquid crystal video camera is connected thereto as an external input device, display data related to the shape of the operation section of the liquid crystal video camera is read based upon recognition data so that the operation section of the liquid crystal video camera is displayed on a display device placed on one part of the operation panel of the digital image-forming apparatus. In the operation section, a monitor and key switches are displayed in the same manner as the actual operation section of the liquid crystal video camera connected to the digital image-forming apparatus, and the liquid video camera connected thereto is operated through operations on the key switches, and images, recorded in the liquid crystal video camera, are displayed on the monitor.

Abstract: An image forming device is a digital composite machine which provides a plurality of image input modes in which image information is inputted in different forms, respectively. The image forming device is provided with (1) feed devices for supplying a plurality of types of recording materials, (2) a display device for displaying information regarding recording materials which are ready to be fed from the feed devices, (3) mode keys for selecting one from among the plurality of image input modes, (4) selecting keys for selecting one recording material on which image information is to be recorded, from among the recording materials displayed by the display device, (5) a recording section for recording image information inputted in the mode selected through the mode keys, onto the recording material selected through the selecting keys, and (6) a CPU for determining information regarding the recording materials to be displayed by the display section, depending on the mode selected.

Abstract: An image transmission device, which is connected to such external devices as a facsimile, etc., via a public line and a computer network and can be operated in accordance with a request for image data transmission from the external device, includes a scanning section for scanning a document image and generating image data, a fax sending/receiving section for sending the image data to the external device by the request of the external device, a specific document judging section for judging whether or not the image data generated in the scanning section is that of a specific document, and a control section for controlling transmission of the image data by the fax sending/receiving section according to a result of judgment by the specific document judging section, thereby preventing the forgery of a specific document that is enabled by obtaining the image data of such specific documents as paper money, valuable securities, etc.

Abstract: When preparing print data by a personal computer, identification data corresponding to the print data is also prepared. The print data is transmitted via a network to a printer, and the identification data is transmitted to a portable phone by wireless, and stored in a memory in the portable phone. When a user approaches the printer carrying the portable phone, the identification data is transmitted to the printer by wireless. The printer carries out image output processing based on the print data corresponding to the received identification data. Thus, in a control system for an electronic device such as an image output device, operation control can be conducted by each print job, and by such operation control, the whole system including an electronic device and data preparation means such as a personal computer can be controlled more efficiently.

Abstract: An operating environment of an image forming apparatus 3 is judged, and a program list which indicates programs which can be operated in this operating environment is generated by a server 1. The program list is then supplied to the image forming apparatus 3, and the server 1 is requested to transmit a program selected from the program list. The program is then supplied to the image forming apparatus 3 from the server 1. That is, a program is selected from the program list which indicates programs which are judged to be operable in the operating environment of the image forming apparatus 3. Thereafter, the program is supplied to the image forming apparatus 3.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to determine, when installing a program in a terminal through the Internet, whether the program is operable or not, and notify the result of the determination to the terminal. In a system of the present invention, the operating environment of an image forming apparatus is determined, a program list showing programs operable in the operating environment is generated at a server, and the program list is supplied to the image forming apparatus. A program selected from the program list is requested from the server, and then the program is supplied from the server to the image forming apparatus. That is, a program is selected from a list of programs determined operable in the operating environment of the image forming apparatus, and is supplied to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an input portion for receiving different kinds of jobs; a storage portion for storing a job; an image forming portion for forming images of an input job; a control input portion for providing content display of input jobs and control display; a radiocommunication portion for reading the user identification ID recorded in an information recording medium; a controller for controlling these portions. With this configuration, the image forming apparatus determines the user identification ID of a user so as to provide a display of the operational state best for the user.

Abstract: A control panel of a digital copier capable of inputting jobs according to a plurality of different processing modes includes a touch panel color liquid crystal display device. This display device displays setting information of a current processing mode and icons representing jobs according to newly inputted processing modes, in a concealed state. In the vicinity of the display device are provided mode selection keys for selecting processing modes. The display device also displays information on each job according to one of the processing modes in a color having the same hue as that of a display color of each mode selection key, thereby displaying information on a job in process and standby jobs with programmed processes in an intelligible state to users.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including a transfer and transport belt suspended between a plurality of rollers, an image forming section for forming a pattern image on the transfer and transport belt, and a pattern image detecting sensor for detecting the pattern image, the pattern image detecting sensor is disposed so as to detect the surface of a suspended segment, of the transfer and transport belt, suspended between the rollers, and a back surface contact member that is in contact with a back surface of a detection area where the pattern image detecting sensor detects the pattern image on the surface of the transfer and transport belt is provided so as to render the detection area flat and stable. This can provide an image forming apparatus incorporating a pattern image detecting means having a simple arrangement and a capability to surely detect the pattern image in a precise and stable manner.

Abstract: An information transmitting apparatus includes: a job status management unit (e.g., a controller made up of a micro computer and other components) for managing the job statuses of transmitting information of the first and second information transmitting devices (e.g., a facsimile unit and e-mail facsimile unit); a display unit (display portion) for displaying the transmission status of jobs in each information transmitting device managed by the job status management unit; and a display controller (e.g., a controller made up of a micro computer and other components) for determining, based on the destination designated by a destination designating device (operation control portion), which transmission status of jobs of the first or second information transmitting device should be displayed on the display unit.

Abstract: Support structures for containing and supporting components forming a digital copier are configured with square pipes and are provided separately in association with a plurality of units of the digital copier. The effect of distortion is eliminated when the support structures are joined to maintain positional accuracy. Square pipes are combined to form each of a first support structure for containing and supporting various components forming the digital copier, for example, an image forming process portion and a fixing portion and a second support structure for containing and supporting various components to be incorporated therein as needed, for example, a sheet supplying portion. To combine the first and second support structures, square pipes and square pipes orthogonal to each other are joined in the regions of joining surfaces. This makes it possible to prevent, for example, distortion and twisting between the supporting structures.

Abstract: Every time the paper size setting key is operated, the count value in the counter is increased by one. It is judged whether the count value in the counter after increment is greater than the maximum value Cm. If the count value of the counter is greater than the maximum value Cm, the count value is set at ‘1’. Then the CPU highlights the feeder position corresponding to the count value of the counter, among several feeder positions in the paper size setting frame. If new paper is loaded during the waiting period for the operation of the paper size setting key, the CPU detects count value Cs corresponding to the feeder position to which new paper has been loaded and sets the counter at a count value of Cs−1.

Abstract: During warming up such as carried out upon power application, a first or second condition managing section monitors the status of an always changing device such as an image station and a fixing device, and based upon the current status of the device and the features of data for print jobs that have been received, a control section determines the order of the jobs to be printed out and carries out the corresponding output. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently output images without delay in handling image data even during warming up upon power application.