Patent ID: 7023568

Claim:
An image processing apparatus for outputting a page image corresponding to print data inputted from an external source, comprising: analyzing means for analyzing said print data at the time of outputting a first copy and generating a page image; image spooling means for holding said page image at the time of outputting the first copy; page image reading means for reading out said spooled page image at the time of outputting second and subsequent copies; mechanical sorting means for performing mechanical sorting and paper ejection every copy; discriminating means for discriminating whether said mechanical sorting means can be used or not and discriminating the maximum number of sorting page images which can be processed at once by said mechanical sorting means; and switching means for, when a plural copy print is designated, discriminating whether to execute the plural copy print by using said image spooling means and said page image reading means, or to execute the plural copy print without using said image spooling means and said page image reading means, in accordance with a discrimination result of said discriminating means and the designated number of copies.