Patent ID: 8662383

Claim:
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, comprising: a first paper feed discharge unit configured to feed and discharge the recording medium; a second paper feed discharge unit which is formed with an opening and which is configured to feed and discharge the recording medium via the opening; an image forming section configured to form the image on the recording medium fed from the first paper feed discharge unit and the second paper feed discharge unit; a first transport mechanism configured to transport the recording medium from the first paper feed discharge unit to the image forming section; a second transport mechanism which connects the second paper feed discharge unit and the first transport mechanism and which is configured to transport the recording medium; a paper feed unit configured to feed the recording medium or a storage type recording medium having a storage unit; a transport control unit configured to control the first and second transport mechanisms so that the storage type recording medium, which is fed by the paper feed unit, is transported to the first paper feed discharge unit or the second paper feed discharge unit via the second transport mechanism without passing through a specified portion disposed in the first transport mechanism, the specified portion from a junction between the second transport mechanism and the first transport mechanism to the image forming section; and a communication section configured to perform data communication with the storage unit of the storage type recording medium.