JP2004222141A - Network scanner device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network scanner device for processing the security of a destination and the security of image data with excellent availability in transmitting the image data through a network. <P>SOLUTION: This network scanner device 2 stores destination information comprising at least a user name, a password, distribution destination information and other referable destination IDs that can be used by the user of the destination as a destination management table in a storing part 18, authenticates the user on the basis of a set of the user name and the password, allows only the user successful in user authentication to use the destination information, and displays referable destinations on a display part 13. When image data of an original read by an image reading part 16 is stored in a storing part 18, the network scanner device 2 prepares a document management table that makes a destination appropriately selected from the referable destinations displayed on the display part 13 to be a referable destination of the image data and stores the document management table in the storing part 18 to protect the confidentiality of the destination and the document. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a network scanner device, and more particularly, to a network scanner device that processes confidentiality of a destination and confidentiality of image data when image data is transmitted via a network with good availability.
[0002]
[Prior art]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-97140
In recent years, with the development of networks, network scanner devices having a network interface have emerged as scanner devices. This network scanner device reads a document as image data and sends the read image data to an e-mail address. Image data that is transmitted to an address or the like via the LAN and that is frequently transmitted is stored in a non-volatile memory in the apparatus, and the image data stored in the non-volatile memory is transmitted to the other party.
[0003]
Further, the network scanner device has a function of registering a destination having a high transmission frequency in advance with a one-touch key or the like, and selecting a registered destination with the one-touch key or the like when transmitting image data.
[0004]
For devices such as scanners that handle image data, devices that maintain confidentiality have been conventionally proposed in order to ensure confidentiality of image data.
[0005]
For example, conventionally, there has been proposed a printer in which a password such as a password is added to print data, and the printing apparatus accumulates the print data and prints only when the password matches when the print is performed (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-163873). 1).
[0006]
In addition, in network scanner devices already provided in the market, an unspecified number of users can freely select a destination registered with a conventional one-touch key or the like, and the confidentiality of the registered destination is determined. Since the retention is not considered, when transmitting image data, the sender is selected and the sender is authenticated using a one-touch key or the like, and only the user who succeeds in authenticating the sender can download the image data. A network scanner device having a function of enabling transmission has appeared.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a conventional technique, attention is paid only to the security of the output of image data. In particular, in the case of a network scanner, if the sender is successfully authenticated, a one-touch key is attached to the network scanner. It is also possible to transmit to a registered destination corresponding to the above, and there is a problem that the confidentiality of the destination to be transmitted is not protected.
[0008]
In this case, a method of authenticating with a password or the like for each destination selected with a one-touch key or the like may be adopted. However, in this method, it is necessary to input a password for each destination selected by the user, which deteriorates usability. I do.
[0009]
Further, when the read image data is stored in the nonvolatile memory, the network scanner device conventionally sets a password or the like for each image data to prevent the image data from being read carelessly. Although the confidentiality of the image data is protected, a password is set for each image data, so when selecting multiple image data and sending, etc., it is necessary to enter a password for each image data. There was a problem of poor sex.
[0010]
Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an image of a document is read by an image reading unit, the image data of the document read by the image reading unit is stored in an image data storage unit, and the image stored in the image data storage unit is stored. When distributing the data and the image data read by the image reading means to a destination on the network via the network, at least for each destination, a user name, a password, distribution destination information, and a user of the destination can be used. The destination information including another destination is set and registered in the destination information storage unit, and the control unit performs user authentication based on the set of the registered user name and password, and succeeds in the user authentication. By restricting the use of the destination to only the authorized user, it is possible to protect the confidentiality of the destination with a set of user name and password and prevent unauthorized use of the destination. , There is no need to enter a password or the like available destination for each said destination, while protecting the confidentiality of the destination, and its object is to provide a good network scanner apparatus availability.
[0011]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the authentication is successful, only the other destinations registered corresponding to the successfully authenticated user among the destinations registered in the destination information storage unit are displayed on the display unit. In this way, the confidentiality of the destination can be more appropriately protected, the unauthorized use of the destination can be more appropriately prevented, and the destination that can be used only by the authenticated user can be set for each destination using a password. It is an object of the present invention to provide a network scanner device which can be used without inputting the information and the like, and protects the confidentiality of the destination and has good usability.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, when image data of a document read by an image reading unit is stored in an image data storage unit in accordance with use of a user who has been successfully authenticated, image data management information for managing the image data is created. In addition, the image data management information is created for each user by appropriately creating image data management information as a reference destination, and registering the image data management information in the image data management information storage means. It is an object of the present invention to provide a network scanner device which is managed as possible image data and has good usability while appropriately protecting the confidentiality of the image data.
[0013]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when referring to image data stored in the image data storage unit in response to use of a user who has succeeded in authentication, of the image data stored in the image data storage unit, By allowing the authenticated user to refer only to the image data registered as a reference destination in the image data management information of the image data management information storage unit, the authenticated user is registered as image data usable for each user. It is possible to refer only to the image data that is stored, and while protecting the confidentiality of the image data appropriately, it is not necessary to input a password or the like for each image data even when referring to multiple image data. It is intended to provide a network scanner device.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image of the document is read by the image reading means, the image data of the document read by the image reading means is stored in the image data storage means, and the image data is stored in the image data storage means. A network scanner device that distributes the obtained image data and the image data read by the image reading means to a destination on the network via a network, wherein at least a user name and a password are provided for each destination to be distributed via the network. A destination information storage unit for setting and registering destination information including distribution destination information and other destinations available to a user of the destination, and performing user authentication based on a set of a user name and a password of the destination information storage unit. Control means for permitting use only to a user who succeeds in the user authentication. By and have achieved the above objects.
[0015]
According to the above configuration, the image of the document is read by the image reading unit, the image data of the document read by the image reading unit is stored in the image data storage unit, and the image data and the image reading stored in the image data storage unit are stored. When distributing the image data read by the means to a destination on the network via the network, for each destination, at least a user name, a password, distribution destination information, and other destinations available to the user of the destination. Is registered in the destination information storage unit, and the control unit performs user authentication based on the pair of the registered user name and password, and only the user who succeeds in the user authentication is authenticated. Since the use is permitted, the confidentiality of the destination can be protected by the combination of the user name and the password, thereby preventing unauthorized use of the destination. The possible destinations can avoid having to enter a password or the like for each said destination, it is possible to appropriately protect the confidentiality of the destination, thereby improving the usability.
[0016]
In this case, for example, as described in claim 2, the network scanner device includes a predetermined display unit, and the control unit, when the authentication is successful, the destination registered in the destination information storage unit. Only the other destination registered corresponding to the user who has succeeded in the authentication may be displayed on the display means.
[0017]
According to the above configuration, when the authentication is successful, only the other destinations registered corresponding to the user who has succeeded in the authentication among the destinations registered in the destination information storage unit are displayed on the display unit. It is possible to protect the confidentiality of the destination more appropriately, to prevent the unauthorized use of the destination more appropriately, and to set the destination that is permitted to be used only by the authenticated user for each destination. And the like can be used without inputting, and the confidentiality of the destination can be appropriately protected, and the usability can be improved.
[0018]
Further, for example, as described in claim 3, the control unit stores the image data of the document read by the image reading unit in the image data storage unit in accordance with the use of the user who has succeeded in the authentication. Creating image data management information for managing the image data, and creating the image data management information with a destination appropriately selected from other destinations displayed on the display means as a referenceable destination, The information may be registered in the storage means.
[0019]
According to the above configuration, when the image data of the document read by the image reading unit is stored in the image data storage unit in accordance with the use of the user who has been successfully authenticated, the image data management information for managing the image data is created. Since image data management information is created and registered in the image data management information storage means as a referenceable destination which is appropriately selected from other destinations displayed on the display means, the image data can be used for each user. Data can be managed, and confidentiality of image data can be appropriately protected, and usability can be improved.
[0020]
Further, for example, as described in claim 4, when the control unit refers to the image data stored in the image data storage unit according to the use of the user who has succeeded in the authentication, Of the image data stored in the data storage unit, the authorized user is allowed to refer only to image data registered as a referenceable destination in the image data management information of the image data management information storage unit. It may be something.
[0021]
According to the above configuration, when referring to the image data stored in the image data storage unit in accordance with the use of the user who has succeeded in the authentication, of the image data stored in the image data storage unit, The image data registered as image data that can be used for each user is permitted because the specified user can only refer to the image data registered as a referable destination in the image data management information of the image data management information storage unit. Only the reference can be made possible, and the confidentiality of the image data can be appropriately protected. When referring to a plurality of image data, there is no need to input a password or the like for each image data, and the use Performance can be improved.
[0022]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention, and therefore, various technically preferred limitations are added. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following description. The embodiments are not limited to these embodiments unless otherwise specified.
[0023]
1 to 8 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the network scanner device of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a network system 1 to which an embodiment of the network scanner device of the present invention is applied. is there.
[0024]
In FIG. 1, a network system 1 includes a network scanner device 2, a distribution server 3, a mail server 4, and a plurality of client computers (client PCs) PC1 connected to a network NW such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). To PCn are connected.
[0025]
The distribution server 3 registers and manages the network scanner device 2, the mail server 4, and each of the client computers PC1 to PCn connected to the network NW, exchanges data with these devices, and stores the data therein. The data is stored in a memory (such as a hard disk), or the data is transferred to a designated device together with an instruction of the processing content. In particular, the distribution server 3 stores management data necessary for transferring image data such as the address (IP address) of a user of each of the client computers PC1 to PCn in an internal memory, and is transmitted from the network scanner device 2. The image data is transferred to the necessary client computers PC1 to PCn and the mail server 4 based on the management data in the internal memory.
[0026]
The mail server 4 receives mails from the network scanner device 2 and the client computers PC1 to PCn, and transmits mails to the other client computers PC1 to PCn.
[0027]
The network scanner device 2 has a circuit block configuration as shown in FIG. 2, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, an operation unit 12, a display unit 13, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 14, an image data management unit 15, an image data management unit 15, A reading unit 16, a destination management unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and the like are provided, and each unit is connected by a bus 20.
[0028]
The CPU (control means) 11 controls each unit of the network scanner device 2 to execute a basic process as the network scanner device 2 and execute a security control process described later.
[0029]
The operation unit 12 includes various operation keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key, and controls the network scanner device 2 such as reading information setting, destination registration operation, document registration operation, destination ID registration operation, password input operation, and the like using the operation keys. Various operations necessary for the operation are performed, and input operations such as various commands necessary for the security control process are performed.
[0030]
The display unit (display means) 13 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or the like. The display unit (display means) 13 uses, for example, various command contents input by operation keys and various information notified to the operator from the network scanner device 2, particularly, a referable destination ID described later. And output document information and the like.
[0031]
The RAM 14 temporarily stores the password input from the operation unit 12, the authenticated destination ID, the selected document ID, the destination ID, and the like.
[0032]
The image reading unit (image reading unit) 16 includes an ADF (automatic document feeder) as necessary. The ADF separates a plurality of documents one by one and transports them to the document reading position of the image reading unit 16. I do. The image reading unit 16 includes a light source, a photoelectric conversion element, and the like, and optically reads an image of a document by performing main scanning and sub-scanning on a document set at a document reading position or conveyed by the ADF.
[0033]
The storage unit (image data storage unit, destination information storage unit, image data management information storage unit) 18 is configured by a RAM, a hard disk, or the like, and temporarily stores image data of a document read by the image reading unit 16 as a document file. Alternatively, the image data is permanently stored and, as described later, the management information of the image data given by the image data management unit 15 and the destination data managed by the destination management unit 17 are stored as a table in association with the document file.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 3, the image data management unit 15 manages the image data read by the image reading unit 16, such as a document ID, document unique information such as a document size and a resolution, and a destination ID to which the document can be referred. A document management table 30 including image data management information (document management information) such as the above is created and the document management table 30 is stored in the storage unit 18.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 4, when creating the destination, the destination management unit 17 performs, for each destination, a destination ID, a user name, a password, distribution destination information, A destination management table 40 including destination information such as a referenceable destination ID is created, and the destination management table 40 is stored in the storage unit 18.
[0036]
The communication unit 19 is connected to a network NW. The communication unit 19 controls image data, mail, various commands, and communication control signals with the scanner server device 3 and the mail server 4 under the control of the CPU 11. Control the interaction.
[0037]
Then, the network system 1 transfers the image data of the document read by the network scanner device 2 to the destination server 3 or the mail server 4 connected to the network NW to the destination and the image data. Based on the destination information, the transferred image data is further transferred to the client computers PC1 to PCn or another mail server 4, and the image data is transferred to the client computer connected to the network NW. Forward.
[0038]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. The network scanner device 2 of the present embodiment appropriately performs security of image data and security of the transmission destination of image data in a state of good availability.
[0039]
That is, since the network scanner device 2 is used by a plurality of users, it is necessary to protect the confidentiality of the image data and the transmission destination of the image data of each user.
[0040]
In the network scanner device 2, an administrator or the like of the network scanner device 2 previously inputs destination information necessary for destination management from the operation unit 12 or the like for each destination, and the destination management unit 17 The information is registered in the destination management table 40 shown in FIG. As described above, in the destination management table 40, for each destination, a destination ID for specifying the destination, a user name that can use the destination, and a user (user) to input the destination need to be input. And a destination ID of a destination that is frequently transmitted together with the destination, distribution destination information (for example, a mail address or the like) that is information of the destination, and that allows a user using the destination to refer to the destination. The destination management unit 17 performs destination management based on the destination management table 40 under the control of the CPU 11.
[0041]
The registration processing of the destination management table is performed by the destination management unit 17 under the control of the CPU 11, but in the following description, the operation of the CPU 11 will be described for convenience of explanation.
[0042]
As shown in FIG. 5, for example, when the registration mode of the destination management table 40 is selected and operated from the operation unit 12 of the network scanner device 2, the CPU 11 An inquiry is displayed as to whether or not there is a new registration or a change of an existing destination (step S101). If the registration is a new registration, a destination ID is assigned to the newly registered destination. Then, the assigned destination ID is registered in the destination ID column and the referenceable destination ID column of the destination management table 40 (step S102).
[0043]
Next, the CPU 11 checks whether a user name has been input (step S103). When the user name is input, the CPU 11 sets the input user name and temporarily stores it in the RAM 14 (step S104).
[0044]
The CPU 11 sets the user name or, if the user name is not input in step S103, checks whether the password has been input (step S105). The password thus set is set and temporarily stored in the RAM 14 (step S106).
[0045]
The CPU 11 sets a password or, if the password is not input in step S105, checks whether the input of the distribution destination is performed (step S107). If the input of the distribution destination is performed, the input is performed. The set distribution destination is set and temporarily stored in the RAM 14 (step S108).
[0046]
The CPU 11 sets the distribution destination or, if the distribution destination is not input in step S107, checks whether the referenceable destination is input (step S109), and inputs the referenceable destination. Then, the input distribution destination is set and temporarily stored in the RAM 14 (step S110).
[0047]
The CPU 11 checks whether registration has been completed (step S111) unless a referenceable destination has been set or a distributable destination has not been input in step S109. If registration has not been completed, the process returns to step S103 and returns to step S103. Is processed in the same manner as above (steps S103 to S111).
[0048]
If the registration is completed in step S111, the CPU 11 checks whether all the destination information necessary for registration in the destination management table 40, that is, the user name, the password, the distribution destination, and the necessary referenceable ID have been input ( (Step S112) If the destination information is insufficient, the process returns to Step S103, and the same processing is performed as described above. At this time, the CPU 11 may display a message prompting the input of the missing information on the display unit 13.
[0049]
If all the destination information has been input in step S112, the CPU 11 sets and registers the input and temporarily stored information in the RAM 14 in the destination management table 40 of the storage unit 18 and ends the process (step S113). ).
[0050]
If it is not a new registration in step S101, the CPU 11 performs a display prompting the designation of the already registered destination ID on the display unit 13, and if the designation of the destination ID is performed according to the display (step S114), It is checked whether the specified destination ID exists in the destination management table 40 (step S115). If the specified destination ID does not exist in the destination management table 40, it is displayed that there is no specified destination ID and registration has failed. The information is displayed on the unit 13 and the process ends (step S116).
[0051]
If the specified destination ID exists in the destination management table 40 in step S115, the process proceeds to step S103, and the same processing is performed as described above (steps S103 to S112), and the input destination information is stored in the destination of the specified destination ID. The process is registered in the management table 40, and the process ends (step S113).
[0052]
As described above, when the network scanner device 2 is started in a state where necessary destination information is registered in the destination management table 40, the CPU 11 prompts the display unit 13 to input a user name and a password. Is displayed, and the network scanner device 2 can be used.
[0053]
In this state, when the user inputs a user name and a password from the operation unit 12, the CPU 11 performs a user authentication process as shown in FIG. Note that this user authentication process is also performed by the destination management unit 17 under the control of the user 11, but in the following description, it is assumed that the CPU 11 performs the operation process for convenience of explanation.
[0054]
That is, when the user name and password are input from the operation unit 12 (step S201), the CPU 11 performs user authentication by checking whether the input user name and password are registered in the destination management table 40. It is determined whether the user authentication has succeeded (step S202). The CPU 11 performs this user authentication with a set of a user name and a password. If the information of the set of the user name and the password is registered in the destination management table 40, the user authentication is successful, and the user name and the password are set. If the paired information is not registered in the destination management table 40, the user authentication will fail.
[0055]
In step S202, if the user authentication is successful, the CPU 11 obtains a referable destination ID from the destination management table 40 based on the authenticated destination ID, outputs the obtained destination ID on the display unit 13, and displays the successfully authenticated destination ID. It is stored on the RAM 14 (step S203). Therefore, the user can use a plurality of referable destination IDs.
[0056]
If the user authentication fails in step S202, the CPU 11 displays on the display unit 13 that the authentication has failed, and ends the process (step S204).
[0057]
Then, the network scanner device 2 can use the network scanner device 2 only by the user who succeeds in the user authentication, and can use the network scanner device 2 as described above when the authentication is successful. Only the destination is displayed on the display unit 13. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the destination registered for each user from being used illegally by another user, and to protect the confidentiality of the destination.
[0058]
Then, the user who has been authenticated as described above sets the document on the image reading section 16 and causes the document to be read, and stores the image data of the read document in the storage section 18 or the storage section 18. 18 can be transmitted.
[0059]
For example, when storing image data of a document read by the image reading unit 16 in the storage unit 18, the network scanner device 2 creates necessary document information (image data management information) as shown in FIG. Then, image data information management processing for storing image data in the storage unit 18 is performed. The image data information management process is also performed by the image data management unit 15 under the control of the CPU 11. However, in the following description, the operation of the CPU 11 will be described for convenience of explanation.
[0060]
That is, when a document is set on the image reading unit 16 and the start key is pressed on the operation unit 12, the CPU 11 causes the image reading unit 16 to sequentially read the document and controls the image data management unit 15. In step S301, document-specific information such as a document size and a resolution is created, and a referenceable destination ID that is authenticated in the user authentication process and stored in the RAM 14 and can be referred to by the user is stored in the storage unit 18. From the destination management table 40 and displays it on the display unit 13. Then, the user selects the destination ID of the destination permitted to refer to (use) the image data from the referenceable destination IDs displayed on the display unit 13 by operating the operation unit 12 as appropriate. The CPU 11 acquires the destination ID selected by the user from the referenceable destination IDs displayed on the display unit 13 (step S302).
[0061]
Next, the CPU 11 acquires the document ID (step S303), and registers the document unique information, the destination ID selected by the user, and the document ID in the document management table 30 illustrated in FIG. The image data is stored in the storage unit 18 as document data, and the process ends (step S304).
[0062]
As described above, in the registration of the image data, the destination ID that can refer to the image data is only the destination ID appropriately selected by the user among the referenceable destination IDs of the destination management table 40. Since it is registered as a referenceable destination ID, only the user of the referenceable destination ID in the document management table 30 can use the image data.
[0063]
When the user of the network scanner device 2 intends to use the image data in the state where the image data is stored in the storage unit 18 as the document data, first, in the user authentication process shown in FIG. After the authentication is performed, only the authenticated user can use the network scanner device 2, and the user who can use the network scanner device 2 displays the document information of the available document on the display unit 13. The user can refer to and use only the displayed document. Note that this document management process is also performed by the image data management unit 15 under the control of the CPU 11, but in the following description, the operation of the CPU 11 will be described for convenience of explanation.
[0064]
That is, after performing the user authentication process, the network scanner device 2 stores the destination ID of the user input in the authentication process in the RAM 14, and the available user refers to the image data. When the operation is performed on the operation unit 12, the CPU 11 acquires the destination ID of the user stored in the RAM 14 as shown in FIG. 8 (step S401), and obtains the total number of documents stored in the storage unit 18. Is acquired (step S402), and it is checked whether the search of all documents and the collation of the destination ID have been completed (step S403).
[0065]
Since the destination ID has not yet been collated for each document, the CPU 11 acquires an unsearched document ID (step S404), and acquires a referable destination ID of the document ID from the document management table 30 (step S405). ).
[0066]
The CPU 11 checks whether or not the entry (Entry) of the acquired referenceable destination ID includes the destination ID of the user (step S406).
[0067]
If the referenceable destination ID includes the user's destination ID in step S406, the CPU 11 determines that the document with the document ID is a document that can be used by the user, and displays the document information of the document on the display unit 13. (Step S407), the process returns to step S403, and it is checked whether all documents have been searched, and the same processing is performed (steps S403 to S407).
[0068]
If the user ID is not found in the referenceable destination ID in step S406, the CPU 11 determines that the document with the document ID is a document that cannot be used by the user and displays the document information. No (step S408), the process returns to step S403, and it is checked whether all documents have been searched, and the same processing is performed as described above (steps S403 to S407).
[0069]
The CPU 11 performs the above processing for all the documents stored in the recording unit 18, and ends the processing when all the documents have been searched in step S403.
[0070]
In this document reference process, a document available to the user is searched based on the destination ID of the authenticated user, and only the document information of the document available to the user is displayed on the display unit 13. . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the document information of other users stored in the storage unit 18 from being displayed carelessly, and to appropriately protect the confidentiality of the document (image data). All the document information available to the user can be displayed, and the usability can be improved.
[0071]
As described above, the network scanner device 2 of the present embodiment stores, for each destination, at least the user name, the password, the delivery destination information, and the destination information including the other destinations available to the user of the destination in the destination management table 40. The setting is registered in the storage unit 18 and user authentication is performed based on the set of the registered user name and password, and only the user who succeeds in the user authentication is permitted to use.
[0072]
Therefore, it is possible to protect the confidentiality of the destination with the combination of the user name and the password, thereby preventing unauthorized use of the destination, and save the trouble of inputting a password or the like for the available destination for each destination. Can be appropriately protected and the usability can be improved.
[0073]
Further, when the user authentication is successful, the network scanner device 2 of the present embodiment is another destination registered in the destination management table 40 corresponding to the user who has succeeded in the authentication. Only the referenceable destination ID is displayed on the display unit 13.
[0074]
Therefore, the confidentiality of the destination can be more appropriately protected, and the unauthorized use of the destination can be more appropriately prevented, and the destination permitted to be used only by the authenticated user can be set for each destination. The password can be used without inputting a password or the like, and the confidentiality of the destination can be appropriately protected, and the usability can be improved.
[0075]
Further, the network scanner device 2 of the present embodiment manages the image data of the document read by the image reading unit 16 when storing the image data in the storage unit 18 in accordance with the use of the user who has succeeded in the user authentication. In addition to creating image data management information (document management information), image data management information is created as a referenceable destination ID with a destination appropriately selected from other destinations displayed on the display unit 13 and stored as the document management table 30. Registered in the section 18.
[0076]
Therefore, the image data can be managed as image data that can be used for each user, and the confidentiality of the image data can be appropriately protected, and the usability can be improved.
[0077]
Further, the network scanner device 2 according to the present embodiment refers to the image data stored in the storage unit 18 when referring to the image data stored in the storage unit 18 in accordance with the use of the user who has succeeded in the user authentication. Among them, the authenticated user permits only the image data registered as the referable destination ID in the document management table 30.
[0078]
Therefore, it is possible to refer only to the image data registered as the image data that can be used for each user, and it is possible to appropriately protect the confidentiality of the image data and to refer to a plurality of image data. It is not necessary to input a password or the like for each image data, so that usability can be improved.
[0079]
As described above, the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above, and can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof. Needless to say.
[0080]
【The invention's effect】
According to the network scanner device of the present invention, the image of the document is read by the image reading means, and the image data of the document read by the image reading means is stored in the image data storage means. When distributing the image data stored in the image data and the image data read by the image reading means to destinations on the network via the network, at least for each destination, at least a user name, a password, distribution destination information, and The destination information including other destinations available to the user is set and registered in the destination information storage unit, and the control unit performs user authentication based on a set of the registered user name and password, and performs the user authentication. Is used only by users who have been successfully authenticated by the Can be prevented, the trouble of inputting a password or the like for each available destination can be omitted, the confidentiality of the destination can be appropriately protected, and the usability can be improved. .
[0081]
According to the network scanner device of the second aspect of the invention, when the authentication is successful, only the other destinations registered corresponding to the user who has been successfully authenticated among the destinations registered in the destination information storage unit are deleted. Is displayed on the display means, so that the confidentiality of the destination can be more appropriately protected, the unauthorized use of the destination can be more appropriately prevented, and the use of only the authenticated user can be permitted. A destination can be used without inputting a password or the like for each destination, so that confidentiality of the destination can be appropriately protected and usability can be improved.
[0082]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the image data of the document read by the image reading unit is stored in the image data storage unit in accordance with the use of the user who has succeeded in the authentication, the image data is managed. Since the image data management information is created and the image data management information is created and registered in the image data management information storage unit as a reference destination that is appropriately selected from other destinations displayed on the display unit, the image data Can be managed as image data that can be used for each user, the confidentiality of the image data can be appropriately protected, and the usability can be improved.
[0083]
According to the network scanner device of the fourth aspect, when referring to the image data stored in the image data storage unit in accordance with the use of the user who has been successfully authenticated, the image data stored in the image data storage unit is stored. Of the stored image data, the authenticated user is allowed to refer only to the image data registered as a reference destination in the image data management information of the image data management information storage means. Only the image data registered as data can be referred to, the confidentiality of the image data can be appropriately protected, and when referring to a plurality of image data, a password or the like is required for each image data. There is no need to perform an input operation, and the usability can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a network system to which an embodiment of a network scanner according to the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of the network scanner device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a document management table created by an image data management unit in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a destination management table created by a destination management unit in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating destination registration processing by the network scanner device of FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a user authentication process performed by the network scanner device of FIG. 2;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing image data registration processing by the network scanner device of FIG. 2;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing image data reference processing by the network scanner device of FIG. 2;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 network system
2 Network scanner device
3 distribution server
4 mail server
PC1 to PCn Client computer
NW network
11 CPU
12 Operation section
13 Display
14 RAM
15 Image data management unit
16 Image reading unit
17 Address Management Department
18 Memory
19 Communication Department
20 bus
30 Document Management Table
40 Destination management table

Claims (4)

The image of the document is read by the image reading unit, the image data of the document read by the image reading unit is stored in the image data storage unit, and the image data stored in the image data storage unit and the image read by the image reading unit are read. In a network scanner device for distributing data to a destination on the network via a network, at least for each destination to be distributed via the network, at least a user name, a password, distribution destination information, and a user of the destination can be used. Destination information storage means for setting and registering destination information including other destinations, and performing user authentication based on a set of a user name and a password of the destination information storage means, so that only users who have been successfully authenticated by the user authentication are provided. Control means for permitting use of the network scanner device. The network scanner device includes a predetermined display unit, and when the authentication is successful, the control unit is configured to register a destination registered in the destination information storage unit corresponding to the user who has succeeded in the authentication. 2. The network scanner according to claim 1, wherein only the other destination is displayed on the display unit. The control means creates image data management information for managing the image data when storing the image data of the document read by the image reading means in the image data storage means in accordance with the use of the user who has succeeded in the authentication. 3. The image data management information is created and registered in the image data management information storage means, with a destination appropriately selected from other destinations displayed on the display means as a referenceable destination. The network scanner device according to claim 1. The control means, when referring to the image data stored in the image data storage means according to the use of the user who succeeded in the authentication, of the image data stored in the image data storage means, 4. The network scanner according to claim 3, wherein the authenticated user permits only the image data registered as a reference destination in the image data management information of the image data management information storage unit. .

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