Image forming apparatus, image printing method, external device, recording medium and communication system

Abstract

An image forming apparatus receives image data by a receiver from an external device and forms an image based on the received image data. The image forming apparatus transmits an address of the receiver to the external device. The image forming apparatus receives image data transmitted with the address by the external device. The communication between the external device and the image forming apparatus is performed wirelessly. The image forming apparatus prints image data in accordance with an accepted printing condition.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An image forming apparatus that receives data from an external device and forms an image based on the received data, comprising:
 a wireless communication unit that receives data sent from the external device,   wherein when a thumbnail associated with data of an image is selected by a user of the external device, the selected data of the image is displayed at the external device for recognition, the selected data of the image is sent from the external device, and the wireless communication unit receives the selected data of the image, and   wherein after the thumbnail is selected, the selected data of the image is sent to the wireless communication unit in a state of the selected data of the image being displayed larger than the thumbnail displayed prior to the selection.   
     
     
         2 . A communication system that has an external device and has an image forming apparatus which comprises a wireless communication unit receiving data from the external device and which forms an image based on the received data,
 wherein the external device comprises:   a display that displays a thumbnail associated with data of an image to be selected by a user of the external device; and   a wireless communication unit that sends the selected data of the image to the image forming apparatus,   wherein the image forming apparatus receives the selected data of the image through the wireless communication unit when the selected data of the image is sent from the external device, and   wherein after the thumbnail is selected, the selected data of the image is sent to the wireless communication unit in a state of the selected data of the image being displayed larger than the thumbnail displayed prior to the selection.   
     
     
         3 . A communication method with an external device and with an image forming apparatus that includes a wireless communication unit receiving data from the external device and forms an image based on the received data,
 wherein when a thumbnail associated with data of an image is selected by a user of the external device, the selected data of the image is displayed at the external device for recognition, the selected data of the image is sent from the external device, the wireless communication unit receives the selected data of the image, and   wherein after the thumbnail is selected, the selected data of the image is sent to the wireless communication unit in a state of the selected data of the image being displayed larger than the thumbnail displayed prior to the selection.   
     
     
         4 . An external device that communicates wirelessly to an image forming apparatus which comprises a wireless communication unit receiving data from the external device, which makes the wireless communication unit receive data sent from the external device, and which forms an image based on the received data, comprising:
 a display that displays a thumbnail associated with data of an image to be selected by a user of the external device; and   a wireless communication unit that sends the selected data of the image to the image forming apparatus,   wherein after the thumbnail is selected, the selected data of the image is sent to the wireless communication unit in a state of the selected data of the image being displayed larger than the thumbnail displayed prior to the selection.   
     
     
         5 . The external device according to  claim 4 ,
 wherein the external device is a mobile phone.   
     
     
         6 . A non-transitory recording medium recording a program executed by an external device that communicates wirelessly to an image forming apparatus which comprises a wireless communication unit receiving data from the external device, which makes the wireless communication unit receive data sent from the external device, and which forms an image based on the received data,
 wherein the program causes the external device to execute displaying a thumbnail associated with data of an image stored in a storage to be selected by a user of the external device,   wherein the program causes the external device to execute sending the selected data of the image to the image forming apparatus, and   wherein after the thumbnail is selected, the selected data of the image is sent to the wireless communication unit in a state of the selected data of the image being displayed larger than the thumbnail displayed prior to the selection.