JP2007034587A - Document management device, image forming device, document management system, document management method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a document management system, facilitating management of document output. <P>SOLUTION: A multi-functional machine 1 permits output of an output document related to an access key document (document sheet 40) when unique characteristic information (fiber pattern) of the access key document is registered, and characteristic information read from the access key document is matched with the registered characteristic information, and prohibits printing of the output document related to the access key document when the characteristic information is not registered, or when the characteristic information read from the access key document is not matched with the registered characteristic information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a document management system that manages document output.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that reads and prints image data corresponding to an electronic watermark stored in a storage unit when the original reading unit reads an electronic watermark stored in the storage unit. Disclose.
JP 2003-134325 A

  The present invention has been made from the above-described background, and an object thereof is to provide a document management system that facilitates management of document output.

[Document Management Device]
In order to achieve the above object, a document management apparatus according to the present invention is a document management apparatus that manages output of a document, and includes feature information indicating characteristics unique to the key medium, which is assigned to the key medium. Feature information registration means for registering in association with information, identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information from the key medium, and feature information corresponding to the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means are the feature information Authentication means for determining whether or not to permit output of a document corresponding to the identification information according to whether or not it is registered by the registration means.
Here, the key medium is a recording medium for accessing other documents, for example, an access key document described later. The key medium is used, for example, for authentication processing for determining whether or not to permit output of another document.

  Preferably, the authentication unit permits the output of the document on the condition that the feature information corresponding to the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit is registered in the feature information registration unit.

  Preferably, the information processing device further includes feature acquisition means for acquiring the feature information from the key medium, wherein the authentication means has feature information corresponding to the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means as the feature information registration means. If the feature information is registered in the feature information, the feature information acquired by the feature acquisition unit is compared with the feature information registered in the feature information registration unit, and output of the document is permitted according to the comparison result. To do.

  Preferably, the information processing device further includes feature information reading means for reading feature information of the key medium from the surface of the key medium, and the feature information registration means reads the feature information read from the key medium by the feature information reading means. Then, registration is performed in association with the identification information given to the key medium.

  Preferably, the identification information is attached to the key medium in a state where it can be copied more easily than the feature information.

  Preferably, the feature information registration unit prohibits registration of the feature information corresponding to the identification information when the feature information registered for one piece of identification information exceeds a predetermined number.

  Preferably, based on the authentication request information acquisition means for acquiring authentication request information indicating whether or not the authentication of feature information is required from the key medium, and the authentication request information acquired by the authentication request information acquisition means, When it is determined that authentication of information is required, a document corresponding to the key medium is output according to the determination by the authentication means, and when it is determined that authentication of feature information is not required, Document output means for outputting a corresponding document;

  Preferably, the apparatus further includes display means for displaying at least a part of the determination made by the authentication means.

[Image forming apparatus]
In addition, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention performs authentication of image forming means for forming an image on an image forming medium, identification information associated with document data, and feature information indicating characteristics unique to the image forming medium. And an additional information adding unit that adds authentication request information indicating whether or not it is necessary to an image forming medium on which an image is formed by the image forming unit.

[Document Management System]
The document management system according to the present invention is a document management system including a document management apparatus and an image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus corresponds to image forming means for forming an image on an image forming medium and document data. Additional information adding means for adding the attached identification information to the image forming medium, and the document management device is provided with feature information indicating characteristics unique to the image forming medium. Feature information registration means for registering in association with the identification information, identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information from the image forming medium, and feature information corresponding to the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means, Whether to permit output of document data corresponding to the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit is determined according to whether the feature information is registered in the feature information registration unit. And an authentication means.

[Document Management Method]
The document management method according to the present invention is a document management method for managing output of a document, wherein the identification information is obtained from the key medium to which the identification information is assigned, and the characteristics specific to each key medium are indicated. The feature information corresponding to the acquired identification information is registered in the table with reference to a table in which the information and the identification information assigned to these key media are associated with each other. On the condition that the feature information corresponding to the identification information is registered in the table, the output of the document corresponding to the acquired identification information is permitted.

[program]
In addition, the program according to the present invention includes a step of obtaining identification information from a key medium to which identification information is assigned, characteristic information indicating characteristics unique to each key medium, and identification information given to these key media. , Referring to the tables associated with each other, determining whether or not the feature information corresponding to the acquired identification information is registered in the table, and the feature information corresponding to the acquired identification information Is registered in the table, the computer is allowed to execute a step of permitting output of a document corresponding to the acquired identification information.

  According to the document management system of the present invention, management of document output can be facilitated.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine 1 to which a document management method according to the present invention is applied, centering on a control device 2 thereof.
As shown in FIG. 1, a multifunction device 1 (document management device, image forming device) is composed of a control device 2 and a multifunction device main body 10, and has a printing function for printing a document file and an image optically read from a document. Is realized, and a facsimile function for transmitting and receiving an image optically read from a document is realized.
The control device 2 includes a control device main body 20 including a CPU 202 and a memory 204, a communication device 22, a recording device 24 such as an HDD / CD device, and a user interface device including an LCD display device or a CRT display device and a keyboard / touch panel. (UI device) 26.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine main body 10 illustrated in FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP main body 10 includes a paper tray unit 12, a print engine 14 (image forming unit) that prints an image on a print paper 42 (image forming medium) by using xerography, and an image on the original paper 40. The scanner 16 and the document feeder 18 for feeding the document paper 40 are included.
That is, the MFP 1 of this example is a normal MFP having a printing function, a copying function, and a facsimile function, and a printing program 5 (FIG. 4) and a registration authentication program 6 (FIG. 5) described later are installed. Is.
As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 2 (FIG. 1) is actually housed inside the multifunction device main body 10.

[Access Key Document]
FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an access key document, and FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating code information embedded in the access key document.
As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the access key document (first document) is a manuscript sheet 40 to which code information 400 is attached. The code information 400 is information for accessing the data file of the output document, and the manuscript paper 40 (that is, the access key document) attached with the code information 400 is a document for accessing the data file of the output document. It is. Here, the output document (second document) is document data that can be accessed by the access key document, and includes an image (hereinafter, output image) different from the image displayed on the access key document.
The code information 400 in this example is printed on the original paper 40 as a code pattern (for example, a bar code, a steganograph, etc.).
Further, on the manuscript paper 40 (access key document) of this example, a thumbnail image 410 indicating the contents of the output document, guide information 422 for guiding access to the output document, and related information 424 indicating information related to the output document. And are printed.

As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the code information 400 includes a function code 402, a key document ID 404, and an output document ID 406.
The function code 402 is authentication request information indicating whether or not the fiber pattern (feature information) of the original paper 40 needs to be authenticated. The function code 402 of this example is an authentication request on (bit “1”) indicating that the fiber pattern authentication is required, or an authentication request off (bit “0”) indicating that the fiber pattern authentication is not required. ).
The key document ID 404 is identification information for identifying the access key document (that is, the original paper 40).
The output document ID 406 is output document identification information for identifying the output document associated with the key document ID.

[Print program]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a print program 5 that is executed by the control device 2 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and implements the document management method according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 4, the print program 5 includes a key image input unit 500, an output document registration unit 510, a code generation unit 530, an image composition unit 540, a printing unit 550, an image reading unit 560, a code analysis unit 570, and an output. The document acquisition unit 580 is configured.
The print program 5 is supplied to the control device 2 via, for example, the recording medium 240 (FIG. 1), loaded into the memory 204, and executed.

  In the print program 5, the key image input unit 500 transfers the image data to be printed on the original paper 40 (FIG. 3) serving as the access key document to the outside (for example, the communication device 22 or the recording device 24 illustrated in FIG. 1). The acquired image data is output to the image composition unit 540. The issuer of the access key document creates, for example, an image of the access key document illustrated in FIG. 3A (an image including the thumbnail image 410, the guide information 422, the related information 424, etc.) and the recording device 24 (FIG. When recording is performed in 1), the key image input unit 500 reads out the image data of the access key document from the recording device 24 and outputs the image data to the image composition unit 540.

The output document registration unit 510 registers the image data of the output document (that is, the output document data file associated with the access key document) in the document management database (document management DB) 700.
More specifically, when the issuer of the access key document inputs the data file of the output document and the number of issued access key documents corresponding to the output document, the output document registration unit 510 receives the input output document. The output document ID 406 is generated, and the key document ID 404 of the access key document is generated for the number of input issued, and the generated output document ID and key document ID 404 and the image data of the input output document are obtained. They are stored in the output document registration unit 510 in association with each other. Further, the output document registration unit 510 outputs the output document ID 406 and the key document ID 404 generated for the output document to the code generation unit 530.

The code generation unit 530 generates code information 400 based on the output document ID 406 and the key document ID 404 input from the output document registration unit 510.
More specifically, when the issuer of the access key document specifies whether or not fiber pattern authentication is required, the code generation unit 530 includes the function code 402 according to the issuer's specification, and the output document registration unit 510. Are combined with the output document ID and the key document ID 404 that are input from, to generate code information 400 (FIG. 3), and a code image (for example, barcode, steganograph, etc.) corresponding to the generated code information 400 is generated. The image is output to the image composition unit 540.

  The image composition unit 540 (additional information adding unit) combines the image data (such as the thumbnail image 410) input from the key image input unit 500 and the image data of the code information 400 input from the code generation unit 530, Data of the synthesized image (hereinafter referred to as access key image) is output to the printing unit 550.

The printing unit 550 controls the paper tray unit 12 (FIG. 2) and the print engine 14 (FIG. 2) to print an image on the printing paper 42.
More specifically, when the image data of the access key image is input from the image composition unit 540, the printing unit 550 prints the access key image on the printing paper 42 according to the input image data (that is, the print key 550). Generate an access key document). The print paper 42 (that is, the access key document) on which the access key image is printed is distributed from the issuer to each holder and used as an access key document (original paper 40) for printing the output document.
Further, when the output document image data is input from the output document acquisition unit 580, the printing unit 550 prints the output document image on the printing paper 42.

  The image reading unit 560 (feature information reading unit) controls the scanner 16 (FIG. 2) to read an image (for example, an access key image) displayed on the original paper 40, and the read image data is a code analysis unit. Output to 570.

The code analysis unit 570 determines whether the image data input from the image reading unit 560 includes a code image (an image pattern indicating code information).
When the code image is included in the read image, the code analysis unit 570 (authentication request information acquisition unit) performs code information 400 (function code 402 (authentication request information)) based on the code image. , The key document ID 404 and the output document ID 406 are generated), and the generated code information 400 and the read image data are output to the registration authentication program 6 (described later with reference to FIG. 5). When the authentication result is input from the registration authentication program 6, the code analysis unit 570 outputs the authentication result and the output document ID 406 to the output document acquisition unit 580.
In addition, when the code image is not included in the read image, the code analysis unit 570 outputs the read image data as it is to the printing unit 550 to be printed (copy function).

The output document acquisition unit 580 (document output unit) receives the image data of the output document corresponding to the output document ID input from the code analysis unit 570 from the document management DB 700 according to the authentication result input from the code analysis unit 570. The acquired image data of the output document is output to the printing unit 550.
More specifically, the output document acquisition unit 580 obtains the image data of the output document corresponding to the output document ID input from the code analysis unit 570 when access to the output document is permitted by the registration authentication program 6. The image data of the output document read out from the document management DB 700 is output to the printing unit 550.
When the registration authentication program 6 does not permit access to the output document, the output document acquisition unit 580 notifies the UI device 26 (FIGS. 1 and 2) that access to the output document is not permitted. Output.

  The document management DB 700 is a database shared by the printing program 5 and the registration authentication program 6, and outputs an output document data file associated with an access key document, an output document ID for identifying the output document, and each access key document. Are stored in association with the key document ID for identifying the data and the fiber pattern data of each access key document.

[Registration authentication program]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a registration authentication program 6 that is executed by the control device 2 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and implements the document management method according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 5, the registration authentication program 6 includes a feature information acquisition unit 600, a key ID acquisition unit 610, a feature information registration unit 620, an authentication information acquisition unit 630, an authentication unit 640, an authentication result output unit 650, and an authentication result. The display unit 660 is configured.
The registration authentication program 6 is supplied to the control device 2 via, for example, the recording medium 240 (FIG. 1), loaded into the memory 204, and executed.

In the registration authentication program 6, the feature information acquisition unit 600 (feature acquisition unit) acquires feature information indicating features unique to the original paper 40 (access key image medium) from the original paper 40, and the acquired feature information. Is output to the feature information registration unit 620.
More specifically, the feature information acquisition unit 600 acquires the fiber pattern of the document sheet 40 as feature information, and outputs the acquired fiber pattern to the feature information registration unit 620. For example, the feature information acquisition unit 600 controls the scanner 16 (FIG. 2), scans the surface of the original paper 40, and extracts the fiber pattern of the original paper 40.

The key ID acquisition unit 610 acquires the key document ID assigned to the access key document (original paper 40) from the access key document, and outputs the acquired key document ID to the feature information registration unit 620.
More specifically, the key ID acquisition unit 610 controls the scanner 16 (FIG. 2), reads the code information 400 (FIG. 3) attached to the access key document (original paper 40), and reads the read code. A key document ID 404 is extracted from the information 400.

The feature information registration unit 620 (feature information registration unit) acquires the feature information (in this example, the fiber pattern) acquired from the document sheet 40 by the feature information acquisition unit 600 and the document ID 40 from the document sheet 40 by the key ID acquisition unit 610. The registered key document ID 404 is registered in the document management DB 700 in association with each other.
In addition, an upper limit is set for the number of feature information that can be registered for one key document ID 404, and the feature information registration unit 620 determines that when the number of registered feature information for the key document ID 404 reaches the upper limit, Thereafter, the registration of the feature information with respect to the key document ID 404 is prohibited. The upper limit of this example is 1, and the feature information registration unit 620 prohibits the registration of feature information for the key document ID 404 when the feature information has already been registered for the key document ID 404. Prevent double registration of feature information (fiber pattern).

The authentication information acquisition unit 630 (identification information acquisition means) includes the key document ID 404 (identification information) assigned to the access key document (key medium) from the original paper 40 (access key document), and the characteristics of the original paper 40. And the acquired key document ID 404 and feature information are output to the authentication unit 640.
More specifically, the authentication information acquisition unit 630, based on the image data optically read from the original paper 40, the key document ID 404 given to the original paper 40 (that is, the access key document), and this The fiber pattern (characteristic information) of the original paper 40 is acquired.
The authentication information acquisition unit 630 of this example acquires the key document ID 404 and the image data read from the original paper 40 from the code analysis unit 570 (FIG. 4) of the print program 5, and acquires the acquired key document ID 404 and Then, the image data of the original paper 40 (image data including the fiber pattern) is output to the authentication unit 640.

The authentication unit 640 (authentication unit) outputs the output document corresponding to the original paper 40 (that is, the access key document) based on the key document ID 404 and the feature information acquired from the original paper 40 by the authentication information acquisition unit 630. It is determined whether to permit access, and the result of this determination is output to the authentication result output unit 650 as an authentication result.
More specifically, the authentication unit 640 determines whether or not feature information corresponding to the input key document ID 404 exists from the feature information registered in the document management DB 700 (in this example, the fiber pattern). If the feature information corresponding to the key document ID 404 is not registered in the document management DB 700, access to the output document corresponding to the original paper 40 (that is, the access key document) is prohibited.
In other words, the authentication unit 640 permits access to the output document corresponding to the key document ID 40 on condition that the feature information is registered for the key document ID 404 of the original paper 40 (access key document).

Further, when the feature information (in this example, the fiber pattern) corresponding to the key document ID 404 is registered in the document management DB 700, the authentication unit 640 and the feature information (fiber pattern) registered in the document management DB 700 The feature information read from the original paper 40 (in this example, image data on the surface of the original paper 40) is compared to determine whether or not they match. “Match” in this case means that the difference between the feature information registered in the document management DB 700 and the feature information acquired from the document sheet 40 falls within a predetermined range.
The authentication unit 640 of this example permits access to the output document when the difference between the fiber pattern registered in the document management DB 700 and the fiber pattern read from the document sheet 40 is within a predetermined range. If these differences are outside the predetermined range, access to the output document is prohibited. The “predetermined range” in this case is desirably a range in which it can be authenticated that a plurality of pieces of feature information are extracted from the same medium (in this example, the original paper 40).

The authentication result output unit 650 outputs the authentication result input from the authentication unit 640 to the outside.
More specifically, the authentication result output unit 650 outputs the authentication result (access permission or access prohibition) input from the authentication unit 640 to the code analysis unit 570 (FIG. 4) of the print program 5.
The authentication result output unit 650 outputs the authentication result to the authentication result display unit 660 when the access key confirmation mode is set. The access key confirmation mode is an operation mode for determining whether or not each access key document (original paper 40) can access the corresponding output document. Is set, it is output whether or not these output documents can be accessed without outputting (printing) the output documents corresponding to the access key document.

  The authentication result display unit 660 (display unit) displays the authentication result input from the authentication result output unit 650 on the UI device 26 (FIGS. 1 and 2) when the access key confirmation mode is set.

6A illustrates the registration information of the original document management DB 700 when the access key document is issued. FIG. 6B illustrates the registration of the document management DB 700 after the feature information of the access key document is registered. Information is exemplified, and FIG. 6C is a diagram illustrating an authentication result by the authentication unit 640.
The key document generation unit (the key image input unit 500, the output document registration unit 510, the code generation unit 530, and the image composition unit 540 shown in FIG. 4) newly generates an access key document (that is, a document associated with the output document). When the sheet 40) is issued, the document management DB 700 includes an output document ID of an output document associated with each access key document and a key for identifying each access key document, as illustrated in FIG. 6A. Document IDs are registered in association with each other. Immediately after the access key document is registered, the feature information (fiber pattern) of each access key document (original paper 40) is not registered, so “unregistered” is displayed in the feature information column of the document management DB 700. Information indicating that it is present is written.
As described above, when the feature information of the document management DB 700 is “unregistered”, the authentication unit 640 (FIG. 5) outputs the output document regardless of which access key document is used to access the output document. Do not allow access to the document.

The registration unit (feature information acquisition unit 600, key ID acquisition unit 610, and feature information registration unit 620 shown in FIG. 5) receives the feature information (original document) of the access key document in response to a request from the owner of the access key document. When the fiber pattern of the paper 40 is registered, the paper pattern (fiber pattern) of the original paper 40 (that is, the access key document) is stored in the document management DB 700 in the access key document as illustrated in FIG. 6B. Registered in association with the ID.
In this example, “paper pattern 01”, “paper pattern 02”, and “paper pattern 03” are registered for the access key documents “key 001”, “key 003”, and “key 004”, respectively. The feature information (paper pattern) has not been registered for the access key document of “key 002”.

The authentication unit 640 refers to the table illustrated in FIG. 6B (information registered in the document management database) and authenticates the access key document. In this example, as illustrated in FIG. 6C, an access key document (original) with a key document ID “key 001”, an access key document (original) with “key 002”, “key” The access key document (original) with “003” and the access key document (copy) with “key 001” are subject to authentication. Here, the access key document (original) to which “key 001” is attached and the access key document (original) to which “key 002” is attached are at least the same as when the feature information (paper pattern) is registered. The access key document (paper) to which the “key 003” is attached is the same as the issued access key document, but the feature information (paper pattern) is not registered. The access key document (copy) with “key 001”, which is a key document, is a copy of the access key document (original) with “key 001”. In this example, since the key document ID is attached to the paper (key medium) as a code image, when the paper is copied, the key document ID is also copied.
In this case, the authentication unit 640, as illustrated in FIG. 6C, accesses the access key document (original) with “key 001” and the access key document (original) with “key 002”. ), A paper pattern (feature information) is registered, and since the registered paper pattern matches the paper pattern of the access key document, access to the output document “001” is permitted. The access key document (original) with “key 003” is not registered with a paper pattern (feature information), so access to the output document “001” is prohibited and “key 001” is attached. A paper pattern (feature information) is registered for the access key document (copy), but the registered paper pattern does not match the paper pattern of the access key document (copy) , To prohibit access to the output document "001".
When the access key confirmation mode is set, the authentication result display unit 660 (FIG. 5) displays the authentication result illustrated in FIG. 6C on the UI device 26 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

[Operation]
Hereinafter, the operation of the multifunction machine 1 will be described.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the registration process (S10) by the multifunction device 1 (registration authentication program 6).
As shown in FIG. 7, in step 100 (S100), the user (the owner of the access key document) sets the access key document on the document feeder 18 (FIG. 2), and the UI device 26 (FIG. 1, FIG. For 2), an operation for registering feature information is performed.
The registration unit (FIG. 5) accepts this operation and starts the feature information registration process.
The registration unit feature information acquisition unit 600 and key ID acquisition unit 610 control the document feeder 18 and the scanner 16 (FIG. 2), scan the set access key document, and read the surface of the access key document. .

In step 102 (S102), the key ID acquisition unit 610 (FIG. 5) searches for the code image corresponding to the code information 400 (FIG. 3) from the image data read from the access key document.
The registration authentication program 6 proceeds to the process of S104 when the code information 400 is embedded in the image data read from the access key document, and proceeds to the process of S112 when the code information 400 is not embedded. To do.
That is, if the code information 400 cannot be found from the read image data, the key ID acquisition unit 610 determines that the feature information cannot be registered, and shifts to error processing (S112).

  In step 104 (S104), the key ID acquisition unit 610 extracts the function code 402 and the key document ID 404 from the code information 400 (FIG. 3) included in the read image data.

In step 106 (S106), the key ID acquisition unit 610 determines whether or not the function code 402 is on.
The registration authentication program 6 proceeds to the process of S108 when the function code 402 is on, and proceeds to the process of S112 when the function code 402 is off.
That is, when the key ID acquisition unit 610 determines that the access key document requires authentication based on the feature information (fiber pattern) based on the function code 402 included in the code information 400, the key ID acquisition unit 610 performs the feature information registration process. If it is determined that the access key document does not require authentication using the feature information, the process proceeds to error processing (S112).

In step 108 (S108), the feature information acquisition unit 600 (FIG. 5) outputs a predetermined area of the read image data to the feature information registration unit 620 as a fiber pattern to be registered.
The key ID acquisition unit 610 outputs the key document ID 404 extracted from the read image data to the feature information registration unit 620.
The feature information registration unit 620 refers to the document management DB 700 and determines whether or not feature information (fiber pattern) corresponding to the key document ID 404 input from the key ID acquisition unit 610 is registered.
If the feature information corresponding to the key document ID 404 has already been registered, the registration authentication program 6 proceeds to the process of S112, and if the feature information corresponding to the key document ID 404 has not been registered, the registration authentication program 6 proceeds to the process of S110. Transition.
That is, the feature information registration unit 620 additionally registers feature information corresponding to the key document ID 404 when the number of registered feature information corresponding to the key document ID 404 has reached a predetermined upper limit (1 in this example). The overwriting registration is prohibited and the process proceeds to error processing (S112).

  In step 110 (S110), the feature information registration unit 620 registers the fiber pattern input from the feature information acquisition unit 600 in the document management DB 700 in association with the key document ID 404 input from the key ID registration unit 610.

  In step 112 (S112), the registration authentication program 6 displays on the UI device 26 (FIGS. 1 and 2) that the feature information (fiber pattern) has not been registered for the access key document, and the registration process (S10). Exit.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an output document printing process (S20) by the multifunction device 1 (the printing program 5 and the registration authentication program 6).
As shown in FIG. 8, in step 200 (S200), the user (the owner of the access key document) sets the access key document (document paper 40) on the document feeder 18 (FIG. 2), and the UI device 26. An operation for a copy operation is performed on (FIGS. 1 and 2).
The output document generation unit (FIG. 4) accepts this operation and starts the copy operation.
The image reading unit 560 (FIG. 4) of the output document generation unit controls the document feeder 18 and the scanner 16 (FIG. 2), scans the set access key document, reads the surface of the access key document, The image data read from the access key document is output to the code analysis unit 570.

In step 202 (S202), the code analysis unit 570 (FIG. 4) searches for code images corresponding to the code information 400 (FIG. 3) from the image data read from the access key document.
When the code information 400 is embedded in the image data read from the access key document, the print program 5 proceeds to the process of S204, and when the code information 400 is not embedded, the print program 5 proceeds to the process of S220. .
That is, when the code information 400 is found in the read image data, the code analysis unit 570 shifts to the output document printing process associated with the access key document, If the code information 400 cannot be found, the process proceeds to a copy operation for printing the read image data as it is.

  In step 204 (S204), the code analysis unit 570 extracts the function code 402, the key document ID 404, and the output document ID 406 from the code information 400 (FIG. 3) included in the read image data.

In step 206 (S206), the code analysis unit 570 (FIG. 4) determines whether or not the function code 402 is ON.
When the function code 402 is on, the printing program 5 proceeds to the processing of S208, and when the function code 402 is off, the printing program 5 proceeds to the processing of S216.
That is, when the code analysis unit 570 determines that the access key document requires authentication based on the feature information (fiber pattern) based on the function code 402 included in the code information 400, the code analysis unit 570 proceeds to the feature information authentication processing. If it is determined that the access key document does not require authentication using the feature information, the process proceeds to error processing (S112).

In step 208 (S208), the code analysis unit 570 (FIG. 4) displays the key document ID 404 extracted from the code information 400 and the predetermined area of the image data read from the access key document (that is, the comparison target of the fiber pattern). Is output to the registration authentication program 6 to request authentication of the feature information (fiber pattern).
When the authentication information acquisition unit 630 (FIG. 5) of the registration authentication program 6 receives the key document ID 404 and the image data of the default area from the code analysis unit 570 of the print program 5, the authentication information acquisition unit 630 (FIG. 5) receives the key document ID 404 and the image data of the default area. The data is output to the authentication unit 640.
The authentication unit 640 (FIG. 5) refers to the document management DB 700, and features information (fibers) corresponding to the key document ID 404 (that is, the key document ID acquired from the access key document) input from the authentication information acquisition unit 630. It is determined whether or not (pattern) is registered.
When the feature information (fiber pattern) corresponding to the key document ID 404 has already been registered, the registration authentication program 6 proceeds to the process of S210, and when the feature information corresponding to the key document ID 404 is not registered, The process proceeds to S214.
That is, if the feature information (fiber pattern) corresponding to the key document ID 404 is not registered, the authentication unit 640 prohibits access to the output document associated with the key document ID 404 (that is, the access key document). Then, the process proceeds to error processing (S214).

In step 210 (S210), the authentication unit 640 (FIG. 5) uses the default area image data (fiber pattern read from the access key document) input from the authentication information acquisition unit 630 and the key document in the document management DB 700. The feature information (fiber pattern) registered in association with ID 404 is compared.
For example, the authentication unit 640 extracts evaluation elements such as the direction of the edge and the length of the edge from the image data of the predetermined area and the registered fiber pattern, and uses the extracted evaluation elements to determine the default. The Mahalanobis distance between the image data of the region and the registered fiber pattern is calculated.

In step 212 (S212), the registration authentication program 6 proceeds to the processing of S216 when the input image data of the default area matches the feature information (fiber pattern) registered in the document management DB 700. If they do not match, the process proceeds to S214.
For example, when the calculated Mahalanobis distance is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the authentication unit 640 determines that the calculated Mahalanobis matches, and permits access to the output document, and when the Mahalanobis distance exceeds the predetermined threshold, It is determined that they do not match, and access to the output document is prohibited.

In step 214 (S214), the authentication unit 640 (FIG. 5) indicates that the access to the output document associated with the access key document is prohibited via the authentication result output unit 650 (FIG. 4). Output to.
The print program 5 displays on the UI device 26 (FIGS. 1 and 2) that access to the output document is not permitted, and ends the printing process (S20).

In step 216 (S216), the authentication unit 640 (FIG. 5) indicates that the access to the output document associated with the access key document is permitted via the authentication result output unit 650. It outputs to 570 (FIG. 4).
When the code analysis unit 570 inputs that access is permitted, the code analysis unit 570 outputs the output document ID 406 to the output document acquisition unit 580.
Also, the code analysis unit 570 outputs the output document ID 406 to the output document acquisition unit 580 when the function code 402 is off.
When the output document ID 406 is input from the code analysis unit 570, the output document acquisition unit 580 (FIG. 4) accesses the document management DB 700 to acquire the data file of the output document corresponding to the output document ID. The output document data file is output to the printing unit 550. In other words, the print program 5 has successfully authenticated the feature information (fiber pattern) by the registration authentication program 6 (that is, when access to the output document is permitted), or the function code 402 is off. When the authentication based on the feature information is unnecessary (that is, when the data file of the output document associated with the access key document is acquired from the document management DB 700).

  In step 218 (S218), the printing unit 550 controls the paper tray unit 12 and the print engine 14 (FIG. 2), and uses the output document data file input from the output document acquisition unit 580 to generate an output document. Printing on the printing paper 42.

In step 220 (S220), the code analysis unit 570 outputs the image data input from the image reading unit 560 to the printing unit 550.
The printing unit 550 controls the paper tray unit 12 and the print engine 14 (FIG. 2), and uses the image data input from the code analysis unit 570 (that is, the image data read from the original paper 40) to copy the document. A duplicate image of the paper 40 is printed on the printing paper 42.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the confirmation process (S30) of the access key document (original paper 40) by the multifunction device 1 (the printing program 5 and the registration authentication program 6).
As shown in FIG. 9, in step 300 (S300), the user (the owner of the access key document) sets the access key document (document paper 40) on the document feeder 18 (FIG. 2), and the UI device 26. An operation for confirming the access key is performed on (FIGS. 1 and 2).
The output document generation unit (FIG. 4) and the authentication unit (FIG. 5) accept this operation, set the access key confirmation mode, and start the access key confirmation operation.
The image reading unit 560 (FIG. 4) of the output document generation unit controls the document feeder 18 and the scanner 16 (FIG. 2), scans the set access key document (original paper 40), and accesses the access key document. The front side of the (original paper 40) is read, and the image data read from the access key document is output to the code analysis unit 570.

In step 302 (S302), the code analysis unit 570 (FIG. 4) searches for code images corresponding to the code information 400 (FIG. 3) from the image data read from the access key document.
When the code information 400 is embedded in the image data read from the access key document, the print program 5 proceeds to the process of S306, and when the code information 400 is not embedded, the print program 5 proceeds to the process of S304. .
That is, when the code information 400 is found from the read image data, the code analysis unit 570 proceeds to an authentication process using the code information 400, and the code information 400 is read from the read image data. If it is not found, it is determined that the output document is not associated with the original paper 40, and a message to that effect is output to the authentication result display unit 660, and the process proceeds to S304.

  In step 304 (S304), the authentication result display unit 660 (FIG. 5) indicates that the output document is not associated with the code analysis unit 570 via the authentication information acquisition unit 630, the authentication unit 640, and the authentication result output unit 650. Is displayed on the UI device 25 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

  In step 306 (S306), the code analysis unit 570 (FIG. 4) extracts the function code 402, the key document ID 404, and the output document ID 406 from the code information 400 (FIG. 3) included in the read image data. .

In step 308 (S308), the code analysis unit 570 (FIG. 4) determines whether or not the function code 402 is ON.
The printing program 5 proceeds to the process of S310 when the function code 402 is on, and proceeds to the process of S320 when the function code 402 is off.
That is, if the code analysis unit 570 determines that the access key document requires authentication based on the feature information (fiber pattern) based on the function code 402 included in the code information 400, the feature information authentication process (S310). The process proceeds to S318), and when it is determined that the access key document does not require authentication based on the feature information, the fact that the output document is accessible is displayed (S320).

In step 310 (S310), the code analysis unit 570 (FIG. 4) displays the key document ID 404 extracted from the code information 400 and the predetermined area of the image data read from the access key document (that is, the comparison target of the fiber pattern). Is output to the registration authentication program 6 to request authentication of the feature information (fiber pattern).
When the authentication information acquisition unit 630 (FIG. 5) of the registration authentication program 6 receives the key document ID 404 and the image data of the default area from the code analysis unit 570 of the print program 5, the authentication information acquisition unit 630 (FIG. 5) receives the key document ID 404 and the image data of the default area. The data is output to the authentication unit 640.
The authentication unit 640 (FIG. 5) refers to the document management DB 700, and features information (fibers) corresponding to the key document ID 404 (that is, the key document ID acquired from the original paper 40) input from the authentication information acquisition unit 630. It is determined whether or not (pattern) is registered.
When the feature information (fiber pattern) corresponding to the key document ID 404 has already been registered, the registration authentication program 6 proceeds to the process of S314, and when the feature information corresponding to the key document ID 404 is not registered, The process proceeds to S312.

In step 312 (S312), the authentication unit 640 outputs to the authentication result display unit 660 via the authentication result output unit 650 that the access to the output document cannot be permitted because the feature information is not registered.
When the authentication result display unit 660 receives an input from the authentication unit 640 indicating that access to the output document cannot be permitted because the feature information is not registered, the authentication result display unit 660 displays the fact on the UI device 26 (FIGS. 1 and 2). .

  In step 314 (S314), the authentication unit 640 (FIG. 5) displays the image data of the predetermined area (fiber pattern read from the access key document) input from the authentication information acquisition unit 630 and the key document in the document management DB 700. The feature information (fiber pattern) registered in association with the ID 404 is compared.

  In step 316 (S316), the registration authentication program 6 proceeds to the process of S320 when the input image data of the default area matches the feature information (fiber pattern) registered in the document management DB 700. If they do not match, the process proceeds to S318.

In step 318 (S318), the authentication unit 640 (FIG. 5) outputs to the authentication result display unit 660 that access to the output document is prohibited via the authentication result output unit 650.
When the authentication result display unit 660 receives a message indicating that access is prohibited from the authentication unit 640, the access result document is not permitted to be accessed by the UI device 26 (FIGS. 1 and 2) because the access key document is not the original document. (Or that the output document associated with the access key document cannot be printed) is displayed.

In step 320 (S320), the authentication unit 640 (FIG. 5) outputs to the authentication result display unit 660 that access to the output document is permitted via the authentication result output unit 650.
When the authentication result display unit 660 inputs that the access is permitted from the authentication unit 640, the authentication result display unit 660 indicates that the UI device 26 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is permitted to access the output document (or the access key document). That the output document associated with is printable).

  In step 322 (S322), the multi function device 1 determines whether or not the confirmation process (S30) has been completed for all the original sheets 40 set in the original feeding device 18, and if so, the confirmation process ( In step S30), the process returns to step S300 to check the next original sheet.

As described above, the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment outputs the output associated with the access key document on condition that the unique feature information (fiber pattern) is registered in the access key document (original paper 40). Allows access (output) to the document.
As a result, it is possible to prompt the owner of the access key document to register the characteristic information of the own access key document.
Therefore, the access key document can be generated and registered without changing the hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral.

  Also, by registering unique feature information in the access key document and authenticating with the registered feature information, access to the output document can be restricted even if the access key document is copied. it can. That is, the number of valid access key documents can be limited.

Further, by setting the access key confirmation mode, the multi-function device 1 according to the present embodiment can determine whether or not an associated output document can be output for each access key document.
That is, it is possible to make the multifunction device 1 check whether or not the feature information of the access key document matches the registered feature information.

[Modification]
Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described.
In the above-described embodiment, the form in which the code information 400 is printed on a printing paper (access key document) as a code image has been described as a specific example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the semiconductor attached to the printing paper The code information 400 may be written on the chip.
In the above embodiment, the fiber pattern of the paper is registered as feature information and used for authentication. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any information unique to the medium of the code information 400 may be used.
Note that it is desirable that the characteristic information unique to the medium is difficult to copy as compared with the code information 400.

In the above embodiment, the access key document generation process, the access key document feature information registration process, the access key document feature information authentication process, and the output document output process associated with the access key document are performed. Although the present invention is realized by one multifunction device 1, the present invention is not limited to this, and a part of these processes may be realized by another multifunction device, a facsimile machine, a copier, a computer, or a data storage device. . For example, the printing program 5 (FIG. 4) is installed in the multifunction device 1, the registration authentication program 6 (FIG. 5) is installed in an external server device, and a document management system including these multifunction device 1 and the server device is constructed. May be.
The registration unit included in the registration authentication program 6 may be realized by a facsimile machine. In this case, the facsimile apparatus reads the image data (fiber pattern) in the predetermined area and the key document ID from the access key document, and transmits them to the document management DB 700 provided outside.
The document management DB 700 may be realized using a single or a plurality of storage devices, and may be occupied by a single multifunction device or shared by a plurality of multifunction devices.

1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine 1 to which a document management method according to the present invention is applied, centering on a control device 2 thereof. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine main body 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. (A) is a diagram illustrating an access key document, and (B) is a diagram illustrating code information embedded in the access key document. It is a figure which shows the structure of the printing program 5 which is performed by the control apparatus 2 (FIG. 1, FIG. 2) and implement | achieves the document management method concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the registration authentication program 6 which is performed by the control apparatus 2 (FIG. 1, FIG. 2) and implement | achieves the document management method concerning this invention. (A) is a diagram illustrating registration information in the original document management DB 700 when the access key document is issued. (B) is registration information in the document management DB 700 after the feature information of the access key document is registered. (C) is a diagram illustrating an authentication result by the authentication unit 640. 10 is a flowchart showing a registration process (S10) by the multifunction device 1 (registration authentication program 6). 10 is a flowchart showing an output document printing process (S20) by the multifunction machine 1 (the printing program 5 and the registration authentication program 6). 10 is a flowchart showing a confirmation process (S30) of an access key document (original paper 40) by the multi function device 1 (print program 5 and registration authentication program 6).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... MFP 2 ... Control apparatus 5 ... Print program 500 ... Key image input part 510 ... Output document registration part 530 ... Code generation part 540 ... Image composition part 550 .. Printing unit 560... Image reading unit 570... Code analysis unit 580... Output document acquisition unit 6... Registration authentication program 600... Feature information acquisition unit 610. ... Characteristic information registration unit 630 ... Authentication information acquisition unit 640 ... Authentication unit 650 ... Authentication result output unit 660 ... Authentication result display unit 700 ... Document management database

Claims (12)

A document management apparatus for managing document output,
Feature information registration means for registering feature information indicating features unique to the key medium in association with identification information assigned to the key medium;
Identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information from the key medium;
Whether or not to permit output of a document corresponding to the identification information, depending on whether or not the feature information corresponding to the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit is registered by the feature information registration unit. A document management apparatus having authentication means for determining. 2. The document authentication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the authentication unit permits document output on condition that the feature information corresponding to the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit is registered in the feature information registration unit. Document management device. A feature acquisition means for acquiring the feature information from the key medium;
The authentication unit includes the feature information acquired by the feature acquisition unit and the feature information when the feature information corresponding to the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit is registered in the feature information registration unit. The document management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the document information is compared with the feature information registered in the registration unit, and output of the document is permitted according to the comparison result. A feature information reading means for reading the feature information of the key medium from the surface of the key medium;
The document according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the feature information registration unit registers the feature information read from the key medium by the feature information reading unit in association with identification information given to the key medium. Management device. The document management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is attached to the key medium in a state where the identification information can be copied more easily than the feature information. The document management apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the feature information registration unit prohibits registration of feature information corresponding to the identification information when the feature information registered for one piece of identification information exceeds a predetermined number. Authentication request information acquisition means for acquiring authentication request information indicating whether or not feature information authentication is required from the key medium;
Based on the authentication request information acquired by the authentication request information acquisition unit, when it is determined that authentication of feature information is required, a document corresponding to the key medium is output according to the determination by the authentication unit, The document management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a document output unit that outputs a document corresponding to the key medium when it is determined that authentication of the feature information is not required. The document management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying at least a part of the determination made by the authentication means. Image forming means for forming an image on an image forming medium;
The image forming unit forms an image with identification information associated with document data and authentication request information indicating whether or not authentication of feature information indicating a characteristic unique to the image forming medium is necessary. An image forming apparatus comprising: additional information adding means for generating a key medium by giving to an image forming medium. A document management system including a document management apparatus and an image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Image forming means for forming an image on an image forming medium;
Additional information providing means for assigning identification information associated with document data to an image forming medium on which an image is formed by the image forming means;
The document management apparatus includes:
Feature information registration means for registering feature information indicating features unique to the image forming medium in association with identification information given to the image forming medium;
Identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information from the image forming medium;
Document data corresponding to the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit according to whether or not the feature information corresponding to the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit is registered in the feature information registration unit A document management system having authentication means for determining whether or not to permit the output of the document. A document management method for managing document output,
Obtain the identification information from the key medium to which the identification information is given,
The feature information corresponding to the acquired identification information is obtained by referring to a table in which feature information indicating features unique to each key medium and identification information assigned to these key media are associated with each other. To determine whether or not
A document management method that permits output of a document corresponding to acquired identification information on condition that feature information corresponding to the identification information is registered in the table. Obtaining the identification information from the key medium to which the identification information is attached;
The feature information corresponding to the acquired identification information is obtained by referring to a table in which feature information indicating features unique to each key medium and identification information assigned to these key media are associated with each other. Determining whether it is registered in
A program for causing a computer to execute a step of permitting output of a document corresponding to acquired identification information on condition that feature information corresponding to the acquired identification information is registered in the table.

Images