JP2022013165A - Image forming apparatus, method for controlling the same, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To select and use password rules according to the details of setting of document data.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 100 comprises: a scan unit for capturing document data; a panel that receives operation input and displays information; a storage unit that stores one or more password rules; and a control unit that processes the document data. The panel outputs, to the control unit, setting information 302 on and a password for the input document data. The control unit selects, based on the setting information, a password rule to be used from one or more password rules 310A, 310B, and based on the fact that the password satisfies the selected password rule, continues a job for the document data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus, and more specifically to a password checking function.

An image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) has a function of assigning a password to document data (which may include an image as well as character information) captured by scanning a document. For example, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus transmits document data to which a password is given (hereinafter referred to as "security document data") to a user's computer or the like. In this case, when the computer accepts any operation (editing, printing, etc.) related to the security document, the computer requests the user to authenticate by entering the password.

The image forming apparatus may check the password given to the security document data based on a rule for increasing security (hereinafter referred to as "password convention"). The password agreement includes, for example, a limitation on the number of characters or prohibited characters.

The image forming apparatus checks whether the password given to the document data meets the password rules, and if the password given to the document data does not meet the password rules, processes such as password assignment and document creation. Suspend.

Regarding password setting, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-142555 (Patent Document 1) describes "account information storage unit, set value storage unit, reception unit, operation processing unit, valid time determination unit, verification authentication information acquisition unit". The account information storage unit stores the identification information, the password, and the secondary password in association with each other. The set value storage unit stores the valid time of the authentication procedure with the secondary password. The reception unit stores the authentication procedure. The input identification information and the input authentication information are received via the operation processing unit. The valid time determination unit determines whether or not it corresponds to the valid time of the authentication procedure with the secondary password based on the reception. Verification authentication information Based on the judgment result, the acquisition unit acquires the password or sub-password stored corresponding to the input identification information as the verification authentication information. The authentication judgment unit acquires the input authentication information when the input authentication information matches the verification authentication information. , Authentication is judged to be successful. ”The information processing device is disclosed (see [Summary]).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-142555

According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is not possible to select and use the password rules according to the setting contents of the document data. Therefore, there is a need for technology for selecting and using password rules according to the settings of document data.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above background, and an object in a certain aspect is to provide a technique for selecting and using a password agreement according to the setting contents of document data. ..

An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment processes document data, a scanning unit for capturing document data, a panel for receiving operation input and displaying information, a storage unit for storing one or more password rules, and a storage unit. It is equipped with a control unit. The panel outputs the input document data setting information and password to the control unit. The control unit selects the password convention to be used from one or more password conventions based on the setting information, and continues the job of the document data based on the password satisfying the selected password convention. do.

In one aspect, the storage unit further stores correspondence information, including correspondence for each of one or more configuration information and one or more password conventions. The control unit searches for the password convention to be used from the corresponding information based on the setting information.

In a certain aspect, the correspondence information includes the association information between the e-mail address addressed to the outside and the password agreement for the outside. The setting information includes the destination e-mail address. The control unit selects a password rule for external use based on whether or not the destination e-mail address is an e-mail address addressed to outside the company.

In one aspect, the configuration information includes a destination email address. The control unit selects the password convention to be used based on whether or not the destination e-mail address is a destination registered in advance in the image forming apparatus.

In one aspect, the configuration information includes a destination email address. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selects a password rule to be used based on the domain of the destination e-mail address.

In one aspect, the setting information includes a storage destination of document data. The control unit selects the password convention to be used based on whether or not the storage destination of the document data is a storage destination registered in advance in the image forming apparatus.

In a certain aspect, the control unit assigns a password, saves the document data in the storage unit, and then accepts the input of the operation to the document data. Based on the determination of whether or not the password does not satisfy the password rules in the operation, information indicating that the processing based on the operation cannot be continued is displayed on the panel.

In one aspect, the configuration information includes the account of the user logged in to the image forming apparatus. The control unit selects the password rules to be used based on the account.

According to other embodiments, a method of controlling an image forming apparatus is provided. In this control method, a step of accepting the setting information of the document data and the input of the password, a step of selecting the password rule to be used from one or more password rules based on the setting information, and a password are selected. Includes steps to continue the job of document data based on meeting password conventions.

In a certain aspect, a step of referring to correspondence information including correspondence of one or more setting information and one or more password conventions, and a step of searching the correspondence information to use a password convention based on the setting information. Further included.

In a certain aspect, the correspondence information includes the association information between the e-mail address addressed to the outside and the password agreement for the outside. The setting information includes the destination e-mail address. The method further comprises selecting external password terms based on whether the destination email address is an external email address.

In one aspect, the configuration information includes a destination email address. The method further includes the step of selecting the password convention to be used based on whether the destination email address is a destination pre-registered in the image forming apparatus.

In one aspect, the configuration information includes a destination email address. The method further includes the step of selecting the password convention to use based on the domain of the destination email address.

In one aspect, the setting information includes a storage destination of document data. The method further includes a step of selecting a password convention to be used based on whether the storage destination of the document data is a storage destination registered in advance in the image forming apparatus.

In one aspect, the method is to grant a password, store the document data in the storage, and then accept the input of the operation to the document data, and then determine whether the password meets the password rules for the operation. Further includes a step of determining whether or not, and a step of displaying information on the panel to the effect that the operation-based processing cannot be continued based on the determination that the password does not satisfy the password convention in the operation.

In one aspect, the configuration information includes the account of the user logged in to the image forming apparatus. The method further includes the step of selecting the password agreement to use based on the account.

According to other embodiments, the program is provided. This program causes one or more processors to perform any of the above methods.

According to a certain embodiment, it is possible to select and use the password rules according to the setting contents of the document data.

The above and other objectives, features, aspects and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of this disclosure as understood in connection with the accompanying drawings.

It is a figure which shows an example of the image forming apparatus 100 according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the circuit structure of the image forming apparatus 100. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of the password selection process of the image forming apparatus 100. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the internal processing when the image forming apparatus 100 performs the operation of FIG. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of the password selection process of the image forming apparatus 100. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the internal processing when the image forming apparatus 100 performs the operation of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the warning screen 700 which the image forming apparatus 100 transmits or displays. It is a figure which shows the 3rd example of the password selection process of the image forming apparatus 100. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the internal processing when the image forming apparatus 100 performs the operation of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the technical concept according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are the same. Therefore, the detailed description of them will not be repeated.
<A. Device configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 includes an image forming unit 150, an ejection tray 160, a document reading unit 105, a paper feeding unit 140, and a panel 60. The document reading unit 105 includes an automatic document feeder 110, an image scanner 120, a document feeding table 125, and a document discharging table 130.

The image forming unit 150 executes a printing process on the medium conveyed from the paper feeding unit 140. The image forming unit 150 includes an imaging unit (not shown) for forming each toner image of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and key plate (K), and a fixing unit (not shown). ) And. The imaging unit transfers the toner to the medium conveyed from the paper feed unit 140. When the medium passes through the fixing portion, the toner is fixed to the medium. Finally, the medium is discharged into the discharge tray 160.

The paper feed unit 140 stores various media used in the printing process. The image forming apparatus 100 may include a plurality of paper feed units 140, and each paper feed unit 140 may store media of different sizes or types.

The document reading unit 105 reads the document and captures the scanned document as document data. The automatic document feeder 110 conveys the originals placed on the original paper feed tray 125 (also referred to as a manual feed tray) and ejects them to the original paper ejection tray 130. The image scanner 120 scans the documents conveyed by the automatic document feeder 110 and captures them as document data in the image forming apparatus 100. In a certain aspect, originals of different sizes such as A4 paper and A3 paper may be placed on the document feeder 125.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of the image forming apparatus 100. With reference to FIG. 2, the circuit configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. In certain aspects, some or all of the configurations shown in FIG. 2 may include electronic circuits, software, or sensors and actuators or combinations thereof.

The image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 200, a document reading circuit 204, an image receiving circuit 205, a developing circuit 206, a fixing circuit 207, a storage unit 208, a facsimile circuit 209, a wired interface 210, and a wireless interface. It includes a 211, a user authentication circuit 212, and a panel 60. The panel 60 includes a display unit 61 and an operation unit 62.

The control unit 200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 202, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 203. The CPU 201 executes or refers to various programs and data read into the RAM 202. In a certain aspect, the CPU 201 may be an embedded CPU, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof or the like. The CPU 201 may execute a program for realizing various functions of the image forming apparatus 100.

The RAM 202 stores a program executed by the CPU 201 and data referenced by the CPU 201. In a certain aspect, the RAM 202 may be realized by a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or a SRAM (Static Random Access Memory).

The ROM 203 is a non-volatile memory and may store a program executed by the CPU 201. In that case, the CPU 201 executes the program read from the ROM 203 to the RAM 202. In certain aspects, the ROM 203 may be realized by an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), or a flash memory.

The document reading circuit 204 converts the document scanned by the document reading unit 105 into document data. The CPU 201 may acquire document data via the document reading circuit 204. In a certain aspect, the document reading circuit 204 may store the acquired document data in the storage unit 208. Further, the document data may be stored in the storage unit 208 as security document data with a password set.

The image receiving circuit 205 acquires document data via the wired interface 210 or the wireless interface 211. In a certain aspect, the image receiving circuit 205 may store the acquired document data in the storage unit 208.

The developing circuit 206 develops the document data captured by the image forming apparatus 100. In certain aspects, the developing circuit 206 may include circuits that control various actuators for developing functions, including an imaging unit. The fixing circuit 207 controls the motor, the heater, and the like of the fixing portion.

The storage unit 208 is a non-volatile memory, and can store data even when the power of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned off. The storage unit 208 may store any program and data executed or referenced by the CPU 201. In a certain aspect, the storage unit 208 may be realized by an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The CPU 201 can read various programs from the storage unit 208 into the RAM 202 as needed and execute the read programs.

The facsimile circuit 209 transmits / receives document data by facsimile using a telephone line. In certain aspects, the facsimile circuit 209 may include a circuit having a communication control function of the facsimile and a communication port of a telephone line.

The wired interface 210 is connected to a wired network device. In some aspects, the wired interface 210 may include a wired LAN (Local Area Network) port. The wireless interface 211 is connected to a wireless network device. In certain aspects, the wireless interface 211 may include a Wi-Fi® (Wireless Fidelity) module and the like. The wired interface 210 and the wireless interface 211 can transmit and receive data using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol).

The user authentication circuit 212 performs an authentication process for a user who uses the image forming apparatus 100. The user authentication circuit 212 may or may not cooperate with an external authentication server. In a certain aspect, the control unit 200 may have the function of the user authentication circuit 212.

The display unit 61 includes a liquid crystal monitor, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) monitor, and the like. The liquid crystal monitor, the organic EL monitor, and the like include a touch sensor, can display an operation menu, and can accept input by touch from the user.

The operation unit 62 includes a plurality of buttons and can receive input from the user in the same manner as the touch panel. In certain aspects, the operating unit 62 may include a touch sensor superimposed on the display unit 61.
<B. Example of password convention selection>
Appropriate password rules may change with each operation on document data. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment selects the password rule to be used based on the job setting for the document data. Next, the process of selecting the password rule of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 9. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first example of password selection processing of the image forming apparatus 100. The process shown in FIG. 3 is a process until the document data captured by the image forming apparatus 100 is attached to an e-mail and transmitted to an external destination.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, an image forming apparatus 100 is installed in an office 300. It is assumed that the employee of the office 300 transmits the document data scanned by the image forming apparatus 100 to the office 350 of another company. The image forming apparatus 100 stores the password convention 310A and the password convention 310B in the storage unit 208.

The password convention 310A is, for example, a password convention that can be set for document data used in the company. The password rule 310A includes a character limit "8 characters or more" and a prohibited character string "" 12345678 "," abcdefgh "," password "" as a password rule.

The password convention 310B is, for example, a password convention that can be set for document data transmitted to the outside. Password convention 310B does not include character limits and prohibited character strings. That is, it can be seen that the password convention 310B is a looser convention than the password convention 310A. For example, it is possible to disseminate the unified password rules within the company, but it is not easy to request other companies to use the same password rules. Therefore, in some cases, employees need to use the password rules for external document data and the password rules for internal document data properly.

The image forming apparatus 100 further stores the password rule selection information 320 associated with the job type, the user account, the job destination, and the password rule in the storage unit 208. In a certain aspect, the password convention selection information 320 may be realized by using a relational database. In another aspect, the password agreement selection information 320 may be realized in any other data format such as JSON (JavaScript (registered trademark) Object Notation).

By referring to the password convention selection information 320, the image forming apparatus 100 can uniquely search for the password convention based on the job type, the user account, the destination of the job, and the like, or a combination of these information. The transmission destination of the job here may include, for example, a file system such as a storage unit 208 inside the image forming apparatus 100 or an external storage unit as a storage destination. Further, the destination of the job may include the destination of document data such as an e-mail address.

First, the image forming apparatus 100 is input with a scan job 301 from the user. The user inputs the scan job setting 302 related to the scan job 301 in the panel 60. The scan job setting 302 may include any setting for the scanned document data. The scan job setting 302 includes, for example, a password given to the document data, a document reading setting, a document data transmission destination (email address, file system, etc.) and the like. Further, for example, the image forming apparatus 100 reads the document placed on the document feeder 125 by the image scanner 120 and captures it as document data related to the scan job 301.

The image forming apparatus 100 selects the password convention to be used based on some or all of the settings included in the input scan job setting 302. The image forming apparatus 100 refers to the storage unit 208 and searches for the password convention to be used from the password convention selection information 320.

In the example of FIG. 3, since the scan job setting 302 includes an external email address as a destination for sending document data, the image forming apparatus 100 acquires the password convention 310B for the outside (external) as a search result.

The image forming apparatus 100 verifies the entered password using the selected password convention 310B. When the image forming apparatus 100 determines that the entered password satisfies the password convention 310B, the image forming apparatus 100 sets a password in the document data, converts the document data into security document data, and sets the security document data. Send to the destination.

In a certain aspect, the image forming apparatus 100 selects the password agreement to be used based on the domain of the e-mail address included in the scan job setting 302 (for example, whether it is the domain of its own company or the domain of another company). May be good. Further, in another aspect, the image forming apparatus 100 is added to the list of e-mail addresses in which the e-mail addresses included in the scan job setting 302 are registered in advance (for example, a list of business partners who should use a specific password rule). You may choose the password convention to use based on whether it is included or not. In that case, the password convention selection information 320 may be configured so that the password convention can be selected based on this information.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of internal processing when the image forming apparatus 100 performs the operation of FIG. In a certain aspect, the CPU 201 may read the program for performing the process of FIG. 4 into the RAM 202 from the ROM 203 or the storage unit 208, and execute the program.

In step S410, the CPU 201 receives the input of the scan job setting from the panel 60. The scan job setting includes, for example, a password to be given to the document data, a destination e-mail address, and the like. Further, the CPU 201 may acquire the document data related to the scan job 301 read by the image scanner 120. In step S420, the CPU 201 starts executing the scan job.

In step S430, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the destination e-mail address included in the scan job setting 302 is addressed to the company. When the CPU 201 determines that the destination e-mail address included in the scan job setting 302 is addressed to the company (YES in step S430), the CPU 201 shifts control to step S440. If this is not the case, that is, if the destination email address is addressed to the outside world (NO in step S430), the CPU 201 shifts control to step S450.

More specifically, the CPU 201 refers to the password rule selection information 320 using a part or all of the settings included in the scan job setting 302 as a search key, and acquires one of the password rules as a search result. If the destination e-mail address included in the scan job setting 302 is addressed to the company, the image forming apparatus 100 acquires the password rule 310A. On the contrary, if the destination e-mail address included in the scan job setting 302 is addressed to the outside, the image forming apparatus 100 acquires the password convention 310B.

In step S440, the CPU 201 selects the password convention 310A and verifies the password given to the document data according to the password convention 310A. In step S450, the CPU 201 selects the password convention 310B and verifies the password given to the document data according to the password convention 310B.

In step S460, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the result of the password check satisfies the selected password convention. When the CPU 201 determines that the result of the password check satisfies the selected password convention (YES in step S460), the CPU 201 shifts control to step S470. If not (NO in step S460), the CPU 201 shifts control to step S410. At that time, the CPU 201 may display a message that the password entered in the panel 60 does not satisfy the password rules.

In step S470, the CPU 201 executes a scan job. As an example of a scan job, the CPU 201 creates security document data, attaches the security document data to an e-mail, and sends the data. In a certain aspect, the CPU 201 may execute the processes of FIGS. 3 and 4 not only for the scan job but also for the job settings related to the document data received from the user's terminal via the network. That is, the image forming apparatus 100 can select and use a plurality of password rules when an arbitrary job setting is accepted.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 can select the password convention to be used based on the input job setting. With this function, for example, even if the password rules to be used differ between the company and the company, the image forming apparatus 100 can provide the user with an appropriate password verification function according to the destination of the document data and the like. ..

Further, the image forming apparatus 100 selects a password convention when the job is executed, and performs a password check based on the selected password convention. With this function, the image forming apparatus 100 can prevent, for example, a situation in which a password that can be used only for external document data is set in the internal document data due to a human error.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a second example of the password selection process of the image forming apparatus 100. The process shown in FIG. 5 differs from the process of FIG. 3 in that the document data captured by the image forming apparatus 100 is stored in a directory accessible from outside the company.

In the example of FIG. 5, the external directory 510 is prepared in the storage unit 208 of the image forming apparatus 100 or in the external storage device. The external directory 510 is a directory accessible from the outside of the office 300. The external password rule 310B is applied to the document data stored in the external directory 510. In addition, the password convention 310A for internal use is applied to the document data stored in other internal directories.

First, the image forming apparatus 100 is input with a scan job 501 from the user. The user inputs the scan job setting 502 for the scan job 501 in the panel 60. The scan job setting 502 may include any setting for the scanned document data. The scan job setting 502 includes, for example, a password given to the document data, a document reading setting, a document data storage destination, and the like. Further, for example, the image forming apparatus 100 reads the document placed on the document feeder 125 by the image scanner 120 and captures it as document data related to the scan job 301.

The image forming apparatus 100 selects the password convention to be used based on some or all of the settings included in the input scan job setting 502. The image forming apparatus 100 refers to the storage unit 208 and searches for the password convention to be used from the password convention selection information 320.

In the example of FIG. 5, since the scan job setting 502 includes the external directory 510 as the storage destination of the document data, the image forming apparatus 100 acquires the password convention 310B for the outside (external) as a search result. In a certain aspect, the image forming apparatus 100 may select, for example, a password rule corresponding to a pre-registered storage destination. In that case, the password agreement selection information 320 includes information in which each of the storage destinations registered in advance and each of the password agreements are associated with each other.

The image forming apparatus 100 verifies the entered password using the selected password convention 310B. When the image forming apparatus 100 determines that the entered password satisfies the password convention 310B, the image forming apparatus 100 sets a password in the document data, converts the document data into security document data, and sets the security document data. Save the data in the external directory 510, which is the save destination.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of internal processing when the image forming apparatus 100 performs the operation of FIG. In a certain aspect, the CPU 201 may read the program for performing the process of FIG. 6 into the RAM 202 from the ROM 203 or the storage unit 208, and execute the program. Of the processes shown in FIG. 6, the same processes as those in FIG. 4 are assigned the same step numbers. Therefore, the description of the same process is not repeated.

In step S600, the CPU 201 accepts the registration of the storage destination of the external document data. In a certain aspect, the CPU 201 may accept registration of a storage destination of external document data from the panel 60. Further, in another aspect, the CPU 201 may receive a registration request for a storage destination of external document data via the wired interface 210 or the wireless interface 211.

In step S630, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the save destination included in the scan job setting 302 is the external directory 510. When the CPU 201 determines that the save destination included in the scan job setting 302 is the external directory 510 (YES in step S430), the CPU 201 shifts control to step S450. If this is not the case, that is, if the save destination included in the scan job setting 302 is an in-house directory or the like (NO in step S430), the CPU 201 shifts control to step S440.

More specifically, the CPU 201 refers to the password rule selection information 320 using a part or all of the settings included in the scan job setting 302 as a search key, and acquires one of the password rules as a search result. If the save destination included in the scan job setting 302 is the external directory 510, the image forming apparatus 100 acquires the password convention 310B. On the contrary, if the save destination included in the scan job setting 302 is an in-house directory, the image forming apparatus 100 acquires the password rule 310A.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a warning screen 700 transmitted or displayed by the image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 monitors security document data stored in the storage unit 208 or an external storage device. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 accepts operations such as movement or copying of security document data stored in the storage unit 208 or an external storage device via the panel 60, the wired interface 210, or the wireless interface 211.

The image forming apparatus 100 refers to the password set in the security document data and determines whether or not the accepted operation can be executed according to the security policy. For example, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 100 stores the security document data X in which the password that satisfies the password convention 310B but does not satisfy the password convention 310A is set in the external directory 510. Next, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 100 receives an operation from the user to move the security document data X from the external directory 510 to the internal directory. The password set for the security document data stored in the internal directory must satisfy the password convention 310A. Therefore, the process of moving the security document data X in which the password that does not satisfy the password rule 310A is set to the internal directory cannot be executed due to the security policy.

When the image forming apparatus 100 accepts such an operation that cannot be executed due to the security policy, for example, the warning screen 700 is displayed on the panel 60. The image forming apparatus 100 may accept, for example, change input of a password or other executable operations via the warning screen 700. The image forming apparatus 100 may store the history of the password set in each security document data in the storage unit 208. In that case, the image forming apparatus 100 can acquire the password set in each security document data by referring to the history of the password set in each document data.

In a certain aspect, when the image forming apparatus 100 receives an operation such as moving or copying security document data from another terminal via the wired interface 210 or the wireless interface 211, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits the information of the warning screen 700 to the operation request. It may be sent to the original terminal. In that case, the warning screen 700 may be displayed on the screen of the terminal.

As described above, when the image forming apparatus 100 receives an operation of the file system via the image forming apparatus 100, the image forming apparatus 100 determines whether or not the operation is possible according to the security policy. By this processing, it is possible to prevent the movement processing of security document data that does not satisfy the security policy due to human error.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a third example of the password selection process of the image forming apparatus 100. The process shown in FIG. 8 differs from the process of FIG. 3 or FIG. 5 in that the password convention check process is not performed when the job setting includes a specific destination or save destination.

First, the image forming apparatus 100 is input with a scan job 801 from the user. The user inputs the scan job setting 802 for the scan job 801 in the panel 60. The scan job setting 802 may include any setting for the scanned document data. The scan job setting 802 includes, for example, a password given to the document data, a document reading setting, a document data storage destination, and the like. Further, for example, the image forming apparatus 100 reads the document placed on the document feeder 125 by the image scanner 120 and captures it as document data related to the scan job 301.

The image forming apparatus 100 acquires a transmission destination or a storage destination included in the input scan job setting 802. The image forming apparatus 100 determines whether or not the transmission destination of the document data is outside the office 300, or the storage destination of the document data is an external directory.

The image forming apparatus 100 does not check the password set in the document data based on the transmission destination of the document data is outside the office 300 or an external directory. The image forming apparatus 100 converts the document data for which a password is set into security document data, transmits the security document data to the set destination, or stores the security document data in the set storage destination.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of internal processing when the image forming apparatus 100 performs the operation of FIG. In a certain aspect, the CPU 201 may read the program for performing the process of FIG. 8 into the RAM 202 from the ROM 203 or the storage unit 208, and execute the program. Of the processes shown in FIG. 8, the same processes as those in FIG. 4 are assigned the same step numbers. Therefore, the description of the same process is not repeated.

In step S930, the CPU 201 determines whether the scanned document is an internal document. More specifically, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the destination of the document data in the scan setting is an in-house e-mail address, and whether or not the save destination of the document data is an in-house directory.

When the CPU 201 determines that the scanned document is an internal document (YES in step S930), the CPU 201 shifts control to step S440. If not (NO in step S930), the CPU 201 shifts control to step S470. That is, when the scanned document is a document for the outside, the CPU 201 does not execute the password check using the password convention. By this processing, the image forming apparatus 100 can suppress the consumption of the calculation resource of the CPU 201, for example, when the password rule check is not required.

In the example shown in FIGS. 3 to 9 above, the image forming apparatus 100 selects the password rule mainly based on the transmission destination or the storage destination of the document data, but in a certain aspect, the image forming apparatus 100 is used. , You may choose password terms based on your account information. For example, the image forming apparatus 100 authenticates the user based on the account information input to the panel 60. If the authenticated user is in charge of creating external document data, the image forming apparatus 100 may select the external password rule 310B. On the contrary, if the authenticated user is an ordinary employee who mainly creates data for the company, the image forming apparatus 100 may select the password rule 310A for the company.

Further, in another aspect, the CPU 201 performs the processes of FIGS. 3 to 9 or a combination of these processes not only for the scan job but also for the job settings related to the document data received from the user's terminal via the network. May be executed. That is, the image forming apparatus 100 can select and use a plurality of password rules when an arbitrary job setting is accepted.

Further, in another aspect, the image forming apparatus 100 may execute the password rule selection process shown in FIGS. 3 to 9 and the password rule selection process based on the user's account information at the same time. Further, in another aspect, the image forming apparatus 100 may select the password rules to be used based on the combination of the destination or storage destination of the document data, the type of job, and the account information of the user. ..

As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 can select the password rules to be used based on the entered job settings and / and the user account. With this function, for example, even if the password rules to be used differ between the company and the company, the image forming apparatus 100 can provide the user with an appropriate password verification function according to the destination of the document data and the like. ..

It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is shown by the scope of claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims. Further, the disclosure contents described in the embodiments and the respective modifications are intended to be carried out alone or in combination as much as possible.

60 panel, 61 display unit, 62 operation unit, 100 image forming device, 105 document reading unit, 110 automatic document feeder, 120 image scanner, 125 document feeding table, 130 document ejection table, 140 paper feeding unit, 150 images Forming unit, 160 ejection tray, 200 control unit, 201 CPU, 202 RAM, 203 ROM, 204 document reading circuit, 205 image receiving circuit, 206 developing circuit, 207 fixing circuit, 208 storage unit, 209 facsimile circuit, 210 wired interface, 211 Wireless Interface, 212 User Authentication Circuit, 300,350 Office, 301,501,801 Scan Job, 302,502,802 Scan Job Settings, 310A, 310B Password Rule, 320 Password Rule Selection Information, 510 External Directory, 700 Warning screen.

Claims (17)

A scan unit for importing document data,
A panel that accepts operation input and displays information,
A storage unit that stores one or more password rules,
It is equipped with a control unit that processes the document data.
The panel outputs the input setting information and password of the document data to the control unit.
The control unit
Based on the setting information, select the password convention to be used from the one or more password conventions, and select the password convention to be used.
An image forming apparatus that continues the job of the document data based on the password satisfying the selected password convention. The storage unit further stores correspondence information including one or more of the setting information and correspondence of each of the one or more password conventions.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit searches the password rules to be used from the corresponding information based on the setting information. The correspondence information includes information relating the e-mail address addressed to the outside and the password agreement for the outside.
The setting information includes a destination e-mail address.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit selects the password agreement for external use based on whether or not the destination e-mail address is an e-mail address addressed to outside the company. The setting information includes a destination e-mail address.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit selects the password rules to be used based on whether or not the destination e-mail address is a destination registered in advance in the image forming apparatus. The setting information includes a destination e-mail address.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit selects the password rules to be used based on the domain of the destination e-mail address. The setting information includes a storage destination of the document data, and includes the storage destination.
The control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit selects the password convention to be used based on whether or not the storage destination of the document data is a storage destination registered in advance in the image forming apparatus. Image forming device. The control unit
After assigning the password and storing the document data in the storage unit, it is determined whether or not the password satisfies the password rules in the operation based on the acceptance of the input of the operation to the document data. death,
The image formation according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein information indicating that the process based on the operation cannot be continued is displayed on the panel based on the determination that the password does not satisfy the password rules in the operation. Device. The setting information includes an account of a user who has logged in to the image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control unit selects the password rules to be used based on the account. It is a control method of the image forming apparatus.
Steps to accept document data setting information and password input,
A step of selecting a password convention to be used from one or more password conventions based on the above setting information, and
A control method comprising the step of continuing the job of the document data based on the password satisfying the selected password convention. A step of referencing correspondence information, including correspondence of one or more of the setting information and one or more of the password conventions, and
The control method according to claim 9, further comprising a step of searching the password agreement to be used from the corresponding information based on the setting information. The correspondence information includes information relating the e-mail address addressed to the outside and the password agreement for the outside.
The setting information includes a destination e-mail address.
The control method according to claim 10, further comprising a step of selecting the password agreement for external use based on whether or not the destination e-mail address is an e-mail address addressed to outside the company. The setting information includes a destination e-mail address.
The control method according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising a step of selecting the password convention to be used based on whether or not the destination email address is a destination pre-registered in the image forming apparatus. Control method. The setting information includes a destination e-mail address.
The control method according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising the step of selecting the password convention to be used based on the domain of the destination email address. The setting information includes a storage destination of the document data, and includes the storage destination.
13. The control method described in any of them. After assigning the password and storing the document data in the storage unit, it is determined whether or not the password satisfies the password rules in the operation based on the acceptance of the input of the operation to the document data. Steps and
One of claims 9 to 14, further comprising a step of displaying on the panel information that the process based on the operation cannot be continued based on the determination that the password does not satisfy the password rules in the operation. The control method described. The setting information includes an account of a user who has logged in to the image forming apparatus.
The control method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of selecting the password agreement to be used based on the account. A program that causes one or more processors to execute the method according to any one of claims 9 to 16.

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