There is provided a network system capable of making communication between a portable information terminal and an image forming apparatus, the network system including: a charging processor that performs a charging processing, wherein the image forming apparatus includes: a first communication part that makes communication in a first communication system; a second communication part that makes communication in a second communication system; and an information reader that reads card information, the portable information terminal includes: a first terminal communication part that makes communication in the first communication system; a second terminal communication part that makes communication in the second communication system; and a card emulator that is operated in a card emulation function, the information reader reads card information of a card emulated in the card emulation function from the portable information terminal and the charging processor starts the charging processing, and performs the charging processing.

A consumable consuming device includes a consumable holder and a controller. The controller is switchable between a first state in which no agreement for delivery of a consumable is in effect and a second state in which an agreement for delivery of the consumable is in effect. The controller is configured to perform: a first determination process to determine a first remaining life that is a remaining life of the consumable provided to the consumable holder during a time when no agreement for delivery of the consumable is in effect; a consumption process to perform a prescribed operation while consuming the consumable in the second state; and a billing control process to perform a billing-related process after the first remaining life decreases to a predetermined quantity through execution of the consumption process but does not perform the billing-related process until the first remaining life decreases to the predetermined quantity.

According to an embodiment, an image processing system includes an image forming unit, a decoloring unit, a storage device, an operation panel and a processor. The storage device stores image data of a plurality of printed materials. The processor forms on a sheet an image based on image data in a page range of the printed material received by the operation panel. The processor determines whether or not images of all pages in the page range have been decolored in a predetermined range after the image formation is executed when the formed image is decolored by the decoloring unit.

A printing system controls a printing member to perform printing based on a print job for which a charged fee is already settled. The printing system receives a first instruction to suspend the printing started by the printing member and suspends the printing started by the printing member in response to reception of the first instruction. The printing system receives a second instruction as to a post suspending process to be executed after the printing is suspended. The printing system performs one of a post fee-settlement process and a restart process, as the post suspending process. The post fee-settlement process is related to provision of a benefit corresponding to refunding at least part of the charged fee. The restart process is to restart the suspended printing to complete the print job after a reason that the first instruction is made is resolved.

A paper-interacting device, connected to a computerized network via a network connection, the paper-interacting device comprising an input means and a processor, the processor configured to: obtain payment-related information from a user operating the input means; send an authentication request, comprising the payment-related information, to a remote payment authentication server, wherein the authentication request is sent via the network connection; receive, via the network connection, an authentication response originating from the remote payment authentication server; and enable the paper-interactive device to perform a paper-interactive operation upon the authentication response being indicative of a successful authentication of the authentication request.

A system method for multiple account document processing cost accounting includes a multifunction peripheral including an intelligent controller having a processor and memory. A document processing engine operates in conjunction with an instructions issued from the intelligent controller. The intelligent controller receives into memory document processing job data associated with a user. A user interface receives user input identifying the user. The processor calculates a cost for completing a document processing operation with the document processing job data and the calculated cost is displayed. The processor identifies of cost centers associated with an identified user and displays indicia identifying them, along with their associated account values. The processor receives a user selection identifying a selected cost center and completes a document processing operation with the job data and commences a debit from the account value of the selected cost center.

An information processing apparatus includes a processor configured to: calculate a fee as compensation for a product or service; and adjust, if settlement by a first settlement option selected initially is insufficient to settle a full amount of the calculated fee, a monetary amount to be settled by the first settlement option and a monetary amount to be settled by a second settlement option different from the first settlement option, so that the monetary amount to be settled by the second settlement option is in units acceptable for settlement by the second settlement option.

A job executing system includes an image forming apparatus, a user terminal, a computer, and a bank account management system. The online payment service transmits a payment completion notification of a charge and a payment code to the computer with the computer identifier made to correspond to the payment code in first payment code management information. When the computer receives the payment completion notification, the computer transmits the payment completion notification of the charge for the job with the job identifier made to correspond to the payment code in the second payment code management information to the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus having the image forming apparatus identifier made to correspond to the payment code in the second payment code management information. When the image forming apparatus receives the payment completion notification, the image forming apparatus executes the job with the job identifier.

According to an embodiment, an image processing system includes an image forming unit, a decoloring unit, a storage device, an operation panel and a processor. The storage device stores image data of a plurality of printed materials. The processor forms on a sheet an image based on image data in a page range of the printed material received by the operation panel. The processor determines whether or not images of all pages in the page range have been decolored in a predetermined range after the image formation is executed when the formed image is decolored by the decoloring unit.

There is provided a network system capable of making communication between a portable information terminal and an image forming apparatus, the network system including: a charging processor that performs a charging processing, wherein the image forming apparatus includes: a first communication part that makes communication in a first communication system; a second communication part that makes communication in a second communication system; and an information reader that reads card information, the portable information terminal includes: a first terminal communication part that makes communication in the first communication system; a second terminal communication part that makes communication in the second communication system; and a card emulator that is operated in a card emulation function, the information reader reads card information of a card emulated in the card emulation function from the portable information terminal and the charging processor starts the charging processing, and performs the charging processing.