In accordance with an embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises a near field communicator configured to communicate with a terminal using a near field wireless communication; and a processor configured to set a first communication mode to be used for authentication of the terminal as a communication mode of the near field communicator, and change the communication mode from the first communication mode to a second communication mode different from the first communication mode in response to the success in the authentication of the terminal.

An image connection system including an information gathering unit that gathers information on an image to be captured, an image requesting unit that requests the capture of an image from at least one mobile communication device at a predetermined location for a predetermined fee, an image routing device that routes an image form at least one mobile communication device to the requesting device.

An electronic device includes a power unit that accommodates a battery; a communication unit that wirelessly communicates with an external device; and a printer unit that prints print data obtained by the communication unit on a recording paper, wherein an outer appearance of the electronic device is a cylindrical shape.

An information processing apparatus which is capable of preventing communications with a desired external apparatus from becoming impossible due to settings on a proxy server. The proxy server is used to carry out communications on a main line with an external apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus via the Internet. On a sub line, communications are carried out with an external apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus via a local network. The main line or the sub line is selected as a line to be used. Communications with the external apparatus connected to the line to be used are carried out via the proxy server. When the line to be used is the sub line, communications are carried out directly with the external apparatus, which is connected to the line to be used, without using the proxy server.

In accordance with an embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises a communication section configured to communicate with a terminal using a near field wireless communication; and a processor configured to set a first communication mode to be used for authentication of the terminal as a communication mode of a communication section, and change the communication mode from the first communication mode to a second communication mode different from the first communication mode in response to the success in the authentication of the terminal.

In a server, a memory stores first correlation information for correlating first group identification information with both first device information assigned to a first communication device and second device information assigned to a second communication device. A first group includes the first communication device and the second communication device. In a case where device information matching the first device information and authentication information matching the first authentication information are received from the first communication device, the processor transmits to the first communication device a second file generated using a first file which is stored correlated with the first authentication information in the memory. In a case where device information matching the second device information and authentication information matching the first authentication information are received from the second communication device, the processor transmits to the second communication device the second file.

A system and methods of managing incoming fax messages at a multi-function imaging device connected to a network are disclosed. One example method includes receiving a fax message at the multi-function imaging device and identifying an intended recipient of the fax message. It is then determined if the intended recipient of the fax message is a registered user of the network. Upon a positive determination, the fax message is automatically added to an imaging queue associated with the intended recipient of the fax message.

An electronic device includes a power unit that accommodates a battery; a communication unit that wirelessly communicates with an external device; and a printer unit that prints print data obtained by the communication unit on a recording paper, wherein an outer appearance of the electronic device is a cylindrical shape.

An information processing apparatus which is capable of preventing communications with a desired external apparatus from becoming impossible due to settings on a proxy server. The proxy server is used to carry out communications on a main line with an external apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus via the Internet. On a sub line, communications are carried out with an external apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus via a local network. The main line or the sub line is selected as a line to be used. Communications with the external apparatus connected to the line to be used are carried out via the proxy server. When the line to be used is the sub line, communications are carried out directly with the external apparatus, which is connected to the line to be used, without using the proxy server.

An electronic device includes a power unit that accommodates a battery; a communication unit that wirelessly communicates with an external device; and a printer unit that prints print data obtained by the communication unit on a recording paper, wherein an outer appearance of the electronic device is a cylindrical shape.