An image processing apparatus capable of shifting to a power saving mode. The image processing apparatus includes a storing unit configured to store a document in a storage device, a notification unit configured to periodically notify an apparatus of a predetermined destination of information about a document that has been newly stored by the storing unit into the storage device, and a control unit configured to restrict shifting to a power saving mode in which the notification unit cannot make the notification after storage of a document by the storing unit has been completed and until the notification unit notifies at least information about the document.

In general, according to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a display unit, an operation input unit, a storage unit, a control unit, and an image forming unit. The operation input unit receives an operation input. The storage unit stores function restriction instruction content that disables setting and use of a predetermined function related to printing, so as to correspond to a sheet handling method after image formation. The control unit displays a setting screen for setting each function related to printing and selecting the sheet handling method on the display unit, acquires the function restriction instruction content corresponding to the selected sheet handling method from the storage unit when the sheet handling method is selected, displays the setting screen in which setting and use of the predetermined function are disabled on the display unit on the basis of the acquired function restriction instruction content, and receives print setting on the setting screen. The image forming unit is controlled by the control unit on the basis of the setting received on the setting screen and forms an image on a sheet.

An image forming device provided in a management system manages remaining amount information of consumable contained in a loaded consumable container, detects identification information of a new consumable container to be loaded upon replacing the consumable container, and transmits a replacement notification including identification information, counter information indicating the operation status of the image forming device upon replacement, and remaining amount information of consumable contained in the previously loaded consumable container which has been removed by the replacement to a management device. The management device receives a replacement notification, associates identification information of a consumable container, counter information relating to the replacement of the consumable container, and the remaining amount information with each other based on the replacement notification, and stores the same as management information.

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 image forming apparatus includes a document reader, a storage for storing image data, an image output unit and a control unit. The control unit includes: a function setup controller for setting up the image output conditions of output images; and a control-unit side controller having a function of displaying a function setup screen corresponding to the function setup controller, on a display panel. The function setup controller has an additional input mode having a function of reading documents a multiple number of times to form multiple sheaves of documents. The additional input mode includes: an individual setup function of setting up individual image output conditions for each sheaf of documents and an all-in setup function of setting up identical image output conditions for all sheaves of documents. When the additional input mode is set up, the control unit-side controller offers a display of a setup change suggestion of the image output conditions for the next input on the display screen at the stage where the first image data input has been completed.

Many devices, such as printers, work with one or more removable unit. Often, the removable units have an electronic circuit that used to communicate with the device. It may be desirable to provide a replacement unit in these devices. The replacement unit must include an electronic circuit that is able to communicate with the original device. Disclosed is a method and apparatus where a replacement unit is provided with a new electronic circuit and a used electronic circuit. The new electronic circuit is electrically connected to the used electronic circuit and uses the used electronic circuit to facilitate communication with the host device.

An apparatus information obtaining apparatus for obtaining apparatus information including model information of an image output apparatus from the image output apparatus via a network is disclosed. The apparatus information obtaining apparatus includes: an image output apparatus list database storing a list of image output apparatuses from which the apparatus information is obtained; an apparatus information send instruction sending unit for instructing the image output apparatus included in the image output apparatus list to send the apparatus information; and an apparatus information receiving unit for receiving the apparatus information from the image output apparatus that is instructed to send the apparatus information.

An image forming apparatus that attaches a consumable including a memory that stores information for indicating use results of a consumable material and that forms an image by using the consumable material accommodated in the consumable, in a case that an obtainment of information from the attached consumable succeeds, creates a record of the attached consumable based on the obtained information, and in a case that the obtainment of the information fails, creates a record of the attached consumable that makes identification information of the attached consumable be predetermined information. Then, in a case that identification information of the consumable included in obtained the information does not match identification information of the consumable obtained previously, changes the identification information of the consumable obtained previously based on the information obtained currently.

An image display operation device includes a function selecting portion to correlate with a plurality of functions so as to be executable, a display portion to display the function selecting portion, and a display control portion that causes the display portion to display the function selecting portion. The function selecting portion includes a first function selecting portion in which selectable function items are displayed, and a second function selecting portion in which other function items that are selectable in conjunction with functions included in the first function selecting portion are displayed. When one or more functions included in the first function selecting portion are selected, the display control portion changes function items to be displayed on the second function selecting portion, based on contents of the one or more functions selected on the first function selecting portion.

An image forming apparatus includes a document reader, a storage for storing image data, an image output unit and a control unit. The control unit includes: a function setup controller for setting up the image output conditions of output images; and a control-unit side controller having a function of displaying a function setup screen corresponding to the function setup controller, on a display panel. The function setup controller has an additional input mode having a function of reading documents a multiple number of times to form multiple sheaves of documents. The additional input mode includes: an individual setup function of setting up individual image output conditions for each sheaf of documents and an all-in setup function of setting up identical image output conditions for all sheaves of documents. When the additional input mode is set up, the control unit-side controller offers a display of a setup change suggestion of the image output conditions for the next input on the display screen at the stage where the first image data input has been completed.