JP2018052025A - Image output apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image output apparatus capable of creating a different password for each document and allowing a user to obtain the password with security of a certain level or higher ensured.SOLUTION: Characters of a location indicated by a rule are extracted from the document of a document file to create a password. A sample image containing the location indicated by the rule in the document file is then created and output. The user uses the rule to reconstruct the password from the sample image. Upon reception of an input of the password from the user, the apparatus permits the user to operate the document file only when the input password matches the password created based on the document file.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to an image output apparatus that automatically creates a password that can be restored only by a setter for each document file.

  When a single image forming device is used by multiple people, a password is set for the file stored in the BOX of the image forming device, and the password is set only when the set password is entered. In general, a method for improving the security of a file by permitting operation and printing on the file is generally performed.

  Normally, when a user sets an arbitrary password, there is a tendency to include numbers and characters familiar to the user such as birthdays and phone numbers, or to reuse the same characters. There was a problem that it was relatively easy to find the password. Therefore, a plurality of methods for solving this problem have been proposed.

  For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a method of automatically generating a password by applying a rule desired by a user to a document of a file that is a password setting target (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-307736 A

  In Patent Literature 1, the generated password is transmitted to the user terminal device. However, if the user does not have a mechanism for transmitting the password to the terminal of the user who is operating, the user cannot obtain the password. Further, in the method of directly notifying the password to the user, the password may be leaked on the communication path, or the displayed password may be peeped.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problem, and provides an image output apparatus that can create a different password for each document and that allows a user to obtain the password while maintaining a certain level of security. It is aimed.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] a rule input unit for receiving an input of a rule including designation of a location in a document file;
A storage unit for storing a document file and the rules received by the rule input unit;
An operation unit that receives designation of a document file stored in the storage unit;
A password creating unit for extracting a character at a location designated by the rule from the designated document file and creating a password;
A sample image creation unit for creating a sample image including a location specified by the rule of the specified document file;
An output unit for outputting the sample image created by the sample image creation unit;
A control unit that allows an operation to the designated document file only when the input password matches the password created by the password creation unit when receiving an input of a password in the operation unit;
An image output apparatus comprising:

  In the above invention, since the password is created by extracting the character at the place specified by the rule in the document file, a different password can be automatically created for each document. In addition, a sample image including the location where the character is extracted is output in the document file, and the user is allowed to restore the password, so that the password may be leaked to a third party compared to when the password is output directly. Low.

  In the above-described rules, for example, the location is specified as the X character from the top in the document of the document file, the Zth character on the Y line, or the like. Since the sample image can be viewed by a third party, it is desirable that the sample image be created from a location with a low importance in the document file.

[2] The image output apparatus according to [1], wherein the output unit is a display unit, and when the output is performed, the sample image is displayed on the display unit.

[3] The image output apparatus according to [1], wherein the output unit is an image forming unit, and when the output is performed, the sample image is formed on a recording sheet.

  In the above invention, a sample image can be output even in an image forming apparatus having a display unit that cannot perform graphic display.

[4] The storage unit stores a plurality of document files,
Any one of [1] to [3], wherein the output unit outputs a plurality of sample images created by the sample image creation unit based on a plurality of document files stored in the storage unit. The image output apparatus as described in any one.

  In the above invention, sample images of a plurality of document files are arranged and output together, so that the user can restore the passwords of the plurality of document files with one output.

[5] In the document of the designated document file, if there is no character at the location specified by the rule, the password creation unit creates a password by adding a predetermined character to the location,
The image output device according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the sample image creation unit creates the sample image by supplementing the document with the predetermined character.

  In the above invention, if there is no character at the location specified by the rule in the document file, a password is created by supplementing the location with a predetermined character. Further, in order to allow the user to restore the password, when creating a sample image, a sample image in which the same character is supplemented is created.

[6] The designation of the place included in the rule is a designation of a place in the page.
The password creating unit creates the password by applying the rule to the one page when there is a character at a location specified by the rule in one page of the designated document file. If there is no character at the location specified by the rule on the page, specify another page where the character exists at the location specified by the rule, create the password by applying the rule to the specified page,
In any one of [1] to [4], the sample image creating unit creates the sample image based on a page to which the password creating unit applies the rule when creating the password. The image output device described.

  In the above invention, if there is no character at the location specified by the rule on one page in the document file, a password is created from another page where the character exists at the location specified by the rule. In order to enable the user to restore the password, when creating a sample image, the sample image is created based on the page.

[7] The storage unit stores the rule in association with each document file,
The image output according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the password creation unit creates the password using the rules associated with the designated document file. apparatus.

  In the above invention, a plurality of rules can be registered, and one rule and one document file are linked and stored. The password is created in the document file using the rules associated with the document file.

[8] The control unit determines whether or not a predetermined authentication condition is satisfied, and only when the control unit determines that the predetermined authentication condition is satisfied, browses the rule stored in the storage unit. The image output device according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the image output device is capable of being enabled.

  In the said invention, even if it is a case where a user forgets the content of a rule, it can confirm by satisfy | filling predetermined | prescribed authentication conditions. The predetermined authentication condition is performed by an appropriate method such as password input or user authentication.

  According to the image output apparatus of the present invention, a different password can be created for each document, and the user can obtain the password while maintaining a certain level of security.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and an operation panel provided in the image forming apparatus. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the recording paper on which the several thumbnail image was printed. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows description of operation | movement when registering a rule, preservation | save of a document file, and preservation | save of a thumbnail image. It is a figure which shows the example in the case of creating an example of a rule and a password using a rule. It is a figure which shows the description about one response method when there is no character in the place which a rule shows. It is a figure which shows description of operation | movement after printing a thumbnail image until operation to a document file is permitted. 10 is a flowchart showing processing when registering a rule, saving a document file, and saving a thumbnail image. 12 is a flowchart showing processing from printing a thumbnail image until operation on a document file is permitted.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 is a copy job that optically reads a document and prints a duplicate image on a recording sheet, a scan job that saves the image data of the read document as a file, or transmits it to an external device, This is a so-called multi-function machine having a function of executing a job such as a print job for printing an image relating to data transmitted from a PC (Personal Computer) or a portable terminal on a recording sheet. The image forming apparatus 10 includes an operation panel 30 including a display unit 31 (see FIG. 2) and an operation unit 32 described later, and the user performs various operations on the operation panel 30.

  The image forming apparatus 10 has a BOX function, stores a scanned document file, and starts printing based on the document file when the operation panel 30 receives a print start operation for the document file from the user. A password is set for the document file saved in the BOX. The image forming apparatus 10 then prints, transfers, deletes the document file, etc., only when the password (called the input password) received on the operation panel 30 matches the set password (called the set password). Allow operations. This ensures a certain level of security for the document file stored in the BOX.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus 10 receives in advance a rule indicating the location in the document file from the user, extracts characters in the location indicated by the rule in the document file, and Create a password. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 creates and outputs a thumbnail image (corresponding to the sample image of the present invention) including the location where the character is extracted from the document file. The user obtains a password from the output thumbnail image based on the rules described above. Accordingly, a different password can be created for each document file, and the user can obtain the password while maintaining a certain level of security.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 that comprehensively controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10. A CPU 11 including a microprocessor has a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a nonvolatile memory 14, a hard disk device 15, an image processing unit 16, an image reading unit 17, and a printer via a bus. A unit 18, a facsimile communication unit 19, a network communication unit 20, an authentication unit 21, and an operation panel 30 are provided.

  The CPU 11 is based on an OS (Operating System) program, and executes middleware, application programs, and the like. The CPU 11 also functions as a control unit that controls the display content of the operation panel 30.

  Various programs are stored in the ROM 12, and each function of the image forming apparatus 10 is realized by the CPU 11 executing various processes according to these programs. The ROM 12 stores a program for the CPU 11 to execute a series of controls of the image forming apparatus 10.

  The RAM 13 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the CPU 11 executes processing based on a program, an image memory for storing image data, and the like.

  The nonvolatile memory 14 is a memory (flash memory) whose stored contents are not destroyed even when the power is turned off, and is used for storing various setting information. The hard disk device 15 is a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device, and stores an OS program, various application programs, print data, image data, an information history related to a job, and the like. In the embodiment of the present invention, rules to be described later, document files, and the like are stored.

  The image processing unit 16 performs processing such as image enlargement / reduction, rotation, rasterization processing for converting print data into image data, image data compression / decompression processing, and the like. The image processing unit 16 serves as a reduction unit of the present invention.

  The image reading unit 17 performs a function of optically reading a document and acquiring image data. The image reading unit 17 sequentially, for example, a light source that irradiates light on the document, a line image sensor that receives the reflected light for one line in the width direction, and a line-by-line reading position in the length direction of the document. An optical path composed of a moving unit for moving, a lens, a mirror, and the like for guiding reflected light from the document to the line image sensor to form an image, and a conversion unit for converting an analog image signal output from the line image sensor into digital image data And so on.

  The printer unit 18 has a function of forming an image corresponding to image data on a recording sheet. Here, it has a recording paper transport device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer separation device, a cleaning device, and a fixing device, and forms an image by an electrophotographic process. It is configured as a so-called laser printer. The image formation may be other methods as long as it passes through the fixing device. In the embodiment of the present invention, the printer unit 18 has a mechanism that enables double-sided printing.

  The facsimile communication unit 19 performs a function of transmitting / receiving image data to / from an external device having a facsimile function through a public line.

  The network communication unit 20 performs a function of communicating data with a mobile terminal or other external devices through a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The authentication unit 21 performs user authentication for a user who uses the image forming apparatus 10. Any authentication method may be used.

  The operation panel 30 includes a display unit 31 and an operation unit 32. Among these, the operation unit 32 includes physical buttons such as a start button, a cancel button, a numeric keypad, and a cross key. In the embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 31 has a configuration incapable of graphic display, and can display the file name of the document file, but cannot display the preview of the content of the document file.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, since preview display is not possible, the user instructs the image forming apparatus 10 to output a thumbnail image of the document file when the user wants to confirm the contents of the document file. When receiving an instruction to output a thumbnail image, the image forming apparatus 10 creates and prints a thumbnail image showing a part of the contents of each document file in the BOX.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a recording sheet on which a thumbnail image is printed. In FIG. 3, thumbnail images 90 to 95 created for every six document files in the BOX are arranged in 2 rows and 3 columns. Below the thumbnail images 90 to 95, file names (ABC, DEF, GHI, 123, JKL, and MNO in the figure) are additionally written, so that the user indicates the file name and the file name. The outline of the contents of the document file can be grasped.

Next, a method for creating a password to be set for a document file stored in the BOX will be described. The image forming apparatus 10 creates a password to be set in the document file by the following procedures (1) to (3).
(1) An input of a rule including designation of a place in a document file is received and registered in advance from a user.
(2) When a document file is saved, one specification of a registered rule is received, and the specified rule is associated with the document file.
(3) Extract characters from the location specified by the rules associated with the document file from the document file, and automatically create a password.
As a result, a different password is automatically created for each document file.

  The user obtains the automatically set password by the following method. First, as described above, the image forming apparatus 10 prints a thumbnail image of each document file in the BOX in response to a thumbnail image output instruction from the user. When creating a thumbnail image, a location specified by a rule in the document file, that is, a location where characters are extracted when creating a password is included. While viewing the printed thumbnail image, the user extracts characters from the location specified by the rule and restores the password. In this way, since the password is not directly printed, it is possible to prevent the third person from looking into the password when the user obtains the password.

  Next, the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10. The functions of the image forming apparatus 10 include an operation input unit 51, a storage unit 52, a print function unit 53, a rule registration unit 61, a thumbnail image creation unit 62, a character extraction unit 63, a password creation unit 64, and a password comparison unit 65. .

  The operation input unit 51 is a function performed by the operation panel 30 described above and plays a role of receiving an operation from the user. In the embodiment of the present invention, input of rules, specification of a document file, input of a password, operation on a document file including a print start operation, and the like are accepted.

  The storage unit 52 is a function performed by the hard disk device 15 described above, and plays a role of storing rules accepted by the operation input unit 51, document files, and the like.

  The print function unit 53 is a function performed by the above-described printer unit 18 and plays a role of printing a document file in accordance with a print start operation.

  The rule registration unit 61, thumbnail image creation unit 62, character extraction unit 63, password creation unit 64, and password comparison unit 65 are functions performed by the CPU 11 described above. The rule registration unit 61 stores the rule received by the operation input unit 51 in the storage unit 52.

  The thumbnail image creation unit 62 creates a thumbnail image including a location designated by a rule associated with the document file in the document file stored in the storage unit 52.

  The character extraction unit plays a role of extracting characters in a location specified by a rule associated with the document file in the document file. The password creation unit 64 creates a password based on the characters extracted by the character extraction unit 63. When the operation input unit 51 receives an input of a password, the password comparison unit 65 determines whether the input password matches the set password created by the password creation unit 64.

  Next, rules used for password creation and operations performed by the image forming apparatus 10 when storing a document file will be described with reference to FIG. First, when a rule is input from the operation input unit 51, the rule is registered (T1). Multiple rules can be registered.

  Next, when a document file obtained by scanning and reading a document is stored, a rule associated with the document file is selected from the registered rules. Thereafter, the selected rule and the document file are linked and stored (T2).

  The thumbnail image creation unit 62 creates a thumbnail image of the document file so as to include the location indicated by the rule associated with the document file in the document file, and stores it in the storage unit 52 (T3).

  As described above, the rules, the document file, and the thumbnail image are stored by the operations (T1) to (T3) described above. If the contents of the document file are changed, a thumbnail image is created again and overwritten. Note that the thumbnail image may be created not when the document file is saved but when a thumbnail image output instruction is received.

Next, an example of a rule and an example of a password creation method will be described with reference to FIG. The rule input from the user via the operation input unit 51 includes designation of a location in the document file. For example, the location is specified such as an X character from the top in the document of the document file, or a Zth character on the Y line. In FIG. 6, as an example of the rule, “characters in the following five locations are extracted and arranged”
-1st line, 1st character, 2nd line, 5th character, 3rd line, 10th character, 4th line, 15th character, 5th line, 20th character. In the document example 80 shown in FIG. 6, when characters at a place indicated by this rule are extracted, five characters “L”, “i”, “n”, “a”, and “m” are extracted. The image forming apparatus 10 sets the character extracted in this way as a password.

  The character at the location specified by the rule is required when the user restores the password from the thumbnail image. When creating a thumbnail image from the document example 80 in FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus 10 creates a thumbnail image so that portions from the first character in the first line to the fifth character in the fifth line are included. The thumbnail image is desirably an entire page, but may be a partial range including all the locations indicated by the rules as described above. That is, a thumbnail image includes a range including at least a position serving as a reference of the rule and a place specified by the rule so that the place indicated by the rule can be specified in the page.

  As a countermeasure when the user forgets the content of the rule, the content of the registered rule can be confirmed only when a predetermined authentication condition is satisfied. The predetermined authentication condition can be browsed only when, for example, a user who has been authenticated by input of a password or user authentication matches a user who has registered a rule. If the contents of the rules are leaked to a third party, the passwords of a plurality of document files can be restored. Therefore, it is desirable to set a high security level for rule confirmation.

  Next, two correspondence methods when there is no character at the place specified by the rule will be described.

(Correspondence method 1, supplementing characters)
In response method 1, if there is no character at the location specified by the rule in the document file, a random character is supplemented at that location, and the supplemented character is extracted, so that a password can be set in the same way as usual. Set. When a password is set with characters supplemented, a thumbnail image is created with the same characters supplemented at the same place when the thumbnail image is created.

  FIG. 7 shows how characters are supplemented. In FIG. 7, since there is no character at the place specified by the rule, the character (“p” in the figure) is randomly supplemented. The character “p” is supplemented at the same place when a thumbnail image is created. As a result, a password can be created even when there is no character at the location specified by the rule.

  Note that the supplementary characters may have a format that can be distinguished from other characters. For example, it can be distinguished from other characters by using a translucent or gray display format.

(Countermeasure 2, apply the rule to another page)
Normally, the image forming apparatus 10 applies a rule to one page (for example, the first page) in a document file, and extracts characters from a location specified by the rule. If there is no character at the location specified by the rule in the document file, if the same rule is applied, it is checked whether there is another page with the character at the location indicated by the rule. Is applied to extract the character at the location specified by the rule. As a result, a password can be created even when there is no character at the location specified by the rule on one page.

  When a rule is applied, if there is no other page with characters at the location indicated by the rule, the above-described handling method 1 may be employed. When a password is created from another page by the handling method 2, a thumbnail image is also created from that page.

  Next, an operation performed until the image forming apparatus 10 permits the operation on the document file will be described with reference to FIG. First, when receiving a thumbnail image output instruction from the user, the print function unit 53 outputs (prints) the thumbnail image (see FIG. 3) of each document file in the BOX (S1).

  The user grasps the password set in the document file based on the rule from the printed thumbnail image. When the operation input unit 51 receives a document file designation and password input from the user (S2), the operation input unit 51 transfers the input password (input password) to the password comparison unit 65 (S3).

  After obtaining the designated document file and the rule associated with the document file from the storage unit 52 (S4), the password creating unit 64 extracts the character at the location indicated by the rule in the document file. To create a password (setting password) (S5). The password comparison unit 65 compares the password created by the password creation unit 64 with the input password. If they match, an operation (including a print instruction operation) on the document file is permitted (S6).

  As described above, since the user restores the password from the thumbnail image, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the password is looked into as in the case of directly outputting the password.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus 10 prohibits an operation on a document file, creates a setting password after receiving a document file designation and password input from the user, compares them, and matches them. In this case, the prohibition on the operation of the document file will be canceled, but a setting password is created when the document file is saved, linked with the document file, saved, and the document file is specified and the password is entered. It is also possible to read out and compare them.

  FIG. 9 shows a flow of processing performed when the image forming apparatus 10 stores a document file. First, when a rule is input from the user, the rule is registered (step S101). Next, when a scan execution instruction is received, the document is scanned (step S102), and a rule associated with the document file obtained by the scan is selected (step S103).

  When a rule is selected, the rule is associated with the document file and stored (step S104). If there are characters in all the locations specified by the rule in the document file (step S105; Yes), a thumbnail image including the location is created and saved (step S107), and this processing ends.

  If there is a place where there is no character in the place specified by the rule in the document file (step S105; No), a thumbnail image in which random characters are supplemented semi-transparently is created and saved in the place where there is no character (step S105). S106), the process is terminated.

  FIG. 10 shows a flow of processing performed by the image forming apparatus 10 until the operation on the document file is permitted. First, upon receiving a thumbnail image output instruction from the user, a thumbnail image of each document file in the BOX is printed (step S201).

  Next, upon receiving a document file designation and password input from the user (step S202), the designated document file and the rules associated with the document file are read and acquired (step S203).

  In the designated document file, a password is created by extracting characters at the location indicated by the rule read in step S203 (step S204). If the password entered in step S202 (input password) and the password created in step S204 do not match (set password) (step S205; No), the user is notified of this, and the process returns to step S202 for processing. continue.

  If the input password matches the set password (step S205; Yes), the operation on the document file is permitted (operation prohibition is canceled) (step S206), and the process is terminated.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention stores a document file in association with a rule registered in advance when the document file is stored. Then, only when a document file is specified and a password created by extracting characters at the location indicated by the rule in the document file is received, an operation on the document file is permitted. In this way, a different password is automatically set for each document file.

  Since the user obtains the password from the thumbnail image including the location indicated by the rule in the document file, it is less likely that the password will be leaked than when the password is directly output.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus 10 prints thumbnail images of a plurality of document files. However, only thumbnail images of designated document files may be printed. In the embodiment of the present invention, the thumbnail image is the sample image of the present invention. However, the sample image may be a part of the document file that is equal to or enlarged.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, thumbnail images are printed out. However, if the display unit 31 can perform graphic display (preview display of sample images), the thumbnail image is displayed on the display unit 31 as a preview display. Also good.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the character extracted from the place indicated by the rule is set as the password as it is, but the password is not limited to this, and any password may be used as long as it is determined based on the extracted character. For example, the password may be determined by converting the extracted character according to a predetermined rule (for example, if the extracted character is alphabet, it is converted to the next character in alphabetical order) or by rearranging the extracted character. . It is not necessary to distinguish between uppercase and lowercase letters. The character to be extracted is not limited to the alphabet.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus 10 can register a plurality of rules, but the number of rules that can be registered may be one. It is desirable that the rules can be registered for each user. Further, in the case of a configuration in which one rule is registered for each user, the user and the document file may be linked instead of the rule.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of document files are stored in the BOX, but the number of stored document files may be one.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, only the document file obtained by reading the document with the scan function is associated with the rule. However, the rule may be associated with the document file received from an external apparatus and stored.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image forming apparatus 11 ... CPU
12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Non-volatile memory 15 ... Hard disk device 16 ... Image processing part 17 ... Image reading part 18 ... Printer part 19 ... Facsimile communication part 20 ... Network communication part 21 ... Authentication part 30 ... Operation panel 31 ... Display part 32 ... Operation part 51 ... Operation input unit 52 ... Storage unit 53 ... Print function unit 61 ... Rule registration unit 62 ... Thumbnail image creation unit 63 ... Character extraction unit 64 ... Password creation unit 65 ... Password comparison unit 80 ... Document example 90 ... Thumbnail image 91 ... Thumbnail image 92 ... Thumbnail image 93 ... Thumbnail image 94 ... Thumbnail image 95 ... Thumbnail image

Claims (8)

A rule input part for receiving input of a rule including specification of a location in a document file;
A storage unit for storing a document file and the rules received by the rule input unit;
An operation unit that receives designation of a document file stored in the storage unit;
A password creating unit for extracting a character at a location designated by the rule from the designated document file and creating a password;
A sample image creation unit for creating a sample image including a location specified by the rule of the specified document file;
An output unit for outputting the sample image created by the sample image creation unit;
A control unit that allows an operation to the designated document file only when the input password matches the password created by the password creation unit when receiving an input of a password in the operation unit;
An image output apparatus comprising: The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit is a display unit, and the sample image is displayed on the display unit when the output is performed. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit is an image forming unit, and when the output is performed, the sample image is formed on a recording sheet. The storage unit stores a plurality of document files,
The output unit arranges and outputs a plurality of sample images created by the sample image creation unit based on a plurality of document files stored in the storage unit. The image output device described in one. In the document of the specified document file, if there is no character at the location specified by the rule, the password creation unit creates a password by supplementing the location with a predetermined character,
The image output apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sample image creation unit creates the sample image by supplementing the document with the predetermined character. The specification of the location included in the rule is the specification of the location in the page,
The password creating unit creates the password by applying the rule to the one page when there is a character at a location specified by the rule in one page of the designated document file. If there is no character at the location specified by the rule on the page, specify another page where the character exists at the location specified by the rule, create the password by applying the rule to the specified page,
The sample image creation unit creates the sample image based on a page to which the password creation unit applied the rule when creating the password. Image output device. The storage unit stores the rule in association with each document file,
The image output apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the password creation unit creates the password using the rule associated with the designated document file. The control unit determines whether or not a predetermined authentication condition is satisfied, and allows the rules stored in the storage unit to be browsed only when the control unit determines that the predetermined authentication condition is satisfied. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image output apparatus is an image output apparatus.

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