Patent Publication Number: US-2019179578-A1

Title: Information processing system, information terminal, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and control method

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present disclosure relates to an information processing system, an information terminal, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and a control method, and particularly relates to, for example, an image processing system capable of performing printing of an image, which is photographed by an information terminal, with an image forming apparatus, the information terminal used in the image processing system, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and a control method. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     An example of such kind of related arts is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-328271. A data transmission control method of such a related art is a data transmission control method in a direct printing system including a digital camera and a printer. With the data transmission control method, setting of a communication mode is performed by receiving a user operation on a communication mode setting screen displayed on a display unit of the digital camera. Then, a wireless communication link is established between the digital camera and the printer in accordance with the setting of the communication mode. When the wireless communication link is established, an image photographed by the digital camera is immediately transmitted to the printer and printed by the printer. 
     However, in a case where the data transmission control method of the related art is applied to an information terminal connectable to a public line, when the wireless communication link is established, connection to the public line is disconnected in the information terminal, so that a function using the public line becomes unavailable. Thus, inconvenience appears. 
     In order to avoid such a problem, it is considered that an image is transmitted from the information terminal to the printer via the public line by applying the data transmission control method of the related art, but, since a large number of printers are connected to the public line, a printer that performs printing is selected from among the large number of printers, so that there is another problem that it takes time and effort. 
     Therefore, the disclosure provides an information processing system, an information terminal, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and a control method that are new. 
     The disclosure also provides an information processing system, an information terminal, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and a control method that allow, by a simple operation, an image forming apparatus to perform printing of an image photographed by the information terminal. 
     SUMMARY 
     The disclosure provides an information processing system including an information terminal, a storage apparatus, and an image forming apparatus. The information terminal includes a first determination unit that determines whether or not the image forming apparatus exists within a predetermine distance, a photographing unit that is activated in a case where the first determination unit determines that the image forming apparatus exists within the predetermined distance and to execute photographing by a user operation, and a first transmission unit that transmits a photographed image photographed by the photographing unit to the storage apparatus via a public line. The storage apparatus stores the photographed image transmitted from the information terminal. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that prints the photographed image stored in the storage apparatus. 
     The disclosure provides an information terminal that is used in an information processing system including an image forming apparatus which, when an image is stored in a storage apparatus, executes printing processing by using the image. The information terminal includes a first determination unit that determines whether or not the image forming apparatus exists within a predetermine distance, a photographing unit that is activated in a case where the first determination unit determines that the image forming apparatus exists within the predetermined distance and to execute photographing by a user operation, and a first transmission unit that transmits, as the image, a photographed image photographed by the photographing unit to the storage apparatus via a public line. 
     The disclosure provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a control program of an information terminal that is used in an information processing system including an image forming apparatus which, when an image is stored in a storage apparatus, executes printing processing by using the image. The control program causes a processor of the information terminal to function as a first determination unit that determines whether or not the image forming apparatus exists within a predetermine distance, a photographing unit that is activated in a case where the first determination unit determines that the image forming apparatus exists within the predetermined distance and to execute photographing by a user operation, and a first transmission unit that transmits, as the image, a photographed image photographed by the photographing unit to the storage apparatus via a public line. 
     The disclosure provides a control method, executable by a processor of an information terminal that is used in an information processing system including an image forming apparatus which, when an image is stored in a storage apparatus, executes printing processing by using the image and that includes a photographing unit. The method includes (a) determining whether or not the image forming apparatus exists within a predetermined distance, (b) activating the photographing unit in a case where it is determined, at (a), that the image forming apparatus exists within the predetermined distance and executing photographing by a user operation, and (c) transmitting, as the image, a photographed image that is photographed at (b) to the storage apparatus via a public line. 
     Features and advantages of the disclosure will be further apparent from detailed description of embodiments below with reference to drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a configuration of an information processing system of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a user terminal illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of an operation of the information processing system; 
         FIG. 5  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a home screen of the user terminal; 
         FIG. 6  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a photographing screen of the user terminal; 
         FIG. 7  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a memory map of a RAM of the user terminal which is illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a memory map of a RAM of a server illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a memory map of a RAM of the image forming apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating an example of information processing of a CPU of the user terminal which is illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating an example of information processing of a CPU of the server illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating an example of information processing of a CPU of the image forming apparatus which is illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 13  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a connection setting screen of a user terminal in a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  is a flowchart illustrating an example of information processing of a CPU of the user terminal in the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 15  is a flowchart illustrating an example of information processing of a CPU of the image forming apparatus in the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 16  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a home screen of an image forming apparatus in a third embodiment; 
         FIG. 17  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a code display screen of the image forming apparatus in the third embodiment; 
         FIG. 18  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a code reading screen of a user terminal in the third embodiment; 
         FIG. 19  is a flowchart illustrating an example of information processing of a CPU of the image forming apparatus in the third embodiment; and 
         FIG. 20  is a flowchart illustrating an example of information processing of a CPU of the user terminal in the third embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a configuration of an information processing system  10  of the disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the information processing system  10  of a first embodiment of the disclosure includes a server  12  and the server  12  is connected to an image forming apparatus  14  and an information terminal (user terminal)  200  so as to be able to perform communication via a public line (public network) such as the Internet. 
     Note that, one image forming apparatus  14  and one user terminal  200  are illustrated in  FIG. 1 , but two or more image forming apparatuses  14  and two or more user terminals  200  may be included. 
     The server  12  is a general-purpose server and includes components such as a CPU  12   a , a RAM  12   b , and a communication module. Moreover, the server  12  includes a storage unit configured by a non-volatile memory such as an HDD, an SSD, a flash memory, or an EEPROM. 
     In the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus  14  is a multifunction peripheral (MFP) that has a copying function, a printer function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, or the like. Note that, the disclosure is applicable not only to the multifunction peripheral but also to other image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine (copier), a printing apparatus (printer), and a facsimile. The disclosure is also applicable to a multimedia kiosk (MMK) terminal or the like that includes a print terminal for a photograph and a printer for a photograph. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus  14  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the image forming apparatus  14  includes a CPU  142 . The CPU  142  is connected with a RAM  144 , a touch panel control circuit  146 , a display control circuit  148 , an image forming unit  154 , an image reading unit  156 , a public line communication circuit  158 , and a short distance communication circuit  160  via a bus  140 . The touch panel control circuit  146  is connected with a touch panel  150  and the display control circuit  148  is connected with a display  152 . Examples of the display  152  include an LCD, an electroluminescence (EL) display, or the like, for example. The same is also applied to a display  212  of the user terminal  200  that is described later. In the first embodiment, as the touch panel  150 , a touch panel of an electrostatic capacitive system is used and the touch panel  150  is provided on a display surface of the display  152 . However, a touch panel display in which the touch panel  150  and the display  152  are integrally formed may be used. The touch panel  150  is not limited to one of the electrostatic capacitive system and one of any system such as an electromagnetic induction system, a resistance film system, or an infrared system may be used. The same is applied to a touch panel  210  of the user terminal  200  that is described later. 
     The CPU  142  controls the entire image forming apparatus  14 . The RAM  144  is used as a work area and a buffer area of the CPU  142 . 
     The touch panel control circuit  146  applies a voltage or the like to the touch panel  150  and, upon detection of a touch operation (touch input) within a touch effective range in the touch panel  150 , outputs, to the CPU  142 , touch coordinate data indicating a position of the detected touch input. 
     The display control circuit  148  includes a GPU, a VRAM, and the like. Under an instruction of the CPU  142 , by using image generation data  344   b  (refer to  FIG. 9 ) stored in the RAM  144 , the GPU generates, in the VRAM, display image data for displaying various screens on the display  152  and outputs the generated display image data to the display  152 . As an example, on the display  152 , a screen such as a home screen  220  (refer to  FIG. 16  or the like) that is an operation screen for selecting a desired job among various jobs which are able to be executed by the image forming apparatus  14  is displayed. In the first embodiment, a job means copying (including scanning of an original document), printing, transmission of a facsimile, or the like. 
     The image reading unit  156  includes a light source, a plurality of mirrors, an image forming lens, a line sensor, and the like. The image reading unit  156  exposes a surface of an original document with use of the light source and guides reflected light, which is reflected from the surface of the original document, to the image forming lens by the plurality of mirrors. Then, an image of the reflected light is formed on a light receiving element of the line sensor by the image forming lens. In the line sensor, luminance and chromaticity of the reflected light whose image is formed on the light receiving element are detected and read image data based on an image of the surface of the original document is generated. 
     The image forming unit (printing device)  154  is a general-purpose laser printer and includes a photoreceptor, a charger, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, and the like to print, on a recording sheet (sheet) or the like, an image that corresponds to print data which is processed by an image processing circuit. However, the image forming unit  154  may be constituted by a sublimation printer or an inkjet printer instead of the laser printer. 
     The public line communication circuit  158  is a communication circuit for performing connection to a public network. The public line communication circuit  158  is a wired communication circuit or a wireless communication circuit, and performs communication with an external computer (external terminal) such as the server  12  or another information processing apparatus via a network such as the Internet based on a wired communication system conforming to a known communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark). 
     The short distance communication circuit  160  includes a wireless communication circuit. The wireless communication circuit performs direct communication with the user terminal  200  by short distance wireless communication based on a wireless communication system conforming to a known communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). 
     Note that, the electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus  14  illustrated in  FIG. 2  is merely an example and there is no necessity to be limited thereto. For example, in the image forming apparatus  14 , as a different input unit, an operation button of hardware such as an operation panel is provided or a keyboard of hardware is connected in some cases. 
     The user terminal  200  is a portable terminal that is able to be carried and examples thereof include a smartphone, a feature phone, and a tablet PC each of which is used for various purposes. The user terminal  200  includes various functions, for example, such as a speech communication function, an electronic mail function, and a browser function. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the user terminal  200  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , the user terminal  200  of the first embodiment includes a CPU  202 . The CPU  202  is connected with a RAM  204 , a touch panel control circuit  206 , a display control circuit  208 , a camera  214 , a public line communication circuit  216 , and a short distance communication circuit  218  via a bus  230 . The touch panel control circuit  206  is connected with the touch panel  210  and the display control circuit  208  is connected with the display  212 . 
     The CPU  202  controls the entire user terminal  200 . The RAM  204  is used as a work area and a buffer area of the CPU  202 . 
     The touch panel control circuit  206  applies a voltage or the like to the touch panel  210  and, upon detection of a touch input, outputs, to the CPU  202 , touch coordinate data indicating a position of the touch input. 
     The display control circuit  208  includes a GPU, a VRAM, and the like. Under an instruction of the CPU  202 , by using image generation data  304   b  (refer to  FIG. 7 ) stored in the RAM  204 , the GPU generates, in the VRAM, display image data for displaying various screens on the display  212  and outputs the generated display image data to the display  212 . 
     The camera  214  has an image sensor and a focus lens whose position is able to be adjusted and captures an image by converting imaging light as visible light, which is taken from the image sensor, into an electrical signal. An example of the image sensor includes a solid state image sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. Photographed image data output from the camera  214  is stored in the RAM  204 . 
     The public line communication circuit  216  is a communication circuit for performing connection to a public network and performs communication with an external computer such as the server  12  via the public network. Moreover, the user terminal  200  is connected to the public network via the public line communication circuit  216 , so that Web browsing is able to be performed by the user terminal  200 . 
     The short distance communication circuit  218  includes a wireless communication circuit and performs direct communication with the image forming apparatus  14  based on a wireless communication system conforming to a known communication standard such as Bluetooth. 
     Note that, the electrical configuration of the user terminal  200  illustrated in  FIG. 3  is merely an example and there is no necessity to be limited thereto. For example, in the user terminal  200 , as a different input unit, an operation button of hardware is provided in some cases. Furthermore, in  FIG. 3 , a component related to speech communication or the like is omitted for simplification. 
     In an information processing system in the related art, having such a configuration, a wireless communication link is established between a user terminal and an image forming apparatus, an image photographed by the user terminal is immediately transmitted to the image forming apparatus, and immediate printing (direct printing) in which printing is performed by the image forming apparatus is executed in some cases. 
     However, in the information processing system in the related art, in a case where the wireless communication link is established, connection to the public network is disconnected in the user terminal, so that a function (for example, an electronic mail function, a browser function, or the like) using the public network becomes unavailable. Thus, inconvenience appears. 
     In order to avoid such a problem, it is considered that an image is transmitted from a portable terminal to the image forming apparatus via the public network, but, since a large number of image forming apparatuses are connected to the public network, an image forming apparatus that performs printing is selected from among the large number of image forming apparatuses, so that there is a problem that it takes time. 
     Accordingly, in the information processing system  10  of the first embodiment, a photographed image photographed by the user terminal  200  is transmitted to a storage area for direct printing, which is in the server  12 , via the public network. The image forming apparatus  14  is caused to access the server  12  and, when a photographed image is stored in the storage area for direct printing, is caused to execute printing processing based on the photographed image. 
     In the first embodiment, an application program (hereinafter, referred to as “direct printing application”) for performing direct printing, which operates in cooperation with a cloud service, is stored in the user terminal  200  and the image forming apparatus  14 . Briefly, when the direct printing application is executed, a photographed image photographed by the user terminal  200  is transmitted to the server  12  via a public network, and printing processing is automatically executed by the image forming apparatus  14  based on the photographed image. 
     Hereinafter, an example of an operation of the information processing system  10  will be described with reference to  FIG. 4  and the like.  FIG. 4  is an explanatory diagram for explaining the example of the operation of the information processing system  10 .  FIG. 5  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a home screen  100  of the user terminal  200 .  FIG. 6  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a photographing screen  120  of the user terminal  200 . 
     When the direct printing application is executed, the home screen  100  is displayed on the display  212  of the user terminal  200  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In the home screen  100 , a standby image is displayed in the middle of the screen and images of a plurality of software keys (icons) allocated to various functions which are able to be executed by the direct printing application are also displayed. The plurality of icons include a photographing setting icon  102 , a print setting icon  104 , and an execution icon  106 . 
     A function by which setting for photographing in the directing printing is performed by the user terminal  200  is allocated to the photographing setting icon  102 . Though illustration is omitted, when the photographing setting icon  102  is touched (selected), a setting screen for performing setting for photographing is displayed on the display  212  and the setting for photographing is performed in accordance with a user operation. Examples of the setting for photographing include setting of an image size, brightness setting (i.e. exposure setting), and setting of a focus position. The same is also applied to photographing setting icons  122  and  262  that are described later. 
     A function by which print setting when a photographed image photographed by the user terminal  200  is printed is performed is allocated to the print setting icon  104 . Though illustration is omitted, when the print setting icon  104  is touched, a setting screen for performing print setting is displayed on the display  212  and the print setting is performed in accordance with a user operation. Examples of the print setting include setting of a sheet size and setting of a color mode. The same is also applied to print setting icons  124  and  264  that are described later. 
     A function by which the camera  214  is activated to start photographing is allocated to the execution icon  106 . However, the execution icon  106  is enabled when the image forming apparatus  14  exists within a predetermined distance from the user terminal  200 , and the execution icon  106  is disabled when the image forming apparatus  14  does not exist within the predetermined distance from the user terminal  200 . The execution icon  106  is able to be selected only when being enabled and is not able to be selected when being disabled. Though illustration is omitted, in a case where the execution icon  106  is disabled, the execution icon  106  is displayed in a gray-out (or translucent) state and an error message indicating that the execution icon  106  is not able to be touched or photographing is not able to be performed or the like is displayed. 
     Thus, as long as the image forming apparatus  14  exists within the predetermined distance from the user terminal  200 , a user is able to touch the execution icon  106 . However, whether or not the image forming apparatus  14  exists within the predetermined distance from the user terminal  200  is determined depending on whether or not the user terminal  200  is able to perform direct communication with the image forming apparatus  14  by short distance wireless communication. Note that, a state where the user terminal  200  is able to perform direct communication with the image forming apparatus  14  by short distance wireless communication means a state where wireless communication connection is not established and a radio wave transmitted from the short distance communication circuit  160  of the image forming apparatus  14  is able to be received by the short distance communication circuit  218  of the user terminal  200 . For example, in a case where a communication available distance is approximately 10 m, when the image forming apparatus  14  exists within 10 m from the user terminal  200 , it is determined that the image forming apparatus  14  exists within the predetermined distance from the user terminal  200 . 
     In a case where, when the image forming apparatus  14  exists within the predetermined distance from the user terminal  200 , the execution icon  106  is touched, the camera  214  is activated and the photographing screen  120  as illustrated in  FIG. 6  is displayed on the display  212  of the user terminal  200  (( 1 ) of  FIG. 4 ). 
     On the photographing screen  120 , a real-time moving image that corresponds to an image photographed by the camera  214 , that is, a through image (preview image) and a plurality of icons are displayed. The plurality of icons include the photographing setting icon  122 , the print setting icon  124 , a back icon  126 , and a shutter icon  128 . 
     A function by which the photographing screen  120  is closed and display is returned to the home screen  100  is allocated to the back icon  126 . When the back icon  126  is touched, the camera  214  is stopped and the home screen  100  is displayed on the display  212 . The same is also applied to back icons  188  and  266  that are described later. 
     A function by which an image displayed on the display  212  is decided as an image to be output (corresponding to a photographed image) is allocated to the shutter icon  128 . When the shutter icon  128  is touched, a photographed image is decided (photographed). Then, the user terminal  200  transmits the photographed image to the server  12  via a public network (( 2 ) of  FIG. 4 ). 
     When receiving the photographed image, the server  12  stores the photographed image in the storage unit of the server  12 . However, a photographed image photographed by the direct printing application is stored in the storage area for direct printing, which is provided in the storage unit of the server  12 . 
     The image forming apparatus  14  accesses the storage area for direct printing, which is in the server  12 , and determines whether or not a photographed image exists (is stored) in the storage area for direct printing (( 3 ) of  FIG. 4 ). The processing is repeated at a predetermined cycle (for example, every 30 seconds to 60 seconds) (polling). 
     If a photographed image is stored in the storage area for direct printing, the image forming apparatus  14  acquires the photographed image. Specifically, the image forming apparatus  14  transmits a transmission request for the photographed image to the server  12 . When receiving the transmission request, the server  12  transmits the photographed image to the image forming apparatus  14  (transmission request source) that has transmitted the transmission request (( 4 ) of  FIG. 4 ). At this time, whether or not data of the photographed image transmitted to the image forming apparatus  14  is deleted has been previously decided. In a case where the data of the photographed image transmitted to the image forming apparatus  14  is deleted, the server  12  deletes the data of the photographed image from the storage unit after transmitting the photographed image to the image forming apparatus  14 . 
     When receiving the photographed image, the image forming apparatus  14  automatically executes printing processing based on the photographed image. 
     When the CPU  202  of the user terminal  200  executes an information processing program for the user terminal  200 , which is stored in the RAM  204 , the CPU  12   a  of the server  12  executes an information processing program for the server  12 , which is stored in the RAM  12   b , and the CPU  142  of the image forming apparatus  14  executes an information processing program for the image forming apparatus  14 , which is stored in the RAM  144 , an operation of the information processing system  10  as described above is realized. Specific processing will be described later by using a flowchart. 
       FIG. 7  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a memory map  300  of the RAM  204  of the user terminal  200  which is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the RAM  204  includes a program storage area  302  and a data storage area  304 . As described above, the information processing program for the user terminal  200  is stored in the program storage area  302  of the RAM  204 . The information processing program for the user terminal  200  includes a communication program  302   a , an operation detection program  302   b , a display program  302   c , a determination program  302   d , a photographing program  302   e , and an image transmission program  302   f.    
     The communication program  302   a  is a program for performing communication (transmission/reception) of data with another computer or another device such as the server  12  via a public network. The communication program  302   a  is also a program for receiving a radio wave transmitted from the short distance communication circuit  160  of the image forming apparatus  14  by short distance wireless communication. 
     The operation detection program  302   b  is a program for detecting a touch input, and the CPU  202  acquires, in accordance with the operation detection program  302   b , touch coordinate data output from the touch panel  210  and stores the acquired touch coordinate data in the RAM  204  in time series. However, as described above, when an operation button of hardware is provided, an input of the operation button is also detected in accordance with the operation detection program  302   b.    
     The display program  302   c  is a program for generating display image data, that is, screen data such as the aforementioned home screen  100  or photographing screen  120  by using the image generation data  304   b  described later, and outputting the screen data to the display  212 . 
     The determination program  302   d  is a program for determining whether or not an image forming apparatus exists within a predetermined distance (whether or not a radio wave transmitted from the short distance communication circuit  160  of the image forming apparatus  14  is received). 
     The photographing program  302   e  is a program for controlling the camera  214  and acquiring a photographed image. However, the photographing program  302   e  is executed in a case where it is determined that the image forming apparatus exists within the predetermined distance, and is not executed in a case where it is determined that the image forming apparatus does not exist within the predetermined distance. 
     The image transmission program  302   f  is a program for transmitting, to the server  12 , photographed image data  304   c  that corresponds to the photographed image. Note that, the communication program  302   a  is executed at a transmitting time. 
     Though illustration is omitted, in the program storage area  302 , a program for selecting and executing various functions included in the user terminal  200  and the like are also stored. 
     Additionally, in the data storage area  304  of the RAM  204 , operation input data  304   a , the image generation data  304   b , the photographed image data  304   c , storage destination information data  304   d , and the like are stored. 
     The operation input data  304   a  is data in which the touch coordinate data that is detected in accordance with the operation detection program  302   b  is stored in time series. Note that, in the operation input data  304   a , operation data about a button of hardware is included in some cases. 
     The image generation data  304   b  is data, such as polygon data or texture data, for generating display image data corresponding to various screens to be displayed on the display  212 . 
     The photographed image data  304   c  is image data for the photographed image that is photographed by the camera  214  in accordance with the photographing program  302   e.    
     The storage destination information data  304   d  is data indicating a storage destination of the photographed image data  304   c  in the server  12 . Specifically, the storage destination information data  304   d  is data about a first storage area  324   a  that is used as the storage area for direct printing. 
     Note that, though illustration is omitted, in the data storage area  304 , photographing setting data about setting related to photographing, print setting data about print setting when the photographed image is printed, and different data for executing the information processing program for the user terminal  200  may be stored and a timer (counter) or a register for executing the information processing program for the user terminal  200  may be provided. 
       FIG. 8  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a memory map  320  of the RAM  12   b  of the server  12  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the RAM  12   b  includes a program storage area  322  and a data storage area  324 . As described above, the information processing program for the server  12  is stored in the program storage area  322  of the RAM  12   b . The information processing program for the server  12  includes a communication program  322   a , a reception program  322   b , a storage program  322   c , a transmission program  322   d , and a deletion program  322   e.    
     The communication program  322   a  is a program for performing communication with another computer or another device such as the user terminal  200  and the image forming apparatus  14  via a public network. 
     The reception program  322   b  is a program for receiving the photographed image data transmitted from the user terminal  200 . Note that, the communication program  322   a  is executed at a receiving time. 
     The storage program  322   c  is a program for storing the photographed image data, which is received in accordance with the reception program  322   b , in the storage area (first storage area  324   a ) for direct printing. 
     The transmission program  322   d  is a program for transmitting, to the image forming apparatus  14 , the photographed image stored in the first storage area  324   a . Note that, the communication program  322   a  is executed at a transmitting time. 
     The deletion program  322   e  is a program for deleting the photographed image data from the first storage area  324   a  in a case where the photographed image data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus  14 . 
     Note that, though illustration is omitted, in the program storage area  322 , a program for selecting and executing various functions included in the server  12  and the like are also stored. 
     Additionally, in the data storage area  324  of the RAM  12   b , the first storage area  324   a  is included. The first storage area  324   a  is used as the storage area for direct printing and stores the photographed image data that is received in accordance with the reception program  322   b.    
     Note that, though illustration is omitted, in the data storage area  324 , different data for executing the information processing program for the server  12  may be stored and a timer (counter) or a register for executing the information processing program for the server  12  may be provided. 
       FIG. 9  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a memory map  340  of the RAM  144  of the image forming apparatus  14  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the RAM  144  includes a program storage area  342  and a data storage area  344 . As described above, the information processing program for the image forming apparatus  14  is stored in the program storage area  342  of the RAM  144 . The information processing program for the image forming apparatus  14  includes a communication program  342   a , an operation detection program  342   b , a display program  342   c , a determination program  342   d , a transmission request program  342   e , and a reception program  342   f.    
     The communication program  342   a  is a program for performing communication with another computer or another device such as the server  12  via a public network. 
     The operation detection program  342   b  is a program for detecting a touch input, and the CPU  142  stores touch coordinate data, which is acquired in accordance with the operation detection program  342   b , in the RAM  144  in time series. However, as described above, in a case where a button of hardware is provided or a keyboard of hardware is connected, an input of the button or a key is also detected in accordance with the operation detection program  342   b.    
     The display program  342   c  is a program for generating display image data, that is, screen data such as an operation screen by using the image generation data  344   b  described later, and outputting the screen data to the display  152 . 
     The determination program  342   d  is a program for accessing the first storage area  324   a  of the server  12  at a predetermined cycle and determining whether or not a photographed image is stored. Note that, the communication program  342   a  is executed at a time of accessing the first storage area  324   a  of the server  12 . Additionally, an access destination is decided in accordance with storage destination information data  344   c.    
     The transmission request program  342   e  is a program for, in a case where it is determined that a photographed image is stored in the first storage area  324   a , specifying the photographed image and transmitting a transmission request signal of the photographed image to the server  12 . Note that, the communication program  342   a  is executed at a time of transmitting the transmission request signal. 
     The reception program  342   f  is a program also for receiving image data of the photographed image transmitted from the server  12 . Note that, the communication program  342   a  is executed at a receiving time. 
     Note that, though illustration is omitted, in the program storage area  342 , an image reading program, an image forming program, and the like are also stored. The image reading program is a program for controlling the image reading unit  156  to read an image of an original document and to output an image signal (image data) that corresponds to the read image. The image forming program is a program for controlling the image forming unit  154  to print a full-color or monochromatic image on a sheet. Moreover, in the program storage area  342 , a program for selecting and executing various functions included in the image forming apparatus  14  and the like are also stored. 
     Additionally, in the data storage area  344  of the RAM  144 , operation input data  344   a , the image generation data  344   b , the storage destination information data  344   c , and the like are stored. 
     The operation input data  344   a  is data in which the touch coordinate data that is detected in accordance with the operation detection program  342   b  is stored in time series. Note that, in the operation input data  344   a , operation data about a button or a key of hardware is included in some cases. 
     The image generation data  344   b  is data, such as polygon data or texture data, for generating display image data corresponding to various screens to be displayed on the display  152 . 
     The storage destination information data  344   c  is data indicating a storage destination (the first storage area  324   a ) of the photographed image data in the server  12 . 
     Note that, though illustration is omitted, in the data storage area  344 , different data for executing the information processing program for the image forming apparatus  14  may be stored and a timer (counter) or a register for executing the information processing program for the image forming apparatus  14  may be provided. 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating an example of information processing of the CPU  202  of the user terminal  200  illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The information processing is started when the direct printing application is executed. Note that, the home screen  100  is displayed on the display  212  in a case where the information processing is started. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , when starting the information processing, the CPU  202  of the user terminal  200  starts short distance wireless communication at step S 1  and determines, at step S 3 , whether or not a multifunction peripheral (image forming apparatus) that is able to perform short distance wireless communication exists. Here, it is determined whether or not the user terminal  200  is able to perform direct communication with the image forming apparatus  14  by the short distance wireless communication. 
     In a case of “NO” at step S 3 , that is, in a case where no multifunction peripheral that is able to perform short distance wireless communication exists, the procedure returns to the same step S 3 . 
     On the other hand, in a case of “YES” at step S 3 , that is, in a case where a multifunction peripheral that is able to perform short distance wireless communication exists, whether or not photographing is started is determined at step S 5 . Here, it is determined whether or not the execution icon  106  is touched on the home screen  100 . In a case of “NO” at step S 5 , that is, in a case where the photographing is not started, the procedure returns to the same step S 5 . 
     On the other hand, in a case of “YES” at step S 5 , that is, in a case where the photographing is started, the camera  214  is activated at step S 7 , the photographing screen  120  is displayed on the display  212  at step S 9 , and whether or not the photographing is performed is determined at step S 11 . Here, it is determined whether or not the shutter icon  128  is touched on the photographing screen  120 . 
     In a case of “NO” at step S 11 , that is, in a case where a photographed image is not decided, the procedure returns to the same step S 11 . On the other hand, in a case of “YES” at step S 11 , that is, in a case where the photographed image is decided, a storage destination of the photographed image is read at step S 13 , the photographed image is transmitted to the specified storage destination (server  12 ) at step S 15 , and the information processing ends. 
     Next, information processing that is executed by the CPU  12   a  of the server  12  will be described.  FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating an example of the information processing of the CPU  12   a  of the server  12  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , when starting the information processing, the CPU  12   a  of the server  12  determines, at step S 31 , whether or not the photographed image transmitted from the user terminal  200  is received. In a case of “NO” at step S 31 , that is, in a case where the photographed image is not received, the procedure returns to the same step S 31 . On the other hand, in a case of “YES” at step S 31 , that is, in a case where the photographed image is received, the photographed image is stored in the storage area for direct printing, which is in the server  12 , at step S 33 , and whether or not there is a transmission request for the photographed image is determined at step S 35 . 
     In a case of “NO” at step S 35 , that is, in a case where there is no transmission request for the photographed image, the procedure returns to the same step S 35 . On the other hand, in a case of “YES” at step S 35 , that is, in a case where there is a transmission request for the photographed image, the photographed image is transmitted to the image forming apparatus  14  that is a transmission request source at step S 37 , and whether or not the photographed image transmitted to the image forming apparatus  14  at step S 37  is deleted is determined at step S 39 . 
     In a case of “NO” at step S 39 , that is, in a case where it is determined that the photographed image is not deleted, the photographed image is not deleted and the information processing ends. On the other hand, in a case of “YES” at step S 39 , that is, in a case where it is determined that the photographed image is deleted, the photographed image transmitted to the image forming apparatus  14  at step S 37  is deleted at step S 41  and the information processing ends. 
     Next, information processing that is executed by the CPU  142  of the image forming apparatus  14  will be described.  FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating an example of the information processing that is executed by the CPU  142  of the image forming apparatus  14  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , when starting the information processing, at step S 51 , the CPU  142  of the image forming apparatus  14  accesses the storage area for direct printing, which is in the server  12 , to determine whether or not the photographed image is stored. In a case of “NO” at step S 51 , that is, in a case where it is determined that the photographed image is not stored, the information processing ends. 
     On the other hand, in a case of “YES” at step S 51 , that is, in a case where it is determined that the photographed image is stored, a transmission request for the photographed image is transmitted to the server  12  at step S 53 , the photographed image is received at step S 55 , printing processing is automatically executed based on the photographed image at step S 57 , and the information processing ends. 
     However, the information processing executed by the CPU  142  of the image forming apparatus  14  is repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle. 
     In the first embodiment, the user terminal  200  transmits a photographed image photographed by the camera  214  to the storage area for direct printing, which is in the server  12 , via a public network. Additionally, in a case where a photographed image is stored in the storage area for direct printing, which is in the server  12 , the image forming apparatus  14  executes printing processing based on the photographed image. Thus, a user only executes the direct printing application and touches the shutter icon  128 , so that it is possible to print the photographed image, which is photographed by the user terminal  200 , by the image forming apparatus  14  with a simple operation. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Since the information processing system  10  of a second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except that a plurality of image forming apparatuses  14  are included, the storage area for direct printing, which is in the server  12 , includes a plurality of storage areas, each of the plurality of storage areas is allocated to a corresponding one of the image forming apparatuses  14  adaptable to the direct printing application, and storage destination information about the storage area for the corresponding image forming apparatus  14  is transmitted from the image forming apparatus  14  to the user terminal  200 , a content different from that of the first embodiment will be described and duplicate description will be omitted. 
       FIG. 13  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a connection setting screen of the user terminal  200  of the second embodiment. When the direct printing application is executed, a connection setting screen  180  is displayed on the display  212  of the user terminal  200 . The connection setting screen  180  is a screen for selecting an image forming apparatus  14  which is to print a photographed image. On the connection setting screen  180 , a message  182  for urging a user to select an image forming apparatus  14  to be connected, an information icon  184  indicating information of the user terminal  200 , a selection icon  186  for selecting the image forming apparatus  14  to be connected, and the back icon  188  are displayed. 
     The selection icon  186  corresponds to an image forming apparatus  14  that is able to perform direct communication by short distance wireless communication. Additionally, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , in a case where there are a plurality of image forming apparatuses  14  that are able to perform direct communication by short distance wireless communication, a plurality of selection icons  186  each of which corresponds to a corresponding one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses  14  are displayed on the connection setting screen  180 . For example, a selection icon  186   a  that corresponds to a first image forming apparatus  14  and a selection icon  186   b  that corresponds to a second image forming apparatus  14  are displayed on the connection setting screen  180 . However, the image forming apparatuses  14  that correspond to the selection icons  186  are image forming apparatuses  14  adaptable to the direct printing application. 
     When the selection icon  186  is touched, short distance wireless connection is established between the user terminal  200  and an image forming apparatus  14  which corresponds to the touched selection icon  186 . However, various kinds of authentication processing to establish the short distance wireless connection are automatically executed. For example, when the selection icon  186  is touched, the user terminal  200  automatically acquires authentication information of the image forming apparatus  14  to execute authentication processing. In this case, the authentication information of the image forming apparatus  14  adaptable to the direct printing application may be stored in a database of the direct printing application, which is able to be accessed by the user terminal  200 , or the authentication information of the image forming apparatus  14  adaptable to the direct printing application may be stored in a storage unit of the user terminal  200  in advance. 
     When the short distance wireless connection is established between the user terminal  200  and the image forming apparatus  14 , storage destination information about a storage area for the image forming apparatus  14  is transmitted from the image forming apparatus  14  to the user terminal  200 . 
     Additionally, when the short distance wireless connection is established between the user terminal  200  and the image forming apparatus  14 , the home screen  100  is displayed on the display  212  of the user terminal  200 . At this time, since the short distance wireless connection is established between the user terminal  200  and the image forming apparatus  14 , the execution icon  106  is enabled. The user terminal  200  receives the storage destination information transmitted from the image forming apparatus  14 . 
     Then, when the execution icon  106  is touched on the home screen  100 , the camera  214  is activated and the photographing screen  120  is displayed. When the shutter icon  128  is touched on the photographing screen  120 , the user terminal  200  transmits a photographed image to the server  12  via a public network in accordance with the storage destination information. Note that, the storage destination information (information about the storage area for the image forming apparatus  14 ) is associated with data of the photographed image transmitted from the user terminal  200  to the server  12 . 
     When receiving the photographed image and the storage destination information, the server  12  stores the photographed image in the storage unit (storage area for the image forming apparatus  14 ) of the server  12  in accordance with the storage destination information associated with the photographed image. 
     The image forming apparatus  14  accesses the storage area for the image forming apparatus  14  at a predetermined cycle, and, when a photographed image is stored in the storage area for the image forming apparatus  14 , automatically executes printing processing based on the photographed image. 
     In the second embodiment, in order to realize the operation described above, an authentication program for performing various kinds of authentication processing to establish the short distance wireless connection, and the like are included in the information processing program for the user terminal  200 , which is stored in the RAM  204  of the user terminal  200 . Additionally, in the information processing program for the image forming apparatuses  14 , which is stored in the RAM  144  of the image forming apparatuses  14 , a transmission program for transmitting the storage destination information about the storage area for the image forming apparatus  14  to the user terminal  200  and the like are included. 
     Hereinafter, information processing in the second embodiment will be described with reference to flowcharts, the same reference sign is assigned to processing that is the same as the information processing described in the first embodiment, and description of a duplicated content will be omitted or briefly given. 
       FIG. 14  is a flowchart illustrating an example of information processing of the CPU  202  of the user terminal  200  of the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the information processing in the second embodiment will be described by using the flowchart. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , after starting the information processing, in a case of “YES” at step S 3 , the CPU  202  displays the connection setting screen  180  on the display  212  at step S 71 , and determines, at step S 73 , whether or not a connection destination (image forming apparatus  14  which is to print the photographed image) is selected. Here, it is determined whether or not the selection icon  186  is touched on the connection setting screen  180 . In a case of “NO” at step S 73 , that is, in a case where it is determined that the image forming apparatus  14  to be connected is not selected, the procedure returns to the same step S 73 . On the other hand, in a case of “YES” at step S 73 , that is, in a case where it is determined that the image forming apparatus  14  to be connected is selected, short distance wireless connection is established with the image forming apparatus  14  at step S 75 , storage destination information about a storage area for the image forming apparatus  14  is received, and the procedure proceeds to step S 5 . 
     Note that, since contents of processing up to step S 3  and processing at step S 5  and the following steps are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted. 
     Next, connection processing that is executed by the CPU  142  of the image forming apparatus  14  will be described.  FIG. 15  is a flowchart illustrating an example of the connection processing that is executed by the CPU  142  of the image forming apparatus  14  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The connection processing and the aforementioned information processing which is executed by the CPU  142  of the image forming apparatus  14  are executed in parallel. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , when starting the connection processing, the CPU  142  of the image forming apparatus  14  determines, at step S 91 , whether or not there is a terminal with which short distance wireless connection is established. In a case of “NO” at step S 91 , that is, in a case where it is determined that there is no terminal with which the short distance wireless connection is established, the procedure returns to the same step S 91 . 
     On the other hand, in a case of “YES” at step S 91 , that is, in a case where it is determined that there is a terminal with which the short distance wireless connection is established, the storage destination information about the storage area for the image forming apparatus  14  is transmitted to the terminal at step S 93 , and the connection processing ends. 
     According to the second embodiment, the storage area for direct printing, which is in the server  12 , includes a plurality of storage areas, each of the plurality of storage areas is allocated to a corresponding one of image forming apparatuses  14  adaptable to the direct printing application, and storage destination information about the storage area for the corresponding image forming apparatus  14  is transmitted from the image forming apparatus  14  to the user terminal  200 . Thus, it is possible to print a photographed image, which is photographed by the user terminal  200 , by an image forming apparatus  14  with a simple operation. 
     Third Embodiment 
     Since the information processing system  10  of a third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except that a code image in which storage destination information about a storage area for an image forming apparatus  14  is embedded is caused to be displayed on the display  152  of the image forming apparatus  14 , a content different from that of the first embodiment will be described and duplicate description will be omitted. 
       FIG. 16  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the home screen  220  of the image forming apparatus  14  in the third embodiment.  FIG. 17  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a code display screen  240  of the image forming apparatus  14  in the third embodiment.  FIG. 18  is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a code reading screen  260  of the user terminal  200  in the third embodiment. 
     When a power supply of the image forming apparatus  14  is turned on and the image forming apparatus  14  is in a standby state in which each of functions is able to be executed, the home screen  220  as illustrated in  FIG. 16  is displayed on the display  152  of the image forming apparatus  14 . In the home screen  220 , an image of a software key (icon) for selecting each of jobs of copying, printing, facsimile, scanning, and the like and an image of a software key for displaying an operation screen (setting screen) in each job are displayed. Additionally, an image of an execution icon  222  for starting use of the direct printing application is displayed on the home screen  220 . 
     When the execution icon  222  is touched, the code display screen  240  as illustrated in  FIG. 17  is displayed on the display  152 . In the code display screen  240 , a code image  244  in which the storage destination information about the storage area for the image forming apparatus  14  is embedded and a message  242  for urging a user to read the code image  244  by the user terminal  200  are displayed. Note that, the code display screen  240  becomes non-displayed (returns to the home screen  220 ) when a predetermined time (for example, three to five minutes) elapses after the code display screen  240  is displayed on the display  152 . 
     The code image  244  is, for example, a two-dimensional code. The two-dimensional code may be a matrix two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark), a micro QR code, a DataMATRIX code, a MaxiCODE, or a VeriCODE and may be a stacked two-dimensional code such as a PDF417 format, or a CODE49. 
     Additionally, in the user terminal  200  of the third embodiment, when the direct printing application is executed, the camera  214  is automatically activated and the code reading screen  260  as illustrated in  FIG. 18  is displayed on the display  212 . 
     In the code reading screen  260 , a preview image corresponding to an image photographed by the camera  214  is displayed and a plurality of icons are also displayed. The plurality of icons include the photographing setting icon  262 , the print setting icon  264 , and the back icon  266 . 
     Here, in the user terminal  200 , whether or not the photographed image photographed by the camera  214  includes a code image (whether or not a code image is photographed) is determined. The code image is included in the photographed image when the user terminal  200  is moved to an appropriate position in a state in which the camera  214  is activated. In a case where the code image is included in the photographed image, the code image is extracted from the photographed image and the extracted code image is decoded. 
     After the code image is decoded, the user terminal  200  acquires the storage destination information which is embedded in the code image. When the user terminal  200  acquires the storage destination information, the photographing screen  120  is displayed on the display  212  of the user terminal  200 . When the shutter icon  128  is touched on the photographing screen  120 , the user terminal  200  transmits a photographed image to the server  12  via a public network. Note that, the storage destination information (information about the storage area for the image forming apparatus  14 ) which is decoded from the code image is associated with data of the photographed image transmitted from the user terminal  200  to the server  12 . 
     Note that, in the third embodiment, processing (( 1 ) of  FIG. 4 ) in which whether or not the image forming apparatus  14  exists within the predetermined distance from the user terminal  200  is determined is omitted. This is because, in a case where the code image is included in the photographed image (the code image is photographed) in the code reading screen  260 , it is estimated that the image forming apparatus  14  exists within the predetermined distance from the user terminal  200  (distance at which the code image is able to be photographed). 
     In the third embodiment, in order to realize the operation described above, a reading program for reading the code image, a decoding program for decoding the code image, and the like are included in the information processing program for the user terminal  200 , which is stored in the RAM  204  of the user terminal  200 . Additionally, a generation program for generating the code image in which the storage destination information is embedded and the like are included in the information processing program for the image forming apparatus  14 , which is stored in the RAM  144  of the image forming apparatus  14 . 
     Hereinafter, information processing in the third embodiment will be described with reference to flowcharts, the same reference sign is assigned to processing that is the same as the information processing described in the first embodiment, and description of a duplicated content will be omitted or briefly given. 
       FIG. 19  is a flowchart illustrating an example of job selection processing that is executed by the CPU  142  of the image forming apparatus  14  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The job selection processing is started when the home screen  220  is displayed on the display  152 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 19 , when starting the job selection processing, the CPU  142  of the image forming apparatus  14  determines, at step S 111 , whether or not a user operation is performed. In a case of “NO” at step S 111 , that is, in a case where it is determined that a user operation is not performed, the procedure returns to the same step S 111 . 
     On the other hand, in a case of “YES” at step S 111 , that is, in a case where it is determined that a user operation is performed, whether or not direct printing is executed is determined at step S 113 . Here, whether or not the execution icon  222  is touched is determined. In a case of “NO” at step S 113 , that is, in a case where it is determined that the direct printing is not executed, other processing is executed at S 115  and the job selection processing ends. The other processing that is executed at step S 115  corresponds to processing by which each job is selected in accordance with an instruction of a user, processing by which various kinds of setting in each job are performed, or processing by which each job is started or stopped. 
     On the other hand, in a case of “YES” at step S 113 , that is, in a case where it is determined that the direct printing is executed, the code image  244  is displayed on the display  152  at step S 117  and the job selection processing ends. 
     Next, information processing that is executed by the CPU  202  of the user terminal  200  will be described. FIG.  20  is a flowchart illustrating an example of the information processing of the CPU  202  of the user terminal  200  in the third embodiment. Hereinafter, the information processing in the third embodiment will be described by using the flowchart. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 20 , when starting the information processing, the CPU  202  activates the camera  214  at step S 131 , displays the code reading screen  260  on the display  212  at step S 133 , and determines, at step S 135 , whether or not the code image is photographed. In a case of “NO” at step S 135 , that is, in a case where it is determined that the code image is not photographed, the procedure returns to the same step S 135 . 
     On the other hand, in a case of “YES” at step S 135 , that is, in a case where it is determined that the code image is photographed, the code image is decoded to acquire storage destination information at step S 137 , and whether or not photographing is performed is determined at step S 139 . In a case of “NO” at step S 139 , that is, in a case where photographing is not performed, the procedure returns to the same step S 139 . On the other hand, in a case of “YES” at step S 139 , that is, in a case where photographing is performed, the photographed image is transmitted to the server  12  in accordance with the storage destination information at step S 141  and the information processing ends. 
     According to the third embodiment, the code image in which the storage destination information about the storage area for the image forming apparatus  14  is embedded is displayed on the display  152  of the image forming apparatus  14  and the user terminal  200  acquires the storage destination information from the code image, so that short distance wireless communication is not performed. Thus, since circuits for short distance communication are able to be omitted in the user terminal  200  and the image forming apparatus  14 , it is possible to simplify configurations of the user terminal  200  and the image forming apparatus  14  and reduce the number of components, and therefore it is possible to reduce a manufacturing cost. 
     Note that, in the third embodiment, short distance wireless communication is not used to determine whether or not the image forming apparatus  14  exists within the predetermined distance from the user terminal  200 . Thus, in the third embodiment, components for performing the short distance wireless communication, such as the short distance communication circuit  218  of the user terminal  200  and the short distance communication circuit  160  of the image forming apparatus  14 , are able to be omitted. 
     Note that, in each of the embodiments described above, when a photographed image is transmitted from the server  12  to the image forming apparatus  14 , data of the photographed image is deleted from the storage unit of the server  12 , but there is no necessity to be limited thereto. For example, the data of the photographed image may be deleted when a predetermined period elapses after the photographed image is transmitted from the server  12  to the image forming apparatus  14 , may be deleted in order from the oldest photographed image when a storage capacity of the storage unit of the server  12  reaches a prescribed amount or less, or a predetermined signal may be set to be transmitted from the image forming apparatus  14  to the server  12  when printing processing is normally executed and a photographed image used for the printing processing may be deleted when the server  12  receives the predetermined signal. 
     Additionally, in each of the embodiments described above, the storage area for direct printing is provided in the storage unit of the sever  12 , but there is no necessity to be limited thereto. For example, the image forming apparatus  14  may include a storage unit constituted by a non-volatile memory and the storage area for direct printing may be provided in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus  14 . 
     Furthermore, the screen, the specific configuration, and the like that are cited in each of the embodiments described above are an example and may be appropriately changed in accordance with an actual product. Moreover, a processing order of the steps of each of the flowcharts described in the aforementioned embodiments may be appropriately changed as long as the same effect is able to be obtained. 
     The present disclosure contains subject matter related to that disclosed in Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2017-235662 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Dec. 8, 2017, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.