An image forming apparatus includes a data selector circuit that receives an instruction of a selection range from a serviceman via the operation unit and the display unit, and automatically selects data to be backed up in the external storage device in the selection range out of the pieces of data, a backup circuit that backs up the data selected by the data selector circuit out of the pieces of data in the external storage device being connected, and sends the data unselected by the data selector circuit to the database server for backup, and a restoring circuit that restores the data backed up in the external storage device in a first storage after replacement for the maintenance, then receives the data backed up in the database server, and restores the data in the first storage after replacement for the maintenance without the serviceman.

Provided is an electronic device that includes an update-processing unit that updates a control program for the device based on an update program that is recorded on a recording medium. The electronic device includes a USB interface and an update-control unit. Devices can be connected to the USB interface. The update-control unit determines whether or not a device is connected to the USB interface when the power is turned ON, and when a device is connected, waits when it is not possible to immediately determine whether or not that devices is the recording medium.

An information processing apparatus configured to communicate with a connectable and removable nonvolatile storage device includes a display device, and a display control unit configured to control display processing that a storage device not specified as a backup destination for backing up data in the information processing apparatus is displayed on the display device as a removal instruction target, and a storage device specified as a backup destination is not displayed on the display device as a removal instruction target, wherein the display control unit is implemented by at least one processor.

An image forming device to which an external device is detachably attached, including an interface that is able to attach to the external device, a storage that stores multi-tier architecture software, and a computer that executes the multi-tier architecture software. The multi-tier architecture software includes a lower layer that includes an operating system that manages the external device, an upper layer that includes an application program that accesses the external device via the lower layer, and an intervening abstraction layer that hides implementation of the lower layer from the upper layer. The upper layer includes an access control program that is able to save path information to access the external device to the storage, and relays access from the application program to the external device by accessing the lower layer without going through the abstraction layer and accessing the external device using the path information.

An image forming apparatus which is started in a plurality of modes and improved in reliability of the firmware update function. An image forming apparatus includes a storage unit that stores standard firmware for a normal operation and safe firmware for updating the standard firmware, in respective different storage areas. A standard firmware update section updates the standard firmware. Proper operations of the standard firmware update section and the safe firmware update section are verified before updating them, respectively. When the verification of the operation of the standard firmware update section is successful, the standard updating section is caused to perform the update of the standard firmware. When the verification of the operation of the safe firmware update section is successful, the safe firmware update section is caused to perform the update of the safe firmware.

An information processing apparatus includes: a display; a first processing unit; and a second processing unit, wherein the first processing unit includes a transmitter configured to transmit a first screen relating to first processing performed by the first processing unit to the second processing unit, the second processing unit includes a mounting section in which a peripheral device is mounted and a hardware processor, the hardware processor configured to: cause the display to selectively display either one of the first screen and a second screen relating to second processing performed by the second processing unit, and when the display displays the first screen, allow the peripheral device to be used for the first processing and, when the display displays the second screen, allow the peripheral device to be used for the second processing.

A method enables automatically printing a translation of a document without user interaction with a printer local user interface. A trigger event caused by connecting an external storage device with a printer is detected. The storage device includes a folder storing a source document or an access link it. The folder includes information which enables the printer to identify a printing protocol from a plurality of printing protocols. The protocols include at least one translation printing protocol which specifies that the source document is to be translated prior to printing. The source document is retrieved from the folder or from a remote location. The printing protocol is identified, based on the information. When the printing protocol is one of the at least one translation printing protocols, a translation of the source document is obtained in a target language. The translation of the source document is printed on the printer.

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.

An image forming apparatus includes a controller and a memory interface having a port to receive a portable memory. The controller performs a portable memory using process that includes storing data in a dedicated memory, and performing a process using the data stored in the dedicated memory in response to an operation received via a user interface. The controller stores, before the portable memory using process, identification information in a portable memory attached to the port, thereby setting the portable memory as the dedicated memory. The controller determines whether a target portable memory as attached to the port is set as the dedicated memory, based on whether the identification information is stored in the target portable memory. The controller determines whether to display a first screen or a second screen, based on whether the target portable memory is set as the dedicated memory.

An example system includes at least one a first device and at least one second device. The first device includes a camera; memory for storing user-configurable name information and a picture captured by the camera; and communication circuitry for wirelessly transmitting the name information. The second device includes communication circuitry for wirelessly receiving the name information; a display controller for controlling display of a name based on the received name information; and a user interface for receiving, while the name is displayed, a user-supplied request for picture reception. The communication circuitry of the first device transmits the stored picture to the second device based on the picture reception request and the communication circuitry of the second device receives the transmitted picture.