The image forming apparatus according to the present disclosures is configured to transmit, to a file server, an acquisition request for an updating data file at a time different from an access time, which is indicated by access time information of a setting file, by a particular time and update a content of the setting file by the acquired updating data file.

Mobile phones and other portable devices are equipped with a variety of technologies by which existing functionality can be improved, and new functionality can be provided. Some aspects relate to visual search capabilities, and determining appropriate actions responsive to different image inputs. Others relate to processing of image data. Still others concern metadata generation, processing, and representation. Yet others concern user interface improvements. Other aspects relate to imaging architectures, in which a mobile phone's image sensor is one in a chain of stages that successively act on packetized instructions/data, to capture and later process imagery. Still other aspects relate to distribution of processing tasks between the mobile device and remote resources (“the cloud”). Elemental image processing (e.g., simple filtering and edge detection) can be performed on the mobile phone, while other operations can be referred out to remote service providers. The remote service providers can be selected using techniques such as reverse auctions, through which they compete for processing tasks. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

An image reading apparatus includes a first communication device provided communicatively with a first information processing apparatus, a second communication device provided communicatively with a second information processing apparatus, and a processor to receive a setting for a transmission destination of an input image, prohibit transmission of the input image via a communication device different from a communication device provided communicatively with the transmission destination, and determine whether the communication device provided communicatively with the transmission destination is in a state physically communicable with a network or an information processing apparatus. The processor permits transmission of the input image via the communication device different from the communication device provided communicatively with the transmission destination when it is determined that the communication device provided communicatively with the transmission destination is not in a state physically communicable with the network or the information processing apparatus.

Embodiments of systems and methods for the sending, delivery and receiving of faxes are disclosed herein. In particular, certain embodiments include a fax connector that may be deployed at a user's site, and a faxing system that may be deployed remotely from the user's site. The fax connector can be accessed at the user's site over a computer based network in order to perform functions associated with faxing, including sending, receiving and obtaining status on faxes. The fax connector deployed at the user's site communicates with the remotely deployed faxing system to send, receive, obtain status on, or perform other functions associated with, faxing.

A shooting method includes: in a state in which a remote connection for sharing a shooting preview interface is established with the second terminal, receiving and displaying a first preview interface of the second terminal sent by the second terminal; receiving a first input performed by a user; and outputting first target shooting data in response to the first input, where the first target shooting data includes partial or all image information of the first preview interface, and the first target shooting data is a video or an image.

An image forming system includes: an image-data transmission unit that transmits image data; and an image-data receiving unit that receives the image data, the image-data transmission unit being connected to the image-data receiving unit through a transmission path having lanes used for a color machine, at the time of image data transmission, the image-data transmission unit adding an error check code to image data, and transmitting the image data to the image-data receiving unit, in a first unit of the image data, the image-data receiving unit calculating an error check code in the first unit, comparing the calculated error check code with the error check code transmitted, and when the calculated error check code disagrees with the error check code transmitted, transmitting an error to the image-data transmission unit, and when the image-data transmission unit receives the error, the image-data transmission unit retransmitting image data corresponding to the error.

A system in an embodiment includes an image forming apparatus, an erasing apparatus, a first apparatus, and a display unit. The image forming apparatus forms an image on a sheet using a decolorable color material. The erasing apparatus decolorizes an image. The first apparatus computes, from a reduction in the number of sheets achieved by a setting for image formation in the image forming apparatus, the amount of a reduction in environmental burdens achieved by use of the image forming apparatus and computes, from the number of sheets erased by the erasing apparatus, the amount of a reduction in environmental burdens achieved by use of the erasing apparatus. The display unit simultaneously displays the amount of the reduction in environmental burdens achieved by the image forming apparatus and the amount of the reduction in environmental burdens achieved by the erasing apparatus.

An apparatus equipped with a fax function performs first and second settings on a user interface, wherein the first setting sets one or more specific fax numbers so that a printout of received fax data relating to the set one or more specific fax numbers is not produced, and wherein the second setting is a setting for a printout of received fax data, that relate to a fax number that does not exist in an address book, not to be produced.

An athlete measures sprint time by locating a smartphone having a camera and clock start button which is first activated at the finish line. The sprint end time is recorded by a photo stamp time app. This sprint end time activates a video trigger causing the smartphone to send a RF stop event signal to a wrist mounted motion sensor worn by the athlete. A sensor timer is started via the start event by track or self starting. In track starting, the athlete pushes a start button on the sensor to initiate a variable 2-5 second delayed sound READY-SET-GO series of beeps to start the sprint. In self starting, the sensor detects threshold motion parameters of the sprinter's start which activates the sensor's free running clock and saves the start time. The time base on the sensor is used to calculate run time.

Mobile phones and other portable devices are equipped with a variety of technologies by which existing functionality can be improved, and new functionality can be provided. Some aspects relate to visual search capabilities, and determining appropriate actions responsive to different image inputs. Others relate to processing of image data. Still others concern metadata generation, processing, and representation. Yet others concern user interface improvements. Other aspects relate to imaging architectures, in which a mobile phone's image sensor is one in a chain of stages that successively act on packetized instructions/data, to capture and later process imagery. Still other aspects relate to distribution of processing tasks between the mobile device and remote resources (“the cloud”). Elemental image processing (e.g., simple filtering and edge detection) can be performed on the mobile phone, while other operations can be referred out to remote service providers. The remote service providers can be selected using techniques such as reverse auctions, through which they compete for processing tasks. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.