JP2003259067A - Image forming apparatus and image forming control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus for ensuring prescribed security for information obtained from a specified information source. <P>SOLUTION: In the image forming apparatus 1, information about specified server or specified service for giving priority to the image formation output previously is registered. When a user demands the take-out of information from a server 2, the server 2 transmits the demanded information to the image forming apparatus 1. The information from the server 2 is received by the image forming apparatus 1 to carry out the process of image formation output. At this time, when the information about the server 2 that the user designated is registered previously, the image formation is outputted in preference to the other job. As an example, the classified information is outputted in preference, and the waiting time is reduced, so the security is ensured by shortening the time for catching someone's attention to the classified information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

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 capable of taking out information from an external service or server and forming and outputting the information as an image.

[0002]

[Prior Art] Entering the full-scale broadband era,
In the future, materials stored in systems such as e-government, personal information materials such as medical materials and educational history materials,
It is expected that there will be more opportunities to output information that others do not want to see or that they should not show to others. From the viewpoint of security when transferring such information, various measures have been taken.

However, in a conventional image forming apparatus such as a printer or a multifunction peripheral, basically, a confidential document and a document that is not so are handled and processed in the same row. In particular, image forming apparatuses installed in offices, convenience stores, etc. are basically shared and used by multiple people, but even in such an environment, they do not have a function capable of outputting confidential documents. .

To solve such a problem, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-91210 discloses that a confidential document is instructed from a sending personal computer when a confidential document is printed, and a print operation is performed after the user goes to the installation location of the apparatus main body. A technique for printing with priority is described. As a result, while a user who wants to print a confidential document is present,
You can print confidential documents. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the chances that the document will be seen by others, and it is possible to maintain confidentiality.

However, in such a technique, the sender of the confidential document must specify that the confidential document is a confidential document. As mentioned above, information stored in a certain server such as materials stored in a system such as an electronic government or materials for personal information such as medical materials and educational history materials can be retrieved or When information is acquired using the information providing service, the server or service that is the source of the information does not notify that the document is a confidential document, and the image forming apparatus does not treat it as a confidential document. There is. Therefore, image formation and output are sequentially performed like a normal document. For example, when many documents other than the confidential document desired by the user are waiting for image formation, it takes time to form an image of the confidential document. Therefore, the user cannot wait and leaves the device, and the confidential document output after that becomes visible to many people.

Further, when the user gives an instruction to form an image of the extracted information, the user may not recognize such information even though the information is a confidential document. In such a case, if the information is immediately output at the time of the user's instruction, it is considered that the user will bring the document with him / her, and the exposure time to the eyes of others is short, which leads to a certain degree of confidentiality. However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, since a confidential document cannot be distinguished from other documents, only confidential documents are output in order. If a user does not intend, confidential documents are protected. There was a problem such as not.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an image forming apparatus capable of ensuring a certain level of security for information acquired from a specific information source. The purpose is to do.

[0008]

According to the present invention, information of a specific service or a specific server that gives priority to image forming output is registered in advance as output priority registration information, and the received information is registered as output priority registration information. It is characterized in that the image forming and outputting is prioritized over other information when the information is from a specific service or a specific server that is provided. With such a configuration, if information on a specific server or a specific service that provides confidential documents or personal information is registered in advance as output priority registration information, it is confidential from the specific server or specific service. Even if there is no notification, the received information can be preferentially image-formed and output as highly confidential information. Therefore, the waiting time of the user who requests the extraction of the information is reduced, so that the time when another person sees the information is shortened and the information security can be ensured. In addition, even if the user who requests the extraction of the information does not know that the information is confidential, the information received from the specific server or the specific service is preferentially output as confidential information. It is possible to ensure the security of information regardless of the intention.

Note that whether or not to give priority to information received from a specific server or a specific service may be automatically performed or may be performed after receiving an instruction from the user.

[0010]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system including an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a specific configuration example of an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing. In the figure, 1 is an image forming apparatus, 2
Is a server, 3 is a network, 11 is a display unit, 12 is an input unit, 13 is an output unit, 14 is a job priority control unit, 15
Is a storage unit, 16 is output priority registration information, 17 is an external storage device, and 18 is a communication unit. In the system shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 and the server 2 are communicably connected via a network 3. The image forming apparatus 1 requests the server 2 to transfer information, and forms and outputs the information received from the server 2 as an image.

The server 2 provides information according to a request. As the server 2, for example, a medical management content server, a personal information content server prepared by a public institution, a content server for individual procedures, or the like,
We may handle information that requires confidentiality. In addition, the server 2 may provide a plurality of information services,
Some of the services provided may also handle confidential information.

The image forming apparatus 1 can be configured to include, for example, a display unit 11, an input unit 12, an output unit 13, a job priority control unit 14, a storage unit 15, an external storage device 17, a communication unit 18, and the like. . The display unit 11 displays a message or guidance to the user, and the input unit 12 receives an instruction from the user. The user refers to the display unit 11 while referring to the input unit 12
Give various instructions from. Here, it is possible to perform an operation that requests the server 2 to retrieve information. Further, when the extracted information is image-formed and output, it is possible to instruct whether to output the information with priority. Further, it is possible to perform an operation of registering, as output priority registration information, information regarding a specific service or a specific server that gives priority to image forming output. In addition, according to the registered output priority registration information, when actually outputting the information, the priority of whether to automatically prioritize, prioritize after confirmation by the user, or not to perform the prioritizing process is performed. The setting may be possible. It should be noted that the operation of registering the output priority registration information and the operation of setting the priority can be operated only by the administrator, for example.

The output unit 13 outputs the information acquired from the server 2 and the information in the apparatus as an image on a recording medium such as paper. The image forming method and the like are arbitrary.

The job priority control unit 14 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1 and controls the output unit 13 to form an image based on the information received by the communication unit 18. At that time, control is performed to form an image of a plurality of pieces of information to be image-formed (hereinafter referred to as a job) in the order according to the priority. In particular, for the information received from a specific server or service, the output unit 13 is preferentially controlled to perform image formation output. Details of this processing will be described later.

The storage unit 15 and the external storage device 17 store various kinds of information. In particular, the output unit 13 stores output priority registration information 16 in which information on a specific service or a specific server that gives priority to image forming output is registered.
As the information of the specific server, the domain name or IP address of the server may be registered. Further, as the information on the specific service, a URL, an electronic mail address, or the like may be registered. Alternatively, it may be configured to select and register from pre-registered. The output priority registration information 16 can have a name for identifying these servers and services and other information added thereto in addition to these information. Although the output priority registration information 16 is illustrated as being stored in the storage unit 15 in FIG. 2, it may be stored in the external storage device 17. Further, when storing in the storage unit 15 as shown in the figure, it is preferable to store in the area where the output priority registration information 16 is not erased even when the power is turned off.

The communication unit 18 communicates directly or indirectly with a network device such as the server 2 through the network 3. For example, if the network 3 is a LAN, it communicates directly with the server 2 in the LAN, and if it is the server 2 on the Internet, it communicates via a gateway or the like. Further, for example, the server 2 may communicate with the server 2 by dialing up via a public line or a dedicated line, or may communicate with the server 2 via a provider. Through such communication, for example, the server 2 can be requested to retrieve information and the information sent from the server 2 can be received.

Next, an example of the operation of the embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described. In the above-described configuration, in order to prioritize the image forming output of the information acquired from the specific service or the specific server, the operation of previously registering the information of the specific service or the specific server is performed. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a display screen when the output priority registration information is registered. In the example of the display screen shown in FIG. 3A, by operating the “register” button at the lower right, an output priority registration screen as shown in FIG. 3B is displayed. On this display screen, a list of server names and service names that should be prioritized for image forming output is displayed.
Note that server names and service names that do not fit on the screen can be scrolled by operating the upper and lower triangles on the right side of the screen or the ruler between them.

Here, the output priority registration information can be newly registered by operating the "set" button on the right side of the column displayed as "(unregistered)".
Further, by operating the "setting" button corresponding to the column in which the server name or service name is already displayed, change registration of the output priority registration information can be performed. As the output priority registration information, a domain name, an IP address, or the like can be registered as long as it is a server as described above. As for the service, a URL or an e-mail address can be registered, or a service group prepared in advance can be selected and registered. By registering the server name and the service name at the time of registration, the registered server name and service name can be displayed when the list is displayed.

When the registration operation is completed, the "close" button on the upper right of the screen may be operated. As a result, the information input so far is actually registered as the output priority registration information 16. Further, when the registration operation is ended without performing the registration, the “cancel” button may be operated.

On the display screen shown in FIG. 3A, in addition to the "register" button, buttons for setting priorities are arranged. Here, the buttons for setting the priority are "Automatic output", "Confirm and output", and "No".
Three are prepared. The “automatic output” is set to automatically prioritize image forming output for information from the server or service registered as the output priority registration information 16. In addition, “confirm and output” is to inquire of the user whether or not to preferentially output the information from the server or service registered as the output priority registration information 16 when the image is formed, and preferentially outputs. When the output is instructed, the image forming output is preferentially performed. “No” sets that no preferential image forming output is performed even if the information is from the server or service registered as the output priority registration information 16. The user can select the priority from these. The "cancel" and "close" buttons on the upper right of the screen are the same as those on the screen of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a first example of the image forming and outputting operation in the embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the invention. After registering the output priority registration information 16 and setting the priority in advance as described above, the user requests the various servers or services to retrieve the information and outputs the information sent from the server or the service. Can be made.

The user selects the information or service to be taken out in S21 and gives an output instruction in S22. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the output instruction screen. For example, by designating the server 2, the documents in the server 2 are displayed in a list as shown in FIG. A desired document may be selected from these and an output instruction may be given by operating the "output" button at the lower right. The process up to this point varies depending on the server, service, protocol used, etc., and the user interface can be designed arbitrarily. Here, the information that the user wants to take out or the service that the user wants to receive is specified by an arbitrary method, and the execution thereof may be instructed.

In this way, when the information that the user wants to retrieve or the service that he wants to receive is specified and the execution of the service is instructed, the communication unit 18 requests the server 2 through the network 3 to transfer the information. The server 2 returns the information in response to the request. In the image forming apparatus 1, S23
At, the information to be formed and output from the server 2 is received through the communication unit 18.

In step S24, the job priority control unit 14
Reads the output priority registration information 16 and the priority setting.
Then, first, in S25, the priority setting is determined, and if the priority image forming output is set to "not",
In S33, normal image formation output processing is performed. That is, the information received in S23 is added as one job to the end of the queue of other jobs. Then, image formation output is performed in order from the first job in the waiting sequence.

When the priority setting is "automatic output" or "confirm and output", further, in S26, S2
It is determined whether or not the server or service specified by the user in 1 is registered in the output priority registration information 16. If it is not registered, it is not a target for image formation and output with priority, so that the normal image formation and output processing is also performed in S33.

If the server or service specified by the user in S21 is registered in the output priority registration information 16, S2
When the determination is made in 6, it is further determined in S27 whether the priority setting is "automatic output". When the priority setting is “confirm and output”, in S28, a screen for confirming whether or not to preferentially perform image forming output is displayed and an instruction from the user is received. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the priority output confirmation screen. The confirmation by the user in S28 can be performed on the screen as shown in FIG. 6, for example. In the example shown in FIG. 6, a document name for image formation is displayed, and a “Yes” button for instructing the priority output by the user and a “No” button for instructing not to perform the priority output. Are arranged. When the user's instruction is determined in S29 and the user does not perform the priority output, that is, when the “No” button is operated, a normal image forming output process is performed in S33.

If it is determined in S27 that the priority setting is "automatic output", and if it is determined in S29 that the user's confirmation has instructed to perform priority output in S29, S23 The information received from the server or service in step 1 is formed and output with priority over other jobs. First, in S30, all the image forming outputs of the job in the waiting state are suspended (suspended), and then in S31, the image forming output process of the information received from the server or the service in S23 is performed. As a result, the received information is output with priority. After starting or ending the image forming output of the received information, in S32, the suspension of the job suspended in S30 is released,
Return to the state where images can be formed.

In this way, if the information requested by the user to be taken out and received from the server or service is from the server or service registered in advance as the output priority registration information 16, another job Image formation and output can be performed with priority. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time from when the user requests the takeout to when the image is formed and output, and it is possible to shorten the waiting time of the user. If the waiting time is long, there is a high probability that the user will leave the image forming apparatus 1 or be left as it is for a long time after the image forming output.
According to the present invention, since the waiting time of the user is shortened, the probability that the user takes away the output paper without leaving the image forming apparatus 1 is increased, and the time for which it is left unattended is shortened so that the eyes of others can be seen. Touching time is also shorter. Therefore, the security of information can be guaranteed.

Furthermore, if a server holding confidential information or a service for providing confidential information is registered in advance, even if the user requests to take out without knowing the confidential information, the image forming apparatus 1 will treat it as confidential information. It can be handled. Therefore, confidentiality can be guaranteed to some extent even if the user does not know whether the information that the user is trying to retrieve is confidential information. It is also possible to eliminate the user forgetting to keep confidential information and forgetting the confidential instruction. Further, there is also an advantage that the confidentiality can be maintained on the image forming apparatus 1 side without designating that the information transfer source is confidential information.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a second example of the image forming and outputting operation in the embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the invention. In the figure, the same processes as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted. In the second operation example, when the information is received from the server or the service, the server or the service of the transmission source of the information is specified, and whether or not the specified server or the service is registered in the output priority registration information 16 An example of determining whether or not is shown. It is assumed that the output priority registration information 16 is registered and the priority is set in advance.

The user selects the information or service to be taken out in S21 and gives an output instruction in S22. According to this instruction, the communication unit 18 causes the network 3
To request the transfer of information to the server 2. The server 2 returns the information in response to the request. In S41, the image forming apparatus 1 receives the information to be image-formed and output, which is sent from the server 2 through the communication unit 18. At this time, the information specifying the server 2 (or service) that is the transmission source of the information is also acquired.

In step S24, the job priority control unit 14
Reads the output priority registration information 16 and the priority setting,
First, in S25, the priority setting is determined. If the priority image forming output is set to "not", S33 is set.
In, a normal image forming output process is performed.

If the priority setting is "automatic output" or "confirm and output", further, in S42, S4
It is determined whether or not the server or service is registered in the output priority registration information 16 by using the information identifying the server or service that is the transmission source of the information, which is acquired when the information is received in 1. If it is not registered, it is not a target for prioritizing image formation output.
Again, in S33, normal image forming output processing is performed.

If it is determined in S42 that the server or service of the information transmission source is registered in the output priority registration information 16, whether or not the priority setting is "automatic output" in S27. To judge. When the priority setting is “confirm and output”, in S28, a screen for confirming whether or not to preferentially perform image forming output is displayed and an instruction from the user is received.

If it is determined in S27 that the priority setting is "automatic output", and if it is determined in S28 that the user's confirmation has instructed to perform priority output in S29, S30 In S32, the information received from the server or service in S41 is image-formed and output with priority over other jobs.

In this way, if the information requested by the user to be taken out and received from the server or service is from the server or service registered in advance as the output priority registration information 16, another job Image formation and output can be performed with priority. With this, similarly to the above-described first operation example, it is possible to shorten the time that other people see and to guarantee the security of information. In addition, even if the user outputs it without knowing that it is confidential or forgetting it, the information security can be maintained.

Further, in this second operation example, since the transmission source of information is specified and it is determined whether or not to give priority, for example, when the user requests extraction of a large amount of information, or when information is requested from the user, Even when there is a time lag before reception and there is a possibility of receiving other information during that time, it is possible to accurately determine which information should be prioritized for image formation output. In addition, for example, when information is divided into multiple pieces in response to a request from the user, or when information is sent from multiple servers or services, the sender determines the information accurately It is possible to preferentially perform image forming output.

As a specific example of the use of the image forming apparatus of the present invention as described above, the case where the medical management content server is accessed and a "personal medical chart" which is a document requiring confidentiality is output is considered. To be Another example of usage is "personal information", which is a document that requires confidentiality by accessing a personal information content server prepared by a public institution.
May be output. As still another example of use, it is possible to access the individual procedure content server prepared by a public institution and output the “procedure application result” which is a document requiring confidentiality. In these usage examples, "personal medical chart", "personal information",
When receiving the “procedure application result” or the like, the image forming apparatus 1 determines from the server or service designated by the user or the server or service transmitting the information that the information is a confidential document, The image forming output is prioritized over other jobs without waiting.
This allows the user to receive the output without leaving the place and keep the information secure. Even if such information is not known as a confidential document, it is possible to naturally maintain the security of information by preferentially outputting it.

In the above description, the user requests to retrieve information from the image forming apparatus 1, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation portion is a separate body or another apparatus. It may be configured such that the information is requested to be retrieved from the device and the requested information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus of the present invention. Also in this case, since the image forming apparatus determines whether or not the information is confidential, it is not necessary to instruct the image forming apparatus that the information is confidential from the user, the server, or the service. On the contrary, even if there is no such instruction,
The security of confidential information can be maintained.

[0040]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the information received from the pre-registered server or service can be image-formed and output prior to other jobs. For example, even when a confidential document is output, the waiting time of the user is shortened, and the period in which another person views the confidential document can be shortened to maintain security. In addition, there is an advantage that convenience for the user is improved by reducing the waiting time of the user. Further, even if the user who requests the extraction of information does not know that it is confidential information or forgets that it is confidential information, the information security can be maintained by preferentially forming and outputting the image. Furthermore, even if the server or service that is the source of the information does not instruct that the information is confidential, the image forming apparatus determines and performs the priority process, so the server or service has a specific function. There is also an effect that it is possible to deal with it without it.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system including an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration example in an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a display screen when registering output priority registration information.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a first example of an image forming and outputting operation in the embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an output instruction screen.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a priority output confirmation screen.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a second example of the image forming output operation in the embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Image forming apparatus, 2 ... Server, 3 ... Network, 1
1 ... Display unit, 12 ... Input unit, 13 ... Output unit, 14 ... Job priority control unit, 15 ... Storage unit, 16 ... Output priority registration information, 17 ... External storage device, 18 ... Communication unit.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus capable of forming an image from an external service or information from a server and storing output priority registration information in which information of a specific service or a specific server for prioritizing image forming output is registered in advance. It has a storage means, a communication means for receiving information from the service or the server, and a priority control means for sequentially forming and outputting the information received via the communication means according to the priority, and the priority control means comprises: When the information received through the communication means is from a specific service or a specific server registered in the storage means as the output priority registration information, the image forming output is given priority over other information. An image forming apparatus characterized in that it is controlled to. 2. The information processing device further comprises an instruction unit capable of instructing a user to output information from the service or server, and the communication unit requests the service or server instructed by the instruction unit to retrieve information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The priority control means, regarding the information from the specific service or the specific server,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the priority is automatically adjusted. 4. The priority control means, regarding the information from the specific service or the specific server,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the priority is adjusted according to an instruction from the instruction unit. 5. An image forming control method for controlling an image forming output of information from an external service or a server, wherein the information of a specific service or a specific server prioritizing image forming output is output priority registration information. When the received information is from a specific service or a specific server registered as the output priority registration information, control is performed so that image formation is output with priority over other information. An image forming control method characterized by the above.