Patent ID: 8307083

Claim:
An image formation system including an image formation device and a server device, connectable to each other through a network, wherein the image formation device comprises at least one processor and memory operatively coupled to the at least one processor, wherein the memory stores computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the image formation device to: determine whether the server device is connected to the network upon connection of the image formation device to the network; transmit characteristic information to the server device if the server device is determined to be connected to the network, wherein the characteristic information includes an image formation characteristic of the image formation device and device information identifying the image formation device; receive an image formation request from a terminal device through the network; transmit request source information included in the image formation request, and the device information to the server device in response to receipt of the image formation request; restrict an image formation process if a restriction instruction is received from the server device; execute the image formation process in accordance with the image formation request if the restriction instruction is not received from the server device; and wherein the server device comprises a database, at least one processor and memory operatively coupled to the at least one processor, the database being configured to store predetermined restriction information regarding a predetermined image formation characteristic in association with each piece of at least part of the request source information, the memory storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the server device to: set the image formation characteristic represented by the characteristic information in correspondence with the device information in response to receipt of the characteristic information from the image formation device; determine whether a predetermined restriction status associated with the request source information is satisfied for the image formation characteristic of the image formation device, if the request source information received from the image formation device is registered with the database; and transmit the restriction instruction to the image formation device in response to determining that the predetermined restriction status is satisfied.