An information processing device includes: a data generating section generating compatible format data of application data; a selecting section causing selection of an output process among plural types of output processes that can use the compatible format data; a searching section searching image output device(s) connected on a network and extracting just an image output device at least capable of carrying out the selected output process; a disclosure/reception section disclosing the image output device extracted by the searching section and receiving (a) a selection of an image output device serving as a compatible format data transmission destination, (b) an entry of an output setting, and (c) an instruction for executing the output setting; and a command generating section generating a command for causing the selected output process to be executed based on the entered output setting, upon receiving the instruction for executing the output process from the disclosure/reception section.

An information processing apparatus includes a controller. The controller changes, in accordance with an order in which images related to devices that have been identified are linked to each other, an order of priority in which one or plural cooperative functions that use functions of the devices are displayed.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon and readable by a computer of a portable device, the computer program, when executed by the computer, causes the portable device to perform operations including: receiving a user operation of designating operation specifying information; instructing an image processing apparatus to execute the image processing operation of a content specified by the operation specifying information; storing history information indicative of an execution history of the receiving and the instructing; extracting, from among a plurality of program identification information, program identification information associated with the extraction condition information coinciding with the stored history information; and displaying the extracted program identification information.

An information apparatus that wirelessly discovers an available output device, within a physical vicinity, for outputting content is herein disclosed and enabled. The information apparatus includes a wireless communication unit for establishing short range wireless communication directly between the information apparatus and one or more available output devices; wirelessly receiving information from an available output device; determining, from the information received from the available output device, whether the available output device matches a requirement for outputting the content; and, when the requirement is matched, selecting the available output device, conforming at least part of the content into output data, and transmitting at least part of the output data over the short range wireless communication directly from the information apparatus to the selected output device. The information apparatus may include one or more of a smart phone, information pad, a digital camera, or an Internet appliance.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon and readable by a computer of a portable device, the computer program, when executed by the computer, causes the portable device to perform: receiving a user operation of designating one of a plurality of image processing apparatuses as a designated apparatus; obtaining designated apparatus information that includes a set of an operation ID and a program ID; displaying, on a display, a first screen that includes a first activation object corresponding to the target program; and in response to receiving a user operation of designating the first activation object, activating the target program.

A printing system according to an embodiment includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a server, and a plurality of client terminals. The client terminal displays a setting screen for a user to select, as a print mode, one of a first print mode in which user authentication is not required and a second print mode in which the user authentication is required. When the second print mode is selected as the print mode, the user terminal transmits to the server information related to the user, a print instruction in accordance with the second print mode, and the print job. The server determines whether the user has authority to perform printing in the second print mode. When the user is determined to have the authority, the server transmits the print instruction and the print job to the particular image forming apparatus registered for that user.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a communication apparatus capable of preventing a decrease in the speed of communication with an external device due to execution of a handover when the communication apparatus is connected to the external device, and also directed to a control method and a recording medium. A communication apparatus provides, by using a first communication portion that uses a first communication method, communication information for performing communication based on a second communication method to an external device, and causes a second communication portion that uses the second communication method to connect with the external device using the second communication method, and performs control in such a manner that, in a case where the second communication portion connects with the external device, the first communication portion is used to provide communication information to no other external devices.

Printers or printer controllers supporting wireless printing, or printing over air, are herein disclosed and enabled. The printer or printer controller may include wireless communication circuitry to facilitate a client to discover the printer. Subsequent to being discovered by the client, the printer may wirelessly transmit at least part of an output device profile to the client that has discovered the printer or the printer controller, the output device profile includes information related to the printer. After the printer is selected or identified for service, the printer may receive, from the client, print data that is based, at least partly, on the output device profile. A device specific driver may or may not be necessary for printing. The device discovery may be a short range wireless communication or local area network communication. The wireless communication circuitry may support at least part of IEEE 802.11 standards or Bluetooth specifications.

An output system, such as a wireless speaker or an Internet appliance, that supports voice activated commands is herein disclosed and enabled. The output system is wirelessly connectable to a service operated over a network (e.g., Internet) for receiving output data (e.g., music) from the service for outputting at the output system. The setup of the output system includes: (1) wirelessly discovering the output system using a smart phone, (2) establishing a wireless communication link between the smart phone and the output system (e.g., via Bluetooth or IEEE 802.11), and (3) providing information, such as security and/or authentication information, from the smart phone to the output system over the wireless communication link. Thereafter, the output system accesses the service operated over the network, and the outpt system is operabke to receive voice activated commands from a user while the output system is connected to the service.

Wireless devices that establish a wireless connection with a mobile device (e.g., smart phone) by wirelessly detecting the mobile device within a physical proximity, are herein disclosed and enabled. To set up a wireless device (e.g., Bluetooth devices, audio output devices, television controllers, Internet appliances, digital cameras, etc.) for connecting with a smart phone, the wireless device and the smart phone are simply placed within physical proximity of each other for short range wireless detection. During the wireless detection, the smart phone and the wireless device may exchange, transmit, or receive device or security information to facilitate future wireless connections. Subsequent to the short range wireless detection, the wireless device and the smart phone are connected or locked for future wireless communications (e.g., Bluetooth or IEEE802.11), and future wireless connections between the wireless device and the smart phone can be established without having to repeat the short range wireless detection.