JP2010072707A - Image processor, image processing system, control program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent use of a recording medium created by illicit duplication in an image processor operated by reading information from a portable storage medium. <P>SOLUTION: The image processor 1 which can perform input/output of information to/from an SD card being connected thereto includes an information reading part 116c which acquires the serial ID of the installed SD card; a control part 116a which acquires the serial ID of an SD card installed to the other image processor connected through a network; and an information comparison part 116d which determines the validity of information recorded on the installed SD card based on a comparison result of both the serial IDs, and reads information from the SD card when the information is determined to be valid. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, a control program, and a recording medium, and more particularly to control of an image processing apparatus that can use a portable recording medium.

  In recent years, there has been a tendency to digitize information, and image forming apparatuses such as printers and facsimiles and image processing apparatuses used for outputting digitized information have become indispensable devices. Such an image processing apparatus is often configured as a multifunction machine that can be used as a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, a copier, and the like by providing an imaging function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like.

  Each of these image processing functions is realized by interlocking hardware and software. That is, each image processing function is realized by an application program corresponding to each function, such as a printer, a facsimile machine, a scanner, and a copier, operating to control hardware that realizes the function. .

  In such an image processing apparatus, an example has been proposed in which the application program is loaded from a portable recording medium such as an SD (Secure Digital) card (registered trademark). As a result, application programs and version upgrades can be easily executed.

  However, the portable recording medium can be used by an information processing apparatus such as a PC (Personal Computer). Therefore, the application program recorded on the portable recording medium may be falsified or copied. In response to such a problem, a method for ensuring the safety and validity of an application program recorded on a portable recording medium has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, when an application program is read from the recording medium, an authentication check of the recording medium is performed. If the result of the authentication check is normal, the application program is read.
JP 2004-303222 A

  When the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used, the authentication process for the recording medium needs to be executed truly and legitimately. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a method of mainly using identification information of a recording medium as a method for executing an authentication check of the recording medium.

  However, the identification information of the recording medium is also information that may be falsified and duplicated, like the application program. That is, even if the result of the authentication check using the identification information of the recording medium is normal, it may not be said that the recorded application program is safe and valid. In particular, tampering can be detected by confirming consistency with information recorded in advance, but it is very difficult to detect duplication.

  Here, the purpose of detecting the copy of the recording medium is to prevent the application program from being used beyond the number of licenses of the contract. On the other hand, it is acceptable to replace one recording medium with a plurality of image forming apparatuses of the same model. That is, even if a duplicated recording medium is used, the above object can be substantially achieved if a plurality of recording media having the same identification information are not used simultaneously in different image forming apparatuses. .

  Such a problem is typically the case of an application program as described above. However, even if other information such as setting information is read from a portable storage medium, it can be a problem as well.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to prevent the use of a recording medium generated by unauthorized duplication in an image processing apparatus that operates by reading information from a portable storage medium. To do.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 1 is an image processing apparatus capable of inputting / outputting information by mounting a portable recording medium, the first portable type mounted on the image processing apparatus. An identification information acquisition unit for acquiring identification information for identifying the first portable recording medium from the recording medium, and a second portable recording attached to another image processing apparatus connected via a network A comparison information acquisition unit that acquires identification information for identifying a medium as comparison information, and a determination unit that determines validity of the first portable recording medium based on a comparison result between the identification information and the comparison information And an information reading unit that reads information from the first portable recording medium when the determination unit determines that the first portable recording medium is valid.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the determination unit determines that the first portable recording medium is illegal when the identification information matches the comparison information. It is judged that it is.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the information recorded in the first portable recording medium realizes an image processing function of the image processing apparatus. It is a program for performing.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the third aspect, the image processing function is realized when the determination unit determines that the first portable recording medium is illegal. And an application stopping unit that stops an application that is operating in order to stop the application.

  Further, in the image processing apparatus according to claim 4, the application stopping unit is configured to execute the image processing being executed when the image processing function by the application to be stopped is being executed. The application is stopped after the function is completed.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the first portable recording medium can be validated before the comparison information acquisition unit acquires the comparison information. The apparatus further includes an in-device determination unit that determines the sex, and the comparison information acquisition unit acquires the comparison information when the in-device determination unit determines that the first portable recording medium is valid. It is characterized by that.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an unauthorized identification information storage unit storing identification information of an unauthorized portable recording medium, And determining a validity of the first portable recording medium based on a comparison result between the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit and the identification information stored in the unauthorized identification information storage unit. Features.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the determination unit determines that the first portable recording medium is illegal, the identification information acquisition unit The acquired identification information is stored in the unauthorized identification information storage unit.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the determination unit determines that the first portable recording medium is illegal. The information processing apparatus further includes an unauthorized identification information transmission unit that transmits the identification information acquired by the image processing apparatus to another image processing apparatus connected via a network.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, information recorded on the first portable recording medium is stored in the fraud identification information storage unit. Update information for updating identification information of an unauthorized portable recording medium that has been stored, and the information reading unit stores the unauthorized identification information based on the update information read from the first portable recording medium. The information stored in the section is updated.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image processing device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, the comparison information acquisition unit is connected to the image processing device with a signal for acquiring the comparison information. The comparison information is acquired by broadcasting to a network.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, the comparison information acquisition unit is a storage unit connected via a network and the second information acquisition unit. The comparison information is acquired from a storage unit that stores identification information for identifying a portable recording medium.

  The invention according to claim 13 is the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein when the determination unit determines that the first portable recording medium is illegal, the first The portable recording medium further includes a display unit for displaying that the portable recording medium is illegal.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing system including a plurality of image processing devices that are capable of inputting / outputting information by mounting a portable recording medium, wherein at least one of the plurality of image processing devices. Has an identification information acquisition unit, a comparison information acquisition unit, a determination unit, and an information reading unit, the identification information acquisition unit from the first portable recording medium attached to the image processing apparatus, Identification information for identifying the first portable recording medium is obtained, and the comparison information obtaining unit obtains identification information for identifying the second portable recording medium attached to another image processing apparatus. Requesting a device connected via a network, and the device connected via the network provides identification information for identifying the second portable recording medium in response to a request from the comparison information acquisition unit Reply and take the comparison information A unit acquires identification information for identifying the second portable recording medium as comparison information in response to transmission from a device connected via the network, and the determination unit includes the identification information and the When the legitimacy of the first portable recording medium is determined based on the comparison result with the comparison information, and when the reading unit determines that the first portable recording medium is legitimate The information is read from the first portable recording medium.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to the fourteenth aspect, the comparison information acquisition unit sends a request for acquiring the comparison information to a network to which the image processing apparatus is connected. The comparison information is acquired by broadcasting.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, identification for identifying the second portable recording medium connected to the plurality of image processing apparatuses via a network. The information processing apparatus further includes a storage unit that stores information, and the comparison information acquisition unit transmits a request for acquiring the comparison information to the storage unit.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control program for controlling an image processing apparatus capable of inputting / outputting information by mounting a portable recording medium, the first portable type mounted on the image processing apparatus. A step of acquiring identification information for identifying the portable recording medium from the recording medium, and the second portable recording medium mounted on another image processing apparatus connected via a network. Obtaining identification information for identifying the portable recording medium as comparison information, and determining the validity of the first portable recording medium based on a comparison result between the identification information and the comparison information And causing the image processing apparatus to execute a step of reading information from the first portable recording medium when the determination unit determines that the first portable recording medium is valid. To.

  The invention according to claim 18 is a recording medium, wherein the control program according to claim 17 is recorded in a format readable by the image processing apparatus.

  According to the present invention, in an image processing apparatus that operates by reading information from a portable storage medium, it is possible to prevent the use of a recording medium generated by unauthorized duplication.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an operation mode of the image processing system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, in the image processing system according to the present embodiment, an image processing device 1 and an image processing device 2 are connected to a network A. The image processing apparatus 1 and the image processing apparatus 2 are image processing apparatuses of the same model. That is, the image processing apparatus 1 and the image processing apparatus 2 can operate using an application program recorded on the same portable recording medium.

  The network A is a network in a limited range such as an office LAN (Local Area Network) or a home LAN. The network A according to the present embodiment is a network connected to one router or less and is a range where a broadcast signal reaches.

  Next, a hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the image processing apparatus 1 will be described, but the same applies to the image processing apparatus 2.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes the same configuration as an information processing terminal such as a general server or a PC (Personal Computer). In other words, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20, an engine 30, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 40, and an NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) 50. And the I / F 60 are connected via a bus 90. Further, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 70 and an operation unit 80 are connected to the I / F 60.

  The CPU 10 is a calculation unit and controls the operation of the entire image processing apparatus 1. The RAM 20 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 10 processes information. The engine 30 is an image processing engine that executes an image processing function such as a scanner or a printer. The ROM 40 is a read-only nonvolatile storage medium and stores a program such as firmware.

  The NVRAM 50 is a non-volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information, and stores information such as an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, and operation parameters of the application programs. The I / F 60 connects and controls the bus 90 and various hardware and networks. The LCD 70 is a visual user interface for the user to check the state of the image processing apparatus 1. The operation unit 80 is a user interface for a user to input information to the image processing apparatus 1 such as a keyboard and a mouse.

  In such a hardware configuration, a program stored in a recording medium such as a ROM 40, an NVRAM 50, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) (not shown), an optical disk, or a portable recording medium is read into the RAM 20, and operates according to the control of the CPU 10. Thus, the software control unit is configured. A functional block that realizes the functions of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured by a combination of the software control unit configured as described above and hardware.

  Next, the software configuration of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the software of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes various applications 131 and a platform 132. These are executed in parallel on a process basis by an OS (Operating System) such as UNIX (registered trademark). The application 131 is software for executing information processing unique to each function of the MFP 101.

  The application 131 includes a copy application 141, a printer application 142, a scanner application 143, a facsimile application 144, and a network file application 145. The copy application 141 is an application for realizing a copy function. The printer application 142 is a printer application.

  The scanner application 143 is a scanner application. The facsimile application 144 is an application for facsimile. The network file application 145 is an application for network files. The network file application 145 includes Web server software for distributing HTML documents and the like, a Web browser for browsing HTML documents and the like.

  The platform 132 is software for executing information processing related to processing requests from the application 131 to the hardware. In order to receive a processing request from the application 131, an API (Application Programming Interface) 133 that receives the processing request using a predefined function is used. For transmission of a processing request to the hardware, an ENI (Engine Interface) 134 that transmits the processing request using a predefined function is used.

  The platform 132 includes various control services 151, an SRM (System Resource Manager) 152, and various handlers 153. The control service 151 interprets a processing request from the application 131 to the hardware, and generates a hardware acquisition request according to the interpretation result. The control service 151 includes NCS (Network Control Service) 161, FCS (Facsimile Control Service) 162, DCS (Delivery Control Service) 163, ECS (Engine Control Service 16), ECS (Engine Control Service 16). Service 166, UCS (User Directory Control Service) 167, SCS (System Control Service) 168, and OUS (On Demand Update Service) 169.

  The process of the NCS 161 provides an API for performing data communication via a network or the like. The FCS 162 process provides an API for performing image data communication, image data acquisition, image data printing, and the like as a facsimile. The process of DCS 163 performs control relating to distribution of document data stored in the recording medium of the image processing apparatus 1. The ECS 164 process controls the engine 30.

  The process of the MCS 165 controls the memory and hard disk drive such as image data storage and image data processing. The process of the OCS 166 controls the operation panel. The process of the UCS 167 performs control related to management of user information. The process of the SCS 168 performs control related to system management. The process of the OUS 169 performs control related to program update.

  The handler 153 manages hardware according to the arbitration result. As the handler 153, there are an FCUH (Facsimile Control Unit Handler) 171 and an IMH (Image Memory Handler) 172. The FCUH 171 manages the facsimile control unit. The IMH 172 allocates memory to each process and manages the memory allocated to each process.

  Of the software shown in FIG. 3, a program for configuring the application 131 is stored in a portable storage medium. These programs are read from the portable storage medium to the RAM 20 shown in FIG. 2 in response to the activation of the image processing apparatus 1, and operate according to the control of the CPU 10.

  Next, the functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a controller 100, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 101, a scanner unit 102, a paper discharge tray 103, a network I / F 104, and a facsimile I. / F 105, a paper feed table 106, a print engine 107, a paper discharge tray 108, a display panel 109, and a card slot 110.

  The controller 100 includes a main control unit 111, an engine control unit 112, an input / output control unit 113, an image processing unit 114, an operation display control unit 115, and a recording medium control unit 116. In FIG. 4, the electrical connection is indicated by solid arrows, and the flow of paper is indicated by broken arrows. With the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has functions of a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, a copier, and the like.

  The network I / F 104 is an interface used when the image processing apparatus 1 communicates with another device such as a client terminal, and is realized by the I / F 60 illustrated in FIG. The network I / F 104 is configured by an Ethernet (registered trademark) or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface. The print job transmitted from the client terminal is input to the controller 100 via the network I / F 104, and image forming processing based on the print job is executed under the control of the controller 100. The facsimile I / F 105 is an interface for transmitting image information to the public line network when the image processing apparatus 1 functions as a facsimile, and is realized by the I / F 60 shown in FIG.

  The display panel 109 is an output interface that visually displays the state of the image processing apparatus 1 and is also an input interface when the user directly operates the image processing apparatus 1 as a touch panel. The display panel 109 is realized by the LCD 70 and the operation unit 80 shown in FIG.

  The card slot 110 is a connection interface with a portable recording medium. The portable recording medium used in this embodiment is an SD card (registered trademark). Other portable recording media include magnetic recording media such as magnetic tape, cassette tape, and magnetic disk, optical discs such as CD, MO, MD, and DVD, PC cards, compact flash (registered trademark) cards, and smart media (registered trademarks). ), A removable portable recording medium such as an IC card, a Memory Stick (registered trademark), a USB memory or the like.

  The main control unit 111 plays a role of controlling each unit included in the controller 100, and gives a command to each unit of the controller 100. The main control unit 111 is mainly realized by the platform 132 shown in FIG. The engine control unit 112 serves as a driving unit that controls or drives the print engine 107, the scanner unit 102, and the like. The engine control unit 112 is mainly realized by the application 131 shown in FIG.

  The input / output control unit 113 inputs information such as a print job input via the network I / F 104 to the main control unit 111 and is connected to the network via the network I / F 104 according to a command from the main control unit 111. Send information to other devices. The input / output control unit 113 receives image information transmitted as a facsimile via the facsimile I / F 105 and executes facsimile transmission via the facsimile I / F 105 in accordance with a command from the main control unit 111. The input / output control unit 113 is realized mainly by the application 131 shown in FIG.

  The image processing unit 114 generates drawing information based on information included in the print job according to the control of the main control unit 111. This drawing information is information for drawing an image to be formed by the print engine 107 in the image forming operation. The image processing unit 114 processes image data input from the scanner unit 102 and generates image data. This image data is information stored in a HDD (not shown) as a result of the scanner operation or transmitted to a client terminal or the like via the network I / F 104. The image processing unit 114 is realized by the application 131 illustrated in FIG.

  The operation display control unit 115 inputs operation information input by the user from the display panel 109 to the main control unit 111. Further, the operation display control unit 115 displays information on the display panel 109 in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 111. The operation display control unit 115 is realized by the platform 132 shown in FIG.

  The recording medium control unit 116 reads information from a portable recording medium mounted in the card slot 110 and writes information to the portable recording medium according to the control of the main control unit 111. Further, when the application program is read from the portable recording medium loaded in the card slot 110, the recording medium control unit 116 determines whether or not the reading is possible according to a predetermined process. The processing by the recording medium control unit 116 is one of the gist according to the present embodiment.

  When the image processing apparatus 1 operates as a printer, first, the input / output control unit 113 receives a print job via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or a LAN (Local Area Network) connected to the host I / F 104. As a result, a print job is generated. When a print job occurs, the image processing unit 114 generates drawing information based on information such as a print job or an accumulated document included in a storage medium (not shown) such as an HDD in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 111. The drawing information generated by the image processing unit 114 is sequentially spooled to an HDD (not shown).

  The engine control unit 112 drives the paper feed table 106 under the control of the main control unit 111 and conveys printing paper to the print engine 107. In addition, the engine control unit 112 acquires drawing information spooled in an HDD (not shown) and inputs the drawing information to the print engine 107. The print engine 107 executes image formation on the paper conveyed from the paper feed table 106 based on the drawing information received from the engine control unit 112. That is, the print engine 107 operates as an image forming unit. As a specific aspect of the print engine 107, an image forming mechanism using an ink jet method, an image forming mechanism using an electrophotographic method, or the like can be used. A document on which image formation has been performed by the print engine 107 is discharged to a discharge tray 108.

  When the image processing apparatus 1 operates as a scanner, the input / output control unit 113 operates as a main control unit in response to a user operation on the display panel 109 or a scan execution instruction input from an external host device via the network I / F 104. A scan execution signal is transmitted to 111. The main control unit 111 controls the engine control unit 112 based on the scan execution signal received from the input / output control unit 113.

  The engine control unit 112 drives the ADF 101 and conveys the document to be imaged set on the ADF 101 to the scanner unit 102. In addition, the engine control unit 112 drives the scanner unit 102 and images a document conveyed from the ADF 101. If no original is set on the ADF 101 and the original is directly set on the scanner unit 102, the scanner unit 102 images the set original under the control of the engine control unit 112. That is, the scanner unit 102 operates as an imaging unit.

  In the imaging operation, an imaging element such as a CCD included in the scanner unit 102 optically scans the document, and imaging information generated based on the optical information is generated. The engine control unit 112 transfers the imaging information generated by the scanner unit 102 to the image processing unit 114. The image processing unit 114 generates image information based on the imaging information received from the engine control unit 112 according to the control of the main control unit 111.

  Image information generated by the image processing unit 114 is sequentially spooled to an HDD (not shown). That is, the engine control unit 112 and the image processing unit 114 function as an image information acquisition unit in conjunction with each other. The image information generated by the image processing unit 114 and spooled in the HDD is stored in the HDD or transmitted to an external host device via the input / output control unit 113 and the network I / F 104 according to a user instruction.

  Further, when the image processing apparatus 1 operates as a copying machine, the image processing unit 114 is based on the imaging information received from the scanner unit 102 by the engine control unit 112 or the image information generated by the image processing unit 114 and stored in the HDD. Generates drawing information.

  Based on the drawing information, the engine control unit 112 drives the print engine 107 as in the case of the printer operation. When the image processing apparatus 1 operates as a facsimile, the image processing unit 114 generates image information to be transmitted by facsimile as a result of the scanning operation described above, and the main control unit 111 controls the input / output control unit 113 to perform facsimile. The generated image information is transmitted via the I / F 105.

  In such an image processing apparatus 1, the gist of the present embodiment lies in processing when the recording medium control unit 116 reads information from the SD card mounted in the card slot 110 as described above. With reference to FIG. 5, the recording medium control unit 116 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the recording medium control unit 116 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the recording medium control unit 116 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 116a, a mounting detection unit 116b, an information reading unit 116c, and an information comparison unit 116d. The control unit 116 a controls the overall operation of the recording medium control unit 116 based on the control of the main control unit 111.

  The attachment detection unit 116b detects that an SD card is attached to the card slot 110. The information reading unit 116 c reads information from the SD card attached to the card slot 110. The information comparison unit 116d compares the SD card identification information acquired from the SD card with the comparison information acquired via the network, and outputs the comparison result. Here, the comparison information is identification information of a portable storage medium mounted on another image processing apparatus connected via a network, such as the image processing apparatus 2.

  In such an image processing apparatus 1, the gist of the present embodiment is a check operation when an application program is read from an SD card mounted in the card slot 110. Hereinafter, the operation of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation when information is read from the SD card inserted in the card slot 110 in the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  First, the attachment detection unit 116b detects the attachment of an SD card to the card slot 110 (S601). Upon receiving the notification of mounting detection from the mounting detection unit 116b, the control unit 116a controls the information reading unit 116c to read the SD card identification information from the SD card. In addition, the control unit 116a notifies the main control unit 111 of detection of SD card attachment.

  The information reading unit 116c reads the identification information of the SD card from the SD card inserted in the card slot 110 according to the control of the control unit 116a (S602). That is, the information reading unit 116c functions as an identification information acquisition unit. Here, information stored in the SD card according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the SD card according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, card identification information and an application program are recorded on the SD card according to the present embodiment.

  The card identification information is a serial ID recorded at the time of manufacturing the SD card, and is information such as a numeric string or a character string having a predetermined number of digits. In principle, this serial ID is unique information for uniquely identifying each SD card. Therefore, by storing legitimate SD card information in advance, unauthorized use of the SD card can be prevented. However, when the serial ID is copied, it is not possible to prevent unauthorized use of the SD card by the above method. The present embodiment addresses such a problem. As described above, the application program is program information for configuring the application 131 shown in FIG.

  When the main control unit 111 receives an SD card attachment notification from the control unit 116 a of the recording medium control unit 116, the main control unit 111 controls the input / output control unit 113 to broadcast a device information acquisition request via the network I / F 104 ( S603). The acquisition request broadcast in S603 is input to all devices connected to the network A. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, devices connected to the network A are an image processing device 1 and an image processing device 2. Accordingly, the acquisition request broadcast in S603 is input to the image processing apparatus 2. The image processing device 2 responds to the device information acquisition request from the image processing device 1 by transmitting device information.

  The device information of the image processing apparatus 2 transmitted to the image processing apparatus 1 is acquired by the input / output control unit 113 via the network I / F 104. The input / output control unit 113 inputs the received device information to the main control unit 111. As a result, the main control unit 111 recognizes a device that responds to the device information acquisition request (hereinafter referred to as a response device). When the image processing apparatus 1 recognizes the response device, it logs in to the response device (S604). As a result, the image processing apparatus 1 can read information from the image processing apparatus 2.

  When the image processing apparatus 1 logs in to the image processing apparatus 2, the image processing apparatus 1 transmits an SD card identification information acquisition request to the image processing apparatus 2. Hereinafter, the operation of the image processing apparatus 2 that has received the acquisition request for the SD card identification information will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image processing apparatus 2 that has received an SD card identification information acquisition request. As described above, since the image processing apparatus 1 and the image processing apparatus 2 have the same configuration, the following description will be made using the reference numerals shown as those of the image processing apparatus 1 in FIGS. 4 and 5.

  The acquisition request input to the image processing apparatus 2 is received by the input / output control unit 113 via the network I / F 104 (S801). The input / output control unit 113 inputs the received acquisition request to the main control unit 111. In response to the notification from the input / output control unit 113, the main control unit 111 controls the recording medium control unit 116 to check whether an SD card is installed in the card slot 110 (S802). In S802, whether or not the SD card is mounted is confirmed by the control unit 116a controlling the mounting detection unit 116b.

  As a result of S802, when the SD card is not installed (S802 / NO), the main control unit 111 controls the input / output control unit 113, and no SD card is installed in the image processing apparatus 1 via the network I / F 104. Is transmitted (unmounted information) (S805), and the process is terminated.

  As a result of S802, when an SD card is mounted (S802 / YES), the main control unit 111 controls the recording medium control unit 116 to read card identification information from the SD card mounted in the card slot 110. (S803). When acquiring the card identification information in S803, the main control unit 111 controls the input / output control unit 113 to transmit the card identification information to the image processing apparatus 1 via the network I / F 104 (S804), and ends the process. .

  With the processing in FIG. 8, it is possible to collectively obtain the serial IDs of SD cards connected to the network A and installed in all the image processing apparatuses that are being activated. Here, “being activated” means that the image processing apparatus receives the acquisition request via the network, reads the serial ID from the SD card, and is ready to transmit the serial ID via the network. . That is, even when the power supply is partially stopped and the power supply is stopped until the operation as the image processing apparatus is impossible, the above three processes can be executed. Then, in this embodiment, it is assumed that “being activated”.

  The card identification information is transmitted from the image processing apparatus 2 to the image processing apparatus 1 by the processing of FIG. The card identification information input to the image processing apparatus 1 is received by the input / output control unit 113 via the network I / F 104. The main control unit 111 acquires the card identification information acquired by the input / output control unit 113 as comparison information (S605). This comparison information is information for comparison with the identification information acquired in S602. The main control unit 111 inputs the acquired comparison information to the recording medium control unit 116. The process in which the main control unit 111 acquires the comparison information is executed according to a notification from the control unit 116a of the recording medium control unit 116 as described above. That is, the control unit 116a functions as a comparison information acquisition unit.

  When the comparison information is input to the recording medium control unit 116, the control unit 116a controls the information comparison unit 116d to compare the identification information acquired in S602 with the input comparison information (S606). In the present embodiment, the identification information acquired in the image processing apparatus 1 is only compared with the identification information acquired in the image processing apparatus 2. However, as described above, the acquisition request transmitted in S603 is Broadcast. Therefore, a plurality of pieces of comparison information may be acquired in S605. That is, the general process of S606 is a process of comparing the identification information acquired in S602 with each of the plurality of comparison information acquired in S605.

  As a result of S606, if the comparison information includes the same identification information as the identification information acquired in S602, that is, if there is the same serial ID (S607 / YES), the information comparison unit 116d is mounted in the card slot 110. The determined SD card is determined to be an unauthorized card. That is, the information comparison unit 116d functions as a determination unit. The recording medium control unit 116 notifies the main control unit 111 that the SD card installed in the card slot 110 is an illegal card. Receiving the notification that the installed SD card is an illegal card, the main control unit 111 controls the operation display control unit 115 to display an error on the display panel 109 (S608), and ends the process.

  On the other hand, as a result of S606, if the comparison information does not include the same identification information as the identification information acquired in S602, that is, if there is no identical serial ID (S607 / NO), the information comparison unit 116d displays the card slot 110. It is determined that the SD card attached to is a valid card. As a result, the control unit 116a controls the information reading unit 116c, reads the application program from the SD card mounted in the card slot 110 (S609), and ends the process.

  As described above, an application program is read from the SD card, loaded into the RAM 20, and operated according to the control of the CPU 10. As a result, the application 131 is configured as shown in FIG. 3, and operates as the engine control unit 112 shown in FIG. As a result, the image processing apparatus 1 is in a state where each image processing function can be executed.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment reads the serial ID of the SD card installed in another image processing apparatus connected to the network before reading the application program from the SD card. Then, the image processing apparatus 1 compares the serial ID of the SD card attached to the image processing apparatus 1 with the serial ID acquired via the network. As a result of this comparison, the image processing apparatus 1 reads the application program only when there is no identical ID.

  By such processing, at least in the network A, it becomes impossible to simultaneously use a plurality of SD cards generated by duplication. In this embodiment, it is not possible to detect fraud of the SD card. However, for example, while the duplicated SD card is being used, it becomes impossible to use the original SD card, so that it is possible to substantially prevent the use of the duplicated SD card. Become.

  In the present embodiment, the other serial ID acquired as the comparison information is the serial ID of the SD card attached to the image processing apparatus connected to the network A. Therefore, when a duplicated SD card is used in a network other than the network A, the above effect cannot be obtained. However, an unauthorized SD card generated by duplication is often used in an image processing apparatus connected to a limited network such as an in-house LAN. Therefore, the above-described aspect is effective as an effect of suppressing the use of the copied SD card.

  As described above, the image processing system and the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment prevent the use of a recording medium generated by unauthorized duplication in an image processing apparatus that operates by reading information from a portable storage medium. It becomes possible. More specifically, it is possible to substantially prevent the use of the copied recording medium by preventing the recording medium generated by unauthorized duplication from being simultaneously used in different image processing apparatuses. .

  In the above-described embodiment, as an example of the network A, a network configured below one router has been described as an example. Broadcasting in S603 of FIG. 6 can be easily performed with a network of one router or less. In addition, it is desirable that the range of the network A is as wide as possible. Thereby, it becomes possible to more suitably prevent the use of the copied SD card.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the application program was demonstrated as an example as an example of the information read from SD card. In addition, the same effect as described above can be obtained even if the parameter information for the engine control unit 112 to control the scanner unit 102 or the print engine 107 or the information for customizing the display on the display panel 109 is used. It becomes possible.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the example which uses serial ID of SD card as identification information is demonstrated. In addition, for example, the same effect as described above can be obtained by using the serial ID of the application program.

  In the above embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 6, the image processing apparatus 1 that authenticates the SD card is attached to the image processing apparatus 2 after logging in to the image processing apparatus 2 that is a response device. The example of acquiring the serial ID of the SD card has been described. In addition, a request for acquiring the serial ID of the SD card may be broadcast after S602. In this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained by interpreting the signal on the image processing apparatus 2 side, reading out the serial ID from the SD card, and sending it back.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, an example is described in which after an SD card is inserted into the card slot 110, it is confirmed whether or not the same ID exists via the network. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which confirmation processing is performed by the image processing apparatus 1 alone before performing confirmation processing for the same ID. In addition, about the structure which attaches | subjects the same code | symbol as Embodiment 1, it shall show the same or an equivalent part, and abbreviate | omits detailed description.

  The image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that described in FIGS. In the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the configuration of the recording medium control unit 116 is different from that of the first embodiment. FIG. 9 shows a configuration of the recording medium control unit 116 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the recording medium control unit 116 according to the present embodiment includes an unauthorized ID storage unit 116 e in addition to the aspect of the first embodiment. The unauthorized ID storage unit 116e stores information on the serial ID of an SD card for which unauthorized copying has already been confirmed. That is, the unauthorized ID storage unit 116e is an unauthorized identification information storage unit. FIG. 10 shows an example of information stored in the unauthorized ID storage unit 116e.

  Next, in the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, an operation when reading information from the SD card installed in the card slot 110 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation when information is read from the SD card mounted in the card slot 110 in the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. For S1101 and S1102, processing is executed as in FIG.

  The control unit 116a notifies the information comparison unit 116d of the serial ID read by the information reading unit 116c. The information comparison unit 116d compares the notified serial ID with the ID stored in the unauthorized ID storage unit 116e according to the control of the control unit 116a (S1103). The process of S1103 is a process completed within the image processing apparatus 1. That is, the information comparison unit 116d functions as an in-device determination unit.

  As a result of S1103, when it matches any of the IDs stored in the unauthorized ID storage unit 116e (S1104 / YES), the information comparing unit 116d determines that the SD card installed in the card slot 110 is an unauthorized card. to decide. In this case, the recording medium control unit 116 notifies the main control unit 111 that the SD card installed in the card slot 110 is an illegal card.

  Receiving the notification that the installed SD card is an illegal card, the main control unit 111 controls the operation display control unit 115 to display an error on the display panel 109 (S1105), and ends the process. On the other hand, if the result of S1103 does not match any of the IDs stored in the unauthorized ID storage unit 116e (S1104 / NO), the recording medium control unit 116 notifies the ID check via the network. To the main control unit 111. Accordingly, the process proceeds to S1106.

  About S1106-S1110, a process is performed similarly to S603-S607. If the comparison information includes the same identification information as the identification information acquired in S1102, that is, if there is the same serial ID (S1111 / YES), the information comparison unit 116d is mounted in the card slot 110. It is determined that the existing SD card is an unauthorized card.

  When the information comparison unit 116d determines that the SD card installed in the card slot 110 is an unauthorized card, the information comparison unit 116d registers the serial ID acquired in S1102 in the unauthorized ID storage unit (S116e). As a result, when the next determination is made, it is possible to determine that the SD card inserted in the card slot 110 this time is an unauthorized SD card without performing confirmation via the network.

  When the registration to the unauthorized ID storage unit is completed, the recording medium control unit 116 notifies the main control unit 111 that the SD card installed in the card slot 110 is an unauthorized card. Receiving the notification that the installed SD card is an illegal card, the main control unit 111 controls the operation display control unit 115 to display an error on the display panel 109 (S1105), and ends the process.

  On the other hand, if the comparison information does not include the same identification information as the identification information acquired in S1102, that is, if there is no identical serial ID (S1111 / NO), the information comparison unit 116d is installed in the card slot 110. It is determined that the existing SD card is a valid card. Thereby, the control unit 116a controls the information reading unit 116c, reads the application program from the SD card inserted in the card slot 110 (S1112), and ends the process.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when an SD card is inserted into the card slot 110, the check in the image processing apparatus 1 is executed before executing the serial ID check via the network. Only when the check in the image processing apparatus 1 passes, the serial ID is checked via the network.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the number of times the check is executed via the network. As a result, the network load can be reduced. In the case of a check via the network, even an SD card copied illegally cannot be detected unless it is simultaneously used in the network A.

  According to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent use of an ID stored in the unauthorized ID storage unit 116e, that is, an SD card having a serial ID for which unauthorized copying has already been detected. In addition, since the serial ID once detected to be fraudulent is registered in the fraudulent ID storage unit 116e, it is possible to prevent the use of the SD card of that serial ID from the next time without checking through the network. Become.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the comparison with the serial ID stored in the unauthorized ID storage unit 116e is performed as the check inside the image processing apparatus 1 has been described. In addition, various modes can be used for checking inside the image processing apparatus 1. For example, the validity check of the application program by electronic authentication can be executed as a check inside the image processing apparatus 1. For checking the application program by electronic authentication, a known method can be used, and it is possible to detect falsification or duplication of the application program recorded on the SD card. As a result, as described above, it is possible to reduce the number of times the check is executed via the network and reduce the network load.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, as illustrated in S1111 of FIG. 11, the example in which the serial ID determined to be unauthorized is registered in the unauthorized ID storage unit 116e has been described. In addition to this, regarding the management of unauthorized IDs, it is preferable that IDs determined to be unauthorized by other devices are also registered in the unauthorized ID storage unit 116e. For example, when the update information for updating the unauthorized ID storage unit 116e is recorded on the SD card and read in S1112 in FIG. 11, the information in the unauthorized ID storage unit 116e is updated by updating the information in the unauthorized ID storage unit. Can be up to date.

  Furthermore, in S1111 of FIG. 11, not only registration in the own unauthorized ID storage unit 116e but also registration of all the image processing apparatuses connected to the network A with the serial ID determined to be unauthorized. it can. In this case, the main control unit 111 that has received the notification of the unauthorized serial ID from the recording medium control unit 116 controls the input / output control unit 113 to transmit the unauthorized serial ID to another image processing apparatus. That is, the input / output control unit 113 functions as an unauthorized identification information transmission unit.

  In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which, when it is determined that the SD card is illegal, the image processing apparatus 1 displays an error and does not read information from the SD card. In addition to this, it is also possible to stop an application that is already running in the image processing apparatus 1. As a result, the operation of the image processing apparatus 1 can be temporarily stopped, and the user can be prompted to attach a valid SD card. Such an example will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example in which an active application is stopped in the image processing apparatus 1 when an unauthorized SD card is detected. The operation shown in FIG. 12 is executed instead of the processing of S608 shown in FIG. 6 or S1105 shown in FIG. When it is detected that the SD card is prevented (S1201) and notified to the main control unit 111, the main control unit 111 determines whether the engine control unit 112 and the image processing unit 114 are executing some image processing. (S1202).

  The processing confirmed in S1202 is processing executed by the application 131 shown in FIG. That is, the process executed by the image processing unit 114 and the process executed by the scanner unit 102 and the print engine 107 under the control of the engine control unit 112 are included.

  As a result of the confirmation in S1202, if any process is being executed (S1202 / YES), the main control unit 111 waits until the process being executed is completed (S1203). If no process is executed as a result of the confirmation in S1202 (S1202 / NO), or if the process being executed is completed, the main control unit 111 stops the running application 131 (S1204). That is, the main control unit 111 functions as an application stop unit. As a result, the engine control unit 112 and the image processing unit 114 become inoperable.

  After stopping the application 131, the main control unit 111 controls the operation display control unit 115 to display an error on the display panel 109 (S1205), and ends the process. By such processing, when an unauthorized SD card is detected, the function of the image processing apparatus 1 is stopped, and the user can be prompted to attach a valid SD card. In the example shown in FIG. 12, when there is an image process being executed, the application 131 is stopped after the process is completed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a paper jam in the image processing apparatus 1, a malfunction of a mechanically operating part, and a malfunction on software.

Other embodiments.
In the first and second embodiments, the example in which the serial ID of the SD card is directly obtained from another image processing apparatus when checking the SD card via the network has been described. In addition, the same effect as described above can be obtained by providing a server that collectively manages the serial IDs of SD cards connected to the network A and installed in the activated image processing apparatus. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an operation mode of such an image processing system. According to the example shown in FIG. 13, in addition to the aspect of FIG.

  The activated serial ID management server 3 is a storage unit that holds serial ID information of an SD card attached to an image processing apparatus that is connected to the network A and activated. When the image processing apparatus connected to the network A reads the application program from the SD card and configures the application 131, the serial ID of the SD card is registered in the active serial ID management server 3. The active serial ID management server 3 periodically transmits a confirmation signal as to whether or not it is active to the image processing apparatus connected to the network A. When it is confirmed that the apparatus has been stopped, the serial ID management server 3 during activation discards the serial ID registered for the image processing apparatus whose stop has been confirmed.

  Also in the example shown in FIG. 13, the modes of the image processing apparatuses 1 and 2 are substantially the same as the modes described in the first and second embodiments. In FIG. 13, the active serial ID management server 3 is taken as an example, but it is only necessary that the active serial ID can be registered and read by the image processing apparatus connected to the network A. For example, instead of the server shown in FIG. 13, a network storage medium such as NAS (Network Attached Storage) may be used. Further, the running serial ID management server 3 may be configured as an image processing apparatus having the same configuration as the image processing apparatus 1.

  In the image enlargement processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 13, an operation when reading information from the SD card inserted in the card slot 110 will be described with reference to FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the operation example of FIG.

  For S1401 and S1402 in FIG. 14, processing is executed in the same manner as S601 and S602 in FIG. When the main control unit 111 receives the SD card attachment notification from the control unit 116 a of the recording medium control unit 116, the main control unit 111 controls the input / output control unit 113 to the active serial ID management server 3 via the network I / F 104. The identification information is requested (S1403). In response to the request from the image processing apparatus 1, the serial ID management server 3 during activation returns information on the registered serial ID.

  The serial ID information input to the image processing apparatus 1 is received by the input / output control unit 113 via the network I / F 104. The main control unit 111 acquires the serial ID information acquired by the input / output control unit 113 as comparison information (S1404). The main control unit 111 inputs the acquired comparison information to the recording medium control unit 116. Thereafter, the processing of S1405 to S1408 is executed in the same manner as S606 to S609 of FIG.

  When it is determined that the SD card is valid (S1406 / NO) and the application program is read (S1408), the main control unit 111 controls the input / output control unit 113 to start the serial ID management server 3 during activation. The serial ID acquired in S1402 is registered (S1409). As a result, the serial ID of the SD card mounted in the image processing apparatus 1 is registered in the active serial ID management server 3 as the active serial ID. As a result, when an SD card having the same serial ID as the SD card attached to the image processing apparatus 1 is attached to another image processing apparatus connected to the network A, it is assumed that the card is illegal. Use is limited.

  In the case of the example according to FIG. 13, it is not necessary to broadcast a signal when acquiring the activated serial ID, so that the network load can be reduced. In addition, when acquiring a serial ID that is activated by broadcasting, if the number of image processing apparatuses connected to the network A increases, the processing for receiving the serial ID also increases. As a result, the processing load of the image processing apparatus 1 increases. In the case of the present embodiment, serial IDs can be collectively received from the running serial ID management server 3, so that the processing load on the image processing apparatus 1 can be reduced.

It is a figure which shows the operation | use form of the image processing system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the software structure of the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the recording medium control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when information is read from an SD card in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the information currently recorded on the SD card which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention receives a serial ID acquisition request. It is a figure which shows the structure of the recording-medium control part which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the information memorize | stored in the unauthorized ID memory | storage part which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of reading information from an SD card in the image processing apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement when an unauthorized SD card is detected in the image processing apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation | use form of the image processing system which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of reading information from an SD card in the image processing apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2 Image processing device 3 ID management server during activation 10 CPU
20 RAM
30 Engine 40 ROM
50 NVRAM
60 I / F
70 LCD
80 Operation unit 100 Controller 101 ADF
102 Scanner unit 103 Output tray 104 Network I / F
105 Facsimile I / F
106 Paper feed table 107 Print engine 108 Paper discharge tray 109 Display panel 110 Card slot 111 Main control unit 112 Engine control unit 113 Input / output control unit 114 Image processing unit 115 Operation display control unit 116 Recording medium control unit 116a Control unit 116b Attachment detection Unit 116c information reading unit 116d information comparing unit 116e unauthorized ID storage unit 131 application 132 platform 133 API
134 ENI
141 Copy application 142 Printer application 143 Scanner application 144 Facsimile application 145 Network file application 151 Control service 152 SRM
153 handler 161 NCS
162 FCS
163 DCS
164 ECS
165 MCS
166 OCS
167 UCS
168 SCS
169 OUS
171 FCUH
172 IMH

Claims (18)

An image processing apparatus capable of inputting and outputting information with a portable recording medium,
An identification information acquisition unit for acquiring identification information for identifying the first portable recording medium from the first portable recording medium mounted on the image processing apparatus;
A comparison information acquisition unit that acquires, as comparison information, identification information for identifying a second portable recording medium attached to another image processing apparatus connected via a network;
A determination unit that determines validity of the first portable recording medium based on a comparison result between the identification information and the comparison information;
An image processing apparatus comprising: an information reading unit that reads information from the first portable recording medium when the determination unit determines that the first portable recording medium is valid.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the first portable recording medium is illegal when the identification information matches the comparison information.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information recorded on the first portable recording medium is a program for realizing an image processing function of the image processing apparatus.   When the determination unit determines that the first portable recording medium is illegal, it further includes an application stop unit that stops an application that is operating to realize the image processing function. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3.   5. The application stop unit according to claim 4, wherein, when an image processing function by the application to be stopped is being executed, the application stop unit stops the application after the image processing function being executed is completed. Image processing device. Before the comparison information acquisition unit acquires the comparison information, further comprising an in-device determination unit for determining the validity of the first portable recording medium;
The comparison information acquisition unit acquires the comparison information when the in-device determination unit determines that the first portable recording medium is valid. An image processing apparatus according to 1. An unauthorized identification information storage unit that stores identification information of an unauthorized portable recording medium;
The in-device determination unit determines the validity of the first portable recording medium based on a comparison result between the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit and the identification information stored in the unauthorized identification information storage unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the determination is performed.   The determination unit, when determining that the first portable recording medium is illegal, stores the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit in the unauthorized identification information storage unit. 8. The image processing apparatus according to 7.   When the determination unit determines that the first portable recording medium is illegal, the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit is transmitted to another image processing apparatus connected via a network. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising an information transmission unit. The information recorded in the first portable recording medium includes update information for updating the identification information of the unauthorized portable recording medium stored in the unauthorized identification information storage unit,
The information reading unit updates information stored in the fraud identification information storage unit based on the update information read from the first portable recording medium. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The comparison information acquisition unit acquires the comparison information by broadcasting a signal for acquiring the comparison information to a network to which the image processing apparatus is connected. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The comparison information acquisition unit acquires the comparison information from a storage unit connected via a network and storing identification information for identifying the second portable recording medium. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The display device may further include a display unit that displays that the first portable recording medium is illegal when the determination unit determines that the first portable recording medium is illegal. The image processing apparatus according to any one of 1 to 12. An image processing system including a plurality of image processing devices capable of inputting / outputting information by mounting a portable recording medium,
At least one of the plurality of image processing apparatuses includes an identification information acquisition unit, a comparison information acquisition unit, a determination unit, and an information reading unit,
The identification information acquisition unit acquires identification information for identifying the first portable recording medium from the first portable recording medium attached to the image processing apparatus;
The comparison information acquisition unit requests identification information for identifying a second portable recording medium attached to another image processing apparatus from an apparatus connected via a network,
A device connected via the network returns identification information for identifying the second portable recording medium in response to a request from the comparison information acquisition unit,
The comparison information acquisition unit acquires identification information for identifying the second portable recording medium as comparison information in response to transmission from an apparatus connected via the network,
The determination unit determines validity of the first portable recording medium based on a comparison result between the identification information and the comparison information;
The image processing system, wherein the reading unit reads information from the first portable recording medium when the determination unit determines that the first portable recording medium is valid.   15. The comparison information acquisition unit according to claim 14, wherein the comparison information acquisition unit acquires the comparison information by broadcasting a request for acquiring the comparison information to a network to which the image processing apparatus is connected. Image processing system. A storage unit connected to the plurality of image processing apparatuses via a network and storing identification information for identifying the second portable recording medium;
The image processing system according to claim 14, wherein the comparison information acquisition unit transmits a request for acquiring the comparison information to the storage unit. A control program for controlling an image processing apparatus capable of inputting / outputting information by mounting a portable recording medium,
Obtaining identification information for identifying the portable recording medium from the first portable recording medium mounted on the image processing apparatus;
Obtaining, as comparison information, identification information for identifying the second portable recording medium from a second portable recording medium attached to another image processing apparatus connected via a network;
Determining the legitimacy of the first portable recording medium based on a comparison result between the identification information and the comparison information;
Control that causes the image processing apparatus to execute a step of reading information from the first portable recording medium when the determination unit determines that the first portable recording medium is valid. program.   18. A recording medium in which the control program according to claim 17 is recorded in a format readable by an image processing apparatus.

Images