An image forming apparatus includes a controller configured to perform a storage printing process that includes storing print data in a dedicated memory, which is a portable memory set as a storage destination to store the print data in the storage printing process when attached to a dedicated port among a plurality of ports, and causing a print engine to perform printing according to the print data stored in the dedicated memory in response to an operation received via a user interface, prior to the storage printing process, set one of the plurality of ports as the dedicated port, in response to a portable memory being attached to a port, determine whether the portable memory is the dedicated memory and the port is the dedicated port, and provide a notification when determining that the portable memory is not the dedicated memory but the port is the dedicated port.

An image forming device to which an external device is detachably attached, including an interface that is able to attach to the external device, a storage that stores multi-tier architecture software, and a computer that executes the multi-tier architecture software. The multi-tier architecture software includes a lower layer that includes an operating system that manages the external device, an upper layer that includes an application program that accesses the external device via the lower layer, and an intervening abstraction layer that hides implementation of the lower layer from the upper layer. The upper layer includes an access control program that is able to save path information to access the external device to the storage, and relays access from the application program to the external device by accessing the lower layer without going through the abstraction layer and accessing the external device using the path information.

An information processing apparatus includes a detection unit that detects a connection of an arithmetic device, a specifying unit that specifies an arithmetic operation capable of being performed by the arithmetic device, a transfer unit that transfers data used in the arithmetic operation to the arithmetic device in a case where the specified arithmetic operation is determined to be performed by the information processing apparatus before the connection, and an acquisition unit that acquires a result obtained by the arithmetic device performing the arithmetic operation using the data.

An image forming apparatus is provided with a storage, a controller, an image forming part, a first interface configured to receive an image forming job, and a second interface to which a portable storage device is connectable. When the particular storing function is enabled, image data is stored in the portable storage in response to receipt of the print job, and an image is formed in accordance with the image data stored in the portable storage. When the particular storing function is disabled, the image data related to the print job is stored in the storage of the image forming apparatus in response to receipt of the print job, and an image is formed in accordance with the image data stored in the storage of the image forming apparatus.

According to an embodiment, a printer includes a printer unit configured to print images on paper, a connector connectable to a detachable storage medium, and a controller. The controller is configured to acquire time information from the storage medium when the storage medium is connected to connector, and then store output information in the storage medium. The output information includes device information related to a print function of the printer unit and the acquired timing information in association with each other. The printer may lack an internal clock yet still output information associated with time information.

A supply item has toner for use in an imaging device. A chip has memory storing quanta indicating allowed usage of the supply item over its lifetime and a multiplier correlating the quanta to toner mass. The imaging device requires quanta to conduct imaging operations and loads the quanta and multiplier by way of a certificate stored in the memory. The imaging device retrieves quanta from the chip over time and both devices keep tally. Initialization between the supply item and imaging device includes providing encrypted and unencrypted instances of firmware versions and certificates from the supply item that the imaging device can compare for security. Alternatively, the supply item defines a fuser assembly, imaging unit, intermediate transfer member, or other component installed for use in the imaging device.

An image forming apparatus is provided with a storage, a controller, an image forming part, a first interface configured to receive an image forming job, and a second interface to which a portable storage device is connectable. When the particular storing function is enabled, image data is stored in the portable storage in response to receipt of the print job, and an image is formed in accordance with the image data stored in the portable storage. When the particular storing function is disabled, the image data related to the print job is stored in the storage of the image forming apparatus in response to receipt of the print job, and an image is formed in accordance with the image data stored in the storage of the image forming apparatus.

An information processing apparatus includes one or plural first plug-ins that are prepared according to a type of a data output apparatus for outputting data and collect data output from the data output apparatus, one or plural second plug-ins that receive data from the first plug-in and transmit the received data to an external apparatus, and a plug-in management unit that controls activation and stop of the first plug-in and the second plug-in.

A detector includes a board with a connector, a measurement resistor, a switch, and circuitry. The board with the connector is coupled to an external board. The measurement resistor is connected to the connector. The switch is connected to the measurement resistor and switches on and off an electric current flowing thorough the measurement resistor. The circuitry measures a potential difference between both ends of the measurement resistor, and determines, based on the potential difference measured, a coupling state of the external board with respect to the connector. The circuitry controls the switch to switch on and off the electric current flowing through the measurement resistor.

A system and method for automatically scanning a physical document and performing processing actions on the scanned document are provided. The system may include a scanning device that can detect a trigger event when a portable memory device is connected to or paired with the device or when a document, including one or multiple pages, is placed on the document handler of the device. Upon detecting the trigger event, the scanning device may retrieve scan instructions from a designated folder on the portable memory device, automatically scan the document on the document handler, and perform various processing actions on the digital document file for the scanned document based on the scan instructions, with little or no user interaction. The processing actions may include storing, faxing, emailing the scanned document. The instructions for each processing action may be stored at one of multiple designated folders of the portable memory device.