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 . An image forming apparatus which includes a receiving section for receiving an image data from an external device and prints an image based on the received image data by a printing section,
 wherein the image forming apparatus comprises a sending section that sends a communication address of the image forming apparatus to the external device,   wherein the receiving section receives an image data sent with the communication address by the external device,   wherein a communication between the external device and the image forming apparatus is performed wirelessly,   wherein the printing section prints immediately an image data received by the receiving section,   wherein the image forming apparatus comprises:
 a storage section that stores the image data received by the receiving section, 
 a display section that reads identification information of the image data stored in the storage section to display it, and 
 an accepting section that accepts a selection of image data by an user according to the identification information displayed on the display section, 
   wherein the printing section prints the selected image data,   wherein when an error occurs in printing after a process of printing immediately the image data by the printing section is started, the image forming apparatus sends data indicating an occurrence of error to the external device which is a sending source for the image data related to the printing, and   wherein when an error occurs in printing after a process of printing the selected image data is started, the image forming apparatus does not send data indicating an occurrence of error to the external device which is an outputting source for the image data.   
     
     
         2 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the image data sent with the communication address by the external device is an image data which is selected from a plurality of thumbnails displayed on a display section of the external device.   
     
     
         3 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an input section that accepts print settings for the selected image data.   
     
     
         4 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the receiving section receives document data sent with the communication address by the external device, and the printing section prints immediately the document data received by the receiving section.   
     
     
         5 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the image data sent with the communication address by the external device is an image data which is selected from a plurality of thumbnails displayed on a display section of the external device and is displayed larger than other image data on the external device.   
     
     
         6 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the external device is a mobile phone, a mobile computer, a PDA, or a camera.   
     
     
         7 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein when an error occurs in printing after a process of printing the selected image data is started, the image forming apparatus does not send data indicating an occurrence of error to the external device which is an outputting source for the image data and does not send the data indicating the occurrence of error to an external device with which a communication is established.   
     
     
         8 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein the printing section prints the selected image data based on the print settings accepted by the input section, and prints immediately the image data sent from the external device without an acceptance of print settings by the input section.