Wireless devices that establish a wireless connection with a mobile information apparatus (e.g., smart phone) by wirelessly detecting, within physical proximity, the mobile information apparatus are herein disclosed and enabled. For example, to set up the wireless device (e.g., audio output devices, television controllers, Internet appliances) for connecting with a smart phone, simply place the device and phone within a physical distance for the device and phone to wirelessly discover each other. During wireless detection, the smart phone and the wireless device may exchange, transmit, or receive device information for storing in memory to facilitate future wireless connections. Subsequent to wireless detection and storing of the device information, the device and the smart phone may be locked or paired for wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth connection) such that future wireless connections between the device and the phone can be established without having to repeat the wireless detection.

A method for establishing a wireless connection between a mobile information apparatus (e.g., smart phone) and an output system having an interface operable by a user and at least a speaker (e.g., audio output device) are herein disclosed and enabled. The method comprises using the interface of the output system to receive an indication from the user to initiate wireless discovery based, at least in part, on physical proximity between the mobile information apparatus and the output system. The method additionally comprises using the mobile information apparatus to wirelessly (1) discover the output system, (2) establish a wireless communication link between the mobile information apparatus and the output system, and (3) transmit audio output data from the mobile information apparatus to the output system over the established wireless communication link. The output system uses the speaker to output or play at least part of the wirelessly received audio output data.

Software and software applications for mobile devices to wirelessly manage or wirelessly setup an output system or output device are herein disclosed and enabled. Examples of mobile devices include smart phones and information pads having a touch sensitive screen. To set up an output system, the software running at the mobile information apparatus: wirelessly discovers the output system that is within physical proximity to the mobile information apparatus; receives selection of an item related to the wirelessly discovered output system via the touch sensitive screen; establishes a wireless communication link between the mobile information apparatus and the output system; and wirelessly transmits, via the established wireless communication link, security information or authentication information to the output system for setting up the output system for service over a network. The software may further facilitate management of settings of the output system and may further wirelessly drive or control the output system.

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 from the service. 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); (4) provide information, such as security and/or authentication information, from the smart phone to the output system via the wireless communication link. Thereafter, the output system, using the information received from the smart phone, establishes a wireless local area network connection and also connects itself to the service over the network. The output system is operable to receive voice activated commands from the user when connected to the service.

A control point includes a communication interface to search for one or more image forming apparatuses using digital living network alliance (DLNA), a user interface unit through which at least one piece of content is selected for printing using a user interface of the control point, and through which an image forming apparatus is selected from among the searched image forming apparatuses to perform printing, a DLNA stack unit to set a connection policy regarding connection to the selected image forming apparatus, and to selectively control the DLNA connection status to the selected image forming apparatus according to the connection policy, and a controller to control the communication interface to transmit print data corresponding to the selected content-for-printing and the connection policy to the selected image forming apparatus.

An output device or controller supporting voice activated commands by using a portable electronic device is herein disclosed and enabled. The output device may be a television, a controller connectable to a television, a printer, a sound output device, or a projector. The portable electronic device for wirelessly managing or driving the output device may include a microphone to receive voice activated commands. The output device includes wireless circuitry to establish a direct wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth, etc.) with the portable electronic device, and subsequently, the output device, using the established direct wireless connection, is operable to: wirelessly receive first information from the portable electronic device; wirelessly send to the portable electronic device second information in response to receiving the first information; and wirelessly receive from the portable electronic device data related to voice activated commands from a user.

The present disclosure provides a method for printing-device monitoring by a printing monitoring server connected to a network, including: receiving identification information of a non-networked printing device and identification information of a host computer sent by the host computer, the non-networked printing device being connected to the host computer and being connected to the network through the host computer; when locally-stored printing device data contains the identification information of the non-networked printing device, determining host-computer identification information corresponding to the non-networked printing device and contained in the printing device data, to be identification information of a previous host computer; and when the identification information of the previous host computer is inconsistent with the identification information of the host computer, commanding the previous host computer stored with the identification information of the non-networked printing device to delete the identification information of the non-networked printing device.

A cloud server is provided. The cloud server includes a transceiver configured to receive, from an electronic device, a fax transmission request and at least one processor configured to control the transceiver to determine a communication network among a plurality of communication networks for communication with an opponent image forming apparatus corresponding to the fax transmission request, when the opponent image forming apparatus is a pre-registered apparatus and transmit fax data corresponding to the fax transmission request to the opponent image forming apparatus using the determined communication network, when the opponent image forming apparatus is a pre-registered apparatus.

A wireless device that includes a wireless communication unit compatible with at least a protocol within IEEE 802.11 for establishing a wireless local area network is herein disclosed and enabled. To connect the wireless device to a wireless local area network, the wireless device may first establish a Bluetooth connection with a mobile information apparatus, such as smart phone or information pad. Subsequently, the wireless device receives a password or authentication information from the mobile information apparatus for accessing the wireless local area network. Thereafter, the wireless device is connected for receiving or transmitting digital content over the wireless local area network. Additionally, the wireless device may further be connected to the Internet for accessing a service operated over the Internet via the wireless local area network. The wireless device may further receive identification or authentication information automatically from the mobile information apparatus for accessing the service over Internet.

An output device, such as a television or an output controller, that includes a wired interface and a wireless interface for connecting to a local area network is herein disclosed and enabled. The wired interface includes an Ethernet connection, and the wireless interface includes a wireless communication unit that is compatible with at least one protocol within IEEE 802.11 standards for connecting to a wireless local area network. For added security, the output device may include a user interface to allow the user of the output device to enter a password or security code for accessing the wireless local area network. After connecting to the local area network, whether by wired connection or by wireless communication, the output device is subsequently configured for receiving digital content from a server over the Internet or for connecting to a mobile information apparatus that is within the same network.