An output apparatus comprises: a plurality of interface sections for inputting data which is supplied from an upper apparatus such as a host computer; an input buffer section to store the input data; an analyzing section for analyzing the input data and for forming predetermined image data; and an output section such as a laser beam printer or the like for outputting or printing the image data. The output apparatus further includes a judging section for judging whether the data inputted from which one of the plurality of interface sections should be deleted, a deleting section for deleting by a predetermined method the data of the input buffer section in which the data to be deleted has been stored, and a notifying section to notify the interface which is deleting at present to the operator. When the designated interface section differs from the interface section which is printing at present, it is judged that the data in the input buffer section should be deleted. When the designated interface section coincides with the interface section which is printing at present, the data in both the input buffer section and the data storing section to store the image data is deleted.
This application is a division of application Ser. No. 09/507,939, filed Feb. 22, 2000, which is a division of application Ser. No. 08/357,330, filed on Dec. 16, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,052,204. The entire disclosure of application Ser. No. 09/507,939 is incorporated herein by reference.
A digital multifunctional device 1 comprises a control panel 20 with a LCD panel 20 for manipulating various settings, an auxiliary memory 7b for temporarily storing the image data to be processed, an image data destruction means for destructing the image data stored in the auxiliary memory 7b, and an operation restriction means for restricting the image data processing operation. When the digital multifunctional device 1 is to be replaced or discarded, the image data destruction means destructs the image data stored in the auxiliary memory 7b. When the stored image data is destructed by the image data destruction means, the operation restriction means restricts the subsequent image data processing operation and notifies the completion of destruction to a specified administrator.
