Patent ID: 7800767

Claim:
A method of printing using a printing device, the method comprising the steps of: 1) receiving print data for confidential printing; 2) deciding between (a) printing the received print data by the printing device and outputting the printed data to a lockable output bin that can be opened by a key, or (b) outputting the received print data to a storage memory holding unit that is capable of holding the print data and allowing the print data held there to be taken out for printing based on user verification; wherein said print data's output destination is decided in accordance with information concerning the print data in said step 2); and wherein said information concerning the print data is an estimated time required for printing said print data calculated based on said print data's printing condition, and said print data's output destination is decided in said step 2) to be said lockable output bin if said estimated time is larger than a predetermined threshold value, and to said holding unit if said estimated time is smaller than the threshold value.