Communication system, communication method and image forming apparatus

Abstract

In a communication system, an image forming apparatus sends an address of a receiving section to an external device. The external device receives a selection of image data through plural thumbnails displayed on a display section, and wirelessly sends the selected image data to the image forming apparatus with the address. The image forming apparatus receives the selected image data, and prints an image. The image forming apparatus accepts a selection indicating whether a communication between the external device and the image forming apparatus is performed either by a first or second communication system method. The image forming apparatus performs sending and/or receiving the image data with the address by the first communication system method when the first communication system method is selected, and performs sending and/or receiving the image data with the address by the second communication system method when the second communication system method is selected.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A communication system having an external device, and an image forming apparatus including a receiving section for receiving image data from the external device, for printing an image based on the received image data, wherein
 the image forming apparatus comprises a sending section for sending an address of the receiving section to the external device,   the image forming apparatus makes the receiving section receive image data sent with the address by the external device,   the external device comprises:
 a data selection receiving section for receiving a selection of image data through plural thumbnails displayed on a display section; and 
 an image data sending section for wirelessly sending the selected image data to the image forming apparatus with the address, and 
   the image forming apparatus:
 receives the selected image data by the receiving section when the selected image data is sent with the address from the external device; 
 comprises an accepting section for accepting a selection indicating whether a communication between the external device and the image forming apparatus is performed by a first communication system method or a second communication system method; 
 performs sending and/or receiving the image data with the address by the first communication system method but not allows to use the second communication system method, when the first communication system method is selected, and 
 performs sending and/or receiving the image data with the address by the second communication system method but not allows to use the first communication system method, when the second communication system method is selected. 
   
     
     
         2 . The communication system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the image forming apparatus comprises a notification section for wirelessly notifying error information to the external device when an error is occurred.   
     
     
         3 . The communication system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the image forming apparatus comprises a rotation processing section for rotating the image data, when the receiving section receives the image data sent with the address.   
     
     
         4 . A communication method with an external device and an image forming apparatus having a receiving section for receiving image data from the external device, for printing an image based on the received image data, wherein
 the image forming apparatus:
 sends an address of the receiving section to the external device; and 
 makes the receiving section receive the image data sent with the address by the external device, 
   the external device:
 receives a selection of image data through plural thumbnails displayed on a display section; and 
 wirelessly sends the selected image data to the image forming apparatus with the address, and 
   the image forming apparatus:
 receives the selected image data by the receiving section when the selected image data is sent with the address from the external device; 
 accepts a selection indicating whether a communication between the external device and the image forming apparatus is performed by a first communication system method or a second communication system method; 
 performs sending and/or receiving the image data with the address by the first communication system method but not allows to use the second communication system method, when the first communication system method is selected, and 
 performs sending and/or receiving the image data with the address by the second communication system method but not allows to use the first communication system method, when the second communication system method is selected. 
   
     
     
         5 . An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 a sending section for sending an address of a receiving section receiving image data from an external device to the external device;   an image data receiving section for utilizing the receiving section to receive selected image data, when image data selected through plural thumbnails displayed on the external device is wirelessly sent from the external device with the address; and   an accepting section for accepting a selection indicating whether a communication between the external device and the image forming apparatus is performed by a first communication system method or a second communication system method, wherein   sending and/or receiving the image data with the address is performed by the first communication system method but the second communication system method is not allowed to be used, when the first communication system method is selected, and   sending and/or receiving the image data with the address is performed by the second communication system method but the first communication system method is not allowed to be used, when the second communication system method is selected.   
     
     
         6 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 5 , comprising:
 a notification section for wirelessly notifying error information to the external device when an error is occurred.   
     
     
         7 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 5 , comprising:
 a rotation processing section for rotating the image data, when the receiving section receives the image data sent with the address.