Image forming system

An image forming apparatus connected to an external device by which a request for printing can be set by a print requesting person comprising:

• a storage device having first storage areas divided by print start time, each first storage area being divided into second storage areas corresponding to a characteristic value;
• an interface for receiving a print request from the external device;
• a controller for, when receiving a print request from the external device via the interface, storing print data in the print request into, in a first storage area allocated the same print start time as a print start time in the print request, that second storage area which has been allocated the same characteristic value as a characteristic value in the print request;
• a timer for counting the current time;
• and
• an image forming unit for subjecting print data stored in the first storage area allocated a print start time that coincides with the current time counted by the timer to image formation processing on a second storage area basis.

In an image forming system having an external device by which a request for printing can be set by a print request person and an image forming apparatus connected to the external device,

• the external device comprises:
• an operating device for setting a print request having a print start time and print data;
• and
• a first interface for sending the print request set by the operating device to the image forming apparatus, and
• the image forming apparatus comprises:
• a storage device having storage areas divided by print start time;
• a second interface for receiving a print request from the external device;
• a controller for, when receiving a print request from the external device via the interface, storing print data in the print request into a storage area which has been allocated the same print start time as the print start time in the print request;
• a timer for counting the current time;
• and
• an image forming unit for subjecting print data stored in that storage area in the storage device which has been allocated a print start time that coincides with the current time counted by the timer to image formation processing.

In an image forming system having an external device by which a request for printing can be set by a print request person and an image forming apparatus connected to the external device,

• the external device comprises:
• an operating device for setting a print request having a characteristic value allocated for a print requesting person and print data, a print start time and print data;
• and
• a first interface for sending a print request set by the operating device to the image forming apparatus,
• and the image forming apparatus comprises:
• a storage device having first storage areas divided by print start time, each first storage area being divided into second storage areas corresponding to a characteristic value;
• a second interface for receiving a print request from the external device;
• a controller for, when receiving a print request from the external device via the second interface, storing print data in the print request into, in a first storage area allocated the same print start time as a print start time in the print request, that second storage area which has been allocated the same characteristic value as a characteristic value in the print request;
• a timer for counting the current time;
• and
• an image forming unit for subjecting print data stored in the first storage area allocated a print start time that coincides with the current time counted by the timer to image formation processing on a second storage area basis.