Patent ID: 8213041
Filing Date: 2012-07-03
Classification: G06F,H04N

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a processor; a storage unit connected to the processor for storing a program and data; a function unit connected to the processor for performing specified functional operations, the function unit including a scanner, a printer, a facsimile modem and a network interface; a removable storage device interface connected to the processor; and an interactive input/output unit connected to the processor, wherein: the storage unit includes a plurality of first storage areas set in relation to the functional operations, a plurality of second storage areas related as lower storage areas of the first storage areas and set by the user, and a plurality of third storage areas related as lower storage areas of the second storage areas and set by the file, the third storage areas storing first files of data read by the scanner, second files of data from the network interface and third files of data from the facsimile modem, and the program causes the processor to: (1) display specified information allotted to the plurality of first storage areas on the interactive input/output unit and display information in the plurality of second storage areas in relation to the first storage area on the interactive input/output unit if one of the first storage areas is selected by the interactive input/output unit, (2) display information of files in the third storage areas included in the second storage area and the names of processes to be performed to the files on the interactive input/output unit if one of the second storage areas is selected by the interactive input/output unit, (3) perform the process to the file if the file and the process are selected by the interactive input/output unit, and (4) execute such that a file is copied and stored in a storage device connected to the removable storage device interface only if the file being stored in the storage unit is one of the third files.