JP2009104339A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus for increasing the combination pattern of a password by performing setting of a password according to the combination of a plurality of input devices preliminarily loaded on an image forming apparatus, and for preventing security from being easily released as long as the combination of the input devices is not specified even when the character string of the password is known. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes: a password setting part for setting a password configured of a plurality of pieces of code information; an operation part to input the password; and a password authentication part for verifying the password preliminarily set in the password setting part with the password input by the operation part, and for permitting an operation based on the verification results. The operation part includes a plurality of input devices to input the same code information, and attribute information of the input device to which the code information has been input is added to the code information configuring the password. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which a password pattern is increased and a security function is further strengthened by combining input devices preinstalled in the image forming apparatus.

  In recent years, various security functions have been added to image forming apparatuses in order to improve security awareness against information leakage at companies, and a typical example is password authentication. This password authentication is often entered using a touch panel displayed on the operation screen. However, there is a possibility that the password is guessed from the movement of the finger or hand when the user inputs the password, the security is released, the confidential document is copied or leaked, and the information is stolen and misused.

  Therefore, in order to prevent the security from being easily released, as described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of input keys 0 to 9 are provided on the touch panel, and the numerical arrangement of the input keys is irregular. A password input device has been proposed in which a password input by a user is not easily known to others from the movement of the user's finger or the like.

In addition, as described in Patent Document 2, a plurality of input keys 0 to 9 are provided on the touch panel, and the plurality of provided numbers are irregularly arranged and displayed. There has been proposed a password input device in which a password cannot be easily known even if another person is stolen as to the password input display.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-297875 JP 2006-243938 A

  However, all of the above password input devices increase the number of input keys displayed on the touch panel and make it difficult to guess the password from the movement of fingers, hands, etc. during the input operation. When a character string is specified, security can be easily released even when the number of input keys is large at the time of input. Even if the character string of the password cannot be specified, the number of combinations of passwords is limited. If there is a 4-digit password consisting of a combination of passwords, there are only 10,000 combinations of password combinations, and security can be released by inputting character strings in order.

  In addition, when a complicated security function is installed to avoid the above-mentioned problems, there is a problem that the cost is increased particularly in a low-end machine.

  Therefore, in view of the above-described problems, the object of the present invention is to combine not only a single input device but also a combination of a plurality of input devices by combining input devices preinstalled in the image forming apparatus. The password combination pattern can be further increased, so that it is not easily known to others from the user's actions, and even if the password character string is known, security is easily achieved unless the combination of input devices is specified. An image forming apparatus that is not released is provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first characteristic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is a password for setting a password composed of a plurality of code information as described in claim 1 of the document of the claims. A setting unit, an operation unit for inputting the password, a password authentication unit for verifying a password preset in the password setting unit and a password input in the operation unit, and allowing an operation based on the verification result An image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of input devices that input the same code information in the operation unit; and attributes of the input device in which the code information is input to the code information constituting the password Information is added.

  According to the above configuration, the password authentication unit configures the password when the password setting unit collates with the password set in advance using a plurality of input devices provided in the operation unit and the password input by the operation unit. If the code information does not match the attribute information of the input device, the operation is not allowed, so the number of password combinations can be increased without increasing the number of digits that make up the password, and complex security functions are not installed. However, security can be strengthened.

  According to the second feature configuration, in addition to the first feature configuration, the password setting unit includes attribute information of an input device in which the code information is input to code information constituting the password. And a second setting mode in which attribute information of the input device is not added, and the first or second setting mode can be selected when setting a password.

  According to the above configuration, when the password authentication unit collates the password preset in the password setting unit with the password input in the operation unit, the code information constituting the password does not match the attribute information of the input device. The first setting mode in which the operation is not allowed, and the attribute information of the input device is not added to the code information constituting the password. Therefore, the operation is allowed as long as the code information matches with any input device. The second setting mode can be selected by the user and the administrator when setting the user name and password, so if you want to increase the number of password combinations and strengthen the security, the first setting mode, when normal security is sufficient Can be used properly, such as selecting the second setting mode.

  In addition to the second feature configuration, the third feature configuration is handled by the password set in the first setting mode and the password set in the second setting mode as described in claim 3 The security management unit automatically sets the security level for the content to different levels.

  According to the above-described configuration, when the first setting mode is selected, the security level of the user who handles the image forming apparatus and the content handled by the user in the image forming apparatus is automatically set to be high. If the third party makes it difficult to eavesdrop and use content, and the second setting mode is selected, the user who handles the image forming apparatus and the content handled by the user in the image forming apparatus may be different, for example Settings such that the contents can be freely used can be automatically performed, and the troublesomeness of setting the security level is eliminated.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to set a password not only by a single input device but also by a combination of a plurality of input devices by combining input devices preinstalled in the image forming apparatus. In addition, the password combination pattern is further increased so that it is not easily known to others from the movement of the user's finger or hand, etc., and even if the password character string is known, it is easy unless the input device combination is specified. An image forming apparatus in which security is not released can be provided.

  Embodiments of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 reads an original set on an operation unit 200 on which a plurality of menu keys and the like for setting various settings of the image forming apparatus 100 are arranged, and an original placement unit 110. An image reading unit 120 that converts the image data into image data, and an image forming unit that is provided below the image reading unit 120 and forms and outputs a toner image on a sheet based on the image data read by the image reading unit 120 A paper supply cassette 140 (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) that stores paper of various sizes, and a paper discharge unit 150 that discharges the paper on which the toner image is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 200 includes a touch-panel type liquid crystal display unit 201 in the center, and includes numeric keys “0” to “9”, star keys, and digit keys on the right side thereof. A numeric keypad 202 as a first input device to be pressed when setting the number of sheets or inputting a numerical value, and a basic control key group for copying operations such as a start key 203, a stop / clear key 204, a reset key 205, and the like are arranged. Above the basic control key group, there are an initial setting key 211 for making machine settings such as initial setting, a department management key 212 for switching to a department code input screen while the apparatus 100 is on standby, and an assignment for interrupt copying when using the copy function. The power-saving key 214 and the power-saving function 214 for canceling the power-saving function are disposed. The document reading unit 120 reads the power-saving key 214 on the left side of the liquid crystal display unit 201. A copy mode key 206 for outputting captured image data to paper, a printer mode key 207 for printing output data from a computer or the like connected to a network on paper, and a scanner mode key for outputting image data read from a document over a network 208, a FAX mode key 209 for outputting image data read from a document by FAX is arranged, and a luminance adjustment knob 210 for adjusting the brightness of the liquid crystal display unit 201 is arranged on the upper part thereof.

  The touch-panel type liquid crystal display unit 201 displays operation procedures and problems of the image forming apparatus 100, various operation keys, a numeric keypad 215 as a second input device, and the like. By touching, the function displayed on the key is selected and determined.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a system control unit 300 that controls each functional block of the image forming apparatus 100.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the system control unit 300 controls a microcomputer 301 incorporating a CPU, a ROM 302 storing a control program executed by the CPU and control table data, and each functional block. For storing arithmetic data and control data, and a nonvolatile RAM 303 for temporarily storing data relating to each functional block, and a hard disk for storing various management information and contents such as image data read by the image reading unit 120 304, an input / output interface for inputting a control signal for each functional block and a signal from a sensor incorporated in each functional block, an operation control unit 220 for controlling the operation unit 200, and an image for controlling the image reading unit 120 Image shape for controlling the reading control unit 121 and the image forming unit 130 A control unit 131, a FAX modem 305 for transmitting and receiving image data by FAX, an interface circuit 308 for connecting the personal computers 306 and 307 outside the image forming apparatus 100 via a LAN, and a command bus 309 for serial communication of various control data And an image bus 310 for communicating image data.

  The operation control unit 220 includes a password setting unit 221 and a password authentication unit 222, and the password setting unit 221 is displayed on the numeric keypad 202 and the liquid crystal display unit 201 as the first input device provided in the operation unit 200. The first setting mode for adding the attribute information of the input device to which the code information is input to the code information that constitutes the password input from the numeric keypad 215 as the second input device, and the attribute information of the input device is not added A second setting mode is provided, and the first or second setting mode can be selected when setting a password.

  The password authentication unit 222 is configured to collate a numerical string input via the numeric keypad 202 and the numeric keypad 215 with a password preset in the password setting unit 221 and allow an operation based on the collation result. Has been.

  The system control unit 300 includes a security management unit 311 that automatically sets the security level for the content to be handled to a different level with the password set in the first setting mode and the password set in the second setting mode. Yes.

  The security management unit 311 restricts or cancels the reading of the content by password authentication, deletes the remaining content of the used hard disk 304, and adds a security watermark regarding content such as image data stored in the hard disk 304 In addition, SSL encryption to prevent unauthorized access and information leakage, PDF encryption, and settings such as restriction or cancellation of functions of PC transmission, FTP transmission, E-Mail transmission, and FAX transmission are performed.

  With the above-described configuration, the system control unit 300 executes predetermined control computations based on various control data via the command bus 309 and input signals from sensors or the like incorporated in each functional block, and performs each function. By outputting control signals for blocks and the like, the system of the image forming apparatus 100 is comprehensively controlled.

  Hereinafter, the setting of the user name and password in the image forming apparatus 100 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When a user having administrator authority (hereinafter referred to as an administrator) presses the initial setting key 211 of the operation unit 200, the initial setting mode is set (SA1), and the liquid crystal display unit 201 has initial settings that can be operated only by the administrator. A screen is displayed. On the initial setting screen, settings such as user management of the image forming apparatus 100, copy management, printer management, and communication management can be performed. Note that authentication using an administrator password is necessary so that a person without administrator authority cannot change the setting.

  Next, when the administrator selects the user management mode (SA2), the user name and password setting screen is displayed and the user name can be set. When the user name is set (SA3), the first password setting mode is set. The second setting mode can be selected, and when the first setting mode is selected (SA4), the password can be set in the first setting mode.

  In the first setting mode, since the attribute information of the input device is added to the code information constituting the password, any numerical value is input from the numeric keypad 202 or numeric keypad 215 (SA7, SA8). When a 4-digit numeric string is input and password setting is completed (SA9), a user name and password are set in the password setting section (SA10). Thereafter, the user name, the password, and the content handled by the image forming apparatus 100 when logging in with the user name are linked.

  In the first setting mode described above, when a password is configured with a 4-digit numeric string “1234”, the password shown in FIG. 5A and the password shown in FIG. The code information “3” is not treated as the same password because the attribute information of the input devices of the numeric keypad 202 and the numeric keypad 215 is different.

  When the second setting mode is selected (SA11), the attribute information of the input device that constitutes the password is not added. Therefore, either the numeric key 202 or the numeric key 215 may be used to input a numeric value. ”(SA11, SA12) and when the password setting is completed (SA13), the user name and password are set in the password setting unit (SA14). Thereafter, the contents handled by the image forming apparatus 100 at the time of login with the user name and password and the user name are linked (SA14).

  In the second setting mode described above, as shown in FIG. 5C, the attribute information of the input device is not added to the code information constituting the password. Therefore, when the password is constituted by the 4-digit numeric string “1234”, If only the code information matches, the password is handled as the same password regardless of which of the numeric keypad 202 and numeric keypad 215 is used.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the user 600 logging in to the image forming apparatus 100 after setting the user name and password in the first setting mode will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 6 and the display of the liquid crystal display unit 201 shown in FIG. .

  When the user 600 turns on the image forming apparatus 100 (SB1), a login screen 216 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 201 (SB2). On the login screen 216, a user name and a password input frame are displayed, and the user 600 selects and inputs his / her user name from a preset user list (SB3).

  Next, a cursor indicating that a numerical value can be input blinks in the password input frame. When the first digit is input by the numeric keypad 202 or the numeric keypad 215 (SA4), it indicates that the password authentication unit 222 has accepted the input, and a numerical value input by “*” so that the input numerical value is not confirmed by others. Is displayed, and the cursor blinks at the position of the second digit so as to prompt the input of the second digit. Similarly, when the second digit is input, as shown in FIG. 6A, the cursor blinks at the position of the third digit so as to prompt the input of the third digit. In this way, the user 600 inputs a predetermined numerical string via the numeric keypad 202 or numeric keypad 215 in the password input frame where the cursor is blinking (SB8).

  If the password authentication unit 222 is input using the numeric keypad 202 (SB5), the attribute information of the numeric keypad 202 is added to the code information of the input numeric value and stored, and if input using the numeric keypad 215, the input numeric value is stored. The attribute information of the numeric keypad 215 is added to the code information and stored (SB7).

  When the user 600 finishes inputting a predetermined numeric string, the user 600 presses the login key (SB9).

  The password authentication unit 222 compares the numeric string input by the user 600 with the password set in advance in the password setting unit 221. If both the code information and the attribute information of the input device match (SB10), the password authentication unit 222 permits login. As shown in FIG. 6B, the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 is permitted and a function setting screen 217 on which various functions can be input is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit.

  If the input numeric string does not match the preset password due to a numerical input mistake or mismatch of the attribute information of the input device, as shown in FIG. 6C, “the password is incorrect”. The display 218 is displayed, and the user 600 is prompted to input a numerical string again. In the middle of numerical input, pressing the stop / clear key 204 may interrupt the password input and return to the initial login screen.

  Next, content security handled by the user 600 who has set a password in the first setting mode will be described.

  When the image forming apparatus 100 cannot use the contents of other users if the users are different, the user 600 has set a password in the first setting mode. SSL for content such as image data stored in the hard disk 304 to be handled, which prevents the content from being read by password authentication, deletes the remaining content of the used hard disk 304, adds a security watermark, prevents unauthorized access and information leakage It is automatically set to limit the functions of encryption, PDF encryption, PC transmission, FTP transmission, E-Mail transmission, and FAX transmission.

  Regarding the function automatically restricted by the security management unit 311, if the user 600 wants to print out the image data read by the scanner on paper, the same password authentication as that at the time of login is set again. The password in this case may require a second password newly set by the user 600 different from the password at the time of login. In this way, the password set individually by each user is configured so that it cannot be canceled even if the user has administrator authority, thereby strengthening the security for each user.

  When the user 601 sets a password in the second setting mode, the security management unit 311 sets the user 600 without setting any special restrictions on the content such as image data stored in the hard disk 304 handled by the user 601. If the user logs in, the contents of the user 601 can be freely viewed and used.

  As described above, when a password is set in the second setting mode, attribute information is not added to the input device. Therefore, even if a numeric value is input via either the numeric keypad 202 or the numeric keypad 215, numeric code information Since the password is composed of only “0” to “9”, a password with a pattern of 10 × 10 × 10 × 10 = 10000 can be set in a 4-digit numeric string of numbers “0” to “9”.

  When a password is set in the first setting mode, attribute information is added to the input device. Therefore, the numeric keypad 202 and the numeric keypad 215 are configured by adding not only code information but also attribute information indicating which input device is used for input. Therefore, a password of 10 × 2 × 10 × 2 × 10 × 2 × 10 × 2 = 16,000 patterns can be set.

  If the password is 10,000 patterns, if a third party inputs one pattern in 10 seconds, the password authentication can be canceled by inputting all patterns within a maximum of 28 hours. In general, if there are two days on weekends and Sundays, which are holidays, the contents in the image forming apparatus 100 can be sufficiently browsed and used without permission.

  On the other hand, in the case of 160000 patterns, if a third party inputs one pattern in 10 seconds, it takes a maximum of 18 days to input all the patterns, and password authentication is far faster than in the case of 10,000 passwords. Is difficult to release. Furthermore, since the security level is automatically set to be high for the user and content for which the password is set in the first setting mode, it becomes difficult for the third party to eavesdrop on the content.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the password is input and set by the numeric keypad displayed on the liquid crystal display unit as the first input device and the numeric keypad displayed as the second input device has been described, but a third input device such as a keyboard is newly used. The password may be entered and set, and by increasing the number of input devices, the number of password patterns that can be set increases, resulting in stronger security.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where “*” is displayed when entering a numerical value of a password has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other symbols that cannot be used to confirm a numerical value input by another person may be used. It is also possible to apply known techniques.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the password is configured by using four-digit numbers has been described. However, the number of digits of the password can be appropriately selected by the user, and the numeric keypad displayed on the liquid crystal display unit is an alphabet or the like. The character key may be used, and the password may not be composed of only numeric values.

  The arrangement, name, shape, function, and the like of the various keys in the above-described embodiment are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to this, and can be changed as appropriate.

  In the embodiment described above, the image forming apparatus 100 relates to automatically setting the security level for the content to be handled to a different level with the password set in the first setting mode and the password set in the second setting mode. The case where the content of another user cannot be used if the user is different has been described. On the contrary, if the user can use the content of another user, the user can When a password is set in the mode, the contents of other users can be used. When a password is set in the second setting mode, the user who has set the password in the second setting mode The configuration may be such that the content it has cannot be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus including the password setting unit, the password authentication unit, and the security management unit according to the present invention has been described. However, the password setting unit, the password authentication unit, and the security management unit may be other devices such as a scanner device. The present invention is also applicable to a facsimile machine equipped with In addition, the present invention can be applied to various uses that require password authentication, such as when installed in a financial institution or when accessing an automatic teller machine or various networks.

  In addition, it goes without saying that various design changes are possible within the scope of the claims of the present invention. It is also possible to combine each embodiment mentioned above suitably in the range with which the effect by this invention is show | played.

  The above-described embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the specific configuration can be appropriately changed within a range where the effects of the present invention are exhibited.

Schematic of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention Explanatory drawing of the operation part of the image forming apparatus by this invention 1 is a block diagram of a control unit of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Flowchart for setting user name and password according to the present invention (A) is explanatory drawing of the password by 1st setting mode, (b) is explanatory drawing of the password by 1st setting mode, (c) is explanatory drawing of the password by 2nd setting mode. Flowchart for login according to the present invention Explanatory drawing of the operation part at the time of login by this invention Illustration of automatic security level setting according to the present invention

Explanation of symbols

100: Image forming apparatus 110: Document placing unit 120: Image reading unit 121: Image reading control unit 130: Image forming unit 131: Image forming control unit 140: Paper feed cassette 150: Paper discharge unit 200: Operation unit 201: Liquid crystal Display unit 202: numeric keypad 203: start key 204: stop / clear key 205: reset key 206: copy mode key 207: printer mode key 208: scanner mode key 209: FAX mode key 210: brightness adjustment knob 211: initial setting key 212 : Department management key 213: interrupt key 214: power saving key 215: numeric keypad 216: login screen 217: function setting screen 218: display 220: operation control unit 221: password setting unit 222: password authentication unit 300: system control unit 301: Microcomputer 302: ROM
303: RAM
304: Hard disk 305: FAX modem 306: Personal computer 307: Personal computer 308: Interface circuit 309: Command bus 310: Image bus 311: Security management unit 600: User 601: User

Claims (3)

A password setting unit for setting a password composed of a plurality of code information, an operation unit for inputting the password, a password set in advance in the password setting unit and a password input in the operation unit are collated, An image forming apparatus including a password authentication unit that allows an operation based on the collation result,
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a plurality of input devices that input the same code information in the operation unit; and attribute information of the input device into which the code information is input added to the code information constituting the password.   The password setting unit includes a first setting mode in which attribute information of an input device in which the code information is input is added to code information constituting the password, and a second setting mode in which the attribute information of the input device is not added. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first or second setting mode can be selected when setting a password.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a security management unit that automatically sets a security level for content to be handled to a different level with the password set in the first setting mode and the password set in the second setting mode. .

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