An original is read and the information stored as information targeted for processing, with either printing, transmission or holding being the processing for which the stored information is targeted, and the destination of the processing and either the timing or the time duration of the processing being specified, and the specified processing is carried out on the information targeted for processing. Furthermore, a multiple-page original which has been read is stored as multiple-page documents, with either one page being stored as one document, or specified numbers of pages starting from a specified starting page each being stored as one document.