Patent ID: 7295339
Filing Date: 2007-11-13
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a function selection/designation section that obtains a designation of selection of a signed-document creation mode for creating at least a signed authentic document and/or a copy thereof; a signature position designation section that obtains a designation of a signature position on a printing sheet; a signature input section that obtains signature information input by handwriting; a signature temporary storage section that temporarily stores the signature information from said signature input section; an image obtaining section that obtains image data of an original to be provided with the signature; a signature/image synthesizing section that synthesizes the signature information in said signature temporary storage section and the image data in said image obtaining section so that the signature is provided at the designated signature position on the printing sheet; and a printout section that prints out a signed document or documents based on the data synthesized in said signature/image synthesizing section, in such a manner that a designated number of signed authentic documents are discriminated from their copies, wherein, when printing of the signed-document is completed, said signature temporary storage section deletes the signature information stored therein.