Patent ID: 6914690

Claim:
An image forming apparatus comprising: a reading means for reading an image of a document; a memory means for storing image data read by the reading means; an image forming means for forming an image using the image data stored in the memory means; an interrupt means for interrupting a series of image forming operations beginning with reading of an image of the document by the reading means and ending with completion of formation of the image by the image forming means; a function clear key for the function of clearing the series of image forming operations; a timer for measuring time; an automatic document feeder for feeding a preset document to the reading means; a finisher to which a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming means is discharged; a first control means for erasing, after the interrupt means has interrupted the series of image forming operations, when the function clear key is depressed, when the timer measures a predetermined time, or when no document is left in the automatic document feeder and no sheet is in the finisher, the image data stored in the memory means to render the function into a state of default; and a second control means for performing control to hold the image data stored in the memory means until the first control means performs control to erase the image data stored in the memory means.