An image forming apparatus includes a main body memory, and a controller. A second upper limit information stored in the main body memory indicates an upper limit of a printable page number that the image forming apparatus is allowed to print in a state where the image forming apparatus is in an off-line state. A printed page number information stored in the main body memory indicates a printed page number printed in the off-line state. The controller is configured to: increment the printed page number information by one in a case where the one sheet of paper is printed on one side printing; and increment the printed page number information by two in a case where the one sheet is printed on double-sided printing. The controller is configured to determine whether the printed page number information is greater than or equal to the second upper limit page number.

A server may receive, from a terminal device, user identification information, first type of first printer identification information and a specific benefit code. In a case where the user identification information, the first type of first printer identification information and the specific benefit code are received from the terminal device and the first type of first printer identification information and a specific benefit code are stored in a memory in association with each other, the server may grant a specific benefit corresponding to the specific benefit code to a user identified by the user identification information. In a case where the first type of first printer identification information and the specific benefit code are not stored in the memory in association with each other, the specific benefit is not granted to the user.

In a print billing system that includes an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus mutually connected via a network: the image forming apparatus comprises a transmitting unit for transmitting information of usage based amounts respectively concerning a plurality of usage based billing methods having different modes; and the information processing apparatus comprises a storing unit for storing the information of the usage based amount obtained from the image forming apparatus, a calculating unit for calculating billing sums of money of the plurality of usage based billing methods based on the information of the usage based amounts, and a selecting unit configured to select one of the plurality of usage based billing methods based on the billing sum of money of each of the usage based billing methods calculated by the calculating unit.

A terminal device displays a selection screen on a display unit of the terminal device for selecting target identification information, the target identification information being for identifying a target printing device which is to execute printing. The selection screen includes M identification information (M being equal to or greater than 1) for identifying M printing devices and N identification information (N being equal to or greater than 1) for identifying N printing devices. Each of the M printing devices is a printing device for which registration of a printing-related predetermined service has been completed, each of the N printing devices is a printing device for which registration of the printing-related predetermined service has not been completed, each of the M identification information has a first display manner, and each of the N identification information has a second display manner different from the first display manner.

A server may, every time printing information indicating a number of printer print sheets which is a number of sheets printed by the printer is received from the printer, update non-charged sheet information in a memory within a range that does not exceed upper limit number of print sheets and, in a case where a sheet information request including the printer identification information is received from a terminal device, send to the terminal device related sheet information related to non-charged sheet information in the memory.

A printing device is configured to perform printing with an allowed print amount. The printing device includes a controller to obtain addition type information representing a first guaranteed print amount or a second guaranteed print amount. The first guaranteed print amount corresponds to a first printing privilege to be purchased manually by a user, and the second guaranteed print amount corresponds to a second printing privilege to be automatically purchased. The controller switches, based on the addition type information, a control mode between a first mode in which the first guaranteed print amount is added to the allowed print amount and a second mode in which the second guaranteed print amount is added to the allowed print amount.

A system and method for gamification of multifunction peripherals includes an intelligent controller having a processor and memory. A touchscreen user interface configured to receive a document processing instruction from an associated user. Electronic images of user fortunes are stored in memory. The processor monitors background tasks on the controller after receipt of a document processing instruction from the user and generates a user interactive graphical image of a tangible object on the touch screen. When a user touches the image on the touch screen, it then displays a user fortune image of a fortune.

An interface device receives, from a client, an instruction to print an original print job, and a processor that is in communication with the interface, calculates an initial cost to print the original print job. A communications device transmits, to an accounting device, a printing account inquiry of the client; and, in response, the communications device receives a printing account balance of the client. The processor determines if the initial cost exceeds the printing account balance; and, if so, the processor calculates modifications to transform the original print job into a modified print job that has a modified cost (that is above zero) that is not greater than the printing account balance. In such a situation, the interface displays a message that the initial cost exceeds the account balance, but that the modified print job does not exceed the account balance, with an option to print the modified print job.

An interface device receives, from a client, an instruction to print an original print job, and a processor that is in communication with the interface, calculates an initial cost to print the original print job. A communications device transmits, to an accounting device, a printing account inquiry of the client; and, in response, the communications device receives a printing account balance of the client. The processor determines if the initial cost exceeds the printing account balance; and, if so, the processor calculates modifications to transform the original print job into a modified print job that has a modified cost (that is above zero) that is not greater than the printing account balance. In such a situation, the interface displays a message that the initial cost exceeds the account balance, but that the modified print job does not exceed the account balance, with an option to print the modified print job.

According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a decoloring unit that performs decoloring processing on an image formed on a sheet using decolorable material. An image forming unit forms an image on a sheet. A reuse tray can receive a sheet. Anew sheet tray can receive a sheet. A processor performs processing to determine whether to convey a sheet from the reuse tray or the new sheet tray to the image forming unit to form an image thereon. When it is determined that the sheet is conveyed from the reuse tray, the processor controls the decoloring unit to perform the decoloring processing on the sheet, and update a rewards account of the user.