Image forming system, image forming apparatus, and method for controlling image forming system

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• an operation panel for accepting an instruction to print in a confidential mode;
• a printer unit for performing printing;
• a communication unit for communicating with a server that stores management data defining a name of person to whom distributed and a name of candidate receiver;
• a storage unit for storing data;
• and
• a control unit configured to control the communication unit to obtain the name of candidate receiver from the server, to control the storage unit to store the obtained name of candidate receiver, to generate a code that can be decoded by a communication device when the instruction to print in the confidential mode is made with the operation panel, and to control the printer unit to print a distribution material including the generated code and the name of candidate receiver corresponding to the generated code, wherein
• the operation panel accepts setting of significance of the distribution material, setting of whether or not to change a size of the printed code according to the significance, and setting of whether or not to change a printinq position of the code accordinq to the significance,
• the control unit
• prints the code in a head area having a certain width on a first page,
• when setting for changing the size of the printed code according to the significance has been done, makes the printer unit print the code in a larger size as the set significance is larger, and
• when setting for changing the printing position of the code according to the significance has been done, prints the code in an area corresponding to the set significance and makes the printer unit print the code at a position closer to the name of candidate receiver as the significance is larger,
• the name of person to whom distributed is a name of a person to whom the distribution material is distributed,
• the name of candidate receiver is a name of a person who should receive the distribution material via the person to whom distributed,
• the code is obtained by converting a URL of a receipt notification site, and
• the receipt notification site is a site set in the server, and is a site for notifying that the candidate receiver of the distribution material has actually received the distribution material.

A method for controlling an image forming system, the method comprising:

• allowing the server to store management data defining a name of person to whom distributed and a name of candidate receiver, the name of person to whom distributed being a name of a person to whom a distribution material is distributed, the name of candidate receiver being a name of a person who should receive the distribution material via the person to whom distributed;
• allowing the image forming apparatus to accept an instruction to print in a confidential mode;
• allowing the image forming apparatus to perform printing;
• allowing the image forming apparatus to obtain the name of candidate receiver from the server;
• allowing the image forming apparatus to store the obtained name of candidate receiver;
• allowing the image forming apparatus to generate a code that can be decoded by a communication device when the instruction to print in the confidential mode is made;
• and
• allowing the image forming apparatus to print the distribution material including the generated code and the name of candidate receiver corresponding to the generated code,
• accepting setting of significance of the distribution material, setting of whether or not to change a size of the printed code according to the significance, and setting of whether or not to change a printing position of the code according to the significance,
• printing the code in a head area having a certain width on a first page,
• when setting for changing the size of the printed code according to the significance has been done, printing the code in a larger size as the set significance is larger,
• when setting for changing the printing position of the code according to the significance has been done, printing the code in an area corresponding to the set significance and printing the code at a position closer to the name of candidate receiver as the significance is larger,
• the code being obtained by converting a URL of a receipt notification site,
• the receipt notification site being a site disposed in the server and a site for notifying that the candidate receiver of the distribution material has actually received the distribution material.