JP4781475B2 - Image forming apparatus, data processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  According to the present invention, a predetermined job is sequentially stored in a non-volatile storage unit, and after the stored predetermined job is read from a memory and subjected to image formation processing, the predetermined job stored in the storage unit is deleted. An image forming apparatus, a job processing method, and a computer readable program that include a first mode and a second mode in which the predetermined job is stored in a memory without passing through the storage unit and image forming processing is performed The present invention relates to a storage medium and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus having a nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk (HD), the storage device receives print data received from a host computer in the storage device in order to simultaneously receive print requests from a plurality of users. It is used to temporarily save or temporarily store image data obtained by rasterizing print data.

  If the print data or image data in the storage device remains even after printing is completed, if the data in the storage device is leaked due to device theft or hacking, it will be a security problem. Data and image data can be processed and printed without being temporarily stored in the non-volatile storage device, or print data and image data temporarily stored in the non-volatile storage device after completion of the printing process can be stored, for example, It is equipped with a job security function that completely erases data by overwriting or overwriting random data. Conventionally, the following Patent Documents 1 and 2 have already been published as this type of technology.

JP 2000-99291 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-223061

  However, in the above conventional example, if the setting of the job security function is left to personal operation, there may be a case where the setting is forgotten, and this is not preferable in terms of security.

  Further, when the printing method using the job security function is set as the default setting of the image forming apparatus, there is a problem that the image forming apparatus cannot receive print requests from a large number of users at the same time.

  In addition, a process of completely erasing print data and image data temporarily stored in the non-volatile storage device after completion of the print process by overwriting zero data or overwriting random data is executed for each job. As a result, there is a problem that the total printing processing time is extended and the printing performance is lowered.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to sequentially store predetermined jobs in a non-volatile storage unit, and read the stored predetermined jobs from a memory to generate an image. A first mode in which the predetermined job stored in the storage unit is deleted after the formation process, and a second mode in which the predetermined job is stored in the memory without passing through the storage unit and image forming processing is performed. In the image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming apparatus that identifies whether or not the authorized user is authorized to use the image forming apparatus, and determines whether job control information of the identified authorized user is stored in advance. Based on the determination result, the image forming apparatus including the storage unit can be controlled by controlling the predetermined job processing to be executed in either the first mode or the second mode. Whether to solve the above problems and add job control information different from the job control information set by the user to the print job as a job attribute so that the computer user enables the job security function in the image forming apparatus The print job can be processed by dynamically switching between invalid and invalid, avoiding a state where all print jobs are accumulated, and dramatically improving the processing efficiency of all jobs including the print job It is an object to provide an image forming apparatus and a job processing method excellent in convenience, a storage medium storing a computer-readable program, and a program.

  The present invention has the following characteristic configuration.

The present invention is an image forming apparatus including a non-volatile storage device, which is generated based on a receiving unit that receives a print job from a host computer via a predetermined communication medium, and the print job received by the receiving unit Output means for outputting the processed image data, input means for inputting identification information for identifying the user, identification means for identifying the user based on the identification information input by the input means, and the identification means The user identification information and the first job security setting indicating whether or not to store the image data in the non-volatile storage device after the image data is output by the output unit are stored in association with each other. A job included in the print job received by the storing unit, the first job security setting, and the receiving unit A second job security settings shown in sex, the image data after the image data is the output of the second job security setting indicating whether to not be stored in a nonvolatile storage device by said output means A selection unit that selects which one is to be prioritized according to a user instruction; and image data that is output by the output unit in accordance with a job security setting that is selected to be prioritized by the selection unit is the nonvolatile storage And a control means for controlling whether or not to be stored in the apparatus.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to solve the above-described problems in the image forming apparatus including the storage unit and to make it possible to validate the security setting information for each user who operates the image forming apparatus.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image processing system to which an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is applicable. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on an operation unit illustrated in FIG. 2. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third data processing procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on an operation unit illustrated in FIG. 2. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fourth data processing procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the storage medium which stores the various data processing program which can be read with the image forming apparatus which concerns on this invention.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the subject of execution and determination is the CPU in terms of hardware, and the image formation control software in terms of software.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image processing system to which an image forming apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.

  In FIG. 1, the host computer 201 transmits a print job generated via, for example, an installed printer driver to the image forming apparatus 202 under the management of a predetermined operating system. The image forming apparatus 202 rasterizes the print job received from the host computer 201 and prints it out.

  Note that. Although not shown here, there are a plurality of computers in the network 200, and each of the plurality of computers can transmit a print job to the image forming apparatus 202 and output it in the same manner as the host computer 201. Is possible.

  The image forming apparatus 202 scans a document with a scanner and prints out the image data obtained by the scan, thereby performing a copy operation on the document or a facsimile reception process or a facsimile transmission process via a communication interface (not shown). It is configured to be able to do.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the image forming apparatus 202 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image forming apparatus 202 shown in FIG.

  2, the image forming apparatus 202 includes a main controller 301 that controls the entire apparatus. The main controller 301 includes a CPU 302, a bus controller 303, various I / F controller circuits (not shown), and the like. It has been. The main controller 301 is connected to a ROM 304 and a RAM 305, respectively.

  The CPU 302 performs various processes according to the program read from the ROM 304. For example, PDL (page description language) received from the host computer 201 is interpreted, and a development process for developing the raster image data is performed. A work area of the CPU 302 is provided by the RAM 305. The RAM 305 also stores image data. Further, a network controller 306 is connected to the main controller 301, and the network controller 306 has a network function such as Ethernet (registered trademark). The network controller 306 is connected to the network 200 (shown in FIG. 1).

  Further, an I / O control unit 307 is connected to the main controller 301.

  The I / O control unit 307 is connected to the scanner I / F 312 and the printer I / F 314 to transmit and receive control commands to and from the CPUs of the reader unit 313 and the printer unit 315.

  An operation unit 309 is connected to the I / O control unit 307 via the panel I / F 308, and controls an LCD, an LED, a switch, and the like arranged on the operation unit 309. Note that an operator can input various settings and display errors via a screen displayed on the LCD on the operation unit 309.

  The hard disk I / F 310 is an I / F for connecting an external storage device. By connecting an external storage device such as the hard disk 311 to the I / F, image data is written to or read from the external storage device. be able to.

  The main controller 301 is connected to the reader unit 313 via the scanner I / F 312. The scanner I / F 312 has a processing function that performs optimal binarization processing, scaling processing, and the like on the image received from the reader unit 313, and controls the control signal based on the video control signal received from the reader unit 313. And the control signal is output to the main controller 301.

  Similarly, the main controller 301 is connected to the printer unit 315 via the printer I / F 314. The printer I / F 314 has a function of performing smoothing processing on the image data output from the main controller 301 and outputting it to the printer unit 315, and generates a control signal based on the video control signal received from the printer unit 315. The control signal is output to the main controller 301.

  Transfer of raster image data developed on the RAM 305 to the printer unit 315 is controlled by the bus controller 303 and transferred to the printer unit 315. A card reader I / F 316 is an interface unit of a card reader 317 which is an IC card reading device.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on the operation unit 309 illustrated in FIG. 2, and corresponds to an example of an HDD management setting screen for performing job security settings in the present embodiment.

  The job security setting screen shown in FIG. 3 includes an HDD management setting area 701 for setting the validity / invalidity of the job security function, a button 704 for canceling the setting of the HDD management setting area 701, and the setting of the HDD management setting area 701. Button 705 for confirming.

  The HDD management setting area 701 includes a button 702 for enabling the job security function and a button 703 for disabling the job security function.

  On this screen, the user presses the button 702 for enabling the job security function, and then presses the button 705 to confirm the input.

  Hereinafter, an operation procedure of the image forming apparatus when the job security setting is switched for each user identified by the identifying unit in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The CPU 302 shown in FIG. 2 loads the control program stored in the hard disk 311 or ROM 304 into the RAM 305 and executes it. This corresponds to the job security processing procedure. S101 to S108 indicate each step. In the present embodiment, authentication is performed using a card reader and a magnetic card.

  Further, a code corresponding to the card ID is stored in an individual magnetic card that can be carried by the user, and authentication fails when an unregistered code is detected by the card reader. When no magnetic card is inserted in the card reader, a common default setting is used as the job security setting.

In addition, the personal ID or group ID can be determined from the inserted card.

First, in step S101, when it is detected that the user has inserted a magnetic card in a card reader (configured to be attachable to the operation unit 309 shown in FIG. 2) in the image forming apparatus, in step S102, the magnetic If it is determined whether the ID information stored in the card is a valid ID registered in the ID data table stored in the hard disk 311 and it is determined that the authentication has failed, step S103 is performed. In order to notify the user that the authentication has failed, an error screen is displayed on the operation unit 309 (not shown).

  In step S104, it is determined whether or not the individual job security setting for the user authenticated in step S102 exists on the hard disk 311. If it is determined that the setting does not exist, the process proceeds to step S107. .

  The individual job security setting for the authenticated user is set in advance by the administrator and stored in, for example, the hard disk 311 of the image forming apparatus.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 that the setting exists, the current job security setting is temporarily saved (saved) in the RAM 305 in step S105. In step S106, the individual job security setting is changed to the current job security setting.

  Then, in step S107, it is determined whether or not the validity period of the authentication (including the case where it differs depending on the user or the group depending on the ID of the magnetic card) is completed. If it is determined that the authentication valid period has expired, the process proceeds to step S108, where the current job security setting content is replaced with the job security setting content temporarily stored in the RAM 305, and the present The process ends.

  Hereinafter, an operation procedure of the image forming apparatus when the individual job security setting is switched for each user identified by the identifying unit in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The CPU 302 shown in FIG. 2 loads the control program stored in the hard disk 311 or ROM 304 to the RAM 305 and executes it. This corresponds to the copy processing procedure to be performed. S401 to S412 indicate each step.

  First, in step S401, it is determined whether the individual job security setting is valid in the image forming apparatus. If it is determined that the individual job security setting is valid, the process proceeds to step S402, and the non-volatile memory is used for the copy job processing. It is determined whether or not (for example, the hard disk 311) is to be used, and if it is determined that it is to be used, the process proceeds to step S403, and the requested copy job is spooled to a non-volatile memory such as the hard disk 311.

  In step S404, the copy job spooled in step S403 is read at a predetermined timing to start the printing process. In step S405, it is determined whether the printing process is completed. In this case, if it is determined that the printing process is continued and has been completed, the job data in the nonvolatile memory is deleted by overwriting “0” data or overwriting random data in step S406. Then, the process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S402 that the non-volatile memory is not used, the requested copy job is spooled to a volatile memory such as the RAM 305 (S407).

  In step S408, the copy job spooled on the RAM 305 in step S407 is read at a predetermined timing to start the printing process. In step S409, it is determined whether the printing process has been completed. If it is determined that the printing process is not completed, the printing process is continued. If it is determined that the printing process is completed, the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S401 that the job security setting is not valid, the requested copy job is spooled in a nonvolatile memory such as the hard disk 311 in step S410.

  In step S411, the copy job spooled in step S410 is read at a predetermined timing to start the printing process. In step S412, it is determined whether the printing process is completed. In this case, the printing process is continued, and when it is determined that the printing process is finished, this process is finished.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a third data processing procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The CPU 302 shown in FIG. 2 loads the control program stored in the hard disk 311 or ROM 304 to the RAM 305 and executes it. This corresponds to the print processing procedure. S501 to S515 indicate each step.

  First, in step S501, it is determined whether the individual job security setting is valid in the image forming apparatus. If it is determined that the individual job security setting is valid, the process proceeds to step S502, and the processing of the print job requested by the computer 201 is non-volatile. In step S503, a print job requested from the computer 201 is spooled to a non-volatile memory such as the hard disk 311. To do.

  In step S504, the print job spooled in step S503 is rasterized on the RAM 305. In the rasterizing process, the CPU 302 dynamically controls the band unit or page unit.

  In step S505, the rasterized image data in step S504 is transferred to the printer unit 315 and printed. In step S506, it is determined whether or not the printing process has been completed. If it is determined that the printing process has not been completed, the printing process is continued. If it is determined that the printing process has been completed, step S507 is performed. Then, the job data on the non-volatile memory is erased by, for example, overwriting “0” data or random data, and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S502 that the non-volatile memory is not used, the requested copy job is spooled in a volatile memory such as the RAM 305 in step S508.

  In step S509, the print job spooled on the RAM 305 in step S508 is read out at a predetermined timing and rasterized, and in step S510, the rasterized image data is transferred to the printer unit 315 to be printed. In step S511, it is determined whether or not the printing process is completed. If it is determined that the printing process is not completed, the printing process is continued. If it is determined that the printing process is completed, the process is performed. Exit.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S501 that the individual job security setting is not valid, the process advances to step S512 to spool the requested copy job in the nonvolatile memory.

  In step S513, the print job spooled in the RAM 305 in step S512 is read at a predetermined timing and rasterized, and in step S514, the rasterized image data is transferred to the printer unit 315 to be printed. In step S515, it is determined whether or not the printing process is completed. If it is determined that the printing process is not completed, the printing process is continued. If it is determined that the printing process is completed, the process is performed. Exit.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on the operation unit 309 illustrated in FIG. 2, and corresponds to, for example, a job attribute priority setting screen example.

  In the job attribute priority setting screen shown in FIG. 7, when job security settings are made for job attributes included in print job data transmitted from the host computer 201, job security settings for job attributes included in print job data are displayed as image formation. A job attribute priority setting area 801 for setting whether to prioritize the job security setting set in the apparatus, a button 804 for canceling the setting of the job attribute priority setting area 801, and a job attribute priority setting area 801 Button 805 for confirming the setting.

  The job attribute priority setting area 801 includes a button 802 for enabling the job attribute priority function and a button 803 for disabling the job attribute priority function.

  On this screen, the user can press the button 802 for enabling the job attribute priority function, and then press the button 805 to confirm the input.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a fourth data processing procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The CPU 302 shown in FIG. This corresponds to the print processing procedure when the job security setting is made for the job attribute included in the print job data transmitted from the computer 201. Incidentally, S601~S 6 18 represent steps.

  First, in step S601, it is determined whether to prioritize job security settings of job attributes included in print job data over job security settings set in the image forming apparatus.

  Note that the individual job attribute priority setting for the authenticated user is set in advance by the administrator and stored in the image forming apparatus or the like.

  If it is determined in step S601 that the job security setting of the job attribute is not prioritized, the process proceeds to print processing started from step S501 shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S601 that priority is given to the job security setting of the job attribute, the job security setting set in the current job attribute is set as the current job security setting in step S602.

  Next, in step S603, it is determined whether the job security setting is valid in the image forming apparatus, and if it is determined that the job security setting is valid, in step S604, a non-volatile memory is used for print job processing. It is determined whether or not to use.

  If it is determined in step S604 that the nonvolatile memory is to be used, the print job received from the computer 201 is spooled in the nonvolatile memory such as the hard disk 311 in step S605. In step S606, the print job spooled in step S605 is read onto the RAM 305, and rasterization processing is started.

  In step S607, the image data rasterized in step S606 is transferred to the printer unit 315, and printing processing is started.

  Next, in step S608, it is determined whether or not the printing process has ended. If it is determined that the printing process has ended, the job data in the nonvolatile memory is overwritten with “0” data in step S609. In step S610, the job security setting set for the current job attribute is set as the individual job security setting, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S604 that the nonvolatile memory is not used, the print job received from the computer 201 is spooled in a volatile memory such as the RAM 305 in step S611. In step S612, the print job spooled in step S611 is analyzed and rasterized on the RAM 305.

  In step S613, the image data rasterized in the RAM 305 in step S612 is transferred to the printer unit 315, and printing processing is started. Next, in step S614, it is determined whether or not printing has ended. If it is determined that printing has not ended, the printing process is waited. If it is determined that printing has ended, this process ends. To do.

On the other hand, in step S603, when determining that the setting for the job security is not enabled, at step S615, spools the print job received from the computer 201 to the nonvolatile memory such as a hard disk 311. Next, in step S616, the print job spooled in step S615 is read onto the RAM 305, and rasterization processing is started.

  In step S617, the image data rasterized in step S616 is transferred to the printer unit 315, and printing processing is started. Next, in step S618, it is determined whether printing has been completed. If it is determined that printing has not been completed, the printing process is waited. If it is determined that printing has been completed, this process is terminated. To do.

  According to the above embodiment, in the image forming apparatus, it is possible to improve security by printing the authenticated user's job with the job security function for each user registered in advance.

  Further, since users who can print without using a hard disk can be limited, it is possible to expect an improvement in the printing performance of the entire device.

  Furthermore, when the user intentionally makes a job attribute setting that is different from the job security setting based on the authentication result, it is possible to prioritize the job attribute to print, which improves convenience. effective.

  The configuration of a data processing program that can be read by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs readable by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  Although not particularly illustrated, information for managing a program group stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in the computer, and a program for decompressing when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 and 8 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the programmed program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Therefore, as long as it has the function of the program, the form of the program such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS is not limited.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD, etc. Can be used.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As another program supply method, a browser of a client computer is used to connect to a homepage on the Internet, and the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is stored on a recording medium such as a hard disk from the homepage. It can also be supplied by downloading. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server, an ftp server, and the like that allow a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer are also included in the claims of the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  When the image formation control software is installed in the computer 201, first, an installation program is loaded into the system of the computer 201 and executed by the CPU 302. Next, it is assumed that the installation program executed by the CPU 302 reads the image formation control software from the storage medium storing the image formation control software and stores it in the hard disk 311.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made based on the spirit of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

  Although various examples and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will not limit the spirit and scope of the present invention to the specific description in the present specification.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  In the above embodiment, the magnetic card is used as the authentication means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the card inserted into the card reader is another recording medium such as an IC card or a card equipped with a non-contact recording medium. May be. Even in an image forming apparatus that does not have a card reader device, instead of performing authentication with a card reader, the user manually inputs an ID and a password on the operation panel of the image forming device. You may make it authenticate with a password.

  Further, even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), a device (for example, an image forming apparatus, a facsimile device, etc.) including a single device. You may apply to.

301 Main controller 302 CPU
303 Bus controller 304 ROM
305 RAM
306 Network controller 307 I / O control unit 308 Panel I / F
309 Operation unit 310 Hard disk I / F
311 Hard disk 312 Scanner I / F
313 Reader unit 314 Printer I / F
315 Printer section

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus including a non-volatile storage device,
Receiving means for receiving a print job from a host computer via a predetermined communication medium;
Output means for outputting image data generated based on the print job received by the receiving means;
An input means for inputting identification information for identifying a user;
Identification means for identifying a user based on identification information input by the input means;
Identification information of the user identified by the identifying means, and a first job security setting indicating whether or not the image data is not stored in the non-volatile storage device after the output means outputs the image data. Storage means for associating and storing
The second job security setting indicated by the first job security setting and the job attribute included in the print job received by the receiving unit, and the image data is stored in a non-volatile manner after the output unit outputs the image data. Selection means for selecting which of the second job security settings indicating whether or not to be stored in the storage device of which the priority is to be given according to a user instruction;
Control means for controlling whether or not the image data output by the output means is not stored in the nonvolatile storage device according to the job security setting selected as prioritized by the selection means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The non-volatile storage device stores image data generated based on a print job received by the receiving unit,
The output means reads image data from the non-volatile storage device and outputs the image data,
When the job security setting selected to be prioritized by the selection means indicates that the image data is not stored in a nonvolatile storage device after the image data is output by the output means, After the output by the output unit, the image data output by the output unit is overwritten with predetermined data or random data over the image data stored in the non-volatile storage device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is controlled so as not to be stored in the storage device. Further comprising a volatile storage device;
When the job security setting selected to be prioritized by the selection means indicates that the image data is not stored in a nonvolatile storage device after the image data is output by the output means, By storing the image data related to the output by the output unit in the volatile storage device without storing it in the nonvolatile storage device, the image data output by the output unit is stored in the nonvolatile storage device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is controlled not to be stored in the image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output by the output unit is either printing or facsimile transmission. A data processing method in an image forming apparatus comprising a non-volatile storage device and an operation unit,
A receiving step of receiving a print job from a host computer via a predetermined communication medium;
An output step of outputting image data generated based on the print job received in the reception step;
An input step in which identification information for identifying the user is input from the operation unit;
An identification step for identifying a user based on the identification information input in the input step;
First job security indicating whether the image data is not stored in the non-volatile storage device after the image data is output in the output step and the identification information of the user identified in the identification step A storage step for storing the settings in association with the storage means;
The second job security setting indicated by the first job security setting and the job attribute included in the print job received in the receiving step, and the image data after the image data is output in the output step A step of selecting which of the second job security settings indicating whether or not to be stored in the non-volatile storage device is to be prioritized according to a user instruction;
A control step for controlling whether the image data output in the output step is not stored in the non-volatile storage device according to the job security setting selected to be prioritized in the selection step;
A data processing method characterized by comprising:   A program for causing a computer to execute the data processing method according to claim 5.

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