Patent ID: 7102782

Claim:
An image forming apparatus for forming an image based on data input via a communication circuit line, comprising: a registering section configured to attach and register a divisional control code to each ID of a plurality of personal computers included in one division when controlling the plurality of personal computers connected via the communication circuit line as one division; a receiving section configured to receive data sent via the communication circuit line from a personal computer registered in the registering section; a memory section configured to store the data received at the receiving section by associating the received data with the divisional control code attached to the ID of the personal computer; a notifying section configured to notify information to all the personal computers, registered in the registering section, to which the divisional control code has been attached, the information being to the effect that the data has been received at the receiving section; and a control section configured to control the formation of an image based on the data stored in the memory section and associated to the divisional control code when the divisional control code is input.