Method for controlling image forming apparatus, server and system, program product of the method, computer readable medium of the product

A method for controlling a server for a plurality of image forming apparatuses including first and second image forming apparatuses connected to the server, comprising:

• allocating a print number, within which an image forming apparatus is allowed to print, to each image forming apparatus;
• receiving a request of an additional print number from the first image forming apparatus;
• sending an inquiry to a second image forming apparatus to inform a remaining print number of the second image forming apparatus;
• receiving the information of the remaining print number of the second image forming apparatus;
• sending an order to provide a required print number to the second image forming apparatus;
• receiving the required print number provided from the second image forming apparatus;
• and
• allocating the print number provided from the second image forming apparatus to the first image forming apparatus.

A method for controlling an image forming system having a plurality of image forming apparatuses including first and second image forming apparatuses connected to a server, comprising:

• allocating a print number, within which an image forming apparatus is allowed to print, to each image forming apparatus by a server;
• requesting an additional print number from the first image forming apparatus to the server;
• sending an inquiry to inform a remaining print number of a second image forming apparatus from the server;
• returning the information of the remaining print number of the second image forming apparatus to the server;
• sending an order to provide a required print number to the second image forming apparatus;
• providing the required print number from the second image forming apparatus to the server;
• and
• allocating the print number provided from the second image forming apparatus to the first image forming apparatus.

A computer program product stored on a computer readable storage medium for, when run on a data processing apparatus, carrying out the method comprising:

• allocating a print number, within which an image forming apparatus is allowed to print, to each image forming apparatus by a server;
• requesting an additional print number from the first image forming apparatus to the server;
• sending an inquiry to inform a remaining print number of a second image forming apparatus from the server;
• returning the information of the remaining print number of the second image forming apparatus to the server;
• sending an order to provide a required print number to the second image forming apparatus;
• providing the required print number from the second image forming apparatus to the server;
• and
• allocating the print number provided from the second image forming apparatus to the first image forming apparatus.

A computer readable medium that stores a computer program product for, when run on a data processing apparatus, carrying out the method comprising:

• allocating a print number, within which an image forming apparatus is allowed to print, to each image forming apparatus by a server;
• requesting an additional print number from the first image forming apparatus to the server;
• sending an inquiry to inform a remaining print number of a second image forming apparatus from the server;
• returning the information of the remaining print number of the second image forming apparatus to the server;
• sending an order to provide a required print number to the second image forming apparatus;
• providing the required print number from the second image forming apparatus to the server;
• and
• allocating the print number provided from the second image forming apparatus to the first image forming apparatus.