Image forming apparatus and method for erasing image data

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes an image data input unit configured to take in image data, an image data memory unit configured to save image data, a data output unit configured to output the image data in a specific format, and an image data erasing unit configured to erase the image data saved in the image memory unit after output processing by the data output unit is completed. The image data erasing unit requests the user to make a selection as to whether or not an erasing manipulation for image data as an erasure object is executed, and erases the image data by an erasing method at a different security level according to the selection in response to a selection request.

1 . An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 an image data input unit configured to take in image data;   an image data memory configured to save image data inputted through the image data input unit;   a data output unit configured to output the image data saved in the image data memory in a specific format;   a display configured to display a selection screen which prompts a user to input a selection as to whether to erase the image data or not after the image data is outputted by the data output unit; and   a controller configured to erase an address where the image data is stored in the image data memory if neither erasing nor rejection to erase the image data is selected within a grace time.   
   
   
       2 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller configured to write random data over the image data if erasing the image data is selected. 
   
   
       3 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the controller configured to erase the address alone if rejection to erase the image data is selected. 
   
   
       4 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the controller configured to write random data over the image data and erase the address if erasing the image data is selected. 
   
   
       5 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising a timer configured to set the grace time during which the user is able to respond to the selection screen by the display. 
   
   
       6 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the display configured to display other selection screen which prompts the user to select a number of overwriting times of the random data if overwriting the image data is selected. 
   
   
       7 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the controller configured to neither write random data over the image data nor erase the address if rejection to erase the image data is selected. 
   
   
       8 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the image data input unit includes any of:
 an optical document read unit configured to read a document as image data;   a facsimile data reception unit configured to receive facsimile data via a telephone line; and   a LAN control unit configured to receive print data via a LAN from a terminal linked to the LAN.   
   
   
       9 . A method for erasing image data for erasing image data related to a specific job from a memory device which is provided to an image forming apparatus to save image data after the job is completed, comprising:
 saving the image data in the memory device;   outputting the image data saved in the memory device in a specific format;   displaying a selection screen which prompts a user to input a selection as to whether to erase the image data or not after the image data is outputted; and   erasing an address where the image data is stored in the memory device if neither erasing nor rejection to erase the image data is selected within a grace time.   
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 writing random data over the image data if erasing the image data is selected.   
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 erasing the address alone if rejection to erase the image data is selected.   
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 performing to write random data over the image data and erase the address if erasing the image data is selected.   
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 setting the grace time during which the user is able to respond to the selection screen.   
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 displaying other selection screen which prompts the user to select a number of overwriting times of the random data if overwriting the image data is selected.   
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 operating neither to write random data over the image data nor to erase the address if rejection to erase the image data is selected.   
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the memory device being operable to receive the image data from any of:
 an optical document read unit configured to read a document as image data;   a facsimile data reception unit configured to receive facsimile data via a telephone line; and   a LAN control unit configured to receive print data via a LAN from a terminal linked to the LAN.