Patent ID: 8411295
Filing Date: 2013-04-02
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a reading unit configured to read an original document; a connection unit configured to connect a detachable storage device to the image forming apparatus; a storage control unit configured to store image data generated from the original document read by the reading unit in the storage device connected by the connection unit; a storage unit configured to store image data which is generated from the original document read by the reading unit and is not stored in the storage device by the storage control unit because of interrupting storage by the storage control unit; a selection unit configured to allow a user to select whether to use authentication information to store the image data in a detachable storage device which is newly connected to the image forming apparatus; an acquisition unit configured to acquire authentication information; an association unit configured to associate the authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit with the image data stored in the storage unit; and a determination unit configured to, when the user selects to use the authentication information, a detachable storage device is newly connected to the image forming apparatus by the connection unit and authentication information is entered, determine whether image data associated with the entered authentication information is stored in the storage unit, wherein the storage control unit stores the image data stored in the storage unit in the storage device newly connected by the connection unit when the user selects to use the authentication information and it is determined by the determination unit that the image data associated with the entered authentication information is stored in the storage unit, and, when the user does not select to use the authentication information and a detachable storage device is newly connected to the image forming apparatus by the connection unit, stores the image data stored in the storage unit in the storage device newly connected by the connection unit without entering the authentication information.