JP2006087025A - Electronic multi-functioned machine adaptive to network - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic multi-functioned machine adaptive to a network of which the security function is more strengthened by setting a password to a scan file itself. <P>SOLUTION: A folder name and a file name in a PC 200 in which a scanner image is to be accumulated, are inputted from a control panel 60. Furthermore, user code setting is performed (S10) and scan operation is then done (S11). When the scanning operation is completed, the composite machine 100 judges it from the inputted user code whether a password is set from a table of user codes and passwords (S12). If set (S12;Y), password information is added to a scanned file (S13) and transmitted to a folder of the PC 200 similarly to a case where the password is not set (S14). When browsing a scan file accumulated in the PC 200, a user inputs a password corresponding to the user code. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a network compatible scanner device capable of setting a password for a transmission file.

It is widely used in offices and the like to connect a digital multi-function peripheral or scanner device to a PC (personal computer) via a network and transmit and receive various data. Under such an environment, for example, image data read by a scanner device is transmitted via a network and stored in another terminal (for example, a personal computer). Under such circumstances, various proposals have been made on how to maintain confidentiality of image data and ensure security.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-077177 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-045034

  In Patent Literature 1, when image data read by a scanner device is transmitted via a network, a password is set for a folder of a destination PC. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a multi-function machine that enhances the security function by printing and erasing a file in the apparatus using a password.

By the way, in the conventional network scanner device, the transmitted file is placed in a specific folder of the PC. However, when the file is transmitted to a shared PC or the like, there is a problem that a file transmitted by another person can be viewed because no security management is performed. there were. Further, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, since no password is set in the scan file itself, security cannot be ensured in that respect.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a network-compatible electronic multi-function peripheral in which a password is set in the scan file itself to further enhance the security function.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a network compatible electronic multi-function peripheral capable of network connection and transmitting / receiving data to / from a terminal device connected to the network, scanning is performed for other terminals connected on the network. A scan image transmission means for transmitting an image, a password storage means for storing a password in association with a user code, a user code reception means for receiving a user code when the scan image transmission means transmits a scan image, A password adding means for adding a password stored in the password storage means in association with the user code received by the user code receiving means to the file transmitted by the scanned image transmitting means; Thus, the object is achieved.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the setting means includes: an auto password means for generating an arbitrary password; and a setting means for accepting a setting as to whether or not to use the auto password means. When the setting to use the auto password means is accepted, the password adding means preferentially adds the password generated by the auto password means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the password storage means also stores an e-mail address in association with a user code, and the password adding means is a password generated by the auto password means. When the password is added with priority, the generated password is transmitted to the e-mail destination stored in the password storage means via the network.

In the first aspect of the present invention, since a password is set for a file transmitted to a shared PC on the network, it becomes impossible for a person other than the user who knows the password to view the file, Security management can be strengthened.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since an arbitrary password is added to the file to be transmitted by the scanner, it can be further strengthened in terms of security compared to the case where a unique password is added.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since an arbitrary password added to the file to be transmitted by the scanner is transmitted to the user destination registered in the user code, the problem of forgetting the password can be solved.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
First, the basic configuration and operation of a network-compatible multifunction peripheral will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a network-compatible multifunction peripheral.
As shown in this figure, this network-compatible multifunction peripheral includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 2, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 3, an image storage memory 11, a LAN (Local Area Network) The controller 21, transformer 22, MODEM 31, NCU 32, compressor / decompressor 41, scanner 51, plotter 52, and operation panel 60 are included.
First, the RAM 3 is a memory for temporarily storing data necessary for controlling the network-compatible multifunction device or performing protocol processing for network control. The ROM 2 is a control procedure for the network-compatible multifunction device. This is a read-only memory for storing network control procedures.
The image storage memory 11 is a memory used for storing files when sending / receiving e-mails or during a copy operation. The scanner 51 is a data reading unit that is necessary for copying, facsimile transmission, and scanning.

The plotter 52 is a writing unit for recording the print data during the printer operation, the read image during the copy operation, and the data received by facsimile on paper.
The MODEM 31 performs modulation for enabling transmission of binary-coded image information to the public line during facsimile operation, and demodulation for returning the code of the image information modulated from the other party to the original binary code. The NCU 32 is a detector that detects and analyzes the DTMF signal from the other party during facsimile operation.
The compressor / decompressor 41 compresses and encodes a binary image read by the scanner 51 during a copy operation, a scanner transmission, or a facsimile operation, and a plotter 52 can print a compression code sent from the other party. Thus, a compression / decompression unit for decoding into a binary image.
The operation panel 60 is an input / output unit that is used by a user to operate the network compatible multifunction peripheral.
The LAN controller 21 is a network control LSI that decodes data received from the network, encodes data to be transmitted to the network, and buffers transmission frames and reception frames. The transformer 22 is data from the network. Is a transformer for transmitting and receiving.

  In this embodiment, SMB is used as a protocol for transmitting a scan image from a network-compatible multifunction peripheral to a PC (personal computer) on the network. SMB (Server Message Block) is a protocol used for file sharing such as Windows (registered trademark). Other means for transmitting a scanned image from the apparatus to the PC include ftp, http, smtp, and the like.

The first embodiment will be described with reference to the system configuration example of FIG. 2 and the flowchart of FIG.
Consider a case where a scan image is transmitted to the PC 200 using the network-compatible multifunction peripheral 100 on the network. It is assumed that the PC 200 is on the same network as the network compatible multifunction peripheral 100.
The network compatible multifunction peripheral 100 has a user code and password table as shown in FIG. The password corresponding to this user code can be set from the operation panel 60.
First, before the user executes scanner transmission with the network-compatible multifunction peripheral 100, the user inputs the folder name and file name in the PC 200 in which the scanned images are stored from the operation panel 60 of the network-compatible multifunction peripheral. Also, a user code is set (step 10). Then, a scanning operation is performed (step 11).

When the scanning operation is completed, the network-compatible MFP 100 determines whether or not a password is set from the user code and password table according to the input user code (step 12). When the password is not set (step 12; N), the scanned file is transmitted to the folder of the PC 200 input from the operation panel 60 (step 14). If a password has been set (step 12; Y), password information is added to the scanned file (step 13), and transmitted to a folder on the PC 200 as in the case where no password has been set (step 14).
When viewing the scan file stored in the PC 200, the user can input a password corresponding to the user code.
Since a password is set for a file sent to a shared PC on the network, it becomes impossible for anyone other than the user who knows the password to view the file, and security management can be strengthened. .

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. A function for generating an arbitrary password (hereinafter simply referred to as an auto password function) is added to the network-compatible MFP 100 of the first embodiment.
Similar to the first embodiment, a case will be described in which a scan image is transmitted to the PC 200 using the network compatible multifunction peripheral 100 on the network.
Before the user performs scanner transmission with the network compatible multifunction peripheral 100, the folder name, file name, and user code in the PC 200 for storing the scan image are input from the operation panel 60 of the network compatible multifunction peripheral. Further, it is set whether or not to use the auto password function (step 20). Then, a scanning operation is performed (step 21).

When the scanning operation is completed, the network compatible multifunction peripheral 100 determines whether to use the input auto password function (ON) or not (OFF) (step 22).
If the auto password function is ON (step 22; Y), an arbitrary password is generated, and the generated password is displayed on the operation panel 60 (step 24). This display allows the user to know what password has been generated. This password is used when browsing the scan file stored in the PC 200.
The network-compatible MFP 100 adds the generated arbitrary password information to the scan file (step 25) and transmits it to the folder of the PC 200 input from the operation panel 60 (step 26).

On the other hand, if the auto password function is OFF (step 22; N), it is determined whether or not a password is set from the user code and password table as in the first embodiment (step 23). As a result, if the password is set (step 23; Y), the password information is added to the scan file and transmitted to the PC 200 (step 25). If the password is not set (step 23; N) ) The scan file is transmitted to the PC 200 as it is (step 26).
When the user browses the scan file stored in the PC 200, the user can enter the password generated by the auto password function or the password corresponding to the user code.
In the second embodiment, since an arbitrary password is added to the file to be transmitted by the scanner, the security is further enhanced as compared with the case where a unique password is added.

Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In the third embodiment, a function of sending password information added to a scan file by mail (hereinafter simply referred to as a password mail function) is added to the network-compatible MFP 100 of the second embodiment. In addition, an email address item is added to the user code and password table.
Similar to the first and second embodiments, a case will be described in which a scan image is transmitted to the PC 200 using the network compatible multifunction peripheral 100 on the network.
Setting of folder name and file name, user code, and auto password function in the PC 200 for storing scanned images from the operation panel 60 of the network compatible multifunction peripheral 100 before the user performs scanner transmission on the network compatible multifunction peripheral 100 Enter. Further, it is set whether or not to use the password mail function (step 30). Then, a scanning operation is performed (step 31).

As in the second embodiment, the network-compatible MFP 100 determines whether or not to use the input auto password function (ON) or not (OFF) when the scanning operation ends (step S1). 32) The scan file is transmitted to the PC 200 as in the second embodiment.
Thereafter, the network-compatible MFP 100 has the automatic password function ON (step 32; Y) or the case where there is a password corresponding to the user code (step 33; Y), and the password mail function is When ON (step 37; Y), the following operation is performed.
The user's e-mail address is determined from the user code table input from the operation panel 60 at the time of transmission operation from the user code table, and an arbitrary password generated by the auto password function or a password corresponding to the user code is described. An e-mail is created and an e-mail addressed to the user is transmitted (step 38).
When browsing the scan file stored in the PC 200, the user can browse by inputting the password described in the e-mail.
In the third embodiment, since an arbitrary password added to the file to be transmitted by the scanner is sent to the user destination registered in the user code, the problem that processing cannot be performed by forgetting the password is solved. be able to.

It is the figure which showed the hardware constitutions of the network corresponding type | mold multifunction device which concerns on this Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the structure of the system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the example of the user code table. It is the flowchart which showed the process sequence of the 1st Example. It is the flowchart which showed the process sequence of the 2nd Example. It is the flowchart which showed the process sequence of the 3rd Example.

Explanation of symbols

1 CPU
2 ROM
3 RAM
11 Image Storage Memory 21 LAN Controller 22 Transformer 31 MODEM
32 NCU
41 Compressor / Decompressor 51 Scanner 52 Plotter 60 Operation Panel 100 Network-Compatible Multifunction Machine 200 PC

Claims (3)

In a network compatible electronic multifunction peripheral that can be connected to a network and can send and receive data to and from a terminal device connected to the network.
Scan image transmission means for transmitting a scan image to another terminal connected to the network;
Password storage means for storing a password associated with the user code;
User code receiving means for receiving a user code when the scanned image transmitting means transmits a scanned image;
A password adding means for adding a password stored in the password storage means in association with the user code received by the user code receiving means to the file transmitted by the scanned image transmitting means; A network-compatible electronic multi-function machine characterized by Auto password means to generate any password,
Setting means for accepting the setting as to whether or not to use the auto password means,
2. The network compatible device according to claim 1, wherein when the setting means accepts the setting to use the auto password means, the password adding means preferentially adds the password generated by the auto password means. Type electronic compound machine. An email destination is also stored in the password storage means in association with the user code,
When the password adding unit preferentially adds the password generated by the auto password unit, the generated password is transmitted to the e-mail destination stored in the password storage unit via the network. The network compatible electronic multi-function peripheral according to claim 2.

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