Image forming system, information processing apparatus, and image forming method

An information processing apparatus capable of storing image data and connected via a network to an image forming apparatus that forms an image, the information processing apparatus comprising:

• a storage unit configured to store a registration ID and a printing condition in association with the image data;
• an acquiring unit configured to acquire a printing condition of the image forming apparatus in response to a request from the image forming apparatus for downloading of the image data;
• a determining unit configured to determine whether the printing condition of the image forming apparatus, which is acquired by the acquiring unit, conforms with the printing condition stored in the storage unit in association with the image data;
• and
• a downloading unit configured to control the image forming apparatus to download the image data in a case where the printing condition acquired by the acquiring unit conforms with the printing condition stored in the storage unit.

An image forming method for forming an image by use of a server capable of storing image data and an image forming apparatus connected to the server via a network and configured to form an image, the image forming method comprising:

• accepting an input of a registration ID, which is registered in association with the image data, the accepting being performed by the image forming apparatus;
• inquiring the server for a printing condition of the image data in a case where the input of the registration ID is accepted, the printing condition being registered in association with the image data;
• receiving the printing condition, which is transmitted from the server, the receiving being performed by the image forming apparatus;
• determining whether the image forming apparatus conforms with the received printing condition;
• requesting the server for downloading of the image data in a case where it is determined that the image forming apparatus conforms with the printing condition;
• forming the image on the sheet, based on the image data downloaded from the server;
• storing the registration ID and the printing condition in the server in association with the image data;
• transmitting the printing condition to the image forming apparatus in a case where the server is inquired for the printing condition;
• and
• controlling the image forming apparatus to download the image data in a case where the server is requested for downloading of the image data.