Image forming system and image forming apparatus configured for cost priority mode processing

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a first storage unit for storing a save setting including an arrangement setting set in advance, a print density setting, a duplex print setting, and a fixing temperature setting;
• a first receiving unit for receiving image data from an upper device;
• a second receiving unit for receiving an input of a print mode including a cost priority mode;
• a second storage unit for storing the print mode thus received;
• an arrangement print control unit for generating print data to be printed on one page according to the image data and the arrangement setting, in which a plurality of the image data is reduced and printed on the one page;
• and
• a print control unit for printing the print data generated with the arrangement print control unit on a sheet according to the print density setting;
• a duplex print control unit for controlling a printing operation to be performed on a backside surface of the sheet according to the duplex print setting;
• a fixing temperature control unit for controlling a fixing temperature according to the fixing temperature setting;
• a generating unit for generating print instructions including at least two of the print density setting, the duplex print setting, and the fixing temperature setting of the save setting stored in the first storage unit, and the print data for an arrangement printing operation generated with the arrangement print control unit according to the arrangement setting when the print mode stored in the second storage unit is the cost priority mode;
• a third receiving unit for receiving an input of a using setting from a user including the arrangement setting, the print density setting, the duplex print setting, and the fixing temperature setting;
• a third storage unit for storing the user setting thus received;
• and
• a setting unit for comparing setting values of the save setting and the user setting when the print mode is the cost priority mode so that a lower cost setting value is set as the setting value of the save setting or the user setting.

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a data receiving unit for receiving print data including a print setting;
• a storage unit for storing print mode information to be set to a cost priority mode or a normal mode, and a cost priority print setting to be applied to the print setting included in the print data during the cost priority mode;
• a mode setting unit for setting the print mode information to one of the cost priority mode and the normal mode;
• and
• a print control unit for printing the print data according to the print setting included in the print data when the print mode information stored in the storage unit is the normal mode,
• wherein said print control unit is configured to compare the print setting with the cost priority print setting when the print mode information stored in the storage unit is the cost priority mode,
• said print control unit is configured to select one of the print setting included in the print data and the cost priority print setting as a lower cost setting, and
• said print control unit is configured to print the print data according to the lower cost setting.