Server apparatus storing print data, printing apparatus, and printing system for checking processing status on a print data list

A method for controlling an image forming apparatus which uses an image forming unit configured to form an image based on print data, a display unit configured to display information, and a controlling portion having a processor which executes instructions stored in a memory or having circuitry, the image forming apparatus being configured to communicate with an external device, the method comprising:

• acquiring information of print data that is to be received but has not yet been received by the external device;
• causing the display unit to display a screen for enabling a printing instruction for causing the image forming unit to form an image to be provided, based on the information of the print data that has not yet been received by the external device;
• and
• after the printing instruction is provided, cause the image forming unit to form an image according to the print data, that has not vet been received by the external device, having been received.

A non-transitory storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a method for controlling an image forming apparatus which uses an image forming unit configured to form an image based on print data and a display unit configured to display information, and a controlling portion having a processor which executes instructions stored in a memory or having circuitry, the image forming apparatus being configured to communicate with an external device, the method comprising:

• acquiring information of print data that is to be received but has not yet been received by the external device;
• causing the display unit to display a screen for enabling a printing instruction for causing the image forming unit to form an image to be provided, based on the information of the print data that has not yet been received by the external device;
• and
• after the printing instruction is provided, cause the image forming unit to form an image according to the print data, that has not vet been received by the external device, having been received.

An image forming system comprising a server and image forming apparatus, wherein

• the server starts reception of print data from an external apparatus,
• the server transmits identification information of the print data to the image forming apparatus,
• the image forming apparatus displays, in a state where the server has not completed the reception of the print data, a screen which allows a user to provide an instruction for image forming of the print data based on the identification information,
• the image forming apparatus accepts the instruction for image forming of the print data from the user and
• the image forming apparatus transmits, to the server, a request for transmitting the print data,
• the server accepts the request and transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus after the reception of the print data has been completed, and
• the image forming apparatus receives the print data and forms an image on a sheet based on the print data.

An image forming system comprising a server and image forming apparatus:

• wherein
• the server is configured to perform:
• start processing for starting reception of print data from an external apparatus;
• first transmission processing for transmitting identification information of the print data to the image forming apparatus;
• acceptance processing for accepting a request for transmitting the print data using the identification information from the image forming apparatus;
• and
• second transmission processing for transmitting the requested print data to the image forming apparatus after the reception of the print data has been completed, and
• the image forming apparatus is configured to perform:
• first acquisition processing for acquiring the identification information of the print data transmitted from the server in the first transmission processing;
• display processing for displaying a screen which allows a user to provide an instruction for image forming based on the print data based on the identification information received in the first acquisition processing in a state where the server has not completed the reception of the print data;
• acceptance processing for accepting the instruction for image forming based on the print data from the user;
• request processing for requesting the server for the print data based on the instruction;
• second acquisition processing for acquiring the print data transmitted in the second transmission processing;
• and
• image forming processing for forming an image on a sheet based on the print data acquired in the second acquisition processing.