JP2005123980A - Image processor and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor which simply executes the time authentication of a paper original and its check. <P>SOLUTION: For the time authentication of a paper original, an MFP 102 sends digital data read out of the paper original to a time authentication server 104. The time authentication server 104 generates an electronic signature and returns it as a time stamp to the MFP 102. The MFP 102 sends the time stamp and the digital data to a saving server 105, this server 105 saves the time stamp and the digital data and returns a pointer of the save side to the MFP 102. The MFP 102 combines the returned time stamp with the digital data and prints them. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method for performing time authentication of digital data generated by reading a document.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image processing apparatuses such as printers, facsimile machines, multi-function machines, and copiers are equipped with a clock, and the time stamped on a paper document by the clock is used as a data creation time or a job processing time. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 06-078144

  However, the conventional image processing apparatus has the following problems. That is, the time ticked by the clock mounted on the image processing apparatus can be freely set by the administrator or user of the image processing apparatus, preventing a situation where the time is set different from the actual time. I couldn't. In other words, the creation time of data attached to a paper document and the processing time of a job are not always accurate.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of easily performing time authentication of a paper document and easily confirming the time.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention requests a document reading unit that reads a document and generates digital data, and requests time authentication of the digital data. Time authentication requesting means to be acquired, and storage control means for controlling to store the digital data associated with the time information in a storage destination.

  An image processing method according to the present invention includes a document reading step of reading a document by an image reading device to generate digital data, and requesting a time certification authority for time authentication of the digital data, and obtaining time information at which the time authentication was performed. A time authentication requesting step to be acquired; and a storage control step for controlling to store the digital data associated with the time information in a storage destination.

  According to the first and twelfth aspects of the present invention, the digital data is generated by reading a document, the time authentication of the generated digital data is requested, and the time information at which the time authentication was performed is acquired in response to the request. Since the digital data associated with the acquired time information is controlled to be stored in the storage destination, the time authentication of the paper document can be easily performed and the confirmation can be easily performed.

  According to the invention of claim 2, it is possible to acquire digital data storage destination information from a printed sheet. According to the invention of claim 3, the time information of the digital data can also be acquired from the acquired storage destination information. According to the invention which concerns on Claim 4, confirmation of the acquired time information can be performed easily. According to the invention of claim 5, it is possible to obtain a sheet to which a time stamp image of time information is added. According to the invention of claim 6, the user can easily select the time certificate authority. According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the user can easily select the storage destination of the digital data. According to the eighth and ninth aspects of the invention, printing can be performed in a printing format desired by the user. According to the invention of claim 10, the same effect as that of claim 1 can be obtained not only for a paper document but also for digital data received from an external device. According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the data can be stored in a data format suitable for the document.

  Embodiments of an image processing apparatus and an image processing method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The image processing apparatus according to this embodiment is applied to a time authentication system.

[System configuration]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a time authentication system and an electrical configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment. This time authentication system has a configuration in which a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 102 as an image processing apparatus, an information processing apparatus 103, a time authentication server (time authentication station) 104, a storage server 105, and the like are connected via a network 101.

  The MFP 102 includes a network interface 112, a scanner unit 113, a PDL processing unit 114, a network data processing unit 115, another interface 116, an image forming unit 117, a time stamp processing unit 118, and a control unit 119 connected to the internal bus 111. Have

  The scanner unit 113 scans a paper document and generates image data. The PDL processing unit 114 processes the print job sent from the information processing apparatus 103. The network data processing unit 115 processes the print data sent from the information processing apparatus 103 using the FTP protocol, converts the image data of the scanned paper document into PDF data, attaches it to the mail, and then processes the information processing apparatus The process etc. which transmit to 103 are performed.

  The other interface 116 is an interface other than the LAN, such as USB, FireWire (registered trademark of Apple Inc., USA), a telephone line used for facsimile, PCMCIA, and the like, and transmits and receives data. The image forming unit 117 processes the data and prints it, or creates an image to be transmitted to the information processing apparatus 103. The time stamp processing unit 118 communicates with the time certificate authority 104 connected to the network 101, requests the time certificate authority 104 to create a time stamp, and receives a time stamp transmitted from the time certificate authority 104. The control unit 119 controls each unit in an integrated manner. The MFP 102 can communicate with the information processing apparatus 103, the time authentication server 104, and the storage server 105 connected to the network 101 via the network interface 112.

  In FIG. 1, only one information processing apparatus and one MFP are connected to the network 101, but it is needless to say that a plurality of information processing apparatuses and MFPs may be connected. The network 101 is configured by a local area network (LAN), but may be another network such as a WAN as long as a plurality of computers can be connected to the network. In the office LAN in the floor or building, Ethernet (registered trademark of Xerox Corporation in the United States) is often used to connect computers. Further, the network may be either an intranet or the Internet, and both the case where the time certificate authority and the storage server exist on the Internet and the case where they exist on the intranet can be realized.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the image processing apparatus (MFP) 102. The MFP 102 includes an MFP main body 10, a folding device 40 and a finisher 50. The MFP main body 10 includes an image reader 11 that is included in the scanner unit 113 and reads a document image, and a printer 13 that corresponds to a part of the image forming unit 117. An operation panel 53 is provided at the upper right of the front face of the MFP main body 10, and as described above, displays various types of information and inputs operation information from the operator.

  A document feeder 12 is mounted on the image reader 11. The document feeder 12 feeds the documents set upward on the document tray 12a one by one from the top page in order to the left in the figure, and conveys them onto the platen glass through a curved path. The original is read by stopping at the position and scanning the scanner unit 21 from the left side to the right side in this state. After reading, the original is discharged toward the external paper discharge tray 12b.

  The original reading surface is irradiated with light from the lamp of the scanner unit 21, and reflected light from the original is guided to the lens 25 via the mirrors 22, 23 and 24. The light that has passed through the lens 25 forms an image on the imaging surface of the image sensor 26.

  Then, the entire original image is read by conveying the scanner unit 21 in the sub-scanning direction while reading the original image by the image sensor 26 line by line in the main scanning direction. The optically read image is converted into image data by the image sensor 26 and output. Image data output from the image sensor 26 is subjected to predetermined processing in an image signal control unit (image processing circuit) (not shown) and then input as a video signal to an exposure control unit (laser control circuit) (not shown) of the printer 13. To do. Further, the image data from the image sensor 26 is sent to the network data processing unit 115 and converted into PDF data as described above.

  The exposure control unit of the printer 13 modulates laser light output from a laser element (not shown) based on the input image data, and the modulated laser light is scanned by the polygon mirror 27 while being scanned by the lens 28. , 29 and the mirror 30 are irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 31.

  An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the scanned laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 31. The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 31 is visualized as a developer image by the developer supplied from the developing device 33. In addition, at the timing synchronized with the start of laser light irradiation, paper is fed from each cassette 34, 35, 36, 37, the manual paper feed unit 38 or the double-sided conveyance path, and passes through the registration rollers 41 to the image forming unit. Be transported.

  This sheet is conveyed between the photosensitive drum 31 and the transfer roller 39, and the developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 31 is transferred onto the sheet fed by the transfer roller 39. The sheet on which the developer image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 32, and the fixing unit 32 fixes the developer image on the sheet by heat-pressing the sheet. The sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 32 is discharged from the printer 13 to the outside (the folding device 40) through a flapper and a discharge roller.

  Here, when the sheet is discharged with its image forming surface facing downward (face-down state), the sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 32 is once guided into the reversing path by the switching operation of the flapper, and the trailing end of the sheet. After passing through the flapper, the paper is switched back and discharged from the printer 13 by the discharge roller.

  In addition, when a hard sheet such as an OHP sheet is fed from the manual sheet feeding unit 38 and an image is formed on this sheet, the image forming surface is faced up (face-up state) without guiding the sheet to the reverse path. ) Is discharged by the discharge roller.

  Furthermore, when double-sided recording for image formation is set on both sides of the paper, the paper is guided to the reverse path by the flapper switching operation, and then transported to the double-sided transport path. Then, the sheet is fed again between the photosensitive drum 31 and the transfer unit at the timing described above.

  The paper discharged from the printer 13 is sent to the folding device 40. The folding device 40 performs a process of folding the paper into a Z shape. For example, if the sheet is an A3 size or B4 size and the folding process is designated, the folding apparatus 40 performs the folding process. In other cases, the paper discharged from the printer 13 passes through the folding apparatus 40. It is sent to the finisher 50. The finisher 50 is provided with an inserter 90 for feeding a special sheet such as a cover sheet or a slip sheet to be inserted into a sheet on which an image is formed. In the finisher 50, bookbinding processing, binding processing, punching, and the like are performed.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the time authentication server 104. Here, the time authentication server 104, the storage server 105, and the information processing apparatus 103 are configured by general-purpose PCs and have almost the same configuration, and therefore only the time authentication server 104 will be described here as a representative. The time authentication server 104 has a clock unit that keeps accurate time, and the configuration is different from that of the storage server 105 and the information processing device 103 in that it can acquire the accurate time from this clock. . The storage server 105 has a configuration different from that of the time authentication server 104 and the information processing apparatus 103 in that it includes a large-capacity storage device capable of storing a large amount of image data.

  The time authentication server 104 has a configuration in which a CPU 131, a RAM 132, a CRT 133, a keyboard 134, a pointing device 135, a ROM 136, a hard disk (DISK) 137, a NIC 138, and a timer 139 are connected to each other via a system bus 140. A program for controlling the time authentication server 104 is stored in a hard disk (DISK) 137 that is a storage medium, read out to the RAM 132 as necessary, and executed by the CPU 131. The timer 139 has the above-described clock unit that keeps accurate time. In addition, the CPU 131 displays various information using the CRT 133 and receives user instructions from the keyboard 134 and the pointing device 135. Further, the CPU 131 communicates with the external information processing apparatus 103, the storage server 105, the MFP 102, and the like through the NIC 138 and the network 101.

[Time authentication acquisition operation]
The operation of the time authentication system having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing data transfer among the time authentication server 104, the MFP 102, and the storage server 105 in the time authentication acquisition operation. When there is a time authentication acquisition request from the user (T1), the MFP 102 transmits the digital data of the paper document to the time authentication server 104 (T2). The time authentication server 104 generates an electronic signature (T3), and returns this to the MFP 102 as a time stamp (T4). The MFP 102 makes a storage request to the storage server 105 (T5), and transmits a time stamp and digital data to the storage server 105 (T6). The storage server 105 stores the time stamp and the digital data (T7), and returns a storage destination pointer to the MFP 102 (T8). The MFP 102 performs a process of combining a time stamp with the digital data and prints it out (T9).

  Next, individual time authentication acquisition operations in the time authentication server 104, the MFP 102, and the storage server 105 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure of the MFP 102 in the time authentication acquisition operation. This processing program is stored in a storage medium (not shown) in the control unit 119, and the user sets a paper document on the scanner of the MFP 102 and selects the “time authentication acquisition” function button on the operation panel 53. Then (see FIG. 13), it is executed by a CPU (not shown) in the control unit 119.

  First, when the user presses the start button, the scanner unit 113 scans a paper document set on the scanner and generates digital data (step S1). As the format of the digital data generated here, the optimum format (for example, JPEG, BitMap, TIFF, etc.) differs depending on the black and white scan or color scan, and the file format of the application including the image data (for example, for example) (PDF format). As long as it is digital data, any data format may be used.

  The time stamp processing unit 118 generates a hash value for the generated digital data using a one-way function (step S2). The one-way function and its parameters used at this time are specified by the time authentication server 104. In other words, when performing a time authentication operation, the user sets which time authentication server to authenticate on the operation panel (see FIG. 14), so the one-way function and its parameters are uniquely determined from this setting information. Is done. The network interface 112 transmits the hash value generated in step S2 to the time authentication server 104 via the network 101, and requests time authentication (step S3).

  Thereafter, it waits for reception of a time stamp from the time authentication server 104 (step S4). When the time stamp is received, the user makes a storage request to the storage server 105 designated on the operation panel (see FIG. 15). The time stamp and digital data generated by scanning the paper document are transmitted to the storage server 105 via the network 101 via the network interface 112 (step S5).

  Then, the time stamp processing unit 118 waits to receive the time stamp and the storage destination pointer from the storage server 105 via the network interface 112 (step S6). When the time stamp and the storage destination pointer are received from the storage server 105, the time is extracted from the time stamp, and the storage destination pointer is converted into a barcode or the like. Further, the image forming unit 117 creates image data of a stamp to be printed as a stamp mark based on the time and the converted barcode, and synthesizes and prints the stamp mark and digital data obtained by scanning. Image data for output is created and printed out (step S7). At this time, the print output by the image forming unit 117 is the setting contents (printing style) designated by the user on the operation panel (see FIG. 16), that is, the place where the stamp mark is combined, the presence / absence of the storage destination pointer, and the scan data. It is performed according to the presence or absence of simultaneous printing. Then, this process is complete | finished.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a paper document and a print output after the time authentication. In the print output example after the time authentication in FIG. 5B, a stamp with a unique mark is printed on the upper right of the recording paper on the paper document in FIG. In the stamp, the time data in the time stamp received from the time authentication server is embedded, and in this example, “April 1, 2003 10:03:25” 123. In addition, a pointer “5561089” to the storage location of the time stamp is shown.

  When setting the print output after receiving the time authentication, the time stamp received from the time authentication server 104 includes data of the authenticated time. The MFP 102 of this embodiment designs a unique mark by the time stamp processing unit 118 and embeds this time data to generate a stamp like a post office postmark. Then, such a stamp is combined with the scanned image data and printed. Further, a pointer indicating the location of the time stamp stored for verifying the time of authentication at a later date is also combined with the scanned image data and printed.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure of the time authentication server 104 in the time authentication acquisition operation. This processing program is stored in a hard disk (DISK) 137 that is a storage medium in the time authentication server 104 and is executed by the CPU 131 in the time authentication server 104. First, it waits to receive a hash value from the MFP 102 (step S11). When the hash value is received, accurate time information is acquired from the clock unit in the timer 139 (step S12). Then, an electronic signature for the time information and the hash value is generated with a secret key possessed by the time authentication server 104 (step S13). The generated electronic signature is returned as a time stamp to the MFP 102 (step S14). Then, this process is complete | finished. The protocol specified by the time authentication server is used for the protocol of this authentication sequence. In general, this protocol is standardized, and time stamps are acquired according to this protocol.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure of the storage server 105 in the time authentication acquisition operation. This processing program is stored in a storage medium (not shown) in the storage server 105 and is executed by a CPU (not shown) in the storage server 105. First, it waits to receive a time stamp and digital data from the MFP 102 (step S21). When the time stamp and digital data are received, the time stamp and digital data are encrypted (step S22). This time stamp and digital data encryption prevent falsification. This encryption is performed by a method that can be decrypted only by the storage server 105 or by a method that can be decrypted only by the storage server 105 that can be trusted. For example, a common key method is used so that only the storage server knows the encryption key. Ai uses a public key method, encrypts and transmits with a public key that is trusted, and decrypts it with a private key that is trusted.

  The encrypted time stamp and digital data are set and stored in the storage server 105 by the storage method (option option) set by the user on the operation panel (see FIG. 15) (step S23). After saving, the destination pointer is returned to the MFP 102 (step S24). Then, this process is complete | finished.

  Here, the storage destination pointer varies depending on the location of the storage server 105. For example, when time authentication is performed by the time authentication server 104 on the intranet, a server that similarly exists on the intranet is selected as a time stamp storage server. This is because the person who verifies the authenticated time is limited to the person in the company, and the validity of the time authentication server operated in the company is based on the premise that the person who is in-house can be trusted enough. is there. In this case, assuming that the in-house server is constructed with a Windows (registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States) server, the storage destination pointer is, for example, “¥¥ MYCOMSRV ¥ TIME ¥ STAMP ¥ 2004040100100325123-003.STP”. . This pointer may be described as it is in a stamp for print output, but a bar code of this pointer or a bar code of a tag for centrally managing the pointer may be described.

  Further, when time authentication is performed by a time certificate authority on the Internet, a server that is also present on the Internet is selected as a time stamp storage server. This is because it can be assumed that the time authenticated by an outsider is verified and time authentication at a third-party and fair organization is required. In this case, assuming that the data is stored in a Web server on the Internet, the storage destination pointer is, for example, “ftp.xxx.co.jp/TIME/STAMP/200404001100325123-003.STP”. This pointer may be described as it is in a print output stamp, but as in the case of an intranet, a bar code of this pointer may be described. That is, since the pointer remains the same regardless of where the storage server exists, the pointer may be printed in the print output.

[Time authentication check operation]
Next, a case where the user confirms the time authentication using the MFP 102 after the time authentication is obtained will be described. Here, the printed output paper (paper manuscript) may be a printed output paper with a time stamp created by the user, or a printed output paper with a time stamp that has been created by another person and sent to the evidence. May be.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing data transfer among the time authentication server 104, the MFP 102, and the storage server 105 in the time authentication confirmation operation. When there is a time authentication confirmation request from the user (T11), the MFP 102 transmits a storage destination pointer read from the printed output paper to the storage server 105 (T12). The storage server 105 searches for data based on the storage destination pointer (T13), and returns the stored digital data and time stamp to the MFP 102 (T14). When the MFP 12 returns the received time stamp to the time authentication server 104, Transmit (T15). The time authentication server 104 verifies the time stamp (T16), and transmits the verified time to the MFP 102 (T17). The MFP 102 displays the received time on the operation panel (T18).

  Next, individual time authentication confirmation operations in the time authentication server 104, the MFP 102, and the storage server 105 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure of the MFP 102 in the time authentication confirmation operation. This processing program is stored in a storage medium (not shown) in the control unit 119, and the user sets a paper document on the scanner of the MFP 102 and selects the “time authentication confirmation” function button on the operation panel 53. Then (see FIG. 13), it is executed by a CPU (not shown) in the MFP 102.

  First, when the user presses the start button, the MFP 102 scans a paper document set on the scanner by the scanner unit 113, and the time stamp processing unit 118 extracts a storage destination pointer from the image data of the paper document (step). S41). The MFP 102 transmits the storage destination pointer extracted by the time stamp processing unit 118 to the storage server 105 connected to the network 101 via the network interface 112, and requests the digital data and time stamp stored in the storage server 105. (Step S42).

  The MFP 102 waits for digital data and a time stamp to be received from the storage server 105 connected to the network 101 via the network interface 112 (step S43). When the digital data and the time stamp are received, the MFP 102 passes them to the time stamp processing unit 118. . Then, the time stamp processing unit 118 analyzes the time stamp and specifies which time authentication server has received the time authentication (step S44). Further, the time stamp processing unit 118 transmits a time stamp to the identified time authentication server 104 via the network 101 from the network interface 112, and requests confirmation of time authentication (step S45).

  Thereafter, the MFP 102 waits until the time stamp processing unit 118 receives the confirmation result of the time authentication server 104 from the network interface 112 via the network 101 (step S46). When the confirmation result of the time authentication server 104 is received, the time stamp processing unit 118 displays the time authenticated by the time authentication server 104 from the result on the display screen of the operation panel and whether to print the result. A screen for requesting the user to specify (see FIG. 17) is displayed on the operation panel (step S47).

  In the display screen on the operation panel, it is determined whether or not the confirmation result of the time when the user is authenticated by the time authentication server 104 is printed (step S48). The digital data received from the storage server 105 is transmitted to the image forming unit 117, and the image forming unit 117 performs print output in a print format according to the user's specification, that is, print output of only the confirmation result of the authenticated time, Alternatively, print output is performed by synthesizing the authenticated digital data and the authenticated time (step S49). Then, this process is complete | finished.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure of the time authentication server 104 in the time authentication confirmation operation. This processing program is stored in the hard disk 137 that is a storage medium in the time authentication server 104, and is executed by the CPU 131 in the time authentication server 104.

  The time authentication server 104 waits until a time authentication confirmation request is received, that is, until a time stamp is received (step S51). When there is a request for confirmation of time authentication, the electronic signature in the time stamp is decrypted with the private key possessed only by the time authentication server 104, and it is determined whether or not tampering has occurred (time stamp verification) (step S52). At the same time, the time information embedded in the type stamp is taken out (step S53). Then, these results are returned to the MFP 102 (step S54), and this process is terminated. The protocol specified by the time authentication server is used as the protocol for this authentication confirmation sequence. In general, this protocol is standardized, and time stamps are obtained according to this protocol.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation processing procedure of the storage server 105 in the time authentication confirmation operation. This processing program is stored in a storage medium (not shown) in the storage server 105 and is executed by a CPU (not shown) in the storage server 105.

  It is determined whether or not a storage destination pointer has been received from the MFP 102 connected to the network 101, that is, whether or not digital data and a time stamp stored in the storage server 105 have been requested (step S61). If the storage destination pointer has not been received, the processing of step S61 is repeated and waits until reception.

  When the storage destination pointer is received, the digital data and time stamp corresponding to the received storage destination pointer are searched (step S62). As a result of the search, the corresponding digital data and time stamp are returned to the MFP 102 (step S62). S63). Then, this process is complete | finished.

[UI screen]
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an operation panel when selecting a function of the MFP 102. The display screen of the operation panel 53 is provided with three tabs “copy”, “box”, and “extended function”. In the “extended function” tab, “acquire time authentication” and “confirm time authentication”. , “Printer” and “Other” function buttons 201 to 204 are set. For example, when a user sets a paper document on the scanner of the MFP 102 and selects the “time authentication acquisition” function button 201 on the operation panel 53, the time authentication acquisition operation starts.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an operation panel when a time certificate authority is selected from a plurality. On this operation panel, selection buttons 251 to 253 for selecting a time certificate authority from a plurality are set. The selection button 251 is for selecting a registered time authentication server that exists on the Internet. The selection button 252 is present on the intranet (in-house network) and is used to select a registered time authentication server. The selection button 253 is used to select an unregistered time authentication server.

  There are multiple time certificate authorities on the Internet, and they are competing for service content. Although it is possible to connect to any time certificate authority from the MFP 102, in general, for the convenience of having an account of the time certificate authority and paying it, the operation is performed by one to a few time certificate authorities. On the display screen on the operation panel 53, an option (select button 251) for selecting a time certificate authority on the Internet is displayed at a position where it can be easily selected. In addition, if a time authentication server is provided in the company so that it can be used only within the company and does not incur the authentication cost of the time certificate authority, an option for selecting authentication to this in-house time authentication server ( A selection button 252 is displayed, and other time certificate authorities can be selected from a selection button 253 for selecting other servers, and those not displayed as options include direct addresses and names. Etc. may be input.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an operation panel when image data and a time stamp are stored together. The operation panel 53 is provided with a selection button 301 for selecting a storage server and a selection button 302 for changing storage settings. Here, after the time stamp is sent from the time authentication server 104, it is possible to make an option setting when the image data generated by scanning a paper document and the sent time stamp are stored together.

  As an option for this option, you can select whether to save the image data and time stamp separately, and if you want to save each, select whether to save them separately, together, or in which destination It can be carried out. In addition, the time stamp is generally stored in order to confirm with the time authentication server whether or not it is correct later. Further, in order to clarify which image has a time stamp, it is common to store image data together with the time stamp. Accordingly, setting items are displayed at positions where such options can be easily selected.

  In addition, it is appropriate to change the storage location according to the time authentication server. For example, it is assumed that when authentication is performed by a time certificate authority on the Internet, the authentication is notified and confirmed to a person outside the company. Accordingly, the storage destination is preferably on the Internet. For example, when a data storage service is deployed on the Internet, storing it here is an example. In addition, when the authentication is performed by the time authentication server on the in-house network (intranet), it is assumed that the cost is reduced and only the in-house person is notified and confirmed. Therefore, it is preferable that the storage destination exists on the intranet. As described above, when the storage destination server is selected on the operation panel (see FIG. 15), the display is dynamically changed so as to correspond to the selected time authentication server.

  In addition, when the user wants to make a setting different from the default setting registered here, a user interface screen in which image data, a time stamp, and a storage destination can be arbitrarily changed by selecting a selection button 302 for changing the setting is displayed. Is displayed.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an operation panel when setting time stamp printing. On the display screen of the operation panel 53, a setting button 351 for setting the location of the time stamp, that is, setting which part of the printed output paper the composition of the stamp is set, and whether or not the storage location is specified, that is, “Yes” button 352 for setting whether to print the pointer to the storage location of the time stamp, “No” button 353, setting whether to simultaneously print the document, that is, scanning separately from the combined output of the stamp A “Yes” button 354 and a “No” button 355 are provided for setting whether to copy and print out the original document as it is.

  For example, when the setting button 351 for setting the stamp position is pressed, a screen for designating the upper left, upper right, lower left, lower right, center, or the like is displayed. In the state where the scanned image is displayed on the display screen of the operation panel, the position is specified with the attached stylus pen, or the position is specified in detail, such as a point moved up and down by a few millimeters from the corner of the output paper. A simple screen may be displayed. When the user presses the start button after setting on such an operation panel, the MFP 102 scans the paper document set on the scanner and performs image processing and time authentication processing as described above.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an operation panel when printing a confirmation of time authentication. When the user sets a time-stamped printout paper on the scanner of the MFP 102 and selects the “time authentication confirmation” function button 202 on the operation panel, when the user presses the start button, the MFP 102 sets the scanner on the scanner. The printed paper document is scanned, and image processing and time authentication confirmation processing are performed. The MFP 102 extracts an appropriate time stamp based on the storage destination pointer printed on the printed output paper, requests confirmation from an appropriate time authentication server, and obtains an answer. Then, the MFP 102 displays the time authenticated from the answer on the display screen on the operation panel 53. Further, a screen asking the user whether or not to print out the confirmation result, that is, a “Yes” button 452 and a “No” button 453 for setting the confirmation printing are displayed. Also, a screen for asking the user whether or not the authenticated image data stored in the storage server 105 is to be printed out at the same time, that is, a “Yes” button 454 and a “No” button for setting simultaneous printing of the document. 455 is displayed. By performing such an operation, the user can obtain the authenticated time and the authenticated digital data for the time-stamped print output paper, and further confirm the print output whose time is authenticated. be able to.

  As described above, according to the time authentication system of this embodiment, time authentication can be easily performed on a handwritten memo by using the MFP 102. Therefore, it is possible to provide a service that proves that a memo in which an idea is written down by hand exists at that time and has not been tampered with thereafter. Therefore, the time authentication of the paper document can be easily performed, and the confirmation can be easily performed. In addition to pressing a time stamp on a paper document, it is possible to verify whether the time of the paper document on which the time stamp at hand is pressed is correct.

  These effects are summarized as follows. For example, when the created data exists, when the time is proved to a third party, the third party who proves this time is a so-called time certification authority. This time certification authority attaches time data (time stamp) based on a time stamped with a precise clock and performs a service for authenticating the time data on the Internet. Therefore, the time certificate authority has a function that satisfies the standard, and the time stamp is generally recognized to be correct, so that the person who requests the time stamp and the attached time stamp Anyone who confirms can trust this time certificate authority and its timestamp is trusted. However, it is assumed that requesting the time certificate authority to attach a time stamp and confirming the attached time stamp with the time certificate authority are usually performed on a PC (personal computer). For this reason, if you fill in the order details on paper, press the seal, and send the order form to the trading company using a facsimile machine, it proves that the handwritten order form was indeed present at that time. It can't be easy. Also, if you come up with an idea and write it down on paper, you can't easily prove that the idea was there at that time. In this case, the assumed procedure is as follows. First, a paper document is read and digitized by a scanner, a hash value of the digital data is calculated on a PC, a time certificate authority to be authenticated is selected, a hash value is transmitted, and a time created by the time certificate authority The stamp is received, and the digital data of the paper document and the received time stamp are managed as a set. Furthermore, when the time stamp is confirmed by the time certificate authority, the time stamp is transmitted to the time certificate authority, the result confirmed by the time certificate authority is received, and the received result is displayed on the PC screen. In such a procedure, time authentication and confirmation thereof are performed. Although it may be performed using a PC in this way, the operation procedure is complicated. In this embodiment, by using an MFP instead of a PC, it is possible to perform time authentication and confirmation operations on a paper document with a simple operation.

  The above is the description of the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the configurations of these embodiments, and the functions shown in the claims or the functions of the configurations of the embodiments are included. Any configuration that can be achieved is applicable.

  For example, the MFP has functions such as FAX reception, BOX function, and IPP (Internet Printing Protocol), so that it can receive data from the outside (device), hold it as digital data, and then print it out. is there. With these functions, time authentication may be performed on the received digital data.

  Since the MFP receives the converted digital data after reception, the operation procedure for requesting time authentication from the time authentication server 104 is the same as that described above. However, the timing for instructing the authentication is different. When performing time authentication by scanning paper, the user's operation is performed. Therefore, time authentication may be performed at that timing. Since the FAX reception, the reception by the BOX function, or the IPP reception is automatically performed, no user operation is performed when these jobs are received. Therefore, it is necessary to give an instruction for time authentication by setting an operation when receiving these jobs in advance.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an operation panel when setting an operation at the time of receiving a job. When a job is received, the “execute automatically when received” selection button 501 is used to automatically instruct time authentication for all jobs, and it is instructed to perform time authentication only for jobs that meet the conditions. A selection button 502 “execute according to conditions” and a “details” button 503 are provided to allow detailed specification of the conditions. In addition, a selection button 504 for “save and do not authenticate” is provided to instruct to save all jobs without performing time authentication.

  Execution related to time authentication is performed on the received data according to the mode set on this setting screen. Since digital data that has not been time-authenticated at the time of reception is stored in the MFP 102, it can be executed whenever time authentication is required. The operation procedure for verifying the time authentication is also the same as the procedure described above. As a result, not only the transmission but also the request to perform time authentication of the received digital data can be satisfied, and the received digital data can be easily time stamped. Furthermore, the confirmation can be easily performed.

  In the above embodiment, the time authentication server 104 and the storage server 105 are provided separately on the Internet. However, a server that combines the time authentication server 104 and the storage server 105 (hereinafter referred to as a time authentication archiver). May be constructed. The MFP 102 scans a handwritten memo, converts it into digital data, sends the hash value to the time authentication archiver, and requests time authentication and storage. The pointer is received from the time authentication archiver and pasted on the memo. A person who wants to confirm the validity of the memo transmits a pointer to the time authentication archiver and requests confirmation. This authentication acquisition and confirmation operation may be performed in the same manner as described above.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when time authentication is performed, the data transmitted from the MFP 102 to the time authentication server 104 is a hash value, but the identity of digital data obtained by scanning a paper document is ensured. As long as it is, any data may be used, and the digital data itself may be transmitted. In this case, the time authentication server may calculate a hash value from the digital data. Further, the paper manuscript is not particularly limited to a text document, a photograph, a figure or the like.

  In the above embodiment, image data (image data) of a paper document generated by scanning is shown as digital data. However, when the MFP has a function of converting to code data, such as OCR (Optical Character Reader), Further, the data converted from the image data into the code data may be digital data, and the hash value of the converted code data may be transmitted to the time authentication server.

  Further, when the MFP includes a large-capacity data storage device, the MFP itself may store the time stamp and the digital data instead of storing the time stamp and the digital data.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the embodiments to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus as a storage medium. This can also be achieved by reading and executing the stored program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include ROM, floppy (registered trademark) disk, PCMCIA card, compact flash (registered trademark) memory card, hard disk, micro DAT, magneto-optical disk, CD- It may be composed of an optical disk such as R or CD-RW, a phase change optical disk such as DVD, or the like.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) running on the computer is actually executed based on the instruction of the program code. This includes a case where part or all of the processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. This includes a case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the time authentication system in an Example, and the electrical structure of an image processing apparatus. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus (MFP) 102. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a time authentication server 104. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing data transfer among the time authentication server 104, the MFP 102, and the storage server 105 in the time authentication acquisition operation. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation processing procedure of the MFP in a time authentication acquisition operation. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement process sequence of the time authentication server 104 in time authentication acquisition operation | movement. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the storage server 105 in time authentication acquisition operation | movement. 6 is a diagram illustrating data transfer between the time authentication server 104, the MFP 102, and the storage server 105 in the time authentication confirmation operation. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation processing procedure of the MFP in a time authentication confirmation operation. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement process sequence of the time authentication server 104 in time authentication confirmation operation | movement. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement process sequence of the preservation | save server 105 in time authentication confirmation operation | movement. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a paper document and a print output after the time authentication. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation panel when selecting a function of the MFP. FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation panel at the time of selecting a time certification authority from the plurality. It is a figure which shows the operation panel at the time of storing image data and a time stamp collectively. It is a figure which shows the operation panel at the time of setting printing of a time stamp. It is a figure which shows the operation panel at the time of printing confirmation of time authentication. It is a figure which shows the operation panel at the time of setting operation | movement at the time of the reception of a job.

Explanation of symbols

53 Operation Panel 102 MFP (Multifunction Device)
104 Time authentication server 105 Storage server 113 Scanner unit 115 Network processing unit 117 Image forming unit 118 Time stamp processing unit 119 Control unit 139 Timer

Claims (12)

An original reading means for reading an original and generating digital data;
Time authentication requesting means for requesting time authentication of the digital data and acquiring time information at which the time authentication was performed;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a storage control unit that controls to store the digital data associated with the time information in a storage destination. Storage location information acquisition means for acquiring storage location information of the digital data and the time information;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a printing unit that prints the acquired storage destination information and the digital data on a sheet. Storage location information reading means for reading the sheet and reading the storage location information;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a time information reading unit that reads the time information from the storage destination based on the storage destination information. A verification result acquisition unit that requests verification of the read time information and acquires the verification result;
4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising time information output means for outputting the time information when the verification result is correct. An image forming means for forming a time stamp image of the time information;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printing unit prints the digital data to which the storage destination information and the time stamp image are added. Display means for displaying a time certificate authority selection screen for performing the time authentication;
In accordance with an instruction on the screen, comprising a time certificate authority selection means for selecting the time certificate authority,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time authentication request unit makes a request to the selected time certificate authority. Display means for displaying a selection screen for saving the digital data and the time information;
A storage location selection means for selecting the storage location according to an instruction on the screen;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage control unit controls the storage to be performed in the selected storage destination. Display means for displaying a selection screen including a selection of whether to print the digital data to which the storage destination information and the time stamp image are added, or to print only the digital data;
6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a printing style setting unit that sets a printing style in accordance with an instruction on the screen. Display means for displaying a selection screen including a selection of whether to print the verified time information and the digital data at the same time or to print only the verified time information;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a printing style setting unit that sets a printing style in accordance with an instruction on the screen. Comprising receiving means for receiving digital data from an external device;
2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the time authentication means requests time authentication of the received digital data in addition to the generated digital data, and acquires time information on which the time authentication has been performed. Processing equipment.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the digital data is image data of the document or code data converted based on the image data. An original reading step of reading an original with an image reading device and generating digital data;
A time authentication requesting step for requesting time authentication of the digital data to a time certificate authority, and acquiring time information at which the time authentication was performed;
An image processing method comprising: a storage control step of controlling to store the digital data associated with the time information in a storage destination.

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