Patent ID: 8514420

Claim:
An image forming apparatus comprising: a receiving unit that receives document data having an operation password set therein; a conversion unit that converts the document data into print data; a generation unit that generates document information including the operation password, and sets the generated document information in the print data, wherein the document information further includes user identification information of users who have already unlocked the operation password; a storage unit that stores the print data having the document information set therein; and a determining unit that determines whether or not to authorize a login user to perform an operation on the print data stored in said storage unit based on the document information set in the print data, wherein said determining unit authorizes the login user to perform an operation on the print data stored in said storage unit without a new input of the operation password when user identification information of the login user matches the user identification information of users who have already unlocked the operation password included in the document information, wherein, when the user identification information of the login user does not match the user identification information of users who have already unlocked the operation password included in the document information, said determining unit requests the login user to input the operation password, and wherein, when the login user can unlock the operation password in response to the request, said determining unit authorizes the login user to perform an operation on the stored print data and adds the user identification information of the login user as the user identification information of users who have already unlocked the operation password to the document information set in the stored print data.