Image forming device, printing system, and printing method

Abstract

To provide an image forming device that is configured to notify information about a nearby image forming device storing desired media.SOLUTION: A processor of an image forming device: transmits user identification information and device identification information to a server thorough a communication interface; receives a list of effective media associated with the user identification information, from the server; determines whether the effective media are stored in a tray or not; when determining that the effective media are not stored in the tray, transmits an inquiry about the effective media to the server, through the communication interface; stores the effective media and receives, from the server, printing support information concerning the other image forming device arranged closest to a position shown by position information associated with the device identification information; makes the user interface output the printing support information; and when the effective media are stored in the tray, instructs to form images on the effective media stored in the tray.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an image forming apparatus, a printing system, and a printing method.

Background Art

[0002] There is a known technique for searching for information on an image forming apparatus via a network and presenting the search results to a user. For example, a user can search for information on an image forming apparatus stored in a cloud server and register a print job based on the results. However, when there are multiple image forming apparatuses, the user may not be able to determine which image forming apparatus is the one closest to the current location.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] One embodiment of the present invention provides an image forming apparatus, a printing system, and a printing method for notifying information on a nearby image forming apparatus that accommodates a desired medium.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The image forming apparatus according to the embodiment includes a tray that accommodates one or more types of media, a user interface that inputs user identification information and outputs print support information, a communication interface that communicates with a server, a memory that stores machine identification information, an image forming unit that forms an image on the media supplied from the tray, and a processor that instructs the output of print support information or image formation. The processor transmits the user identification information and the machine identification information to the server via the communication interface, receives a list of valid media associated with the user identification information from the server, determines whether the valid media is accommodated in the tray, and if the valid media is not accommodated in the tray, transmits an inquiry regarding the valid media to the server via the communication interface, receives print support information regarding the other image forming apparatus closest to the position indicated by the position information associated with the machine identification information that accommodates the valid media from the server, outputs the print support information to the user interface, and if the valid media is accommodated in the tray, instructs image formation on the valid media accommodated in the tray.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

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Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, components having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals. Also, the embodiments shown below illustrate the technical idea. The embodiments do not specify the material, shape, structure, arrangement, etc. of the components. The embodiments can be modified in various ways.

[0008] <Configuration> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a printing system according to an embodiment. The printing system 1 is a system that can purchase a product on which an image is printed on a medium. The medium is, for example, a medium on which an image can be printed, such as paper, cloth, sheet, sticker, film, clear file, magnetic sheet, etc. The printing system 1 includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 and a server 20.

[0009] The image forming apparatus 10 is an apparatus having a printing function and a user interface, such as an MFP (multifunction peripheral), a copier, or a printer. The printing function is a function of forming an image on a medium using a recording material such as toner. The user interface is a configuration that receives an input from a user and outputs information to the user. In the present embodiment, the case where the image forming apparatus 10 is an MFP will be described as an example. The image forming apparatus 10 receives an input from a user and causes the user to purchase a product. When printing is possible, the image forming apparatus 10 prints and outputs the product purchased by the user. When printing is impossible, the image forming apparatus 10 notifies information about another image forming apparatus 10 that can print the product purchased by the user. The image forming apparatus 10 communicates with the server 20.

[0010] The server 20 manages the information of the printing system 1. Details of the information managed by the server 20 will be described later. The server 20 communicates with each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 10.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a processor 11, a main memory 12, an auxiliary storage device 13, a communication interface 14, a tray 15, an image forming unit 16, a user interface 17, and a system bus 18. The system bus 18 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, and the like. The system bus 18 mutually connects the processor 11, the main memory 12, the auxiliary storage device 13, the communication interface 14, the tray 15, the image forming unit 16, and the user interface 17. By connecting the processor 11, the main memory 12, and the auxiliary storage device 13 with the system bus 18, a computer of the image forming apparatus 10 is configured.

[0012] The processor 11 corresponds to a central part of the above computer. The processor 11 controls each part so as to realize various functions as the image forming apparatus 10 according to an operating system or an application program. The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0013] The main memory 12 corresponds to a main storage part of the above computer. The main memory 12 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 12 stores an operating system or an application program in the non-volatile memory area. The main memory 12 may store data necessary for the processor 11 to execute processes for controlling each part in the non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 12 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 11. The non-volatile memory area is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0014] The auxiliary storage device 13 corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the above computer. The auxiliary storage device 13 stores data used by the processor 11 to perform various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 11, and the like. The auxiliary storage device 13 may store the above application program. The auxiliary storage device 13 is, for example, an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electric Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like.

[0015] The application program stored in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13 includes a processing program described regarding the information processing executed by the image forming apparatus 10. The method of installing the processing program in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13 is not particularly limited. The processing program can be recorded on a removable recording medium, or distributed by communication via a network and installed in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13. The recording medium may be in any form as long as it can record a program and can be read by the apparatus, such as a CD-ROM, a memory card, or the like.

[0016] The communication interface 14 communicates with the outside of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0017] The tray 15 accommodates one or more types of media. The tray 15 includes a sensor that detects the size of the accommodated media. The tray 15 supplies the accommodated media to the image forming unit 16.

[0018] The image forming unit 16 forms an image on the media supplied from the tray 15.

[0019] The user interface 17 is, for example, a touch panel. The user interface 17 notifies the user of various information and receives inputs from the user.

[0020] Also, for example, the auxiliary storage device 13 stores a multi-function device ID and a tray management table. The multi-function device ID is a sequence of numbers assigned to identify the image forming apparatus 10 in the printing system 1. Each of the image forming apparatuses 10 is assigned a unique multi-function device ID. The tray management table is a table in which the types of media stored in the tray 15 are registered. In the tray management table, the type of media based on the size of the media stored in the tray 15 detected by the sensor provided in the tray 15, or the type of media input via the user interface 17 is registered.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the server according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the server 20 includes a processor 21, a main memory 22, an auxiliary storage device 23, a communication interface 24, and a system bus 25. The system bus 25 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, and the like. The system bus 25 interconnects the processor 21, the main memory 22, the auxiliary storage device 23, and the communication interface 24, respectively. The connection of the processor 21, the main memory 22, and the auxiliary storage device 23 by the system bus 25 constitutes the computer of the server 20.

[0022] The processor 21 corresponds to the central part of the above computer. The processor 21 controls each part to realize various functions as the server 20 according to an operating system or an application program. The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU.

[0023] The main memory 22 corresponds to the main storage part of the above computer. The main memory 22 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. In the non-volatile memory area, the main memory 22 stores an operating system or an application program. The main memory 22 may store, in the non-volatile or volatile memory area, data necessary for the processor 21 to execute processes for controlling each part. The main memory 22 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 21. The non-volatile memory area is, for example, a ROM. The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM.

[0024] The auxiliary storage device 23 corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the above computer. The auxiliary storage device 23 stores data used by the processor 21 to perform various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 21, and the like. The auxiliary storage device 23 may store the above application program. The auxiliary storage device 23 is, for example, an EEPROM, an HDD, an SSD, or the like.

[0025] The communication interface 24 communicates with the outside of the server 20.

[0026] As examples of the data expanded in the main memory 22 of the server 20, the purchase information list 221 and the image forming apparatus list 222 will be described in order.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a purchase information list expanded in the main memory of the server according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the purchase information list 221 is a collection of data storing the user ID, the product ID, the product name, the media information, and the printed flag, respectively.

[0028] The user ID is a sequence of numbers assigned to identify a user in the printing system 1. The product ID is a sequence of numbers assigned to identify a product in the printing system 1. The product name is the name of the product. The media information is information indicating what the media of the product is. The printed flag is a variable in which "1" is substituted when the product has been printed and "0" is substituted when the product has not been printed.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a list of image forming apparatuses developed in the main memory of the server according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus list 222 is a collection of data storing the multifunction machine ID, the multifunction machine name, the location, the first tray information, the second tray information, and the third tray information, respectively.

[0030] The multifunction machine ID corresponds to the multifunction machine ID stored in the auxiliary storage device 13 of the image forming apparatus 10. The multifunction machine name is a name given by the user to identify the image forming apparatus 10 in the printing system 1. The location is information indicating the position where the image forming apparatus 10 is installed. The location may be, for example, a combination of latitude and longitude, or information of a coordinate point at coordinates uniquely defined, such as inside a building. The location is configured so that a distance indicating how far apart two locations are can be calculated. Each of the first tray information to the third tray information is information indicating what the media stored in the tray 15 is. In the present embodiment, a case where the tray 15 of the image forming apparatus 10 accommodates three types of media will be described as an example, but the number of types of media that the tray 15 can accommodate is not limited to this. The number of tray information included in the image forming apparatus list 222 is set according to the number of types of media that the tray 15 can accommodate.

[0031] <Operation> FIGS. 6 and 7 are sequence diagrams showing an example of the operation of the printing system according to the embodiment. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the operation of the printing system 1 according to the embodiment will be described.

[0032] When the user inputs login information into the image forming apparatus 10, the processor 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 transmits the login information and the multifunction machine ID (ACT1). Specifically, the processor 11 transmits the login information input to the user interface 17 and the multifunction machine ID stored in the auxiliary storage device 13 to the server 20 via the communication interface 14. The login information includes at least user identification information. The user identification information may be a user ID or other information that uniquely corresponds to the user ID.

[0033] The processor 21 of the server 20 that has received the login information and the multifunction machine ID transmits a purchase information list (ACT2). Specifically, the processor 21 receives the login information and the multifunction machine ID via the communication interface 24. The processor 21 identifies the destination image forming apparatus 10 from the received multifunction machine ID. The processor 21 verifies the received login information and identifies the user ID of the logged-in user. The processor 21 extracts data corresponding to the user ID of the logged-in user from the purchase information list. The processor 21 transmits the extracted purchase information list to the image forming apparatus 10 via the communication interface 24.

[0034] The processor 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 that has received the purchase information list determines whether there are unprinted items (ACT3). Specifically, the processor 11 expands the received purchase information list in the main memory 12. Then, the processor 11 determines whether the purchase information list received contains items with a printed flag of "0". If there are unprinted items, that is, if the purchase information list received contains items with a printed flag of "0" (ACT3, Yes), the process of ACT7 described later is executed.

[0035] If there are no unprinted products, that is, if there are no products with a printed flag of "0" (ACT3, No), the processor 11 executes a purchase process (ACT4). Specifically, the processor 11 controls the user interface 17 to cause the user to purchase a product. The user purchases a desired product regarding the products handled by the printing system 1 regardless of the type of medium accommodated in the currently logged-in image forming apparatus. Also, the user purchases one or purchases a plurality of products handled by the printing system 1 simultaneously. At the time of purchase, payment is made by, for example, online payment of electronic money using a two-dimensional barcode and a smartphone. The user reads the two-dimensional barcode for payment displayed on the user interface 17 with the payment application on the smartphone. The payment application transmits the read two-dimensional barcode and the information of the user registered in the payment application to the server of the electronic money and performs a payment process. When the payment process is completed, the server of the electronic money transmits a notification indicating that the payment is completed to each of the image forming apparatus 10 and the user's smartphone. By this notification, the image forming apparatus 10 detects the completion of the payment and completes the purchase process. Note that payment may be made using cash. In that case, the image forming apparatus 10 further includes an accounting unit that can perform cash input and change return.

[0036] When the purchase process is completed, the processor 11 updates and transmits a purchase information list (ACT5). Specifically, the processor 11 updates the purchase information list in the main memory 12 based on the user's purchase in ACT4. Then, the processor 11 transmits the updated purchase information list to the server 20 via the communication interface 14.

[0037] The processor 21 of the server 20 that has received the purchase information list updates the purchase information list (ACT6). Specifically, the processor 21 updates the purchase information list in the main memory 22 based on the received purchase information list. When the update is completed, the processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 to transmit a notification of the completion of the update to the image forming apparatus 10.

[0038] When the processor 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives a completion notice of an update, it refers to the tray management table (ACT7). Specifically, the processor 11 identifies the type of media stored in the tray 15 based on the tray management table.

[0039] When the type of media is identified, the processor 11 determines whether there is printable media (ACT8). Specifically, the processor 11 determines whether there is a product in the list of unprinted products included in the purchase information list in the main memory 12 that contains the media corresponding to the tray 15. If there is no printable media (ACT8, No), the process of ACT13 described later is executed.

[0040] If there is printable media (ACT8, Yes), the processor 11 executes a printing process (ACT9). Specifically, the processor 11 controls the tray 15 and the image forming unit 16 to form an image on the media.

[0041] When the printing process is completed, the processor 11 updates and transmits the purchase information list (ACT10). Specifically, the processor 11 updates the printed flag in the purchase information list in the main memory 12 based on the printing process in ACT9. Then, the processor 11 transmits the updated purchase information list to the server 20 via the communication interface 14.

[0042] The processor 21 of the server 20 that has received the purchase information list updates the purchase information list (ACT11). Specifically, the processor 21 updates the purchase information list in the main memory 22 based on the received purchase information list. When the update is completed, the processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 to transmit a completion notice of the update to the image forming apparatus 10.

[0043] Upon receiving the completion notice of the update, the processor 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether there are unprinted items (ACT12). Specifically, the processor 11 determines whether the purchase information list in the main memory 12 contains items with a printed flag of "0".

[0044] If there are unprinted items, that is, if the purchase information list contains items with a printed flag of "0" (ACT12, Yes), or if there is no printable media in ACT8 (ACT8, No), the processor 11 sends a search request (ACT13). Specifically, the processor 11 sends a search request via the communication interface 14 to the server 20, requesting the server 20 to search for an image forming apparatus 10 that can print the media corresponding to the unprinted items.

[0045] Upon receiving the search request, the processor 21 of the server 20 searches for an image forming apparatus (ACT14). Specifically, the processor 21 uses the image forming apparatus list 222 in the main memory 22 to search for an image forming apparatus 10 that contains the media corresponding to the unprinted items and is closest to the currently logged-in image forming apparatus 10. Specifically, the processor 21 refers to the first tray information to the third tray information of each image forming apparatus 10 registered in the image forming apparatus list 222, and extracts the image forming apparatus 10 that contains the media corresponding to the unprinted items. Further, for each of the extracted image forming apparatus 10, the processor 21 calculates the distance from the currently logged-in image forming apparatus 10 using the location information. Then, the processor 21 sets the image forming apparatus 10 with the shortest calculated distance as the search result.

[0046] When the search is completed, the processor 21 sends the search result (ACT15). Specifically, the processor 21 sends the search result to the image forming apparatus 10 via the communication interface 24. Note that the sent search result may be referred to as print support information. The print support information includes at least the name of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0047] The processor 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 that has received the search results notifies the next image forming apparatus (ACT16). Specifically, the processor 11 controls the user interface 17 to notify the user of information on the nearest image forming apparatus 10 capable of printing unprinted products. The information to be notified includes at least the name of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0048] When the next image forming apparatus has been notified, that is, when the process of ACT16 is completed, or when there are no unprinted products in ACT12 (ACT12, No), the series of processes shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 ends.

[0049] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 shows an example of the screen displayed on the user interface 17 in the aforementioned ACT16. In the example shown in FIG. 8, on the screen, together with the sentences "There is media that has not been printed yet" and "Please log in to the following multifunction printer and resume printing", the name "Multifunction Printer B", which is the name of the image forming apparatus 10, and a map indicating the location of the image forming apparatus 10 are displayed. Thus, in ACT16, the processor 11 may also notify information indicating the location of the image forming apparatus 10 in addition to the name of the image forming apparatus 10. That is, the print support information may include information indicating the location of the image forming apparatus 10 in addition to the name of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0050] <Effect> As described above, according to the embodiment, in the printing system 1, when the user logs in to the image forming apparatus 10, printing is performed on printable products. And when there are unprinted products remaining, the user is notified of a nearby image forming apparatus 10 capable of printing the products. Therefore, the user can go to the next image forming apparatus 10 without searching for an image forming apparatus 10 capable of printing unprinted products by himself / herself.

[0051] Also, according to the embodiment, in the printing system 1, a user can purchase products with the image forming apparatus 10. At the time of this purchase, the user can purchase one or more desired products without being restricted by what media is accommodated in the logged-in image forming apparatus 10. For example, if the printing system were independent for each image forming apparatus 10, that is, if only products corresponding to the media accommodated in the image forming apparatus 10 could be purchased, the user would have to search for an image forming apparatus 10 that can print the desired product. Also, in such a system, when a user prints a product with a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10, it is necessary to purchase the product for each image forming apparatus 10. In contrast, according to the embodiment, the user can make a purchase collectively without searching for the image forming apparatus 10.

[0052] Also, according to the embodiment, when notifying the user of the image forming apparatus 10 near the user in the printing system 1, at least the name of the image forming apparatus 10 is notified. As a means for identifying the image forming apparatus 10, for example, it is also possible to use a multifunction machine ID. However, considering that the multifunction machine ID is, for example, a sequence of numbers and may be difficult to recognize at a glance when the number of digits is large, etc. In contrast, according to the embodiment, the name of the image forming apparatus 10 is notified to the user, and it is possible to easily determine the next image forming apparatus 10.

[0053] <Other Modifications, etc.> In addition, when the processor 21 searches for an image forming apparatus 10 capable of printing the nearest unprinted item from the currently logged-in image forming apparatus 10, it may consider whether one of the unprinted items can be printed or consider whether a plurality of items can be printed. Specifically, for example, assume that the unprinted items include an item using a first medium and an item using a second medium. At this time, the processor 21 may search for an image forming apparatus 10 that accommodates the first medium and does not accommodate the second medium as the image forming apparatus 10 capable of printing the nearest unprinted item, or may search for an image forming apparatus 10 that accommodates the second medium and does not accommodate the first medium, or may search for an image forming apparatus 10 that accommodates the first medium and also accommodates the second medium.

[0054] Also, when the processor 21 searches for an image forming apparatus 10 capable of printing the nearest unprinted item from the currently logged-in image forming apparatus 10, it may output a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 as search results. For example, assume that the image forming apparatus 10 capable of printing the nearest unprinted item is provided in a certain building. And if a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 capable of printing unprinted items are provided in this building, the processor 21 may output these plurality of apparatuses as the search results for the image forming apparatus 10 capable of printing the nearest unprinted item. In this case, for example, a floor plan of the building may be included in the print support information. Also, for example, even when a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 capable of printing unprinted items are provided within a certain distance range, the processor 21 may output these plurality of apparatuses as the search results for the image forming apparatus 10 capable of printing the nearest unprinted item.

[0055] In addition to the image forming apparatus 10 that can print the nearest unprinted item, the processor 21 may also output, as search results, the image forming apparatuses 10 that can print the second-nearest and subsequent unprinted items. In this case, when the image forming apparatus 10 that has received the print support information displays a map on the user interface 17, for example, the nearest image forming apparatus 10 may be indicated by a first icon, and the second-nearest and subsequent image forming apparatuses 10 may be indicated by a second icon, and they may be displayed so that the difference can be understood on the map. The first icon and the second icon may have different sizes, different colors, or different sizes and colors, for example.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the case where the MFP ID, the user ID, and the product ID are each a sequence of numbers has been described as an example. The MFP ID, the user ID, and the product ID are not limited to sequences of numbers. The MFP ID, the user ID, and the product ID may be character strings or combinations of characters and numbers.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the case where the printed flag is a variable in which "1" is substituted when it is printed and "0" is substituted when it is unprinted has been described as an example. The printed flag is not limited to this. The printed flag only needs to be able to distinguish between the two states of printed and unprinted, and may be a character string, for example.

[0058] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention and are included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0059] 1…Printing system, 10…Image forming apparatus, 11…Processor, 12…Main memory, 13…Auxiliary storage device, 14…Communication interface, 15…Tray, 16…Image forming unit, 17…User interface, 20…Server, 21…Processor, 22…Main memory, 23…Auxiliary storage device, 24…Communication interface, 221…Purchase information list, 222…Image forming apparatus list.

Claims

1. A tray for accommodating one or more types of media, a user interface for inputting user identification information and outputting print support information, a communication interface for communicating with a server, a memory for storing machine identification information, an image forming unit for forming an image on the media supplied from the tray, a processor for instructing the output of the print support information or image formation, comprising: The processor: transmits the user identification information and the machine identification information to the server via the communication interface, and receives a list of valid media associated with the user identification information from the server; determines whether the valid media is accommodated in the tray; when the valid media is not accommodated in the tray, transmits an inquiry regarding the valid media to the server via the communication interface, and receives print support information regarding another image forming apparatus closest to the position indicated by the position information associated with the machine identification information and accommodating the valid media from the server, and outputs the print support information to the user interface; when the valid media is accommodated in the tray, instructs image formation on the valid media accommodated in the tray. An image forming apparatus.

2. The user interface is further configured to be able to input purchase information, The processor updates the list of valid media based on the purchase information, and transmits the updated list of valid media to the server via the communication interface. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The print support information includes the name of another image forming apparatus that accommodates the valid media. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

4. A printing system including an image forming apparatus and a server that communicates with the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus: has a tray for accommodating one or more types of media, a user interface for inputting user identification information and outputting print support information, a communication interface for communicating with the server, a memory for storing machine identification information, an image forming unit for forming an image on the media supplied from the tray, a processor for instructing the output of the print support information or image formation, comprising: In the image forming apparatus, the processor: Cause the user identification information and the device identification information to be transmitted to the server via the communication interface, and cause a list of valid media associated with the user identification information to be received from the server. Determine whether the valid media is stored in the tray. If the valid media is not stored in the tray, cause an inquiry regarding the valid media to be transmitted to the server via the communication interface, and cause printing support information regarding another image forming apparatus closest to the position indicated by the position information associated with the device identification information and storing the valid media to be received from the server, and cause the printing support information to be output to the user interface. If the valid media is stored in the tray, instruct image formation for the valid media stored in the tray. The server has a second communication interface for communicating with the image forming apparatus, and a second processor for instructing transmission of the list of valid media and the printing support information. The server is provided with The second processor receives the user identification information and the device identification information from the image forming apparatus via the second communication interface, and causes the list of valid media associated with the user identification information to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus. A printing system that receives the inquiry from the image forming apparatus via the second communication interface and transmits the printing support information based on the inquiry to the image forming apparatus.

5. A printing method by an image forming apparatus, comprising: causing user identification information and device identification information to be transmitted to a server via a communication interface, and receiving a list of valid media associated with the user identification information from the server; determining whether the valid media is stored in a tray that stores one or more types of media; if the valid media is not stored in the tray, causing an inquiry regarding the valid media to be transmitted to the server via the communication interface, and receiving from the server printing support information regarding another image forming apparatus closest to the position indicated by the position information associated with the device identification information and storing the valid media, and outputting the printing support information to a user interface. When the effective medium is accommodated in the tray, instructing image formation on the effective medium accommodated in the tray; A printing method comprising the above.

Images