Image forming apparatus and image forming method

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method that can confirm the content of the original document data of a print candidate, regardless of the configuration of the display unit. [Solution] The image forming apparatus 100 includes a first reception processing unit 23 that receives a specification operation to specify original data stored in the storage unit 6, a printing processing unit 24 that prints a portion of the original data specified by the specification operation, a second reception processing unit 25 that receives a selection operation to select whether or not to print the remaining portion of the original data after the printing processing unit 24 has printed a portion of the original data, and a switching processing unit 26 that switches whether or not to print the remaining portion of the original data according to the selection operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method.

Background Art

[0002] There is known an image forming apparatus that stores document data read from a document in a storage unit. Further, there is known an image forming apparatus that displays thumbnail images of each of the document data stored in the storage unit on a display unit, and prints the document data corresponding to the specified thumbnail image in response to an operation of specifying the displayed thumbnail image (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, an image forming apparatus may not include the display unit capable of displaying the content of the document data such as the thumbnail image.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of confirming the content of document data as a printing candidate regardless of the configuration of the display unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a first reception processing unit, a printing processing unit, a second reception processing unit, and a switching processing unit. The first reception processing unit receives a designation operation to specify original data stored in a predetermined storage unit. The printing processing unit prints a portion of the original data specified by the designation operation. After the printing processing unit prints a portion of the original data, the second reception processing unit receives a selection operation to select whether or not to print the remaining portion of the original data. The switching processing unit switches whether or not to print the remaining portion of the original data according to the selection operation.

[0007] An image forming method according to another aspect of the present invention includes a first reception step, a printing step, a second reception step, and a switching step. In the first reception step, a designation operation is received in which original data stored in a predetermined storage unit is designated. In the printing step, a portion of the original data designated by the designation operation is printed. In the second reception step, after the printing of a portion of the original data by the printing step, a selection operation is received in which the user chooses whether or not to print the remaining portion of the original data. In the switching step, whether or not to print the remaining portion of the original data is switched according to the selection operation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the content of the print candidate document data can be confirmed regardless of the configuration of the display unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of a first reception screen displayed in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]Figure 4 shows an example of a second reception screen displayed in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the document data printing process performed by an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments are merely examples of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0011] [Configuration of the image forming apparatus 100] First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Here, Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 100 is a multifunction device having multiple functions, including a scanning function for reading an image from a document, a printing function for forming an image based on the image data, a fax function, and a copying function. The present invention is applicable to image forming apparatuses such as printers, fax machines, and copiers.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 100 comprises an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 1, an image reading unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a paper feeding unit 4, an operation display unit 5, a storage unit 6, and a control unit 7.

[0014] The ADF1 transports the document whose image is read by the image reading unit 2. The ADF1 comprises a document setting unit, multiple transport rollers, a document holder, and a paper output unit.

[0015] The image reading unit 2 realizes the scanning function. The image reading unit 2 includes a platen, a light source, a plurality of mirrors, an optical lens, and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). The image reading unit 2 reads the image of the document conveyed by the ADF 1 and outputs image data including the read image. Also, the image reading unit 2 reads the image of the document placed on the platen and outputs image data including the read image. Hereinafter, the image data including the images of a plurality of pages read from the document is referred to as "document data".

[0016] The image forming unit 3 realizes the printing function. Specifically, the image forming unit 3 forms an image on the sheet supplied by the paper feeding unit 4 by an electrophotographic method. For example, the image forming unit 3 includes a plurality of image forming units, an optical scanning device, an intermediate transfer belt, a secondary transfer roller, a fixing device, and a paper discharge tray. Note that the image forming unit 3 may form an image on the sheet supplied by the paper feeding unit 4 by another image forming method such as an inkjet method.

[0017] The paper feeding unit 4 supplies a sheet to the image forming unit 3. The paper feeding unit 4 includes a paper feed cassette and a plurality of conveyance rollers.

[0018] The operation display unit 5 is a user interface of the image forming apparatus 100. The operation display unit 5 includes a display unit and an operation unit. The display unit displays various information according to a control instruction from the control unit 7. For example, the display unit is a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The operation unit inputs various information to the control unit 7 according to the operation of the user. For example, the operation unit is an operation device including operation keys and a touch panel.

[0019] The storage unit 6 is a non-volatile storage device. For example, the storage unit 6 is a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory. Note that the storage unit 6 may be an SSD (Solid State Drive), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or the like.

[0020] The storage unit 6 stores in advance authentication information corresponding to each user of the image forming apparatus 100. The authentication information is used for authenticating the users of the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the authentication information is a user name and a password.

[0021] In addition, the storage unit 6 stores in advance a count value of the number of printed sheets corresponding to each user of the image forming apparatus 100 (hereinafter referred to as the "first count value"). In the image forming apparatus 100, the number of printed sheets of each user is counted at predetermined specific periods. For example, the specific period is one month, six months, or one year. For example, the first count value is used for collecting printing fees from the users. The specific period may be the period from when the user logs in to the image forming apparatus 100 until the user logs out from the image forming apparatus 100. Further, the first count value may be used for determining whether to limit the use of the printing function by the user. That is, the image forming apparatus 100 may limit the use of the printing function by a user whose first count value has reached a predetermined upper limit number of sheets.

[0022] In addition, the storage unit 6 stores in advance the one or more pieces of the original document data used for printing. For example, in the image forming apparatus 100, the original document data read from the original document by the image reading unit 2 is stored in the storage unit 6. The original document data may be transmitted from an external device.

[0023] The control unit 7 comprehensively controls the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in Figure 2, the control unit 7 comprises a CPU 11, a ROM 12, and a RAM 13. The CPU 11 is a processor that performs various arithmetic operations. The ROM 12 is a non-volatile memory device in which information such as control programs for causing the CPU 11 to perform various operations is pre-stored. The RAM 13 is a volatile or non-volatile memory device used as temporary storage memory (work area) for the various operations performed by the CPU 11. In the control unit 7, the CPU 11 executes various control programs pre-stored in the ROM 12. In this way, the control unit 7 comprehensively controls the image forming apparatus 100.

[0024] Incidentally, there is an image forming apparatus that displays thumbnail images of each of the original data stored in the memory unit 6 on the operation display unit 5, and prints the original data corresponding to the specified thumbnail image in response to an operation to select the displayed thumbnail image.

[0025] However, image forming apparatuses may not have a display unit capable of displaying the contents of the original data, such as the thumbnail image. In contrast, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention allows confirmation of the contents of the original data of the print candidates, regardless of the configuration of the operation display unit 5, as will be described below.

[0026] [Configuration of Control Unit 7] Next, the configuration of the control unit 7 will be explained with reference to Figures 2 to 4.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the control unit 7 includes an authentication processing unit 21, a counting processing unit 22, a first reception processing unit 23, a printing processing unit 24, a second reception processing unit 25, a switching processing unit 26, and a subtraction processing unit 27.

[0028] Specifically, the memory unit 6 has pre-stored operation control programs that cause the control unit 7 to function as each of the above-mentioned processing units. The CPU 11 of the control unit 7 functions as each of the processing units shown in Figure 2 by executing the operation control programs.

[0029] Furthermore, some or all of the processing units included in the control unit 7 may be composed of electronic circuits. Also, the operation control program may be a program that causes multiple processors to function as the processing units shown in Figure 2.

[0030] The authentication processing unit 21 authenticates the user of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0031] For example, the authentication processing unit 21 displays an authentication screen used for a predetermined authentication operation on the operation display unit 5 in response to a predetermined user operation on the operation display unit 5. The authentication processing unit 21 then accepts the authentication operation on the authentication screen. For example, the authentication operation is the operation of entering a username and password.

[0032] The authentication processing unit 21 authenticates the user when the authentication operation is accepted and the information entered by the authentication operation matches any of the authentication information stored in the storage unit 6. In other words, it logs the user into the image forming apparatus 100. The authentication processing unit 21 also executes a logout process to log out the currently logged-in user when a predetermined logout operation is performed on the operation display unit 5, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the last time the user's operation was accepted exceeds a predetermined time, or when another user is to log in.

[0033] The counting unit 22 counts the number of printed pages for each user authenticated by the authentication unit 21.

[0034] For example, when a printing process is executed using the image forming unit 3 to form an image on a sheet in response to an operation by the logged-in user, the count processing unit 22 updates the first count value of the logged-in user based on the number of sheets printed in the printing process.

[0035] The first reception processing unit 23 receives a specification operation to specify the document data stored in the storage unit 6.

[0036] For example, the first reception processing unit 23 displays the first reception screen X10 shown in Figure 3 on the operation display unit 5 in accordance with a predetermined display operation on the operation display unit 5.

[0037] The first reception screen X10 shown in Figure 3 includes a message display field X11, a document data display field X12, operation keys X13, and operation keys X14.

[0038] Messages for the user are displayed in the message display area X11.

[0039] The document data display area X12 displays one or more of the document data stored in the storage unit 6, which can be selected. For example, the file names of each of the document data stored in the storage unit 6 are displayed in a list format in the document data display area X12. For example, the user can select the document data by tapping on the file name of any of the document data displayed in the document data display area X12. Figure 3 shows the state in which the user has selected the document data with the file name "AAAAA". The user can switch between the document data displayed in the document data display area X12 by operating the scroll bar X15 (see Figure 3) included in the document data display area X12.

[0040] Operation key X13 is used to print a portion of the document data specified by the user from the document data display field X12.

[0041] The operation key X14 is used to print all of the document data specified by the user from the document data display field X12.

[0042] When the first reception screen X10 is displayed, the aforementioned designation operation is performed on the operation key X13 while one of the aforementioned document data displayed in the document data display field X12 is selected. Note that the aforementioned designation operation may also be an operation to select multiple aforementioned document data.

[0043] The printing processing unit 24 prints a portion of the original data specified by the specified operation.

[0044] For example, the printing processing unit 24 prints the first page of the original data specified by the specified operation.

[0045] The printing processing unit 24 may print any one page of the original data specified by the specified operation. Alternatively, the printing processing unit 24 may print a predetermined number of pages, including the first page of the original data specified by the specified operation.

[0046] The second reception processing unit 25 receives a selection operation to choose whether or not to print the remaining portion of the original data after the printing processing unit 24 has printed a portion of the original data.

[0047] For example, the second reception processing unit 25 displays the second reception screen X20 shown in Figure 4 on the operation display unit 5 after the printing processing unit 24 has printed a portion of the original data. For example, the second reception processing unit 25 superimposes the second reception screen X20 onto the center of the first reception screen X10.

[0048] The second reception screen X20 shown in Figure 4 includes a message to the user, operation keys X21 and X22.

[0049] Operation key X21 is used to print the remaining portion of the original document data.

[0050] Operation key X22 is used to prevent the printing of the remaining portion of the original document data.

[0051] When the second reception screen X20 is displayed, the selection operation is performed on operation key X21 or operation key X22.

[0052] The switching processing unit 26 switches whether or not to print the remaining portion of the original data according to the selection operation.

[0053] For example, when the switching processing unit 26 receives an operation for the operation key X21 on the second reception screen X20, it executes printing of the remaining portion of the original document data.

[0054] Furthermore, the switching processing unit 26 does not print the remaining portion of the original data when an operation is received for the operation key X22 on the second reception screen X20.

[0055] Here, the first reception processing unit 23 accepts the specification operation again if the selection operation determines that printing of the remaining portion of the original data is not performed. This simplifies the process until the first reception screen X10 is displayed if the user wishes to perform the specification operation again.

[0056] If the first reception processing unit 23 has received the specified operation multiple times and the selection operation has resulted in the user selecting to print the remaining portion of the original data, the subtraction processing unit 27 subtracts a specific number of pages from the user's print count, which is counted by the count processing unit 22, that is less than or equal to the number of pages printed from the time the first reception processing unit 23 received the specified operation until the time the first reception processing unit 23 received the specified operation.

[0057] For example, the specified number of pages is the number of pages printed if the number of pages printed from the time the first designated operation is received by the first reception processing unit 23 until the last designated operation is received by the first reception processing unit 23 is less than or equal to a predetermined allowable number of pages. Alternatively, the specified number of pages is the allowable number if the number of pages printed from the time the first designated operation is received by the first reception processing unit 23 until the last designated operation is received by the first reception processing unit 23 exceeds the allowable number of pages. The allowable number of pages may be arbitrarily set according to user operations by a predetermined management user. Furthermore, the allowable number of pages may be zero.

[0058] Furthermore, the specified number of pages may always be the number of pages printed from the time the first designated operation is received by the first reception processing unit 23 until the last designated operation is received by the first reception processing unit 23. Alternatively, the specified number of pages may be the number of pages printed from the time the first designated operation is received by the first reception processing unit 23 until the last designated operation is received by the first reception processing unit 23 divided by a predetermined number such as "2".

[0059] [Manuscript data printing process] The image forming method of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figure 5, along with an example of the procedure for printing original data executed by the control unit 7 in the image forming apparatus 100. Here, steps S11, S12, etc., represent the processing procedure (step) numbers executed by the control unit 7. Note that the original data printing procedure is executed when the display operation is received while the user is logged in.

[0060] <Step S11> First, in step S11, the control unit 7 displays the first reception screen X10 (see Figure 3) on the operation display unit 5. The processing in step S11 is an example of the first reception step of the present invention and is executed by the first reception processing unit 23 of the control unit 7.

[0061] <Step S12> In step S12, the control unit 7 determines whether or not the specified operation has been received on the first reception screen X10 (see Figure 3).

[0062] Specifically, the control unit 7 determines that the specified operation has been accepted when an operation is received for the operation key X13 (see Figure 3) while one of the aforementioned document data displayed in the document data display field X12 (see Figure 3) is selected.

[0063] If the control unit 7 determines that it has received the specified operation (Yes in S12), it proceeds to step S13. If it has not received the specified operation (No in S12), the control unit 7 waits for the specified operation to be received in step S12.

[0064] <Step S13> In step S13, the control unit 7 prints a portion of the original data specified by the specified operation. If the process in step S11 has been executed multiple times, the control unit 7 prints a portion of the original data specified by the last specified operation. The process in step S13 is an example of the printing steps of the present invention and is executed by the printing processing unit 24 of the control unit 7.

[0065] Specifically, the control unit 7 prints only the first page of the document data specified by the specified operation. If the duplex printing function is enabled, the control unit 7 may print the first page and the following page of the document data on both sides of a single sheet.

[0066] Furthermore, if the control unit 7 receives an operation for the operation key X14 (see Figure 3) on the first reception screen X10 (see Figure 3), it should print all of the specified document data, update the number of copies to be printed for the logged-in user, and then terminate the document data printing process.

[0067] <Step S14> In step S14, the control unit 7 updates the number of printed pages for the logged-in user. The process in step S14 is performed by the count processing unit 22 of the control unit 7.

[0068] Specifically, the control unit 7 adds the number of pages printed in the final step S13 to the first count value of the logged-in user.

[0069] <Step S15> In step S15, the control unit 7 displays the second reception screen X20 (see Figure 4) on the operation display unit 5. The processing in step S15 is an example of the second reception step of the present invention and is executed by the second reception processing unit 25 of the control unit 7.

[0070] <Step S16> In step S16, the control unit 7 determines whether or not the selection operation has been received on the second reception screen X20 (see Figure 4).

[0071] Specifically, the control unit 7 determines that the selection operation has been received when an operation is received for operation key X21 (see Figure 4) or operation key X22 (see Figure 4).

[0072] If the control unit 7 determines that it has received the selection operation (Yes side of S16), it proceeds to step S17. If it has not received the selection operation (No side of S16), the control unit 7 waits for the selection operation to be received in step S16.

[0073] <Step S17> In step S17, the control unit 7 switches whether or not to print the remaining portion of the original data according to the selection operation. The process in step S17 is an example of the switching step of the present invention and is performed by the switching processing unit 26 of the control unit 7.

[0074] Specifically, if the selection operation determines that printing of the remaining portion of the original data is not performed (Yes side of S17), the control unit 7 proceeds to step S18. If the selection operation determines that printing of the remaining portion of the original data is performed (No side of S17), the control unit 7 proceeds to step S19.

[0075] <Step S18> In step S18, the control unit 7 updates the number of confirmed prints. The number of confirmed prints is the number of prints from the time the first specification operation is received until the last specification operation is received, when the execution of printing the remaining portion of the original data is selected by the selection operation after the specification operation has been received multiple times.

[0076] For example, in the image forming apparatus 100, a second count value used to count the number of confirmation prints is set when the document data printing process is executed. The initial value of the second count value is zero. In other words, the second count value is zero at the start of the document data printing process.

[0077] For example, the control unit 7 adds the number of pages printed in the last step S13 to the current second count value.

[0078] <Step S19> In step S19, the control unit 7 prints the remaining portion of the original document data. If the process in step S11 has been executed multiple times, the control unit 7 prints the remaining portion of the original document data specified by the last specified operation.

[0079] <Step S20> In step S20, the control unit 7 updates the number of printed pages for the logged-in user. The process in step S20 is performed by the count processing unit 22 of the control unit 7.

[0080] Specifically, the control unit 7 adds the number of pages printed in step S19 to the first count value of the logged-in user.

[0081] <Step S21> In step S21, the control unit 7 determines, based on the second count value, whether the number of confirmed printouts is less than or equal to the allowable number of printouts.

[0082] Here, if the control unit 7 determines that the number of confirmation printouts is less than or equal to the allowable number (Yes side of S21), it moves the process to step S22. If the number of confirmation printouts is not less than or equal to the allowable number (No side of S21), the control unit 7 moves the process to step S23.

[0083] <Step S22> In step S22, the control unit 7 subtracts the number of pages to be confirmed from the number of pages printed by the logged-in user.

[0084] Specifically, the control unit 7 subtracts the second count value from the first count value of the logged-in user. This allows the user to print to confirm the contents of the document data for print candidates without having to worry about the first count value.

[0085] <Step S23> In step S23, the control unit 7 subtracts the allowable number of pages from the number of pages printed by the logged-in user. The processing in steps S22 and S23 is performed by the subtraction processing unit 27 of the control unit 7.

[0086] Specifically, the control unit 7 subtracts the allowable number of pages from the first count value of the logged-in user. This prevents unlimited printing to confirm the contents of the document data of the print candidates.

[0087] In this way, the image forming apparatus 100 receives the specified operation and prints a portion of the original data specified by the specified operation. This makes it possible to confirm the content of the original data of the print candidates regardless of the configuration of the operation display unit 5.

[0088] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 switches whether or not to print the remaining portion of the original data in accordance with the selection operation received after printing a portion of the original data. This allows the user to print the remaining portion of the original data with a simple operation.

[0089] The aforementioned designation operation may also be an operation to designate the document data stored in an external storage device.

[0090] [Notes on the invention] The following is an overview of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiments. Note that each configuration and processing function described below can be selected and combined as desired.

[0091] <Note 1> An image forming apparatus comprising: a first reception processing unit that receives a specification operation to specify original data stored in a predetermined memory unit; a printing processing unit that prints a portion of the original data specified by the specification operation; a second reception processing unit that receives a selection operation to select whether or not to print the remaining portion of the original data after the printing processing unit has printed a portion of the original data; and a switching processing unit that switches whether or not to print the remaining portion of the original data according to the selection operation.

[0092] <Note 2> The image forming apparatus as described in Appendix 1, wherein the first reception processing unit receives the designation operation again when the selection operation results in the selection of not printing the remaining portion of the original data.

[0093] <Note 3> The image forming apparatus according to Appendix 2, comprising: an authentication processing unit for authenticating a user; a counting processing unit for counting the number of printed pages for each user authenticated by the authentication processing unit; and, when the execution of printing the remaining portion of the original data is selected by the selection operation after the designation operation has been accepted multiple times by the first reception processing unit, a subtraction processing unit that subtracts a specific number of pages less than or equal to the number of printed pages from the number of printed pages for the user counted by the counting processing unit from the number of printed pages from the first reception processing unit for accepting the designation operation until the last reception processing unit for accepting the designation operation.

[0094] <Note 4> The specified number of sheets is the number of sheets printed from the time the first receiving processing unit receives the specified operation until the time the first receiving processing unit receives the specified operation until the time the first receiving processing unit receives the specified operation until the time the specified operation receives the specified operation until the time the first receiving processing unit receives the specified operation until the time the specified operation receives the specified operation until the time the first receiving processing unit receives the specified operation until the time the specified operation receives the specified operation until the time the specified operation receives the specified operation until the time the specified operation receives the specified operation until the time the specified operation receives the specified operation until the time the specified operation receives the specified operation until the time the specified operation receives the specified operation until the time the specified operation receives the specified operation until the time the specified operation does not exceed the specified number of sheets, as described in Appendix 3 of the image forming apparatus.

[0095] <Note 5> The printing processing unit prints the first page of the original data specified by the specified operation, as described in any of the images forming apparatus described in Appendix 1 to 4.

[0096] <Note 6> Image forming method comprising: a first reception step of receiving a specification operation to specify original data stored in a predetermined memory unit; a printing step of printing a portion of the original data specified by the specification operation; a second reception step of receiving a selection operation to select whether or not to print the remaining portion of the original data after printing a portion of the original data by the printing step; and a switching step of switching whether or not to print the remaining portion of the original data according to the selection operation. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0097] 1 ADF 2 Image reading unit 3 Image forming unit 4 Paper feed section 5 Operation display section 6 Memory section 7 Control Unit 11 CPU 12 ROM 13 RAM 21 Authentication Processing Unit 22 Count Processing Unit 23. First Reception Processing Unit 24 Printing Processing Unit 25 Second Reception Processing Unit 26 Switching Processing Unit 27 Subtraction Processing Unit 100 Image forming apparatus

Claims

1. A first reception processing unit that accepts a specification operation to specify document data stored in a predetermined memory unit, A printing processing unit that prints a portion of the document data specified by the aforementioned operation, A second receiving processing unit receives a selection operation to choose whether or not to print the remaining portion of the original data after the printing processing unit has printed a portion of the original data, A switching processing unit that switches whether or not to print the remaining portion of the original data according to the selection operation, An image forming apparatus equipped with the following features.

2. The first reception processing unit, if the selection operation determines that the remaining portion of the original data will not be printed, will accept the specification operation again. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

3. An authentication processing unit that authenticates the user, A counting processing unit that counts the number of printed pages for each user authenticated by the authentication processing unit, If, after the first reception processing unit has received the designation operation multiple times, the selection operation selects to print the remaining portion of the original data, a subtraction processing unit subtracts a specific number of pages less than or equal to the number of pages printed from the number of pages printed by the user, as counted by the count processing unit, from the number of pages printed by the user, from the number of pages printed from the time the first reception processing unit receives the designation operation until the time the first reception processing unit receives the designation operation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, comprising:

4. The specified number of pages is the number of pages printed if the number of pages printed from the time the first reception processing unit receives the specified operation until the time the first reception processing unit receives the specified operation until the time the first reception processing unit receives the specified operation until the time the number of pages printed from the time the first reception processing unit receives the specified operation until the time the first reception processing unit receives the specified operation until the time the number of pages printed exceeds the specified number of pages. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The printing processing unit prints the first page of the original data specified by the specified operation. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A first reception step that accepts a specification operation to specify document data stored in a predetermined memory unit, A printing step which prints a portion of the original data specified by the aforementioned specified operation, A second receiving step, after printing a portion of the original data in the printing step, accepts a selection operation to choose whether or not to print the remaining portion of the original data, A switching step that switches whether or not to print the remaining portion of the original data according to the selection operation, An image forming method including [specific details omitted].

Images