Patent ID: 8368920

Claim:
An image forming system comprising: an information terminal; and an image forming apparatus connected to said information terminal via a network, said image forming apparatus including a data storage unit storing a hash value of a file to be subjected to or having been subjected to image forming operation, said information terminal including: an acceptance unit configured to accept a print request to print a predetermined file; a first generation unit configured to generate print data for printing said predetermined file by said image forming apparatus; a second generation unit configured to generate a hash value of said predetermined file; a determination unit configured to make a determination as to whether or not hash values stored by said data storage unit include the hash value generated by said second generation unit; an information storage unit storing information about whether to allow said determination unit to make said determination; and a transmission unit configured to transmit said print data and said hash value to said image forming apparatus only in a case where said determination unit determines that the hash values stored by said data storage unit do not include the hash value generated by said second generation unit, under a condition that said information storage unit stores information that said determination unit is allowed to make said determination, wherein said transmission unit transmits said print data and said hash value to said image forming apparatus regardless of a result of the determination by said determination unit, under a condition that said information storage unit stores information showing that said determination unit is not allowed to make said determination, and said image forming apparatus further including: a reception unit configured to receive said print data and said hash value; an image forming unit configured to perform an image forming operation based on said print data received by said reception unit; and a storage operation unit configured to store, in said data storage unit, the hash value received by said reception unit.