JP2006080631A - Information protection system, image forming apparatus, image reader, network image forming apparatus, and information protection method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information protection system, an image forming apparatus, an image reader, a network image forming apparatus, and an information protection method for efficiently protecting information recorded on paper. <P>SOLUTION: The information protection system is characterized in that an IC chip is built in the paper, information written in the IC chip is referenced, and information to be recorded on the paper can be protected. Since the paper itself on which information (image) being a protection object is recorded can be handled as a management object, troublesome processing is not needed and sure information protection can be realized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information protection system capable of protecting information recorded on a sheet, an image forming apparatus, an image reading apparatus, a network image forming apparatus, and an information protection method.

Conventionally, as an information protection system for protecting information recorded on paper, for example, predetermined management information is embedded in a recorded image (information) using a technique such as digital watermark, and the management information is used. There has been proposed one that can realize confidentiality management, copyright protection, and copy prohibition functions of printed matter (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-80136 A

  However, in such a conventional method, since the management information is embedded, the image quality of the original image may be deteriorated, and the management information embedded when reproducing the original image data from the image printed on the paper is used. There is a risk of inconveniences such as difficulty in taking out accurately.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an information protection system, an image forming apparatus, an image reading apparatus, a network image forming apparatus, and an information protection method capable of efficiently protecting information recorded on a sheet. The purpose is to provide.

  The present invention is an information protection system characterized in that an IC chip is built in a paper, and information recorded on the paper can be protected by referring to information written on the IC chip.

  Information is written on the IC chip when information is recorded on the paper.

  Information is written on the IC chip by IC chip information writing means provided in an image forming apparatus for recording information on the paper.

  Further, the information written to the IC chip by the IC chip information writing means includes at least attribute information of the image forming apparatus.

  The information written to the IC chip by the IC chip information writing means includes at least attribute information of the owner of the information recorded on the paper.

  Further, the information written to the IC chip by the IC chip information writing means further includes information on whether or not copying of information recorded on the paper is permitted.

  Further, the information written to the IC chip by the IC chip information writing means further includes a processing method when copying is not permitted.

  In addition, an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet includes an IC chip writing unit that writes information on an IC chip built in the sheet.

  Further, in an image forming apparatus having at least an image forming function for forming an image on a sheet and an image reading function for reading an image on the sheet, an IC chip writing unit for writing information to an IC chip built in the sheet, and the IC chip IC chip reading means for reading information from the device.

  An image reading apparatus that reads an image recorded on a sheet is provided with an IC chip reading unit that reads information from an IC chip built in the sheet.

  The copying machine for copying an image recorded on a sheet is provided with an IC chip reading means for reading information from an IC chip built in the sheet.

  In addition, the network image forming apparatus having at least an image reading function for reading an image on a sheet and a communication function for connecting to a network and exchanging data with other terminal devices via the network can be used on a sheet. An IC chip reading means for reading information from a built-in IC chip, and when the IC chip reading means reads information from the IC chip, the image on the paper is read at the network address included in the read information. The communication means which notifies that is provided.

  Further, the information protection method is characterized in that an IC chip is built in a paper, and information recorded on the paper can be protected by referring to information written on the IC chip.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, since the sheet itself on which the information (image) to be protected is formed can be handled as a management target, troublesome processing is unnecessary and reliable information protection can be realized. The effect is obtained.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, an IC chip CC is embedded in the central portion of the paper PP. This IC chip CC has a built-in antenna for enabling exchange of information with external means, and has a memory function having a one-time recording function capable of writing information only once. .

  In such an IC chip CC, for example, an information group as shown in FIG. 2 can be stored. Further, as described above, information recording on the IC chip CC can be performed only once, and information once recorded cannot be rewritten.

  In the figure, “Manufacturer name (16 bytes)” is the manufacturer name of the image forming apparatus that forms the image to be protected on the paper PP, and “Model name (16 bytes)” is the object to be protected on the paper PP. "Model number (16 bytes)" is the model number (serial number, etc.) of the image forming apparatus that forms the image to be protected on the paper PP. The “physical address (6 bytes) given to the apparatus” is a physical address of a communication interface provided in an image forming apparatus that forms an image to be protected on the paper PP, and “IP address of communication interface (16 "Byte)" is an IP address assigned to the communication interface device provided in the image forming apparatus that forms the image to be protected on the paper PP.

  “Printing date (8 bytes)” is the date and time when information (image) is printed on the paper PP, and “Printer name (30 bytes)” is printing information on the paper PP. The “printer's mail address (64 bytes)” is an e-mail address of the destination to contact the printer, and “the IP of the printer's PC (personal computer device)” “Address (16 bytes)” is an IP address assigned to the communication interface device of the personal computer device used by the printer, and “Physical address (6 bytes) of the printer PC” is used by the printer. This is a physical address assigned to the communication interface device of the personal computer device.

  The “duplication flag (1 byte)” indicates whether or not the information printed on the paper PP is allowed to be copied. The “processing method when copying is impossible (1 byte)” is used for copying. If not possible, the processing method to be performed by the device (not printing, printing in an unreadable manner, not printing, notifying by e-mail, etc.) is instructed.

  Among these information groups, information that can be handled by the image forming apparatus that prints information on the paper PP is stored in the IC chip CC. For example, when the image forming apparatus is used in a stand-alone manner, no communication function is installed, and therefore communication related information is not registered. In addition, when performing a printing operation in which a printer is not designated, information regarding the printer is not registered. In addition, when the content of notifying printing by e-mail is stored in the processing method when copying is not possible, the e-mail address of the notification destination is necessary, so information is set in the e-mail address of the printer.

  The information group stored in the IC chip CC is not limited to the information group shown in FIG. For example, the number of pieces of information to be stored can be increased or decreased according to the usage form of the device or the security level desired by the user.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a printer apparatus (image forming apparatus) applied to the information protection system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a system control unit 1 performs control processing of each unit of the printer apparatus and various control processing such as image formation processing. A system memory 2 is a control processing program executed by the system control unit 1. In addition to storing various data necessary for executing the processing program, it constitutes a work area of the system control unit 1, and the parameter memory 3 stores various information unique to the printer device. The clock circuit 4 outputs current time information, and the operation display unit 5 is for operating the printer device. Various operation keys and various displays are provided. Consists of.

  The page buffer 6 holds image data for one page to be printed, and the printer engine 7 is for recording and outputting an image of the image data held in the page buffer 6 on the paper PP. The transport system unit 8 is for separating paper from a paper cassette or the like holding the paper PP and transporting it to the image recording position of the printer engine 7.

  The IC chip reading / writing unit 9 reads information from the IC chip CC built in the paper PP and writes information to the IC chip CC. The IC chip sensor 10 is connected to the IC chip CC. It is for exchanging signals. Further, the IC chip sensor 10 is not affected by other paper PP accommodated in a paper cassette or the like in the middle of the paper PP transport path in the transport system unit 8 and is not affected by the other paper PP. It is arranged at a position that is not.

  The external device interface circuit 11 is connected to an external personal computer device and exchanges print data and the like.

  The system control unit 1, the system memory 2, the parameter memory 3, the clock circuit 4, the operation display unit 5, the page buffer 6, the printer engine 7, the transport system unit 8, the IC chip reading / writing unit 9, and the external device The interface circuit 11 is connected to an internal bus 12, and data exchange between these elements is mainly performed via the internal bus 12.

  The information that the printer device writes to the IC chip CC includes, for example, “manufacturer name”, “model name”, “model number”, “printing date”, “printer name (when the printing user is notified) ) "," Printer's e-mail address (when e-mail address is notified from printing user) "," Printer's PC IP address (when notified from printing PC) "," Printer's PC physical address (When notified from printing PC), “Copyability flag (depending on designation at the time of printing)”, and “Processing method when copying is not possible (can be set to notify by e-mail without printing)” is there.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a copying machine (image forming apparatus) applied to the information protection system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, a system control unit 21 performs control processing for each part of the copying machine and various control processing such as image formation processing. A system memory 22 is a control processing program executed by the system control unit 21. In addition to storing various data necessary for executing the processing program, it constitutes a work area of the system control unit 21, and the parameter memory 23 stores various information unique to the copying machine. The clock circuit 24 outputs current time information, and the operation display unit 25 is for operating the copying machine. Various operation keys and various displays are provided. Consists of.

  The page buffer 26 holds image data for one page to be printed, and the printer engine 27 is for recording and outputting an image of the image data held in the page buffer 26 on the paper PP. The transport system unit 28 is for separating the paper from a paper cassette or the like holding the paper PP and transporting it to the image recording position of the printer engine 27.

  The document reading unit 29 is for reading a copy document, and includes an automatic paper transport unit that separates a plurality of placed copy documents one by one and transports them to a reading position.

  The IC chip reading unit 30 is for reading information from the IC chip CC built in the paper PP used as a reading document, and the IC chip sensor 31 is for exchanging signals with the IC chip CC. belongs to. Further, the IC chip sensor 31 is disposed in the original reading unit 29 at a position not affected by other read originals placed on the original table or the like in the middle of the read original transport path.

  The system control unit 21, the system memory 22, the parameter memory 23, the clock circuit 24, the operation display unit 25, the page buffer 26, the printer engine 27, the transport system unit 28, the document reading unit 29, and the IC chip reading unit 30. Are connected to the internal bus 32, and data exchange between these elements is mainly performed via the internal bus 32.

  Examples of information that the copier writes to the IC chip CC include, for example, “manufacturer name”, “model name”, “model number”, “printing date”, “printer name (when a printing user is specified). ) ”,“ Duplicability flag (according to designation at the time of printing) ”, and“ Processing method when copy is not possible ”.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a network multifunction peripheral (image forming apparatus) applied to the information protection system according to the embodiment of the present invention. This network multifunction device has a function for exchanging e-mail over the network, a function for reading a document image, a scan-to-email function for transmitting a read image of a document image to a destination specified by the e-mail, and copying. It has a function.

  In the figure, a system control unit 41 performs control processing of each part of the network multifunction peripheral and various control processing such as image formation processing. The system memory 42 is control processing executed by the system control unit 41. The program and various data necessary for executing the processing program are stored, and the work area of the system control unit 41 is configured. The parameter memory 43 is a variety of information unique to the network MFP. The clock circuit 44 outputs current time information, and the operation display unit 5 is for operating the network multifunction peripheral. Various operation keys and various It consists of a display.

  The page buffer 46 holds image data for one page to be printed, and the printer engine 47 is for recording and outputting an image of the image data held in the page buffer 46 on the paper PP. The transport system unit 48 is for separating paper from a paper cassette or the like holding the paper PP and transporting it to the image recording position of the printer engine 47.

  The IC chip reading / writing unit 49 reads information from the IC chip CC built in the paper PP and writes information to the IC chip CC. The IC chip sensor 50 is connected to the IC chip CC. It is for exchanging signals. Further, the IC chip sensor 50 is not affected by other paper PP accommodated in a paper cassette or the like in the transport system unit 48 in the middle of the paper PP transport path, and is not affected by the other paper PP. It is arranged at a position that is not.

  The document reading unit 51 is for reading a copy document, and includes an automatic paper transport unit that separates a plurality of placed copy documents one by one and transports them to a reading position.

  The IC chip reading unit 52 is for reading information from the IC chip CC built in the paper PP used as a reading document, and the IC chip sensor 53 is for exchanging signals with the IC chip CC. belongs to. In the document reading unit 51, the IC chip sensor 53 is disposed at a position that is not affected by other read documents placed on a document table or the like, in the middle of the read document conveyance path.

  The local area network interface circuit 54 is for connecting the network multifunction peripheral to a local area network (not shown), and the local area network transmission control unit 55 is connected to another data terminal device via the local area network. Communication control processing (including e-mail communication control processing) of various predetermined protocol suites for exchanging various data with the.

  These are the system control unit 41, system memory 42, parameter memory 43, clock circuit 44, operation display unit 45, page buffer 46, printer engine 47, transport system unit 48, IC chip reading / writing unit 49, document reading unit 51. The IC chip reading unit 53 and the local area network transmission control unit 55 are connected to an internal bus 56, and data exchange between these elements is mainly performed through the internal bus 56. Yes.

  In addition, when the network multifunction peripheral prints an image on the paper PP, information to be written from the IC chip reading / writing unit 49 to the IC chip CC includes, for example, “manufacturer name”, “model name”, “model number”, “Physical address assigned to communication interface device”, “IP address of communication interface”, “printing date”, “printer name (if print user is specified)”, “printer mail address ( “When the printing user inputs an e-mail address)”, “IP address of the printer PC (when notified from the printing PC)”, “Physical address of the printing PC (when notified from the printing PC)”, “Duplicability flag (depending on designation at the time of printing)” and “Processing method when copying is not possible (can be set to notify by email without printing)”.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of processing at the time of printing for one page of the printer apparatus shown in FIG.

  First, print data is received from a personal computer device and temporarily stored (process 101), a predetermined print process is started (process 102), and paper conveyance is started (process 103).

  During the conveyance of the paper, the IC chip reading / writing unit 9 performs a reading operation by the IC chip sensor 10 (process 104), and if the IC chip CC can be detected (the result of determination 105 is YES), the IC chip The above-described information is written to the IC chip CC by the reading / writing unit 9 (processing 106).

  Then, the printed paper is discharged (process 107).

  If the result of determination 105 is NO, the IC chip CC is not built in, so the processing 106 is not performed and the processing proceeds to processing 107.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of processing for copying one page of the copying machine shown in FIG.

  First, the reading operation by the IC chip sensor 31 is performed by the IC chip reading unit 30 (process 201), and it is checked whether or not the IC chip CC can be detected in the read document placed on the document table (determination 202). . When the result of determination 202 is NO, a normal copying operation is performed (process 203).

  When the result of determination 202 is YES, information is read from the IC chip CC (process 204). Then, the read information is checked to determine whether or not “no copy” is set by the “no copy flag” (decision 205). If the result of determination 205 is NO, since copying is possible, the process proceeds to step 203 and a normal copying operation is performed.

  When the result of determination 205 is YES, the read information is checked to determine whether or not a significant processing method is designated in the “processing method when copy is impossible” (decision 206). When the result of determination 206 is YES, it is checked whether or not the content of “processing method when copy is impossible” is “do not print” (determination 207). When the result of determination 207 is YES, a copy error is displayed on the operation display unit 25 (process 208), and the copy operation designated at this time is not performed. On the other hand, if the result of determination 206 is NO, the process proceeds to step 208, a copy error is displayed, and the copy operation is not performed.

  If the result of determination 207 is NO, it is checked whether or not the content of “processing method when copying is impossible” is “unreadable printing” (determination 209). When the result of determination 209 is YES, the original reading unit 29 reads an image of the read original (process 210), and a predetermined mask pattern is combined with the read image data obtained thereby (process 211). The data image is recorded and output by the printer engine 27 (process 212).

  If the result of determination 209 is NO, the process proceeds to step 208, where a copy error is displayed and the copy operation is not performed.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of processing during the copying operation for one page of the network multifunction peripheral shown in FIG.

  First, a reading operation by the IC chip sensor 53 is performed by the IC chip reading unit 52 (process 301), and it is checked whether or not the IC chip CC can be detected in the read document placed on the document table (determination 302). . When the result of determination 302 is NO, a normal copying operation is performed (process 303).

  When the result of determination 302 is YES, information is read from the IC chip CC (processing 304). Then, the read information is checked to determine whether or not “no copy” is set by the “no copy flag” (decision 305). If the result of determination 305 is NO, duplication is possible, so the process proceeds to step 303 and a normal copying operation is performed.

  When the result of the determination 305 is YES, the read information is checked to determine whether a significant processing method is designated in the “processing method when copying is impossible” (determination 306). When the result of the determination 306 is YES, it is checked whether or not the content of the “processing method when copying is impossible” is “do not print” (determination 307). When the result of determination 307 is YES, a copy error is displayed on the operation display unit 25 (process 308), and the copy operation designated at this time is not performed. If the result of determination 306 is NO, the process proceeds to step 308, where a copy error is displayed and the copying operation is not performed.

  Further, when the result of the determination 307 is NO, it is checked whether or not the content of the “processing method when copying is impossible” is “unreadable printing” (determination 309). When the result of determination 309 is YES, the original reading unit 51 reads an image of the read original (process 310), and a predetermined mask pattern is combined with the read image data obtained thereby (process 311). The data image is recorded and output by the printer engine 47 (process 312).

  Further, when the result of the determination 309 is NO, since “notify by email without printing” is set in “processing method when copying is impossible”, “printer's mail address” is set from the read information. Is created, an e-mail is sent to notify the e-mail address that it has been copied (process 313), and the created e-mail is transmitted (process 314). At this time, the copying operation is not performed. If the result of the determination 309 is NO and no significant information is set in the “printer's mail address”, an e-mail is not created or an administrator's mail set in advance is set. The address can be applied as a “printer's email address”.

  In this way, in this embodiment, the IC chip CC is built in the paper PP, and the operation for protecting the information (image) printed on the paper PP is performed with reference to the information stored in the IC chip CC. Therefore, it is very versatile and reliable information protection can be performed.

  Further, by displaying the owner (printer) of the image printed on the paper PP on the operation display unit or the like of the image forming apparatus, the image owner (printer) is notified to the user who tries to duplicate the image of the paper PP. For example, a user who has attempted unauthorized copying can request the owner of an image to print the image, which is convenient.

  In addition, information to be written to the IC chip can be selected. In this case, it is possible to provide a security level according to the usage status of the user.

  In addition, information written in the IC chip can be displayed and printed. In this case, the user can acquire the management information of the paper PP, which is convenient.

  It should be noted that the information protection system of the present invention can be similarly applied to devices other than the image forming apparatus shown in the above-described embodiments.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention. Schematic which showed an example of the information group stored in IC chip CC. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a printer device (image forming device) applied to an information protection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a copying machine (image forming apparatus) applied to an information protection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a network multifunction peripheral (image forming apparatus) applied to an information protection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for printing one page of the printer apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing at the time of copying for one page of the copying machine shown in FIG. 4. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing during a copying operation for one page of the network multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. 5.

Explanation of symbols

PP paper CC IC chip 9, 49 IC chip reading / writing unit 10, 31, 50, 53 IC chip sensor 30, 51 IC chip reading unit

Claims (13)

  An information protection system characterized in that an IC chip is built in a paper, and information recorded on the paper can be protected by referring to information written on the IC chip.   2. The information protection system according to claim 1, wherein the information is written to the IC chip when the information is recorded on the paper.   3. The information protection system according to claim 2, wherein the writing of information to the IC chip is performed by an IC chip information writing unit provided in an image forming apparatus that records information on the paper.   4. The information protection system according to claim 3, wherein the information written to the IC chip by the IC chip information writing means includes at least attribute information of the image forming apparatus.   4. The information protection system according to claim 3, wherein the information written to the IC chip by the IC chip information writing means includes at least attribute information of an owner of information recorded on the paper.   5. The information written on the IC chip by the IC chip information writing unit further includes information indicating whether copying of information recorded on the paper is permitted or not permitted. Item 6. The information protection system according to Item 5.   7. The information protection system according to claim 6, further comprising a processing method in a case where copying is not permitted in the information written to the IC chip by the IC chip information writing means. In an image forming apparatus that forms an image on paper,
An image forming apparatus comprising IC chip writing means for writing information on an IC chip built in paper. In an image forming apparatus having at least an image forming function for forming an image on paper and an image reading function for reading an image on paper,
IC chip writing means for writing information to an IC chip built in the paper;
An image forming apparatus comprising IC chip reading means for reading information from the IC chip. In an image reading apparatus that reads an image recorded on paper,
An image reading apparatus comprising IC chip reading means for reading information from an IC chip built in paper. In a copier that duplicates an image recorded on paper,
A copying machine comprising IC chip reading means for reading information from an IC chip built in paper. In a network image forming apparatus having at least an image reading function for reading an image on a sheet and a communication function for connecting to a network and exchanging data with other terminal devices via the network,
IC chip reading means for reading information from an IC chip built in the paper;
When the IC chip reading unit reads information from the IC chip, the image includes a communication unit that notifies the network address included in the read information that the image on the sheet has been read. Forming equipment.   An information protection method characterized in that an IC chip is built in a paper, and information recorded on the paper can be protected by referring to information written on the IC chip.

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