JP2005184408A - Image forming apparatus and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus and a recording medium capable of appropriately protecting security by managing a security mark which is composite-printed for protecting security. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 performs composite printing in which the document data inputted from an original reading part 8 are accumulated in an image accumulator 7 and an arbitrary image is synthesized and printed on each page of the accumulated document by a printer 11. The synthesized printing includes a mark synthetic printing in which an arbitrary mark is synthesized and printed on each page of the accumulated document, with the printed mark stored in a nonvolatile RAM6 as a used mark. Thus, the security at managing and collecting the mark composite print document is improved, resulting in improved security of the accumulated document. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a recording medium, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus and a recording medium that maintain confidentiality by combining and printing a confidential mark on an image.

  Traditionally, companies and public institutions often handle documents that require confidentiality such as important documents and drawings (hereinafter referred to as confidential documents as necessary). We pay close attention to the handling of confidential documents to prevent leakage of confidential documents.

  However, confidential documents distributed like conference materials are often taken out by copying the confidential documents.

  Therefore, when distributing a confidential document at a meeting, etc., when multiple copies of the same manuscript are written, a different mark (for example, serial number) is described for each copy, and the combination of the recipient and the mark is stored. Thus, when the confidential document is leaked, the secret source is clarified so that the confidential document is kept secret.

  The applicant previously proposed an image forming apparatus that changes the mark of mark image data for each image formation and forms the image by synthesizing the mark with the image of the document during continuous image formation on the same document. (See Patent Document 1).

JP-A-5-22568

  However, in the above prior art, when a mark for confidentiality protection is combined and printed, the processing procedure is roughly as follows.

(1) Confidential numbering print mode setting (2) Enter start number of marked number (3) Document set (4) Copy start after entering the number of copies (5) Collect the original and copy as soon as the copy is finished.

  In other words, the conventional technology considers only the situation in which the manuscript can be taken back and managed after copying is completed. In such a situation, the same mark is applied to each copy of the same document. Cannot be synthesized.

  However, in recent years, image forming apparatuses capable of storing documents have appeared. In an image forming apparatus having such a storage function, a document is first read by a scanner and then printed at an arbitrary timing. it can.

  When an image forming apparatus having such a storage function is used, an arbitrary number of copies can be printed at an arbitrary timing. Therefore, the same mark can be combined with a duplicate of the same document, and confidentiality can be achieved. The holding mark will not work.

  Therefore, the invention according to claim 1 stores the document data input from the input unit in the storage unit, combines the arbitrary image with each page of the stored document, and performs the composite printing for printing by the printing unit. In composite printing, mark synthesis printing is performed in which an arbitrary mark is combined with each page of an accumulated document and printed, and the printed mark is stored as a used mark in a storage unit, so that an arbitrary number of copies can be made at an arbitrary timing. In addition to improving the usability of mark composition printing for security protection such as when only mark composition printing is performed, the security at the time of management and collection of mark composition print documents is improved, and security is required while improving usability. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that appropriately improves the security of stored documents.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the used mark stored in the storage unit is displayed on the display unit, printed out by the printing unit, or output to an external device for each accumulated document subjected to the mark composite printing. By performing at least one of the outputs, it is possible to easily distribute and check the printed matter in which the mark for security protection is combined and printed, and it is necessary to protect the security while further improving the usability. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can further appropriately improve the security of stored documents.

  The invention according to claim 3 uses the same mark twice in the same stored document by automatically selecting a mark used for mark composite printing from marks other than the used mark stored in the storage means. It is easy to select the mark while avoiding the problem, improve the security during mark composite printing for security, and further improve the security of stored documents that require security while further improving the usability. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be improved.

  The invention according to claim 4 prevents the same mark from being used again by canceling the new mark composition printing when there is no automatically selectable mark, thereby improving the usability and security. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can further appropriately improve the security of a stored document required.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the mark designated by the mark designating means for designating the mark used for the mark composition printing is used in the mark composition printing so that the mark used for the security protection can be easily designated. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of appropriately selecting a mark intended by a user and further improving the security of stored documents that require security while further improving the usability. It is said.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the mark designated by the mark designation means matches the used mark stored in the storage means, the operator rejects the mark composite printing using the designated mark, so that the operator An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing duplication of mark by selecting, improving the usability, and further appropriately improving the security of stored documents that require security. It is said.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set whether or not to set a mark composite print target document as to whether or not the stored document is set as a mark composite print target document for each stored document of the storage unit. On the other hand, by enabling password setting, normal document processing can be performed for documents that do not require confidential management, improving usability and ensuring the security of stored documents that require confidentiality. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be improved.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, when a stored document is set as a mark composition print target document, the print condition of the stored document is fixed to a predetermined print condition. By providing a unified printing style, it is easy to check the security mark composite printed material distribution and collection, and provide an image forming device that can further improve the security of stored documents that require security protection. The purpose is to do.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set whether or not to set a mark composition print target document for each stored document when the stored document is input from the input unit and stored in the storage unit. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that eliminates an unset period as a mark composition print target and further improves the security of stored documents that require security protection as compared with the case of setting after storage. It is said.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, when a password is set in the stored document, the operation using the stored document requires that the password is authenticated, and the stored document and the stored are required to be protected. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that more appropriately protects confidentiality of history information of confidential mark printing of a document.

  The invention according to claim 11 is read and incorporated in an image forming apparatus including an input unit for inputting document data, a storage unit for storing document data, and a printing unit for printing out an image on paper. Claim 1 to claim, as the software, when document data input from the input means is stored in the storage means, and software for synthesizing an arbitrary image on each page of the stored document and combining and printing by the printing means is recorded. By recording software that causes the image forming apparatus to execute the mark composition printing process executed by the image forming apparatus according to Item 10, the software is introduced into the image forming apparatus and executed, thereby improving usability. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium capable of constructing an image forming apparatus that appropriately protects confidentiality of stored documents that require confidentiality protection. It is.

  An image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is an image for performing composite printing in which document data input from an input unit is stored in a storage unit, an arbitrary image is combined with each page of the stored document and printed by a printing unit. In the forming apparatus, the composite printing performs mark composite printing in which an arbitrary mark is combined and printed on each page of the accumulated document, and the printed mark is stored in a storage unit as a used mark. Has achieved the above objectives.

  In this case, for example, as described in claim 2, the image forming apparatus includes a predetermined display unit, and the used document stored in the storage unit is stored in the accumulated document subjected to the mark composite printing. Each time, at least one of display output on the display means, print output on the printing means, or output to an external device may be performed.

  For example, as described in claim 3, the image forming apparatus automatically selects the mark used for the mark composite printing from marks other than the used mark stored in the storage unit. You may do.

  Further, for example, as described in claim 4, the image forming apparatus may stop a new mark composite printing when the automatically selectable mark is exhausted.

  For example, the image forming apparatus includes a mark designating unit that designates a mark used for the mark composite printing, and the mark designated by the mark designating unit in the mark composite printing. May be used.

  Further, for example, when the mark designated by the mark designating unit matches the used mark stored in the storage unit, the image forming apparatus includes the designated mark. It is also possible to reject mark composite printing using.

  Further, for example, as described in claim 7, the image forming apparatus determines whether or not the mark composite print target document for each stored document of the storage means is to be the mark composite print target document. Setting may be possible, and a password may be set for the mark composite print target document.

  Further, for example, when the stored document is set as the mark composite print target document, the image forming apparatus fixes the print condition of the stored document to a predetermined print condition. May be.

  Further, for example, as described in claim 9, the image forming apparatus inputs a setting as to whether or not to set the mark composite print target document for each stored document from the input unit. It may be set when accumulating in the accumulating means.

  Further, for example, as described in claim 10, when the password is set in the stored document, the image forming apparatus is subject to authentication of the password in an operation using the stored document. It may be.

  A recording medium according to an eleventh aspect of the invention is read by an image forming apparatus including an input unit for inputting document data, a storage unit for storing document data, and a printing unit for printing out an image on paper. A recording medium for recording software that is incorporated and stores document data input from the input unit in the storage unit, combines arbitrary images with each page of the stored document, and combines and prints by the printing unit The above object is achieved by recording, as the software, software that causes the image forming apparatus to execute the mark composition printing process executed by the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, composite printing is performed in which the document data input from the input unit is stored in the storage unit, and an arbitrary image is combined with each page of the stored document and printed by the printing unit. In performing the composite printing, mark composite printing is performed in which any mark is combined with each page of the stored document and printed, and the printed mark is stored in the storage unit as a used mark. It is possible to improve the usability of mark composition printing for confidentiality protection when printing any number of copies, and improve the security at the time of managing and collecting mark composition print documents. Thus, it is possible to appropriately improve the security of stored documents that require security protection.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, the used mark stored in the storage unit is displayed and output on the display unit and printed out by the printing unit for each accumulated document subjected to the mark composite printing. Alternatively, since at least one of the outputs to the external device is performed, it is possible to easily check the distribution and collection of the printed material obtained by synthesizing the security mark, and further improve the usability. It is possible to further appropriately improve the security of stored documents that require security.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect of the invention, since the mark used for the mark composite printing is automatically selected from marks other than the used mark stored in the storage means, the same mark is stored in the same stored document. Can be prevented from being used again, and it is possible to improve the security at the time of mark composition printing for security protection by making it easy to select a mark. Therefore, it is possible to further appropriately improve the security of the stored document that needs to be stored.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect of the invention, when there is no automatically selectable mark, a new mark composite printing is stopped, so that the same mark can be reliably prevented from being used again. Thus, it is possible to improve the security of stored documents that require security protection more appropriately.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect of the invention, since the mark designated by the mark designating means for designating the mark used for the mark composition printing is used in the mark composition printing, the designation of the mark used for security protection is performed. Can be easily performed, and the mark intended by the user can be selected appropriately, further improving the usability and further protecting the confidentiality of stored documents that require security. Can be improved.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the sixth aspect of the invention, if the mark designated by the mark designating means matches the used mark stored in the storage means, the mark composite printing using the designated mark is rejected. Therefore, it is possible to prevent duplication of marks due to the selection by the operator, and to improve the security of stored documents that require confidentiality while further improving usability. Can do.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set the mark composite print target document availability setting as to whether or not the stored document is a mark composite print target document for each stored document of the storage unit. Since the password can be set for the mark composition print target document, it is possible to improve the usability of documents that do not require confidentiality management, improve the usability, and require confidentiality protection. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately improve the security of stored documents.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the invention described in claim 8, when the stored document is set as the mark composition print target document, the print condition of the stored document is fixed to the predetermined print condition. By unifying the print style of the mark composite printed material, it is possible to facilitate the distribution and collection of the mark composite printed material for security protection, further enhancing the security of stored documents that require security protection. It can be improved appropriately.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the ninth aspect of the present invention, the setting as to whether or not to make a mark composition print target document for each stored document is set when the stored document is input from the input unit and stored in the storage unit. Compared with the case of setting after accumulation, it is possible to eliminate the non-set period as the mark composition print target, and further improve the security of stored documents that require security protection more appropriately. Can be made.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the tenth aspect of the present invention, if a password is set in the stored document, the operation of using the stored document is conditional on the authentication of the password, and thus security is required. The confidentiality of the stored document and the history information of the confidential mark printing of the stored document can be more appropriately protected.

  According to the recording medium of the eleventh aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus comprising: an input unit that inputs document data; a storage unit that stores document data; and a printing unit that prints and outputs an image on paper. When the software that stores the document data that is incorporated and input from the input unit is stored in the storage unit, and an arbitrary image is combined with each page of the stored document and is combined and printed by the printing unit is recorded as the software, Software for causing the image forming apparatus to execute the mark composition printing process executed by the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is recorded, and the software can be used by introducing the software into the image forming apparatus and executing the software. The confidentiality of stored documents that require confidentiality protection can be appropriately protected.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The scope of the present invention limits this invention especially in the following description. As long as there is no description of the effect, it is not restricted to these aspects.

  1 to 16 are diagrams showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus and a recording medium of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an image forming apparatus 1 to which an embodiment of the image forming apparatus and the recording medium of the present invention is applied. FIG.

  In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 3, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 4, an operation unit 5, a nonvolatile RAM 6, an image storage unit 7, and a document reading unit 8. , MSU 9, image memory 10, printing unit 11, network adapter 12 and the like.

  The ROM 3 stores various programs such as a basic program as the image forming apparatus 1 and a document confidential processing program to be described later, and various data necessary for executing these programs. The document confidential processing program (software) is not limited to the one stored in the ROM 3 in advance. For example, the document confidential processing program is recorded on a recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc). The processing program may be read by a driver (not shown) and stored in a hard disk or program storage memory (not shown). The image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment is constructed by incorporating the document confidential processing program.

  Based on the program in the ROM 3, the CPU 2 controls each part of the image forming apparatus 1 while using the RAM 4 as a work memory, executes basic processing as the image forming apparatus 1, and executes document confidential processing described later. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 5 is provided with hard keys such as a numeric keypad 21, a clear key 22, an enter key 23, a start key 24, a copy key 25, an accumulation / print key 26, and an initial setting key 27. In addition, a liquid crystal touch panel (display means) 28 is provided. The liquid crystal touch panel 28 displays function keys, messages indicating the status of the image forming apparatus 1, and the like. The liquid crystal touch panel 28 is used to designate a mark used for display mark composite printing, as described later. It also functions as a designation means.

  The numeric keypad 21 is used for inputting various numeric values, and the enter key 23 is used for determining the numeric value input with the numeric keypad 21. The clear key 22 is used to clear the input of the numeric keypad 21 and the like, and the copy key 25 is pressed when the image forming apparatus 1 executes the copy function. The accumulation / print key 26 is pressed when image data of a document read by the document reading unit 8 is accumulated in the image accumulation unit 7 or when an image is printed on a sheet by the printing unit 11 using the accumulated image data. The initial setting key 27 is pressed when setting the attributes of the image forming apparatus 1.

  A non-volatile RAM (storage means) 6 stores various setting values and file attribute tables that should be stored even when the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned off by the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 under the control of the CPU 2. To do.

  The document reading unit (input unit) 8 is, for example, an image scanner using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and includes an ADF (automatic document feeder). The ADF separates a plurality of set originals one by one and conveys them to the reading table of the original reading unit 8. The document reading unit 8 irradiates light on the document set on the reading table and the document conveyed on the reading table by the ADF, and reads the image of the document by reflected light reflected by the document. The image data read by the document reading unit 8 is stored in the image memory 10 or the image storage unit 7 by the MSU 9.

  The printing unit (printing unit) 11 performs printing on recording paper based on image data transferred from the MSU 9 by a predetermined printing method, for example, an electrophotographic method.

  The image memory 10 stores image data for output and can be accessed from the MSU 9.

  The image storage unit (storage unit) 7 stores image data on the image memory 10, and the stored image data is read by the MSU 9 and developed on the image memory 10.

  The MSU 9 is a controller for the image memory, controls the image memory 10 and the image storage unit 7 according to commands from the CPU 2, stores the image data from the document reading unit 8 in the image memory 10, and the image memory 10. The image stored in the image storage unit 7, the image stored in the image storage unit 7 is expanded on the image memory 10, the image stored in the image storage unit 7 is deleted, and the image expanded in the image memory 10 is printed. Record output in the unit 11, arbitrary value set (arbitrary image writing) on the image memory 10 from the CPU 2, and logical operation are performed for each pixel of the two images in the image memory 10, and the resultant synthesis An expansion process or the like is executed in the image memory 10 with the image as another image.

  A LAN (Local Area Network) is connected to the network adapter 12, and commands are transmitted / received to / from an external computer PC as an external device connected to the LAN.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a plurality of transfer paper trays that store transfer papers of various standard sizes, a paper sensor that detects the presence or absence of paper in each transfer paper tray, and other various loads. And a driver such as a sensor, a real-time clock, and the like, which are connected to the CPU 2.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, a mark synthesis printing process when an arbitrary mark image and a document image are combined and printed by the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 3, when the image forming apparatus 1 combines and prints an arbitrary mark image with a document image, first, as shown by processing P <b> 1 in FIG. 3, the CPU 2 stores the mark image in the image memory 10 via the MSU 9. Write. For example, in FIG. 3, an image having a counter value “1” is used as the mark image. However, when the confidential mark printing mode is the distributor mode, the character string of the distributor name is displayed. It becomes a mark image.

  Next, the MSU 9 reads out an image (document image: the image of the conference material in FIG. 3) constituting the document to be synthesized and printed from the image storage unit 7 and displays it on the image memory 10 as indicated by process P2 in FIG. The document image developed and developed on the image memory 10 and the mark image written in the image memory 10 are logically combined as shown in processing P3 in FIG. As shown by process P4 in FIG. 3, it is stored in another area of the image memory 10.

  Next, as indicated by processing 5 in FIG. 3, the MSU 9 reads the composite document in the image memory 10, transfers it to the printing unit 11, and causes the printing unit 11 to print the composite document.

  The MSU 9 checks whether there is a next page of the document image in the image storage unit 7. If there is a next page, the MSU 9 reads the image of the next page, combines it with the mark image, and prints it with the printing unit 11 as described above. To do.

  When the confidential mark printing combined with the mark images of all the pages of the document image in the image storage unit 7 is completed, the CPU 2 sends a new mark image to the image memory via the MSU 9 as shown in process P1 in FIG. In the same manner as described above, the confidential mark printing is performed by repeatedly performing the process of printing the synthesized document synthesized with the next document image.

  The document image stored in the image storage unit 7 is read from the document by the document reading unit 8 and stored as a document file in the image storage unit 7. This document file has a file attribute. One document has file attributes as shown in FIG. 4 and is stored in the nonvolatile RAM 6 in a state corresponding to the document file in the image storage unit 7.

  That is, the file attributes include file ID, file name, storage time, creator, number of pages, password, presence / absence and mode of confidential mark printing (counter or distributor list), confidential mark printing history (counter), and confidential mark printing history. (Distributor list).

  Here, the file ID is an ID for uniquely identifying the stored document and specifying the document. The file name is the name of the accumulated document. As will be described later, when the document is accumulated, an arbitrary name is set by pressing the file name setting key 41 (see FIG. 7). When the setting is not performed, the image forming apparatus 1 automatically generates a file name. The accumulation time is set by reading the time from the real-time clock at the end of document accumulation. As will be described later, the creator is set by pressing a file creator setting key 42 (see FIG. 7) during document accumulation processing. The number of pages is the number of pages of an image constituting the accumulated document, and the number of pages is set after the document accumulation is completed in the document accumulation process described later. The password is used to instruct the printing and display of a document with the security mark printing setting when the security mark printing is canceled, printed, or the contents marked with the security mark printing so far are printed or displayed. This is used to authenticate the operator, and is set during document accumulation processing, as will be described later. Whether or not the confidential mark is printed and the mode is whether or not the stored document is set for confidential mark printing, and if so, the number that the confidential mark prints is counted up for each number of copies. This indicates whether the mode is the type to be used (counter mode) or the type in which the name of the distributor is used for the mark (distributor mode). The confidential mark printing history (counter) is valid only when the confidential mark printing mode is the counter mode, and the latest value of the counter at the time of printing the confidential mark of the stored document is set. Count up. The confidential mark printing history (distributor list) is valid only when the confidential mark printing mode is the distributor mode, and the list of distributors that have printed marks when the confidential mark is printed on the stored document is set to the latest value. Each time one copy is printed, a new name is set.

  First, document accumulation processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5 to 8. When the storage / print key 26 of the operation unit 5 in FIG. 2 is pressed, the image forming apparatus 1 recognizes the press of the key 26 and the stored document list screen 30 shown in FIG. Displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 28. The accumulated document list screen 30 includes a plurality of document keys 31a to 31c, a confidential mark print mode key 32, a print condition setting key 33, a document accumulation key 34, a detail key 35, a page return key 36, a page advance key 37, and the like. The stored documents stored in the image memory 10 are displayed in the document keys 31a to 31c, and the document keys 31a to 31c serve as keys and are pressed to select the displayed document. Done. The document keys 31a to 31c display document information such as document file names, creators, creation dates and times, and page numbers of the accumulated documents.

  The confidential mode print mode key 32 is a key that is pressed after selecting a stored document to be processed with the document keys 31a to 31c, thereby selecting a transition to the setting / releasing process of the confidential mark print mode of the stored document. The print condition setting key 33 is pressed after the document to be processed is selected with the document keys 31a to 31c, thereby setting the print conditions for the selected stored document such as the duplex print mode and the aggregate print mode. This is a key for selecting the transition to the processing to be set. If the selected stored document is set to have confidential mark printing, pressing the print condition setting key 33 is invalid, the print condition cannot be changed, and printing is performed with the default print condition. .

  When the detail key 35 is pressed after selecting the document to be processed with the document keys 31a to 31c, for example, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the details of the selected document are displayed. The information is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 28, and detailed information of the document, in particular, a history of confidential mark printing (a confidential printing mark (count) in FIG. 6A or a confidential printing distributor in FIG. 6B). You can see the list.

  When the number of stored documents exceeds the number that can be displayed on the document keys 31a to 31c of the liquid crystal touch panel 28, the page back key 36 and the page forward key 37 display the next stored document list, and return to the previous page. Used to display a list of stored documents.

  The document accumulation key 34 is a key for shifting to a document accumulation processing mode to be described next. When pressed, the CPU 2 displays the document accumulation processing screen 40 shown in FIG. Transition to processing mode. In the document storage processing screen 40, a file name setting key 41, a file creator setting key 42, and a confidential mark print setting key 43 are displayed.

  Then, when the CPU 2 shifts to the document accumulation processing mode, as shown in FIG. 8, first, whether the confidential mark print setting key 43 is pressed (step S101) or the file name setting key 41 is pressed (step S106). Whether the file creator setting key 42 is pressed (step S108) or the start key 24 is pressed (step S110) is sequentially checked.

  When the confidential mark print setting key 43 is pressed in step S101, the CPU 2 sets the presence / absence of the confidential mark printing of the file attribute to “present” (step S102), and distributes the confidential mark printing mode of the file attribute to the counter mode. The user mode is selected (step S103), and it is checked whether a password setting key (not shown) is pressed (step S104).

  When the password setting key is pressed in step S104, the CPU 2 performs password setting processing for storing the password input from the operation unit 5 in the file attribute (step S105), and checks whether the file name setting key 41 is pressed. (Step S106).

  When the password setting key is not pressed in step S104, the CPU 2 checks whether or not the file name setting key 41 is pressed without performing password setting processing (step S106), and if the file name setting key 41 is pressed, A file name setting process for storing the file name input from the operation unit 5 is performed (step S107), and it is checked whether the file creator setting key 42 is pressed (step S108).

  When the file name setting key 41 is not pressed in step S106, the CPU 2 checks whether or not the file creator setting key 42 is pressed without performing the file name setting process (step S108). When the button is pressed, a file creator name setting process for storing the file creator name input from the operation unit 5 is performed (step S109), and it is checked whether the start key 24 is pressed (step S110).

  When the file creator setting key 42 is not pressed in step S108, the CPU 2 checks whether the start key 24 is pressed without performing the file creator name setting process (step S110), and when the start key 24 is not pressed. Returning to step S101, the same processing as described above is performed (steps S101 to S110).

  When the start key 24 is pressed in step S110, the CPU 2 reads one page of the document by the document reading unit 8 and temporarily stores it in the image memory 10 (step S111), and then the next document is the document reading unit 8, Specifically, it is checked whether the document is in the ADF (step S112). When there is a next document, the process for reading the next document is sequentially repeated until all the documents are read (steps S111 and S112).

  In step S112, when there is no next original, the CPU 2 accumulates the image data of the read original in the image accumulating unit 7 and stores the set file attribute as the image data of the original in the image accumulating unit 7. The data is written in the nonvolatile RAM 6 in association with the file, and the process is terminated (step S113).

  Next, basic control processing by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As described above, when the storage / print key 26 of the operation unit 5 in FIG. 2 is pressed, the image forming apparatus 1 causes the CPU 2 to display the stored document list screen 30 shown in FIG. 5 as shown in FIG. The information is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 28 of the operation unit 5 (step S201), and it is checked whether or not the document storage key 34 is pressed on the stored document list screen 30 (step S202).

  When the document storage key 34 is pressed in step S202, the CPU 2 performs the document storage process shown in FIG. 8 (step S203), and the stored document is selected by the document keys (stored document storage keys) 31a to 31c. It is checked whether it has been performed (step S204).

  When the document keys 31a to 31c are not pressed in step S204, the CPU 2 returns to step S202 since the stored document to be processed is not specified, and performs the same processing from the check processing as to whether or not the document storage key 34 is pressed. When the document keys 31a to 31c are pressed in step S204, the file attribute of the selected stored document is read from the nonvolatile RAM 6 to check whether the selected document has a password set. (Step S205).

  When a password is set for the selected document in step S205, when the password is input from the operation unit 5, the CPU 2 acquires the input password (step S206), and the input password and the selected document are acquired. It is checked whether the passwords set in the file attributes match (step S207). If the passwords do not match, the operation processing for the selected document is rejected, the process returns to step S202, and the document storage key 34 is pressed. The same process as described above is performed from the check (steps S202 to S207).

  If the input password matches the password of the file attribute in step S207, the CPU 2 shifts the stored document to the selected state (step S208), and the file attribute is set to have confidential mark printing as shown in FIG. If the file attribute is not set to have confidential mark printing (set to not print confidential mark), the print condition setting can be entered and the print condition setting can be made. An input process is performed (step S210), and a print number input process is performed (step S211). In this print condition setting input process, when the print condition setting key 33 in FIG. 5 is pressed, the CPU 2 displays a print condition setting screen on the liquid crystal touch panel 28 of the operation unit 5 when the print condition setting key 33 is pressed. It is possible to set printing conditions such as a duplex printing mode and an aggregate printing mode.

  In step S209, when the file attribute is set to have confidential mark printing, the CPU 2 performs the print number input process without performing the print condition setting input process (step S211). That is, when performing confidential mark printing (confidential mark composite printing), in order to make it easy to determine that the documents are the same when collecting the documents that have undergone confidential mark printing, On the other hand, printing is continued in the same format, and when there is confidential mark printing, setting of printing conditions is not permitted and defaults are used as printing conditions.

  In the print copy number input process in step S211, the CPU 2 determines the input of the numeric keypad 21 of the operation unit 5 and sets the print copy number.

  The CPU 2 checks whether the confidential mark print mode key 32 has been pressed when the copy number input process is performed (step S212). If the confidential mark print mode key 32 is pressed, the CPU 2 performs a confidential mark print mode setting process to be described later. (Step S213), it is checked whether the document keys 31a to 31c of the stored document in the selected state are pressed (step S214).

  When the confidential mark print mode key 32 is not pressed in step S212, the CPU 2 checks whether the document keys 31a to 31c of the stored document in the selected state are pressed (step S214).

  In step S214, when the document keys 31a to 31c of the stored document in the selected state are pressed, the CPU 2 determines that it is a request to cancel the selected state of the stored document, and cancels the selected state of the stored document. (Step S215), returning to step S202, the same processing as described above is performed (steps S202 to S214).

  If the document keys 31a to 31c of the selected stored document are not pressed in step S214, the CPU 2 checks whether the start key 24 is pressed (step S216). If the start key 24 is pressed, the document printing described later is performed. An operation process is executed (step S217), and it is checked whether the detail key 35 is pressed (step S218).

  If the start key 24 is not pressed in step S216, the CPU 2 checks whether the detail key 35 is pressed without performing the document printing operation process (step S218). If the detail key 35 is not pressed, the process returns to step S209. Then, the same processing as described above is performed (steps S209 to S218).

  When the detail key 35 is pressed in step S218, the CPU 2 displays detailed document information (step S219). In displaying the document detailed information, the CPU 2 displays the contents of the document detailed attributes as shown in FIG. 6A or 6B on the liquid crystal touch panel 28 of the operation unit 5.

  Then, the CPU 2 checks whether the print key (accumulation / print key) 26 is pressed or the end key is pressed in the document detailed information display state (steps S220 and S222), and the print key 26 is pressed. Then, the document detailed information printing operation process is performed (step S221).

  In the document detailed information printing operation process, the document detailed information as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B is transferred to the printing unit 11 and printed out on paper by the printing unit 11. In the detailed document information to be printed, the mark printed by the confidential mark printing of the stored document is printed up to the time of the printing, so that the document verification at the time of document collection can be easily performed.

  When the end key is pressed in step S222, the CPU 2 returns to the display state of the original stored document list screen 30.

  The confidential mark print mode setting process in step S213 in FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As described above, when the stored mark print mode key 32 is pressed in step S212 in the stored document selection state, the CPU 2 shifts to the confidential mark print mode setting processing mode and is first selected. It is checked whether the presence / absence of confidential mark printing in the file attribute of the stored document is set to “present” (step S301).

  If the presence / absence of printing of the confidential mark of the file attribute is set to “none” in step S301, the CPU 2 sets the presence / absence of printing of the confidential mark of the file attribute to “present” (step S302). As the print mode selection processing, either the counter mode or the distributor mode is set according to the operation of the operation unit 5 (step S303), and it is checked whether the password setting key is pressed (step S304).

  When the password setting key is pressed in step S304, the CPU 2 acquires the password input from the operation unit 5, sets the password in the file attribute (step S305), and then ends the confidential mark print mode setting process. If the password setting key is not pressed, the confidential mark print mode setting process is terminated.

  When the presence / absence of confidential mark printing in the file attribute of the selected stored document is set to “present” in step S301, the CPU 2 sets the presence / absence of confidential mark printing in the file attribute to “not present” (step S301). In step S306, the counter for confidential mark printing, the distributor list, and the password of the file attribute of the stored document are reset (step S307), and the confidential mark printing mode setting process is terminated.

  In this way, the secret mark print mode and password can be set for each stored document.

  Next, the document printing operation process in step S217 of FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When the start key 24 is pressed in step S216 in FIG. 10 in the stored document selection state as described above, the CPU 2 displays the confidential mark of the selected document attribute (file attribute) as shown in FIG. It is checked whether the presence / absence of printing is set to “present” (step S401). If the presence / absence of confidential mark printing is set to “not present”, normal document printing operation processing is performed and the process returns (step S402). .

  If the presence / absence of confidential mark printing in the file attribute of the selected document is set to “Yes” in step S401, the CPU 2 checks whether the confidential mark printing mode is the counter mode or the distributor mode (step S403). In the distributor mode, the distributor setting process shown in FIG. 13 is performed.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 13, the CPU 2 waits for the distributor's name input from the operation unit 5 and when the distributor's name is input (step S404), the input distributor's name is It is checked against the distributor list, which is the confidential mark printing history in the file attribute of the selected document, to check whether the input distributor name is already in the marked distributor list (step S405). When inputting the name of the distributor, the CPU 2 displays a distributor input screen (mark specifying means) 50 as shown in FIG. In this distributor input screen 50, a distributor key 51 and a new input key 52 for displaying a distributor name input and registered in the past are displayed. When the user is registered as a distributor and displayed on the distributor key 51, the distributor's name can be input by pressing the distributor key 51 of the distributor, and the distributor who inputs the setting is distributed When the key is not displayed on the user key 51, the name is input from the keyboard after the new input key 52 is pressed.

  In step S403, if the input distributor name is already in the marked distributor list, the CPU 2 invalidates the input distributor and does not print the same distributor mark. Returning to step S404, the same processing is performed from the input of the next distributor (steps S404 and S405).

  If the input distributor name is not already in the marked distributor list in step S403, the CPU 2 sets the input distributor in the printing distributor list (step S406), and sets the number of print settings. It is checked whether or not the number of distributors has been set (step S407).

  If it is determined in step S407 that no distributors have been set for the number of print setting copies, the CPU 2 returns to step S404 to set the next distributor as described above (steps S404 to S407), and in step S407. If the number of distributors set for the number of print settings has been set, the process proceeds to step 409 in FIG. 12, and the loop start position is set for the number of print settings (step S409). A check is made (step S410).

  In step S403, if the confidential mark printing mode is the counter mode, the CPU 2 substitutes the confidential mark printing history (counter) of the file attribute for the variable cTemp (step S408), and sets the loop start position by the number of print setting copies. After setting (step S409), it is checked whether the history of confidential mark printing has overflowed (step S410).

  In step S410, if the confidential mark printing history counter goes around once, or if the distributor list reaches the storage limit and the confidential mark printing history overflows, the CPU 2 stops printing. , And the counter of the secret mark printing history goes around once, or the trouble when the distributor list cannot be stored is prevented.

  If it is determined in step S410 that the counter for the confidential mark printing history has not made one round and the distributor list has not reached the storage limit, the CPU 2 determines whether the confidential mark printing mode is the counter mode or the distributor mode. (Step S411), and if the confidential mark printing mode is the counter mode, the numeric character string of the variable cTemp is written in the image memory as a mark image (step S412). If the confidential mark printing mode is the distributor mode in step S411, the CPU 2 writes the distributor name as a mark image in the image memory based on the printing distributor list (step S413).

  When the mark image is written in the image memory, the CPU 2 sets the start of the loop for the number of pages of the document as shown in FIG. 14 (step S414), reads the accumulated image from the image accumulation unit 7 and marks it in the image memory 10. The image is combined with the image (step S415).

  When the CPU 2 performs image synthesis for one page, the CPU 2 transfers the synthesized image for one page to the printing unit 11, and the printing unit 11 prints the synthesized image on a sheet (step S 416). The end of the loop for several minutes is set (step S417), and the processing from step S414 to step S417 is loop-processed for the number of pages of the document.

  When the processing from step S414 to step S417 is loop-processed by the number of pages of the document, the CPU 2 checks whether the confidential mark printing mode is the counter mode or the distributor mode (step S418), and is in the counter mode. Then, the variable cTemp is added (incremented) by “1”, the confidential mark printing history (counter) of the file attribute is also added by “1” (step S419), and the loop end position is set by the number of print setting copies (step S419). Step S421).

  In step S418, if the confidential mark printing mode is the distributor mode, the CPU 2 deletes the distributor who performed the mark printing from the distributor list, and adds it to the confidential mark printing history (distributor) of the file attribute ( In step S420), the loop end position is set for the number of print setting copies (step S421).

  When the CPU 2 performs the mark printed process and the addition / addition process to the confidential mark print history as described above, the loop end position is set for the number of print setting copies from step S409 in which the loop start position is set for the number of print setting copies. When the processing up to step 421 is loop-processed for the number of print setting copies, and the loop processing (steps S409 to S421) for the number of print setting copies is executed, the document printing operation processing is terminated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is connected to an external computer PC via a network adapter 12 and a LAN, and can transmit file attributes of stored documents to the external computer PC.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 16, the image forming apparatus 1 checks whether there is a stored document mark transmission request from the external computer PC (step S501). This stored document mark transmission request is a request command in which a file ID for specifying a stored document file and a password for the stored document file are specified.

  When the CPU 2 receives the accumulated document mark transmission request from the external computer PC via the network adapter 12 in step S501, the file specified by the file ID is accumulated in the device, that is, the image accumulation unit 7 of the image forming apparatus 1. If it has not been stored, there is no corresponding file in the requested file. Therefore, a response command for “failure” as the transmission request result is sent to the stored document mark transmission request. The data is transmitted to the external computer PC (step S503), and the process returns to step S501.

  If the stored document file specified by the file ID is stored in the image storage unit 7 in step S502, the CPU 2 stores the password specified by the stored document mark transmission request and the storage specified by the file ID. Whether or not the password of the file attribute of the document file matches is read from the nonvolatile RAM 6 and compared (step S504). If the password does not match, the password does not match and the transmission request result is displayed. A response command “failure” is transmitted to the external computer PC that has sent the stored document mark transmission request (step S505), and the process returns to step S501.

  When the transmitted password matches the password of the file attribute of the stored document in step S504, the CPU 2 transmits the file attribute, mark, etc. of the stored document file to the external computer PC (step S506), and step S501. Return to.

  Therefore, the secret mark printing history can also be acquired from the external computer PC and displayed on the display or the like for confirmation.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment stores the document data input from the document reading unit 8 in the image storage unit 7, combines an arbitrary image with each page of the stored document, and uses the printing unit 11. When performing composite printing for printing, the composite printing performs mark composite printing in which an arbitrary mark is combined and printed on each page of the stored document, and the printed mark is stored in the nonvolatile RAM 6 as a used mark. Yes.

  Therefore, it is possible to improve the usability of mark composite printing for security protection when performing mark composite printing of an arbitrary number of copies at an arbitrary timing, and to improve the security at the time of management and collection of mark composite print documents. It is possible to improve the security of stored documents that require security while improving the usability.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment displays the used marks stored in the nonvolatile RAM 6 on the liquid crystal touch panel 28 of the operation unit 5 for each accumulated document on which the mark composite printing has been performed, and the printing unit 11. At least one of print output and output to an external computer PC which is an external device is performed.

  Therefore, it is possible to easily check the distribution and collection of printed materials that have been combined and printed with a security mark, and further improve the usability of the stored documents that require security while further improving the usability. Can be improved.

  Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment automatically selects a mark to be used for mark synthesis printing from marks other than the used mark stored in the nonvolatile RAM 6.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent the same mark from being used again in the same stored document, and it is possible to improve the security during mark composite printing for security protection by making the mark selection easy. It is possible to further improve the security of stored documents that require security while further improving the security.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment stops the new mark synthesis printing when there is no automatically selectable mark.

  Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the same mark from being used again, and it is possible to further appropriately improve the security of the stored document that requires the security while improving the usability.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment uses the mark designated by the liquid crystal touch panel 28 of the operation unit 5 in the mark synthesis printing.

  Therefore, it is possible to easily specify a mark used for security protection, and to appropriately select a mark intended by the user, which requires security while further improving usability. Therefore, it is possible to further appropriately improve the security of stored documents.

  Further, when the mark designated on the liquid crystal touch panel 28 matches the used mark stored in the nonvolatile RAM 6, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment rejects mark composite printing using the designated mark. Yes.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent duplication of marks due to selection by the operator, and to improve the security of stored documents that require security while further improving the usability. it can.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment enables the mark composite print target document availability setting for each stored document of the image storage unit 7 to determine whether or not the stored document is a mark composite print target document. It is possible to set a password for the mark composite print target document.

  Therefore, for documents that do not require confidential management, normal document processing can be performed to improve usability, and it is possible to appropriately improve the security of stored documents that require security protection.

  Further, when the stored document is set as a mark composition print target document, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment fixes the print condition of the stored document to a predetermined print condition.

  Therefore, by unifying the print style for mark composite prints of stored documents that require security protection, it is possible to facilitate distribution and collection checks of mark composite prints for security, and security is required. It is possible to more appropriately improve the security of the stored document.

  Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment inputs the stored document from the document reading unit 8 and stores the stored document in the image storage unit 7 as to whether or not to set the mark composition printing target document for each stored document. It can be set to.

  Therefore, as compared with the case of setting after accumulation, the non-set period as the mark composition printing target can be eliminated, and the security protection of the stored document that requires the security protection can be further improved appropriately.

  In addition, when a password is set for the stored document, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is required to authenticate the password when the stored document is used.

  Accordingly, it is possible to more appropriately protect the confidentiality of the stored document that requires confidentiality protection and the history information of the confidential mark printing of the stored document.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.

  The present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus and a recording medium that appropriately exhibit the effect of mark synthesis printing in which a mark for security protection is combined with a document image for printing.

1 is a block configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus to which an embodiment of an image forming apparatus and a recording medium of the present invention is applied. The top view of the operation part of FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of mark synthesis printing processing by the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. The figure which shows an example of the document file attribute memorize | stored in the non-volatile RAM of FIG. The figure which shows an example of the accumulation | storage document list screen displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel of the operation part of FIG. An example of detailed document information (a) when the mark for confidential printing displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel of the operation unit in FIG. 1 is a counter and an example of detailed document information when the mark for confidential printing is a distributor ( The figure which shows b). FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document accumulation processing screen displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel when a document accumulation key is pressed in FIG. 5. 3 is a flowchart showing document accumulation processing by the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. 2 is a flowchart showing basic control processing by the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. 10 is a flowchart showing processing subsequent to the basic control processing of FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing detailed processing of confidential mark print mode setting processing of the basic control processing of FIG. 10. 11 is a flowchart showing detailed processing of document printing operation processing of the basic control processing of FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing processing subsequent to the document printing operation processing in FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing processing subsequent to the document printing operation processing in FIG. 12. FIG. The figure which shows an example of the distributor input screen displayed on a liquid crystal touch panel at the time of distributor name input of the document printing operation process of FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing for transmitting document file information to an external computer by the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image forming apparatus 2 CPU
3 ROM
4 RAM
5 Operation unit 6 Non-volatile RAM
7 Image storage unit 8 Document reading unit 9 MSU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image memory 11 Printing part 12 Network adapter 21 Numeric keypad 22 Clear key 23 Enter key 24 Start key 25 Copy key 26 Accumulation / print key 27 Initial setting key 28 Liquid crystal touch panel 30 Accumulated document list screen 31a-31c Document key 32 Security mark printing mode Key 33 Print condition setting key 34 Document storage key 35 Details key 36 Page back key 37 Page forward key 40 Document storage processing screen 41 File name setting key 42 File creator setting key 43 Confidential mark print setting key 50 Distributor input screen 51 Distribution Key 52 New input key

Claims (11)

  An image forming apparatus that performs composite printing in which document data input from an input unit is stored in a storage unit, and an arbitrary image is combined with each page of the stored document and printed by a printing unit. An image forming apparatus characterized by performing mark composition printing for composing and printing each mark on each page of the accumulated document, and storing the printed mark as a used mark in a storage unit.   The image forming apparatus includes a predetermined display unit, and displays the used mark stored in the storage unit on the display unit for each accumulated document subjected to the mark composite printing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of print output and output to an external apparatus is performed.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mark used for the mark composite printing is automatically selected from marks other than the used mark stored in the storage unit. The image forming apparatus described.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus stops new mark composite printing when the automatically selectable mark is exhausted.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a mark designating unit that designates a mark to be used for the mark composite printing, wherein the mark designated by the mark designating unit is used in the mark composite printing. Item 3. The image forming apparatus according to Item 2.   When the mark designated by the mark designation unit matches the used mark stored in the storage unit, the image forming apparatus rejects mark composite printing using the designated mark. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.   The image forming apparatus is capable of setting whether or not a mark composite print target document is to be set as to whether or not the stored document is set as the mark composite print target document for each of the stored documents of the storage unit. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a password can be set for the document.   8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the stored document is set as the mark composition print target document, the image forming apparatus fixes a print condition of the stored document to a predetermined print condition.   The image forming apparatus can set whether to set the mark composite print target document for each stored document when the stored document is input from the input unit and stored in the storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein when the password is set in the stored document, the operation of using the stored document is subject to authentication of the password. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A document that is read and incorporated in an image forming apparatus including an input unit that inputs document data, a storage unit that stores document data, and a printing unit that prints and outputs an image on paper, and is input from the input unit A recording medium for recording software for accumulating data in the accumulating unit, compositing an arbitrary image on each page of the accumulated document, and compositing and printing by the printing unit, wherein the software is the above-described claim. Item 13. A recording medium for recording software that causes the image forming apparatus to execute the mark composition printing process executed by the image forming apparatus according to Item 10.

Images