Image forming apparatus, image formation supporting system, and image formation supporting method

Abstract

When an initial communication program is started, a handheld device searches for image forming apparatuses within its communicable range. Then, upon receiving a response of that inquiry from an image forming apparatus, the handheld device requests the image forming apparatus for an image-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices according to a predetermined determination condition. The image forming apparatus then responds to the inquiry from the handheld device and sends to the handheld device the image-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices that has been stored in a memory device. Upon receiving the image-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices, the handheld device stores it in a memory unit, terminates the execution of the initial communication program, and executes the image-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A system including an image forming apparatus and a handheld device, the image forming apparatus including:
 a first memory for storing a program to be executed by the handheld device; and   a first processor to execute:
 transmitting the program stored in the first memory to the handheld device in response to a request from the handheld device; and 
 image forming in accordance with an image forming request from the handheld device, and 
   the handheld device including:
 a second memory; and 
 a second processor to execute:
 transmitting a request for the program to the image forming apparatus; 
 storing the program transmitted from the image forming apparatus in the second memory; 
 executing the program stored in the second memory to display a screen to receive an input of an image forming condition; and 
 transmitting an image forming request to the image forming apparatus in response to the input received through the screen that is displayed. 
 
   
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the second processor of the handheld device:
 communicates with the image forming apparatus via a wireless network;   determines whether the program is stored in the second memory; and   transmits the request for the program when the program is not stored in the second memory.   
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the second processor of the handheld device:
 communicates with the image forming apparatus via a wireless network;   determines whether the program is stored in the second memory; and   executes the program stored in the second memory without transmitting the request for the program when the program is stored in the second memory.   
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the second processor of the handheld device:
 searches for an image forming apparatus connectable to a wireless network connected to the handheld device;   receives, when a plurality of image forming apparatus are searched for, selection of one image forming apparatus among the image forming apparatus; and   transmits the request for the program to the selected image forming apparatus.   
     
     
         6 . An image forming apparatus comprising:
 a memory for storing a program to be executed by a handheld device; and   a processor to execute:
 transmitting the program stored in the memory to the handheld device in response to a request from the handheld device, and 
 image forming in accordance with an image forming request received from the handheld device. 
   
     
     
         7 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the program stored in the memory is a program to display a screen on the handheld device to receive an image forming condition.   
     
     
         8 . A handheld device comprising:
 a memory, and   a processor to execute:
 transmitting a request for a program to be executed by the handheld device to the image forming apparatus connected to the handheld device; 
 storing the program transmitted from the image forming apparatus in the memory; 
 executing the program stored in the memory to display a screen to receive an input of an image forming condition; and 
 transmitting an image forming request to the image forming apparatus in response to the input of the image forming condition.