An information processing apparatus includes an optional device, a main body processing portion, a first buffer, and a second buffer. When brought into a state where control data cannot be retained in an optional memory, the optional device transmits a saving request to the main body processing portion, and when brought into a state where the control data can be retained, the optional device transmits a saving cancel request to the main body processing portion. In a time period from the time of receipt of the saving request to the time of receipt of the saving cancel request, the main body processing portion saves specific control data to the second buffer, and after receipt of the saving cancel request, transmits the specific control data to the optional 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.

An information processing apparatus includes a detection unit that detects a connection of an arithmetic device, a specifying unit that specifies an arithmetic operation capable of being performed by the arithmetic device, a transfer unit that transfers data used in the arithmetic operation to the arithmetic device in a case where the specified arithmetic operation is determined to be performed by the information processing apparatus before the connection, and an acquisition unit that acquires a result obtained by the arithmetic device performing the arithmetic operation using the data.

A system may automatically scan a physical document and perform processing actions on the scanned document according to a workflow. The system may include a scanning device that can detect a trigger event when a portable memory device is connected to or paired with the device or when a document, including one or multiple pages, is placed on the document handler of the device. Upon detecting the trigger event, the scanning device may retrieve the workflow and associated instructions from one or more designated folders on the portable memory device, automatically scan the document on the document handler to a digital document file, and perform various processing actions on the digital document file according to the workflow, with little or no user interaction. The processing actions may include storing, faxing, and emailing the scanned document, and/or performing certain document conversion functions on the digital document file.

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; 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.

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 184 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 184, 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.

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.

There is provided an image reading apparatus in which a low output mode is a mode that can be controlled in a coupling state where a low power-feeding USB device is coupled, a high output mode is a mode that can be controlled in a coupling state where a high power-feeding USB device capable of feeding power higher than the low power-feeding USB device is coupled, and a control section does not perform image reading at a second reading speed faster than a first reading speed and performs image reading at the first reading speed in the low output mode.

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.