Patent ID: 6137590
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus for printing external image data, comprising:a main unit including an identification code assignment section for assigning an identification code for each page unit or print job unit of print images, a printing section for printing the print image and its corresponding identification code on a recording medium, a first storage section for storing the print images and their corresponding identification codes, the storage section retaining the image and code after the image has been printed once, and a first transmission/reception section capable of transmitting and receiving the identification codes in a wireless manner;an external operation unit including a second transmission/reception section capable of transmitting and receiving the identification codes to and from the first transmission/reception section in a wireless manner, a second storage section for storing the identification codes received at the second transmission/reception section, a display section for displaying the identification codes received at the second transmission/reception section or the identification codes stored in the second storage section, and an input section through which an identification code can be entered,wherein the identification code entered through the input section or the identification code displayed on the display section is transmitted from the second transmission/reception section to the first transmission/reception section, the print image corresponding to the identification code is retrieved from the first storage section, and the print image or the print image and the identification code are printed on a recording medium in the printing section;a network control means capable of accessing the external operation unit of other image forming apparatus; anda read and output means capable of reading and outputting the print images stored in other image forming apparatus, wherein the identification code for each page unit or print job unit contains a serial number of the image forming apparatus where the document is stored, and wherein a document stored in another image forming apparatus is read and printed when the serial number of the other image forming apparatus is contained in the identification code.