Image forming apparatus and method of controlling the same

Abstract

An image forming apparatus and a method of controlling the same. Although the extension of a data file to be printed may not be registered as a printable extension in an image forming apparatus, when the header content of the data file is analyzed to determine that the data file is printable, the corresponding extension is registered as a printable extension in the image forming apparatus. Then, the same extension is determined as a printable extension without additionally analyzing the header content so that the printing time is reduced. When the storage medium is connected to the image forming apparatus, if a data file stored in the storage medium has an extension that is not registered as a printable extension, it is further determined whether the data file is a printable. If the data file is printable, the extension of the data file is registered as a printable extension and only a data file having the extension registered in the image forming apparatus is displayed, so that the printing time is shortened. Since the user does not select the non-printable data file, the convenience of user is improved and printing errors are prevented.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A method of controlling an image forming apparatus, the method comprising:
 displaying a list of data files that are stored in advance;   receiving a command to select a first data file desired to be printed, from the displayed list of data files;   checking whether an extension of the selected first data file is registered as a printable extension;   determining whether the first data file is printable by analyzing header information of the first data file if the extension of the first data file is not registered as a printable extension;   registering the extension of the first data file as a printable extension if it is determined that the first data file is printable; and   printing the first data file if it is determined that the first data file is printable.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising, upon reception of a command to select a second data file having the same extension as the extension of the first data file after the extension of the first data file is registered as a printable extension, printing the second data file without analyzing header information of the second data file. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising, if the extension of the first data file is registered as a printable extension, printing the first data file. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein further comprising, if determined as a result of the analyzing of header information that the first data file is not printable, displaying that the first data file is not printable. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the displaying of the list of the data files that are stored in advance comprises displaying the list of data files by data file groups each having a different extension among the data files stored in advance. 
     
     
         31 . An image forming apparatus comprising:
 a memory unit in which printable extensions are stored;   a display unit configured to display a list of data files that are stored outside;   a key input unit configured to receive a command to select a first data file desired to be printed, from the displayed list of data files; and   a control unit configured to determine whether the first data file is printable by analyzing header information of the first data file if an extension of the selected first data file is not registered as a printable extension that is stored in the memory unit; and   a printing unit configured to print the first data file according to a control of the control unit if it is determined that the first data file is printable,   wherein the control unit is configured to, if it is determined that the first data file is printable, register an extension of the first data file as a printable extension in the memory unit.   
     
     
         32 . The image forming apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the control unit is configured to, upon reception of a command to select a second data file having the same extension as the extension of the first data file after the extension of the first data file is registered as a printable extension, control the printing unit to print the second data file. 
     
     
         33 . The image forming apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the control unit is configured to, if the extension of the first data file is registered as a printable extension, control the printing unit to print the first data file. 
     
     
         34 . The image forming apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the control unit is configured to, if determined as a result of analyzing the header information that the first data file is not printable, control the display unit to display that the first data file is not printable. 
     
     
         35 . The image forming apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the display unit displays the list of data files by data file groups each having a different extension among the data files stored in advance. 
     
     
         36 . A method of controlling an image forming apparatus, the method comprising:
 checking whether extensions of data files stored in advance are registered as printable extensions;   determining whether a data file whose extension is not registered as a printable extension among the data files is printable by analyzing head information of the data file whose extension is not registered as a printable extension;   registering an extension of a data file, which is determined as a printable data file among data files whose extensions are not registered as printable extensions, as a printable extension; and   displaying a list of data files whose extensions are registered as printable extensions.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising:
 receiving a command to select a third data file desired to be printed, from the displayed list; and   printing the third data file.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the displaying of the list of data files comprises:
 displaying the list of data files by data file groups each having a different extension among the data files whose extensions are registered as printable extensions.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the displaying of the list of data files comprises:
 displaying a data file whose extension is registered as a printable extension, together with an indication that represents the printable extension.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the displaying of the list of data files comprises:
 displaying the list of data files having the printable extensions in a consecutive manner or in a predetermined order of priority that is previously set based on the indication.   
     
     
         41 . An image forming apparatus comprising:
 a memory unit in which printable extensions are stored in advance;   a control unit configured to determine whether a data file whose extension is not registered as a printable extension is printable among data files that are stored outside, by analyzing header information of the data file whose extension is not registered as a printable extension, and register an extension of a data file, which is determined as a printable data file among data files whose extensions are not registered as printable extensions, as a printable extension; and   a display unit configured to display a list of data files whose extensions are registered as printable extensions.   
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising:
 a key input unit configured to receive a command to select a third data file desired to be printed, from the displayed list of data files; and   a printing unit configured to print the third data file.   
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the display unit displays the list of data files by data file groups each having a different extension among data files whose extensions are registered as printable extensions. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the display unit displays a data file whose extension is registered as a printable extension together with an indication that represents the printable extension. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the display unit displays the list of data files having the printable extensions in a consecutive manner or in a predetermined order of priority that is previously set based on the indication.