JP2005267431A - Data processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data processing device which can enhance data processing efficiency while maintaining capability for protecting the data. <P>SOLUTION: This data processing device is configured to: receive and store the data; perform a process for outputting the stored data and the like; make the processed data invalid by erasing or overwriting the data; display an entry screen for receiving a priority instruction from a user for either priority on processing speed for giving priority to processing the data or priority on security for making the data invalid; make the data invalid immediately after processing the data when the priority on security is inducted; process the data preferentially when the priority on processing speed is inducted; make the processed data invalid after all the data to be processed are processed or after the user leaves the device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus capable of protecting data to be processed.

  In recent years, image processing apparatuses having a copying function for scanning a document image and copying the image have been made more complex in function. A network printer function connected to a communication network such as a LAN, receiving image data from an external device such as a personal computer (PC) and outputting the image, and an image with an external facsimile device using facsimile communication An image processing apparatus having a plurality of functions in addition to a copying function, such as a facsimile function for transmitting and receiving data, has been put into practical use. Such an image processing apparatus includes a storage unit such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory that temporarily stores image data to be processed. The image processing apparatus stores input image data in order in the storage unit, and processes the image data stored in the storage unit when the processing order comes, so that a large amount of image data is not stagnated. It can be processed efficiently.

The image data after being processed by the image processing apparatus is stored in the storage means until it is overwritten when the storage means stores new image data. The image data processed by the image processing apparatus when copying a document image or outputting an image may include confidential information such as a document describing personal information or a trade secret. When image data including confidential information is stored in the storage unit of the image processing apparatus for a long time, there is a risk that the image data stored in the storage unit is illegally extracted and information is leaked. . Therefore, a technique for preventing image data from being illegally extracted from the storage means is required. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133867 discloses a technique that makes it impossible to retrieve image data by erasing image data stored in a storage unit or overwriting other data when image data processing is completed. It is disclosed. In this way, an image processing apparatus has been developed that can protect image data from unauthorized use by invalidating the image data by erasing or overwriting.
JP-A-9-284572

  As described above, in an image processing apparatus that invalidates image data by erasing or overwriting, it takes time proportional to the amount of image data to invalidate the image data. Since the processing of other image data is stagnant or impossible while the image data is invalidated, the processing capacity of the image processing apparatus is reduced when the image data to be processed is continuously received. There is a problem of doing.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a data processing apparatus capable of improving data processing efficiency while maintaining the ability to protect data. It is in.

  A data processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a data receiving unit that receives data, a storage unit that stores data received by the data receiving unit, a processing unit that processes data stored in the storage unit, and the storage unit In a data processing apparatus comprising invalidation means for invalidating data stored in the memory, invalidation by the invalidation means of data processed by the processing means and processing by the processing means of unprocessed data And priority instruction receiving means for receiving a priority instruction for prioritizing any of the above.

  In the present invention, a data processing device that performs data processing and invalidation of processed data receives a priority instruction that indicates which of data processing and data invalidation should be performed with priority. Can do.

  The data processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the invalidation means is configured to erase data stored in the storage means.

  In the present invention, data is invalidated by erasing processed data.

  The data processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the invalidation means overwrites other data on the data stored in the storage means.

  In the present invention, the data is invalidated by overwriting the processed data with other data.

  The data processing apparatus according to the present invention further includes means for changing the strength of data invalidation by the invalidation means.

  In the present invention, the strength of data invalidation can be changed.

  The data processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the priority instruction accepting means accepts the priority instruction before the data processing by the processing means is started.

  In the present invention, a priority instruction is accepted before the start of data processing.

  The data processing apparatus according to the present invention includes means for receiving identification information of a user, and means for determining whether or not the priority instruction receiving means can accept the priority instruction according to the identification information received by the means. It is further provided with the feature.

  In the present invention, the user is identified, and whether to accept the priority instruction is determined according to the user.

  According to the data processing device of the present invention, the priority instruction accepting unit accepts the priority instruction according to the importance of the data accepted by the data accepting unit and the importance of the data judged by the means And a means for determining whether or not it is possible.

  In the present invention, the importance of data is determined, and whether or not a priority instruction can be accepted is determined according to the importance of data.

  The data processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a plurality of the data receiving means, and means for determining whether or not the priority instruction receiving means can receive the priority instruction in accordance with the data receiving means that has received data. Is further provided.

  In the present invention, a plurality of data receiving means for receiving data are provided, and whether or not the priority instruction can be received is determined according to the data receiving means that has received the data.

  In the data processing apparatus according to the present invention, the invalidation means has completed processing of data by the processing means when the priority instruction receiving means receives an instruction to prioritize data invalidation by the invalidation means. It is characterized in that the data is invalidated at the time.

  In the present invention, when priority is given to data invalidation, the data invalidation is performed when the data processing is completed.

  In the data processing device according to the present invention, the invalidation means is a time point after the completion of data processing by the processing means when the priority instruction receiving means receives an instruction to prioritize data processing by the processing means. The data is invalidated at a predetermined timing.

  In the present invention, when priority is given to data processing, the data is invalidated at a predetermined timing when the data processing is completed.

  The data processing apparatus according to the present invention further includes user detection means for detecting the presence of a user, and the invalidation means is configured such that the presence of the user whose presence has been detected by the user detection means is determined by the user. The data is invalidated at a timing when it is no longer detected by the detecting means.

  In the present invention, when priority is given to data processing, the data is invalidated at the timing when the presence of the user cannot be detected.

  The data processing apparatus according to the present invention further includes confirmation means for confirming whether or not the storage means stores unprocessed data to be processed by the processing means, and the invalidation means includes the confirmation means The data is invalidated at the timing when it is confirmed that the storage means does not store the unprocessed data.

  In the present invention, when priority is given to data processing, data is invalidated at a timing when unprocessed data cannot be confirmed.

  In the data processing apparatus according to the present invention, as an initial setting, when the priority instruction is not accepted, which of the data invalidation by the invalidation unit and the data processing by the processing unit should be prioritized is set. It is characterized by that.

  In the present invention, an initial setting is set as to which of data processing and data invalidation should be prioritized.

  In the present invention, when processing data, it is possible to accept a priority instruction that instructs whether to prioritize data processing or data invalidation, so that the user can determine the contents of the data. The priority between data processing and data invalidation can be selected. When the confidentiality of data is high, high security of information can be maintained by prioritizing invalidation of data by erasure or overwriting. Further, when the confidentiality of data is low, the data processing efficiency can be improved by prioritizing the data processing.

  In the present invention, the strength of invalidation of data can be changed. Therefore, in a data processing apparatus that frequently uses confidential documents, the number of overwriting is increased to improve the strength of invalidation. The level of information security and the convenience of use of the data processing apparatus can be adjusted according to the usage environment of the processing apparatus.

  In the present invention, since the priority instruction is received before the data is processed, the priority according to the contents of the data is surely designated.

  Also, in the present invention, changing the priority between data processing and data invalidation leads to a decrease in information security, so whether to accept a priority instruction is determined according to the user. By limiting the number of users who can input priority instructions, it is possible to prevent a dark drop in information security.

  Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the security of information about data with high importance from being lowered unambiguously by determining whether or not priority instructions can be accepted according to the importance of data.

  In the present invention, since the necessity for changing the priority may be determined depending on the type of the data receiving means for receiving data, the data receiving means for receiving image data with a low necessity for changing the priority. Information security can be maintained by making it impossible to change priority.

  Also, in the present invention, when priority is given to data invalidation, data invalidation is performed at the time when data processing is completed, so that illegal retrieval of data is prevented and information security is improved. Can do.

  In the present invention, when data processing is prioritized, data processing is not necessary by invalidating data when the presence of a user is not detected or when there is no unprocessed data. Since the data is invalidated at the timing, the data processing efficiency is improved.

  Also, in the present invention, by setting an initial setting for the priority between data processing and data invalidation, it is possible to define the security level of the data processing apparatus when the priority instruction is not accepted. The present invention has an excellent effect.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof.
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an internal functional configuration of an image processing apparatus which is a data processing apparatus of the present invention. The image processing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 11 including a CPU that performs a calculation and a RAM that stores temporary information associated with the calculation. Connected to the control unit 11 are a ROM 18 that stores a control program for controlling the image processing apparatus 1 and a management unit 17 that is a memory for storing management information for managing processing performed by the image processing apparatus 1. Has been. The control unit 11 is connected to an image reading unit 14 that reads an image recorded on a recording sheet and generates image data. The control unit 11 is connected to a modem unit 151 that performs facsimile communication, and the modem unit 151 is connected to the public line network N2. The image processing apparatus 1 can transmit the image data generated by the image reading unit 14 to the other facsimile apparatus 3 by facsimile communication via the public line network N2 connected to the modem unit 151. The control unit 11 is connected to an image memory 162 that temporarily stores image data and an image forming unit 161 that forms an image from the image data and records the image on a recording sheet. The image processing apparatus 1 receives image data transmitted by facsimile communication from another facsimile apparatus via the public network N2 by the modem unit 151, stores the received image data in the image memory 162, and stores the stored image data. An image is formed from the data by the image forming unit 161. In this way, the image processing apparatus 1 functions as a facsimile machine. Further, by forming an image read by the image reading unit 14 by the image forming unit 161, the image processing apparatus 1 functions as a copying apparatus.

  The control unit 11 is connected to a communication unit 152 connected to the communication network N1. Are connected to the communication network N1, the communication unit 152 receives image data from the PCs 2, 2,... Via the communication network N1, and the image forming unit 161 An image is formed from the received image data. In this way, the image processing apparatus 1 functions as a printer apparatus. The image reading unit 14, the modem unit 151, and the communication unit 152 function as data receiving means according to the present invention.

  The control unit 11 is connected to a storage unit (storage unit) 19 made of a hard disk or an optical disk. The storage unit 19 stores the image data generated by the image reading unit 14 and the image data received by the modem unit 151 or the communication unit 152. The control unit 11 is connected to an operation unit 13 that receives an operation from the user. The operation unit 13 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel that displays information necessary for the operation, and a user's operation. It consists of an input means such as a touch panel or a numeric keypad for inputting information such as control commands by operation.

  Furthermore, a user detection unit (user detection means) 12 for detecting the presence of the user is connected to the control unit 11. The user carries an ID card C, which is a memory card storing user identification information. The user detection unit 12 is configured to be able to communicate with the ID card C in a non-contact manner, and can read the user ID information stored in the ID card C. In addition, the communication between the user detection unit 12 and the ID card C has a limited communication distance, and the communication between the user detection unit 12 and the ID card C is performed by the user in the vicinity of the image processing apparatus 1. Must be present. Therefore, the user detection unit 12 can detect the presence of the user based on whether or not communication with the ID card C is possible.

  The ROM 18 stores a control program for performing processing for protecting image data from unauthorized use simultaneously with processing of image data. The control unit 11 performs processing for invalidating the processed image data stored in the storage unit 19 after processing is performed by overwriting meaningless data in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM 18. Do. When the process of invalidating image data is always performed with priority, the security of information is improved, but the processing efficiency of image data is reduced. Therefore, the image processing apparatus 1 of the present invention is configured to be able to select which of the image data processing and the image data invalidation is to be preferentially performed.

  The management unit 17 stores setting information for recording settings relating to selection of priority between processing of image data and invalidation of image data. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the contents of setting information. The setting information records an initial setting for giving priority to image data processing or image data invalidation. In the example of FIG. 2, the setting information is an initial setting for giving priority to data invalidation. In this case, the image processing apparatus 1 prioritizes invalidation of processed data unless an instruction to prioritize processing of image data is accepted. Since the initial setting is recorded, the security level of the image processing apparatus 1 when the priority instruction is not accepted can be defined. The setting information records the number of times data is overwritten at the time of invalidation as the strength of data invalidation. If the data stored in the storage unit 19 is only overwritten with other data once, the original data may be restored by the residual magnetism, so the data can be invalidated by increasing the number of overwrites. It can be done reliably. The overwriting frequency can be changed by the user operating the operation unit 13 and inputting an instruction for changing the overwriting frequency. For this reason, in the image processing apparatus 1 that frequently uses confidential documents, the level of information security and the image processing apparatus are increased according to the use environment of the image processing apparatus 1 by increasing the number of overwriting and improving the strength of invalidation. The convenience of use of 1 can be adjusted.

  In the setting information, a condition is set in which the priority between the processing of the image data and the invalidation of the image data can be changed. The setting information records image data receiving means that can change the priority when image data is received, and image data receiving means that cannot change the priority. In the example of FIG. 2, the priority cannot be changed when the modem unit 151 accepts image data, and the priority can be changed when the image reading unit 14 or the communication unit 152 accepts image data. It is set to be. When the modem unit 151 receives image data and processes the image data by facsimile communication, it is normally performed in an unattended state, so that the necessity of giving priority to the processing is small. As described above, the security of information can be maintained by making it impossible to change the priority of image data whose necessity of giving priority to processing is small.

  The setting information stores identification information of a user who can input a priority instruction to prioritize which of image data processing and image data invalidation. The identification information recorded in the setting information is ID information stored in the ID card C carried by the user, or information such as the IP address of the PC 2 used by the user. A user whose identification information is not recorded cannot input a priority instruction to the image processing apparatus 1. Changing the priority of image data processing and image data invalidation leads to a decrease in the security of information in the image processing apparatus 1, so by limiting the users who can input priority instructions. , Can prevent the dark decline of information security.

  Next, processing performed by the image processing apparatus 1 which is the data processing apparatus of the present invention will be described using a flowchart. In the following description, processing under an initial setting in which invalidation of data is given priority will be described. 3 and 4 are flowcharts illustrating a procedure in which the image processing apparatus 1 performs processing by reading an image with the image reading unit 14. The control unit 11 of the image processing apparatus 1 executes the following processing according to a control program stored in the ROM 18.

  The control unit 11 of the image processing apparatus 1 stores the ID stored in the ID card C by communication between the ID card C carried by the user in the vicinity of the image processing apparatus 1 and the user detection unit 12. Information reception by the user detection unit 12 is monitored (S101). When the ID information is not received by the user detection unit 12 (S101: NO), the control unit 11 continues to monitor the reception of the ID information. When the user detection unit 12 receives the ID information (S101: YES), the control unit 11 monitors reception of an image reading instruction when the user operates the operation unit 13 (S102). At this time, an instruction for image processing such as copying the read image, transmitting image data to another facsimile apparatus 3 by facsimile communication, or transmitting image data to the PC 2 is also accepted. If the image reading instruction has not been received (S102: NO), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S101. When an image reading instruction is received (S102: YES), the control unit 11 causes the image reading unit 14 to read the document image and stores it in the storage unit 19 (S103).

  Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the importance of the read image is high (S104). At this time, the control unit 11 determines that the importance of the read image is high when the read image includes a predetermined image such as “top secret” or “important”. If the importance of the read image is high (S104: YES), the control unit 11 advances the process to step S109 to prioritize the invalidation of the processed image data. When the importance of the read image is not high (S104: NO), the control unit 11 determines whether or not the user indicated by the ID information is a user who can input a priority instruction (S105). At this time, the control unit 11 refers to the setting information stored in the management unit 17, and the ID information received by the user detection unit 12 is added to the setting information as identification information of a user who can input priority information. If it is recorded, it is determined that the user can input a priority instruction. If the user is not a user who can input a priority instruction (S105: NO), the control unit 11 advances the process to step S109 to prioritize invalidation of the processed image data. When the user is a user who can input a priority instruction (S105: YES), the control unit 11 performs image data processing and image data invalidation on display means such as a touch panel of the operation unit 13. A priority instruction acceptance screen for outputting which one of them is prioritized is output (S106).

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a priority instruction acceptance screen. Each selection button is displayed on the reception screen so that either the processing speed priority giving priority to image data processing or the security priority giving priority to image data invalidation can be selected. Since invalidation of image data has priority in the initial setting, security priority is selected in the initial state. In this state, OK is designated by the user's operation, thereby giving priority to invalidation of the image data. If OK is designated after the processing speed priority is selected by the user's operation, the priority of the processing of the image data is instructed.

  Next, the control unit 11 monitors the reception of the priority instruction at the operation unit 13 (S107), and when the priority instruction is not received (S107: NO), the monitoring of the reception of the priority instruction is continued. When the priority instruction is accepted (S107: YES), the control unit 11 determines whether or not the priority for invalidation of the image data is instructed (S108). When priority is given to invalidation of image data (S108: YES), the control unit 11 causes the image forming unit 161 to form an image from the image data stored in the storage unit 19, or the image data is transferred to another image data. Image data processing is performed such as transmitting the facsimile apparatus 3 to the modem unit 151 or transmitting the image data to the communication unit 152 to the PC 2 (S109). After the processing of the image data in step S109 is completed, the image data is invalidated by overwriting meaningless data on the processed image data stored in the storage unit 19 (S110). At this time, the image data may be invalidated by deleting the image data from the storage unit 19. Next, the control part 11 advances a process to below-mentioned step S112.

  When priority is given to processing of image data in step S108 (S108: NO), the control unit 11 performs processing of image data (S111). After step S110 or step S111 is completed, the control unit 11 determines whether or not unprocessed image data is stored in the storage unit 19 (S112), and the unprocessed image data is stored in the storage unit 19. If yes (S112: YES), the controller 11 returns the process to step S104. When unprocessed image data is not stored in the storage unit 19 (S112: NO), the control unit 11 monitors reception of an image reading instruction by the user operating the operation unit 13 (S113). When the image reading instruction is received (S113: YES), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S103. When the image reading instruction is not received (S113: NO), the control unit 11 determines whether or not the user detection unit 12 can receive the user ID information from the ID card C (S114). . When the user detection part 12 can receive ID information (S114: YES), the control part 11 returns a process to step S112.

  When the user detection unit 12 cannot receive the ID information (S114: NO), the control unit 11 determines whether the processed image data is stored in the storage unit 19 (S115). When the processed image data is not stored in the storage unit 19 (S115: NO), the control unit 11 ends the process. When the processed image data is stored in the storage unit 19 (S115: YES), the control unit 11 invalidates the processed image data stored in the storage unit 19 (S116). Exit.

  6 and 7 are flowcharts illustrating a procedure in which the image processing apparatus 1 receives and processes image data. The control unit 11 of the image processing apparatus 1 executes the following processing according to a control program stored in the ROM 18. The control unit 11 of the image processing apparatus 1 monitors reception of image data by the modem unit 151 or the communication unit 152 (S201). At this time, an image processing instruction such as whether to output an image or to transmit image data to another facsimile apparatus 3 by facsimile communication is received at the same time, and information indicating the importance of the image data is also received. Is possible. If no image data is received (S201: NO), the control unit 11 continues to monitor reception.

  When the image data is received (S201: YES), the control unit 11 stores the received image data in the storage unit 19, and processes the image data and the image data according to the data reception unit that has received the image data. It is determined whether or not the priority with invalidation can be changed (S202). At this time, the control unit 11 refers to the setting information stored in the management unit 17, and when the data receiving unit that has received the image data is recorded as a data receiving unit capable of changing the priority, It is determined that the priority can be changed. When the content of the setting information is the example shown in FIG. 2, the priority cannot be changed for the image data received by the modem unit 151, and the priority for the image data received by the communication unit 152 is not available. Can be changed. If it is determined that the priority cannot be changed (S202: NO), the control unit 11 advances the process to step S208 to prioritize the invalidation of the processed image data.

  If it is determined in step S202 that the priority can be changed (S202: YES), the control unit 11 determines whether the importance of the received image data is high (S203). At this time, the control unit 11 determines the importance of the image data based on the presence or absence of information indicating the importance received together with the image data. If the importance of the image data is high (S203: YES), the control unit 11 advances the process to step S208 to prioritize the invalidation of the processed image data. When the importance of the image data is not high (S203: NO), the control unit 11 determines whether or not the user who has transmitted the image data is a user who can input a priority instruction (S204). . At this time, the control unit 11 refers to the setting information stored in the management unit 17, and the IP address of the PC 2 that is the transmission source of the received image data is the PC 2 used by the user who can input the priority information. When it is recorded in the setting information as identification information that is an IP address, it is determined that the user can input a priority instruction. If the user is not a user who can input a priority instruction (S204: NO), the control unit 11 advances the process to step S208 to prioritize invalidation of processed image data. When the user is a user who can input a priority instruction (S204: YES), the control unit 11 performs processing of image data and invalidation of image data to the PC 2 that is the transmission source of image data. The communication unit 152 is made to transmit a request for a priority instruction as to which is prioritized (S205). The PC 2 outputs a priority instruction reception screen as shown in FIG. 5, receives the priority instruction by the operation of the user, and transmits the received transmission instruction to the image processing apparatus 1.

  Next, the control unit 11 monitors the reception of the priority instruction in the communication unit 152 (S206), and when there is no reception of the priority instruction (S206: NO), continues to monitor the reception of the priority instruction. When the priority instruction is received (S206: YES), the control unit 11 determines whether or not the priority for invalidation of the image data is instructed (S207). When priority is given to invalidation of image data (S207: YES), the control unit 11 causes the image forming unit 161 to form an image from the image data stored in the storage unit 19, or the image data Is processed to the other facsimile apparatus 3 to the modem unit 151 (S208). After the processing of the image data in step S208 is completed, the image data is invalidated by overwriting meaningless data on the processed image data stored in the storage unit 19 (S209). Next, the control part 11 advances a process to below-mentioned step S211.

  If priority is given to image data processing in step S207 (S207: NO), the control unit 11 performs image data processing (S210). After step S209 or step S210 is completed, the control unit 11 determines whether unprocessed image data is stored in the storage unit 19 (S211), and the unprocessed image data is stored in the storage unit 19. If so (S211: YES), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S202. When unprocessed image data is not stored in the storage unit 19 (S211: NO), the control unit 11 monitors reception of image data by the modem unit 151 or the communication unit 152 (S212). When the image data is received (S212: YES), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S202. When no image data is received (S212: NO), the control unit 11 determines whether processed image data is stored in the storage unit 19 (S213). When the processed image data is not stored in the storage unit 19 (S213: NO), the control unit 11 ends the process. When the processed image data is stored in the storage unit 19 (S213: YES), the control unit 11 invalidates the processed image data stored in the storage unit 19 (S214). Exit.

  As described above in detail, in the present invention, when image data is processed, a priority instruction that indicates whether to prioritize processing of image data or invalidation of image data can be received. Can determine the contents of the image data and select the priority between the processing of the image data and the invalidation of the image data. When the confidentiality of the image data is high, the high security of the information can be maintained by giving priority to the invalidation of the image data. If the confidentiality of the image data is low, the processing efficiency of the image data can be improved by prioritizing the processing of the image data. In the present invention, since the priority instruction is received before the image data is processed, the priority according to the contents of the image data is surely designated. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the security of information about data with high importance from being reduced unnecessarily by determining whether or not priority instructions can be accepted according to the importance of image data.

  In the present invention, when invalidation of image data is given priority, the image data is invalidated when the processing of the image data is completed. Can be improved. In the present invention, when priority is given to the processing of image data, the image data is processed by invalidating the image data when the presence of the user is not detected or when there is no unprocessed image data. Since the image data is invalidated at a timing that is not necessary, the processing efficiency of the image data is improved.

  In the present invention, the image reading unit 14, the modem unit 151, and the communication unit 152 are shown as data receiving means. However, the image processing apparatus 1 also receives image data from a recording medium such as an external memory card. The form provided with the means to receive may be sufficient. In the present embodiment, the image output apparatus 1 is a multi-function machine having a plurality of functions such as a facsimile apparatus and a printer apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be a device having a single function such as a printer device. In the present embodiment, the image processing apparatus 1 is shown as the data processing apparatus of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and data other than image data such as text data may be processed.

It is a functional block diagram showing an internal functional configuration of an image processing apparatus which is a data processing apparatus of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the example of the content of setting information. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure in which an image processing apparatus reads and processes an image with an image reading part. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure in which an image processing apparatus reads and processes an image with an image reading part. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the reception screen of a priority instruction | indication. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which an image processing apparatus receives and processes image data. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which an image processing apparatus receives and processes image data.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image processing device (data processing device)
11 Control unit 12 User detection unit (user detection means)
14 Image reading unit (data receiving means)
151 Modem part (data receiving means)
152 Communication unit (data receiving means)
19 Storage unit (storage means)
2 PC
N1 communication network

Claims (13)

Data receiving means for receiving data, storage means for storing data received by the data receiving means, processing means for processing data stored in the storage means, and invalidation of data stored in the storage means In a data processing apparatus comprising invalidation means for performing
And a priority instruction receiving unit that receives a priority instruction that prioritizes either invalidation of the data processed by the processing unit by the invalidating unit or processing of the unprocessed data by the processing unit. Data processing device.   The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the invalidating unit is configured to erase data stored in the storage unit.   The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the invalidation unit is configured to overwrite other data on the data stored in the storage unit.   4. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for changing the strength of data invalidation by the invalidation means.   5. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the priority instruction receiving unit is configured to receive the priority instruction before starting the data processing by the processing unit. Means for accepting user identification information;
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit that determines whether or not the priority instruction receiving unit can receive the priority instruction in accordance with the identification information received by the unit. Data processing device. Means for determining the importance of the data received by the data receiving means;
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for determining whether or not the priority instruction accepting unit can accept the priority instruction according to the importance of the data determined by the means. The data processing apparatus described. A plurality of the data receiving means,
The unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: a unit that determines whether or not the priority instruction reception unit can receive the priority instruction in response to a data reception unit that has received data. Data processing device.   The invalidating means invalidates the data when the processing of the data by the processing means is completed when the priority instruction receiving means receives an instruction to prioritize invalidation of data by the invalidating means. 9. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data processing apparatus is appropriately configured. The invalidating means invalidates the data at a predetermined timing after the completion of data processing by the processing means when the priority instruction receiving means receives an instruction to prioritize data processing by the processing means. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data processing apparatus is configured to perform conversion. A user detecting means for detecting the presence of the user;
The invalidation means is configured to invalidate data at a timing when the presence of the user whose presence has been detected by the user detection means is no longer detected by the user detection means. The data processing apparatus according to claim 10. A confirmation means for confirming whether the storage means stores unprocessed data to be processed by the processing means;
12. The invalidation unit is configured to invalidate data at a timing when the confirmation unit confirms that the unprocessed data is not stored in the storage unit. The data processing apparatus described in 1.   2. The initial setting is set as to which of the data invalidation by the invalidation means and the data processing by the processing means should be prioritized when the priority instruction is not accepted. 12. The data processing device according to any one of 12 above.

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