Image forming apparatus

Abstract

A system CPU sets a storage area in a page memory when a copying operation has been started. Where a clear/stop key, etc. is depressed to suspend the copying operation, the system CPU checks whether there is data in the page memory. If there is data in the page memory, the system CPU displays a selection screen on a message display section for selection as to whether the data in the page memory should be retained or released. Where “HOLD” is determined, the system CPU performs re-scanning and stores data in the page memory at the time the setting has been changed and the copying operation has been resumed. On the other hand, where “RELEASE” is determined, the system CPU releases the data in the page memory and performs re-scanning and stores data in the page memory at the time the setting has been changed and the copying operation has been resumed. Finally, the printing of the data in the page memory is resumed by a printer.

1 . An image forming apparatus comprising: 
 a scanner that reads an image of a document to generate image data;    a memory that stores said image data read by the scanner;    an image forming unit that forms an image using the image data stored in the memory;    an interrupt mechanism that interrupts an image forming operation;    a timer that measures time; and    a controller configured to erase the image data stored in the memory if the interrupt mechanism has interrupted the image forming operation and at least one of the following events occurs: (a) a predetermined time elapses, or (b) a function clear key is depressed,    wherein the controller is configured to erase the image data stored in the memory after the interrupt mechanism has interrupted the image forming operation and the elapsed time measured by the timer exceeds the predetermined time, and to indicate a ready state to scan another document after the image data stored in the memory has been erased.