A series of conveyance paths to convey a recording medium is formed across a printer and a post-processing device in a printing system. The printing system includes: a detection unit that detects that the post-processing device has entered a predetermined state; and a paper feeding control unit that limits the number of recording media fed to the conveyance path, when it is not detected that the post-processing device has entered the predetermined state, based on the number of recording media conveyable to the post-processing device after the post-processing device enters the predetermined state.

A series of conveyance paths to convey a recording medium is formed across a printer and a post-processing device in a printing system. The printing system includes: a detection unit that detects that the post-processing device has entered a predetermined state; and a paper feeding control unit that limits the number of recording media fed to the conveyance path, when it is not detected that the post-processing device has entered the predetermined state, based on the number of recording media conveyable to the post-processing device after the post-processing device enters the predetermined state.

An information processing apparatus includes a calculation unit that calculates a charge for a service used by a user based on a charge schedule, and a changing unit that, when a period starts, changes the charge schedule from a first charge schedule to a second charge schedule of at least one second charge schedule, and that, when the period ends, changes the charge schedule from the second charge schedule to the first charge schedule.

An information processing apparatus includes a calculation unit that calculates a charge for a service used by a user based on a charge schedule, and a changing unit that, when a period starts, changes the charge schedule from a first charge schedule to a second charge schedule of at least one second charge schedule, and that, when the period ends, changes the charge schedule from the second charge schedule to the first charge schedule.

A quota management apparatus includes a management section. The management section manages a value of a printing quota indicating a usable amount of an image forming apparatus by a user according to an image forming instruction by the user. If the image forming apparatus forms an image on a sheet on which an image is erased, the management section performs either a control of subtracting a value smaller than that in a case in which the image forming apparatus forms the image on a sheet on which the erasing of an image is not executed from the value of the printing quota, or a control of not subtracting the value of the printing quota.

An image forming apparatus connected to a charging device includes an image forming unit, a fixing unit, a charge processor, a controller, and a printed sheet counter. The charge processor charges a fee for printing. The controller selects an energy saving mode, upon deciding that a balance of a deposited amount in the charging device is less than a threshold amount. The printed sheet counter counts the number of sheets of the recording medium printed by the image forming unit in one single printing job. The controller selects the energy saving mode for the next printing job, upon deciding that the number of sheets printed in one single printing job is less than a predetermined threshold number of sheets, when the deposit balance is remaining in the charging device.

An image forming apparatus connected to a charging device includes an image forming unit, a fixing unit, a charge processor, a controller, and a printed sheet counter. The charge processor charges a fee for printing. The controller selects an energy saving mode, upon deciding that a balance of a deposited amount in the charging device is less than a threshold amount. The printed sheet counter counts the number of sheets of the recording medium printed by the image forming unit in one single printing job. The controller selects the energy saving mode for the next printing job, upon deciding that the number of sheets printed in one single printing job is less than a predetermined threshold number of sheets, when the deposit balance is remaining in the charging device.

Provided is an image forming apparatus including a charge processing section and an operation section that are brought closer in height to each other, thus improving the operability of a user. The image forming apparatus (100) includes a coin insertion processing section (110), an operation panel (120) and an electrophotography printer (130). The coin insertion processing section (110) is configured to accept money and then execute charge processing so as to permit image formation by the image forming apparatus (100). The operation panel (120) is configured to, when the coin insertion processing section (110) executes the charge processing, accept setting of image formation by the image forming apparatus (100). The electrophotography printer (130) is configured to form an image of the read image data based on setting at the operation panel (120). The coin insertion processing section (110) is disposed at a height equal to a height of the operation panel (120).

Provided is an image forming apparatus including a charge processing section and an operation section that are brought closer in height to each other, thus improving the operability of a user. The image forming apparatus (100) includes a coin insertion processing section (110), an operation panel (120) and an electrophotography printer (130). The coin insertion processing section (110) is configured to accept money and then execute charge processing so as to permit image formation by the image forming apparatus (100). The operation panel (120) is configured to, when the coin insertion processing section (110) executes the charge processing, accept setting of image formation by the image forming apparatus (100). The electrophotography printer (130) is configured to form an image of the read image data based on setting at the operation panel (120). The coin insertion processing section (110) is disposed at a height equal to a height of the operation panel (120).

Provided is an image forming apparatus including a charge processing section and an operation section that are brought closer in height to each other, thus improving the operability of a user. An image forming apparatus (100) includes a coin insertion processing section (110), an operation panel (120) and an electrophotography printer (130). The coin insertion processing section (110) is configured to accept money and then execute charge processing so as to permit image formation by the image forming apparatus (100). The operation panel (120) is configured to, when the coin insertion processing section (110) executes the charge processing, accept setting of image formation by the image forming apparatus (100). The electrophotography printer (130) is configured to form an image of the read image data based on setting at the operation panel (120). The coin insertion processing section (110) is disposed at a height equal to a height of the operation panel (120).