A unit (23) adds a specific symbol (character) or a specific mark to an image which has been entered (read in, input) and a detecting unit (24) detects the specific symbol or the corresponding mark which is present in the entered image. A control unit furthermore changes an operating mode (mode of operation) in which an entered image is copied, from a normal copying operation into a specific copying operation; in this process, the change in the operating mode is carried out when the detecting device has detected the specific symbol present in the entered image. The specific operating mode has an operating mode in which the entered image in the data is invalidated before it is used in the copying process. A unit is furthermore provided for the purpose of either activating or not activating the function of the unit which adds a specific symbol. The unit is provided for the purpose of either activating or not activating the function of the operating-mode changing unit. <IMAGE>
