Patent ID: 8264711
Filing Date: 2012-09-11
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus having an image forming unit to execute an image forming process in accordance with a print setting and being capable of communicating via a network with an external service provider that includes at least one post processing device which is located remote from the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus comprising: an operation unit operable by a first user who operates the image forming apparatus; a display control unit configured to display a print setting for using functions available in the image forming apparatus and a print setting for using functions available in the external service provider including functions unavailable in the image forming apparatus on the operation unit in a distinguishable condition; a print setting command receiving unit configured to receive a print setting command for a print job via the operation unit; a print start command receiving unit configured to receive a print start command for the print job via the operation unit; and an execution-transmission unit configured to, in response to the reception of the print start command for the print job by the print start command receiving unit, cause the image forming unit to execute a process based on the print setting for using the functions available in the image forming apparatus in print settings included in the print setting command received by the print setting command receiving unit, and transmit, via the network to the external service provider, an order command including information regarding the print setting so that the functions unavailable in the image forming apparatus and available in the external service provider are executed on a print material output from the image forming apparatus by the external service provider, wherein the image forming process executed by the image forming unit includes at least a printing process, wherein the functions unavailable in the image forming apparatus and available in the external service provider include at least a post process on printed material, and wherein the order command includes information for notifying instruction to a second user of the external service provider, of what the second user operates with the post processing device for completion of the post process on the printed material output from the image forming apparatus.