Patent ID: 8256008
Filing Date: 2012-08-28
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus having a plurality of output trays for stacking sheets on which print data obtained from a terminal via a network is printed, comprising: a print data obtaining unit that obtains the print data; a printing unit that prints the print data on a sheet; a tray determining unit that determines, from among the output trays, an output tray for the sheet on which the print data is to be printed by determining a number of sheets to be used to print the print data, and determining an output tray which has a capacity to store the number of sheets to be used to print the print data, to generate output tray identification information; a secret information generating unit that randomly generates first secret information corresponding to the output tray identification information; a transmitting unit that transmits the first secret information and the output tray identification information to the terminal; an input accepting unit that accepts an input of identification information of a specified output tray from a user and, when an output of printed sheets to the specified output tray is complete, accepts input of second secret information from the user; a matching unit that matches the second secret information with the first secret information; and a tray control unit that allows a slot of the specified output tray to be open, upon the matching unit successfully matching the second secret information with the first secret information.