An image forming apparatus downloads a content via a network and prints an image of the content. when a shift instruction to shift to a first display process is input from a user operation unit after a registration process is completed, a control unit repeats the first display process, a second display process and the registration process so that another content information is newly created and stored in a first storage unit, and when a print instruction to start printing is input from the user operation unit after the registration process is completed, the control unit downloads contents indicated with the content information stored in the first storage unit wherein these contents are defined as print target contents, and sequentially executes print operations for the images of one or more of the print target contents with the print conditions associated with the print target contents.

An image processing device is configured to provide a service relating to at least one of (1) the image data generated by the function of the image processing device and (2) image data representing the image to be formed, in response to a request from the image processing device. The image processing device may include a parameter designating unit, a service request unit, and a function implementation unit that is adapted to implement the function of the image processing device based on the service providing parameter designated by the parameter designating unit. The service providing device is provided with a service provision executing unit that is adapted to execute a process to provide the service to the image processing device after receiving the request from the service request unit provided to the image processing device.

A printing apparatus according to the present invention stores in a predetermined storage area, identification information of a print job including a print setting as a monitoring target in accordance with an extension program, for a job registration event issued according to a basic program when the print job is received. Then, for the job registration event issued according to the basic program, a job log including the identification information that has been stored in accordance with the extension program, in a dedicated file different from a normal file.

Certain embodiments provide an image forming apparatus, including: a detector that detects a user who is positioned within a certain range from the apparatus; a verification unit that identifies the detected user by verification; a determination unit that determines whether there is print data which is not output yet on the basis of user identifiable information which is identified by the verification unit; and a notification unit that notifies the user that the print data is not printed yet on the basis of a result which indicates the presence of the print data from the determination unit.

A method for inferring user activity statistics includes receiving job logs of a device infrastructure. Each job log including job information for a job performed for one of a set of users by one of a plurality of shared devices. A job descriptor is generated for each job based on the job log. The job is assigned to one of a set of defined job types based on the job descriptor. An activity matrix is composed where activity of each user for each of a plurality of time periods is represented as a fixed-length vector representing at least some of the job types. Each index of the vector is derived from a count of one job type for the user in that time period. The activity matrix is decomposed into first and second factor matrices to minimize an overall reconstruction error. User activity statistics are output based on the decomposition.

A PC registers in advance PC-assistant copying functions which can be provided by the printer driver for a MFP. The MFP presents, to the user, copying functions including the registered functions. Upon reception of a copy instruction, the MFP determines whether selected functions include a PC-assisted copying function. If the selected functions include a PC-assisted copying function, the MFP transmits, to the PC, scanned image data and a job ticket containing information representing the selected functions. Upon reception of the job ticket, the PC generates a print job for printing the image data on the basis of the job ticket, and transmits the print job to the MFP.

A printing apparatus according to the present invention stores in a predetermined storage area, identification information of a print job including a print setting as a monitoring target in accordance with an extension program, for a job registration event issued according to a basic program when the print job is received. Then, for the job registration event issued according to the basic program, a job log including the identification information that has been stored in accordance with the extension program, in a dedicated file different from a normal file.

A PC registers in advance PC-assistant copying functions which can be provided by the printer driver for a MFP. The MFP presents, to the user, copying functions including the registered functions. Upon reception of a copy instruction, the MFP determines whether selected functions include a PC-assisted copying function. If the selected functions include a PC-assisted copying function, the MFP transmits, to the PC, scanned image data and a job ticket containing information representing the selected functions. Upon reception of the job ticket, the PC generates a print job for printing the image data on the basis of the job ticket, and transmits the print job to the MFP.

Certain embodiments provide an image forming apparatus, including: a detector that detects a user who is positioned within a certain range from the apparatus; a verification unit that identifies the detected user by verification; a determination unit that determines whether there is print data which is not output yet on the basis of user identifiable information which is identified by the verification unit; and a notification unit that notifies the user that the print data is not printed yet on the basis of a result which indicates the presence of the print data from the determination unit.

An image forming apparatus supporting a near field communication (NFC) function and a method of performing setting an image job by using an NFC device. The method includes tagging an NFC device to receive setting information stored in the NFC device and performing an image job based on the received setting information.