JP2003087458A - Image forming system with security protecting function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system with a security protecting function that can enhance security protection of print data much more. SOLUTION: The image forming system 10 with a security protecting function includes a scanner 12, a print data analysis section 23, an HDD 27, a network interface 25, an interface control section 24, a bar code print control section 20, and a scan data analysis section 14. Using the interface control section 24 and the network interface 25 stores information to external file servers 33, 34 or the HDD 27. Print data in the external file servers 33, 34 or the HDD 27 are read on the basis of the data obtained from the scan data analysis section 14 and used for the print of an actual 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 system with a security function, and more particularly, to improving security of print data and security from any device connected to a network and having the same function. Its main purpose is to make it possible to retrieve protected information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a multi-fu of image forming apparatus has been used.
The number of copy functions, printer functions,
The scan function and the facsimile function have been realized by one unit, and the connection to the network has been advanced, but the print data is stored in the MFP (Multi Function).
(n Print) Since it is printed once it is stored in the device, it is unknown when it will be output. Furthermore, the print data sent from the network etc. is often away from the print requester, and when a confidential document is printed,
In order to obtain the print result without being seen by others, M
I had to keep waiting until my printing started in front of the FP device and completed.

As a means for solving such problems,
As disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-251358, a first method in which an identification code is added to printout data and printing is possible only when the user inputs the same identification code into the printer unit, The reader is made to read the magnetic card in which the identification code is written instead of inputting the identification code to the printer, and the printout is possible only when the identification code matches the identification code included in the printout data. There was also a method.

Further, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-334158, each user carries a card with a user identification code, and the card is read by an image reading means. Printout is possible only when the user identification code matches the identification code included in the printout data.
There was also a method.

[0005]

However, the above-mentioned JP-A-9-251358 and JP-A-11-3341.
In any of the methods disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-58, it is clear that the storage destination of the print data to be finally printed is the memory in the device, and by accessing the memory in the device, confidentiality is improved. Will be vulnerable. Moreover, the printed matter cannot be obtained from any place, which is inconvenient.

In view of the above conventional problems, the present invention can safely store the print data without leaking the storage destination to other people, and can obtain a printout from any place at any timing. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming system with a security function that improves the security of a job and enables printing of an actual job from any machine with a similar function connected on the network. .

[0007]

An image forming system with a security function of the present invention is an image forming system having an image reading function, and an image reading unit for reading an image and a security protection of a print job from received data. Security request determination means for determining a request, storage means for storing print data, network interface means for connecting to a network, and information to an external file server or the storage means via the network interface means. Generated by the print data storage means for storing, an identification information image generation means for printing the location of the data of each job stored in the external file server or the storage means as identification information, and the identification information image generation means. To read the printed material and analyze its contents When the security request determining means determines that the security request is made, all the information necessary for printing is printed by using the print data storing means and the network interface means. It is stored in an external file server or the storage means, and a printout of identification information indicating the storage location including the network address of the external file server or the storage means is created by the identification information image generating means, and the identification information is generated. The printout of the information is read by the image reading means, analyzed by the identification information image analysis means, and the print data in the external file server or the storage means is read out from the data obtained by the identification information image analysis means and actually used. It is characterized by printing the job It is intended.

The image forming system with security function of the present invention has a data dividing means for dividing the information necessary for printing the actual job into a plurality of pieces, and a data reconstructing means for reconstructing the divided information. Then, the data divided by the data dividing means is stored in a plurality of external file servers or one external file server or storage means randomly selected from the storage means, and the storage location and the order or position information of the data are stored. Is converted into identification information and printed, and each of the divided data is sequentially read out by reading the printout of the identification information to reconstruct the original data.

An image forming system with a security function of the present invention comprises a password automatic generation means for automatically generating a password, and an identification information sheet number giving means for giving an identification information sheet number to an identification information sheet to be printed. A password notifying means for notifying the host PC that issued the security-requested job of the password and the identification information sheet number generated by the password automatic generation means, and a password input means for inputting the password, When the identification information sheet is printed, the identification information sheet number is assigned by the identification information sheet number assigning means, and the identification information sheet number and the password automatic generation means are generated by the password notifying means on the host PC that issued the job. Notify the password, and when printing the actual job It is obtained so as to request the input of the password by the serial password input means.

The image forming system with a security function of the present invention has a data encryption means and a data decryption means, and when a job for which security protection is requested is stored, the password generated by the password automatic generation means is used as a key. , The identification information generation data and the print data of the actual job are encrypted by the above encryption means, and at the time of printing the data stored for which security is requested, the identification information is identified by using the password input by the password input means as a key. The generation data and the print data of the actual job are decrypted.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image forming system with a security function according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming system 10 with a security function according to the present invention includes an MFP (Multi).
Function Print) A scanner 12 serving as an image reading unit for reading an image, a print data analysis unit 23 serving as a security request determining unit for determining a security request for a print job from received data,
Hard disk drive (HDD) 2 serving as storage means for storing print data
7 and Local Area Network (LocalAre)
a Network (LAN) 40, and a network interface 25 that serves as a network interface unit that enables connection to the network 40, and a network interface 25.
The interface control unit 2 serving as print data storage means for storing information in the external file servers 33, 34 or the hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD) 27 via the
4 and the external file server 33, 34 or HDD 27
A bar code print control unit 20 that serves as an identification information image generating unit that prints the location of the data of each job stored in the storage unit as identification information; and an identification information sheet that is a printed matter generated by the bar code print control unit 20. It has a scan data analysis section 14 which serves as an identification information image analysis means for reading and analyzing the contents, and when it is judged by the print data analysis section 23 that a security protection request is made, the interface control section 24 and the network interface 25. All the information necessary for printing is stored in the external file server 33, 34 or HDD 27 by using, and the printout of the identification information indicating the storage location including the network address of the external file server 33, 34 or HDD 27 is printed by barcode printing. It is created by the control unit 20 and the identification information The printout is read by the scanner 12, analyzed by the scan data analysis unit 14, and the print data in the external file servers 33, 34 or the HDD 27 is read from the data obtained by the scan data analysis unit 14 so that the actual job is printed. Has become.

The image forming system 10 with the security function of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, is a data division control unit which serves as a data division means for the MFP device 11 to divide the information necessary for printing an actual job into a plurality of pieces. 19, and a data composition control unit 2 serving as a data reconstructing unit that reconstructs the divided information.
8 and the data divided by the data division control unit 19 is used as a plurality of external file servers 33, 34 or HD.
Stored in one of the external file servers 33, 34 randomly selected from D27 or HDD 27 respectively, the storage location and the order or position information of the data are converted into identification information and printed, and the printout of the identification information is read to divide. The original data can be printed by sequentially reading and reconstructing each of the created data.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 10 with a security function of the present invention has a password generating section 26 which is an automatic password generating means for automatically generating a password, and a bar which is an identification information sheet to be printed. A print engine 22 serving as identification information sheet number giving means for giving an identification information sheet number to a code sheet, and a job issued with a security request for the password and the identification information sheet number generated by the password generation unit 26 The front panel control unit 15 serving as a password notifying means for notifying the host PC 32 and the front panel 16 serving as a password inputting means for inputting a password are provided, and the identification information sheet number is assigned by the print engine 22 when the identification information sheet is printed. And the front panel control unit 15 Notify the password generated by the identification information sheet number and password generator 26 to the job issuing host PC32 Te, so as to prompt the by the front panel 16 password when actual job printing.

In the image forming system 10 with a security function of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the MFP device 11 is an encryption / decryption control unit 29 that serves as an encryption unit and a decryption unit for data.
When storing a security-requested job, the encryption / decryption control unit 29 encrypts the identification information generation data and the actual job print data using the password generated by the password generation unit 26 as a key. At the time of printing the stored data which has been requested for security protection, the password input by the front panel 16 is used as a key to decrypt the identification information generation data and the actual print data of the job.

As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming system 10 with a security function of the present invention includes an MFP device 11 and an MFP.
The device 31, the host PC 32, the external file server 33, and the external file server 34 are connected via a local area network (hereinafter referred to as LAN) 40, and the MFP
The device 11 includes a scanner 12, a scanner control unit 13, a scan data analysis unit 14, and a front panel control unit 15.
, Front panel 16 and ROM (Read Onl
y Memory 17 and RAM (Random A)
access memory 18, data division control unit 19, barcode print control unit 20, print engine control unit 21, print engine 22, print data analysis unit 23, interface control unit 24, and network interface 25. , Password generation unit 26
The HDD 27, the data synthesis control unit 28, and the encryption / decryption control unit 29.

Reference numeral 11 denotes an MFP device which is the center of the image forming system 10 with a security function of the present invention. The MFP device 11 includes a scanner 12, a scanner control unit 13, a scan data analysis unit 14, a front panel control unit 15, a front. Panel 16, ROM 17, RAM 18, data division control unit 19, bar code print control unit 20, print engine control unit 21, print engine 22, print data analysis unit 23, interface control unit 24, network interface 25, password generation unit 26, HDD2
7, data synthesis control unit 28, and encryption / decryption control unit 29.

A scanner 12 of the MFP device 11 reads an image.

A scanner controller 13 controls the scanner 12.

Reference numeral 14 is a scan data analysis unit for analyzing the data of the bar code and judging whether or not the check box is checked in the input image, and is a section for analyzing the image data read by the scanner 12 under the control of the scanner control unit 13. Is.

A front panel control unit 15 controls the front panel 16.

A front panel 16 serves as a user interface of the MFP device 11.

Reference numeral 17 is a ROM for storing a program for controlling the entire MFP device 11 and font data including a bar code font.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a RAM used as an area and a work area for intermediate data and image data during operation of the MFP device 11.

A data division control unit 19 divides the image data expanded on the RAM 18, and controls the division control of the image data. The data division control unit 19 controls the image data, which is controlled to be divided by itself, to another MF connected through the network interface 25 controlled by the interface control unit 24.
Processing for storing in the external file servers 33 and 34 including the P device 31 is performed.

Information regarding the storage location is stored in the RAM 18, and the encryption / decryption control unit 29 uses the password generated by the password generation unit 26 as a key.
The encrypted data is converted into bar code image data by the bar code print control unit 20 and expanded on the RAM 18. The expanded data is transmitted to the print engine 22 by the print engine control unit 21 and printed by the print engine 22.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a bar code printing control unit, which is a RA
This is a portion for developing the data stored in M18 as barcode image data on the RAM 18 using the barcode font data stored in the ROM 17. The barcode image data is printed by the print engine 22 via the print engine controller 21.

Reference numeral 21 is a print engine control unit for controlling the print engine 22. During actual printing,
Print data analysis unit 23, barcode print control unit 20
Alternatively, the RAM 1 is created by the data synthesis control unit 28.
8 is a portion for controlling print processing by transmitting data expanded as image data on the print engine 8 to the print engine 22.

Reference numeral 22 is a print engine for performing the actual print processing.

Reference numeral 23 is a print data analysis unit, which is an MF.
The P-device 11 is a part that analyzes print data transmitted from the host PC 32 connected to the LAN 40 via the network interface 25 controlled by the interface control unit 24 and develops it into image data. The print data analysis unit 23 also determines the security request in the portion to be developed into this image data.

Reference numeral 24 is an interface control section, which is a section for controlling the network interface 25.
The interface control unit 24 controls the reception of print data from the host PC 32 connected to the LAN 40 via the network interface 25, or each external file server 3 also connected to the LAN 40.
3, 34 and other MFP devices 31, data transmission control from these, data acquisition control from these, and information transmission control of a password and the like to the host PC 32 also connected to the LAN 40.

Reference numeral 25 is a network interface for enabling the MFP device 11 to connect to the LAN 40.

A password generation unit 26 generates a password for actual job data printing for the host PC 32 that has issued a job for which the print data analysis unit 23 has determined that a confidentiality retention request has been made. It is a part.

The password generated by the password generation unit 26 notifies the password to the host PC 32 that issued the job via the network interface 25 controlled by the interface control unit 24.
This password is also used as a key when the encryption / decryption control unit 29 encrypts data.

Reference numeral 27 denotes an HDD, which is a storage means for holding data of each job and data requested to be stored by another MFP device 31. Using the HDD 27, the MFP device 11 can also operate as a file server.

Reference numeral 28 denotes a data composition control section for performing composition control of image data, which is divided by the data division control section 19 and is used by the encryption / decryption control section 29 with the password generated by the password generation section 26 as a key. The encrypted data is recombined with the original data, and RA
This is a part for performing control to develop image data in M18.

The information such as the storage locations of the divided images necessary for this composition is analyzed by the scan data analysis unit 14 of the barcode image read by the scanner 12, and the password input from the front panel 16 is used. The key is obtained by being decrypted by the encryption / decryption control unit 29. When these pieces of information obtained by decoding are invalid, an error message is displayed on the front panel 16 via the front panel control unit 15.

Further, the image data expanded on the RAM 18 is transmitted to the print engine 22 via the print engine control unit 21 to be printed.

Reference numeral 29 denotes an encryption / decryption control unit, which is divided by the data division control unit 19 and external file server 3
Encryption processing of various information such as the location and position information of the image data transmitted to 3, 34, etc. and the image data divided by the data division control unit 19 using the password generated by the password generation unit 26 as a key. The processed data is passed to the barcode printing control unit 20.

Further, the data converted from the bar code information into the electronic information by the scan data analysis unit 14 and the encrypted image data obtained from the external file servers 33 and 34 or the other MFP equipment 31 using these information. A part of the password information input from the front panel 16 is received from the front panel control unit 15, a decryption process is performed using this as a key, and the processed data is passed to the data synthesis control unit 28.

The above is the block built in the MFP device 11 which is the center of the present invention.

Reference numeral 40 denotes a LAN, which enables a plurality of information devices to be connected to exchange data between arbitrary devices.

In the LAN 40, as shown in FIG.
P device 11, MFP device 31, host PC 32 for creating / editing documents, and external file servers 33, 34
Are connected respectively.

The MFP devices 11 and 31 can operate not only as a printing device and an image reading device, but also as a file server. Therefore, itself can operate as the file server described in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a processing flow chart of the received job print processing relating to the image forming system with the security function of the present invention. First, when a print job is transmitted from the host PC 32 of the image forming system with security function 10 to the MFP device 11, the print data analysis unit 2 of the MFP device 11 is executed.
In step 3, the print data is analyzed and secured printing (S
It is determined whether or not there is an "Ecure Print" request (step 101).

If it is determined in step 101 that there is a secure print request, the secure print flag (Secure Print) is issued.
t Flag) is turned on (step 102).

If it is determined in step 101 that there is no secure print request, the print data analysis unit 23 of the MFP device 11 continuously analyzes the print data (step 103), and then 1 Image data for a page is generated (step 104), and this image data is expanded in the RAM 18 of the MFP device 11.

After the generation of the image data for one page is completed in step 104, it is judged whether or not the security print flag is turned on (step 105).

If it is determined in step 105 that the secure print flag is turned on, the password generation unit 26 of the MFP device 11 generates a password (step 106), and then in step 104, the MFP device 11 is generated. The image data expanded in the RAM 18 is subjected to image data division processing (step 107) in the data division control unit 19 of the MFP device 11.

Further, the divided image data obtained in step 107 is encrypted in the encryption / decryption control unit 29 of the MFP device 11 by using the password obtained in step 106 as a key, and the processing is performed. The completed data is transmitted as a file to the other MFP device 31 connected to the MFP device 11 or the external file servers 33 and 34 via the LAN 40 and held (step 108).

At this time, position information and page information of the image data divided in step 107, and step 1
The information such as the server address of the transmission destination and the file name transmitted in 08 is stored and stored in the RAM 18 of the MFP device 11.

If it is determined in step 105 that the security print flag is OFF, the normal print processing (step 109) for this page is performed, and then the normal print processing is the job end or not. Is determined (step 110).

If the normal print process is not the job end in step 110, the process returns to step 103 and the normal print process of the page is executed until the job end.

If the normal print processing is the job end in step 110, it is again judged whether or not the security print flag is turned on (step 111).

If it is determined in step 111 that the security print flag is ON, the various information held and accumulated in step 108 is stored in step 10.
Using the password obtained in 6 as a key, the MFP device 1
The encryption / decryption control unit 29 of No. 1 uses the barcode font data stored in the ROM 17 of the MFP device 11 to encrypt the encrypted information, and the MFP device 11
The barcode printing control unit 20 generates barcode image data (step 112).

Next, the bar code image data generated in step 112 is transferred to the print engine 22 of the MFP device 11 via the print engine control unit 21 of the MFP device 11, and the bar code image data is printed (step 113). )I do.

Next, the password obtained in step 106 is transmitted to the host PC 32, which is the source of the job currently being processed, which is connected to this MFP device 11 via the LAN 40 (step 114). , The password and the barcode sheet number printed on the barcode sheet printed in step 113 are notified to the user, then the security print flag is turned off (step 115), and then the current job is completed, Prepare for the job.

If it is determined in step 111 that the security print flag is OFF, the current job is completed without doing anything and the next job is prepared. The above is the flow of the processing flow of the received job print processing of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a bar code sheet printed when a confidentiality preservation request is made to the MFP device 11 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the barcode sheet 50 has a title 51 and a barcode sheet number 5
2, a bar code 53, a check box 54 for instructing whether to save the data after printing, and a check box 55 for instructing whether to delete the data saved without printing are printed. ing.

Particularly, in the portion of the barcode 53 printed on the barcode sheet 50, job information such as an output person ID and a job ID for this job, and page information including information such as a paper size and a double-sided instruction for each page. , Location information of parts divided in each page and storage destination information of image data are described.

In this example of the barcode sheet, line feed processing is applied to each information block for easy understanding, but this is not necessary in practice.

FIG. 4 is a processing flow chart of scan job processing when an image reading request is made in the MFP device 11 of FIG. First, when the user gives an instruction to read an image, it is determined whether or not the barcode reading mode is for printing a security job (step 201). In step 201, the barcode reading mode is for printing a security job. If it is determined that the password is input, a message prompting the user to input the password is displayed on the front panel 16 of the MFP device 11 via the front panel control unit 15 of the MFP device 11 (step 202), and the password is input by the user. wait.

Next, when the password is entered, the MF
The image data read by the scanner 12 of the P device 11 is received from the scanner control unit 13 of the MFP device 11, the scan data analysis unit 14 of the MFP device 11 analyzes the barcode data (step 203), and then the barcode data. It is judged whether or not there is an error in the analysis of (step 204).

If it is determined in step 204 that there is an error in the analysis of this bar code data,
The MFP device 11 determines that the read image data is not the barcode image for reconstructing the security job.
An error message indicating that fact is displayed on the front panel 16 of the MFP device 11 via the front panel control unit 15 (step 209), and then the job is ended.

If it is determined in step 204 that there is no error in the analysis of the bar code data, the MFP
In the encryption / decryption control unit 29 of the device 11, decryption processing (step 205) is performed on the barcode data after analysis using the password obtained in step 202 as a key.
Next, it verifies the existence of all the data divided / encrypted / stored in the security job requested to be printed from the decrypted information (step 206), and then determines whether or not all the data exists. (Step 207).

If it is confirmed in step 207 that all the data exist, the original image data is restored (step 208), and this job is ended.

If it is determined in step 207 that some data is missing, it is determined that there is a problem in the externally connected external file servers 33 and 34.
M via the front panel control unit 15 of the MFP device 11
An error message indicating that fact is displayed on the front panel 16 of the FP device 11 (step 209), and then the job ends.

If all the data do not exist in step 207, it is determined that the password input in step 202 is invalid, and the MFP device 1 is sent via the front panel control unit 15 of the MFP device 11.
An error message to that effect is displayed on the front panel 16 of No. 1 (step 209), and then the job ends.

When it is determined in step 201 that the barcode reading mode for printing the security job is not set, the scan process (step 210) which is a normal image reading process is performed, and then the job is ended.

FIG. 5 is a detailed process flow diagram of the original image data restoration process (step 208) of FIG. First, in the scan data analysis unit 14 of the MFP device 11, the check box 55 of FIG. 3 is designated to instruct whether to delete the data stored without printing on the read barcode sheet 50 of FIG. If it is determined in step 301 that the check box 55 of the barcode sheet 50 is checked for data deletion by the user, it is determined whether or not the user has made a check (step 301). The deletion processing (step 306) of all the data on the external file servers 33 and 34 in FIG. 1 corresponding to the read barcode sheet 50 obtained in the existence verification processing (step 206) of all data of 4 is performed. , Get out of this process.

If it is determined in step 301 that the check box 55 of the barcode sheet 50 is not checked by the user for data deletion,
The barcode analysis process of FIG. 4 (step 203), the decryption process using the password of FIG. 4 (step 205), and FIG.
Of the external file server 3 of FIG. 1 from the various information obtained in the presence verification process (step 206) of all the data of FIG.
Sequentially obtain the data stored in 3, 34, etc. (Step 3
02), the acquired data is decrypted by the encryption / decryption control unit 29 of the MFP device 11 using the password obtained in step 202 of FIG. 4 as a key, and the image data is reconstructed page by page (step 303). )I do.

The reconstructed page data is expanded on the RAM 18 of the MFP device 11, transferred to the print engine 22 of the MFP device 11 via the print engine control unit 21 of the MFP device 11, and printed.

Next, in step 303, it is determined whether or not the job has been completed on the printed page (step 304). If it is determined in step 304 that the job is complete, the MFP device 11
In the scan data analysis unit 14 of FIG. 3, the check box 54 of FIG. 3 for instructing whether or not to save the data after printing on the read barcode sheet 50 of FIG.
If it is determined in step 305 that the check box 54 of the barcode sheet 50 is not checked by the user for data storage, Presence verification process for all data in FIG. 4 (step 2
06), the external file servers 33 and 34 of FIG. 1 corresponding to the read barcode sheet 50.
All the above data are deleted (step 306), and the process is exited.

When it is determined in the above step 305 that the check box 54 of the bar code sheet 50 is checked by the user for data storage, the external data corresponding to the read bar code sheet 50 is deleted. Is not performed and this processing is exited.

By this, the user can re-output this job by using the same bar code sheet and password.

If it is determined in step 304 that the job is not completed, the process returns to step 302 to continue processing the next page.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the bar code is used as the identification information described in the claims, but the bar code is not particularly limited to the bar code, and for example, a numeric string or a character string can be used. It goes without saying that it is also possible to use the identification.

[0077]

As described above, according to the image forming system with the security function of the present invention, when the security request determining means determines that the security request for the print job is made from the received data. All the information necessary for printing can be stored in the external file server or storage means by using the print data storage means and the network interface means, and the identification indicating the storage location including the network address of the external file server or storage means The printout of information can be generated by the identification information image generating means, and the image reading means reads the printed matter printed out of the identification information generated by the identification information image generating means. Can be analyzed by the identification information image analysis means The print data in the external file server or the storage means is read from the stored data to print the actual job, and the printed matter of the identification information (for example, barcode) is used as a trigger for printing the secure print data. Therefore, in the printing system alone, there is no omission that the security-requested print data itself exists, and higher security of the print job can be achieved. In addition, since it is possible to save data to an external file server connected to the network, it is possible to hide the location of print data for which security has been requested, and to improve the security of print jobs. It is possible to print the actual job from another machine that has the same function and is connected to the network.

According to the image forming system with the security function of the present invention, when the security is requested, the data dividing means divides the information necessary for printing the actual job into a plurality of pieces of data. The data divided by the means can be separately stored in the external file server or the storage means, and each divided data is only a part of the whole. Further, when reconstructing the divided data, the storage location and the sequence or position information of the data are converted into identification information and printed, and the printout of the identification information is read, so that the data reconstructing unit can reconstruct the divided data. Since each of them is sequentially read and reconstructed, the original data can be printed, and the printed matter with the separately output identification information is used, so that higher security of the print job can be improved.

According to the image forming system with the security function of the present invention, the identification information sheet number can be given to the identification information sheet by the identification information sheet number giving means when the identification information sheet is printed, and the password is automatically generated. Since the means automatically generates the password, it is possible to notify the host PC of the job issuer of the identification information sheet number and the password by the password notifying means, and when the actual job is printed, the password is inputted by the password input means. Since the request is made, even if it is used by a person who does not expect the identification information sheet itself, in order to print the actual job, the password must be entered in the password input means, and High security can be improved.

According to the image forming system with the security function of the present invention, when the security-requested job is stored, the identification information generating data and the actual job are stored using the password generated by the password automatic generation means as a key. The print data can be encrypted by the encryption means,
Even if the identification information data is analyzed by a person who does not expect the identification information sheet, the identification information data is encrypted by the encryption means.
The storage location of the print data of the actual job can be kept confidential. Since the print data of this actual job is also encrypted by the encryption means, even if a person who does not expect a file in the file server including himself looks into it, no meaningful data exists, so the print It is possible to improve the security of the job. Further, at the time of printing the data requested to be protected and stored, the identification information generating data and the print data of the actual job can be decrypted using the password input by the password input means as a key.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image forming system with a security function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a process flowchart of a received job print process related to the image forming system with the security function of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a barcode sheet printed when a confidentiality protection request is issued to the MFP device of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a processing flowchart of scan job processing when an image reading request is made in the MFP device of FIG. 1;

5 is a detailed process flowchart of the original image data restoration process of FIG. 4;

[Explanation of symbols] 10 Image forming system with security function 11 MFP equipment 12 scanner 13 Scanner control unit 14 Scan data analysis section 15 Front panel control section 16 Front panel 17 ROM 18 RAM 19 Data division control unit 20 Bar code printing control unit 21 Print engine control unit 22 Print engine 23 Print data analysis unit 24 Interface control unit 25 network interface 26 Password generator 27 hard disk drive 28 Data synthesis control unit 29 encryption / decryption control unit 31 MFP equipment 32 Host PC 33 External file server 34 External File Server 40 LAN 50 barcode sheet 51 titles 52 Bar code sheet number 53 bar code 54 check boxes 55 check box

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. In an image forming system having an image reading function, image reading means for reading an image, security request determining means for determining a security request for a print job from received data, and print data are stored. Storage means, network interface means capable of connecting to a network, print data storage means for storing information in the external file server or the storage means via the network interface means, the external file server or the storage means It has an identification information image generating means for printing the location of the stored data of each job as the identification information, and an identification information image analyzing means for reading the printed matter generated by the identification information image generating means and analyzing the contents. However, by the above security request judgment means When it is determined that the confidentiality protection request is made, all the information necessary for printing is stored in the external file server or the storage means by using the print data storage means and the network interface means, and the external file server or the storage means is stored. A printout of the identification information indicating the storage location including the network address of the storage means is created by the identification information image generating means, the printout of the identification information is read by the image reading means, and the identification information image analyzing means. An image forming system with a security function, wherein the print data in the external file server or in the storage means is read from the data obtained by the identification information image analysis means and the actual job is printed. 2. A data dividing unit that divides information necessary for printing the actual job into a plurality of pieces, and a data reconstructing unit that reconstructs the divided information, and the data is divided by the data dividing unit. The data is stored in a plurality of external file servers or one external file server or storage means randomly selected from the storage means, and the storage location and the order or position information of the data are converted into identification information and printed, and the identification is performed. The original data can be printed by sequentially reading and reconstructing each of the divided data by reading a printout of the information.
An image forming system with a security function described in. 3. A password automatic generation means for automatically generating a password, an identification information sheet number giving means for giving an identification information sheet number to an identification information sheet to be printed, and the password automatic generation means. It has a password notifying means for notifying the host PC that issued the job of which the security request has been issued, the password and the identification information sheet number, and a password input means for inputting the password. The identification information sheet number is assigned by the number assigning means, the identification information sheet number and the password generated by the password automatic generation means are notified to the host PC of the job issuer by the password notifying means, and the actual job is printed. Occasionally, enter the password using the above password input method The image forming system with a security function according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system is requested. 4. An identification information generating data and an actual job having a data encrypting means and a decrypting means and storing a job for which security protection is required, using the password generated by the automatic password generating means as a key. The print data of the above is encrypted by the above encryption means, and at the time of printing the data stored after the security is requested, the identification information generation data and the print data of the actual job using the password input by the password input means as a key. The image forming system with a security function according to claim 3, wherein the decryption is performed.