Abstract: In a system and method for controlling access to image data stored in a hardcopy device, operation of the hardcopy device is monitored to detect an inoperable condition. The image data associated with the job request being processed when the inoperable printing condition occurs is identified. The identified image data is overwritten.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an image forming unit having a predetermined function to form an image, a control unit for controlling the predetermined function; an operating unit for setting execution of the predetermined function; an identification-information inputting unit for inputting identification information of a user, an authority registering unit in which the predetermined function and identification information of a user having an authority for executing the function are associated with each other and are registered in advance, and a verifying unit for verifying the set predetermined function and the input identification information of the user in accordance with information registered in the authority registering unit. When the verification by the verifying unit succeeds, the control unit executes the predetermined function, and when the verification fails, the control unit does not execute the predetermined function.

Abstract: In one embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the invention, an overwrite data determination device for determining overwrite data so that a hard disk containing information on image forming jobs is overwritten with the overwrite data. An overwrite block size determination device for determining size of an equal-size block so that a disk memory area is divided into equal-size blocks to be overwritten with the overwrite data. The size of the equal-size block is larger than that of the overwrite data. Using the overwrite settings specified by the overwrite data determination device and the overwrite block-size determination device, a data erase control device overwrites the hard disk with meaningless data in order to erase data stored in the hard disk.

Abstract: When a transmission operation is started, a CPU checks whether a department management state is set. Based on a department management code and a department management password that are input when the department management state is set, the CPU checks coincidence/noncoincidence of a department management password that corresponds to a department management code stored in a RAM. If the coincidence of the department management password is determined, the CPU opens an address book that is registered in the RAM. In this case, if a security mode that is set in the RAM is in an “ON” state, the CPU effects display of only address information that is linked to the associated department management code. If the displayed address information is selected, the CPU controls a transmission operation based on the selected address information.

Abstract: A communication terminal unit including a display controller which gives a display identifying a facsimile mode and display the input facsimile number in a display when a facsimile number is input from an input section in the case where the facsimile mode is selected in a mode setting section, and give a display identifying an e-mail mode and display the input e-mail address when an e-mail address is input from the input section in the case where the mail mode is selected in the mode setting section.