Image forming apparatus capable of printing image data associated with print right, method of controlling the same, and storage medium

摘要

An image forming apparatus capable of providing security for print right-associated image data. An image forming apparatus is capable of communicating with a management server that manages print rights. When printing image data stored in the storage section, a CPU determines whether a print right is associated with the image data. Whenever it is determined that a print right is associated with image data, the CPU makes an inquiry of the management server about print permission of the image data associated with the print right. A printer section prints an image represented by the image data when a response from the management server indicates that the image data associated with the print right is permitted to be printed.

主权项

1. An image forming apparatus capable of communicating with a management server that manages print rights, the image forming apparatus comprising:
an input unit configured to input data; a communication unit configured to, if a print right is associated with the input data, make an inquiry of the management server about print permission of the input data and to receive a response to the inquiry from the management server; a printing unit configured to print the input data based on the response received by said communication unit; a storage unit configured to store, if said printing unit prints the input data with which a print right is not associated, print history information and raster image data converted from the input data, and to store, if said printing unit prints the input data with which a print right is associated, print history information and the unconverted input data itself; and a control unit configured to control said printing unit to re-print the raster image or the input data, based on the print history information stored in said storage unit.