When a print processing apparatus is not connected to a printing apparatus, the printing apparatus generates communication information using an IP address of the printing apparatus and writes the generated communication information into a memory of an NFC communication unit. When the print processing apparatus is connected to the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus generates communication information using an IP address of the print processing apparatus and writes the generated communication information into the memory of the NFC communication unit.

An MFP establishes a first communication link L1 by receiving an activation command and sending an OK command. The MFP receives first target data from a portable device by using the first communication link. The MFP generates second target data by processing the first target data. After receiving the first target data, the MFP disconnects the first communication link. The MFP establishes a second communication link by receiving the activation command and sending the OK command. The MFP sends the second target data to the portable device by using the second communication link.

The present invention improves user experience when a reader/writer (5) and a portable terminal (7) engage in near field communication by selecting any of two or more communication modes in order to link an image forming device (3) and the portable terminal (7) using near field communication. When a log-in screen is displayed on a display unit (403) of the image forming device (3), the reader/writer (5) and the portable terminal (7) are automatically set to a read communication mode.

A portable terminal comprises an ID acquisition section, a position information acquisition section and a return instruction section. The ID acquisition section acquires ID information that specifies a print job sent from an information processing apparatus to an image forming apparatus. In a case in which the ID information is acquired and a beacon signal is received from a beacon transmitter, the position information acquisition section acquires, according to the received beacon information, position information relating to a position of the portable terminal relative to the image forming apparatus. If the position information meets a specific condition indicating the approach of the portable terminal to the image forming apparatus, the return instruction section instructs the image forming apparatus to return from a power-saving mode to a normal mode.

To reliably read settings information PD (network settings PD1, printer settings PD2) from memory and correctly set the settings information PD in a printer, a wireless tag 62 storing the settings information PD is disposed to a cover member 40b that is removably installable to a network-connectable printing unit 40a, a reading device 60 that reads the settings information PD from the wireless tag 62 is disposed to the printing unit 40a, and a configurator 50b configures settings based on the read settings information PD.

An image forming apparatus (1) includes a scanner unit (12U), a scanner housing (12), and a contactless card reader (42). The scanner unit (12U) optically reads an image of an original document to generate image data. The scanner housing (12) accommodates the scanner unit (12U). The card reader (42) has a flat information reading surface (421) and reads information recorded on an information card C. The scanner housing (12) has a confronting surface (12F) that a user confronts. The card reader (42) is mounted inside the scanner housing (12) such that the information reading surface (421) takes an upstanding posture, and is disposed behind the confronting surface (12F) of the scanner housing (12). The confronting surface (12F) of the scanner housing (12) includes a surface (41) that covers the information reading surface (421) and over which a card is held.

A method of detecting fraudulent use of a printing device including a non-contact memory tag, including receiving a request to read the tag, receiving information from the tag, determining an installed configuration of the printing device from the information, comparing the installed configuration to a current configuration of the printing device, and in response to determining that the current configuration is not the same as the installed configuration, indicating that a violation exists.

There is provided an image forming apparatus, including: a feeder mechanism that feeds a sheet in a sheet-feeding direction; a metal-detector antenna capable of detecting an NFC (Near Field Communication) tag on the sheet entirely in the carriage-moving direction over the sheet; a carriage that moves back-and-force in the carriage-moving direction and includes a print head, the print head forming an image on an area of the sheet, the area having passed the metal-detector antenna; an NFC antenna on the carriage, the NFC antenna being capable of communicating with the NFC tag via near field communication; and an NFC writer that writes NFC data in the NFC tag via the NFC antenna.

Disclosed is an image forming apparatus that includes: a detecting unit configured to detect a user approaching the image forming apparatus; a communication unit configured to be capable of receiving the job from a mobile terminal via short-range wireless communication; and a controlling unit that controls a power supply such that electric power is supplied from the power supply to a first device and a second device in response to detection of the user by the detecting unit, and controls the power supply such that in response to designation of a job from the mobile terminal via the short-range wireless communication, the power supply continues supply of the electric power to the first device that is used for executing the designated job and the power supply stops supply of the electric power to the second device that is not used for executing the designated job.

An image forming apparatus includes an information storing unit, an information acquiring unit and a control unit. On the basis of association between pieces of identification information stored in the storing unit and pieces of user information, the control unit authenticates the use of the image forming apparatus by a user corresponding to an associated piece of identification information. Upon acquisition by the acquiring unit, of a piece of identification information which is not stored in the storing unit, the controller unit causes a display portion to display display regions corresponding to pieces of user to information so as to be selectable to cause the storing unit to store piece of identification information and a corresponding piece of user information in association with each other.