JP2001255795A - Image forming device and its operation unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce operation steps and simplify the operation of an image forming device which gives the permission of an image forming operation by collating an identification number inputted with a registration number. SOLUTION: A fingerprint is detected by a fingerprint detecting part 11, and the fingerprint data are registered into a fingerprint data dictionary 133 together with an identification number. Inputted fingerprint data are collated with registered data by a comparison means 140, collation of the identification number and collation of fingerprint data are performed simultaneously, and then, a copy is permitted when they match, while, the copy is not permitted when they do not match.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine having a fingerprint detecting function and an operating device thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a management function of an image forming apparatus,
Means for permitting copy print settings and copy requests, ID
A means for counting and storing the number of prints for each number is provided by registering and collating a management (ID) number for each department. Further, the number collating means performs a number input request screen on the display unit of the operation unit and collates the numeric keypad input by the user.

[0003]

However, in the conventional image forming apparatus as described above, a management number is required every time a user operates the apparatus in order to manage the equipment, and a predetermined number is assigned. Must be stored, and furthermore, unless the stored number is input, copy printing cannot be performed, the number of operation steps increases, and the usability is poor.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and a purpose thereof is to allow a registered user to be aware of a management number even if the device is a device managed. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an operation apparatus thereof that can be easily operated without increasing the number of operation steps.

[0005]

(1) In an image forming apparatus for controlling an image forming operation by comparing an input identification number with a previously registered identification number, a fingerprint detection for detecting a fingerprint and converting it into data. Means, storage means for storing the detected fingerprint data, and collating means for collating the stored fingerprint data with the fingerprint data input at the time of operation,
When registering the identification number, the fingerprint data is registered together, and the collation of the identification number and the fingerprint data are simultaneously performed.

(2) In the configuration of the above (1), image input means for inputting image data, image storage means for storing the input image data, and image output for reading out and printing out the stored image data Means and setting means for setting a processing mode of the stored image data.

(3) In the configuration of (1) or (2), a number storage means for storing the number of prints for each identification number is provided.

(4) In any one of the above constitutions (1) to (3), the detection sensor of the fingerprint detecting means is provided in the print start key of the operation unit, and the identification number is collated and the print start is started by pressing the print start key. Can be specified at the same time.

(5) In an operation device of the image forming apparatus for controlling an image forming operation by collating the input identification number with a previously registered identification number, a fingerprint detecting means for detecting a fingerprint and converting it into data, A storage unit for storing the detected fingerprint data, and a matching unit for comparing the fingerprint data input at the time of operation with the stored fingerprint data, and registering the fingerprint data together when registering the identification number, Verification of identification number and verification of fingerprint data are performed simultaneously.

(6) In the configuration of (5), a detection sensor of the fingerprint detecting means is provided in the print start key, and when the print start key is depressed, the identification number collation and the print start request can be simultaneously instructed.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
1 shows a schematic configuration of a digital copying machine that controls an image forming operation by comparing a D number (identification number) with an ID number registered in advance. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a digital copier main body, and an operation unit 102, a reader unit (image input means) 1
3 and a printer unit (image output means) 104.

The operation unit 102 is a digital copier main body 10.
1 and an operation device for operating the image input / output control unit 105. The reader unit 103 reads the image of the document,
The image data corresponding to the original image is output to the printer unit 104 and the image input / output control unit 105. The printer unit 104 includes a reader unit 103 and an image input / output control unit 105.
The image corresponding to the image data from is recorded on the recording paper.

The image input / output control unit 105 includes the reader unit 10
3 and includes a facsimile unit 106, a computer interface unit 107, an image memory (image storage unit) 108, and a control unit 109.

The facsimile unit 106 expands the compressed image data received via the telephone line, transfers the expanded image data to the control unit 109, and compresses and compresses the image data transferred from the control unit 109. The compressed image data obtained is transmitted via a telephone line. This facsimile unit 1
06, the compressed image data can be temporarily stored in the image memory 108 such as a hard disk.

The computer interface unit 107 includes:
An interface between a personal computer or a workstation (hereinafter, referred to as PC / WS) 110 and a control unit 109, and code data (PDL) representing an image transferred from the PC / WS 110 is transmitted to the printer unit 104.
The image data is developed into image data that can be recorded in step (1) and transferred to the control unit 109.

Although details of the control unit 109 will be described later, this control unit 109 controls the flow of data among the reader unit 103, facsimile unit 106, computer interface unit 107, and image memory 108. .

FIG. 2 shows the reader unit 103 and the printer unit 10.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of FIG. The document feeding device 201 of the reader unit 103 feeds the documents one by one on the platen glass 202 in the final order, and discharges the documents on the platen glass 202 after the reading operation of the document is completed.

When the original is conveyed onto the platen glass 202, the lamp 203 is turned on and the scanner unit 204 is turned on.
Is started, and the document is exposed and scanned. At this time, the reflected light from the original is transmitted to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as C
209).

The image of the document scanned in this manner is
The image data read by the CCD 209 is subjected to predetermined processing,
The data is transferred to the control unit 109 of the printer unit 104 and the image input / output control unit 105.

The laser driver 221 of the printer unit 104
Drives the laser light emitting unit 210 and causes the laser light emitting unit 210 to emit laser light corresponding to the image data output from the reader unit 103. The laser light is irradiated on the photosensitive drum 211, and a latent image corresponding to the laser light is formed on the photosensitive drum 211. And this photosensitive drum 2
A developer is attached to the portion of the latent image 11 by the developing device 212.

Further, at a timing synchronized with the start of the laser beam irradiation, a recording sheet is fed from one of the cassettes 213 and 214 and conveyed to the transfer unit 215, and the developer adhered to the photosensitive drum 211 Is transferred to recording paper. The recording paper on which the developer is loaded is conveyed to the fixing unit 216, and the developer is fixed on the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 216. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 216 is discharged by discharge rollers 217.

The sorter 220 stores the discharged recording paper in each bin and sorts the recording paper, and staples the sorted recording paper. In addition, sorter 2
Reference numeral 20 stores the recording paper in the uppermost bin when no sorting is set. When double-sided recording is set, the recording sheet is conveyed to the discharge roller 217, the rotation direction of the discharge roller 217 is reversed, and the recording paper is guided to the re-feed conveyance path 219 by the flapper 218. If the multiplex recording is set, the recording paper is discharged from the discharge roller 21.
7 is guided to the re-feeding conveyance path 219 by the flapper 218 so as not to be conveyed to 7. The recording paper guided to the re-feeding conveyance path 219 is supplied to the transfer unit 215 at the timing described above.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the processing of the operation unit 102 having the processing mode setting means, and shows a key arrangement. In the figure, reference numeral 301 denotes a power switch, which controls energization of the copier main body 101. 302 is a preheating key,
Used for ON / OFF of preheating mode. A copy mode key 303 is used to select a copy mode from a plurality of functions. A fax mode key 304 is used to select a fax mode from a plurality of functions. A personal box key 305 is used to select a personal box mode from a plurality of functions. The personal box function has a storage area in the memory of the copying machine for each user or department, and stores PDL and scanned images in it.
It is a function to output when you want.

An extension key 306 is used when performing an operation on the PDL. A copy start key 307 is used to instruct the start of copying. The copy start key 307 includes a fingerprint detection sensor, and detects copy fingerprint data at the same time as a copy start instruction. A stop key 308 is used to interrupt or stop copying. A reset key 309 operates as a key for returning to the standard mode during standby.

Reference numeral 310 denotes a guide key which is used when it is necessary to know each function. A user mode key 311 is used when the user changes the basic settings of the system. Reference numeral 312 denotes an interrupt key, which is used when copying is desired to be interrupted during copying. 313
Is a numeric keypad, which is used to input numerical values.
A clear key 314 is used to clear a numerical value.

An ID key 315 is used to shift to an ID input mode when using a copying machine.
A touch panel 316 includes a combination of a liquid crystal screen and a touch sensor. An individual setting screen is displayed for each mode, and various detailed settings can be performed by touching drawn keys. ing. Reference numeral 317 denotes a tally lamp indicating the communication state of the network, which is normally green, flashes green when communication is being performed, and turns red when a network error occurs.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a copy standard screen of the operation panel 316. The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment starts on a copy standard screen as a default when the power is turned on. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 401 denotes a message line, which displays the status of the copy job as a message. 4
Numeral 02 is a magnification display field, which displays the magnification automatically set according to the set magnification and the copy mode in percentage. Reference numeral 403 denotes a paper size display field, which displays the selected output paper, and displays a message of automatic paper when automatic paper selection is set. Reference numeral 404 denotes a numeral display field, which indicates why copying is performed.

Reference numeral 405 denotes a reduction key, which is used when a reduction copy is desired. Reference numeral 406 denotes an equal-size key, which is used when it is desired to return to the same size when reduction or enlargement is set. An enlargement key 407 is used when an enlargement copy is desired. Reference numeral 408 denotes a zoom key, which is used when the user wants to reduce or enlarge the copy by setting the magnification h in fine units. A paper selection key 409 is used to specify an output paper. A sorter key 410 is used to set a sort or staple mode. A double-sided key 411 is used to set a double-sided mode.

Reference numeral 412 denotes a density display portion, which indicates the current density. The left side indicates that the density is low, and the right side indicates that the density is high. Also, this density display portion 412
The display changes in conjunction with the light key 413 and the dark key 415. The thin key 413 is used when it is desired to reduce the density. The automatic key 414 is used when using a mode for automatically determining the density. The dark key 415 is used to increase the density.

A character key 416 is used to set a character mode for automatically setting a density suitable for copying a character original. A character / photo key 417 is used to set a character / photo mode for automatically setting a density suitable for copying a document containing a mixture of photographs. An application mode key 418 is used to set various copy modes that cannot be set on the copy standard screen.

Reference numeral 419 denotes a print status key, which is used when the user wants to see the status of the print currently being performed by the image forming apparatus. The print status key 419 always appears at this position, not only on the copy standard screen.
Pressing this key at any time opens the print status screen so that you can view the print status.

Next, the principle of fingerprint detection / collation of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the fingerprint collation apparatus interlocked with the copy start key 307 of the operation unit 102.

The fingerprint collating apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 5 comprises a fingerprint detecting section 11, an image processing section 12, a data creating section 13, an image inspecting section 14, and the like.

The fingerprint detecting section 11 is a fingerprint detecting means for detecting a fingerprint image from a user's finger and generating fingerprint image data. The semiconductor fingerprint sensor unit 111 forming the fingerprint detection unit 11 includes a sensor element 110. The image processing unit 12 includes an analog / digital conversion unit 120 and a feature point data conversion unit 121. The analog / digital converter 120 converts the fingerprint image data of the user detected by the fingerprint detector 11 from analog to digital.

Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the fingerprint has a pattern called a feature point, which is formed by a convex portion and a concave portion of the fingerprint, and an end point appearing on the ridge of the fingerprint (a dead end portion where the ridge is cut in the middle). ) And a branch point (the part where the ridge branches),
There are deltas (portions where ridges are gathered from three directions).

Then, the feature point data conversion means 121
As shown in FIG. 7, 20 to 20
Approximately forty feature points are extracted, directions, coordinates, types, and the like are obtained, these information are digitized, and the data is stored.

The data creating section 13 comprises a fingerprint data memory (storage means) 130, a personal information input means 131, a database creating means 132, a fingerprint data dictionary 133, and a matching memory 134.

The fingerprint data memory 130 is a memory for temporarily storing feature point data digitized by the feature point data conversion means 121. Database creation means 132
Is means for adding the user's personal information obtained by the personal information input means 131 to the feature point data temporarily stored in the fingerprint data memory 130.

The fingerprint data dictionary 133 is a data dictionary in which feature point data having personal information created by the database creating means 132 is registered. The matching memory 134 is a memory for temporarily storing feature point data extracted for matching.

The image inspection section 14 includes a comparing means (collating means).
140. The comparison means 140
The feature point data extracted from the fingerprint data memory 130 and the feature point data extracted from the matching memory 134 are compared. Then, it is checked whether the degree of matching of each feature point is high (coarse matching), and if it is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that they do not match, and the next data is called from the fingerprint data dictionary 133. If there is no next data, the matching result is output as NG. If the value is larger than the threshold value, a process of finely calculating the degree of matching (fine matching) is performed. If the value is higher than the threshold value, the matching result is output as OK.

Next, the operation of the fingerprint matching device 1 having the above configuration will be described.

When the user places his / her finger on the fingerprint detector 11, the semiconductor fingerprint sensor 11 comprising the sensor element 110
1 detects a fingerprint image.

The detected analog fingerprint image data is converted into digital fingerprint image data by the analog / digital converter 120. The digital fingerprint image data is converted into feature point data by the feature point data conversion unit 121 and temporarily stored in the fingerprint data memory 130.

Here, the operation moves to the case of registration and to the case of collation.

In the case of registration-database creation means 13
2, the feature point data temporarily stored in the fingerprint data memory 130 is taken out, and the registrant enters the personal information input means 13
The personal information input in step 1 is added and stored in the fingerprint data dictionary 132. The personal information of this embodiment is an ID number and a password for each department.

In the case of collation—comparing means 140 compares feature point data retrieved from fingerprint data memory 130 with feature point data retrieved from collation memory 134, and checks whether the degree of matching of each feature point is high. Perform (coarse matching), and if it is smaller than the predetermined threshold,
The next data is called from the fingerprint data dictionary 133. If there is no next data, the matching result is output as NG. When the value is larger than the threshold value, a process (fine processing) for further calculating the degree of collation is performed.

If the collation result indicates OK, copy printing is permitted, and if NG, NG is displayed on the operation screen.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing the fingerprint registration operation steps in this embodiment. Next, the registration operation will be described step by step.

First, a user mode key 311 of the operation unit 102 of the copying machine shown in FIG. 3 is pressed (S1).

When the user mode initial screen is displayed, the common specification setting key is pressed (S2).

The common specification setting screen is displayed (S3).
This common specification setting screen has five screens (1/5 to 5 /
5), 5/5 is displayed, and the department ID is displayed.
When a management item is selected, a department ID management screen is displayed (S4).

When the item “not set” is selected on the section ID management screen, the section ID password is not registered and (S
Proceed to 8). Also, when the item to be selected is selected, the section I
When the item of password registration is pressed in order to register D / password, the process proceeds to (S5) and (S6).

The department for which the department ID is to be registered is displayed on the registration screen, and after touching the registration destination, the department ID is entered using the ten keys (S6).

At this time, if a personal identification number is required, after touching the registration destination, the personal identification number is entered with the ten keys (S
7).

Next, the OK key is pressed (S8).

As described above, the fingerprint data registration operation screen is displayed (S9). When the fingerprint data is detected / registered by placing a finger on the fingerprint detection sensor, the process proceeds to (S11) (S10). Fingerprint detection sensor is copy start key 30
7, the start operation is prohibited during fingerprint registration.
After that, the screen returns to the common specification setting screen of (S3).

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In an image forming apparatus provided with a fingerprint detecting / collating means, even if the apparatus is managed by a device, the registered user is unaware of the management number and does not increase the number of operation steps, and is easy to operate. And its operating device can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a reader unit and a printer unit.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an appearance of an operation unit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a copy standard screen of the operation panel.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a fingerprint matching device.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a fingerprint pattern.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing characteristic points of a fingerprint.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a fingerprint registration operation step.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a fingerprint registration operation step.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fingerprint collation device 11 Fingerprint detection part 12 Image processing part 13 Data creation part 14 Image inspection part 101 Digital copier main body 102 Operation part (setting means) 103 Reader part (image input means) 104 Printer part (image output means) 108 Image Memory (image storage unit) 110 Sensor element 111 Semiconductor fingerprint sensor unit 121 Feature point data conversion unit 130 Fingerprint data memory 131 Personal information input unit 132 Database creation unit 133 Fingerprint data dictionary 134 Matching memory (storage unit) 140 Comparison unit (matching) Means) 307 Copy start key

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/00 G03G 21/00 372 F term (Reference) 2H027 DA41 DA50 DE10 EJ03 FD08 GB01 ZA07 5B043 AA09 BA02 CA10 EA06 FA03 FA07 GA02 GA18 GA19 5B047 AA25 5C062 AA05 AB17 AB20 AB22 AB42 AF07 AF12 9A001 DD11 HH21 JJ35 KK42 LL03

Claims (6)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus for controlling an image forming operation by comparing an input identification number with a previously registered identification number, a fingerprint detecting means for detecting a fingerprint and converting it into data, A storage unit for storing data; and a collation unit for collating the fingerprint data inputted at the time of operation with the stored fingerprint data. When the identification number is registered, the fingerprint data is registered together, and the identification number is collated. An image forming apparatus for performing collation of fingerprint data with fingerprint data simultaneously. 2. An image input means for inputting image data,
Image storage means for storing the input image data, image output means for reading out and printing out the stored image data, and setting means for setting a processing mode of the stored image data. Claim 1.
The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a number storage unit for storing the number of prints for each identification number. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a detection sensor of the fingerprint detection means is provided on a print start key of the operation unit, and by pressing the print start key, collation of the identification number and a request for print start can be simultaneously instructed. Or 3
The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. 5. An operation device of an image forming apparatus for controlling an image forming operation by collating an input identification number with a pre-registered identification number, a fingerprint detecting means for detecting a fingerprint and converting it into data, A storage unit for storing the detected fingerprint data, and a collation unit for collating the stored fingerprint data with the fingerprint data input at the time of operation, while registering the fingerprint data together when registering the identification number,
An operation device for an image forming apparatus, wherein collation of an identification number and collation of fingerprint data are performed simultaneously. 6. The image according to claim 5, wherein a detection sensor of the fingerprint detection means is provided in the print start key, and the collation of the identification number and the request for the print start can be simultaneously instructed by pressing the print start key. Operating device for forming equipment.