An image forming apparatus is provided with a storage, a controller, an image forming part, a first interface configured to receive an image forming job, and a second interface to which a portable storage device is connectable. When the particular storing function is enabled, image data is stored in the portable storage in response to receipt of the print job, and an image is formed in accordance with the image data stored in the portable storage. When the particular storing function is disabled, the image data related to the print job is stored in the storage of the image forming apparatus in response to receipt of the print job, and an image is formed in accordance with the image data stored in the storage of the image forming apparatus.

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.

Disclosed is an image forming apparatus, including: a connector having a connecting portion to which a USB memory is attachable; a support member configured to support the connector, the support member having a screw hole; a first screw hole provided on a main body of the image forming apparatus correspondingly to the screw hole of the support member, the first screw hole being for fixing the connector at a first position where the connecting portion of the connector is exposed from an exterior cover of the main body; and a second screw hole provided on the main body correspondingly to the screw hole of the support member, the second screw hole being for fixing the connector at a second position where the connecting portion of the connector is located inside the exterior cover.

An information-processing device includes: a storage storing setting information including an operation setting for the information-processing device; a controller configured to operate according to the setting information stored in the storage; and an input-output interface to which a removable storage medium is connectable, the removable storage medium storing import setting information and import instruction information on importation of the import setting information, the import setting information being setting information for importation, the import setting information including a plurality of setting items. The controller is further configured to perform: (a) importing, while the removable storage medium is connected to the input-output interface, a designated setting item of the plurality of setting items into the storage in accordance with the import instruction information.

In an information-processing device, a memory is configured to store setting information including an operation setting for the information-processing device. A controller is configured to perform: acquiring; determining; allowing; importing; and encrypting. The acquiring acquires import authentication information including a device password for the information-processing device while a removable storage medium storing import setting information is connected to an input-output interface. The determining determines whether the device password matches a preset device password of the information-processing device. The allowing allows, in response to determining that the device password matches the preset device password, the import setting information to be imported. The importing imports the import setting information from the removable storage medium into the memory as the setting information. The encrypting encrypts the import authentication information using the device password to create encrypted import authentication information and stores the encrypted import authentication information into the removable storage medium.

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 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 example image formation device includes a memory to store a program, and a controller to, by executing the program, perform pre-processing for an application to be installed, acquire information on an amount of resources necessary for execution of the application, acquire information on an amount of available resources, determine whether installation of the application is possible based on the information on the amount of resources necessary to execute the application and the information on the amount of available resources, and install the application in the memory when it is determined that the application is installable.

An information processing apparatus includes one or plural first plug-ins that are prepared according to a type of a data output apparatus for outputting data and collect data output from the data output apparatus, one or plural second plug-ins that receive data from the first plug-in and transmit the received data to an external apparatus, and a plug-in management unit that controls activation and stop of the first plug-in and the second plug-in.