JP2002335381A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device that can sufficiently keep confidentiality and privacy and prevent a job efficiency of a print job or the like from being deteriorated. SOLUTION: An electronic sort section 2 selects a 1st processing mode where image data from an image read section are stored in an image storage section 26 and printing is made on the basis of the stored image data so as to quicken the print job or a 2nd processing mode where image data from the image read section are printed not through the image storage section 26 so as to eliminate the need for a time to delete image data or the like and prevent contents of the image data in the image storage section 26 from being leaked to a 3rd party depending on the condition of the print job.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having an electronic sort function for recording and holding image data, repeatedly reading out the image data, and outputting the image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image data read from a document is once recorded in a memory such as a hard disk, and the image data is provided with an electronic sort function for repeatedly reading out and printing out a desired number of print copies repeatedly in an arbitrary order. Image forming apparatuses are known. With this electronic sorting function, printing can be repeated based on data that has been recorded once, so that it is possible to avoid the trouble of reading the original every time printing is performed.

However, in a digital image forming apparatus having such an electronic sorting function, even if the document is highly confidential or a document that one does not want to be known to others, the image data of the document is temporarily recorded in a memory. At the end of printing, data indicating these contents will remain in the memory, and the contents of highly confidential documents may be known to a third party until new data is overwritten in this memory. As a result, confidentiality and privacy were not sufficiently secured.

In order to solve such a problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-223061 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
Japanese Patent Publication No. 284572 discloses a means for arbitrarily selecting a document or the like containing contents to be erased from a memory for reasons of confidentiality or the like so that the data of the document is erased from the memory after printing is completed. I have.

[0005]

However, when the means described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 9-223061 and 9-284572 can be used, security such as confidentiality can be secured, At the time of erasing or invalidating image data, the memory cannot be accessed to perform processing such as reading of the next image data, and the user must wait for the end of the erasing or invalidating operation when performing printing processing. There was a problem that did not become.

For this reason, a time loss occurs when printing is performed by the work of erasing or invalidating the image data, and the efficiency of the printing work has been reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of sufficiently securing confidentiality and privacy and preventing a reduction in work efficiency such as printing.

[0008]

The present invention has the following arrangement.

(1) Reading means for reading image data of a document, storage means for holding the image data read by the reading means, output means for outputting the image data held in the storage means, And an erasing / invalidating unit for erasing or invalidating the image data held by the storage unit in response to the image data. A second processing mode for performing an image forming process without holding image data read by the reading unit in a part or all of the storage unit, and a first processing mode or a second processing mode. A processing mode selection unit for selecting at least one of the two processing modes.

In this configuration, a so-called electronic sort function is provided, and if necessary, image data of a document read by a reading means such as a scanner held by a storage means such as a hard disk is deleted or invalidated. Means,
An image forming apparatus having a first processing mode for erasing or invalidating image data stored in the storage unit after outputting the image data, and an image read by the reading unit in a part or all of the storage unit. A second processing mode for performing image forming processing without holding data, and
A processing mode selecting means for selecting at least one of the first processing mode and the second processing mode. When priority is given to the printing work efficiency, printing is performed using the electronic sort function, and If priority is given to the confidentiality of the document, since all or a part of the contents of the document are not stored in the storage means, that is, selective processing is performed such as printing is performed without using the electronic sort function, While the flexible printing operation is performed, and the image data in the storage unit is being erased or invalidated,
Usually, even in a state where the image data is not output from the storage unit and a time loss is unavoidable, the time loss in the printing operation is prevented by using the second processing mode.

(2) The erasing / invalidating means performs an image data initialization process, a scramble process, a black solid overwriting process, or a process of erasing and outputting a part of the image data.

In this configuration, the erasing / invalidating means performs an image data initialization process, a scramble process, a black solid overwriting process, or an erasure output process for a part of the image data. In the first processing mode, the image data of the highly confidential document is invalidated by various processing methods after the printing operation, while ensuring the printing work efficiency. Confidentiality is ensured.

(3) In the second processing mode, a part of the image data read by the reading means is temporarily stored in a part of the storage means each time, and a part of the storage means sequentially stores the image data. The image forming process is performed while repeating overwriting.

In this configuration, in the second processing mode, a part of the image data read by the reading means is temporarily stored in a part of the storage means each time, and a part of the storage means is stored. Since the image forming process is performed while sequentially overwriting in the above, the content of the highly confidential document is not held in the storage means until the content becomes large enough for a third party to understand the content. Because even a large amount of image data is immediately overwritten,
The confidentiality of the content of the highly confidential document is ensured.

(4) The processing mode selection means performs the selection based on the number of times image forming processing is to be performed on a single document.

In this configuration, the processing mode selection means selects a processing mode to be applied based on the number of image forming processes to be performed on a single document. In many cases, the number of copies of a document is one, and in such a case, the reduction in printing work efficiency due to the use of the second processing mode with emphasis on ensuring confidentiality without using the electronic sort function is considered. On the other hand, when there are a plurality of print copies, by using the electronic sorting function with an emphasis on the speed of the image forming process, the efficiency of the printing operation can be improved, and so on.
A more suitable processing mode is selected for a condition that occurs according to the number of copies at the time of printing.

(5) The processing mode selection means performs the selection based on an input from a user.

In this configuration, since the processing mode selecting means selects a processing mode to be applied based on an input from the user, the processing mode is selected according to the user's judgment, and the printing work efficiency or the original The process according to the user's intention is performed as to which one of the confidentiality of the content of the content is to be prioritized.

(6) The processing mode selection means performs the selection based on a processing mode display which is information on a processing mode to be selected displayed on the document.

In this configuration, the processing mode selection means selects a processing mode to be applied based on the processing mode display, which is information on the processing mode to be selected displayed on the document, so that, for example, By registering a processing mode display such as a symbol indicating each of the first processing mode and the second processing mode, a document to be printed is provided with a processing mode display corresponding to the nature of the content, so that The processing mode to be applied in the document printing operation is automatically selected.

(7) The processing mode selecting means can switch to the second processing mode even while the erasing / invalidating of the image data by the erasing / invalidating means in the first processing mode is being executed. In this configuration, the processing mode selection unit may execute the second processing even when the erasing or invalidating of the image data is being performed by the erasing / invalidating unit in the first processing mode.
Since it is possible to switch to the processing mode, the image forming process capable of performing printing without using the storage unit is performed even while erasing or invalidating the image data in the storage unit. The output of image data to is not interrupted.

(8) In the case where a plurality of the storage units are provided, and there is a storage unit in which the image data is deleted or invalidated by the deletion / invalidation unit, another storage unit other than the storage unit is provided. The means is selected as a storage means to be used.

In this configuration, when a plurality of storage means are provided, and there is a storage means in which the image data is erased or invalidated by the erasing / invalidating means, other than the storage means, Is selected as the storage means to be used, the storage means in which the image data is not always erased or invalidated by the erasing / invalidating means is selected as the storage means to be used. A forming process is performed.

[0024]

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

FIG. 1 shows a main control flow of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, an image reading unit 1, an electronic sorting unit 2, and a printer unit 3 are connected in series, and the electronic sorting unit 2 is connected to an external I / F processing unit 5.

The image reading unit 1, the electronic sorting unit 2, and the printer unit 3 are connected to each other by a CPU circuit unit 4, which controls these operations, in a state in which bidirectional communication of commands or data is possible. Have been. Here, the image reading unit 1 includes a lens unit 11 that forms an image of reflected light from a document at a predetermined position, a photoelectric conversion element 12 that converts the formed image data into a predetermined analog electric signal, and a photoelectric conversion element. 12
And an analog signal processing unit 13 that converts an analog electric signal from the digital signal into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the electronic sorting unit 2. Output.

Further, the external I / F processing section 5 outputs image data input from an externally connected device such as a computer or facsimile connected to the outside to the electronic sorting section 2.

The printer unit 3 includes an image forming unit of an electrophotographic type or an ink jet type, and performs an image forming process on a sheet based on image data sequentially sent from the electronic sort unit 2.

Further, the CPU circuit section 4 includes the CPU 41 and the R
An OM 42 and a RAM 43 are provided.
The sequence of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, such as the electronic sort unit 2 and the printer unit 3, is generally controlled.

FIG. 2 shows the structure of the electronic sort unit 2. In the figure, the electronic sorting unit 2 includes a log conversion unit 21, a binarization unit 22, a control unit 23, a smoothing unit 24,
A gamma correction unit 25 and an image storage unit 26 are provided. At this time, the log conversion unit 21, the binarization unit 22, the control unit 23,
The smoothing unit 24 and the γ correction unit 25 are connected in series, and the control unit 23 is connected to the external I / F processing unit 5 and the image storage unit 26, respectively. The apparatus main body is provided with a nonvolatile storage element such as a hard disk 26a or a flash memory which is detachable from the apparatus main body.

In this configuration, when a print command is issued in the first processing mode, the image data of the original document converted into a digital signal in the image reading unit 1 is input to the log conversion unit 21 and the binarization unit 22 The data is stored in the hard disk 26a in the image storage unit 26 via the control unit 23. The image data stored in the hard disk 26a is repeatedly output according to a desired number of prints from a printing operation panel (not shown) or an external PC, etc., and is again transmitted from the control unit 23 via the smoothing unit 24 and the γ correction unit 25. Output to the laser scanner unit of the printer unit 3. At this time, when copying the image data stored in the hard disk 26a, it is not necessary to read the same original again, and thus, when the electronic sort function is used, the efficiency of the printing operation is excellent. It can be said that.

Then, in the printer section 3, the image forming process is performed based on the image data from the electronic sort section 2, while the image storage section 26 of the electronic sort section 2 has finished outputting the image data. In order to keep the confidentiality of the image data, delete or scramble the image data,
Invalidation such as black solid overwriting or partial erasure of image data is performed. In erasing or invalidating the image data, for example, initialization of the hard disk 26a is performed. In such a method, it takes about 0.7 seconds to erase the image data of the A4 size document. As a result, the image data cannot be exchanged between the control unit 25 and the image storage unit 26 to perform the next printing during that time, and a time loss occurs in the printing operation.

On the other hand, when a print command is issued in the second processing mode, the image storage unit 26 used in the first processing mode is not normally used.
Image data of a document read by the image reading unit 1 is subjected to image processing by a log conversion unit 21, a binarization unit 22, a control unit 23, a smoothing unit 24, and a γ correction unit 25,
The content is output directly to the printer unit 3 without being stored. Therefore, at the end of the printing operation, the image storage unit 2
Since the image data to be erased is not stored in the image data 6, no time is required for the operation of erasing the image data and the like, and the confidentiality of the image data and the speeding up of the printing operation can be achieved. In addition, as a variation of the second processing mode, when outputting image data, for example, a primary storage unit having a small storage capacity equivalent to one line in the main scanning direction of a document is repeatedly used while overwriting it. A configuration in which image data is not stored and held may be adopted. At this time, the image data is
During output to the printer, the image data is erased almost in real time by first-in first-out of the output image data, so that the image data temporarily stored in the image storage unit 26 is so large that a third party can grasp the contents of the original. And at the end of the printing operation, the amount of image data to be erased is only about one line in the main scanning direction of the document, so that the time for the operation such as erasing the image data is reduced. Can be reduced, and confidentiality of image data can be maintained and printing can be speeded up.

However, in any case, when printing in the second processing mode, since the electronic sort function is not used, it is necessary to input image data one copy at a time. , The efficiency of the printing operation is slightly reduced.

However, assuming a case in which confidentiality is originally required, it is considered that a person who wants to copy mostly aims to directly operate the copying machine and obtain only one copy on the spot. There are practically few inconveniences due to the fact that it takes a little time to print a plurality of copies compared to the first processing mode, so that considering the total, the second processing mode is used for printing by the image forming apparatus. It can be said that it can be effectively used for work.

As described above, the first processing mode and the second processing mode
Each of the processing modes has its own advantages,
The present invention employs a configuration in which these processing modes can be arbitrarily selected, and a more suitable processing mode is selected by judging from conditions such as the contents of a document and the number of copies.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the embodiment of the present invention.

When the printing operation is started, the CPU circuit unit 4 selects the selected processing mode based on a user's input of a command for selecting a processing mode to be used from an operation panel provided on the front of the image forming apparatus. The processing mode is executed (s1).

At this time, when the first processing mode is selected, the image data read by the image reading unit 1 is stored in the hard disk 26a in the image storage unit 26 (s2), and based on the stored image data. To output image data to the printer unit 3 (s3) to perform a printing operation. After the desired number of copies of the original have been made, the image data in the hard disk 26a is erased or invalidated (s
4) The printing operation ends.

On the other hand, when the second processing mode is selected in the determination of the processing mode (s1), the image data of the original is not stored in the hard disk 26a in the image storage unit 26 in principle. The image data is output to the printer unit 3 and, at the same time, the image data read by the image reading unit 1 is first-in-first-out. Printing is performed while repeatedly using the primary storage means provided with (S5).
When a desired number of sheets have been printed, the printing operation ends.

FIG. 4 shows an example of an embodiment of the present invention, in which the CPU circuit section 4 selects a print mode based on printing conditions. In this configuration, it is determined whether the number of image forming processes to be performed on a document to be printed when selecting a processing mode, that is, whether the number of print copies is one or a plurality of copies (s11). ). Then, for example, when the number of print copies is one, printing is performed in the second processing mode (s5), and when the number of print copies is plural, the first print mode is used.
(S2 to s4). In addition,
In the figure, the first processing mode and the second processing mode are the same processing as the first processing mode and the second processing mode in FIG. 3, and are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In this embodiment, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which information indicating the processing mode from the document is read as the judgment material (s9) when selecting the processing mode. Specifically, the ROM 4 in the CPU
2 stores information such as a symbol indicating the first processing mode and information such as a symbol indicating the second processing mode, and determines whether to perform printing in the first processing mode by using a symbol or the like shown on a document. , It is determined whether to perform printing in the second processing mode.

For example, when a document indicating a high degree of confidentiality such as a confidential mark is displayed on the document, the second processing mode may be selected, or the first or second number displayed on the document may be selected. The processing mode to be performed can be determined.

In order to guarantee the confidentiality of the image data of the original document and eliminate the time loss in the printing operation, a plurality of hard disks 26a and 26b for storing the image data in the image storage unit 5 as shown in FIG. A configuration may be provided. In this configuration, when the image data stored in the hard disk 26a is deleted or invalidated, the image data of the original is stored using the hard disk 26b without using the hard disk 26a, and the stored image data is stored. Can be output.

In the case where the image data stored in the hard disk 26a is deleted or invalidated in the first processing mode, the second original is not printed in the second processing.
May be performed according to the processing mode. That is,
By switching to the second processing mode even while erasing or invalidating the image data by the erasing / invalidating means on the hard disk 26a, the printing operation is interrupted during the operation of erasing or invalidating the image data. Can be eliminated.

At this time, during the execution of the printing operation in the second processing mode, if the operation of erasing or invalidating the image data stored in the hard disk 26a in the first processing mode is completed, May be switched from the second processing mode to the first processing mode as necessary.

[0047]

As described above, according to the present invention, (1) an image of a document read by a reading means such as a scanner which is provided with a so-called electronic sort function and which is held by a storage means such as a hard disk as necessary. An image forming apparatus comprising: an erasing / invalidating unit for erasing or invalidating data, wherein the image forming apparatus has a first processing mode for erasing or invalidating the image data held by the storage unit after outputting the data, and the storage unit Performing the image forming process without holding the image data read by the reading unit in part or all of
And a processing mode selecting means for selecting at least one of the first processing mode and the second processing mode. Therefore, when giving priority to printing work efficiency, the electronic sort function is used. Printing.
When priority is given to maintaining the confidentiality of the contents of the manuscript, it is possible to selectively process, for example, without storing all or a part of the contents of the manuscript in the storage means, that is, printing can be performed without using the electronic sort function. In addition to being able to perform flexible printing work, while erasing or invalidating image data in the storage means, image data is not normally output from the storage means and time loss occurs. Even in the unavoidable state, by using the second processing mode, time loss in the printing operation can be prevented.

(2) The erasing / invalidating means uses an electronic sort function because it performs initialization processing of image data, scramble processing, overwriting processing of solid black, or erasure output processing of a part of image data. After the printing operation is completed, the image data of the highly confidential document is invalidated by various processing methods while ensuring the printing work efficiency by the first processing mode. Can be performed reliably.

(3) In the second processing mode, a part of the image data read by the reading means is temporarily stored in a part of the storing means each time, and a part of the storing means sequentially stores the image data. Since the image forming process is performed while repeating the overwriting, it is possible to prevent the contents of the highly confidential document from being held in the storage unit until the contents can be understood by a third party. Since the image data is immediately overwritten, the confidentiality of the content of the highly confidential document can be surely maintained.

(4) The processing mode selection means selects a processing mode to be applied based on the number of image forming processes to be performed on a single document. Means that the number of copies is 1
In such a case, there is no reduction in the printing work efficiency by using the second processing mode with an emphasis on ensuring confidentiality without using the electronic sort function. In some cases, using the electronic sort function with an emphasis on the speed of image formation processing improves the efficiency of the printing operation, such as improving the efficiency of the printing operation. A suitable processing mode can be selected.

(5) Since the processing mode selection means selects a processing mode to be applied based on an input from a user, the processing mode can be selected according to the user's judgment. It is possible to perform a process according to the user's intention as to which one of the confidentiality is given priority.

(6) The processing mode selection means selects a processing mode to be applied based on a processing mode display which is information on a processing mode to be selected displayed on a document. If a processing mode display such as a symbol indicating each of the processing mode and the second processing mode is registered, a processing mode display corresponding to the nature of the content is given to the document to be printed, so that the The processing mode to be applied in the printing operation can be automatically selected.

(7) The processing mode selecting means switches to the second processing mode even while the image data is being erased or invalidated by the erasing / invalidating means in the first processing mode. Since the image forming process is performed so that printing can be performed without using the storage unit even while the image data is being erased or invalidated in the storage unit, the output of the image data to the printer unit is not interrupted. it can.

(8) If there is a plurality of storage means, and there is a storage means in which image data has been erased or invalidated by the erasure / invalidation means, another storage other than the storage means is provided. Since the means is selected as the storage means to be used, the storage means in which the image data has not been erased or invalidated by the erasing / invalidating means can always be selected as the storage means to be used. It can be performed.

Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus which can secure confidentiality and privacy sufficiently and can prevent a decrease in work efficiency such as printing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating control in a main part of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an electronic sort unit of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic sort unit according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1-Image reading unit 2-Electronic sorting unit 3-Printer unit 4-CPU circuit unit 5-External I / F processing unit 26-Image recording unit

Claims (8)

[Claims] A reading means for reading image data of a document;
Storage means for holding the image data read by the reading means, output means for outputting the image data held in the storage means, and erasing or invalidating the image data held by the storage means as required And an erasing / invalidating unit. The image forming apparatus further comprises: a first processing mode for erasing or invalidating the image data held in the storage unit after outputting the image data. A second processing mode for performing image forming processing without holding the image data read by the reading means, and a processing mode selecting means for selecting at least one of the first processing mode and the second processing mode. An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said erasing / invalidating means performs an image data initializing process, a scrambling process, a black solid overwriting process, or an erasing output process for a part of the image data. The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 3. The second processing mode is such that a part of the image data read by the reading means is temporarily stored in a part of the storing means each time, and sequentially overwritten in a part of the storing means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming process is performed while repeating the steps. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said processing mode selecting means performs said selection based on the number of image forming processes to be performed on a single document. apparatus. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said processing mode selection means performs said selection based on an input from a user. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said processing mode selection means performs said selection based on a processing mode display which is information on a processing mode to be selected displayed on the document. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 7. The processing mode selecting means can switch to the second processing mode even while erasing or invalidating the image data by the erasing / invalidating means in the first processing mode. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 8. When there is a plurality of storage means, and when there is a storage means in which image data is erased or invalidated by the erasure / invalidation means, another storage means other than the storage means is provided. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit to be used is selected.