Abstract: An image processing apparatus has a printing function. A preview original-image creation part creates an original image for preview based on print data. A preview parts-image creation part creates a parts image for preview peculiar to each equipment. A preview image synthesis part synthesizes a preview image from the original image for preview and the parts image for preview. A preview image retaining part retains the preview image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus has a printing function. A preview original-image creation part creates an original image for preview based on print data. A preview parts-image creation part creates a parts image for preview peculiar to each equipment. A preview image synthesis part synthesizes a preview image from the original image for preview and the parts image for preview. A preview image retaining part retains the preview image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus has a printing function. A preview original-image creation part creates an original image for preview based on print data. A preview parts-image creation part creates a parts image for preview peculiar to each equipment. A preview image synthesis part synthesizes a preview image from the original image for preview and the parts image for preview. A preview image retaining part retains the preview image.

Abstract: The collaboration among the image forming devices is practiced on the computer network for efficiently utilizing the printing resources. When a large print job is requested, the parent image forming device seeks an appropriate child image forming device to share the same print job during a predetermined collaboration process. To minimize the waste and maximize the productivity during the collaboration process, the parent device ascertains that the child device is able to complete a part of the collaboration print job before the corresponding image data is transferred from the parent device to the child device. One of the resources that the parent device ascertains is the available memory amount at the child device for the image data to be transferred. If a sufficient amount of memory is not available at the child device, the image data is transferred to prevent an incomplete collaboration task at the child device.

Abstract: Information controlling image processing or image forming performed on image data of a document is embedded into the image data as control data. When the control data is detected in the image data, the control data is analyzed to determine specific image processing or image forming to be performed on each page of the image data.

Abstract: A management server is disclosed that is connected to an image processing apparatus. The management server includes an authentication unit that performs authentication of authentication information sent from the image processing apparatus, a certificate issuing unit that issues a certificate containing program identification information for identifying a program and expiration date information indicating an expiration date of the program in an encrypted manner, and a program provision unit that provides the image processing apparatus with the program to be installed and the certificate.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus has a printing function. A preview original-image creation part creates an original image for preview based on print data. A preview parts-image creation part creates a parts image for preview peculiar to each equipment. A preview image synthesis part synthesizes a preview image from the original image for preview and the parts image for preview. A preview image retaining part retains the preview image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a plurality of image processing units and an output-form specifying unit which specifies an output form of an input image. A processing-units selecting unit selects at least two of the image processing units for processing the input image based on the specified output form and a control unit causes the selected image processing units to process the input image based on the specified output form.

Abstract: The collaboration among the image forming devices is practiced on the computer network for efficiently utilizing the printing resources. When a large print job is requested, the parent image forming device seeks an appropriate child image forming device to share the same print job during a predetermined collaboration process. To minimize the waste and maximize the productivity during the collaboration process, the parent device ascertains that the child device is able to complete a part of the collaboration print job before the corresponding image data is transferred from the parent device to the child device. One of the resources that the parent device ascertains is the available memory amount at the child device for the image data to be transferred. If a sufficient amount of memory is not available at the child device, the image data is transferred to prevent an incomplete collaboration task at the child device.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, picture display control means causes display means to selectively display a simple picture which allows a limited number of basic functions to be selected, or a standard picture which allows all the functions, inclusive of the functions available with the simple picture, to be selected. The simple picture and standard picture are switched over by software. The operation of the apparatus may be permitted only when a user code matching any one of user codes registered beforehand is input; either the simple picture or the standard picture may be set for each user code and displayed as the initial picture. The apparatus allows the operator to set up functions matching the contents of image formation and operator's skill without resorting to an openable cover for concealing a part of function setting keys.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus has a plurality of developing units each including a developing sleeve and storing a developer of particular color. The developing sleeve is located to face a photoconductive element or similar image carrier. When the supply of the developer from the developing sleeve to the image carrier begins or ends, a magnet brush formed on the sleeve by the developer is slowly brought into or out of contact with the image carrier. As a result, a load acting on the image carrier due to the brush contacting it is slowly applied and cancelled. This eliminates changes in the moving speed of the image carrier and thereby insures desirable image quality.