Abstract: An image processing apparatus having an interface with a removable medium is disclosed. The image processing apparatus includes an image data input part configured to input image data, an image processing part configured to process the input image data, an image data storing part configured to store the processed image data in the removable medium, and an image data output part configured to output the stored image data.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is disclosed that includes an authentication information storage unit configured to store first authentication information used for authenticating a storage medium, an authentication unit configured to perform an authentication process on the storage medium based on second authentication information stored in the storage medium and the first authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit, and an access unit that is configured to perform at least one of reading digital data from the storage medium and writing the digital data on the storage medium when the authentication unit authenticates the storage medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes two or more detachable components that are identical to each other and configured to perform at least part of a sequence of processes associated with forming of an image, a connection detection unit configured to detect attaching of the components, and a first control unit configured to control the sequence of processes, wherein a software-based controller for controlling one of the components is generated in response to detection by the connection detection unit of the attaching of the one of the components.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a print-request information inputting unit, an image reading unit, a plurality of image forming units, a plurality of sheet feeding units, a memory unit and a control unit wherein the control unit reading out, when print-request information is inputted, ID information and device information from a memory unit and selects, based on the plural ID information, the device information and the print-request information, an optimum image forming unit that satisfies the print-request information. The control unit further causes the selected image forming unit to execute print processing.