Abstract: When a plurality of authentication cards are read by an authentication device and the authentication cards are authenticated in an image output device, a binding and printing process is carried out. The image output device combines (binds) jobs associated with the authenticated cards into one job. The order of combining the jobs and the print mode for the combined job are set in accordance with the order in which the authentication cards have been authenticated or the priorities assigned to the respective jobs. The image output device prints the combined job to obtain a set of printouts. It is thus possible to provide the image output device which can output a plurality of jobs collectively, without the need of complicated operations, while maintaining a high level of security.

Abstract: An information input apparatus is constituted of an operation panel that inputs various types of information and an operation panel board that controls the operation panel. The operation panel includes an LCD that is the displaying unit that displays the information input screen for inputting various types of information, and a touch panel that is the input instructing unit that executes an input instruction from an input region (virtual keys) provided on the information input screen. The LCD displays on the virtual keys information different from information previously assigned to the virtual keys on the information input screen.

Abstract: There are provided a printing device, a printing system, a program, and a printing method capable of improving security and user-friendliness. The printing system (1) includes a PC (10-1) and printer devices (20-1 to 20-N) connected via a LAN (50). The PC (10-1) has a printing data forming unit (111) for forming print data according to a user instruction, a print data transmission unit (113) for transmitting the formed print data to the printer devices (20-1 to 20-N), a communication unit (17), and the like. The printer devices (20-1 to 20-N) have an external storage device (23) for storing received print data, an input unit (26) for inputting a user print instruction and a user identifier, a card reader (24), a print data management unit (212) for reading out print data corresponding to the user identifier from the external storage device (23), a printer engine (28) for performing printing according to the print data which has been read out, and the like.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an authentication unit configured to identify a user who uses a data processing apparatus, a storage unit configured to store user identification information for identifying the user who is identified by the authentication unit and is identified as not having ended using the data processing apparatus, and an acquisition unit configured to, in accordance with the user identification information stored in the storage unit, acquire from the data processing apparatus information about using of the data processing apparatus by the user identified with the user identification information that has not been acquired during the state in which communication with the data processing apparatus is unavailable.

Abstract: A processing apparatus includes a processing unit and a first registration unit. The processing unit executes a requested process. The first registration unit registers therein first identification information which identifies another device, in advance. If a request for the process is received from said another device, the processing unit complies with the request without authenticating a user who makes the request on condition that the first identification information of said another device which makes the request is registered in the first registration unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including applications and system side software for providing system side services to the applications is provided, in which the image forming apparatus includes: an authentication module for displaying an authentication screen on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus, wherein the authentication module allows the image forming apparatus to display a screen for using the image forming apparatus instead of the authentication screen if authentication data input from the authentication screen satisfies an authentication condition, and wherein the authentication module is provided in the image forming apparatus separately from the system side software.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a reading unit configured to read a print product and a transmission unit configured to transmit image data of the print product to an external apparatus. The apparatus further includes an inhibition unit configured to inhibit the transmission of the image data based on inhibition information included in the image data. If the image data includes trace information to be used to trace a printer user of the print product in addition to the inhibition information, a control unit acquires the trace information and causes a display unit to perform a display based on the trace information without causing the output unit to transmit the image data.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus, including: a recording device; discharge trays; a discharge mechanism; detectors; an input device through which is inputted authentication information relating to image data; and a controller including: an image-data reception portion; an authentication-information confirming portion to make a confirmation as to whether the authentication information contains specific information; a confirmation-necessity judging portion to judge whether the confirmation by the confirming portion with respect to the image data is necessary; a selecting portion to select one discharge tray on which the recording medium is not placed, wherein, where the judging portion judges that the confirmation is necessary, the controller permits selection of the one discharge tray, controls the recording device to record the image based on the image data after the confirmation that the authentication information contains the specific information, and controls the discharge mechanism to discharge, to the select

Abstract: A multifunction peripheral (MFP) and a method for restricting the use of the same. A user ID and a password are registered according to a user's input, accessible functions are set according to the registered user, and even the authenticated user is restricted to using only the set functions. Therefore, use of the MFP and specific functions of the MFP can be restricted according to the particular registered user.

Abstract: A method of charging printing costs using a printing charging system that is connected to an image forming apparatus, the method including: setting printing costs for each of a plurality of people; generating print data for each person, of the plurality of people, based on the set printing costs; and transmitting the generated print data to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a reading unit, a first control unit, a second control unit, and a power supply control unit. The reading unit reads authentication information including a card type and a user code. The first control unit determines, in a state where power is not being supplied to the second control unit, whether a card type included in the authentication information read by the reading unit corresponds to a predetermined card type. The second control unit requests an authentication apparatus to perform user authentication based on the authentication information read by the reading unit. The power supply control unit controls power supply to the second control unit. In response to the first control unit determining that the card type included in the authentication information read by the reading unit corresponds to the predetermined card type, the power supply control unit supplies power to the second control unit.

Abstract: An image processing server in charge of a first image processing operation determines a reference value for a reference item; generates first reference information; calculates its charge; generates first charge information indicating its calculated amount of charge; and transmits the first reference information and the first charge information to the next location, separately from image data obtained by the first image processing operation.

Abstract: A multifunction printer provided with an image scanning process unit and a facsimile sending process unit for executing an image process that does not use consumables, an image forming process unit for executing an image process that uses consumables, a consumables usage judgment unit for making a judgment as to whether a requested image process is a process that uses consumables, and a process control unit for restricting performance of the image process by the image forming process unit and permitting performance of the image process by the image scanning process unit or the facsimile sending process unit based on a judgment result of the consumables usage judgment unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes a reading unit, authentication unit, job processing control unit, and output unit. The reading unit sequentially performs reading of low jobs making up a high job. The authentication unit stores a user information table in which user information elements on authorized users are registered and sequentially determines whether each low job is proper or improper by verifying a user information element corresponding to the low job against the user information table to carry out authentication. The job processing control unit controls, if a low job is determined to be improper in the determination, an operation of skipping the low job determined to be improper and sequentially performing the reading and determination on subsequent low jobs. The output unit outputs a low job determined to be proper in the determination.

Abstract: A job processing apparatus that is capable of recording an execution history of a job appropriately for each user even if a user does not spontaneously instruct a change of a user who operates an apparatus by a key operation etc. A receiving unit receives an operation of a user via an operation unit. A determining unit determines, when the receiving unit receives an operation, whether a user who performs the operation is identical to the user who has operated the operation, without inputting information for specifying the user. A control unit controls, when the determining unit determines that the user who performs the operation is not identical to the user who has operated the operation unit, so as not to keep an execution history of a job that is instructed to execute as an execution history of the user who has operated the operation.

Abstract: A method of configuring a printing system includes providing a document key having an initial image and providing a printing system that includes a memory storing a first system setting. The method also includes scanning the document key and validating the initial image. The method can optionally include marking a first overlay image over at least a portion of the initial image, scanning the document key, and verifying the marking of the first overlay image thereon. The method also includes configuring or permitting the configuration of the printing system after the initial image has been validated or the marking of the first overlay image on the initial image has been verified. A printing system that is capable of being configured using the document key is also included.

Abstract: To keep track of which process each process job currently exits and when it comes in own charge or which job must be processed, it is necessary to use a workflow system on a PC, and this necessitates to move back and force between the PC and the apparatus, thereby leading to the deterioration of the operational efficiency. An object of the invention is to provide a system in which the apparatus and the workflow server are connected, and by moving forward the processing by using the operation unit of the apparatus, the workflow of the operator in the centralized copy room and the print center of the company can be smoothly moved forward.

Abstract: The execution of an image processing job is limited using a printing amount by an image processing job that has already been executed and a printing amount that is scheduled to be printed by an image processing job that has already been transmitted but not yet executed. To accomplish this, a multi-function peripheral manages a first printing amount that has already been printed by a executed print job and a second printing amount that is scheduled to be printed by a print job that has been transmitted from the multi-function peripheral to a printer and that has not yet been executed in association with a user ID, and determines, before transmitting the print job, whether or not the total of a third printing amount that is scheduled to be printed by the print job, the first printing amount and the second printing amount exceeds an upper limit amount.

Abstract: To provide a mechanism for causing a printing apparatus in which a user logged to display data printable by the user, there is provided a printing control method in a printing control system in which the image forming apparatus includes the steps of transmitting the input user identification information to the printing control server, and displaying the printing data information list received from the printing control server, so that the printing data printable by the image forming apparatus and the printing data not printable by the image forming apparatus can be discriminated from each other.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a maintenance staff information store part that stores maintenance staff identification information, a maintenance staff authentication part that determines an authentication success when identification information, which is input from an operation panel, is identical to the maintenance staff identification information, a maintenance history store part that, when a replacement of a consumable item is performed, stores the maintenance staff identification information as well as information of the consumable item that was used before the replacement, and an output part that outputs the maintenance staff identification information that was authenticated at the time of the replacement of the consumable item as well as the information of the consumable item that is stored in the maintenance history store part, the consumable item being used before the replacement.

Abstract: When a maintenance agreement has been made based on a contract printing rate and the contract number of printed sheets, an image forming apparatus can determine before an image is actually formed, whether or not terms and conditions will be exceeded. When a user instructs to copy, after all images of original documents are scanned, it can be determined whether or not the number of remaining printable sheets exceeds a certain number, e.g., 100. When the number of remaining printable sheets is not more than 100, after calculating an average per/page printing rate of the scanned image data, the converted number of sheets, which is converted using the contract printing rate, is calculated from the average printing rate, the contract printing rate, and the number of printed sheets for one copy job, and a screen used in inquiring whether or not to print is displayed.

Abstract: An image forming system, and a user authenticating method and a control method thereof, the image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses communicably connected and performing a first authentication of a user in a first image forming apparatus of the plurality of image forming apparatuses; requesting a second authentication of the user from at least one second image forming apparatus of the plurality of image forming apparatuses in response to the first authentication failing in the first image forming apparatus; and finally authenticating the user based on a result of the second authentication.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of outputting image data by a plurality of output methods includes storing image data, managing output restriction information corresponding to a predetermined region of the stored image data, executing output restriction processing of the image data corresponding to the predetermined region based on the output restriction information of one of the plurality of output methods, selecting one of the plurality of output methods when the image data is output, and outputting the image data on which the output restriction processing is executed by the selected output method.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems, methods and devices for providing external accounting functions for a peripheral device.

Abstract: Provided is printer operation control system and method for a printer having diverse print functions by using an external memory. The external memory is used to store information on the availability of each print function. A reader is provided for reading the information on the availability of each print function stored in the external memory. Further, a function setting unit is provided for setting up the operability of software for each print function based on the information read in the reader. Even further, a controller is provided for controlling the operation of the printer based on the operability of each software set up in the function setting unit.

Abstract: When a maintenance agreement has been made based on a contract printing rate and the contract number of printed sheets, an image forming apparatus can determine before an image is actually formed, whether or not terms and conditions will be exceeded. When a user instructs to copy, after all images of original documents are scanned, it can be determined whether or not the number of remaining printable sheets exceeds a certain number, e.g., 100. When the number of remaining printable sheets is not more than 100, after calculating an average per/page printing rate of the scanned image data, the converted number of sheets, which is converted using the contract printing rate, is calculated from the average printing rate, the contract printing rate, and the number of printed sheets for one copy job, and a screen used in inquiring whether or not to print is displayed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing apparatus and an image processing system which facilitate management against unauthorized use by creating a job log according to a usage status of a user. A creation section creates a different job log for each individual user. The job log has storage conditions of image data included in the job log set according to a storage level. The storage conditions are a color of an image, a resolution of the image data and whether or not necessary to create OCR data of the image data. To increase efficiency of a follow-up research by using such a job log, the storage level of the image data relating to the user having performed unauthorized use is raised.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including applications and system side software for providing system side services to the applications is provided, in which the image forming apparatus includes: an authentication module for displaying an authentication screen on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus, wherein the authentication module allows the image forming apparatus to display a screen for using the image forming apparatus instead of the authentication screen if authentication data input from the authentication screen satisfies an authentication condition, and wherein the authentication module is provided in the image forming apparatus separately from the system side software.

Abstract: It is set for one or more processes executable by a multi-function peripheral apparatus (101) whether or not permitting the multi-function peripheral apparatus (101) to perform, of the processes, a process, execution of which is requested by a multi-function peripheral apparatus (102) or client PC (103). Information about a process set to be permitted is transmitted to the multi-function peripheral apparatus (102) or client PC (103).

Abstract: A charging management server is informed of an ID number stored in an IC card, and a user charging table of the charging management server is read. A new user charging list is transmitted to an MFP. In the case where the MFP receives a cooperative job to be executed by a cooperative server, a sub charging list is generated. The generated new sub charging list is transmitted together with image data to the cooperative server. The cooperative server executes the job on the basis of charging a fee for the job. As the job is executed on the basis of charging, the sub charging list is updated. In parallel with the execution of the cooperative job by the cooperative server, the MFP can perform a normal job according to the charging list.

Abstract: An image processing device comprises an image data input means 2, an image data storage means 12 for storing the image data being input, an image data processing means 6 having multiple processing modes for outputting the stored image data, and a image data erasing means for erasing the image data stored in the storage means 12. The device further comprises erase count control means 8, 14 for controlling the number of times for erasing image data capable of having the number of times of erase set arbitrarily according to the security level required for each mode, and capable of having the set number of times of erase changed in mid-flow. Confidentiality is protected by performing erase operations repeatedly to the region storing the unnecessary image data according to the security level.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a job memory which stores each of image formation jobs, which are received from terminals, in association with a user identifier which identifies a user of a corresponding terminal, an image forming unit which executes the image formation jobs which are stored in the job memory, a user detector which detects a user identifier of each approaching user, and a controller which calculates, upon detection of plural user identifiers by the user detector, elapsed times from reception times of image formation jobs which are stored in the job memory in association with the user identifiers, compares the elapsed times, and controls the image forming unit to preferentially execute the image formation job with a shortest one of the elapsed times.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes, an image forming unit configured to fix a developer image on a sheet medium and to output the sheet medium, and an output-image storing unit configured to store, on the inner side of a door involving a lock mechanism, the sheet medium on which the developer image is fixed by the image forming unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus has a function of processing a plurality of jobs in parallel. The image processing apparatus includes a job processing section, a language information receiving section, a job managing section and a display controlling section. The job processing section processes each job. The language information receiving section receives language information relating to each job. The job managing section manages the plurality of jobs while associating each job with the language information relating to each job. The display controlling section displays display information relating to each job in a language corresponding to the language information relating to each job.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing device that has a display control unit that causes, when one or more of setting items for specifying a processing are sequentially specified by a manipulation made by an operator, a display unit to display processing information sets each including setting items in a predetermined order on the basis of the sequentially specified setting items, and has a processing execution unit that executes a processing specified by setting items included in a processing information set specified by a manipulation made by the operator among the displayed processing information sets.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a power supply unit supplying power to a plurality of components, the power supply unit including a first power mode and a second power mode, the second power mode supplying less power than the first power mode, a control unit controlling which power mode the power supply unit uses, an authentication unit performing a user authentication when power is supplied from the power supply unit in the second power mode and an authentication request received in the second power mode, and a sending unit sending a request signal requesting the control unit to shift the power supply unit to the first power mode when the authentication unit succeeds in the user authentication, wherein the control unit controls the power supply unit to shift from the second power mode to the first power mode upon receipt of the request signal.

Abstract: A printing system comprising: a terminal device; and a printing apparatus. The terminal device comprises: a job information generation unit for generating job information including identification information on a job issuer, and identification information with respect to the permitted recipient; and a job information transmission unit for transmitting the job information generated by the job information generation unit.

Abstract: A system for accounting for a print job includes a print device having a database, and a server having a database. The print device and the server communicate via a network. The print device and/or the server have means for dynamically updating accounting information for the print job that communicates with the print device and the server via the network. The accounting information resides in the database of the print device and/or the database of the server. A method for accounting for a print job includes providing at least one print device having at least one database and at least one server having at least one database. The method includes communicating between the print devices and the servers via a network for dynamically updating accounting information for the print job stored on the databases of the print devices and/or the databases of the servers.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an acquisition unit for acquiring information for identifying a user, a log-in unit for allowing the user to log in the image forming apparatus when the acquisition unit acquires the information for identifying the user, a log-off unit for causing the logged-in user to log off from the image forming apparatus after a first predetermined time period elapses, a determination unit for determining whether a secure printing job to be performed based on the acquired information for identifying the user is present in the image forming apparatus, and a control unit for controlling the log-off unit to cause the user to log off from the image forming apparatus within a second predetermined time period which is shorter than the first predetermined period time, when the determination unit determines that the secure printing job is present in the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A system updates at least one database and includes at least one slave print device, a master print device having the database or a server having the database, and at least one network accessing mechanism communicating with the slave print device and with master print device or the server via a network for administration of the database. A method is disclosed for updating at least one database. The method includes providing at least one slave print device and a master print device having the database or a server having the database; and at least one network accessing mechanism communicating with the slave print device and with the master print device or the server via a network for administration of the database. The slave print device initiates updating the database of the master print device and/or the server. The slave print device may or may not have a database.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of ensuring security of discharged printouts and preventing noise made by the operation of the image forming apparatus from becoming obtrusive to a user. The post-processing apparatus switches the operation mode of post processing to one of a normal operation mode and a quiet operation mode, and opens and closes a sealing door. Current limiting circuits switch the operation mode to the quiet operation mode before sealing of the door is released by a sealing drive circuit in response to an instruction from the user.

Abstract: A print terminal unit includes a storage unit to store a lookup table on which information regarding an image forming apparatus corresponding to at least one type of a document is recorded, a user interface through which at least one type of at least one document to be printed is selected, and a controller to control an image forming apparatus that corresponds to the selected type of the document among the plurality of image forming apparatuses according to the lookup table to print the document. Accordingly, the user easily performs printing operation using an image forming apparatus separately depending on the type of the document.

Abstract: A multifunction system is provided that is capable of preventing unauthorized copying and the like of an image printed on a print material against the will of a user who has created the print material. The multifunction system includes: a printing apparatus having a printing unit printing on a prescribed recording medium a combined image formed by combining an image based on image information with an output-restriction image relating to restriction on output of the print material; and a reading apparatus having an image reading unit reading, responsive to a reading instruction, the combined image printed on the prescribed recording medium, an image analyzer unit analyzing the output-restriction image included in the combined image read out by the image reading unit, and an output determination unit determining, on the basis of an analyzed result generated by the image analyzer unit, as to whether the image based on the image information can be output.

Abstract: A multifunctional apparatus control system includes a multifunctional apparatus an authentication information input device, an I/F converter, and a control server.

Abstract: An information processor is provided that can maintain security in the entire network and use recording media resources efficiently. An image forming apparatus includes a user information memorizing portion for memorizing local user data of users who have ever used the image forming apparatus, a user information deleting portion for deleting any one or more of the local user data when the local user data memorized in the user information memorizing portion has an amount greater than a predetermined value, an authentication request portion for requesting an authentication server to authenticate a user who desires to use the image forming apparatus, and a user information generating portion, when local user data of the user authenticated by the authentication server are not memorized in the user information memorizing portion, for generating local user data of the user in the user information memorizing portion to let the same memorize the generated data.

Abstract: When a user sets, from a user interface window using a bookbinding application, instructions of dividing a document into a plurality of parts and stapling each part of the document, a printer driver generates one job in which the staple attribute of a binder corresponding to each part is set to “ON” or “OFF”, and issues the job for a printer. With this operation, the user can perform staple designation to an arbitrary part of the document, and can realize a plurality of staple processes in one print job.

Abstract: A printing apparatus connectable with an external storage device is provided. The printing apparatus includes a printer unit to execute a printing operation to print an image in a current print job, a print log provider to provide a print log, which indicates a record of the printing operation for the current print job, to the external storage device, a print log obtainer to obtain a preceding print log, indicating a record of an earlier printing operation executed earlier in the printing apparatus, provided to and stored in the external storage device, a print log examiner to examine the preceding print log and determine normality of the preceding print log based on the record of the earlier print operation, and a controller to permit the printer unit to print the image and restrict the printer unit from printing the image depending on normality of the obtained print logs.

Abstract: This invention makes it possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of causing an information processing apparatus to install a driver desired by a user by selecting an appropriate PDL and presenting device information to the information processing apparatus, and increasing the convenience for the user, a control method for the apparatus, and a program. To accomplish this, image forming unit-specific log information associated with a plurality of image forming units of the image forming apparatus is stored in a storage device. On the basis of the log information, a priority image forming unit is decided from the plurality of image forming units. Identification information containing an identifier of the decided image forming unit is transmitted in response to an information request transmitted from the information processing apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing apparatus, which makes it possible to put an implementation order of an outputting job, inputted by a user and currently in the standby state, forward, even if the concerned user does not conduct specific operations.

Abstract: The present invention enables connections of electronic components of an electronic apparatus to be inspected easily and reliably. To accomplish this, an electronic apparatus including a plurality of electronic components, includes a control circuit which controls input and output of an electric signal to and from the plurality of electronic components and a plurality of inspection circuits which inspect connections of the plurality of electronic components. The plurality of inspection circuits are connected in series, the control circuit is connected to an end of the series, inspection signals output from the plurality of inspection circuits are superimposed on one another in sequence into an signal and the signal is input into the control circuit, and determination is made at the control circuit as to whether each of the plurality of electronic components is connected properly or not.