Image forming apparatus, stored document printing method and stored document printing system

• US 20040070782A1
• Filed: 06/04/2003
• Published: 04/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Mihira, Sachiko
• Application Number:
  US10/453,686
• Publication Number:
  US 20040070782A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32117 in a separate transmission or protocol signal prior to or subsequent to the image data transmission, e.g. in digital identification signal [DIS], in non standard setup [NSS] or in non standard field [NSF] for mode signalling H04N1/333
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3235 Checking or certification of the authentication information, e.g. by comparison with data stored independently

Abstract

A document management service receives a certification information acquisition request for a stored document stored in the document storage from another apparatus via a network, and provides certification information in response to the certification information acquisition request. A printing service receives a stored document printing request from the other apparatus with a utilization of the certification information, and printing out a stored document in response to the certification information.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising a hardware resource used for image formation, a program for performing processing concerning image formation, and a document storage for storing a stored document, comprising:

a document management service receiving a certification information acquisition request for the stored document stored in said document storage from another apparatus via a network, and providing certification information in response to the certification information acquisition request; and

a printing service receiving a stored document printing request from the other apparatus with a utilization of the certification information, and printing out the stored document in response to the certification information.

13. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said certification information acquisition request at least comprises identification information for identifying the stored document, and certification information for certifying a usage right on the stored document.

16. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said document management service, said printing service and said other apparatus make mutual communications in use of a simple object access protocol.

2. An image forming apparatus comprising a hardware resource used for image formation, a program for performing processing concerning image formation, and a document storage for storing a stored document, comprising:

a document management service receiving a certification information acquisition request for the stored document stored in said document storage from another apparatus via a network, and providing session information configured to be directly or indirectly related to certification information in response to the certification information acquisition request; and

a printing service receiving from the other apparatus a stored document printing request with a utilization of the session information, and printing out the stored document in response to the certification information directly or indirectly related to by said session information.

14. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

said certification information acquisition request at least comprises identification information for identifying the stored document, and certification information for certifying a usage right on the stored document.

17. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

said document management service, said printing service and said other apparatus make mutual communications in use of a simple object access protocol.

3. An image forming apparatus comprising a hardware resource used for image formation, a program for performing processing concerning image formation, and a document storage for storing a stored document, comprising:

a document management service receiving a certification information acquisition request and first session information for the stored document stored in said document storage from another apparatus via a network, and providing certification information in response to the certification information acquisition request; and

a printing service receiving from the other apparatus a stored document printing request with a utilization of the certification information and second session information, and printing out the stored document according to the certification information.

4. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

said document management service creates the certification information in response to the certification information acquisition request and transmits it to the other apparatus, while receiving the certification information and third session information from said printing service and transmitting to said printing service identification information for the stored document in response to the certification information.

5. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

said printing service receives the stored document printing request from the other apparatus with a utilization of the certification information and second session information as well as receiving identification information for the stored document in response to said certification information from said document management apparatus, and, also, printing out the stored document according to said identification information after acquiring it from said document management service.

6. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

said printing service prints out the stored document according to the certification information after acquiring it from said document management service, and, also, provides to said other apparatus printing processing information concerning the relevant printing processing.

7. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

said document management service crates contents of the certification information and identification information in response to the certification information acquisition request, and transmits the identification information to said other apparatus, as well as holding the contents of the certification information.

8. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

said document management service uses the identification information for the certification information sent from said printing service for identifying the contents of the certification information, as well as transmitting the identification information according to the contents of the certification information.

9. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

said document management service uses a predetermined function to acquire the certification information in response to the certification acquisition request.

10. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein:

said printing service uses a predetermined function to acquire the identification information in response to the certification information.

11. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

said printing service uses a predetermined function to print out the stored document according to the certification information.

12. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

said first session information indicates a session between said document management services and said other apparatus;

said second session indicates a session between said printing service and said other apparatus; and

said third session indicates a session between said document management service and said printing service.

15. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

said certification information acquisition request at least comprises identification information for identifying the stored document, and certification information for certifying a usage right on the stored document.

18. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

said document management service, said printing service and said other apparatus make mutual communications in use of a simple object access protocol.

19. A stored document printing method for an image forming apparatus comprising a hardware resource used for image formation, a program for performing processing concerning image formation, and a document storage for storing a stored document, said method comprising the steps of:

a) receiving a certification information acquisition request for the stored document stored in said document storage from another apparatus via a network, and providing certification information in response to the certification information acquisition request; and

b) receiving a stored document printing request from the other apparatus with a utilization of the certification information, and printing out the stored document according to the certification information.

20. A stored document printing method for an image forming apparatus comprising a hardware resource used for image formation, a program for performing processing concerning image formation, and a document storage for storing a stored document, said method comprising the steps of:

a) receiving a certification information acquisition request for a stored document stored in said document storage from another apparatus via a network, and providing session information configured to be directly or indirectly related to certification information in response to the certification information acquisition request; and

b) receiving from the other apparatus a stored document printing request with a utilization of the session information, and printing out the stored document according to the certification information directly or indirectly related to by said session information.

21. A stored document printing method for an image forming apparatus comprising a hardware resource used for image formation, a program for performing processing concerning image formation, and a document storage for storing a stored document, said method comprising the steps of:

a) receiving a certification information acquisition request and first session information for the stored document stored in said document storage from another apparatus via a network, and providing certification information in response to the certification information acquisition request; and

b) receiving from the other apparatus a stored document printing request with a utilization of the certification information and second session information, and printing out the stored document according to the certification information.

22. A stored document printing system using at least one other apparatus, and an image forming apparatus which is connected with said other apparatus via a network, and printing out a stored document stored in a document storage of said image forming apparatus, said image forming apparatus comprising:

a document management service receiving a certification information acquisition request for the stored document stored in said document storage from said others apparatus via the network, and providing certification information in response to the certification information acquisition request; and

a printing service receiving from the other apparatus a stored document printing request with a utilization of the certification information, and printing out the stored document according to the certification information.

23. A stored document printing system using at least one other apparatus, and an image forming apparatus which is connected with said other apparatus via a network, and printing out a stored document stored in a document storage of said image forming apparatus, said image forming apparatus comprising:

a document management service receiving a certification information acquisition request for the stored document stored in said document storage from said other apparatus via the network, and providing session information configured to be directly or indirectly related to certification information in response to the certification information acquisition request; and

a printing service receiving from the other apparatus a stored document printing request with a utilization of the session information, and printing out the stored document according to the certification information directly or indirectly related to by said session information.

24. A stored document printing system using at least one other apparatus, and an image forming apparatus which is connected with said other apparatus via a network, and printing out a stored document stored in a document storage of said image forming apparatus, said image forming apparatus comprising:

a document management service receiving a certification information acquisition request and first session information for the stored document stored in said document storage from said other apparatus via the network, and providing certification information in response to the certification information acquisition request; and

a printing service receiving from the other apparatus a stored document printing request with a utilization of the certification information and second session information, and printing out the stored document in response to the certification information.

25. An image forming apparatus comprising a hardware resource used for image formation, a program for performing processing concerning image formation, and a document storage for storing a stored document, comprising:

a network service receiving a stored document printing request for the stored document stored in said document storage from another apparatus via a network;

a document management service creating certification information in response to said stored document printing service, and transmitting it to said network service; and

a printing service receiving said certification information from said network service, acquiring the stored document according to said certification information, and printing the same.

31. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein:

said printing service provides printing processing information concerning relevant printing processing to said other apparatus.

32. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein:

said stored document printing request at least comprises identification information for identifying the stored document, and certification information for certifying a usage right on the stored document.

33. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein:

said document management service creates contents of the certification information and identification information in response to said stored document printing request, and transmits said identification information of said certification information to said network service as certification information, as well as holding the contents of said certification information.

34. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein:

said network service transmits the stored document printing request including the identification information of the certification information, to said printing service; and

said document management service determines the contents of the certification information with a utilization of said identification information of the certification information sent from said printing service, as well as transmitting identification information of the stored document according to the contents of said certification information, to said printing service.

37. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein:

said printing service uses a predetermined function to acquires the stored document according to said certification information.

39. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein:

said printing service uses a predetermined function to causes a memory control service to acquire the stored document from said document storage according to said certification information, and provide the same.

41. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein:

said printing service uses a predetermined function to print out the stored document according to said certification information.

43. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein:

said printing service uses a predetermined function to cause an engine control service to print out the stored document according to said certification information.

26. An image forming apparatus comprising a hardware resource used for image formation, a program for performing processing concerning image formation, and a document storage for storing a stored document, comprising:

a network service receiving a stored document printing request for the stored document stored in said document storage from another apparatus via a network;

a session object managing information of a session established with said other apparatus, and the stored document printing request received from said other apparatus, provided with a direct or indirect relation therebetween;

a document management service creating certification information in response to said stored document printing request, and transmitting it to said network service; and

a printing service receiving said certification information from said network service, acquiring the stored document according to said certification information, and printing the same.

27. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein:

said network service receives from said other apparatus the stored document printing request for the stored document stored in said document storage, and acquires the certification information in response to said stored document printing request, as well as transmitting a stored document printing request to said printing service with a utilization of said certification information.

28. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 26 wherein:

said document management service creates the certification information in response to said stored document printing request and transmits the same to said network service, as well as transmitting to said printing service identification information for the stored document in response to said certification information.

29. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein:

said printing service receives the store information printing request with a utilization of the certification information from said network service, and acquires identification information for the stored document according to said certification information from said document management service, as well as acquiring the stored document according to said identification information from said document storage, and printing the same.

30. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein:

said printing service provides printing processing information concerning relevant printing processing; and

said network service identifies with a utilization of said session object said other apparatus which has transmitted said stored document printing request, and transmits to said other apparatus the printing processing information sent from said printing service.

35. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein:

said network service uses a predetermined function to acquires the certification information in response to said stored document printing request.

36. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein:

said printing service uses a predetermined function to acquires the stored document according to said certification information.

38. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein:

said printing service uses a predetermined function to causes a memory control service to acquire the stored document from said document storage according to said certification information, and provide the same.

40. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein:

said printing service uses a predetermined function to print out the stored document according to said certification information.

42. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein:

said printing service uses a predetermined function to cause an engine control service to print out the stored document according to said certification information.

44. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein:

said other apparatus comprises one of a network apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

45. A stored document printing method for an image forming apparatus comprising a hardware resource used for image formation, a program for performing processing concerning image formation, and a document storage for storing a stored document, said method comprising the steps of:

a) receiving a stored document printing request for the stored document stored in said document storage from another apparatus via a network;

b) creating certification information in response to said stored document printing service; and

c) receiving said certification information from a network service, acquiring the stored document according to said certification information, and printing the same.

46. A stored document printing method for an image forming apparatus comprising a hardware resource used for image formation, a program for performing processing concerning image formation, and a document storage for storing a stored document, said method comprising the steps of:

a) receiving a stored document printing request for the stored document stored in said document storage from another apparatus via a network;

b) managing information of a session established with said other apparatus, and the stored document printing request received from said other apparatus, with a provision of a direct or indirect relation therebetween;

c) creating certification information in response to said stored document printing request; and

d) receiving said certification information from a network service, acquiring the stored document in response to said certification information, and printing the same.

47. A stored document printing system using at least one other apparatus, and an image forming apparatus connected with said other apparatus via a network, for printing out a stored document stored in a document storage of said image forming apparatus, said image forming apparatus comprising:

a network service receiving a stored document printing request for the stored document stored in said document storage from said other apparatus via the network;

a document management service creating certification information in response to said stored document printing request, and transmitting it to said network service; and

a printing service receiving said certification information from said network service, acquiring the stored document according to said certification information, and printing the same.

48. A stored document printing system using at least one other apparatus, and an image forming apparatus connected with said other apparatus via a network, for printing out a stored document stored in a document storage of said image forming apparatus, said image forming apparatus comprising:

a network service receiving a stored document printing request for the stored document stored in said document storage from said other apparatus via the network;

a session object managing information of a session established with said other apparatus, and the stored document printing request received from said other apparatus, with a provision of a direct or indirect relationship therebetween;

a document management service creating certification information in response to said stored document printing request, and transmitting it to said network service; and

a printing service receiving said certification information from said network service, acquiring the stored document according to said certification information, and printing the same.

49. An image forming apparatus comprising a hardware resource used for image formation, a program for performing processing concerning image formation, and a document storage for storing a stored document, comprising:

a document management service receiving a certification information acquisition request for the stored document stored in said document storage from one apparatus via a network, and providing certification information in response to the certification information acquisition request to said one apparatus;

as well as

receiving from another apparatus connected via the network a stored document acquisition request with a utilization of said certification information, and transmitting the stored document according to said certification information to said other apparatus.

50. An image forming apparatus comprising a hardware resource used for image formation, a program for performing processing concerning image formation, and a document storage for storing a stored document, comprising:

a document output service receiving certification information for the stored document stored in another apparatus, from one apparatus, both connected via a network, and transmitting a stored document acquisition request with a utilization of said certification information, to said other apparatus, while;

upon receiving the stored document according to said certification information from said other apparatus, said document output service outputs the stored document.

51. An image forming apparatus comprising a hardware resource used for image formation, a program for performing processing concerning image formation, and a document storage for storing a stored document, comprising:

a document management service receiving from one apparatus connected via a network a certification information acquisition request for the stored document stored in said document storage, and transmitting to said one apparatus first certification information certifying a usage right on said document management service and second certification information certifying a usage right on the stored document according to said certification information acquisition request;

while

receiving from another apparatus also connected via the network a stored document acquisition request with a utilization of said first certification information and said second certification information, acquiring the stored document according to said second certification information from said document storage, and transmitting it to said other apparatus.

52. An image forming apparatus comprising a hardware resource used for image formation, a program for performing processing concerning image formation, and a document storage for storing a stored document, comprising:

a document output service receiving from one apparatus connected via a network first certification information certifying a usage right on a document management service of another apparatus, and second certification information certifying a usage right on the stored document, and transmitting a stored document acquisition request with a utilization of said first and second certification information to said other apparatus, while

receiving the stored document according to said second certification information from the document management service of said other apparatus, and outputting said stored document.

53. An image forming apparatus comprising a hardware resource used for image formation, a program for performing processing concerning image formation, and a document storage for storing a stored document, comprising:

a document management service receiving from one apparatus connected via a network a certification information acquisition request for the stored document stored in said document storage, and transmitting to said one apparatus first certification information certifying a usage right on said document management service and second certification information certifying a usage right on the stored document according to said certification information acquisition request;

while

receiving from another apparatus also connected via the network a stored document acquisition request with a utilization of said second certification information and third certification information providing the usage right on said document management service, acquiring the stored document according to said second certification information from said document storage, and transmitting the same to said other apparatus.

54. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein:

said document management service creates contents of said first through third certification information, and transmits identification information of said first through third certification information to said one apparatus or said other apparatus, while holding the contents of said first through third certification information.

55. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein:

upon receiving the stored document acquisition request with a utilization of said second and third certification information, said document management service determines contents of said second and third certification information by using identification information of said second and third certification information, while acquiring the stored document according to the contents of said second certification information, and transmitting the same to a document output service of said other apparatus.

56. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein:

said certification information acquisition request at least comprises identification information for identifying the stored document and certification information certifying a usage right on the stored document.

57. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein:

said first certification information comprises identification information for a session established between said one apparatus and said document management service, while said third certification information comprises identification information for a session established between said other apparatus and said document management service.

58. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein:

said one apparatus comprises one of a network apparatus and another image forming apparatus.

59. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein:

said other apparatus comprises another image forming apparatus.

60. An image forming apparatus comprising a hardware resource used for image formation, a program for performing processing concerning image formation, and a document storage for storing a stored document, comprising:

a document management service receiving from one apparatus connected via a network a first certification information certifying a usage right on a document output service and second certification information certifying a usage right on said stored document, and transmitting to another apparatus a stored document acquisition request with a utilization of said second certification information and third certification information certifying a usage right on a document management service of said other apparatus, while

receiving the stored document according to said second certification information from the document management service of said other apparatus, and outputting said stored document.

61. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 60, wherein:

said document management service creates contents and identification information of said third certification information, and transmits the identification information for said third certification information to said other apparatus, while holding the contents of said third certification information.

62. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 60, wherein:

said first certification information comprises identification information for a session established between said one apparatus and said document output service, while said third certification information comprises identification information for a session established between said other apparatus and said document output service.

63. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 60, wherein:

said one apparatus comprises one of a network apparatus and another image forming apparatus.

64. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 60, wherein:

said other apparatus comprises another image forming apparatus.

65. A stored document output method for an image forming apparatus comprising a hardware resource used for image formation, a program for performing processing concerning image formation, and a document storage for storing a stored document, said method comprising the steps of:

a) receiving a certification information acquisition request for the stored document stored in said document storage from one apparatus via a network;

b) transmitting certification information in response to the certification information acquisition request to said one apparatus;

c) receiving from another apparatus also connected via the network a stored document acquisition request with a utilization of said certification information; and

d) transmitting the stored document according to said certification information to said other apparatus.

66. A stored document output method for an image forming apparatus comprising a hardware resource used for image formation, a program for performing processing concerning image formation, and a document storage for storing a stored document, said method comprising the steps of:

a) receiving certification information for the stored document stored in another apparatus, from one apparatus, both connected via a network;

b) transmitting a stored document acquisition request with a utilization of said certification information to said other apparatus;

c) receiving the stored document according to said certification information from said other apparatus; and

d) outputting the stored document.

67. A stored document output method for an image forming apparatus comprising a hardware resource used for image formation, a program for performing processing concerning image formation, and a document storage for storing a stored document, said method comprising the steps of:

a) receiving from one apparatus connected via a network a certification information acquisition request for the stored document stored in said document storage;

b) transmitting to said one apparatus first certification information certifying a usage right on a document management service and second certification information certifying a usage right on the stored document in response to said certification information acquisition request;

c) receiving from another apparatus also connected via the network a stored document acquisition request with a utilization of said first certification information and said second certification information; and

d) acquiring the stored document according to said second certification information from said document storage, and transmitting the same to said other apparatus.

68. A stored document output method for an image forming apparatus comprising a hardware resource used for image formation, a program for performing processing concerning image formation, and a document storage for storing a stored document, said method comprising the steps of:

a) receiving from one apparatus connected via a network first certification information certifying a usage right on a document management service of another apparatus, and second certification information certifying a usage right on said stored document;

b) transmitting a stored document acquisition request with a utilization of said first and second certification information to said other apparatus;

c) receiving the stored document according to said second certification information from the document management service of said other apparatus; and

d) outputting said stored document thus received.

69. A stored document output method for an image forming apparatus comprising a hardware resource used for image formation, a program for performing processing concerning image formation, and a document storage for storing a stored document, said method comprising the steps of:

a) receiving from one apparatus connected via a network a certification information acquisition request for the stored document stored in said document storage;

b) transmitting to said one apparatus first certification information certifying a usage right on a document management service and second certification information certifying a usage right on the stored document in response to said certification information acquisition request;

c) receiving from another apparatus also connected via the network a stored document acquisition request with a utilization of said second certification information and third certification information providing the usage right on said document management service; and

d) acquiring the stored document according to said second certification information from said document storage, and transmitting the same to said other apparatus.

70. A stored document output method for an image forming apparatus comprising a hardware resource used for image formation, a program for performing processing concerning image formation, and a document storage for storing a stored document, said method comprising the steps of:

a) receiving from one apparatus connected via a network first certification information certifying a usage right on a document output service and second certification information certifying a usage right on said stored document;

b) transmitting to another apparatus a stored document acquisition request with a utilization of said second certification information and third certification information certifying a usage right on a document management service of said other apparatus;

c) receiving the stored document according to said second certification information from the document management service of said other apparatus; and

d) outputting said stored document thus received.

71. A stored document output system using at least one apparatus connected to a network and an image forming apparatus connected to said one apparatus via the network, and outputting a stored document stored in a document storage of said image forming apparatus, said image forming apparatus comprising:

a document management service receiving a certification information acquisition request for the stored document stored in said document storage from one apparatus via the network, and providing certification information in response to the certification information acquisition request, to said one apparatus;

while

receiving from another apparatus also connected via the network a stored document acquisition request with a utilization of said certification information, and transmitting the stored document according to said certification information to said other apparatus.

72. A stored document output system using at least one apparatus connected to a network and an image forming apparatus connected to said one apparatus via the network, and outputting a stored document stored in a document storage of said image forming apparatus, said image forming apparatus comprising:

a document output service receiving certification information for the stored document stored in another apparatus, from one apparatus, both connected via the network, and transmitting a stored document acquisition request with a utilization of said certification information, to said other apparatus, while;

upon receiving the stored document according to said certification information from said other apparatus, said document output service outputting the stored document.

73. A stored document output system using at least one apparatus connected to a network and an image forming apparatus connected to said one apparatus via the network, and outputting a stored document stored in a document storage of said image forming apparatus, said image forming apparatus comprising:

a document management service receiving from one apparatus connected via a network a certification information acquisition request for the stored document stored in said document storage, and transmitting to said one apparatus first certification information certifying a usage right on said document management service and second certification information certifying a usage right on the stored document in response to said certification information acquisition request;

while

receiving from another apparatus also connected via the network a stored document acquisition request with a utilization of said first certification information and said second certification information, acquiring the stored document according to said second certification information from said document storage, and transmitting it to said other apparatus.

74. A stored document output system using at least one apparatus connected to a network and an image forming apparatus connected to said one apparatus via the network, and outputting a stored document stored in a document storage of said image forming apparatus, said image forming apparatus comprising:

a document output service receiving from one apparatus connected via the network first certification information certifying a usage right on a document management service of another apparatus, and second certification information certifying a usage right on said stored document, and transmitting a stored document acquisition request with a utilization of said first and second certification information to said other apparatus, while

receiving the stored document according to said second certification information from the document management service of said other apparatus, and outputting said stored document.

75. A stored document output system using at least one apparatus-connected to a network and an image forming apparatus connected to said one apparatus via the network, and outputting a stored document stored in a document storage of said image forming apparatus, said image forming apparatus comprising:

a document management service receiving from one apparatus connected via the network a certification information acquisition request for the stored document stored in said document storage, and transmitting to said one apparatus first certification information certifying a usage right on said document management service and second certification information certifying a usage right on the stored document according to said certification information acquisition request;

while

receiving from another apparatus also connected via the network a stored document acquisition request with a utilization of said second certification information and third certification information providing the usage right on said document management service, acquiring the stored document according to said second certification information from said document storage, and transmitting the same to said other apparatus.

76. A stored document output system using at least one apparatus connected to a network and an image forming apparatus connected to said one apparatus via the network, and outputting a stored document stored in a document storage of said image forming apparatus, said image forming apparatus comprising:

a document management service receiving from one apparatus connected via the network first certification information certifying a usage right on a document output service and second certification information certifying a usage right on said stored document, and transmitting to another apparatus a stored document acquisition request with a utilization of said second certification information and third certification information certifying a usage right on a document management service of said other apparatus, while

receiving the stored document according to said second certification information from the document management service of said other apparatus, and outputting said stored document.