Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image output apparatus and an image reading apparatus. The image output apparatus includes a writing tool information receiving unit that receives writing tool information, an information image generating unit that generates an information image, a combining unit that combines the information image with an input field in a document, and a first output unit that outputs the document onto a medium. The image reading apparatus includes a writing tool information memory that stores writing tool information, a reading unit that reads an information image that has been output onto a medium by the image output apparatus and that is used for extracting a writing position, an extracting unit that analyzes the information image, thereby extracting writing tool information, and a determining unit that determines whether or not the writing tool is suitable as a writing tool for performing writing.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a document management system includes a document state storage unit, a manipulation control unit, a stamp image storage unit, and a state change unit. The document state storage unit stores document state information representing states concerning document validity of electronic documents stored in a document storage unit. The manipulation control unit refuses a request from a user for manipulating one of the electronic documents when the document state information corresponding to the one of the electronic documents indicates that the one of the electronic documents is invalid at present. The stamp image storage unit stores a plurality of stamp images each corresponding to any one of possible states represented by the document state information.

Abstract: A temporary use license issuing apparatus includes a communicating unit, an instruction receiving unit, and an issuing unit. The communicating unit communicates with a document use managing apparatus storing pieces of management information prescribing scopes of operation authority of respective users over documents and manages users' operations on documents according to the pieces of management information. The instruction receiving unit receives, from a user, an instruction to issue a temporary use license for a document. The issuing unit issues the temporary use license containing document identification information of the document to which the issuance instruction is directed, and operation authority information indicating a scope of operation authority over the document, the operation authority indicated by the operation authority information being within a scope of the operation authority of the user over the document which is prescribed by the management information.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image output apparatus and an image reading apparatus. The image output apparatus includes a writing tool information receiving unit that receives writing tool information, an information image generating unit that generates an information image, a combining unit that combines the information image with an input field in a document, and a first output unit that outputs the document onto a medium. The image reading apparatus includes a writing tool information memory that stores writing tool information, a reading unit that reads an information image that has been output onto a medium by the image output apparatus and that is used for extracting a writing position, an extracting unit that analyzes the information image, thereby extracting writing tool information, and a determining unit that determines whether or not the writing tool is suitable as a writing tool for performing writing.

Abstract: A system includes: first and second devices that each register, in response to a request from a user, control information for target information in a memory, and provide, upon receipt of a request for usage information concerning the target information from the user, the user with the usage information, based on the control information in the memory, wherein the first device includes a first unit that provides, in response to the request from the user, the user with a list of the control information for the second device, and upon receipt of selection of the information from the list, sends the selected information to the second device so as to be associated with target information, and the second device includes a second unit that receives the control information associated with the target information and registers the control information in the memory so as to be associated with the target information.

Abstract: A system includes a first device and one or more second devices that each provides a user with usage information for using target information, based on control information, wherein the first device has a memory that stores the control information which contains device information and condition information, so as to be associated with the target information, a receiving unit that receives from a requester a request, an inquiry unit that inquires of the second device, when the requester is not managed by its own device, about whether the requester is managed by the device, and a providing unit that provides the requester, when, based on a response to the inquiry and the memory, the requester is managed by the second device designated by the device information, with the usage information, based on the condition information, and the second device has a response unit that sends the response to the inquiry.

Abstract: A temporary use license issuing apparatus includes a communicating unit, an instruction receiving unit, and an issuing unit. The communicating unit communicates with a document use managing apparatus storing pieces of management information prescribing scopes of operation authority of respective users over documents and manages users' operations on documents according to the pieces of management information. The instruction receiving unit receives, from a user, an instruction to issue a temporary use license for a document. The issuing unit issues the temporary use license containing document identification information of the document to which the issuance instruction is directed, and operation authority information indicating a scope of operation authority over the document, the operation authority indicated by the operation authority information being within a scope of the operation authority of the user over the document which is prescribed by the management information.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a document management system includes a document state storage unit, a manipulation control unit, a stamp image storage unit, and a state change unit. The document state storage unit stores document state information representing states concerning document validity of electronic documents stored in a document storage unit. The manipulation control unit refuses a request from a user for manipulating one of the electronic documents when the document state information corresponding to the one of the electronic documents indicates that the one of the electronic documents is invalid at present. The stamp image storage unit stores a plurality of stamp images each corresponding to any one of possible states represented by the document state information.

Abstract: One or more computer-readable media on which is stored a program for selecting an optimum electronic ticket among a plurality of electronic tickets for imparting rights of use of content, the stored program causing a computer to execute functions comprising: extracting a plurality of electronic tickets corresponding to a content; and selecting the optimum electronic ticket among the extracted electronic tickets by comparing conditions of use of content included in the respective extracted electronic tickets.

Abstract: There is provided a ticket issuing system issuing an electronic ticket for digital content to a user system attempting to utilize the digital content by means of the electronic ticket. The ticket issuing system includes a receiver that receives a request to issue the electronic ticket for the digital content from the user system attempting to utilize the digital content using the electronic ticket, and an issuance controller that controls issuance of the electronic ticket for the digital content to the user system, on the basis of a retained electronic ticket in the user system.

Abstract: A system includes: first and second devices that each register, in response to a request from a user, control information for target information in a memory, and provide, upon receipt of a request for usage information concerning the target information from the user, the user with the usage information, based on the control information in the memory, wherein the first device includes a first unit that provides, in response to the request from the user, the user with a list of the control information for the second device, and upon receipt of selection of the information from the list, sends the selected information to the second device so as to be associated with target information, and the second device includes a second unit that receives the control information associated with the target information and registers the control information in the memory so as to be associated with the target information.

Abstract: A system includes a first device and one or more second devices that each provides a user with usage information for using target information, based on control information, wherein the first device has a memory that stores the control information which contains device information and condition information, so as to be associated with the target information, a receiving unit that receives from a requester a request, an inquiry unit that inquires of the second device, when the requester is not managed by its own device, about whether the requester is managed by the device, and a providing unit that provides the requester, when, based on a response to the inquiry and the memory, the requester is managed by the second device designated by the device information, with the usage information, based on the condition information, and the second device has a response unit that sends the response to the inquiry.

Abstract: There is provided a ticket issuing system issuing an electronic ticket for digital content to a user system attempting to utilize the digital content by means of the electronic ticket. The ticket issuing system includes a receiver that receives a request to issue the electronic ticket for the digital content from the user system attempting to utilize the digital content using the electronic ticket, and an issuance controller that controls issuance of the electronic ticket for the digital content to the user system, on the basis of a retained electronic ticket in the user system.

Abstract: One or more computer-readable media on which is stored a program for selecting an optimum electronic ticket among a plurality of electronic tickets for imparting rights of use of content, the stored program causing a computer to execute functions comprising: extracting a plurality of electronic tickets corresponding to a content; and selecting the optimum electronic ticket among the extracted electronic tickets by comparing conditions of use of content included in the respective extracted electronic tickets.