Methods and systems for printing on a print device from both authorized users and guest users are disclosed. The methods include configuring the print device to execute document processing jobs from both authorized users and guest users based on a rule set. The method also includes receiving a request to initiate a document processing session on the print device, initiating the kiosk mode session for executing paid document processing jobs by outputting a kiosk mode user interface that is configured to allow the guest user to submit requests for paid document processing jobs, receiving a request for executing a document processing job via the kiosk mode user interface, causing the print device to execute the document processing job, and causing a payment processing service associated with the guest user to render payment for executing the document processing job.

Systems and methods for customizing a kiosk device are disclosed. The methods may include, by a processor: providing a web-interface portal that enables a user to generate a customized application package for customization of a kiosk device that provides document processing services via a print device, receiving one or more custom files to be included in the customized application package from the user via the web-interface portal, and generating the customized application package. The customized application package includes the received one or more custom files stored in a format compatible with the kiosk device. The user does not have access to the format, and the customized application package when installed on the kiosk device will cause customization of the kiosk device in accordance with the one or more custom files.

A printing device includes a display and a controller. The controller performs a counting process to increment a cumulative value of a printing count each time printing is performed by the printing device. The controller performs a first display control process to display on the display the cumulative value of the printing count which is incremented in the counting process. The controller performs a display mode modification process to modify a display mode for the cumulative value of the printing count displayed on the display when a printing agreement is established for a subscription. The printing agreement is for charging fees depending on a printing count within a specific interval.

Methods and systems for printing on a print device from both authorized users and guest users are disclosed. The methods include receiving a request to initiate a document processing session on the print device, determining whether the requested document processing session is a kiosk mode session for executing a document processing job for a guest user or a staff mode session for executing a document processing job for an authorized user, initiating the kiosk mode session for executing paid document processing jobs in response to determining that the requested document processing session is the kiosk mode session, receiving a request for executing a first document processing job, determining a cost for executing the document processing job at the print device, receiving approval to execute the first document processing job at the print device for the determined cost from a guest user.

Described herein is a multi-user retail photo kiosk system that includes multiple touch screen and Graphic User Interface (GUI) controlled consumer photo editing, photo print and product selection, and photo order placement terminals and multiple photo printers. The user photo kiosk terminals can receive images. Billing and payment is accomplished using barcoded receipts provided at the user terminal for payments for purchased photo products. A printer array incorporating various printers capable of producing prints or various sizes and formats can be configured as a horizontal counter or as a vertical tower and includes means to alert the user that their photo print order is complete. In addition, the system automatically notifies operators if equipment service, maintenance, media refilling, and/or post printing finishing procedures are required.

A control method includes outputting an estimated feature value based on first layout data generated by a user, generating an album creation parameter based on the output estimated feature value, generating layout data based on the generated album creation parameter and an image used for second layout data generated by a user, and updating the album creation parameter based on a feature value based on the generated layout data and a feature value based on the second layout data. The first data and the second are uploaded to a server. When a number of pieces of layout data uploaded to the server is fewer than a predetermined number, data in units of album double-page spreads is used as the first layout data. When the number of layout data uploaded to the server is greater than the predetermined number, data in units of albums is used as the first layout data.

There is provided an image management apparatus. A first receiving unit receives an image from a communication apparatus. A sending unit sends the image and an evaluation request for the image to an image evaluation apparatus configured to perform evaluation with respect to likelihood that another user will purchase the image, A second receiving unit receives an evaluation result for the image from the image evaluation apparatus. A registering unit registers the image in a server apparatus configured to provide an image sales service, in a case where the evaluation result indicates that the likelihood satisfies a predetermined standard and information, which indicates that a user consents to having the image registered in the server apparatus, is set in the image.

Methods and systems for printing on a print device from both authorized users and guest users are disclosed. The methods include receiving a request to initiate a document processing session on the print device, determining whether the requested document processing session is a kiosk mode session for executing a document processing job for a guest user or a staff mode session for executing a document processing job for an authorized user, initiating the kiosk mode session for executing paid document processing jobs in response to determining that the requested document processing session is the kiosk mode session, receiving a request for executing a first document processing job, determining a cost for executing the document processing job at the print device, receiving approval to execute the first document processing job at the print device for the determined cost from a guest user.

An information processing method includes steps of obtaining a plurality of images and date and time information on the plurality of images, setting, for each of the plurality of images, reliability information indicating reliability of the date and time information as photographing date and time, scoring each of the plurality of images by analyzing, laying out at least a part of the plurality of images on a template based on the date and time information and a score obtained by the scoring, and notifying a message to a user based on the set reliability information. When an image that does not have photographing date and time information is obtained, low reliability information is set to the image. When the image is laid out on the template, the message is notified to a user based on the low reliability information.

An information processing apparatus includes an analysis image generation unit configured to generate an analysis image in such a manner that the size of an image selected by a user is reduced in a client, an analysis image upload unit configured to upload the analysis image generated by the analysis image generation unit from the client to a server, and a print image upload unit configured to upload a print image to the server after uploading of the analysis image by the analysis image upload unit is completed.