JP2011154617A - Password collating device and image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive password collating device that enhances security, and to provide an image processing apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The password collating device includes: a touch panel 50 for receiving image display and operational inputs; a password setting part 14 for receiving the setting of a password defined by combining of a plurality of characters of a predetermined character kind; an operation button display control part 15 for displaying a predetermined number of operation buttons on the touch panel 50 while randomly varying the kind of character represented by each operation button; and a password collating part 16 for receiving the character represented by each operation button operated on the touch panel 50, and collating the received character with the password set by the password setting part 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a password verification device and an image processing device.

  In general, as a security measure, a user who desires to use the device is requested to input a password, and when the entered password is successfully authenticated, a measure is taken to allow the user to use the device. .

  Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic device that has taken this type of security measure. In the electronic device of Patent Document 1, a combination of a character and a color is set in advance as a color password, and a color and a character set as the color password are input by a user who desires to use the electronic device. It is configured to be.

  Patent Document 1 describes that since the password is defined not only by the character but also by the color, safety and reliability with respect to the use of the electronic device are improved.

JP 2000-3335 A

  However, the display device displays a color palette composed of a plurality of colors in order to allow the user to input a color password.

  Thus, in order to display a plurality of colors, the display device needs to be configured with a liquid crystal display that performs color display, and cannot be configured with a liquid crystal display that performs monochrome display. Further, in order to display all the characters of the color password input by the user in the display device, the display device needs to have a display screen with a large area.

  In general, a liquid crystal display having a display screen with a large area and performing color display is expensive. Moreover, in order to provide a liquid crystal display having a display screen with a large area as described above, it is necessary to secure a wide installation space.

  The present invention has been proposed to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a low-cost password verification apparatus and image processing apparatus with improved security.

  A password verification device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a touch panel that receives image display and operation input, a password setting unit that receives a password setting defined by combining a plurality of characters of a predetermined character type, and a predetermined number The operation button display control unit that displays the operation buttons of the operation buttons on the touch panel while sequentially changing the character type of the characters indicated by the operation buttons, and the characters indicated by the operation buttons operated on the touch panel are received. A password verification unit that verifies the received character and the password set by the password setting unit.

  According to this configuration, the operation button display control unit displays a predetermined number of operation buttons on the touch panel while sequentially changing the character type of the character indicated by each operation button at random.

  Thereby, the touch panel accepts the operation of each operation button by the user in a state where the character types of the characters indicated by the operation buttons are sequentially switched randomly. The characters indicated by the operation buttons operated on the touch panel are received by the password verification unit and verified with the password set by the password setting unit.

  As a result, the user can operate the operation button and input the password for collation when the type of characters forming the user's own password is displayed on each operation button displayed on the touch panel. Therefore, as compared with the case where each operation button including characters of a single character type is displayed on the touch panel, more passwords can be collated, thus improving the security.

  As a result, it is possible to provide a low-cost password verification device with improved security by using a liquid crystal display that performs monochrome display without a display screen having a large area.

  In the above configuration, the character type is preferably at least Arabic numerals, Roman numerals, and Chinese numerals.

  According to this configuration, on the touch panel, the character type indicated by each operation button is randomly changed among at least Arabic numerals, Roman numerals, and Chinese numerals.

  As a result, the touch panel displays a certain number of numbers with random changes between Arabic, Roman, and Chinese numerals. Verification is possible.

  In the above-described configuration, the electronic device further includes a time measuring unit that measures a predetermined time, and the operation button display control unit determines the character type of the character indicated by each operation button by the time measuring unit. It is preferable to change the time each time is counted.

  According to this configuration, every time a predetermined time is measured by the time measuring unit, the operation button display control unit sequentially and randomly changes the character type of the character indicated by each operation button. As a result, the character type of the character indicated by each operation button is sequentially and randomly changed on the touch panel every time a predetermined time has elapsed.

  As a result, when the user enters the password by operating the operation button that includes the character type when the character type characters that make up his / her password are displayed, It's hard to tell if you've operated an operation button that contains various types of characters.

  As a result, since the leakage of the user's password to a third party can be suppressed, security is improved.

  The above configuration further includes a change operation receiving unit that receives an operation for instructing the change of the character type, and the operation button display control unit performs an operation for the change operation receiving unit to instruct the change of the character type. It is preferable to change the type of the character each time it is received.

  According to this configuration, the operation button display control unit changes the character type of the character every time the change operation receiving unit receives an operation for instructing the change of the character type. Each time the operation for instructing is performed, the character type of the character indicated by each operation button is sequentially changed randomly.

  Thereby, since the character type of each operation button currently displayed on the touch panel can be changed according to a user's pace, the convenience for a user improves.

  An image processing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes a password verification apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and an image forming unit that forms image data representing an image on a recording sheet. And a controller that enables the image forming unit to form the image data when a password input to the touch panel is authenticated by the password verification device.

  According to this configuration, when the user starts the formation of the image data by the image forming unit, the user sets his / her own password at each operation button displayed while the character type of the character is sequentially changed on the touch panel at random. When a character type character is displayed, use the operation buttons to enter the password and verify it.

  Therefore, as compared with the case where each operation button including characters of a single character type is displayed on the touch panel, more passwords can be collated, thus improving the security.

  According to the present invention, as compared with the case where each operation button including characters of a single character type is displayed on the touch panel, more passwords can be collated, and thus security is improved.

  As a result, it is possible to provide a low-cost password verification device with improved security by using a liquid crystal display that performs monochrome display without a display screen having a large area.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the block diagram which showed an example of the functional module of the image processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the change pattern group memorize | stored beforehand. It is the front view which showed an example of the structure of the user interface part. It is the screen transition figure which showed an example of the transition of the display mode of the password input screen currently displayed on the touch panel. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of password input operation in a touch panel. It is the flowchart shown about an example of the basic operation | movement of a password verification apparatus. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the outline | summary of the graphical information generation process in FIG.7 S1.

  Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, an image processing apparatus A includes a password verification apparatus 1, an image reading unit 2, and an apparatus main body 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image reading unit 2 includes a document feeding unit 21, a scanner unit 22, a CIS 231, a user interface unit I, and a reversing mechanism described later.

  The document feeder 21 includes an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder), and includes a document tray 211, a pickup roller 212, a platen 213, a paper discharge roller 214, and a paper discharge tray 215. A document to be read is placed on the document tray 211. Documents placed on the document tray 211 are picked up one by one by the pickup roller 212 and sequentially conveyed to the platen 213 through the gap. Documents that have passed through the platen 213 are sequentially discharged to the discharge tray 215 by the discharge rollers 214.

  Of the positions facing the peripheral surface of the platen 213, a timing sensor (not shown) for detecting paper is installed at a predetermined position before the reading position P in the document transport direction. The document transport timing to the reading position P is achieved based on the output signal. The timing sensor is configured by, for example, a photo interrupter.

  The scanner unit 22 optically reads an image of a document and generates image data. The scanner unit 22 includes a glass 221, a light source 222, a first mirror 223, a second mirror 224, a third mirror 225, a first carriage 226, a second carriage 227, an imaging lens 228, and a CCD (Charged Coupled Device) 229. .

  In the scanner unit 22, a white fluorescent lamp such as a cold cathode fluorescent tube is used as the light source 222, and the first mirror 223, the second mirror 224, the third mirror 225, the first carriage 226, the second carriage 227, and the imaging. A lens 228 guides light from the document to the CCD 229. Since the scanner unit 22 is configured using a white fluorescent lamp such as a cold cathode fluorescent tube as the light source 222, it is superior in color reproducibility to the CIS 231 described later in which a three-color LED or the like is used as the light source.

  A document is manually placed on the glass 221 by a user's manual operation when reading the document without using the document feeder 21. The light source 222 and the first mirror 223 are supported by the first carriage 226, and the second mirror 224 and the third mirror 225 are supported by the second carriage 227.

  As a document reading method of the image reading unit 2, a flatbed reading mode in which the scanner unit 22 reads a document placed on the glass 221, and a document is taken in by a document feeding unit 21 (ADF), and the document is moved during the conveyance. There is an ADF reading mode for reading.

  In the flatbed reading mode, the light source 222 irradiates a document placed on the glass 221, and reflected light for one line in the main scanning direction is reflected in the order of the first mirror 223, the second mirror 224, and the third mirror 225. Then, the light enters the imaging lens 228. The light incident on the imaging lens 228 is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD 229.

  The CCD 229 is a one-dimensional image sensor and simultaneously processes image data of a document for one line. The first carriage 226 and the second carriage 227 are configured to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction (sub-scanning direction, arrow Y direction). When reading for one line is completed, the first carriage 226 and the second carriage 227 are moved in the sub-scanning direction. The first carriage 226 and the second carriage 227 move, and the next line is read.

  In the ADF reading mode, the document feeder 21 takes in the documents placed on the document tray 211 one by one by the pickup roller 212. At this time, the first carriage 226 and the second carriage 227 are disposed at a predetermined reading position P located below the reading window 230.

  When the document is transported by the document feeder 21, when the document passes over the reading window 230 provided in the transport path from the platen 213 to the paper discharge tray 215, the light source 222 irradiates the document, and the main scanning one line. The reflected light is reflected in the order of the first mirror 223, the second mirror 224, and the third mirror 225 and enters the imaging lens 228. The light incident on the imaging lens 228 is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD 229. Subsequently, the document is conveyed by the document feeder 21 and the next line is read.

  Further, the document feeder 21 includes a document reversing mechanism including a switching guide 216, a reversing roller 217, and a reversing conveyance path 218. This document reversing mechanism reverses the front and back of the original whose surface has been read by the first ADF reading and transports it again to the reading window 230, whereby the CCD 229 reads the back side again.

  This document reversing mechanism operates only when reading both sides, and does not operate when reading one side. After reading the back side during single-sided reading and double-sided reading, the switching guide 216 is switched to the upper side, and the document that has passed through the platen 213 is discharged to the discharge tray 215 by the discharge roller 214.

  After the front side reading at the time of double-sided reading, the switching guide 216 is switched to the lower side, and the document that has passed through the platen 213 is transported to the reverse transport path 218 by the reverse roller 217. Thereafter, the switching guide 216 is switched upward, and the reverse roller 217 rotates in the reverse direction to re-feed the document to the platen 213. Hereinafter, a mode in which both sides of a document are read using the document reversing mechanism is referred to as a double-sided reversal reading mode.

  Further, in the image reading unit 2 of the present embodiment, in the ADF reading mode, as described above, when the surface of the document is read by the CCD 229 (scanner unit 22) during the conveyance of the document, the image reading unit 2 is substantially simultaneously (substantially in parallel). ), The back side of the document can be read by the CIS 231. In this case, the surface of the document conveyed from the document tray 211 by the document feeder 21 is read by the CCD 229 when passing through the reading window 230, and the back surface is read when passing through the location where the CIS 231 is arranged. In CIS231, RGB three-color LEDs or the like are used as light sources.

  By using the CCD 229 and the CIS 231 in this way, it is possible to read both the front and back sides of a document by a single document transport operation (one pass) from the document tray 211 to the paper discharge tray 215 by the document feeder 21. Hereinafter, a mode in which both sides of a document are read using the CCD 229 and the CIS 231 in this way is referred to as a double-sided simultaneous reading mode.

  The double-sided reverse reading mode and the double-sided simultaneous reading mode are provided as reading modes when performing double-sided reading of a document using the ADF reading mode. The double-sided reverse reading mode is used when you want to match the image quality of both-side printed images, while the double-sided simultaneous reading mode gives priority to shortening the reading time even if there is a difference in the image quality of both-side printed images Used in cases. Note that the image processing apparatus A in the present embodiment is initially set to the double-sided simultaneous reading mode, and when an image formation instruction is input without performing any mode setting operation in the reading mode, the double-sided simultaneous reading mode is set. A document image reading operation is performed in the reading mode.

  The image processing apparatus A includes an apparatus main body 3 and a stack tray 6 disposed on the left side of the apparatus main body 3. The apparatus main body 3 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 461, a paper feed roller 462 that feeds recording paper from the paper feed cassette 461 one by one and transports it to the image forming unit 40, and a recording paper transported from the paper feed cassette 461. And an image forming unit 40 for forming an image. The apparatus body 3 also includes a paper feed tray 471 and a feed roller 472 that feeds the originals placed on the paper feed tray 471 one by one toward the image forming unit 40.

  The image forming unit 40 includes a charge eliminating device 421 that removes residual charges from the surface of the photosensitive drum 43, a charging device 422 that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 43 after charge removal, and image data acquired by the scanner unit 22. Based on the electrostatic latent image, an exposure device 423 that outputs a laser beam to expose the surface of the photosensitive drum 43 to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 43. Above, developing devices 44K, 44Y, 44M, and 44C that form toner images of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), and various colors formed on the photosensitive drum 43. A transfer drum 49 on which the toner image is transferred and superimposed, a transfer device 41 for transferring the toner image on the transfer drum 49 to the paper, and the paper on which the toner image is transferred to the toner image by heating. And a fixing device 45 for fixing on the paper.

  Note that toner is supplied to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black colors from a toner cartridge (not shown). Further, conveyance rollers 463 and 464 that convey the recording paper that has passed through the image forming unit 40 to the stack tray 6 or the discharge tray 48 are provided.

  When forming images on both sides of the recording paper, the image forming unit 40 forms an image on one side of the recording paper, and then the recording paper is nipped by the conveyance roller 463 on the discharge tray 48 side. In this state, the conveyance roller 463 is reversed to switch back the recording paper, and the recording paper is sent to the paper conveyance path L and conveyed again to the upstream area of the image forming unit 40, and an image is formed on the other surface by the image forming unit 40. After the formation, the recording paper is discharged to the stack tray 6 or the discharge tray 48.

  Further, in front of the apparatus main body 3, there is a touch panel 50 that displays operation buttons including characters by liquid crystal and receives operation of the operation buttons, and a user interface unit I in which an operation unit 19 having various operation buttons is incorporated. The main body 3 is exposed to the front.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional module of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, the password verification device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a controller 10, a password setting unit 14, a graphic information generation unit 15, a password verification unit 16, a time measurement unit 17, a change operation reception unit 18, and a user interface. It is comprised by the part I.

  An image processing apparatus A shown in FIG. 2 is connected to a user interface unit I, an external apparatus such as a controller 10 that controls the image processing apparatus A and a personal computer, and receives image data transmitted from the external apparatus. The image processing unit 11 (FIG. 2) that processes the image data of the document read by the external interface 20, the image reading unit 2, the image forming unit 40, and the image reading unit 2 or the image data obtained by the external interface 20. See).

  In the image processing apparatus A, the password setting unit 14, the graphic information generation unit (operation button display control unit) 15, the password verification unit 16, the time measuring unit 17, the change operation receiving unit 18, and the image processing apparatus A operate. ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 and RAM (Random Access Memory) 13 for storing various data for the purpose.

  The user interface unit I includes a display device 21 and an operation unit 19. The display device 21 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 5, a graphic information receiving unit 51, and an LCD controller 52.

  In the display device 21, the graphic information receiving unit 51 receives the graphic information generated by the graphic information generating unit 15. The LCD 5 is equipped with a touch panel 500 that receives the graphic information received by the graphic information receiving unit 51, displays a plurality of operation buttons represented by the graphic information, and receives the operation of each operation button.

  The touch panel 500 is an electronic component configured by combining a screen for monochrome display using a liquid crystal and a position input device (not shown) such as a touch pad, and the user can select each operation button displayed on the screen. When the operation is performed, the information defined for each operation button is output.

  The LCD controller 52 controls the display device 21 to display on the touch panel 50 operation buttons represented by the graphic information received by the graphic information receiving unit 51.

  The password setting unit 14 receives a password setting defined by combining a plurality of characters of a predetermined character type. For example, the password setting unit 14 sets the user's own password “5IV one” defined by a combination of “5” that is Arabic numeral, “IV” that is Roman numeral, and “one” that is Chinese numeral. Accept. The set password is classified for each user and stored in a memory (for example, the RAM 13).

  The graphic information generation unit 15 generates graphic information representing a predetermined number of operation buttons including characters. The graphic information generation unit 15 sequentially changes the character type of the character indicated by each operation button at random when generating graphic information.

  For example, the graphic information generation unit 15 generates graphic information representing a plurality of operation buttons including different numbers as will be described later. At that time, the graphic information generation unit 15 randomly changes the type of numeral indicated by each operation button among Arabic numerals, Roman numerals, and Chinese numerals. Here, as a method of randomly changing the number type indicated by each operation button, for example, the number type may be randomly changed by a known software process.

  Alternatively, a plurality of change patterns for changing the type of numbers indicated by the operation buttons are stored in the ROM 12 in advance, and the graphic information generation unit 15 determines whether each operation button is based on one of the change patterns for each operation button. One example is to change the type of numbers shown.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change pattern group stored in advance in the ROM 12. The ROM 12 stores a change pattern table 120 representing a change pattern group in advance. The change pattern table 120 stores a plurality of change patterns from change pattern (1) to change pattern (9).

  As described above, if the change pattern table 120 is stored in the ROM 12 in advance, the graphic information generation unit 15 generates the graphic information from the change pattern (1) to the change pattern (9) for each operation button. Any one is selected, and the type of number indicated by each operation button is sequentially changed based on the selected change pattern.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the password input screen 500 is displayed in a touch panel display state (1), a touch panel display state (2), a touch panel display state (3), a touch panel display state (4), and a touch panel display state. (5) In order to switch in the order of the touch panel display state (6), the graphic information generation unit 15 selects a change pattern for each operation button as follows.

  That is, the graphic information generation unit 15 selects the change pattern (1) for the operation button 50A. The change pattern (2) is selected for the operation button 50B. The change pattern (3) is selected for the operation button 50C.

  Further, the graphic information generation unit 15 selects the change pattern (4) for the operation button 50D. A change pattern (5) is selected for the operation button 5E. A change pattern (6) is selected for the operation button 50F.

  Further, the graphic information generation unit 15 selects the change pattern (7) for the operation button 50G. A change pattern (8) is selected for the operation button 50H. A change pattern (9) is selected for the operation button 50I.

  As described above, when the graphic information generating unit 15 generates graphic information, the graphic information receiving unit 51 sequentially changes the character type of the character indicated by each operation button. The graphic information in which the character types of the characters sequentially change at random is accepted.

  Accordingly, the operation buttons are displayed on the touch panel 50 while the character types of the characters indicated by the operation buttons are sequentially switched randomly.

  Therefore, it can be said that the graphic information generation unit 15 is an operation button display control unit that displays a predetermined number of operation buttons on the touch panel 50 while sequentially changing the character types of the characters indicated by the operation buttons at random.

  The password verification unit 16 determines whether or not the password is a valid password when each operation button displayed on the touch panel 50 is operated and a password is input. Use to match. The time measuring unit 17 and the change operation receiving unit 18 are used in graphic information generation processing to be described later.

  FIG. 4 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of the user interface unit I. The user interface unit I includes operation buttons 19 </ b> A to 19 </ b> H as the operation unit 19. The operation buttons 19A to 19D constitute a function selection button group 190 in a collective state. Each of the operation buttons 19A to 19D is an operation button that is operated by the user in order to cause the image processing apparatus A to execute any one function of copy, printer, scanner, and FAX.

  The operation buttons 19H constitute a number key group in a state where a plurality of the operation buttons 19H are collected. This number key group is for inputting, for example, the number of copies when the copy function of the image processing apparatus A is operated, and the destination telephone number when operating the facsimile function.

  The operation button 19E constitutes a reset button, and is a button for setting the display and various settings on the touch panel 50 to an initial state or a standard operation state.

  The operation button 19F constitutes a stop / clear button, and is a button for stopping a copy operation, a scanner operation, etc., and canceling an input operation. The operation button 19G constitutes a start button and is a button for starting a copy operation, a scanner operation, or the like.

  The user interface unit I is configured such that a password input screen 500 for accepting password input is displayed on the touch panel 50.

  On the password input screen 500, a plurality of operation buttons 50A to 50I including different numbers are displayed, and a message such as “Please enter your password” is displayed as a message prompting the user to enter the password. .

  In the present embodiment, the user interface unit I displays any one of 1 to 9 on the password input screen 500 by displaying three combinations of three operation buttons arranged in a horizontal row in the vertical direction. It is configured to accept input of numbers.

  The timing for displaying the password input screen 500 on the touch panel 50 includes, for example, when a predetermined logon operation is performed or immediately after the image processing apparatus A is turned on.

  Each of the operation buttons 50 </ b> A to 50 </ b> I displayed on the password input screen 500 includes any kind of numerals such as Arabic numerals, Roman numerals, and Chinese numerals. The type of the number indicated by each operation button is sequentially switched randomly between Arabic numerals, Roman numerals, and Chinese numerals by the function of the graphic information generation unit 15.

  In FIG. 4, an initial screen in a state represented by “touch panel display state (1)” to be described later is displayed as the password input screen 500.

  The user interface unit I is provided with a switching button 180 as the change operation receiving unit 18. When the switching button 180 is operated, the user interface unit I randomly selects the number type indicated by each of the operation buttons 50A to 50I displayed on the touch panel 50 among Arabic numerals, Roman numerals, and Chinese numerals. It is configured to change to

  FIG. 5 is a screen transition diagram showing an example of the transition of the display mode of the password input screen 500 displayed on the touch panel 50.

  FIG. 5A shows a password input screen 500 displayed as an initial screen represented by “touch panel display state (1)”. In the password input screen 500 displayed as the initial screen, the operation buttons 50A to 50I are displayed in the following manner.

  That is, in the operation buttons 50A to 50C displayed in the first row from the top, the operation button 50A is displayed in a state including the Arabic numeral “1”. The operation button 50B is displayed in a state including the Roman numeral “II”. The operation button 50C is displayed in a state including the Arabic numeral “3”.

  In the operation buttons 50D to 50F displayed in the second row from the top, the operation button 50D is displayed in a state including the Chinese numeral “four”. The operation button 50E is displayed in a state including the Arabic numeral “5”. The operation button 50F is displayed in a state including the Roman numeral “VI”.

  Further, in the operation buttons 50G to 50I displayed in the third row from the top, the operation button 50G is displayed in a state including the Arabic numeral “7”. The operation button 50H is displayed in a state including the Chinese numeral “8”. The operation button 50I is displayed in a state including the Arabic numeral “9”.

  After that, every time a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) elapses, the display state of the password input screen 500 is “touch panel display state (2)” shown in FIG. 5B and “ Touch panel display state (3) "," Touch panel display state (4) "shown in FIG. 5 (d)," Touch panel display state (5) "shown in FIG. 5 (e), and FIG. 5 (f). It switches sequentially in the order of “touch panel display state (6)”.

  Thus, according to the display state of the password input screen 500 being sequentially switched, the character types indicated by the operation buttons 50A to 50I are sequentially switched as follows.

  That is, the numbers indicated by the operation buttons 50A are switched in the order of Arabic numerals, Roman numerals, Chinese numerals, Roman numerals, Arabic numerals, and Chinese numerals. The numbers indicated by the operation buttons 50B are switched in the order of Roman numerals, Arabic numerals, Chinese numerals, Chinese numerals, Arabic numerals, and Roman numerals. The numbers indicated by the operation buttons 50C are switched in the order of Arabic numerals, Roman numerals, Chinese numerals, Arabic numerals, Roman numerals, and Chinese numerals.

  Further, the numbers indicated by the operation buttons 50D are switched in the order of Chinese numerals, Arabic numerals, Roman numerals, Arabic numerals, Roman numerals, and Chinese numerals. The numbers indicated by the operation buttons 50E are switched in the order of Arabic numerals, Roman numerals, Chinese numerals, Arabic numerals, Chinese numerals, and Roman numerals. The numbers indicated by the operation buttons 50F are switched in the order of Roman numerals, Chinese numerals, Arabic numerals, Chinese numerals, Arabic numerals, and Roman numerals.

  Further, the numbers indicated by the operation buttons 50G are switched in the order of Arabic numerals, Chinese numerals, Roman numerals, Roman numerals, Chinese numerals, and Arabic numerals. The numbers indicated by the operation buttons 50H are switched in the order of Chinese numerals, Arabic numerals, Roman numerals, Chinese numerals, Chinese numerals, and Arabic numerals. The numbers indicated by the operation buttons 50I are switched in the order of Arabic numerals, Chinese numerals, Roman numerals, Arabic numerals, Roman numerals, and Chinese numerals.

  As described above, the user interface unit I sets the number type of each operation button including any number 1 to 9 on the password input screen 500 among Arabic numerals, Roman numerals, and Chinese numerals. Display while changing randomly.

  Therefore, it is possible to accept input of 27 numbers, which is three times as compared with the case where each operation button including any one of Arabic numerals 1 to 9 is displayed (9 patterns). This increases the number of passwords that can be entered.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a password input operation on the touch panel 50.

  As described above, the password input screen 500 has the touch panel display state (2), the touch panel display state (3), and the touch panel display state (4) every time a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) elapses from the touch panel display state (1). ), The touch panel display state (5), and the touch panel display state (6) in this order.

  The user inputs his / her own password while confirming such a change in the display mode of the password input screen 500. When the user's own password is “5IV one”, for example, the user inputs the password in the following procedure.

  That is, in the touch panel display state (1) shown in FIG. 6A, among the numbers constituting the user's own password “5IV one”, “5” that is the first Arabic numeral is included in the operation button 50E. Therefore, the user operates the operation button 50E. At this time, the user interface I accepts an input of “5” which is an Arabic numeral.

  Then, among the characters constituting the user's own password, “IV”, which is the next Roman numeral, is not found in the touch panel display state (2) shown in FIG. The input in the touch panel display state (2) is forgotten.

  Since the Roman numeral “IV” is displayed as a numeral indicated by the operation button 50D in the touch panel display state (3) shown in FIG. 6C, the user operates the operation button 50D. At this time, the user interface I receives an input of “IV” which is a Roman numeral.

  Of the characters constituting the user's own password, the last numeral “1” is the touch panel display state (4) shown in FIG. 6 (d) and FIG. 6 (e). Since the touch panel display state (5) is not found, the user sees the input in the touch panel display state (4) and the touch panel display state (5).

  Since the Chinese numeral “1” is displayed as the number indicated by the operation button 50A in the touch panel display state (6) shown in FIG. 6F, the user operates the operation button 50A. At this time, the user interface I accepts an input of “1” which is a Chinese numeral.

  Next, the basic operation of the password verification device 1 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the basic operation of the password verification device 1.

  The controller 10 causes the graphic information generating unit 15 to change each of the operation buttons 50 </ b> A to 50 </ b> I including characters (for example, numbers) sequentially and randomly changing the character types (for example, the types of numbers) indicated by the operation buttons. Graphic information representing the operation button is generated (step S1).

  Next, based on the graphic information generated by the graphic information generation unit 15, the controller 10 causes the touch panel 50 to change a character type (for example, the type of a number) of characters in a random manner, and then perform a plurality of operations including characters. Buttons 50A to 50I are displayed (step S2).

  When the input of the user's own password is completed on the touch panel 50 (YES in step S3, YES in step S4), the controller 10 is set by the password verification unit 16 and the password setting unit 14 in advance. The password is verified (step S5).

  When the two match by this collation (YES in step S6), the controller 10 accepts the user login (step S7). If the login is accepted, the user can use the image processing apparatus A. For example, after the login is accepted, the user can cause the image forming unit 40 to form image data on a recording sheet.

  On the other hand, when the two do not match (NO in step S6), the controller 10 performs a predetermined error notification without accepting the user's login (step S8).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of an outline of the graphic information generation process in step S1 of FIG. First, the controller 10 instructs the graphic information generation unit 15 to generate graphic information (1), thereby starting generation of graphic information (1) (step S10). The graphic information (1) is information representing each operation button generated so that each operation button is displayed on the touch panel 50 as in the touch panel display state (1) shown in FIGS.

  As a result, the graphic information generation unit 15 generates graphic information (1), and the generated graphic information (1) is received by the user interface unit I. Thereby, each operation button is displayed on the touch panel 50 in the mode shown by the touch panel display state (1).

  The controller 10 immediately starts measuring a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) by the time measuring unit 17 immediately after instructing the graphic information generating unit 15 to generate the graphic information (1) (step S11). When the time measurement for the predetermined time is completed (YES in step S12), the controller 10 instructs the graphic information generation unit 15 to generate graphic information (2), thereby starting generation of graphic information (2). (Step S13). The graphic information (2) is information representing each operation button generated so that each operation button is displayed on the touch panel 50 as in the touch panel display state (2) shown in FIGS.

  As a result, graphic information (2) is generated by the graphic information generation unit 15, and the generated graphic information (2) is received by the user interface unit I. Thereby, each operation button is displayed on the touch panel 50 in the mode shown in the touch panel display state (2).

  The controller 10 immediately starts measuring a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) by the time measuring unit 17 immediately after instructing the graphic information generating unit 15 to generate the graphic information (2) (step S14). When the predetermined time has been counted (YES in step S15), the controller 10 instructs the graphic information generation unit 15 to generate graphic information (3), thereby starting generation of graphic information (3). (Step S16). The graphic information (3) is information representing each operation button generated so that each operation button is displayed on the touch panel 50 as in the touch panel display state (3) shown in FIGS.

  As a result, graphic information (3) is generated by the graphic information generation unit 15, and the generated graphic information (3) is received by the user interface unit I. Thereby, each operation button is displayed on the touch panel 50 in the mode shown by the touch panel display state (3).

  The controller 10 starts measuring a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) by the time measuring unit 17 immediately after instructing the graphic information generating unit 15 to generate the graphic information (3) (step S17). When the predetermined time has been counted (YES in step S18), the controller 10 instructs the graphic information generation unit 15 to generate graphic information (4), thereby starting generation of graphic information (4). (Step S19). The graphic information (4) is information representing each operation button generated so that each operation button is displayed on the touch panel 50 as in the touch panel display state (4) shown in FIGS.

  As a result, the graphic information generation unit 15 generates graphic information (4), and the generated graphic information (4) is received by the user interface unit I. Thereby, each operation button is displayed on the touch panel 50 in the mode shown in the touch panel display state (4).

  Immediately after instructing the graphic information generating unit 15 to generate the graphic information (4), the controller 10 starts measuring a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) by the time measuring unit 17 (step S20). When the time measurement for the predetermined time is completed (YES in step S21), the controller 10 instructs the graphic information generation unit 15 to generate graphic information (5), thereby starting generation of graphic information (5). (Step S22). The graphic information (5) is information representing each operation button generated so that each operation button is displayed on the touch panel 50 as in the touch panel display state (5) shown in FIGS.

  As a result, the graphic information generation unit 15 generates graphic information (5), and the generated graphic information (5) is received by the user interface unit I. Thereby, each operation button is displayed on the touch panel 50 in the mode shown by the touch panel display state (5).

  The controller 10 immediately starts measuring a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) by the time measuring unit 17 immediately after instructing the graphic information generating unit 15 to generate the graphic information (5) (step S23). When the time measurement for the predetermined time is completed (YES in step S24), the controller 10 instructs the graphic information generation unit 15 to generate graphic information (6), thereby starting generation of graphic information (6). (Step S25). The graphic information (6) is information representing each operation button generated so that each operation button is displayed on the touch panel 50 as in the touch panel display state (6) shown in FIGS.

  As a result, graphic information (6) is generated by the graphic information generation unit 15, and the generated graphic information (6) is received by the user interface unit I. Thereby, each operation button is displayed on the touch panel 50 in the mode shown by the touch panel display state (6).

  The controller 10 repeats the processes in steps S10 to S25 described above until a predetermined confirmation operation is performed by the user.

  By repeating the processes in steps S10 to S25 described above by the controller 10, the number of types indicated by the operation buttons on the password input screen 500 is sequentially switched randomly every time a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) elapses. Is displayed on the touch panel 500.

  Here, in the graphic information generation process shown in FIG. 8, the graphic information to be generated is changed every time the timer 17 measures a predetermined time. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the switch button 180 is not limited to this example. Each time is operated, the graphic information to be generated may be changed. By doing so, the type of numbers of the operation buttons displayed on the touch panel 50 can be changed according to the pace of the user, so that convenience for the user is improved.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the type of numbers indicated by each operation button is sequentially and randomly changed is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and the alphabet indicated by each operation button is capitalized and lowercase. The structure which changes at random sequentially between may be sufficient. Moreover, the character which each operation button shows may be a symbol.

A Image processing device 1 Password verification device 10 Controller 11 Image processing unit 14 Password setting unit 15 Graphic information generation unit (operation button display control unit)
16 Password Verification Unit 17 Timekeeping Unit 18 Change Operation Accepting Unit 20 External Interface 40 Image Forming Unit 50 Touch Panel 50A-50I Operation Buttons

Claims (5)

A touch panel that accepts image display and operation input;
A password setting unit for accepting a password setting defined by combining a plurality of characters of a predetermined character type;
An operation button display control unit that displays a predetermined number of operation buttons on the touch panel while sequentially changing the character type of the character indicated by each operation button, and
A password verification unit that receives characters indicated by the operation buttons operated on the touch panel and compares the received characters with the password set by the password setting unit;
A password verification device comprising:   The password verification apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the character types are at least Arabic numerals, Roman numerals, and Chinese numerals. It further includes a timekeeping unit that measures a predetermined time,
The operation button display control unit
3. The password verification device according to claim 1, wherein the character type of the character indicated by each operation button is changed every time the predetermined time is measured by the timing unit. A change operation receiving unit for receiving an operation for instructing the change of the character type;
The operation button display control unit
3. The password verification device according to claim 1, wherein the change operation receiving unit changes the character type each time an operation instructing the change of the character type is received. The password verification device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An image forming unit that forms image data representing an image on recording paper;
A controller that enables the image forming unit to form the image data when a password input to the touch panel is authenticated by the password verification device;
An image processing apparatus comprising:

Images