Patent ID: 6437874
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: G06F,H04N

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus comprising:means for storing an image of a plurality of originals given from an exterior as one document, means for setting an N in one (the N being an integer) print mode by combining image data of the N number of originals to be printed out on a single output medium; means for detecting that the storing means is full during a process of storing the plurality of originals performed by the storing means; means for, regardless of a user's instruction, automatically selecting the image data as long as the image data of an integral multiple of the N number of originals sufficient to form an image on a single output medium are stored even though not all of the image data of the one document is stored when the setting means sets the N in one print mode and the detecting means detects that the storing means is full; N in one image forming means for, by using the N in one print mode, forming an image of a part of the originals instead of images of all of the originals to be received by storing means as one document based on the image data selected by the selecting means; means for deleting the printed image data from the storing means when printing is performed by the N in one printing means; and means for holding image data of the originals whose image formation is not completed and whose number is fewer than the N number sufficient for forming an image on a single output medium in the storing means without performing an image formation.