Printing system, computer, image forming apparatus and printing method

Abstract

In a printing system configured such that a computer and an image forming apparatus can be connected via a network, the computer sets a stamp image and transmits the set stamp image to the image forming apparatus via the network. The image forming apparatus includes a reading device that reads an original image, an image combining unit that reads out at least one stamp image from a storage unit, combines the stamp image with the original image read by the reading device, and forms a composite image, and a printing unit that prints the composite image on recording paper.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An image forming apparatus that prints an original image on recording paper, the apparatus comprising:
 a reading device that reads an original image;   a storage unit in which a stamp image created by an external apparatus is received via a network and recorded;   an image combining unit that reads out at least one stamp image from the storage unit, combines the stamp image with the original image read by the reading device, and forms a composite image; and   a printing unit that prints the composite image on recording paper.   
     
     
         3 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the image combining unit combines at least one stamp image and the original image read by the reading device on a page memory.   
     
     
         4 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 2 , comprising a display unit that displays display information corresponding to at least one stamp image stored in the storage unit,
 wherein the storage unit stores a stamp image together with a registration name of the stamp image,   the display unit displays the registration name of the stamp image as display information corresponding to the stamp image, and   the image combining unit reads out, from the storage unit, at least one stamp image whose registration name is displayed on the display unit, combines the stamp image with the original image read by the reading device, and forms a composite image.   
     
     
         5 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 2 , comprising a display unit that displays display information corresponding to at least one stamp image stored in the storage unit,
 wherein the storage unit stores, as the display information corresponding to the stamp image, a registration name of the stamp image, information indicating that the stamp image is an image that is either translucent or opaque to the original image, and a size of recording paper, and   the display unit displays a stamp image as a thumbnail, as well as displaying at least one of the registration name of the stamp image, the information indicating that the stamp image is an image that is either translucent or opaque to the original image, and the size of recording paper.   
     
     
         6 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 2 , comprising:
 a display unit that displays display information corresponding to at least one stamp image stored in the storage unit; and   a control unit that reads out, from the storage unit, at least one stamp image whose size is the same as a size of recording paper on which the original image read by the reading device is to be recorded and that displays at least one piece of display information corresponding to the read stamp image on the display unit,   wherein the image combining unit reads out, from the storage unit, at least one stamp image whose display information is displayed on the display unit, combines the stamp image with the original image read by the reading device, and forms a composite image.   
     
     
         7 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 2 , comprising:
 a display unit that displays display information corresponding to at least one stamp image stored in the storage unit; and   a control unit that selects at least one stamp image whose display information is displayed on the display unit and that prohibits the image combining unit from forming a composite image if a size of the selected stamp image does not match a size of recording paper on which the original image read by the reading device is to be recorded.