Patent ID: 8345288

Claim:
An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus connected to a computer network; and a client apparatus connected to the computer network, the image forming apparatus including a data storage device configured to store list data including a plurality of data values, a first communication processor configured to receive a partial-list-data-request message and configured to send a response message including a partial list data item, and a first message processor configured to, when the first communication processor receives the partial-list-data-request message from the client apparatus, generate the response message including the partial list data items that have not been sent among the plurality of partial list data items that are created by dividing the list data, and configured to cause the first communication processor to send the response message to the client apparatus, the client apparatus including a second communication processor configured to send the partial-list-data-request message, and configured to receive the response message including the partial list data item, and a second message processor configured to cause the second communication processor to send the partial-list-data-request message to the image foaming apparatus, and configured to, when the response message including the partial list data item is received by the second communication processor, extract the partial list data item from the response message; wherein when the partial-list-data-request message is received, the first message processor secures a resource that is necessary to send the partial list data items, and, after the response message including the partial list data items is sent, the first message processor cancels the secured resource.