Patent ID: 8035842

Claim:
An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image data input unit that inputs image data; an image data storage unit that stores the image data input by the image data input unit; a storage method change unit that changes an initial storage method of the image data input by the image data input unit; an image data output unit that outputs the image data stored in the image data storage unit; an available capacity detection unit that detects an available capacity of the image data storage unit; an available capacity judgment unit that judges whether the available capacity is not more than a predetermined value; and a storage method selection unit that prompts selection of a new storage method to be performed by the image data storage unit, wherein when the available capacity is judged to be not more than the predetermined value by the available capacity judgment unit, the storage method selection unit prompts the selection of the new storage method, the storage method change unit changes the initial storage method of the image data based on the new storage method prompted by the storage method selection unit, and the image data output unit outputs image data stored in accordance with the new storage method, and wherein the image forming apparatus stores a setting for improving efficiency of using the image data, and when it is judged, by the information forming apparatus, that the setting is enabled, normal mode storage methods that are enabled in a normal operation mode of the information forming apparatus are extracted and prioritized.