A disclosed example is a server residing on a first network. The server has an observer. The observer receives observational data from a media processing device residing on a second network via a first persistent connection between the media processing device and the server. The observer provides, via the first persistent connection, a configuration file to the media processing device that defines a type of the observational data to be collected by the media processing device. The observer is prevented from communicating an operational instruction to the media processing device. The operational instruction is to control media processing hardware of the media processing device.

An image forming apparatus includes a document reader, a storage for storing image data, an image output unit and a control unit. The control unit includes: a function setup controller for setting up the image output conditions of output images; and a control-unit side controller having a function of displaying a function setup screen corresponding to the function setup controller, on a display panel. The function setup controller has an additional input mode having a function of reading documents a multiple number of times to form multiple sheaves of documents. The additional input mode includes: an individual setup function of setting up individual image output conditions for each sheaf of documents and an all-in setup function of setting up identical image output conditions for all sheaves of documents. When the additional input mode is set up, the control unit-side controller offers a display of a setup change suggestion of the image output conditions for the next input on the display screen at the stage where the first image data input has been completed.

A device, method, and computer-readable medium for printing an image on an edible media. The method including receiving from an external device associated with a consumer the image, determining whether the image is of suitable quality to be printed on the edible media, transmitting a message to the external device, in response to a determination that the image is not of suitable quality to be printed on the edible media, and performing an image processing technique on the image to enhance the image for printing on the edible media, in response to a determination that the image is of suitable quality to be printed on the edible media. The method further including transmitting a request to a printer to print the enhanced image on the edible media, and transmitting a request to the printer to print a shipping label to ship the printed edible media to the consumer.

A disclosed example is a server residing on a first network. The server has an observer. The observer receives observational data from a media processing device residing on a second network via a first persistent connection between the media processing device and the server. The observer provides, via the first persistent connection, a configuration file to the media processing device that defines a type of the observational data to be collected by the media processing device. The observer is prevented from communicating an operational instruction to the media processing device. The operational instruction is to control media processing hardware of the media processing device.

A portable terminal performs a printer search using Bluetooth. In a case where communication different from Bluetooth communication can be performed between the portable terminal and a particular printer, he portable terminal displays those printing apparatuses found by the search that are able to communicate via a different communication. Those printing apparatuses found by the search that just communicate via Bluetooth are not displayed.

A portable terminal performs a printer search using Bluetooth. In a case where communication different from Bluetooth communication can be performed between the portable terminal and a particular printer, he portable terminal displays those printing apparatuses found by the search that are able to communicate via a different communication. Those printing apparatuses found by the search that just communicate via Bluetooth are not displayed.

It is possible to read a document at an optimal speed according to an operation mode selected by a user while improving productivity at a low cost, without forcing the user to perform a complicated operation for changing a document reading speed. A method for controlling a reading unit to read a document with a first reading resolution in a case where a reading resolution is the first reading resolution, to read a document with a second reading resolution in a case where the reading resolution is the second reading resolution smaller than the first reading resolution and a predetermined mode is not set, and to read a document with the first reading resolution in a case where the reading resolution is the second reading resolution smaller than the first reading resolution and the predetermined mode is set.

An image scanning device including an image sensor, an operation unit, and circuitry. The circuitry acquires reference-image data and comparative-image data output from the image sensor when a predetermined time elapses after acquiring the reference-image data. The circuitry further divides each of the reference-image data and the comparative-image data into a plurality of image areas, extracts a feature point of a given pixel for each of the plurality of image areas of each of the reference-image data and the comparative-image data, compares pixel values of feature points in the same coordinate to determine a difference in pixel value, identifies an image area including at least one feature point having a difference in pixel value, and identifies a direction of flip of pages of the document based on the image area including the at least one feature point having the difference in pixel value.

An image forming apparatus includes an image reader unit and a control unit. The image reader unit generates read data. The control unit generates output data of image data cropped from the read data. When cropping a plurality of image data, the control unit sets one side of the read data to a first reference side and sets another side perpendicular to the first reference side to a second reference side, and for each of the plurality of image data, the control unit detects a first distance between the first reference side and the image data in a direction parallel to the second reference side, and a second distance between the second reference side and the image data in a direction parallel to the first reference side, and sets an output order of the plurality of image data based on the first distances and the second distances.

A system and method for aligning documents for scanning includes a multifunction peripheral with a controller having a processor and associated memory. The controller issues instructions controlling operation of a scanner. A tangible document is placed on a surface of a scanner platen, and a sensor determines its location relative to the platen. An optimal position of the document relative to the platen is determined. The processor then generates a graphical rendering on an associated display indicative of a directed repositioning of the document on the platen in accordance with a determined optimal position of the document relative to the platen.