JP5155939B2 - Image reading apparatus and image reading method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus such as an image scanner and an image reading method capable of reading an original and sharing image data of the read original with a plurality of external devices connected to a communication network.

  Conventionally, a network scanner that can be shared and used by a plurality of users on a network has been put on the market. In such a network scanner, since various settings for sharing are complicated in order to realize sharing of image data among a plurality of users, the panel operation becomes complicated and an erroneous setting may occur.

  Therefore, in recent years, in order to eliminate the complexity of panel operation and improve convenience, processing instructions for a document to be processed or its image data are displayed in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional manner such as a barcode printed on the margin of the document. A technique related to MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) that restricts processing (copy prohibition, transmission prohibition, frequency limit, etc.) on a document image based on the acquired code information has been developed (Patent Document 1). reference).

JP 2006-80940 A

  In the case of the above-described conventional technique, the code information is used only to limit the processing on the image of the document (copy prohibition, transmission prohibition, frequency limit, etc.), and no other use method of the code information is disclosed.

  In recent years, a function of reading code information such as a bar code has also been provided in a mobile phone or the like, and if the code information is printed on a document as it is, there is a possibility that network-related setting information may be read by others. is there.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an image reading apparatus capable of safely performing complicated settings for sharing an image of a document among a plurality of users without operating a panel. An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading method.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes a document to be read, resolution and color information for generating an output image related to the document, transmission destination information, and a public key for encryption. An image reading unit that reads a card having a two-dimensional barcode encoded with instruction information as an image with a certain resolution in a state where the card is arranged, and the two-dimensional barcode is read from the image read by the image reading unit. A code detection unit for detecting, a code decoding unit for extracting instruction information relating to the document by decoding the two-dimensional barcode detected by the code detection unit, and the code detection unit detecting the two-dimensional code in accordance with the foregoing resolution and color information for the output image generation included in the instruction information extracted by the code decoding unit generates the image data of the document when, If the serial code detector does not detect the two-dimensional bar code
The image data generated by the image data generating unit is encrypted using an image data generating unit that does not generate image data of the original and a public key included in the instruction information extracted by the code decrypting unit. Output the encrypted image data generated by the image data encryption unit according to the destination information included in the instruction information extracted by the code decrypting unit And an output unit.

The image reading method of the present invention includes a two-dimensional bar that encodes instruction information including a document to be read and resolution and color information for generating an output image related to the document, destination information, and a public key for encryption. A step in which an image reading unit reads these as an image at a fixed resolution in a state in which cards on which codes are written are arranged; a step in which a code detection unit detects the two-dimensional barcode from the image; and the two-dimensional barcode The code decoding unit decodes the instruction information relating to the document, and the resolution for generating the output image included in the instruction information when the two-dimensional barcode is detected. And the image data generation unit generates image data of the document according to the color information and the image of the document when the two-dimensional barcode is not detected.
A step of not generating data, a step of generating encrypted image data in which the image data encryption unit encrypts the image data using a public key included in the instruction information, and an output destination included in the instruction information And an output unit that outputs the encrypted image data in accordance with the information.

  According to the present invention, complicated settings for sharing an image of a document among a plurality of users can be safely performed without operating a panel.

1 is a diagram illustrating a network scan system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a driver's license and a scanner setting card. It is a figure which shows the structure of a network scanner. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st operation example of a network scan system. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd operation example of a network scan system. (A) is a side view showing the configuration of the scanner device according to the second embodiment, and (B) is a perspective view thereof. It is a figure which shows an example of the folder of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the slip process header sheet of 4th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a network scan system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network scanning system as a first embodiment of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a license and a scanner setting card, and FIG. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the network scan system of this example includes a network scanner 1 and a plurality of external devices 8 a to 8 d via a communication network 7 such as a local area network (hereinafter referred to as “LAN”). Connected and configured.

  The network scanner 1 is a flatbed scanner, and a license 3 as a document to be scanned and a two-dimensional barcode 4 such as a QR code are printed on a document table 2 that performs optical reading. When the scanner setting card 5 is placed side by side and the scan start switch 6 is pressed, the image of the document placed on the document table 2 is read.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a two-dimensional barcode 4 is printed on the scanner setting card 5. The two-dimensional barcode 4 has a resolution (400 DPI, standard) for outputting an image of the license 3 (license image 3a), color information (color / monochrome), and a transmission destination for transmitting the license image 3a through the communication network 7. Information (external device 8a-8d) network address and shared folder name (network address: 192.168.1.1/public), user information (user account and password for network login), license image 3a are public key encryption Instruction information such as key information (public key information: PKI) used for encryption by the encryption method is included.

  In this example, the character shown beside the two-dimensional barcode 4 is information held by the two-dimensional barcode 4, but only the two-dimensional barcode 4 may actually be printed. In this example, the license 3 which is a public identification card is illustrated. However, for example, if it is a customizable business card, a two-dimensional barcode 4 may be printed on a part of the document. .

  As shown in FIG. 3, the network scanner 1 includes a memory 10, an image reading unit 11, a code detection unit 12, a code decoding unit 13, an image data generation unit 14, an image data encryption unit 15, and a communication control unit 16. .

  In the memory 10, an image read by the image reading unit 11 (input image), instruction information extracted from the two-dimensional barcode 4 (image control information, output destination information, user information, key information, etc.), and output to the outside The converted image (encrypted image data) to be stored is stored.

  The image reading unit 11 reads an original to be read and an image with a certain resolution in a state where a card on which a code in which instruction information necessary for imaging the original is coded is arranged. That is, the image reading unit 11 captures the license 3 and the two-dimensional barcode 4 as a single image with a default resolution (1200 DPI or the like) and stores it as an input image in the memory 10. The default resolution is preset in the memory 10 as read information.

  The code detection unit 12 detects the two-dimensional barcode 4 from the image read by the image reading unit 11. That is, the code detection unit 12 reads the input image of the memory 10 and detects the two-dimensional barcode 4 from the input image. The two-dimensional barcode 4 has three reference marks, and the two-dimensional barcode 4 can be detected by detecting these reference marks.

  The code decoding unit 13 decodes the two-dimensional barcode 4 detected by the code detection unit 12, thereby extracting instruction information necessary for converting the document into image data. That is, the code decoding unit 13 decodes the detected two-dimensional barcode 4 and includes image control information (resolution of output image (400 DPI, standard), color information (color / monochrome)) included in the two-dimensional barcode 4. ), Output destination information (network address, output directory, etc.), user information (user account and password for network login), and key information (public key).

  The image data generation unit 14 generates document image data according to image control information (resolution and color information) for generating an output image included in the instruction information extracted by the code decoding unit 13. That is, the image data generation unit 14 cuts out the image of the license portion area from the input image in accordance with the decoded image control information, and converts it into output format image data.

  The image data encryption unit 15 encrypts the image data generated by the image data generation unit 14 using the encryption key information (public key) included in the instruction information extracted by the code decryption unit 13. Generate encrypted image data. That is, the image data encryption unit 15 uses the key information (public key) extracted from the two-dimensional barcode 4 to encrypt the image data of the input document using the public key encryption method and stores it in the memory 10.

  The communication control unit 16 functions as an output unit that outputs the encrypted image data generated by the image data encryption unit 15 according to the transmission destination information included in the instruction information extracted by the code decoding unit 13.

  In other words, the communication control unit 16 outputs the external device (for example, the shared folder (192.168. Of the external device 8b) (192.168.) Of the external device 8b) extracted from the two-dimensional barcode 4 through the communication network 7 connected to the network port of the image reading apparatus 1. 1.1 / public) using the extracted user information (user account and password for network login) and reading out and transmitting (outputting) the encrypted image data stored in the memory 10. A button (ten key) for designating the number of scans, a scan start switch 6 and the like.

(First operation example)
Next, a first operation example of the network scan system will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  A scanner setting card 5 on which a license 3 and a two-dimensional bar code 4 are printed is placed on a document table 2 provided in the network scanner 1, and the number of scans is designated by the operation unit 17. When the scan start switch 6 is pressed, the image reading unit 11 scans the document group (the license 3 and the two-dimensional barcode 4) on the document table 2 by an optical reading method or the like (step S101 in FIG. 4). And stored in the memory 10 as an input image. Note that the number of scans designated by the operation unit 17 is stored in the memory 10. Further, after scanning, the image reading unit 11 counts the number of scans as one and stores it in the memory 10.

  After the input image is stored in the memory 10, the code detection unit 12 detects the presence or absence of the two-dimensional barcode 4 from the input image from the memory 10 (step S102).

  If no two-dimensional barcode is detected as a result of the detection (No in step S103), the code detection unit 12 checks whether or not the decoding result of the two-dimensional barcode 4 that has already been decoded exists in the memory 10. (Step S104).

  As a result of this check, if there is no decryption result (No in step S104), the code detection unit 12 ends the process. As a result, it is possible to prevent unauthorized copying of the license image without using the scanner setting card 5.

  On the other hand, when the two-dimensional barcode 4 is detected from the input image (Yes in step S103), the code decoding unit 13 decodes the two-dimensional barcode 4 and outputs image control information included in the two-dimensional barcode 4. The destination information (network address), user information, and key information (public key) are extracted and stored in the memory 10 (step S105).

  Subsequently, the image data generation unit 14 reads the image control information and the input image from the memory 10, cuts out the license image 3a that is the area of the license 3 from the input image, and has a resolution (400 DPI, Standard) and color information (color / monochrome), the license image 3a is converted into an output format image (step S106) and stored in the memory 10. It is assumed that the area of the license 3 is detected by a method such as edge detection.

  Next, the image data encryption unit 15 reads out the key information (public key) and the memory 10 from the memory 10, encrypts the license image 3a using the public key by the public key encryption method, and stores the memory 10 as encrypted image data. (Step S107).

  The communication control unit 16 reads output destination information (network address), user information (user account and password for network login) and encrypted image data from the memory 10 and is connected to the network port of the image reading apparatus 1. Log in to the output destination external device (for example, the shared folder (192.168.1.1/public) of the external device 8b) using the network login user account and password through the communication network 7, and output the encrypted image data (step S108). Note that a folder of a hard disk device (local disk) built in the network scanner 1 may be designated as an output destination.

  The image reading unit 11 compares the number of scans in the memory 10 with the specified number of times specified from the operation unit 17 to determine whether or not the number of scans has reached the specified number (step S109).

  If the result of this determination is that scanning has not been performed for the specified number of times (No in step S109), the image reading unit 11 waits for the scan start switch 6 to be pressed, and the user places the next document on the document table 2. When the scan start switch 6 is pressed, the process returns to step S101, and the next original is scanned.

  Note that, when the scan has been performed for the designated number of times (Yes in step S109), the image reading unit 11 resets the memory 10 (step S110) and ends the process.

(Second operation example)
Next, a second operation example of this network scan system will be described with reference to FIG. In the first operation example, the example in which the encrypted image data is output to the external device 8b has been described. However, in the second operation example, the encrypted image data is stored in the network scanner 1 (hard disk device). An example in which the image data of the network scanner 1 is referred from the external device 8a will be described.

  First, as a first step, when the communication control unit 16 detects an access request from an external device (for example, the external device 8a) connected to the network scanner 1 via the communication network 7 (step S201 in FIG. 5), the communication control unit 16 extracts an IP address, a user account, etc. included in an access request from the external device 8a, and these information and preset access control setting information (accessible device IP address, user account, authority type) Are compared (step S202), and it is determined whether or not access from the external device 8a is possible to the apparatus (network scanner 1) (step S203).

  As a result of this determination, if it is determined that access is impossible (access denied) (No in step S203), the communication control unit 16 returns a response indicating that there is no access authority to the external device 8a that has received the access request. Access denial is performed (step S208).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that access is possible (access permission) as a result of the determination (Yes in step S203), the communication control unit 16 establishes a session with the external device 8a that has received the access request (step S204). The public key used when encrypting the encrypted image data to be accessed from the external device 8a is distributed to the external device 8a (step S205).

  The external device 8a that has received the public key distribution from the network scanner 1 reads the private key of the public key pair stored in advance in its own hard disk device, and designates the encrypted image designated as the access target by the private key. The data is decoded (step S206), and the image data is displayed for reference (step S207).

  As described above, according to the network scan system of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  In the conventional network scanner, due to the nature of sharing with a large number of users, there is a problem that a document is inevitably sent to another user or stolen by a simple operation mistake. The scanner 1 stores the encrypted image data, distributes the public key in response to an access request from the external device 8a, and encrypts the private key paired with this public key unless the external device 8a knows the secret key. Since image data cannot be displayed with reference, a high level of security can be ensured by a simple operation.

  If the scanner setting card 5 is not provided, the document cannot be converted into image data, so that the possibility of information being stolen by an operation error can be reduced and the security strength can be increased.

  In the first operation example, when the original is scanned for the first time, the scanner setting card 5 and the license 3 are simultaneously read, and the license image 3a is cut out from the input image according to the instruction information of the scanner setting card 5 and is converted into an output format. Since conversion, encryption, and output are performed, it is possible to scan a document while safely performing complicated settings for sharing a document image among a plurality of users without operating a panel.

  In addition, as in the second operation example, image data encrypted with the public key can be decrypted only with the private key. Therefore, the security level does not decrease even if the public key is known to others. It is not necessary to specify a user who can browse the network, and a network scan system with a strong security function can be provided without sacrificing convenience by distributing the secret key only to users who have permitted browsing. Can be realized.

  Conversely, if the data encrypted with the private key uses the feature that can be decrypted with the public key, and the image data encrypted with the private key is decrypted with the public key, the public key is that of the user. If it can be proved, it can be confirmed that the encrypted image data is surely the original one, so that the network scanner 1 having the same function as the digital signature can be realized.

  In the first and second operation examples, an example using a two-dimensional barcode has been described. Instead of a two-dimensional barcode, for example, a one-dimensional barcode, digital watermark, RFID, OCR character, or the like is used. Also good.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the network scan system will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 (A) and 6 (B).

  In the case of the second embodiment, the network configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the form of the document to be scanned and the network scanner are different from those of the first embodiment.

  That is, in the second embodiment, the network scanner 1a is a form transport type scanner as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, and a plurality of forms are placed on the document table 2a. A form is carried in one by one, conveyed in the direction of arrow A, and accommodated in the discharge pocket 19.

  In this network scanner 1 a, in addition to the normal image reading unit 11, a two-dimensional bar code reading unit 18 for reading a two-dimensional bar code exclusively is disposed in front of the image reading unit 11. Before the form is read by the two-dimensional barcode reading unit 18, only the two-dimensional barcode is scanned, and parameters such as resolution and monochrome / color for reading the image data of the form are read according to the instruction information included in the read two-dimensional barcode. Or change the parameters to output the form.

  In this example, the scanner setting card 5 is placed on the top of the document table 2a so that the two-dimensional bar code is conveyed before the form.

  Then, according to the instruction information read by the two-dimensional barcode reading unit 18, the resolution of the image reading unit 11 is changed, and a form to be subsequently carried in is scanned by the image reading unit 11 whose resolution has been changed after the two-dimensional barcode scanning. .

  In general, the scanning speed of the scanner decreases as the resolution increases. In addition, the scanning speed of color is lower than that of monochrome. In the first embodiment, the two-dimensional barcode 4 and the license 3 are scanned by one image reading unit 11. In this case, first, scanning is performed with a color image of the highest resolution, and after decoding the two-dimensional barcode, It is necessary to convert the scanned color image of the highest resolution to an image of the specified resolution, and when scanning a form for the first time, it is necessary to scan with a color image of the highest resolution (1200dpi), so the speed is extremely low. there were.

  However, in the second embodiment, the dedicated two-dimensional barcode reading unit 18 first recognizes the two-dimensional barcode, thereby allowing the image reading unit 11 to continuously scan a plurality of forms at a specified resolution. It is possible to improve the speed at which a form is continuously processed.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a folder according to the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the two-dimensional barcode 4 is printed or pasted on the surface of a transparent envelope-like folder 70 (clear file) instead of the scanner setting card 5 for use.

  A document such as a license 3 is sandwiched in this folder 70 and placed on the document table 2 for scanning. In this embodiment, by using the folder 70 for a network scanner equipped with Auto Document Feeder: ADF, a two-dimensional barcode and an original can be scanned continuously. Further, unlike the conventional panel operation, when performing continuous scanning of a plurality of documents, the resolution, transmission destination, encryption key, and the like can be changed for each page.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a slip processing header sheet according to the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, a fixed program 81 is embedded in the two-dimensional barcode 4, and the network scanner 1 (see FIG. 1) or the network scanner 1a (FIG. 6 (A), FIG. A graphic user interface (GUI) is displayed on the display panel (see B)) or processing is executed. Thereby, the customization process according to various operations can be flexibly performed. When a plurality of forms are recognized, the same processing can be realized by inserting a header sheet (paper) in which a script is written in the form of a two-dimensional barcode 4 at the top.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, an example using a two-dimensional barcode has been described. However, for example, a one-dimensional barcode, digital watermark, RFID, or OCR character may be used instead of the two-dimensional barcode. Good.

In addition, this invention is not limited only to the said embodiment, You may deform | transform a component in the range which does not deviate from the summary in an implementation stage. For example, each component may be realized by a program installed in a storage such as a hard disk device of a computer, and the above program is stored in a computer-readable electronic medium: electronic media, and the program is transferred from the electronic medium to the computer. The computer may realize the functions of the present invention by causing the computer to read them. Examples of the electronic medium include a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, flash memory, and removable media.
Further, the configuration may be realized by distributing and storing components in different computers connected via a network, and communicating between computers in which the components are functioning.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Network scanner, 2, 2a ... Document stand, 3 ... License, 3a ... License image, 4 ... Two-dimensional barcode, 5 ... Scanner setting card, 6 ... Scan start switch, 7 ... Communication network, 8a ... External Devices 8a to 8d ... external devices, 10 ... memory, 11 ... image reading unit, 12 ... code detection unit, 13 ... code decoding unit, 14 ... image data generation unit, 15 ... image data encryption unit, 16 ... communication control unit , 17 ... operation part, 18 ... two-dimensional barcode reading part, 19 ... discharge pocket, 70 ... folder.

Claims (4)

An original to be read and a card on which a two-dimensional bar code encoding instruction information including resolution and color information for generating an output image relating to the original, information on a transmission destination, and a public key for encryption are arranged. An image reading unit that reads these as images at a constant resolution in a
A code detection unit for detecting the two-dimensional barcode from the image read by the image reading unit;
A code decoding unit that extracts instruction information about the document by decoding the two-dimensional barcode detected by the code detection unit;
When the code detection unit detects the two-dimensional code, it generates image data of the document according to resolution and color information for generating an output image included in the instruction information extracted by the code decoding unit , and the code When the detection unit does not detect the two-dimensional barcode, the original
An image data generation unit that does not generate image data of the manuscript ;
An image data encryption unit that generates encrypted image data obtained by encrypting the image data generated by the image data generation unit using a public key included in the instruction information extracted by the code decryption unit;
An image reading apparatus comprising: an output unit that outputs the encrypted image data generated by the image data encryption unit in accordance with destination information included in the instruction information extracted by the code decoding unit . The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the code includes a network address as an output destination. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the code includes a user account and a password for accessing an output destination. An original to be read and a card on which a two-dimensional bar code encoding instruction information including resolution and color information for generating an output image relating to the original, information on a transmission destination, and a public key for encryption are arranged. In a state where the image reading unit reads these as images with a constant resolution,
A code detection unit detecting the two-dimensional barcode from the image;
A code decoding unit decoding the two-dimensional barcode to extract instruction information about the document;
When the two-dimensional barcode is detected , an image data generation unit generates image data of the document according to resolution and color information for generating an output image included in the instruction information, and the secondary data
Not generating image data of the original when an original barcode is not detected ;
Using the public key included in the instruction information to generate encrypted image data obtained by encrypting the image data by the image data encryption unit;
And an output unit outputting the encrypted image data according to output destination information included in the instruction information.

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