Image processing method, image processing apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium for computer program for generating an integrated duplicate by printing images of a plurality of documents on a single sheet of recording paper or a plurality of continuously-fed sheets of recording paper

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes an image reader that reads each of the plurality of documents and obtains image data corresponding thereto; a code detection/analysis portion that detects, from the image data, identification codes included in the documents and including output processing information which is information relating to an output processing method for the image data; a image group extraction portion that extracts an image data group made up of image data including the output processing information that is identical with each another; and a representative image determination portion that determines, within the image data group, at least one piece of representative image data; and a code deletion portion that deletes identification codes other than those for the representative image data within the image data group.