JP2006088666A - Printer, secret information management device, and printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To unnecessitate rewriting of information in a user RFID even when an access level of a user is changed. <P>SOLUTION: A security information storage part 508 stores the correspondence relationship between an identification code of the user and the access level set by the user. A printer 501 acquires the identification code of the user from a user RFID tag 504 and also acquires information representing a secret level of a printing original manuscript from an original manuscript RFID tag 505. A security management server 507 reads out the corresponding access level by referring to the correspondence relationship stored in the security information storage part 508 when the acquired information is the identification code of the user. The security management server 507 judges whether the execution of printing processing by the printer 501 is allowed or not on the basis of the access level and the secret level of the transmitted printing original manuscript and controls the operation of the printer 501 on the basis of the judgement result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a confidential information management apparatus, and a printing system, and in particular, a printing apparatus that performs printing processing on recording paper based on image data, and printing on recording paper based on image data obtained by reading a document. The present invention relates to a confidential information management apparatus connected to a printing apparatus that performs processing, and a printing system including the printing apparatus and the confidential information management apparatus.

  In the conventional printing system, various methods for ensuring security against printing confidential documents have been proposed.

  For example, when a confidential document is copied, there is an apparatus that displays “confidential” or the like on a copy to alert the user.

  There is also an apparatus in which each user has a magnetic card for recording the number of copies, and the copying process cannot be performed unless the magnetic card is set in the copying apparatus. In such a copying apparatus, since only a person having a magnetic card for copying can copy, it is possible to prevent outsiders from copying confidential documents.

Furthermore, in the copying machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, a user carries a wireless IC tag (RFID; Radio Frequency Identification), attaches an RFID to a confidential document, and has the access right of the user read from the user's RFID. Only when the confidential level of the document read from the RFID of the confidential document is higher than the confidential level, the copying machine can copy the document to ensure security.
JP 2001-160117 A

  According to the above conventional method for ensuring security, a certain level of security can be ensured by performing confidential display or using a magnetic card in processing such as copying confidential documents.

  However, alerting with a confidential display is a method that relies solely on the handling method of the user, and is not sufficient in terms of security. Further, the copy restriction using the magnetic card is not performed according to the access right of the user and the degree of confidentiality of the copy manuscript. For example, “this user is allowed to copy to a document of this confidential level”. It is not possible to make detailed restrictions. That is, there is a problem that any confidential level document can be copied as long as it has a magnetic card. Further, in the case of a magnetic card, a complicated work of setting the magnetic card by a user's hand in a magnetic card reader connected to the copying apparatus is required.

  In the method using RFID, the copying machine can copy the document only when the access right of the user read from the RFID of the user is higher than the confidential level of the document read from the RFID of the confidential document. However, this method has a problem that if the user's affiliation is changed or the access right of the user is changed, the information in the user's RFID must be rewritten. Further, since it is determined whether or not copying is possible after a copy start instruction is issued, there is a problem that it takes time until actual copy processing is started.

  In addition, when recording information such as who copied a confidential document and where, the information is recorded in each copying apparatus. When the same confidential document is copied by a plurality of copying apparatuses, There was a problem that it was difficult to list the recorded information.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and even when the access right of the user is changed, it is not necessary to rewrite information in the user RFID, and from the copy execution instruction to the copy completion. To provide a printing apparatus, a confidential information management apparatus, and a printing system in which the history is centrally managed when the same confidential document is copied by a plurality of copying apparatuses in a short time And

  To achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in a printing apparatus that performs printing processing on recording paper based on image data, an image reading unit that reads an image on a document as image data, and the image A printing unit that performs printing processing on recording paper based on image data read by the reading unit, an information reading unit that reads first information about confidentiality of the original from the original, and an operator of the printing apparatus are identified Input means for inputting second information for transmission, and transmission means for transmitting the first information and the second information read by the information reading means to a confidential information management apparatus connected to the printing apparatus. Receiving from the confidential information management device third information indicating whether or not the operator specified by the second information can execute the printing process of the document specified by the first information. And a control unit that controls whether or not to execute the printing process by the printing unit based on the third information received by the receiving unit. The

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the confidential information management apparatus connected to the printing apparatus that performs the printing process on the recording paper based on the image data obtained by reading the original, the confidentiality of the original is determined. The receiving means for receiving the first information and the second information for identifying the operator of the printing apparatus, and the second information for identifying the operator of the printing apparatus are classified into the confidential information about the operator. The second information received based on the management information managed in association with the information related to the sex, the second information received by the receiving means, and the confidentiality information about the operator managed by the management means. Transmitting means for transmitting, to the printing apparatus, third information indicating whether or not the operator specified in (1) can execute the printing process of the document specified by the first information. Machine Information management apparatus is provided.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the printing system comprising: a printing device that performs printing processing on recording paper based on image data; and a confidential information management device connected to the printing device, the printing device Includes: an image reading unit that reads an image on a document as image data; a printing unit that performs a printing process on recording paper based on the image data read by the image reading unit; and a confidentiality of the document from the document. Information reading means for reading one information, input means for inputting second information for identifying an operator of the printing apparatus, and the first information and the second information read by the information reading means From the confidential information management device to the confidential information management device connected to the printing device and the operator specified by the second information from the confidential information management device. Based on the first receiving means for receiving third information indicating whether or not the printing process of the specified document can be executed, and the third information received by the first receiving means, Control means for controlling whether or not to execute printing processing by the printing means, and the confidential information management device receives the first information and the second information from the printing device. Means, management means for managing the second information in association with confidentiality information about the operator, the second information received by the second receiving means, and the management means Whether or not the operator specified by the second information can execute the printing process of the document specified by the first information based on the confidentiality information about the operator. Send the third information to the printing device Printing system characterized by a second transmission means are provided that.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a highly confidential printing apparatus that allows only an operator who is appropriate for the confidentiality of a document to execute a printing process.

  Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a confidential information management device that allows only an operator who is appropriate for the confidentiality of a document to execute a printing process.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a highly confidential printing system that allows only an operator who is appropriate for the confidentiality of a document to execute a printing process.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a printing apparatus included in a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  This printing apparatus includes a color scanner unit 380 and a printer unit 381.

(Color scanner part)
First, the configuration of the color scanner unit 380 will be described.

  Reference numeral 101 denotes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) that is an image pickup device, 311 denotes a substrate on which the CCD 101 is mounted, 300 denotes a scanner CPU that controls the entire color scanner unit 380, 312 denotes an IP substrate, and the IP substrate 312 includes a substrate 311. An image processing unit that digitizes an analog image signal sent from the computer and performs digital image processing is included.

  Reference numeral 301 denotes a platen glass; 302, a document feeder (DF); 303 and 304, light sources for illuminating the document (halogen lamp, fluorescent lamp, etc.); 305 and 306, light from the light sources 303 and 304 to the document Reflecting umbrellas for condensing, 307 to 309 are mirrors for optically guiding the document set on the platen glass 301 to the CCD 101, 310 is a lens for condensing the projection light from the mirrors 307 to 309 on the CCD 101, 314 is a first mirror base (carriage) that houses the light sources 303 and 304, reflectors 305 and 306, and the mirror 307, 315 is a second mirror base that houses the mirrors 308 and 309, and 316 is a stepping motor drive unit. The stepping motor drive unit 316 moves the first mirror base 314 and the second mirror base 315 in the sub-scanning direction (left-right direction in the figure). To do.

  Reference numeral 313 denotes an external interface. Although not shown, the external interface 313 uses a read image obtained by the color scanner unit 380 such as a LAN interface device for connecting to a network, a SCSI interface device for connecting to a personal computer, a facsimile machine, or the like. Various devices can be connected. The scanner CPU 300 communicates with the CPU of the external device via the external interface 313, and predetermined image data can be output from the external interface 313 to the external device at a predetermined timing.

  Reference numeral 353 denotes a dedicated interface for transmitting and receiving image data and control commands to and from the printer unit 381 in charge of image output when the printing apparatus is used as an image copying apparatus.

  A document reading operation performed by the color scanner unit 380 configured as described above will be described below.

  When a document is placed on the document feeder 302 or the document table glass 301 and a copy button (not shown) is pressed, a document reading event occurs, and the scanner CPU 300 gives each unit an instruction to read an image. Specifically, according to this instruction, the light sources 303 and 304 are turned on, the CCD 101 of the substrate 311 becomes operable, and image processing parameters are set in the image processing unit of the IP substrate 312. When such preparation is completed, the stepping motor drive unit 316 is operated, the first mirror base 314 is driven at a constant speed (V) in the sub-scanning direction, and the entire surface of the document is irradiated in order. At this time, the second mirror base 315 is driven at a speed that is half the moving speed V of the first mirror base 314.

  The CCD 101 has a configuration in which a plurality of light receiving sensors and a plurality of registers provided corresponding to the respective light receiving sensors are arranged in the main scanning direction (depth direction in FIG. 1). It is possible to sequentially output an analog voltage proportional to the amount of light received by the light receiving sensor. It is possible to read the entire surface of the document as a two-dimensional image by outputting a continuous analog voltage in the main scanning direction and driving the CCD 101 in the sub-scanning direction (two-dimensional image data is along the time axis). It becomes a one-dimensional array). This image data is transferred from the board 311 to the IP board 312, subjected to predetermined image processing by the image processing unit of the IP board 312, and then the color scanner unit 380 via the external interface 313 or the printer dedicated interface 353. Output to the outside.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed internal configuration of the image processing unit provided on the IP board 312. Here, the case where the printing apparatus operates as an image copying apparatus will be described as an example.

  The document on the platen glass 301 is guided to the CCD 101 and converted into an electrical signal. Note that the CCD 101 is a one-line CCD, and RGB color filters are mounted in-line in the order of RGB on the one-line CCD. Also, the CCD 101 is a three-line CCD, and includes an R filter, a G filter, and a B filter. May be arranged for each CCD. Further, the filter may be on-chip, or the filter may be configured separately from the CCD. Then, the electric signal (analog image signal) is input to the image processing unit of the IP board 312, sampled and held (S / H) in the clamp / amplifier / S / H / A / D unit 102, and the analog image signal The dark level is clamped to a reference potential, amplified to a predetermined amount (the processing order is not necessarily the order of name notation), A / D converted, and converted into, for example, an 8-bit RGB digital signal.

  The RGB signal is subjected to shading correction and black correction by the shading unit 103, and when the CCD 101 is a three-line CCD in the stitching / MTF correction / document detection unit 104, the reading position between the lines is different. Accordingly, the delay amount for each line is adjusted, and the signal timing is corrected so that the reading positions of the three lines are the same (connection processing), and the reading MTF changes depending on the reading speed and the magnification, so the change is corrected. (MTF correction), and the original size is recognized by reading and scanning the original on the platen glass 301 (original detection). In the input masking unit 105, the digital signal whose reading position timing is corrected is corrected according to the spectral characteristics of the CCD 101 and the spectral characteristics of the light sources 303 and 304 and the reflectors 305 and 306. The output of the input masking unit 105 is input to the selector 106. In addition, the selector 106 receives an image signal from an external device via the external interface 313 and the external I / F unit 114, and the selector 106 selects one of them to perform color space compression / background removal / LOG conversion. To the unit 107 and the background removal unit 115. Note that the output from the input masking unit 105 may be output to an external device via the external I / F unit 114 and the external interface 313.

  The signal input to the background removal unit 115 is subjected to background removal, and then input to the black character determination unit 116 to determine whether or not the document includes black characters, and a determination signal is output.

  In addition, the color space compression / background removal / LOG conversion unit 107 determines whether or not the read image signal is within a range that can be reproduced by the printer unit 381. The signal is corrected to fall within a range that can be reproduced by the printer unit 381 (color space compression). Then, background removal processing is performed to convert RGB signals into CMY signals (LOG conversion). The delay unit 108 adjusts the timing of the output signal of the color space compression / background removal / LOG conversion unit 107 in order to match the timing with the determination signal output from the black character determination unit 116.

  The two kinds of signals output from the delay unit 108 and the black character determination unit 116 are subjected to removal of moire by the moire removal unit 109 and subjected to scaling processing in the main scanning direction by the scaling processing unit 110. The UCR / masking / black character reflection unit 111 converts the CMY signal into a CMYK signal (UCR process), corrects the signal to meet the specifications of the printer unit 381 (masking process), and outputs the determination signal output from the black character determination unit 116. Are fed back to the CMYK signal.

  The γ correction unit 112 performs density adjustment, and the filter unit 113 performs smoothing or edge processing. Then, the binary conversion unit 117 converts the 8-bit multilevel signal into a binary signal (the conversion method is any one of the dither method, the error diffusion method, and the error diffusion improvement method).

  The image signal that has undergone these processes is sent from the printer dedicated interface 353 to the printer unit 381 or from the external interface 313 to another device.

  FIG. 3 is a timing chart of image signals that flow inside the color scanner unit 380.

  In FIG. 3, (A) is a signal V-ENBL representing an effective image section in the sub-scanning direction. (B) is a synchronization signal H-SYNC in the main scanning direction. (C) is a synchronization signal V-CLK for one pixel in the main scanning direction. (D) is an image signal DATA read from the CCD 101 and AD-converted. Note that the image signal DATA actually includes Data-R, Data-G, and Data-B separated according to the three separated basic colors. In addition, a large number of synchronization signals H-SYNC are generated during the ON period of the signal V-ENBL, and a large number of synchronization signals V-CLK are generated during one cycle of the synchronization signal H-SYNC. In FIG. 3, these illustrations are omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the pixels constituting the document in association with the image signal.

  In FIG. 4, the numbers (411 to 420) given to the respective pixels correspond to the numbers given to the image signal DATA for each pixel shown in FIG. 3 (D).

  When the first mirror table 314 is driven at a constant speed V and reaches the reading start point of the document shown in FIG. 4, the signal V-ENBL indicating the effective image section in the sub-scanning direction becomes a high level. At this time, an image corresponding to the pixels 411 to 414 for one line in the main scanning direction shown in FIG.

  When the signal V-ENBL becomes high level, the synchronization signal H-SYNC is generated, and the synchronization signal V-CLK is generated by the generation of the synchronization signal H-SYNC. Image signals are sequentially read out from each pixel in the main scanning direction of the CCD 101 in synchronization with the synchronization signal V-CLK, converted into digital data by the clamp / amplifier / S / H / A / D unit 102 of the image processing unit, Image data 411, 412, 413,... 414 shown in FIG.

  When the synchronization signal H-SYNC goes to the next high level, the first mirror base 314 moves accurately by one line in the sub-scanning direction, and reads the pixels 415 to 417 in FIG. Do the same as the second line. When such reading operation is sequentially repeated continuously and reading of the pixels 418 to 420 in FIG. 4 in the final line is completed, reading in the sub-scanning direction is completed, and the signal V-ENBL becomes low level.

  In this way, a two-dimensional image of the document is captured as one-dimensional image data.

(Printer part)
Next, returning to FIG. 1, the configuration of the printer unit 381 will be described.

  A reader interface 383 serves as an interface for connecting the color scanner unit 380 to the printer unit 381 when the printing apparatus operates as an image copying apparatus.

  Reference numeral 382 denotes an external interface. Although not shown, the external interface 382 is connected to a device that wants to output an image from the printer unit 381, such as a LAN interface device for connecting to a network, a SCSI interface device for connecting to a personal computer, or the like. As a result, the printer CPU 384 communicates with the CPU of the external device via the external interface 382, and predetermined image data can be input from the external device at a predetermined timing.

  Reference numeral 317 denotes an M image forming unit, 318 denotes a C image forming unit, 319 denotes an M image forming unit, and 320 denotes a K image forming unit. Since all the image forming units 317 to 320 have the same configuration, the M image forming unit 317 will be described below, and the description of the other image forming units will be omitted.

  In the M image forming unit 317, reference numeral 341 denotes a photosensitive drum, and a latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 341 by the light from the LED array 210. Reference numeral 321 denotes a primary charger that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 341 to a predetermined potential to prepare for latent image formation. A developing device 322 develops a latent image on the photosensitive drum 341 to form a toner image. The developing device 322 includes a sleeve 345 for applying a developing bias for development. A transfer charger 323 discharges from the back surface of the transfer belt 333 to transfer the toner image on the photosensitive drum 341 to a recording sheet or the like on the transfer belt 333. In this embodiment, since the transfer efficiency is good, the cleaner portion is not arranged.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit of the LED arrays 210 to 213 in the printer image processing system.

  The image data output from the printer dedicated interface 353 of the color scanner unit 380 is input to the reader interface 383 of the printer unit 381. The input image data is stored in the large capacity memory 201. The large-capacity memory 201 includes a semiconductor memory, a fixed storage device, or a combination thereof, and may have another configuration as long as it is a memory for storing an image. At the same time as this storage or after storage, for example, when there is an image output request based on a paper leading edge signal from a paper leading edge sensor 362 (described later with reference to FIG. 1), image data is read from the large capacity memory 201, Sent to the delay units 202 to 205. The delay units 202 to 205 adjust the difference in distance between the paper leading edge sensor and each image forming unit so that printing of four colors corresponding to the same pixel is performed at the same position. The LED driving units 206 to 209 generate signals for driving the LED arrays 210 to 213.

  Next, an operation for forming an image on recording paper or the like in the printer unit 381 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

  The recording sheets and the like stored in the cassettes 360 and 340 are supplied one by one by the pickup rollers 339 and 338 onto the transfer belt 333 by the sheet feeding rollers 336 and 337. The fed recording paper is charged by the adsorption charger 361. The transfer belt roller 363 drives the transfer belt 333 and charges the recording paper or the like in a pair with the adsorption charger 361 so that the recording belt or the like is adsorbed to the transfer belt 333. Reference numeral 362 denotes a paper front end sensor that detects the front end of a recording paper or the like on the transfer belt 333. The detection signal of the paper leading edge sensor 362 is sent from the printer unit 381 to the color scanner unit 380, and is used as a sub-scanning synchronization signal when a video signal is sent from the color scanner unit 380 to the printer unit 381.

  Thereafter, the recording paper or the like is conveyed by the transfer belt 333, and toner images are formed on the surface of the image forming units 317 to 320 in the order of MCYK. The recording paper or the like that has passed through the K image forming unit 320 is discharged from the transfer belt 333 after being discharged by the discharging charger 349 so as to be easily separated from the transfer belt 333. A peeling charger 350 is for preventing image disturbance due to peeling discharge when the recording paper or the like is separated from the transfer belt 333. The separated recording paper or the like is charged by the pre-fixing chargers 351 and 352 in order to compensate for the toner adsorption force and prevent image disturbance, and then the toner image is thermally fixed by the fixing device 334. Then, the paper is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 335.

  As described above, when this printing apparatus operates as an image copying apparatus, when a copy button arranged on an operation unit (not shown) is pressed, the color scanner unit 380 causes the printer unit 381 to perform image processing. Issue an output request. Then, an image reading request is given from the printer unit 381 to the color scanner unit 380, and the color scanner unit 380 starts reading the image as described above. At the same time or after the end of image reading, the printer unit 381 performs printing based on the image data input from the color scanner unit 380 as described above, and discharges it to the paper discharge tray 335. This completes the copying operation.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 6, a printing apparatus 501 corresponds to the printing apparatus shown in FIG. An RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) reader 502 is connected to the printing apparatus 501, and a security management server 507 is connected via a network 506. In the present printing system, RFID technology is used to read the access level of the user who is the operator of the printing apparatus 501 and the confidential level of the document. In this RFID technology, information stored in a memory IC chip is transferred to a communication antenna using RFID tags 504 and 505 and an RFID reader 502 which are information recording media incorporating a memory IC chip and a communication antenna. Can be read by the RFID reader 502. Note that the document RFID tag 505 is embedded in the document and holds information indicating the confidential level of the document. The user RFID tag 504 is embedded in an employee ID card worn by the user 503 and holds unique and invariant information such as an employee number.

  There are several types of radio wave frequencies used in RFID tags, and the communicable distance varies depending on the frequency. This printing system assumes a proximity type or microwave type RFID tag having a communicable distance of about 1 m in radius.

  The RFID reader 502 transmits an interrogation wave every predetermined time. When the RFID tags 504 and 505 exist in the area 509 that can be detected by the RFID reader 502, the RFID tag that has received the interrogation wave transmits a response wave using information stored in the built-in memory IC chip. . By receiving the response wave, the RFID reader 502 can know that the RFID tag exists in the detectable area 509.

  The RFID reader 502 acquires information indicating the confidential level of the document from the document RFID tag 505, acquires the employee number of the user 503 from the user RFID tag 504, and sends the information (security information) to the printing apparatus 501. The printing apparatus 501 transmits to the security management server 507 via the network 506. Based on the received security information, the security management server 507 refers to the security information storage unit 508 to determine whether copying is possible (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 7). The security management server 507 performs display control of the panel display unit in the printing apparatus 501 according to the determination result. That is, in the printing apparatus 501, operation parts necessary for executing processing such as a copy start button are not displayed on the panel display unit in the initial stage, but are displayed for the first time by display control from the security management server 597. Copies can be made. Information displayed on the panel display unit is referred to as third information.

  In the printing system illustrated in FIG. 6, only one printing apparatus is connected to the network 506, but actually, a plurality of printing apparatuses can be connected to the network 506.

  Next, the copying process in the printing system shown in FIG. 6 will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a copy processing procedure performed in the printing system.

  In step S601, it is detected by a sensor (not shown) that an original is placed on the printing apparatus 501. In step S602, it is determined whether or not the RFID reader 502 has detected the user RFID tag 504. If not detected, this process is terminated. If the user RFID tag 504 can be detected, the RFID reader 502 acquires the employee number of the user 503 from the user RFID tag 504 and transmits it to the printing apparatus 501. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S603, and the RFID reader 502 detects the confidential level information (first information) of the document from the document RFID tag 505 embedded in the document detected in step S601. If the document confidential level information cannot be detected from the document RFID tag 505, the document confidential level is defined as 0 (any user is allowed to print). The RFID reader 502 transmits the confidential level information of the detected or specified document to the printing apparatus 501.

  In step S604, the printing apparatus 501 transmits the employee number of the user and the confidential level information of the document to the security management server 507. The security management server 507 stores the security information storage unit 508 based on the transmitted employee number of the user. refer. The security information storage unit 508 stores information indicating the correspondence between the employee number and the level (access level) at which the user who is given the employee number is allowed to access confidential information. The security management server 507 reads access level information (second information) corresponding to the transmitted employee number of the user in the security information storage unit 508.

  In step S605, the security management server 507 compares the access level information read in step S604 with the confidential level information of the transmitted document, and if the user access level is higher than the confidential level of the document. If it is determined that copying of the document by the user is permitted, the process proceeds to step S606. If the access level of the user is equal to or lower than the confidential level of the document, the process ends. The access level and the confidential level are expressed as integers, and the higher the access level value, the higher the confidential information can be accessed, and the higher the confidential level value, the higher the confidentiality of the document. .

  In step S606, the security management server 507 controls display on the panel display unit of the printing apparatus 501. That is, a copy start button that was not displayed on the panel display in the initial state is displayed.

  In step S607, the user selects the copy start button displayed on the panel display unit of the printing apparatus 501, and instructs the printing apparatus 501 to start copying. In step S <b> 608, the printing process is executed by the printing apparatus 501.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, by using the document RFID tag 505 and the user RFID tag 504, it is possible to finely limit the execution of the copying process in association with the user and the document.

  Further, since the security information is acquired by the RFID tag, the security information can be acquired without contact without making the user aware of it.

  In addition, since the access level information of the user is centrally managed in the security information storage unit, even if the access level changes due to a change in user affiliation, etc., there is no need to change any internal information of the user RFID tag. .

  Further, since it is determined whether or not copying is possible when the document is set on the document table, the determination can be completed while the user is performing other operations such as print setting. For this reason, the start of the copying process is not delayed due to the determination process of whether or not copying is possible.

  Furthermore, since the data transmitted and received between the printing apparatus and the security management server is not the print data itself but data of about several bytes at most, there is no fear that a load is imposed on the network.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  Since the configuration of the second embodiment is basically the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, in the description of the second embodiment, the same parts as the configuration of the first embodiment are used. Are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the first embodiment is used, and only different portions will be described.

  In the first embodiment, if the RFID reader 502 cannot detect the confidential level information of the original from the original RFID tag 505 in step S603 shown in FIG. 7, the confidential level of the original is defined as 0. The user can also print the original. However, according to this method, it is impossible to perform copy restriction for a confidential document in which an original RFID tag is not embedded, such as an old document. This is solved in the second embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a copy processing procedure performed in the printing system according to the second embodiment. The copying process shown in FIG. 8 is basically the same as the copying process in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7. Therefore, the same step number is assigned to the step having the same content, and the description thereof is omitted. To do.

  In the second embodiment, in step S703, the RFID reader 502 detects the confidential level information of the document from the document RFID tag 505 embedded in the document detected in step S601, and whether or not the detection is successful. Is determined. If the detection is successful, the RFID reader 502 transmits the detected confidential level information of the document to the printing apparatus 501 and proceeds to step S604.

  On the other hand, when the confidential level information of the document cannot be detected from the document RFID tag 505, the copying process is terminated.

  As described above, when the confidential level information of the document cannot be detected from the document RFID tag 505, the copy process is terminated, so that the document in which the document RFID tag is not embedded cannot be copied in the second embodiment. It is possible to prevent a confidential document, such as an old document, in which the original RFID tag is not embedded, from being copied without any limitation.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a printing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Since the configuration of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is basically the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same parts as the configuration of the first embodiment. Thus, the description thereof is omitted, and only different portions are described.

  In the third embodiment, a print history storage unit 809 is newly connected to the security management server 507. The print history storage unit 809 records, as a history, the name of the printed document and the name of the user who executed the printing regarding the printing performed in the printing apparatus 501, and further, the confidential level of the document and the user The access level, the name of the printing device that has been printed, the date and time of printing, the number of copies, and the like are also recorded.

  As a result, history information indicating which user has printed a confidential document is centrally stored and managed in the print history storage unit 809, and security management can be improved.

[Other Embodiments]
In each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which copying of the document is restricted according to the confidential level of the document and the access level of the user has been described. However, the present invention is not only applied to these embodiments, but also, for example, executes processing for converting an image-read original into electronic data, and transmits image data of the original to a storage device connected via a network. Execution of processing such as storing may be restricted according to the confidential level of the document and the access level of the user.

  The object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus. Is also achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium and program storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  The storage medium for supplying the program code is, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW. DVD + RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, etc. can be used. Alternatively, the program is supplied by downloading from another computer or database connected to the Internet, a commercial network, a local area network, or the like.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. Includes a case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing.

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

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing apparatus included in a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed internal structure of the image process part provided in an IP board. 6 is a timing chart of an image signal flowing inside the color scanner unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing pixels constituting a document in association with image signals. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part of the LED array in a printer image processing system. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a copy processing procedure performed in the printing system. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a copy processing procedure performed in the printing system according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the printing system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

501 Printing apparatus 502 RFID reader 503 User 504 RFID tag 505 Document RFID tag 506 Network 507 Security management server 508 Security information storage unit 509 Detectable area

Claims (7)

In a printing apparatus that performs printing processing on recording paper based on image data,
Image reading means for reading an image on a document as image data;
Printing means for performing printing processing on recording paper based on image data read by the image reading means;
Information reading means for reading, from the original, first information relating to confidentiality of the original;
Input means for inputting second information for identifying an operator of the printing apparatus;
Transmitting means for transmitting the first information and the second information read by the information reading means to a confidential information management apparatus connected to the printing apparatus;
Third information indicating whether or not the operator specified by the second information can execute the printing process of the document specified by the first information is received from the confidential information management device. Receiving means;
And a control unit that controls whether or not to execute the printing process by the printing unit based on the third information received by the receiving unit.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information reading unit reads first information related to confidentiality of the document from a memory added to the document.   The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the memory is a non-contact memory, and the information reading unit reads the first information from the non-contact memory.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact memory is an RFID. An instruction means for receiving an instruction from an operator for starting an image reading operation on the original by the image reading means;
The control means controls the instruction means so as not to accept an instruction from the operator when the third information is information indicating that the operator is not authorized to print the document. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: In a confidential information management apparatus connected to a printing apparatus that performs printing processing on recording paper based on image data obtained by reading an original,
Receiving means for receiving first information relating to confidentiality of the document and second information for identifying an operator of the printing apparatus;
Management means for managing the second information for identifying the operator of the printing apparatus in association with the confidentiality information about the operator;
Based on the second information received by the receiving unit and information on confidentiality of the operator managed by the managing unit, the operator specified by the second information is the first information. A confidential information management apparatus, comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit, to the printing apparatus, third information indicating whether or not the printing process of the document specified in (1) can be executed. In a printing system comprising a printing device that performs printing processing on recording paper based on image data, and a confidential information management device connected to the printing device,
The printing apparatus includes:
Image reading means for reading an image on a document as image data;
Printing means for performing printing processing on recording paper based on image data read by the image reading means;
Information reading means for reading, from the original, first information relating to confidentiality of the original;
Input means for inputting second information for identifying an operator of the printing apparatus;
First transmission means for transmitting the first information and the second information read by the information reading means to a confidential information management apparatus connected to the printing apparatus;
Third information indicating whether or not the operator specified by the second information can execute the printing process of the document specified by the first information is received from the confidential information management device. First receiving means;
Control means for controlling whether or not to execute the printing process by the printing means based on the third information received by the first receiving means;
The confidential information management device includes:
Second receiving means for receiving the first information and the second information from the printing apparatus;
Management means for managing the second information in association with information on confidentiality of the operator;
The operator specified by the second information is based on the second information received by the second receiving means and information on confidentiality of the operator managed by the management means. A printing system comprising: a second transmission unit configured to transmit the third information indicating whether or not the printing process of the document specified by the first information can be executed to the printing apparatus.

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