Abstract: Improved techniques which enable a user of an information terminal to select a printer for printing a print job are provided. Map images are provided to the user to aid in the selection of an appropriate printer. An appropriate printer driver corresponding to the selected printer, determined from printer information retrieved from a printer information database, is downloaded if necessary, and installed on the information terminal.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are provided for managing and exchanging printer data.

Abstract: A method of querying image output devices on a network, including receiving a search term indicating device-related information to be searched. The method includes first determining whether the search term includes a target device type, and if the first determining step determines that the search term includes the target device type, determining which devices in a list of all devices on the network are of the target device type to generate a device list. Otherwise the device list is set to be the list of all devices on the network. The method further includes second determining if the search term includes a conditional expression, and if the second determining step determines that the search term includes a conditional expression, determining which devices in the device list satisfy the conditional expression, so as to generate a final list of devices. The final list of devices is displayed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for forwarding a print job. The method includes transmitting, by a client device, a request to print a locked print job, which includes a print job and is prohibited from being printed until authentication information is entered into the printing device. The printing device receives the request to print the locked print job. The locked print job and the authentication information are stored in a memory. A job ticket that provides the client device access to forward the print job included in the locked print job to at least one other printing device communicatively coupled to the printing device is generated. The job ticket is transmitted to, and received by, the client device. The print job is forwarded to the at least one other printing device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for outputting a locked print job by a printing device connected to a client device over a network. The method includes transmitting, by the client device, a request to print the locked print job, which includes print data that is prohibited from being printed until authentication information is entered into the printing device. The printing device receives the request to print the locked print job. The locked print job and the authentication information are stored in a memory. A job ticket that provides the client device access to manage the locked print job stored in the memory is generated. The job ticket is transmitted to, and received by, the client device. The locked print job is output when the authentication information is entered into the printing device or the locked print job is remotely released by the client device using the job ticket.

Abstract: A method for detecting a monitored device on one of a plurality of subnets of a network. The method includes receiving, in a processing server, network database information from a local router on a same subnet as the processing server, the network database information identifying the plurality of subnets of the network. A subnet list is generated based on the received network database information, and stored in a memory. Further, the monitored device is discovered based on a search of the plurality of subnets included in the stored subnet list. The method further includes storing an identification of the discovered monitored device in a monitored device database.

Abstract: An improved system and method for installing a printer driver on a remote information terminal through a network are provided. A method for providing a network-based driver management service is also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for acquiring an image and transmitting the image from an image processing apparatus to a computing device. The method includes executing an application program by the computing device; indicating, using the application program, that an image is to be acquired using the application program; transmitting an XML message from the computing device to the image processing apparatus over a computer network using HTTP, the XML message indicating that the image is to be acquired; receiving the XML message by a web service application executing on the image processing apparatus; translating the XML message into at least one command compatible with a scanning application of the image processing apparatus; acquiring the image by the scanning application of the image processing apparatus using the at least one command; transmitting the image over the computer network from the image processing apparatus to the computing device; and storing the image on a storage medium of the computing device.

Abstract: A method of accessing an image forming apparatus (IFA) or a multifunction printer (MFP) using a management device (MD) via a network, transmitting security information from the MD to the IFA, updating an original security configuration of the IFA with a new security configuration using the security information, using the new security configuration by the IFA, and confirming the new security configuration with the MD. After confirming, it is preferable the security information is deleted. Also, an IFA including a confirmation unit and a write protection unit for use with the method.

Abstract: A method of connecting an image forming apparatus (IFA) to a network and assigning the IFA a network address, selecting a map file image from a plurality of map file images, the selected map file image corresponding to a regional location of the IFA, outputting the selected map file image, selecting a location on the map file image which corresponds to a physical location of the IFA, and storing the location and the network address. An IFA configured to implement the method.

Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer program product for controlling printing across a plurality of network devices. The method, system, and computer program product perform functions which generate a locked print job to be distributed to the plurality of network devices, which assign a user identification for identification of the locked print job at the network devices, and which assign a user password for print job authorization of the locked print job at the network devices. The method, system, and computer program product function to broadcast with a multiple network device identification print job information of the locked print job to the plurality of network devices. The system includes an originating network device of the plurality of network devices, which generates the locked print job to be distributed to the plurality of network devices.

Abstract: Tools in the form of apparatuses, systems and methods for automatic installation of a printer or other image forming device are provided. Such tools improve the turnaround time between when a printing device is received and is installed and on-line, ready for use by users.

Abstract: A web portal is provided for accessing information from a plurality of heterogeneous systems connected through a network, in connection with printing and other operations for forming images. The web portal includes means for registering dynamically a sequence of actions as a scenario, and applying the registered scenario of actions in one or more of the network distributed systems.

Abstract: An improved system and method for installing a printer driver on a remote information terminal through a network are provided. A method for providing a network-based driver management service is also provided.

Abstract: Improved techniques which enable a user of an information terminal to select a printer for printing a print job are provided. Such techniques may be embodied in a printer driver installed on the information terminal, or a printing application provided through a network to the information terminal. The information terminal configured by the printer driver or printing application includes a printer information obtaining part and a user interface. The printer information obtaining part searches for printers on a network, and communicates with the printers on the network to obtain printer properties information from the printers. The user interface presents in a single view the printer properties information obtained from the printers, for selection by the user. A printing system and a method for printing over a network having similar features are also provided.

Abstract: Improved techniques which enable a user of an information terminal to select a printer for printing a print job are provided. Map images are provided to the user to aid in the selection of an appropriate printer. An appropriate printer driver corresponding to the selected printer, determined from printer information retrieved from a printer information database, is downloaded if necessary, and installed on the information terminal.