JP2001282509A - Management device and image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely prevent the generation of an unauthorized output in an image processor used for an opened system. SOLUTION: Final version information is previously stored in a version information storage part 31 built in a color printer. In the case of installing a printer driver (write an unauthorized output prevention function), a final version is inquired from a personal computer to the printer (ST1). Whether version information to be installed is newer than the final version information or not is judged (ST3), when it is an older version, the installation of the information is rejected (ST4). When the information is new, the information is installed. Since version down can be consequently suppressed, the generation of the unauthorized output can be surely prevented after preventing its generation once.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a management device and an image processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional image recognition systems for dealing with counterfeiting of banknotes and securities have been applied to various devices implemented in a closed system such as a color copier from image input to image formation. Things have been proposed and implemented. Also, with the recent high performance and low price of image forming apparatuses such as image scanners and personal computers (PCs) and printers, forgery in open systems has become a social problem. Various countermeasures have been studied.

[0003] In any case, the basic image recognition processing involves processing the acquired image data (input data) by an image data processing unit (feature extraction unit), and processing the image data output by the image data processing unit. , A specific pattern stored in a non-volatile memory or the like in advance, and a recognition result is output to the control unit.

[0004]

Further, securities distributed in the market may be constantly added or changed. For example, there is a change in the design of banknotes and the issuance of new denominations. In such a case, it is necessary to update the dictionary data storing a specific pattern and a recognition algorithm for detecting a new security.

[0005] In this case, in the case of a color copying machine, the sales form is often leased or rented, and maintenance and maintenance are required, so that the installation place and customer management are relatively well managed. Therefore, if an attempt is made to update the dictionary data, the current installation position of the color copier equipped with the target image recognition system is specified,
Data can be updated.

However, in the case of color printers and color scanners, there are many retail stores, and it is complicated and practically difficult to track and manage whereabouts after sales. Therefore,
It is difficult to update the recognition dictionary and the like as described above.

Therefore, a dictionary / engine for recognition is incorporated in drivers of various devices, and a dictionary for recognition is automatically installed when the driver is installed, thereby complicating the processing of the user. This is preferable because the version of the dictionary for recognition and the like can be surely upgraded.

[0008] However, in the case where a user tries to perform illegal output with malicious intent, for example, if the user notices that the illegal output cannot be performed by updating the driver, the illegal version is returned to the old version of the driver before the update. Output becomes possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a management device and an image processing device that can reliably prevent unauthorized output in devices used in an open system such as a color printer, a color scanner, and a computer.

[0010]

A management device according to the present invention has rewritable information and is used in an image processing system that executes predetermined image processing.
The information has an identifier for comparing information for preventing unauthorized use and new and old, and means for acquiring a final identifier of the information used in the image processing system; and the acquired final identifier and an identifier of the new information. A determination unit for determining whether the new information is new or old, wherein when the determination unit determines that the identification of the new information is older than the final identifier, the image processing system is prevented from performing normal processing.

[0011] The final identifier may be stored and held in the same device as the image processing device in which the management device is incorporated, or may be stored and held in another device. Also,
The management device may be incorporated in the image processing device to be controlled, or may be provided outside.

The normal processing includes, for example, installation of the new information and predetermined image processing in the image processing system. Of course, it may be other than this.

Further, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus having rewritable information and connected to a computer in an image processing system for executing predetermined image processing, wherein the information is protected from unauthorized use. And a storage means for storing a final identifier of the information used in the image processing system.

Still another image processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus having rewritable information and connected to a computer in an image processing system for executing predetermined image processing, wherein the information is used to prevent unauthorized use. Information and an identifier that can compare old and new, and when the identifier of the new information used in the image processing system is the same as or newer than the final identifier of the information used in the image processing system, it cooperates with the computer. To execute predetermined image processing.

The "final identifier" is the latest identifier among the identifiers added to the information used in the image processing system. That is, it corresponds to the final version described in the embodiment. Note that the image processing system is composed of a plurality of devices, and some of the devices may be connected to other devices to construct a new image processing system. In such a case, if different final identifiers for the same type of information are stored in a plurality of devices that construct a new image processing system, the most recent one among them is set as the final identifier in the image processing system. good.

The "information for preventing unauthorized use" is information for preventing unauthorized use of the image processing system, such as a recognition dictionary and a recognition engine for recognizing a prohibited matter such as copying, a blacklist, and the like. Anything is fine. Also,
"Information" may consist only of "information and identifier for preventing unauthorized use" or may further include other information. Information may be in any form such as a program or data. It is preferable to use information (such as a driver) used for image processing as other information, because information for preventing unauthorized use can be automatically incorporated and updated.

Further, the "image processing apparatus" according to the present invention includes:
For example, it includes not only an image reading device such as a scanner and an image forming device such as a printer but also a personal computer and other computers. In short, any device that can perform image processing may be used.

According to the present invention, when new information is to be installed in an apparatus constituting the image processing system, the identifier added to the already stored information is
If it is older than the last stored identifier,
Do not perform normal processing. As a result, once stored information for preventing unauthorized use is not returned to information for preventing unauthorized use having an older identifier.

The same can be said for the case where the image processing device storing the final identifier is incorporated in an image processing system connected to various devices. That is, when the information stored in the image processing system is the information of the old identifier, normal image processing and the like can be suppressed.

The above-described components of the present invention can be combined as much as possible. Each means constituting the management device and the image processing device according to the present invention can be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit, or can be realized by a programmed computer.

[0021]

FIG. 1 shows an example of an open system for outputting an image to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, a color scanner 20 and a color printer 30 are connected to a personal computer 10, and
0, the read image data is sent to the personal computer 10 where predetermined image processing is performed.
To print out. of course,
The image data processed by the personal computer 10 is not limited to the data sent from the color scanner 20 as described above.
Some are provided via a recording medium such as an FD.

In the illustrated example, the connection between the personal computer 10 and the color scanner 20 and the color printer 30 is described as being directly connected by a general interface. However, the present invention is not limited to this. , Including those connected to a network. That is, the installation location may be far away.

It is assumed that the printer driver 11 is installed on the personal computer 10 side. The printer driver 11 is a program in which an unauthorized output prevention function, that is, a recognition dictionary and an image recognition engine for detecting a prohibited matter such as copying of bills and securities are incorporated. Of course, in the following description, an example in which an unauthorized output prevention function is incorporated in a printer driver will be described. However, an unauthorized output prevention function relating to a scanner driver for the color scanner 20 may be added.

The color printer 30 is provided with a version information storage section 31 for storing and holding the version information of the printer driver 11 installed in the personal computer 10.

Then, the personal computer 10 acquires the version information stored in the version information storage unit 31, and executes a predetermined process based on the acquired version information. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, when installing a printer driver, for example, usually, the installer 12 of the driver installs the printer driver in the storage unit 13 of the personal computer 10. However, in the present invention, before executing the installation, the management unit 40 checks the current version (final version) and the version to be installed, and determines whether or not the installation is possible.
Installer 1 on condition that installation permission is granted
2 performs the actual installation process.

That is, a program or the like (in this case, a printer driver) has version information as an identifier for comparing new and old. The version information is
There is a numerical version number, a release sequence number, and the like. Furthermore, names, alphabets,
Various data can be applied as long as the data can be compared in magnitude relation, such as date and character string length.

The management unit 40 acquires the version information of the printer driver to be installed and the version information stored in the version information storage unit 31 of the color printer 30, and the version acquisition unit 41 acquires the version information. A determination unit 42 that receives two pieces of version information and determines whether the version information is new or old is provided.
If the version information to be installed is the same or newer than the current version information stored in the color printer 30, the determination unit 42 sends an installation permission notification to the installer 12, and A version information update command is sent to the version writing unit 43 together with the version information of the driver to be installed.

Version writing section 4 of color printer 30
3 receives the update instruction and stores the acquired version information of the driver to be installed in the version information storage unit 31. Thereby, the color printer 30
The version information of the latest driver is stored and held.

Although not shown, the personal computer 10
The color printer 30 has a communication interface, and the management unit 40 transmits and receives data to and from the printer 30 via the communication interface.

Next, the function of each of the above-described processing units will be further described while describing the specific processing procedure. As shown in FIG. 3, when updating at least one of the printer driver and the image recognition engine / recognition dictionary, if an attempt is made to install a printer driver in which the printer driver and the image recognition engine / recognition dictionary are integrated, the installer 12 is installed in the management unit. Notify that a request has been made.

At this time, if the version information of the printer driver to be installed is also notified, the notified version information is obtained. If the version information is not notified, the version obtaining unit 41 is notified. Extracts and acquires the version information of the printer driver to be installed. The version information to be installed thus obtained is determined by the determination unit 42.
Give to.

Further, the version acquisition unit 41 of the management unit 40 receiving the notification of the installation request makes an inquiry about the final version to the color printer 30 (ST1). The color printer 30 reads the final version information stored in the version information storage unit 31 and notifies the personal computer 10 (ST)
2) Therefore, the version obtaining unit 41 obtains the final version information and gives it to the determination unit 42.

As a result, the determination unit 42 is provided with the two pieces of version information, and compares the two pieces of information to determine whether the version information to be installed is equal to or more than the final version (ST3).

If it is not the final version, that is, if it is an old version, a notice to reject the installation is given to the installer 12 (ST4). This allows
It is not possible to revert to an older version, preventing unauthorized use.

If the version is equal to or more than the final version (including the same version), it is determined that the installation is permitted.
3 is notified of a final version update request together with the acquired version information to be installed (ST5).

In response to this, the version writing unit 43 rewrites the stored contents of the version information storage unit 31 to the acquired final version (ST6), and when completed, sends back a completion code to the personal computer side. After waiting, the installer 12 executes the installation process (ST
7).

It should be noted that also on the color printer 30 side,
Instead of updating the version information as it is received, it checks the new and old versions of the version, confirms that the received version information is newer than the stored current version information, and performs the update process It is good to do. By doing so, it is possible to more reliably prevent the version from being downgraded.

According to the first embodiment, since the final version information is stored in the color printer 30,
Even if the personal computer 10 is initialized (format of the hard disk, reinstallation of the OS, etc.), it will not operate unless a printer driver of the same version or newer than the final version stored in the color printer 30 is installed. Therefore, version down can be reliably prevented.

In this embodiment, the installer 1
2 and the management unit 40 are described as separate processing units, but the function shown by the management unit 40 may be incorporated in the installer 12. Also, the version information storage unit may be provided on the computer. The same applies to the following embodiments.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the above-described first embodiment, the version is checked on the personal computer side, but in the present embodiment, the version is checked on the color printer 30 side.

That is, the management unit 40 is connected to the color printer 3
Install on the 0 side. Prior to the installation of the printer driver by the installer 12, the version notification unit 44 of the personal computer 10 sends the version information of the printer driver to be installed to the version acquisition unit 41 of the management unit 40 of the color printer 30. Notice. Although the version notifying unit 41 is shown outside the installer 12 in FIG. 4, it may of course be incorporated as one of the functions of the installer 12.

Each of the functions of the version acquisition unit 41, the determination unit 42, and the version writing unit 43, which constitute the management unit 40, is performed by using an internal bus when transmitting / receiving data to / from another processing unit. Although the processing is performed via the communication interface, the specific processing function is basically the same as that of the first embodiment.

Next, a procedure for actual installation will be described with reference to FIG. First, when there is an installation request, the version information of the printer driver to be installed is notified to the color printer 30 (ST11). Version acquisition unit 4 receiving this notification
1 reads out the final version information stored in the version information storage unit 31 (ST12) and sends two pieces of version information to the determination unit 42. The determination unit 42 compares the new and old versions of the two pieces of received version information and determines whether the version information of the printer driver to be installed is equal to or more than the final version (ST13).

Then, the result of the determination is notified to the installer 12 of the personal computer 10. If the version is equal to or more than the final version, the version writing unit 42 is operated to write the version to be installed in the version information storage unit 31, Update information (ST1
4). Further, installer 12 rejects or executes the installation according to the received communication availability notification (ST15 to ST17).

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. Each of the above embodiments corresponds to a case where a printer driver is newly installed. However, some printer drivers are permitted to be installed without connecting the color printer to the personal computer 10. In such a case, prior to installation, the final version information stored in the color printer cannot be obtained and compared.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, the personal computer 10 sends the image data to the color printer 30 via the output unit 15 and confirms the version information before printing, and stores it in the storage unit 13 of the personal computer 10. If the stored printer driver version is the color printer 3
After confirming that the version is equal to or greater than the final version stored in the version information storage unit 31, the image data is actually output to the color printer 30.

In other words, when receiving the image data, the output unit 15 issues an inquiry notification as to whether or not output is possible to the management unit 40 (version acquisition unit 41). Upon receiving this, the version acquisition unit 41, as in each of the above-described embodiments,
The version information of the printer driver to be used is obtained from the storage unit 13, the final version information stored in the output target color printer 30 is obtained from the version information storage unit 31 of the color printer 30, and the two version information is determined. Pass to 42.

The judging section 42 compares the new and old versions of the two pieces of version information. If the version information of the printer driver stored in the storage section 13 is equal to or more than the final version information stored in the color printer 30, the output section 42 outputs A permission notification is given to the output unit 15. If the permission notice is received, the image data received by the output unit 15 is transferred to the color printer 30.
Output to

If the determination unit 42 determines that the version is older than the final version information, it outputs a normal output prohibition instruction to the output unit 15. Output unit 15 receiving this
Prohibits the output of image data. When outputting image data, quality such as resolution or color reproduction may be reduced, a part or all of the image data may be painted in a predetermined color, or a predetermined warning message may be output.

Further, if the determination unit 42 determines that the version is older than the final version, various measures can be taken, such as resetting the device, disconnecting and resetting the connection with the color printer 30.

According to the present embodiment, an illegal output suppressing effect can be effectively exhibited even in the case shown in FIG. That is, the printer driver is temporarily upgraded on the personal computer 10 (version 2.0), and the color printer 3 is updated.
When the final version (version 2.0) is stored in the version information storage unit 0, even if it is subsequently connected to another personal computer 10 'in which an old version of the printer driver is installed, when it is recognized, it becomes normal. Output can be stopped.

Further, even when the same printer is used by switching between personal computers having different architectures, since the last version information is stored in the printer, the final version information depends on the platform. By setting it not to be possible, it can be easily handled.

In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the present invention is applied to a program such as a printer driver. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and data may be used.
That is, for example, it is assumed that the model number of a device such as a printer that has been illegally used is stored in the storage unit 13 of the computer as a blacklist. This storage may be performed, for example, simultaneously with the installation of the printer driver, or may be stored in various other methods. Then, when the printer is connected to the personal computer or when printing is used, the printer model number is acquired, and if it is recognized as a blacklisted printer, the printout is stopped, There is a system that disables a printer once it has been illegally used.

At this time, version information is also added to the black list, and when registering the black list in the storage unit 13 of the personal computer 10, the version information is stored in the version information storage unit 31 of the printer 30. In this way, even if an attempt is made to install an old version of a blacklist (such as a blacklist in which a printer used by itself is not registered), the first and second embodiments prevent such an attempt.

Further, even if an attempt is made to connect the printer to a personal computer in which an old version of the blacklist is registered, and to attempt unauthorized output, the above-described third embodiment prevents such an attempt.

[0056]

As described above, according to the present invention, the last identifier is stored and retained, and if the information has an identifier older than that, normal processing can be prevented from being performed. Information that cannot be rewritten to old ones and is used in open systems such as color printers, color scanners, and computers.
Unauthorized output can be reliably prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the processing procedure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the processing procedure.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Personal computer 11 Printer driver 12 Installer 13 Storage part 15 Output part 20 Color scanner 30 Color printer 31 Version information storage part 40 Management part 41 Version acquisition part 42 Judgment part 43 Version writing part 44 Version notification part

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Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A management device having rewritable information and used in an image processing system for executing predetermined image processing, wherein the information has information for preventing unauthorized use and an identifier for comparing old and new information. A means for obtaining a final identifier of the information used in the image processing system; and a determining means for determining whether the obtained final identifier and the identifier of the new information are new or old; A management apparatus configured to prevent the image processing system from performing a normal process when it is determined that the identification of the image is older than the final identifier. 2. The management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the normal processing is installation of the new information. 3. The management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the normal processing is a predetermined image processing in the image processing system. 4. An image processing apparatus having rewritable information and connected to a computer in an image processing system for executing predetermined image processing, wherein the information compares information for preventing unauthorized use with new and old information. An image processing apparatus comprising: a storage unit that has an identifier that can be used and stores a final identifier of the information used in the image processing system. 5. An image processing apparatus having rewritable information and connected to a computer in an image processing system for executing predetermined image processing, wherein the information compares information for preventing unauthorized use with new and old information. If the identifier of new information used in the image processing system is the same or newer as the final identifier of the information used in the image processing system, a predetermined image processing is executed in cooperation with the computer. An image processing apparatus characterized in that it is configured to perform