In an image forming device, in a case where a storage medium is connected to an input output interface, and a storage medium stores import instruction information including a plurality of setting values, a controller imports a target value from the storage medium to a memory. The plurality of setting values is associated with respective ones of a plurality of pieces of device-specific information. The target value is a setting value selected from the plurality of setting values and is associated with a piece of device-specific information unique to the image forming device. Each of the plurality of setting values associated with respective ones of a plurality of pieces of device-specific information is for setting a prescribed parameter of a corresponding device. After the target value is imported, the controller operates according to the target value set for the prescribed parameter.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to present on a home screen or an application screen such a display that an appropriate favorite setting for each of the home screen and the application screen is applied to the respective home screen or the respective application screen according to read card information.

Provided is a multifunctional apparatus including an external recording medium slot at a position higher than a touch area that receives touch operation by a user, and the touch area is provided in an operation panel provided on a near side of a main body of the multifunctional apparatus and near an upper edge of the main body.

A supply item has toner for use in an imaging device. A chip has memory storing quanta indicating allowed usage of the supply item over its lifetime and a multiplier correlating the quanta to toner mass. The imaging device requires quanta to conduct imaging operations and loads the quanta and multiplier by way of a certificate stored in the memory. The imaging device retrieves quanta from the chip over time and both devices keep tally. Initialization between the supply item and imaging device includes providing encrypted and unencrypted instances of firmware versions and certificates from the supply item that the imaging device can compare for security. Alternatively, the supply item defines a fuser assembly, imaging unit, intermediate transfer member, or other component installed for use in the imaging device.

An image forming apparatus is provided with USB sockets on front and back sides, and includes a determining unit for determining whether or not a USB device inserted to a front side USB socket is a function enhancement device, and a control unit making, when it is determined by the determining unit that a function enhancement device is inserted to the front side USB socket, the USB device unusable and making, when it is determined that a USB device other than the function enhancement device is inserted, the USB device usable. Thus, it is possible to prevent a USB wireless LAN adapter or the like from being used constantly connected to the front side USB socket and thereby to reduce possibility of USB wireless LAN adapter of being damaged or removed.

When a reading error occurs while reading out image data saved in a hard disk, input data which is saved in a RAM is read out and image data is regenerated from the read input data. This enables reprinting by an image formation apparatus alone without requiring a user to re-input image data even when the reading of data occurs due to abnormality of the hard disk.

An image forming apparatus including an image forming part forming an image includes a user authenticating part, a terminal selecting part and an installation instructing part. The user authenticating part authenticates a user on the basis of authentication information peculiar to the user in installing operation making an external terminal communicably connected to the image forming apparatus install a driver of the image forming apparatus. The terminal selecting part selects the external terminal registered in association with the user authenticated by the user authenticating part as an object terminal in the installing operation. The installation instructing part establishes remote access to the object terminal on the basis of log-in information previously registered with regard to the object terminal selected by the terminal selecting part and transmits installation instruction making the object terminal execute automatic installation of the driver to the object terminal.

A supply item has toner for use in an imaging device. A chip has memory storing quanta indicating allowed usage of the supply item over its lifetime and a multiplier correlating the quanta to toner mass. The imaging device requires quanta to conduct imaging operations and loads the quanta and multiplier by way of a certificate stored in the memory. The imaging device retrieves quanta from the chip over time and both devices keep tally. Initialization between the supply item and imaging device includes providing encrypted and unencrypted instances of firmware versions and certificates from the supply item that the imaging device can compare for security. Alternatively, the supply item defines a fuser assembly, imaging unit, intermediate transfer member, or other component installed for use in the imaging device.

An information processing apparatus includes an interface for a medium, which includes a mechanical switch, and circuitry. The circuitry is configured to: detect insertion of the medium into the interface; determine whether the insertion of the medium is for inputting data into the information processing apparatus; detect a state of the mechanical switch of the medium inserted, in response to determination that the insertion of the medium is for inputting data; generate numerical data according to the state; receive, as input data, the numerical data generated; and execute an operation according to the input data.

An information processing apparatus includes: an interface; and a controller. The controller executes: storing, into a memory, history information relating to supply of electric power to an external device via the interface; rebooting when the reboot is required during supply of the electric power to the external device via the interface; and restarting control of the supply of the electric power to the external device via the interface, based on the history information stored in the memory.