JP2005011142A - Document processor and its program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a document processor etc. which can execute job management for each user since the processor can transmit the execution result of a job to the terminal of a user without making it necessary to input any password, add a cover page where a user name is entered to a transmission file, and enter the user name in a log file. <P>SOLUTION: A biometrics sensor such as a fingerprint sensor is arranged so as to superimpose on a telephone book key or start key of a control panel 30 of a compound unit 2. When a user touches a control key in order to execute a job, the biometrics data are automatically read, and compared with stored biometrics data so that a user can be identified, and the user is defined as the owner of the job. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
[Field of the Invention]
The present invention relates to a document processing apparatus such as a facsimile, a scanner, and a copying machine, and a program used for these document processing apparatuses.
[0002]
[Prior art]
[0003]
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-23422 Patent Document 1 describes personal authentication using biometric data. It is also conceivable to apply personal authentication based on biometric data to a document processing apparatus such as a copying machine.
[0004]
[Problems of the Invention]
An object of the present invention is to specify a job owner and provide a detailed service without inputting a user ID, a password, or the like (claims 1 to 12).
An additional problem in the second and tenth aspects of the invention is that when a user requests a job from a document processing apparatus, the user is automatically notified of the job end result without entering a user ID or password. There is to be able to do it.
An additional problem of the inventions of claims 4 and 11 is that user authentication when printing, displaying or transferring received data can be performed without entering a user ID or password one by one. It is in.
An additional problem in the inventions of claims 7 and 12 is to automatically read biometric data necessary for user authentication in the process of operating the document processing device with keys.
An additional problem in the invention of claim 8 is that it is possible to switch between common normal processing and processing according to the touched user by changing a part to be touched with the same operation key.
[0005]
[Structure of the invention]
The document processing apparatus according to the present invention is provided with biometric data input means on the airframe, and conversion means for converting the biometric data into information for specifying the user, using the user specifying information. The job owner of the document processing apparatus is determined or the owner is authenticated (claim 1). The document processing apparatus is, for example, a facsimile machine, a copier, a printer, a scanner, or the like.
[0006]
Preferably, at the end of a job such as copying, printing, or facsimile transmission, the document processing apparatus notifies the job owner's terminal (claim 2).
Preferably, the owner of the job is recorded in the log file.
[0007]
Preferably, when the job is a process of received data, for example, a process of received facsimile or a print instructed via a LAN, the output authority is compared with the owner of the received data and the user specifying information. The received data is output to the user who has authenticated the output authority.
[0008]
Preferably, when the job is data transmission, for example, facsimile transmission, the user specifying information is added to the transmission data as sender information.
Preferably, when the job is data reading, a read file is recorded in a storage area for each user.
[0009]
Particularly preferably, the biometric data input means is provided so as to be used also as the operation key of the document processing apparatus, and the biometric data is automatically read by the operation of the operation key.
In particular, an operation key with a biometrics data input area and a non-input area is provided, and when the biometrics data input area is touched, it is processed as a job for a specific user, and when a non-input area is touched, a specific When processing is switched according to the touch position of the operation key so that it is processed as a normal job that does not correspond to the user, depending on which area of the same operation key is touched, processing according to the touched user (biometrics) It is possible to switch between the case where the data input area is touched) and the case where the processing is based on the normal processing standard when the user is not specified (claim 8).
[0010]
The present invention also provides an instruction for converting biometric data into information for specifying a user, and a document that uses the user specification information to determine a job owner of a document processing apparatus or to authenticate the owner. It exists in the program for processing apparatuses (Claim 9).
[0011]
Preferably, a command for notifying the end of the job is provided from the document processing apparatus to the terminal of the job owner.
[0012]
Preferably, when the job is processing of received data, an instruction for authenticating the output authority by comparing the owner of the received data with the user specifying information is provided.
[0013]
Preferably, when the job is data transmission, an instruction for adding the user identification information as transmission information to transmission data is provided.
[0014]
[Operation and effect of the invention]
In the document processing apparatus according to the present invention, biometric data input means is provided on the machine body of the document processing apparatus, for example, on the operation panel, to read the user's biometric data. The read biometric data is converted into information for identifying the user, and the owner of the job is determined. Alternatively, when the owner of the job is already known as in the received data, it is authenticated whether it is the owner. For this reason, a detailed service can be provided to the job owner (claims 1 and 9).
[0015]
In the inventions of claims 2 and 10, since the job owner's terminal is notified at the end of the job, the job has been executed normally, a trouble has occurred in the job execution process, and the job could not be executed normally. Can be notified. For this reason, for example, when a large number of copies, facsimiles, or the like are instructed from the machine side of the document processing apparatus, it is convenient because the user is notified to his / her terminal that the execution has been completed.
[0016]
In the invention of claim 3, the owner of the job is recorded in the log file. Therefore, it is easy to search the job processing status from the log file, and it is easy to grasp the usage status of the document processing apparatus for each user.
[0017]
When an Internet facsimile is received or a confidential facsimile is received by a G3 facsimile, the document processing apparatus can specify the destination of the received data. Also, when a print request is made from a client, the document processing apparatus can specify the print requester (owner). For such received data, if the output authority is authenticated by biometric data, the received data for the user can be output (claims 4 and 11).
[0018]
When performing facsimile transmission, etc., enter user identification information specified from biometric data, such as the user name, as sender information in the sender column of the G3 facsimile cover page, the signature column of the email text of the Internet facsimile, etc. Then, it is not necessary to fill in the sender name one by one (claims 5 and 12).
[0019]
When the document processing apparatus is used as a scanner, user identification information is obtained from biometric data, and the read file is recorded in the storage area for each user.
[0020]
If an input unit for biometric data is provided so as to be used also as an operation key of the document processing apparatus, the biometric data can be automatically read in the process of operating the operation key.
In particular, when two areas are provided for one operation key and the process is switched depending on which area is touched, the read data is saved in the storage area for each user, the inbox for each user is opened, and the transmission file Add a signature for each user (when biometric data is input), save the read data in a shared storage area, open a shared inbox, and attach a shared signature to a transmission file (input biometric data) This is convenient because it can be used with one touch (Claim 8).
[0021]
【Example】
1 to 6 show an embodiment. In FIG. 1, 2 is a multifunction peripheral as an example of a document processing apparatus, 4 is a multifunction peripheral main body, a facsimile function processing section 6, a scanner function processing section 7, a copy function processing section 8, a printer function processing section 9, and a LAN. The interface 10 is provided. The multifunction machine main body 4 is provided with a program memory 11 so that the program can be stored freely, and an operation program of the multifunction machine is read from the I / O 12 and stored in the program memory 11. A job management unit 13 stores job contents and owners (user name, client name, or information specifying a user such as a password, a user ID, and an account number). For example, a queue is provided in the job management unit 13 to manage the job execution order.
[0022]
The facsimile function processing unit 6 performs G3 facsimile transmission / reception via a PSTN (public telephone network) 15 or the like. The scanner function processing unit 7 reads a document image with a scanner (not shown), and the copy function processing unit 8 copies a predetermined number of documents. The printer function processing unit 9 provides a printer function to a client 19 such as a personal computer connected to the LAN 16 or the like.
[0023]
The LAN interface 10 is an interface between the multifunction device 2 and the LAN 16, and the LAN 16 is connected to the Internet 18 through a router 17 and the like. Therefore, the image data created by the facsimile function processing unit 6 is sent as an Internet facsimile via the LAN interface 10 or the like as an attached file of an e-mail or the like. Similarly, the Internet facsimile received via the LAN interface 10 is processed by the facsimile function processing unit 6 such as printout and delivery to the destination user.
[0024]
An operation panel 30 is provided on the machine body of the multifunction device 2, and a biometric sensor is provided on the operation panel. The biometric sensor is preferably arranged so as to double as a key for operation (overlaid on the key), so that the biometric data can be automatically read in the process of touching the operation key. For this reason, the biometric sensor is preferably a sensor that reads biometric data from the fingertip. For example, a fingerprint sensor, a DNA sensor that reads DNA from sweat, a biosensor that analyzes sweat components, a sweat gland pattern sensor, a capillary at the fingertip Putter sensor is used. The fingerprint sensor can be configured by, for example, reading a fingerprint pattern with a CCD sensor or the like and performing feature extraction.
[0025]
In addition to this, semiconductor pressure sensors can be integrated into an array, and biometrics data can be created using a temporal change in pressure when a key is touched with a finger and a flat pressure distribution pattern. it can. In the embodiment, when the user touches the key, the biometric data can be read easily and automatically.
[0026]
The authentication unit 31 compares the biometric data stored in the biometric data storage unit 32 with the biometric data input from the operation panel 30 to identify the user. If the user cannot be specified, the authentication unit 31 outputs data that cannot be authenticated, which means that biometric data is not input. The storage unit 32 stores, for example, a user name, a user password or passcode, an ID, an address of the user client 19 and the like as user specifying information in a table format. Also, biometric data is stored for each user, and preferably a plurality of biometric data can be stored for one user so that the user can touch with any finger or any part of the finger. To be able to identify the user.
[0027]
The multifunction device 2 is assumed to be shared by about 10 users, for example. The purpose of authenticating the person with biometrics data is to identify who is the owner of each job or whether the user at the machine is the owner of the job without entering a password. Is to provide a good service. Therefore, the accuracy of personal authentication does not necessarily have to be high. For this reason, the biometric data need not be stored in the storage unit 32 with high accuracy, and the biometric data may be stored with an accuracy sufficient to identify about 10 users.
[0028]
FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of the biometric sensors 38 and 39 on the operation panel 30. Various operation keys are arranged on the touch panel 34 in which a pressure sensor or the like is arranged on the LCD. In the case of FIG. 2, operation keys such as FAX transmission / reception, copy, SCAN, Print, and others are displayed, and a biometric sensor 39 such as a fingerprint sensor is arranged on the right half of each operation key. As a result, for each key, the left half is an area where biometric data is not input, and the right half is an input area for biometric data, so that it is possible to easily switch between biometric data input and non-input. In addition, this makes it possible for the user to easily select whether to perform job processing using user information or to perform job processing that is not conscious of ordinary owners.
[0029]
The biometric sensor 38 is also arranged so as to overlap with main keys such as the start key 35 and the stop key 36. Also in this case, the biometric sensor 38 is provided only at a part of the key so that the user can easily switch between inputting and not inputting biometric data. In the case of the authentication key 37, the biometric sensor 38 is arranged on the entire key, and the initial state of the authentication key 37 is a state in which the biometric data is not read and the user is not authenticated, and this is touched with a fingertip. Thus, the user is identified by reading the biometric data.
[0030]
In FIG. 2, whether or not biometric data is input is realized by providing an input area for biometric data and an area for not inputting to each key. Instead of such a method, for example, when touching a key on which a biometric sensor is arranged for a predetermined time or longer, biometric data is output, and when touched for less than a predetermined time, biometric data is not output. Anyway. Further, when the key provided with the biometric sensor is touched a plurality of times continuously, the biometric data may be output and may not be output even if it is touched only once.
[0031]
The biometric sensors 38 and 39 may be provided on main keys, and are not necessarily provided on all keys. When the authentication key 37 is provided, the biometric sensor may not be provided for the other keys. However, in this case, since the operation of touching the authentication key 37 is increased in addition to the normal operation, it is preferable to dispose the biometric sensor on the main keys such as the touch panel 34 and the start key 35.
[0032]
FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the job management unit 13. When the biometric data is input, the user is specified. The job owner management unit 40 stores the owner of each job and manages the job execution order with a queue. When the job ends, the job end notification management unit 41 transmits a job end notification to the terminal (client) of the job owner via the LAN. This notification notifies a job such as facsimile transmission, printing, copying, or the like that the job has been completed normally or has not been completed normally for some reason.
[0033]
The sender information management unit 42 assigns sender information when transmitting a G3 facsimile or an Internet facsimile. For example, in the case of G3 facsimile, the sender information is described by writing the user's name in the transmission source column of the cover page, and in the case of Internet facsimile, by writing the user name in the Signature column of the email body. When individual users store their own cover page and e-mail text field in the sender information management unit 42, facsimile transmission is performed using the user-specific cover page and e-mail text.
[0034]
The scan document owner management unit 43 manages a user obtained from biometric data as a scan file owner for a document scanned by the multifunction peripheral. For example, when the multifunction peripheral provides a directory for each user and manages the scan file, the scan file is stored in the directory of the corresponding user. If there is no directory for each user, the user name is added to the file name of the scan file. Alternatively, the user name is recorded in the attribute information column of the scan file.
[0035]
The reception box management unit 44 manages the owner of a document received via Internet facsimile, a document requested for remote printing from a client, or a document received by confidential facsimile. In these cases, the user who is the destination of the facsimile or the user who requested the print is regarded as the owner of the job, and when the owner of the job matches the user specified from the biometric data, printing or display is performed. Perform processing such as transferring files.
[0036]
The log management unit 45 records the execution date and time of the job, the execution result, and the owner of the job in a log file (journal) that records the job processed by the multifunction peripheral. As a result, when searching for a specific job from the log file, it can be easily searched based on the user name and execution date and time. In addition, it is possible to easily check how the multifunction device is used for each user.
[0037]
FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the program 50 for the document processing apparatus in the embodiment. The biometric data storage instruction 51 includes an instruction for forming the storage unit 32 of FIG. 1 and storing biometric data, user ID, and the like for each user. The verification command 52 includes a command for verifying the biometric data in the storage unit 32 and the biometric data input from the operation panel by the authentication unit 31 in FIG. The job owner management instruction 53 includes an instruction for mounting the job owner management unit 40 of FIG. 3 on the multifunction peripheral. The job end notification management command 54 includes a command for mounting the job end notification management unit 41 of FIG. 3 on the multifunction peripheral.
[0038]
The sender information management instruction 55 includes an instruction for mounting the sender information management unit 42 of FIG. 3 on the multifunction peripheral. The scanned document owner management instruction 56 includes an instruction for mounting the scanned document owner management unit 43 of FIG. 3 on the multifunction peripheral. The reception box management command 57 includes a command for mounting the reception box management unit 44 of FIG. 3 on the multifunction peripheral. The log management command 58 includes a command for mounting the log management unit 45 of FIG. 3 on the multi-function peripheral, and in particular adding a user name to the log file for storage.
[0039]
5 and 6 show the operation algorithm of the embodiment. FIG. 5 shows processing in cases other than facsimile reception, and biometric data is read from an operation panel provided on the MFP body (step 1). A user is identified from the read biometric data (step 2), and the process branches in step 3 according to the type of job. In the case of facsimile transmission, an invoice (cover page) or e-mail body is created, and the user name is set as sender information in the transmission source, signature field, or the like (step 4). In the case of scanning, processing such as adding a user name to the scan file or storing the scan file in a directory for the user is performed (step 5).
[0040]
Next, the job is executed, that is, facsimile transmission, scan file storage, copying and printing are executed (step 6), and the execution of the job is notified to the client (step 7). Then, the job execution date and time and result are recorded in the log file together with the user name (step 8).
[0041]
FIG. 6 shows a process in the case of reception, where data is received (step 11) and stored in an inbox for each user (step 12). In step 13, the user waits for an operation on the operation panel. When the biometric data is read from the operation key by the operation on the operation panel (step 14), the user is specified (step 15). Then, the user's inbox is opened (step 16). Next, when there are a plurality of received data for the user, for example, it is displayed in a list or the like, and the document selected by the user is output in the output form selected by the user such as display, print, and transfer (step 17). When processing is routinely determined, such as mere remote printing, a file is stored without using an inbox, and when a user is specified, a print document for the user may be automatically printed. . When these processes are completed, the user name and the contents of the processed job are stored in the log file together with the date and time (step 18).
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating reading of biometric data by the multifunction machine of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a job management unit of the multifunction machine of FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a program for the document processing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing in a case other than data reception in the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process in the case of data reception in an Example [Explanation of numerals]
2 MFP 4 MFP body 6 Facsimile function processor 7 Scanner function processor 8 Copy function processor 9 Printer function processor 10 LAN interface 11 Program memory 12 I / O
13 Job Manager 15 PSTN (Public Telephone Line)
16 LAN
17 Router 18 Internet 19 User terminal (client)
30 Operation Panel 31 Authentication Unit 32 Biometric Data Storage Unit 34 Touch Panel 35 Start Key 36 Stop Key 37 Authentication Key 38, 39 Biometric Sensor 40 Job Owner Management Unit 41 Job End Notification Management Unit 42 Sender Information Management Unit 43 Scan Document Owner management unit 44 Inbox management unit 45 Log management unit 50 Program 51 for document processing device Biometrics data storage command 52 Collation command 53 Job owner management command 54 Job end notification management command 55 Sender information management command 56 Scan document Owner management instruction 57 Inbox management instruction 58 Log management instruction

Claims (12)

A biometric data input unit is provided on the machine body, and a conversion unit for converting the biometric data into information for specifying a user is provided. A document processing device that decides or authenticates the owner. 2. The document processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at the end of the job, the document processing apparatus notifies the job owner's terminal. 3. The document processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the owner of the job is recorded in a log file. When the job is a process of received data, the output authority is authenticated by comparing the owner of the received data with the user specifying information, and the received data is output to the user who has authenticated the output authority. The document processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 5. The document processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the job is data transmission, the user specifying information is added to transmission data as sender information. 5. The document processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the job is data reading, a read file is recorded in a storage area for each user. The biometric data input means is provided so as to be used also as an operation key of a document processing apparatus, and the biometric data is automatically read by operating the operation key. 6. The document processing device according to claim 6. If an operation key with a biometrics data input area and a non-input area is provided and the biometrics data input area is touched, it is processed as a job for a specific user. 8. The document processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the processing is switched according to a touch position on the operation key so that the job is processed as a normal job that does not correspond. An instruction for converting biometric data into information for identifying a user, and a program for a document processing apparatus that uses the user identification information to determine the owner of a job of the document processing apparatus or to authenticate the owner . 10. The program for a document processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a command for notifying the end of the job is provided from the document processing apparatus to the terminal of the job owner. The command for authenticating the output authority by comparing the owner of the received data and the user specifying information when the job is a process of received data. Program for document processing device. 12. The document processing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a command for adding the user identification information as transmission information to the transmission data when the job is data transmission. Program.

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