JP3945353B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine having an image reading unit that reads an image from a document on which an image is recorded and outputs the image as image data and an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on the image data is often used. Are known.
[0003]
In such an image forming apparatus, for example, simple image processing such as trimming is performed on the image data read by the image reading unit, and the image forming unit forms an image based on the image data subjected to the image processing. In addition, there is also provided a multi-function machine that can be used as a scanner or a printer with a function of a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or the like.
[0004]
Further, as a recent image forming apparatus, a large-capacity hard disk is provided, for example, PDL (Page Description Language) that can be interpreted by a printing apparatus by software called an application program or a printer driver from a networked personal computer or the like There is provided data that can be received, developed into bitmap data, stored in a hard disk, and then retrieved and printed out.
[0005]
In addition, the hard disk usage area is divided for each user, and the image data is stored in the area (user box) divided when specified by the user from a personal computer, etc., and then the operation unit of the device or a personal computer connected to the network There is also known an apparatus that takes out image data and prints it out in accordance with an instruction from the user.
[0006]
To protect the data stored in these user boxes, an individual password is set when creating the user box so that only those who know the password can retrieve the image data in the user box. Yes.
[0007]
In addition, in the “image forming apparatus” disclosed in Patent Document 1, a password is set so that image data stored in a user box provided in the image forming apparatus can be printed by anyone other than the owner of the user box. When taking out from a box that has not been set, it is possible to take out and print without a password.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-146115
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-described prior art has the following problems.
[0009]
That is, in the “image forming apparatus” disclosed in Patent Document 1, image data can be extracted from a box for which no password is set without a password, but forget the password when the password is set. There was a problem that it was not possible to cope with the case.
[0010]
In addition, if no password is set, anyone can retrieve the image data, so there is a problem of confidentiality, and it is unclear who performed what operation, which may cause problems in data management. .
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and can cope with a case where a password required for taking out image data is forgotten, and an image forming apparatus with improved confidentiality of image data. The purpose is to provide.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage unit that is managed corresponding to each password and has a plurality of boxes for storing image data, and for specifying and authenticating a desired box among the plurality of boxes. A first password or a second password for selecting and authenticating all of the plurality of boxes and an operation means for inputting a password corresponding to the box, and the input first Control means for selecting the box in accordance with a password or a second password; a first password set in advance for the input first password or second password and the selected box; Authentication means for authenticating whether or not the set second password matches, and the image data is output Further, identification information as to whether or not authentication is required for the image data is image data given by the operation means, and the control means is preset for the input first password and the box. If the first password matches, all the image data in the selected box are displayed in a recognizable manner, and the input first password and the first preset for the box are displayed. When the password does not match or when the first password is not input, control is performed so as to display only the image data to which the identification information in the selected box is authenticated. .
[0014]
  The present invention also providesClaim 1The control means can recognize all the image data in all of the plurality of boxes when the input second password matches a preset second password. The display is controlled to be displayed.
  The present invention also providesClaim 1 or claim 2The operation means accepts an operation for selecting the image data displayed in a recognizable manner.
  The present invention also providesClaims 1 to 3In any of the inventions described above, image forming means for printing on a sheet based on the selected image data is provided.
  The present invention also providesClaims 1 to 4In any one of the inventions, image storage means for storing a history of access from the storage to the deletion for each image data is provided.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 2 that controls the overall operation, and an operation display unit 3 that receives an operation input from a user and displays information to the user. A reading unit 4 that reads an image from a document, an image storage unit 5 that stores image data read by the reading unit 4, and a recording unit 6 that forms an image on a sheet.
[0018]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the directory structure of the image storage unit 5 shown in FIG.
[0019]
FIG. 3 is a table showing an example of the file structure of the database file in the directory structure shown in FIG.
[0020]
FIG. 4 is a table showing an example of the data structure of the history data included in the database file shown in FIG.
[0021]
FIG. 5 is a table showing an example of the file structure of the image file in the directory structure shown in FIG.
[0022]
When storing the image data in the image storage unit 5, as shown in FIG. 2, the root directory includes a directory for each user (hereinafter also referred to as “user box”) and an administrator directory (hereinafter referred to as “administrator box”). And a temporary file, a database file and an image file are provided in a directory for each user and a directory for an administrator, and image data for each page is stored along with the image file.
[0023]
In the following, the image data and the contents of the processing to be performed when printing the image data (for example, how many pages to how many pages of the image are to be printed, punching the paper, stapling on the paper, etc. Or a combination of whether multiple images are printed on a single sheet (N in 1, imposition) is called a job, and this job, or printing of image data, document files, etc. The target is called a document.
[0024]
That is, in the present embodiment, the image storage unit 5 is an image storage unit that has a box and stores and stores the document in the box.
[0025]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where the machine setting screen is displayed on the display screen of the operation display unit 3 of the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0026]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which a password input screen at the time of box registration is displayed on the display screen of the operation display unit 3 of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
[0027]
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a box registration screen is displayed on the display screen of the operation display unit 3 of the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0028]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which a box selection screen is displayed on the display screen of the operation display unit 3 of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
[0029]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the document selection screen in the user mode is displayed on the display screen of the operation display unit 3 of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
[0030]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which the document selection screen in the administrator mode is displayed on the display screen of the operation display unit 3 of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
[0031]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0032]
First, an outline of the operation of the present embodiment will be described here, and then a detailed description will be given with reference to a flowchart.
[0033]
(1) User box registration procedure
In order to register the user box, the box No. (5-digit number),FirstA user box area is created by inputting a password (up to 8 digits).
[0034]
(2) Administrator box registration procedure
In order to register the administrator box, the box No. (5-digit number),SecondEnter the password (up to 8 digits).
[0035]
(3) Procedure for reading an original and registering it in the user box
A document is set on the ADF of the reading unit 4 and the registered box No. (5-digit number),FirstPassword required / not requiredIdentification informationSet. Read and store the image data in the user box.
[0036]
(4) Stored in user boxFirstTo print image data that requires a password
On the box print screen, the box No. (5-digit number),FirstEnter the password (up to 8 digits). At this time, it was enteredFirstThe password and the entered box No. Registered inFirstIf the passwords are compared and matched, a list of all the image data stored in the corresponding user box is displayed on the operation display unit 3. The user selects and prints a desired one from among them.
[0037]
(5) Stored in user boxFirstTo print image data that does not require a password
Enter the user ID (5-digit number) on the box print screen. At this time, stored in the boxFirstDisplay only passwordless documents. The user selects and prints a desired one from among them.
[0038]
(6) Stored in all user boxesFirstTo print image data that requires a password
On the box print screen, the box No. (5-digit number),SecondEnter the password (up to 8 digits). At this time, it was enteredSecondThe password and the entered box No. Registered inSecondIf the passwords are compared and they match, a list of all the image data stored in all user boxes is displayed on the operation display unit 3. The user selects and prints a desired one from among them.
[0039]
(7) Stored in all user boxesFirstProcedure for printing password-free image data
On the box print screen, the box No. Enter (5-digit number). At this time, it was stored in all boxesFirstDisplay only passwordless documents. The user selects and prints a desired one from among them.
[0040]
(8) Leave a history
A document operation history is kept for each box from the time it is stored in the box until it is deleted.
[0041]
(9) Check the history
Box No. When (5 digits) is entered, the document history is displayed.
[0042]
In the present embodiment, when the program for executing the “(3) procedure for reading an original and registering it in a user box” operating in the control unit 2 stores the document in the image storage means, Whether the authentication result by the user authentication means is required when accessing the documentIdentification informationIs a storage control means for designating and storing.
[0043]
In the present embodiment, the program for executing the above “(8) Leave history” that operates in the image storage unit 5 and the control unit 2 has a box, and stores the document in this box. In addition, for each stored document, the image storage means stores an access history from when the document is stored until it is deleted.
[0044]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of processing when registering a box in the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
[0045]
When the user selects display of the machine setting screen on the operation display unit 3, the machine setting screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the operation display unit 3. When the user presses the box registration button on this machine setting screen (A-1),SecondDisplay the password request screen (Figure 7) (A-2)SecondPrompt for a password (A-3).
[0046]
The screen shown in FIG. 7 is a screen displayed when box registration is permitted only to a specific operator. Entered hereSecondPre-registered with passwordIs the second passwordIf the administrator password matches (A-4), the box registration screen (FIG. 8) is displayed (A-5). If not, the machine setting screen (FIG. 6) is displayed again. Yes.
[0047]
In the present embodiment, the user ID that operates on the operation display unit 3 and the control unit 2 andFirst and secondThe program for verifying the password is user authentication means for authenticating the user who operates the image forming apparatus.
[0048]
Next, a procedure for registering a box for each user or for an administrator following FIG. 8 will be described.
[0049]
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a flowchart of initial setting performed at the time of box registration.
[0050]
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a key input processing flowchart executed upon receiving a key input from the user at the time of box registration.
[0051]
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a key input processing flowchart executed upon receiving a key input from the user at the time of box registration, and is a diagram showing processing subsequent to FIG.
[0052]
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a key input processing flowchart executed upon receiving a key input from the user at the time of box registration, and is a diagram showing processing subsequent to FIG.
[0053]
When transitioning to the box registration screen (FIG. 8), the box No. The button is selected and the box No. The number of input digits = 0, the number of input digits of password = 0, the administrator attribute button is grayed out, and the administrator attribute = user (B-1). When a key is pressed in this state, each process and screen transition are performed as shown in FIGS.
[0054]
When the numeric keypad is pressed (C-1), the box No. If it is in the selected state (C-2), the box No. Input processing is performed (C-6, C-7). If the password is selected (C-3), password input processing is performed (C-4, C-5).
[0055]
Box No. When the password button or the box name button is pressed (C-1, D-1, D-7, D-10), the input box No. (D-2), password (D-8), and box name (D-11) are checked, and the entered password is already registered in the registered box (D-3, D-9, D-12) (D-4), the administrator attribute button is displayed at this point, and the registered box name and administrator attribute are displayed (D-5).
[0056]
If the password does not match in the registered box (D-4), nothing is done.
[0057]
In the case of an unregistered box (D-3, D-9, D-12), an administrator attribute button is displayed, and the administrator attribute at that time is displayed (D-6).
[0058]
When the administrator attribute button is pressed (D-13), the administrator attribute is toggled (manager ← → user) (D-14).
[0059]
When the delete button is pressed (E-1), the registered box No. In (E-2), when the entered password matches the registered password (E-3), only when there is no document in the box (E-4), the box is deleted (E-5). ). If not, do nothing.
[0060]
When the registration button is pressed (E-6), the registered box No. (E-7), when the entered password matches the registered password (E-8), the unregistered box No. Is entered and the password is already designated (E-10), the entered state is registered (E-9).
[0061]
If the cancel button is pressed (E-11), the previous screen, that is, the machine setting screen (FIG. 6) is displayed (E-12).
[0062]
The contents registered at this time are the box No. 3 is created as a database file shown in FIG.
[0063]
Next, a procedure for registering a document in an already registered box will be described.
[0064]
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a sequence chart of processing for registering a document in a box that has already been registered.
[0065]
FIG. 19 is a table showing reservation management information for managing the document scan reservation status in the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
[0066]
Referring to FIG. 20, when a document is set on the reading unit 4, the image forming apparatus 1 displays the presence of a document on the operation display unit 3.
[0067]
From the operation display unit 3, it is possible to perform a scanning operation on the box. The operation for scanning to the box is the box No. ,FirstThis is performed by pressing a start key provided on the operation display unit 3 after inputting the password necessity / unnecessary.
[0068]
When receiving the job input instruction from the operation display unit 3, the control unit 2 refers to the reservation management information shown in FIG. The scan reservation job No. is confirmed that the corresponding job is being reserved. After the scan job start is notified to the reading unit 4, and the scan ready indicating that the reading can be started is notified from the reading unit 4, the scanning unit 4 starts scanning and the image storage unit 5 is notified of the start of transfer, the original image is read, and the image data is written to a temporary file.
[0069]
When the image transfer for one page is completed, the reading unit 4 notifies the information indicating the presence or absence of the next document and the scan ready. Further, the image storage unit 5 notifies the transfer completion.
[0070]
In order to store the read image in the image storage unit 5, when the control unit 2 issues a file registration command to the image storage unit 5, the reading unit 4 closes the temporary file and sets the file name to, for example, the job number. Change the name to indicate the directory under the corresponding box determined by the number of pages.
[0071]
Further, the temporary file is opened again for storing the next page. The image data is stored in the file in the same sequence for the second and subsequent pages. When reading of all pages is completed, the image storage unit 5 is notified of the end of the job, and the temporary file is closed and deleted.
[0072]
The image file is composed of data indicating page attributes as shown in FIG. 5 and actual image data for each page.
[0073]
Next, a procedure for outputting a document registered in the box will be described.
[0074]
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a flowchart of processing when a desired document is selected from documents already registered in the box, and shows processing until a document selection screen is displayed.
[0075]
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a flowchart of processing when a desired document is selected from documents already registered in the box, and shows processing in a state where a document selection screen is displayed.
[0076]
FIG. 22 is a table showing data indicating the selected document.
[0077]
The box selection screen (FIG. 9) displays all registered boxes, their box names, and the number of registered documents. Select an arbitrary box from these, or select the box No. directly. After inputting the password, the password is input as necessary (F-1). At this time, whether the entered password matches the registered password, and the box No. FIG. 10 (user mode) (F-4) or FIG. 11 (administrator mode) (F-3) depending on whether the user is an administrator or a user (F-2).
[0078]
At this time, the actual document displayed is
1) In user modeFirstNo password input orFirstIf there is a password entry but it does not match,FirstOnly passwordless documents are displayed (G-1, G-3 in FIG. 18).
2) In user modeFirstIf there is a match with the password input, all documents in the corresponding box are displayed (G-1, G-2 in FIG. 18).
3) In administrator modeSecondNo password input orSecondIf a password is entered but does not match, all boxesFirstOnly passwordless documents are displayed (G-1, G-3 in FIG. 18).
4) In administrator modeSecondIf there is a match with the password input, all documents in all boxes are displayed (G-1, G-2 in FIG. 18).
[0079]
10 and 11, a document to be printed or the like can be selected by selecting a cursor button on the right side of the screen or by directly selecting a display line. These documents to be selected are box No. And job No. As shown in FIG. 22, a maximum of 10 pairs can be designated.
[0080]
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a sequence chart of processing for forming an image based on a document already registered in a box.
[0081]
The user selects the box No. output selected on the operation unit display 3. , Document No. When the recording operation is performed by specifying the first box No. Job No. In order to open the first page image file, a job start command is issued to the image storage unit 5.
[0082]
The image storage unit 5 opens a document file. On the other hand, the control unit 2 issues a print job start command to the recording unit 6, and the recording unit 6 returns a paper feed ready response when the paper can be fed. The control unit 2 reads the image size from the opened document file and issues a paper feed start command to feed paper of an appropriate size.
[0083]
The recording unit 6 receives the paper feed start command, feeds the paper in the designated paper feed stage, and returns a print ready response to the control unit 2 when the print ready timing is reached. The unit 2 issues a recording start command to the recording unit 6 and issues a transfer start command to the image storage unit 5. As a result, the image data is read from the opened document file and transferred to the recording unit 6.
[0084]
When the transfer is completed, a transfer completion response is returned from the image storage unit 5 to the control unit 2. If there is a next page, the next file is opened. After that, the recording unit 6 returns a paper feed ready response when the next paper feeding becomes possible. If there is a next page, the recording unit 6 processes the same as the first page.
[0085]
Further, when the sheet on which the image is actually recorded is ejected from the recording unit 6, the completion of the ejection is notified to the control unit 2, so that the control unit 2 starts recording after starting to record the last page. When the number of pages matches the number of pages that have been discharged, the job ends.
[0086]
In the example shown in FIG. 21, the document file is deleted when printing is completed.
[0087]
Also, when a document is registered or printed out, history data as shown in FIG. 4 is created at the end of each job, and the history is stored in each box. .
[0088]
In the present embodiment, the program that performs the access control shown in FIGS. 17, 18, 20, and 21 that operates in the control unit 2 is stored for each user authenticated by the user authentication means. A plurality of boxes that can be accessed for reading or taking out are defined from among the boxes of the means, and whether or not access to a document stored in the box is controlled, and for a predetermined specific user, Access control means for controlling access to all the documents and controlling access to all documents stored in the box.
[0089]
Further, in the present embodiment, the program that performs the access control shown in FIGS. 17, 18, 20, and 21 that operates in the control unit 2 is based on the designation result of the storage control means, and the user For each user authenticated by the authentication means, an access control means is provided that defines a plurality of boxes that can be accessed for reading or taking out among the boxes of the image storage means, and controls whether or not to access a document stored in the box. .
[0090]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is necessary to extract image data.FirstEven when the password is forgotten, it is possible to cope with it, and it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus with improved confidentiality of image data.
[0091]
Also according to the invention,FirstEven when the password is forgotten, the image data can be easily retrieved by requesting the administrator.
[0092]
Further, according to the present invention, when the user registers a manuscript, the user ID is wrong,FirstIf you put it in a box without a password, you can easily find it.
[0093]
In addition, according to the present invention, registration is performed by an individual, and even when an administrator prints out all at once, it can be taken out with a simple operation.
[0094]
Also according to the invention,FirstYou can also register documents that do not require a password, making operations easier.
[0095]
According to the present invention, since a job history can be kept for each box, management becomes easy.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a directory configuration of an image storage unit illustrated in FIG. 1;
3 is a table showing an example of a file structure of a database file in the directory structure shown in FIG.
4 is a table showing an example of the data configuration of history data included in the database file shown in FIG. 3;
5 is a table showing an example of a file structure of an image file in the directory structure shown in FIG.
6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a machine setting screen is displayed on the display screen of the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG.
7 is a diagram showing a state where a password input screen at the time of box registration is displayed on the display screen of the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
8 is a diagram showing a state in which a box registration screen is displayed on the display screen of the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
9 is a diagram showing a state in which a box selection screen is displayed on the display screen of the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
10 is a diagram showing a state in which a document selection screen in the user mode is displayed on the display screen of the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
11 is a diagram showing a state in which a document selection screen in an administrator mode is displayed on the display screen of the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
12 is a flowchart of processing when registering a box in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a flowchart of initial setting performed at the time of box registration.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a key input process flowchart executed upon receiving a key input from a user at the time of box registration.
15 is a diagram showing a key input processing flowchart executed upon receiving a key input from a user at the time of box registration, and is a diagram showing processing subsequent to FIG.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a key input process flowchart executed in response to a key input from a user at the time of box registration, and is a diagram showing a process following FIG. 15;
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a flowchart of processing when a desired document is selected from documents already registered in a box, and shows processing until a document selection screen is displayed.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of processing when a desired document is selected from documents already registered in a box, and illustrates processing in a state where a document selection screen is displayed.
FIG. 19 is a table showing reservation management information for managing a document scan reservation state in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a sequence chart of processing for registering a document in a box that has already been registered.
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a sequence chart of processing for forming an image based on a document already registered in a box.
FIG. 22 is a table showing data indicating a selected document.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Image forming device
2 Control unit
3 Operation display section
4 Reading unit
5 Image storage
6 Recording section

Claims (5)

Storage means managed in correspondence with each password and having a plurality of boxes for storing image data;
Among the plurality of boxes, a first password for designating and authenticating a desired box or a second password for selecting and authenticating all of the plurality of boxes is input and corresponds to the box Means for entering the password to be entered,
Control means for selecting the box according to the input first password or second password;
Authentication for authenticating whether or not the input first password or second password matches a first password preset for the selected box or a second preset password Means,
The image data is image data to which identification information as to whether authentication is required or not is given to the image data by the operation means when output;
The control means displays all the image data in the selected box in a recognizable manner when the input first password matches a first password preset for the box. ,
If the input first password does not match the first password preset for the box, or if the first password is not input, the authentication in the selected box is rejected. An image forming apparatus that controls to display only image data to which identification information is added. The control means performs control so that all image data in all of the plurality of boxes are displayed in a recognizable manner when the input second password matches a preset second password. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the operation unit receives an operation of selecting the image data displayed in a recognizable manner. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an image forming unit that performs printing on a sheet based on the selected image data. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image storage unit that stores, for each of the image data, a history of access from storage to deletion.

Images