JP4645144B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that limits and manages the number of executions of each copy of a copy job requested by a user who is permitted to copy.

Due to requests for confidential document management at companies and copyright management at libraries, there is a great demand for restricting the copying of each of the numerous books and documents held by these organizations.
Therefore, management by human means is attempted, such as pressing a secret seal on an in-house document to pay attention to prohibition of copying, or notifying the range that can be copied when lending a book. However, the effect of such management is ultimately left to the person who handles the manuscript to comply with the rules, and the effect is limited. Therefore, various techniques for preventing unauthorized copying of documents have been proposed in order to respond to such problems.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a user possesses a wireless tag using RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) and uses this to permit the operation of a copying machine. The mechanism is that the copier reads the access right recorded on the user's wireless tag and the security level recorded on the wireless tag attached separately to the confidential document, and the user's access right is higher than the confidential level of the document. Only in cases where copying is permitted.

  Here, RFID is a mechanism for identifying and managing things with a small wireless chip, storing information in a small tag, and using a non-contact power transmission technology from the antenna side, semi-permanently without radio waves and electromagnetic waves It is possible to communicate with the reader.

JP 2001-160117 A

  If the copyable range is limited to a part of the copyrighted work under the Copyright Act, such as a photocopy service in a library, you may want to limit the number of copy jobs executed by a user with copy rights. is there. However, the copy management technique of the above-mentioned document has a problem that it cannot be realized until the management of limiting the number of copies because it only determines whether copying is permitted or prohibited.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of limiting the number of copies for each document.

The invention according to claim 1 includes reading means for reading an image of a document;
A copy job means for reading a document image by the reading means and executing a copy job for forming a duplicate image on a recording medium;
A wireless tag reader for acquiring wireless tag information indicating the permitted number of copies of the original from a wireless tag attached to the original;
Copy restriction means for restricting execution of a copy job relating to the original based on the number of copies permitted for the original indicated by the wireless tag information acquired by the wireless tag reader;
The number of copies permitted stored in the wireless tag attached to the document is written to a value obtained by subtracting the number of copies of the copy job related to the document from the number of copies permitted by the wireless tag reader from the wireless tag . has Ru sort of wood and non-line writer, the,
The wireless tag reader further acquires an initial value of the permitted number of copies of the document from the wireless tag .

  According to the above invention, a wireless tag is attached to a document to be managed and the permitted number of copies is stored here, and this information is acquired by the wireless tag reader when a copy job is executed. Then, the copy restriction means limits the number of copies that can be made within the permitted number of copies and executes a copy job. Thereby, the number of copies can be limited for each copy job.

  Here, the permitted number of copies stored in the wireless tag may be set based on, for example, what percentage of the entire book is permitted to be copied. Further, it may be set based on how many copies of the confidential document are permitted in total.

  Specifically, as a mode of restricting the copy job, the maximum number of copies may be executed when the number of permitted copies is equal to or less than the permitted number. Alternatively, the user may be able to set the copy request number again with a copy permission number or less. Alternatively, execution of the entire copy job may be rejected for a copy job in which a copy request number exceeding the copy limit number is input.

  The information stored in the wireless tag is not limited to the copy permitted number described above. A book name indicating the contents of the manuscript recognized as necessary for manuscript management by the manuscript manager or an identifier uniquely determined for each book may be stored and used for guidance display of manuscripts that are restricted for copying. Good.

Further , according to the above invention, the number of permitted copying of the wireless tag is rewritten according to the number of copies of the document. This makes it possible to cumulatively manage the number of copies executed in each of a plurality of copy jobs.

  As a method of rewriting the number of copies, the number of copies allowed and the counter that is actually rewritten can be stored separately as RFID tag information, and both the initial value indicated by the number of copies allowed and the actual value indicated by the counter can be referred to It may be. Further, the memory consumption may be suppressed by a method of rewriting the copy permitted number itself set as the initial value.

In calculating the permitted number of copies, the copy execution number may be subtracted (counted down) from the permitted number of copies, and the execution of the copy job may be set such that the value becomes zero or less. Conversely, the number of copies that have been separately copied may be added (counted up) to the permitted number of copies, and the execution of a copy job exceeding the permitted number of copies may be limited by comparing both values. Therefore, according to the above-described classification, in the case of counting up, the system always has an initial value of the permitted number of copies and a counter.
The invention according to claim 2 comprises reading means for reading an image of a document;
A copy job means for reading a document image by the reading means and executing a copy job for forming a duplicate image on a recording medium;
A wireless tag reader for obtaining, from a wireless tag attached to the document, an initial value of the permitted number of copies of the document, and wireless tag information indicating a total number of copies of a copy job related to the document;
Copy restriction means for restricting execution of a copy job related to the original based on a result of comparing the total number of copies with the initial value of the number of permitted copies of the original indicated by the wireless tag information acquired by the wireless tag reader;
A wireless tag writer that rewrites the total number of copies stored in the wireless tag to a value obtained by adding the number of executions of a copy job related to the document to the total number of copies acquired by the wireless tag reader from the wireless tag. An image forming apparatus characterized by the above.
The invention according to claim 3 further includes an input means for inputting the requested number of copies of the document,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the copy restricting unit restricts execution of a copy job related to the original by comparing the requested copy number input by the input unit with the permitted copy number. Device.
According invention in claim 4, wherein the copy restriction means, the image of claim 3, copy request number entered by said input means and executes a copy job when: the copy permission number Forming device.

In the invention according to claim 5 , the wireless tag writer is:
When the copy job is completed, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 3 or 4, characterized in that rewriting the copy permission number stored in the wireless tag.

  According to the above-described invention, since the number of copies permitted is rewritten at the time of completion of the copy job, the frequency of rewriting the number of copies permitted can be minimized.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the wireless tag writer is:
Each time a single copy is executed, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 3 or 4, characterized in that rewriting the copy permission number stored in the wireless tag.

  According to the above invention, the wireless tag writer updates the copy permitted number for each copy. As a result, even if the document is removed during the execution of the copy job, the copy permission number has already been updated for the number of copies already made, so the copy permission stored and the copy permission stored in the wireless tag Consistency with the number of sheets is maintained.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the wireless tag reader repeatedly performs the operation of acquiring the wireless tag information, and from when the reading unit starts the reading operation of the document, until the copying job including the reading operation is completed. A monitoring means for detecting a document replacement action by monitoring a change in the acquisition result of the RFID tag information,
When the monitoring unit detects the document substitution action, the monitoring unit includes a document substitution prevention unit that cancels the copy job being executed at that time. The image forming apparatus according to 5 or 6 .

  If the original is removed or the originality of the original is lost during execution of the job, the execution of the job is canceled. As a result, when the permitted number of copies of the original document is illegally used for other documents, or when the information of the wireless tag is rewritten as a job is executed, the wireless tag of the replaced document is erroneously rewritten. Is prevented.

The invention according to claim 8 further includes user authentication means,
When predetermined user information is included in the wireless tag information acquired from the wireless tag attached to the document, the user is authenticated by the user authentication means, and whether or not the user is permitted to execute a copy job is determined. determined based on the result of the user information and the authentication, if not authorized users claims 3, 4, 5, 6 or, characterized in that deny execution of a copying job for the document The image forming apparatus according to 7 .

  According to the above invention, the number of users who can execute a copy job on a document whose copy is managed by the copy restriction unit is limited.

  In the wireless tag information, a user ID having a copy authority for a document with the wireless tag is registered. When the user authentication means recognizes that the wireless tag information includes a user ID, the user authentication means requests the user to input the user ID. If the wireless tag information and the user ID input by the user do not match, the user request Reject the copy job.

  At this time, in order to prevent spoofing of another user's user ID, a means for requesting password input may be further provided when the user ID is input.

In the invention according to claim 9, the RFID tag information includes a copy permission number for each user,
9. The image according to claim 8, wherein the copy restriction unit restricts execution of a copy job for the original by the user based on a copy permission number for each user acquired from a wireless tag attached to the original. Forming device.

  According to the above invention, since the permitted number of copies of the RFID tag information is set for each user, the number of copies for each user can be managed for the same document.

  Note that the user information may indicate a user who is prohibited from copying, instead of a user who is permitted to copy. Further, instead of showing individual users, user groups may be shown. It may be determined whether copying is permitted based on whether the user belongs to the user group.

  The copy permission number for each user may indicate the copy permission number for each user group.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, at least one of the content of the RFID tag information stored in the RFID tag attached to the document at the reading position of the reading means and the result of the restriction on the document. the image forming apparatus according to claim 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, characterized in that it has a display means for displaying one.

  According to the above-described invention, a guidance display is made as to what kind of copy restriction has been made for the number of permitted copies set for a document to be copied by the user and the number of requested copies set by the user.

The invention according to claim 11 relates to the user authenticated by the user authentication means.
At least one of the content of the RFID tag information stored in the RFID tag attached to the document at the reading position of the reading unit and the result of the restriction on the document is displayed on the display unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10 .

  According to the above invention, for the user who has been authenticated by the user authentication means, what kind of copy restriction has been made with respect to the permitted number of copies set in the manuscript and the requested number of copies set by the user. Information is displayed.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the execution of a copy job for a document is restricted based on the permitted number of copies read from a wireless tag attached to the document, the number of copies can be managed for each document.

Further, since the number of copies permitted for the wireless tag is rewritten as the copy job is executed, the number of copies of the copy job over a plurality of times can be accumulated and limited. That is, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the total number of copies in a plurality of copy jobs exceeds the permitted number of copies.

  In the case of rewriting the permitted copy number of the wireless tag when the copy job is completed, the frequency of rewriting the permitted copy number can be minimized. Thereby, the processing burden of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention can be reduced.

  When the image forming apparatus rewrites the copy permission number of the wireless tag every time one copy is performed, the consistency between the executed copy number and the copy permission number stored in the wireless tag is maintained. . As a result, it is possible to counter an illegal act of bringing another manuscript just before the completion of the copy job and rewriting the number of copies permitted for the wireless tag of the other manuscript.

  If the image forming apparatus monitors and detects a document replacement action, the copy job being executed is canceled and the number of copies allowed for the original document is illegally used for other documents. When the wireless tag information is rewritten as the job is executed, the wireless tag of the replaced document is prevented from being erroneously rewritten.

  When user information is included in a wireless tag attached to a document, user authentication is performed. Based on the authentication result and user information, whether to permit copying of the document is determined. The possible users can be limited.

  If the permitted number of copies for each document is set for each user, the number of copies for each user can be managed for the same document. As a result, it is possible to implement a copy restriction that associates a user with a document without separately preparing a database that specially manages only this information.

  When the above-mentioned image forming apparatus displays the result of restriction on the number of permitted copies and the number of requested copies stored in the wireless tag on the display means, the user knows the content of the copy restriction set for each document. Can do. As a result, the user can set the requested number of copies to be equal to or less than the permitted number of copies that is within his limit.

  By limiting the contents displayed on the display means to the information of the user authenticated by the user, it is possible to prevent the permitted number of copies set for each user from leaking to other users. In addition, since only the information related to the user is displayed, there is no need to search for his / her own information from a display in which information of other people is mixed, and convenience is improved.

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

  FIG. 1 shows an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 10 has a function as a copying machine that reads a document and forms a duplicate image on a recording sheet. The image forming apparatus 10 is further configured as a multifunction machine having a scanner function for reading a document and outputting corresponding image data, a printer function for printing according to received print data, and the like.

  Here, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention controls the number of copies by restricting the execution of a copy job on the document based on the permitted number of copies read from the wireless tag attached to the document. It has functions to realize.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11, a ROM (read only memory) 12, and a RAM (random access memory) 13 as main parts as a control unit that performs overall control of the operation. It consists of a circuit.

  The ROM 12 stores programs executed by the CPU 11 and various fixed data. The RAM 13 functions as a work memory that temporarily stores various data when the CPU 11 executes a program, and a page memory that stores at least one page of image data for performing a rotation process.

  Further, the CPU 11 includes a display unit 20, a panel operation unit 21, an image reading unit 22, an image storage unit 23, an image processing unit 24, an image forming unit 25, an image output unit 26, and a wireless control unit 31. And are connected.

  The display means 20 is constituted by a liquid crystal display and fulfills a function of displaying various guidance displays and status displays to the user. The display means 20 switches and displays individual operation screens for each function such as a copying function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and a scanner function.

  The panel operation unit 21 includes various operation switches and a touch panel that covers the surface of the display unit 20, and has a function of receiving various operations from the user.

  The image reading means 22 has a function of reading a document image and taking in corresponding image data. The image reading means 22 includes a light source for illuminating the original, a line image sensor for reading the original for one line in the width direction, a moving means for moving the reading position in units of lines in the length direction of the original, and reflection from the original. And an optical path composed of a lens and a mirror for guiding light to a line image sensor to form an image. The line image sensor is composed of a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). The analog image signal output from the line image sensor is A / D converted and captured as digital image data.

  The image storage means 23 is a large-capacity storage device for storing compressed image data, print data, and the like. Here, a hard disk device (HDD) is used.

  The image processing unit 24 has a function of enlarging / reducing the image data, a function of rotating the screen, and the like.

  The image forming unit 25 functions to form and output an image corresponding to the image data on a recording sheet by an electrophotographic process. The image forming unit 25 is configured as a so-called laser printer having 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. ing.

  The image output unit 26 functions to supply the image data stored in the image storage unit 23 to the image forming unit 25 in accordance with the operation timing of the image forming unit 25.

  The wireless tag reader / writer 30 includes an antenna 32 for communicating with a wireless tag 41 attached to a document 40 such as a book, a wireless control unit 31, and a copy permitted number counting unit 33 inside the CPU 11. The wireless control unit 31 performs communication control for transmitting and receiving data to and from the wireless tag 41 and supplying power to the wireless tag 41 through the antenna 32. Further, the copy permitted number counting unit 33 instructs the wireless control unit 31 to write information to the wireless tag 41.

  The wireless tag 41 is an electronic tag having a wireless communication function, and includes an IC chip and an antenna that operate by receiving power supply from the outside electromagnetically. The wireless tag 41 uses RFID. The IC chip of the wireless tag 41 has a built-in nonvolatile memory, a function of reading data (wireless tag information) stored in the nonvolatile memory, and wirelessly transmitting data, and a function of writing data wirelessly received from the antenna 32 to the nonvolatile memory. And have.

  In the wireless tag 41 attached to the document 40 such as a book, a copy permitted number for realizing copy restriction is stored as wireless tag information. Further, arbitrary information that is determined to be necessary by the administrator for managing the document by attaching a wireless tag, such as an identifier for identifying the document 40 and an identification name, may be stored.

  Further, the CPU 11 performs a copy number limiting means 50 for limiting the number of copies of the wireless tag 41, a user authentication means 51 for authenticating a user who uses the image forming apparatus 10, and an action of replacing a document read by the image reading means 22. And a document replacement preventing unit 53 that cancels the job being executed when a document replacement action is detected.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a wireless tag information writing system for writing wireless tag information in advance on a wireless tag 41 attached to a document. This system includes a terminal device 60 and a wireless tag reader / writer 61.

  For example, when managing a large number of books (manuscripts) in a library or the like, the system is used to write necessary information on wireless tags of the large number of books.

  The terminal device 60 includes a keyboard and a display screen as an interface for the administrator to input necessary wireless tag information or read information already written in the wireless tag 41.

  The wireless tag reader / writer 61 writes information input at the terminal device 60 as wireless tag information to the wireless tag 41, and conversely outputs the wireless tag information stored in the wireless tag 41 to the terminal device 60. I read it.

  FIG. 3 shows the mounting position of the antenna 32 of the wireless tag reader / writer 30. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a document table 34 for placing a document 40 such as a book to be read by the image reading unit 22, and the antenna 32 is connected to the wireless tag 41 of the document 40 placed on the document table 34. It is arranged in the vicinity of the document table 34 so that communication is possible. In this example, the antenna 32 is arranged at a position inside the platen glass of the document table 34 and does not interfere with exposure scanning.

  FIG. 4 shows the operation panel 70 of the image forming apparatus 10. The operation panel 70 includes display means 20 and panel operation means 21. The panel operation unit 21 includes various operation buttons for performing basic operations of the image forming apparatus 10 and a touch panel that covers the display unit 20. Detailed settings such as copy function can be made from this touch panel.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.
FIG. 5 shows an operation flow when the image forming apparatus 10 copies a document. 6 to 10 show various display screens displayed on the display unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 10 in each operation of the flow shown in FIG. Here, first, a case where the monitoring unit 52 and the document replacement preventing unit 53 are not operated will be described.

  FIG. 6 shows a copy function basic screen 100 displayed on the display means 20 as an initial screen. The screen 100 includes a guide display unit 101 that displays various types of guidance for notifying the user of setting contents, and an operation unit 102 on which various operation buttons for changing the setting contents are arranged.

  When the user places the document 40 with the wireless tag 41 on the document table 34 of the image forming apparatus 10 for copying the document, the wireless tag reader / writer 30 that polls the signal from the wireless tag 41 The wireless tag information is acquired from 41, and the CPU 11 recognizes the wireless tag 41 (FIG. 5, step S101; Yes).

  The user authentication unit 51 determines whether or not the user ID is included in the wireless tag information (step S102). If the user ID is included (step S102; Yes), the user ID is given to the user. Is requested (step S103).

FIG. 7 shows a user ID input screen 110 displayed on the display means 20 when a user ID input request is made.
The guide display unit 111 displays a user ID input message that requests the user to input a user ID.

  A document name display field 112 and an identifier display field 113 are provided below the guide display unit 111. The document name display field 112 displays the book name included in the acquired wireless tag information, and the identifier display field 113 displays ISBN.

  A user ID input field 114 is displayed in the lower part of these information display fields. Further, an “OK button” 115 and a “Cancel button” 116 are displayed on the lower right.

  The user ID input field 114 is an input field for the user to input a user ID. The “OK button” 115 is a button for confirming the input user ID, and the “Cancel button” 116 is a button for canceling the user ID input. When the “Cancel button” 116 is pressed, the user authentication is not performed, the screen returns to the copy function basic screen 100, and the operation can be performed again from the beginning.

  When the user inputs the user ID and operates the “OK button” 115, the user authentication unit 51 includes a user ID that matches the user ID input by the user in the wireless tag information previously acquired from the wireless tag 41. It is determined whether it exists (FIG. 5, step S104).

  When the result of user authentication by the user authentication means 51 indicates that the input user ID is invalid (step S104; No), the user is notified that the job cannot be accepted (step S111).

  FIG. 8 shows a user ID invalidity notification screen 120 displayed at this time. The guide display unit 121 displays that a copy job cannot be accepted for the document 40 unless a user ID invalid message is displayed and a correct user ID is input.

  When the user inputs the correct user ID and presses the “OK button” 115, the user authentication means 51 performs user authentication again. When the user presses the “Cancel button” 116, the screen returns to the copy function basic screen 100.

  If user authentication is not required (FIG. 5, step S102; No), or if the user ID is authenticated and valid (step S104; Yes), the number of copies permitted for the RFID tag information is displayed on the display means 20. And the user is requested to input the requested copy number below the value indicated by the permitted number of copies (step S105).

  FIG. 9 shows a copy permission number display screen 130 displayed at this time.

  The guide display unit 131 in the upper part of the screen displays a copy job input message for notifying that a copy job is input when the number of copies permitted in the RFID tag information is less than or equal to.

  In the lower part of the guide display portion 131, the book name, ISBN, and user ID are continuously displayed. On the left side of the guide display portion 131, an all copy permitted number display column 132 and a copy permitted remaining number display column 133 are displayed.

  In the all copy permitted number display column 132, an initial value of the number of permitted copies in the wireless tag information is displayed. Thus, the number of sheets that can be copied for the document 40 is displayed.

In the copy permission remaining number display field 133, the current value of the number of copies permitted for the document is displayed in the wireless tag information.
The permitted number of copies displayed here is a result of sequentially subtracting the number of copies for each copy job executed from the initial value. “Current value” means that the result up to the previous copy job is reflected and the value has been rewritten.

  The current value of the permitted number of copies is stored in the wireless tag 41 separately from the initial value. Thus, it is possible to display how many originals can be copied in a copy job to be executed.

  It should be noted that the permitted copy number displayed in the all permitted copy number display column 132 and the remaining permitted copy number display column 133 has different display target ranges for a document that requires user authentication and a document that does not require user authentication.

For a document that requires user authentication, the number of copies permitted for each user that requires authentication is stored in the wireless tag 41.
That is, the copy permission number corresponding to each user whose user ID is stored in the wireless tag 41 is rewritten according to the past copy history of the user. If necessary, the initial value of the permitted number of copies for each user can be set to a different value depending on the user.

  On the other hand, for a manuscript that does not require user authentication, the permitted number of copies displayed in these fields is not a value that restricts copying by a specific user, but a value that commonly restricts all users for the manuscript. At this time, since nothing is displayed in the user ID input field 114, it is confirmed that the permitted copy number displayed in the permitted copy number display field 132 and the permitted copy number display field 133 is a value common to all users. Can be recognized.

  The user inputs the requested copy number for the copy job using the numeric keypad of the panel operation means 21 while referring to the display in the copy permission remaining number display field 133, and a “start button” installed on the panel operation means 21. When is pressed, the CPU 11 accepts the requested number of copies (FIG. 5, step S106).

  When the copy request number input by the user is received, the copy number limiting means 50 of the CPU 11 compares the current value of the copy permission number in the wireless tag information with the copy request number input by the user (step S107).

  If the requested number of copies exceeds the current value of the permitted number of copies (step S107; Yes), the copy number limiting means 50 cannot accept the requested number of copies input by the user and it is necessary to reset the requested number of copies. This is notified (step S112).

  FIG. 10 shows a copy job acceptance disapproval notification screen 140 displayed at this time. A copy job acceptance disapproval message is displayed on the guide display unit 141 to notify that either re-input of the requested number of copies or cancellation of the copy job should be selected.

  When the requested number of copies is equal to or less than the current value of the permitted number of copies (FIG. 5, step S107; No), the copy number limiting means 50 accepts the input copy job (step S108) and executes the copy job (step S109). ).

  When the copy job is completed, the copy permission number counting unit 33 of the CPU 11 subtracts the copy number executed by the copy job from the current value of the copy permission number of the wireless tag, and instructs the wireless control unit 31 of the copy permission number to be newly written. To do.

The wireless control unit 31 transmits the copy permission number to the wireless tag 41 through the antenna 32, and rewrites the copy permission number of the wireless tag information to the value indicated by the copy permission number (step S110).
Thus, the copy job when the wireless tag 41 is attached to the document 40 is completed.

  If the document is not attached with a wireless tag (step S101; No), the image forming apparatus 10 accepts a user request (copy job input), executes the copy job under normal conditions (step S113), and ends the copy job. To do.

  The operation of the image forming apparatus 10 relating to the above description can be stopped by a “reset key” installed on the panel operation means 21. When canceling each operation, the user ID input screen 110 can be returned by pressing the “reset key”.

  With the copying operation described with reference to FIG. 5, the administrator can manage the number of copies of the copy job executed by each user for each document.

  In the above example, the copy permission number of the wireless tag is rewritten after the completion of the copy job. However, the copy permission number of the wireless tag may be updated every time one copy is made. In this case, steps S109 and S110 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 are replaced with those shown in FIG.

  That is, when the image forming apparatus 10 performs copying for one sheet and ejects the recording paper (step S201), the copy permitted number counting unit 33 of the CPU 11 subtracts the current value of the permitted number of copies of the wireless tag by one. (Step S202), the wireless control unit 31 is instructed about the number of copies permitted to be newly written. The wireless control unit 31 transmits the copy permitted number calculated by the copy permitted number counting unit 33 to the wireless tag 41 through the antenna 32, and rewrites the copy permitted number in the wireless tag information to the value after subtraction (step S203).

  When the copy job is not completed (step S204; No), the CPU 11 continues to execute the copy process (step S201) and repeats the above operation. If the copy job is completed (step S204; Yes), the copy job is terminated.

  Since the permitted number of copies in the wireless tag 41 is rewritten each time one copy is performed, the number of copies performed and the number of copies performed wirelessly can be achieved even if an illegal act is performed such that the document is removed during the execution of the copy job. Consistency with the permitted number of copies stored in the tag 41 is maintained, and the situation where the copy restriction by the copy number restriction means 50 becomes meaningless can be prevented.

Next, the operation when the monitoring unit 52 and the document replacement unit of the CPU 11 are operated will be described.
In FIG. 12, the same step numbers are assigned to the same parts as those in the flow of FIG. Hereinafter, the part related to the change will be described.

  When the wireless tag information includes the permitted number of copies, the monitoring unit 52 of the CPU 11 determines that the wireless tag 41 is a document that needs to be monitored, and monitoring information (uniquely identifying the document among the acquired wireless tag information) ( For example, ISBN or the like as an identifier is stored in a register unit built in the CPU 11 (step S301).

  If the document 40 is not attached with the wireless tag 41 (step S101; No), the monitoring unit 52 stores the condition of “no monitoring information” in the register unit (step S309).

  In user authentication and copy permission number determination, the CPU 11 operates in the same manner as in FIG. 5 (steps S102 to S108).

  When a copy job is input by the user, the monitoring unit 52 outputs the wireless tag information from the wireless tag 41 of the document 40 related to the job from the start to the end of the job regardless of whether the wireless tag 41 is present in the document. The acquisition operation is repeatedly executed, and the change in the RFID tag information is continuously monitored (step S302).

  FIG. 13 shows a document monitoring notification screen 150 displayed on the display unit 20 when the monitoring unit 52 starts monitoring the document. A document monitoring notification message is displayed on the guide display unit 151 to notify the user that the action of replacing the document is being monitored.

  When the document being monitored is replaced, the monitoring means detects this based on the following determination (step S303).

  First, only the fact that the RFID tag information has changed may be an act of replacing a document. Further, when the identity between the wireless tag information and the monitoring information is lost, this may be determined as a document replacement action. Furthermore, the content of the information change may be determined from the fact that the RFID tag information has changed, and the presence or absence of a document replacement action may be determined from the determination result.

  If the RFID tag information is simply changed, any monitoring information may be used in an example in which this is determined as a document replacement action. Even if the original 40 is removed from the image reading position of the image reading means and the wireless tag information relating to the original 40 cannot be acquired, this is detected as an original replacement action.

  When it is determined that the lack of identity between the wireless tag information and the monitoring information is a document replacement action, for example, an identifier (such as an ISBN code of a book) that can identify each document is employed as the monitoring information. If the identifier acquired intermittently by the RFID tag reader during job execution is different from the monitoring information stored in the register unit (for example, another identifier), the fact that the identity is lost Detected as a manuscript replacement act.

  As an example of determining the content of the change in the wireless tag information, for example, there is a case where a document is classified for each security level and only an action of switching to a document that deviates from the security level of the document during execution of a job is monitored. In this case, a security level is adopted for the monitoring information. Then, the security level of the monitoring information stored in the register unit is used as a threshold value for the determination, and even if the security level acquired by the wireless tag reader changes, only the changes that deviate from the threshold value are changed. You may make it detect that it is a substitution act.

  When the monitoring unit 52 detects a document replacement action (FIG. 12, step S303; Yes), the document replacement prevention unit 53 stops the copy job being executed (step S308). At this time, the image data stored in the image storage means 23 may be discarded at the same time.

FIG. 14 shows a document replacement detection screen 160 displayed on the display means 20 when a document is replaced.
In this screen 160, a document replacement detection message is displayed on the guide display unit 161, and the user is notified that the job being executed has been canceled due to the document replacement action for the document being monitored.

  Further, a warning mark 162 is displayed in the lower column of the guide display unit 161 to alert the user to the warning content.

  When this screen is displayed, when the reset button of the panel operation means 21 is pressed, the copy function basic screen 100 is displayed on the display means 20 so that the operation can be performed again from the beginning. Further, when no operation is performed, it may be set to automatically switch to the copy function basic screen 100 after several seconds have elapsed.

  If a document replacement action is not detected (FIG. 12, step S303; No), the above determination is repeated for the wireless tag 41 related to the job during execution of the copy job (step S304; No). Monitoring of the wireless tag 41 is also terminated (step S304; Yes, step S305).

  If the document copied this time is a document with the wireless tag 41 (step S306; Yes), the wireless tag information is rewritten in accordance with the number of copies permitted (step S307). If none (step S306; No), the job is terminated as it is.

The following illegal actions can be prohibited by the monitoring operation described above.
For example, a copy job of about several sheets is executed for a document having a relatively large number of permitted copies, and the number of permitted copies in the wireless tag information is rewritten, which is smaller than the permitted number of copies written in the wireless tag. This is a case where a document having the current value of the permitted number of copies is replaced. As a result, there arises a situation in which the rewritten permitted copy number becomes larger than the value before rewriting.

  More specifically, it is assumed that the current value of the permitted number of copies of a certain user is 100 for the original A and 10 for the original B. When a one-sheet copy job is executed for the document A, the copy permitted number counting unit 33 calculates 99 as the permitted number of copies to be written on the wireless tag 41 of the document A. If the document A on the document table 34 is replaced with the document B, the wireless tag reader / writer 30 rewrites the copy permitted number of the wireless tag 41 of the document B from 10 to 99.

If such an act is permitted, the object of the present invention for restricting copying using the permitted number of copies cannot be achieved.
However, in the present invention, since the monitoring means 52 detects such a document replacement action and the document replacement prevention means 53 stops the job being executed, a user who has performed an illegal action may obtain a copied result. Also, it is not possible to illegally rewrite the permitted number of copies by another RFID tag reader of another document.

In this embodiment, the case of rewriting the permitted number of copies of the wireless tag has been described, but the effect of the monitoring operation can be obtained even when the permitted number of copies of the wireless tag is not rewritten.
For example, it is conceivable that an original having a large number of permitted copies is first judged by the copy restricting means and the copying operation is started, and then the original is replaced with an original having a smaller number of permitted copies. Even if such an illegal act is detected by the monitoring unit 52, the image forming apparatus 10 can cancel the copy job being executed.

In the above example, the copy permitted number of the wireless tag 41 is rewritten after completion of the copy job. However, the copy number of the wireless tag 41 may be updated every time one copy is made. In this case, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, the flowchart from step S304 to step S307 is replaced with that shown in FIG.
In FIG. 15, the same steps as those in FIG. 12 are denoted by the same step numbers and indicated by broken lines. Hereinafter, the part related to the change will be described.

  If the monitoring means 52 does not detect the document replacement action (FIG. 15, Step S303; No), the CPU 11 determines whether or not the wireless tag 41 is attached to the document (Step S401).

  In the case of the document 40 with the wireless tag 41 (step S401; Yes), when one copy is executed (step S402), the copy permitted number counting unit 33 of the CPU 11 sets the current value of the permitted number of copies of the wireless tag for one sheet. Subtraction is performed (step S403), and the wireless control unit 31 is instructed about the number of copies permitted to be newly written. The wireless control unit 31 transmits the copy permitted number calculated by the copy permitted number counting unit 33 to the wireless tag 41 through the antenna 32, and rewrites the copy permitted number in the wireless tag information to the value after subtraction (step S404).

  If the copy job has not been completed (step S405; No), the CPU 11 executes the copy process while monitoring (step S302), and repeats the above operation. If the copy job is completed (step S405; Yes), the copy job is terminated.

  In the case of a document not having the wireless tag 41 (S401; No), the operation of executing the copy job while continuing the monitoring by the monitoring unit 52 from the copy job end determination (Step S405; No) without performing the wireless tag rewriting operation. (Step S302) is repeated. When the copy job is completed (step S405; Yes), the copy job is terminated.

  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 above embodiment, the description has been made mainly on the copy function among the functions of the image forming apparatus 10. However, among the various functions of the multifunction peripheral, the reading of the original and the copying operation of the read original are performed. For the functions including, for example, the facsimile function and the scan-to-email function for reading image information and sending it by e-mail, the above-mentioned management means for limiting the number of copies by the wireless tag information can be applied.

  The permitted number of copies stored in the wireless tag may be set so that an authorized administrator can directly rewrite it. As a result, it is possible to correct later a problem that a copy result is subtracted from the permitted number of copies as a result of the miscopy.

  In the embodiment, the permitted number of copies of the wireless tag is rewritten. However, the permitted number of copies stored in the wireless tag may not be rewritten as necessary. In this case, each time a copy job is executed, the number of copies is limited to the number of copies permitted or less.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram of a wireless tag information writing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the attachment position of the wireless tag reader in an image forming apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the panel operation means of FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation when the image forming apparatus copies a document. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the copy function basic screen displayed on the display means of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the user ID input screen displayed on the display means of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the user ID invalidity notification screen displayed on the display means of FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a copy permission number display screen displayed on the display unit of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a copy job acceptance disapproval notification screen displayed on the display unit of FIG. 1. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation in a case where the permitted number of copies of the wireless tag is rewritten every time one copy is executed. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when an image processing apparatus copies a document by operating a document replacement action monitoring unit and a document replacement prevention unit. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a document monitoring notification screen displayed on the display unit of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a document replacement detection screen displayed on the display unit of FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation when the copy permission number of the wireless tag is rewritten every time one copy is performed when the image processing apparatus operates the document replacement action monitoring unit and the document replacement prevention unit.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image forming apparatus 11 ... CPU
12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Display means 21 ... Panel operation means 22 ... Image reading means 23 ... Image storage means 24 ... Image processing means 25 ... Image forming means 26 ... Image output means 30 ... Wireless tag reader / writer 31 ... Wireless control part 32 ... Antenna 33 ... Copying permitted number counting unit 34 ... manuscript table 40 ... manuscript 41 ... wireless tag 50 ... copy number limiting means 51 ... user authentication means 52 ... monitoring means 53 ... document substitution preventing means 60 ... terminal device 61 ... wireless tag reader / writer 70 ... operation Panel 100 ... Copy function basic screen 101 ... Guide display section 102 ... Operation section 110 ... User ID input screen 111 ... Guide display section 112 ... Document name display field 113 ... Identifier display field 114 ... User ID input field 115 ... OK button 116 ... Cancel button 120 ... Invalid user ID notification screen 121 ... Guide display section 130 Copy permitted number display screen 131 ... Guide display portion 132 ... All copy permitted number display column 133 ... Remaining copy permitted number display column 140 ... Copy job unacceptable notification screen 141 ... Guide display portion 150 ... Document monitoring notification screen 151 ... Guide display portion 160 ... Original replacement detection screen 161 ... Guide display section 162 ... Warning mark

Claims (17)

Reading means for reading an image of a document;
A copy job means for reading a document image by the reading means and executing a copy job for forming a duplicate image on a recording medium;
A wireless tag reader for acquiring wireless tag information indicating the permitted number of copies of the original from a wireless tag attached to the original;
Copy restriction means for restricting execution of a copy job relating to the original based on the number of copies permitted for the original indicated by the wireless tag information acquired by the wireless tag reader;
The number of copies permitted stored in the wireless tag attached to the document is written to a value obtained by subtracting the number of copies of the copy job related to the document from the number of copies permitted by the wireless tag reader from the wireless tag . has Ru sort of wood and non-line writer, the,
The image forming apparatus , wherein the wireless tag reader further acquires an initial value of the permitted number of copies of the document from the wireless tag . Reading means for reading an image of a document;
A copy job means for reading a document image by the reading means and executing a copy job for forming a duplicate image on a recording medium;
A wireless tag reader for obtaining, from a wireless tag attached to the document, an initial value of the permitted number of copies of the document, and wireless tag information indicating a total number of copies of a copy job related to the document;
Copy restriction means for restricting execution of a copy job related to the original based on a result of comparing the total number of copies with the initial value of the number of permitted copies of the original indicated by the wireless tag information acquired by the wireless tag reader;
A wireless tag writer that rewrites the total number of copies stored in the wireless tag to a value obtained by adding the number of executions of a copy job related to the document to the total number of copies acquired by the wireless tag reader from the wireless tag. An image forming apparatus. It further has an input means for inputting the requested number of copies of the manuscript,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the copy restricting unit restricts execution of a copy job related to the original by comparing the requested copy number input by the input unit with the permitted copy number. apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the copy restriction unit executes a copy job when the requested copy number input by the input unit is equal to or smaller than the permitted copy number. The wireless tag writer
When the copy job is completed, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 3 or 4, characterized in that rewriting the copy permission number stored in the wireless tag. The wireless tag writer
Each time a single copy is executed, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 3 or 4, characterized in that rewriting the copy permission number stored in the wireless tag. The wireless tag information is repeatedly executed by causing the wireless tag reader to repeatedly execute the operation of acquiring the wireless tag information, and from when the reading unit starts the reading operation of the original to when the copy job including the reading operation ends. Monitoring means for detecting a document substitution action by monitoring a change in the acquisition result of
When the monitoring unit detects the document substitution action, the monitoring unit includes a document substitution prevention unit that cancels the copy job being executed at that time. The image forming apparatus according to 5 or 6 . A user authentication means;
When predetermined user information is included in the wireless tag information acquired from the wireless tag attached to the document, the user is authenticated by the user authentication means, and whether or not the user is permitted to execute a copy job is determined. determined based on the result of the user information and the authentication, if not authorized users claims 3, 4, 5, 6 or, characterized in that deny execution of a copying job for the document 8. The image forming apparatus according to 7 . The wireless tag information includes the number of copies permitted for each user,
9. The image according to claim 8, wherein the copy restriction unit restricts execution of a copy job for the original by the user based on a copy permission number for each user acquired from a wireless tag attached to the original. Forming equipment. Display means for displaying at least one of the contents of the wireless tag information stored in the wireless tag attached to the original at the reading position of the reading means and the result of the restriction on the original. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 . For the user authenticated by the user authentication means,
At least one of the content of the RFID tag information stored in the RFID tag attached to the document at the reading position of the reading unit and the result of the restriction on the document is displayed on the display unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10 .   Reading means for reading an image of a document;
  A copy job means for reading a document image by the reading means and executing a copy job for forming a duplicate image on a recording medium;
  A wireless tag reader for acquiring wireless tag information indicating the permitted number of copies of the original from a wireless tag attached to the original;
  Copy restriction means for restricting execution of a copy job relating to the original based on the number of copies permitted for the original indicated by the wireless tag information acquired by the wireless tag reader;
  The number of copies permitted stored in the wireless tag attached to the document is written to a value obtained by subtracting the number of copies of the copy job related to the document from the number of copies permitted by the wireless tag reader from the wireless tag. A wireless tag writer to replace,
  The wireless tag information is repeatedly executed by causing the wireless tag reader to repeatedly execute the operation of acquiring the wireless tag information, and from when the reading unit starts the reading operation of the original to when the copy job including the reading operation ends. Monitoring means for detecting a maneuvering action by monitoring a change in the acquisition result of
  When the monitoring means detects the document replacement action, the document replacement prevention means for canceling the copy job being executed at that time, and
  An image forming apparatus comprising:   A user authentication means;
  When predetermined user information is included in the wireless tag information acquired from the wireless tag attached to the document, the user is authenticated by the user authentication means, and whether or not the user is permitted to execute a copy job is determined. Judgment is made based on user information and the result of the authentication, and if the user is not an authorized user, the execution of the copy job for the document is rejected
  The image forming apparatus according to claim 12.   The wireless tag information includes the number of copies permitted for each user,
  The copy restricting means restricts execution of a copy job for the original by the user based on the number of permitted copies for each user acquired from the wireless tag attached to the original.
  The image forming apparatus according to claim 13.   Reading means for reading an image of a document;
  A copy job means for reading a document image by the reading means and executing a copy job for forming a duplicate image on a recording medium;
  A wireless tag reader for acquiring wireless tag information indicating the permitted number of copies of the original from a wireless tag attached to the original;
  Copy restriction means for restricting execution of a copy job relating to the original based on the number of copies permitted for the original indicated by the wireless tag information acquired by the wireless tag reader;
  The number of copies permitted stored in the wireless tag attached to the document is written to a value obtained by subtracting the number of copies of the copy job related to the document from the number of copies permitted by the wireless tag reader from the wireless tag. A wireless tag writer to replace,
  User authentication means,
  When predetermined user information is included in the wireless tag information acquired from the wireless tag attached to the document, the user is authenticated by the user authentication means, and whether or not the user is permitted to execute a copy job is determined. Judgment is made based on the user information and the result of the authentication. If the user is not an authorized user, the execution of the copy job for the document is rejected.
  The wireless tag information includes the number of copies permitted for each user,
  The copy restricting means restricts execution of a copy job for the original by the user based on the number of permitted copies for each user acquired from the wireless tag attached to the original.
  An image forming apparatus.   Display means for displaying at least one of the contents of the wireless tag information stored in the wireless tag attached to the original at the reading position of the reading means and the result of the restriction on the original.
  The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, 13, 14, or 15.   For the user authenticated by the user authentication means,
  At least one of the content of the RFID tag information stored in the RFID tag attached to the document at the reading position of the reading unit and the result of the restriction on the document is displayed on the display unit.
  The image forming apparatus according to claim 16.

Images