JP2006166169A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital multifunction machine for managing the copying of secret documents easily by holding the number of printable documents and a secret mode in a box document, watermark-printing the section numbers by multiplication by which the document is printed when printing the document, and deleting the document automatically when the number of multiplication print outputted copies has reached the number of printable documents. <P>SOLUTION: The digital multifunction machine as an image processor has a secret printing means for compounding the section numbers at the time of a print output by an image output means to perform print outputting and an automatic deletion means for deleting the document automatically after the specified number of copies have been printed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital copying machine provided with an image memory.

  Conventionally, image data read by a scanner or image data obtained by expanding PDL data sent from a host computer via a network into a bitmap is temporarily stored in a memory such as a hard disk in a copying machine, and an arbitrary original is read from the memory. There is known a digital copying machine having a function of repeatedly reading out and printing out the image data.

  These digital copiers can be connected to finishers equipped with finishing functions such as stapling, punching holes, folding, bookbinding, and so on. Some of them have a box function in which they are stored in a memory as document attributes and printed out based on the document information asynchronously with image input.

Also, security has become important in the field of copying machines, and copying machines equipped with a confidential printing function for managing copying of confidential documents have come out. This confidential print function is a function that prints a copy of a confidential document with a copy number in the background. By managing to whom the grandchild is copied, it is used for the purpose of managing to whom the grandchild copied the copied grandchild. This confidential print function can be used in the box function as well.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-177787

  However, when the confidential print function is used in a box, since the box document is held in a memory such as a hard disk, there is a problem that a plurality of copies with the same part number printed can be created. Furthermore, since printing can be performed many times, there is a problem that many copies can be created even if the copy number is changed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the conventional example. The object of the present invention is to hold the printable number of copies and the confidential mode in the box document in the box function and print the document. Digitally easy to manage copies of confidential documents by printing out the total number of copies of the printed document and automatically deleting the document when the total number of copies printed reaches the number of printable copies. To provide a copier.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the box function, the number of printable copies and the confidential mode are held in the box document, and when the document is printed, the number of copies of the document printed is printed and printed. By automatically deleting the document when the cumulative print output number reaches the printable number, it is possible to provide a digital multi-function peripheral that can easily manage the copy of the confidential document.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a digital copying machine main body, which includes an operation unit 102, a reader unit 103, and a printer unit 104. The operation unit 102 is used to operate the digital copying machine main body 101 and the image input / output control unit 105. The reader unit 103 reads an image of a document and outputs image data corresponding to the document image to the printer unit 104 and the image input / output control unit 105. The printer unit 104 records an image corresponding to the image data from the reader unit 103 and the image input / output control unit 105 on a recording sheet. The image input / output control unit 105 is connected to the reader unit 103 and includes a computer interface unit 106, an image memory 107, a control unit 108, and a backup RAM 110.

  The computer interface unit 106 is an interface between the print server 109 configured by a personal computer or a workstation (PC / WS) and the control unit 108, and receives code data (PDL) representing an image transferred from the PC / WS 109. The image data that can be recorded by the printer unit 104 is developed and transferred to the control unit 108.

  Although the control unit 108 will be described later, the control unit 108 controls the flow of data among the reader unit 103, the computer interface unit 106, and the image memory 107.

  The backup RAM 110 is a memory that is not erased even when the power is turned off, and stores data that must be backed up in the digital copying machine 101 and the image input / output control unit 105.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the copying machine equipped with the finisher in this embodiment. The document feeder 201 feeds documents one by one to the platen glass 202 in order from the top, and discharges the documents on the platen glass 202 after the document reading operation is completed. When the original is conveyed onto the platen glass 202, the lamp 203 is turned on, and the movement of the scanner unit 204 is started to expose and scan the original. The reflected light from the original at this time is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 209 by mirrors 205, 206, 207 and a lens 208. As described above, the scanned image of the original is read by the CCD 209.

  The laser driver 221 drives the laser light emitting unit 210 and causes the laser light emitting unit 210 to emit laser light corresponding to the output image data. The laser beam is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 211, and a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 211. A developer is attached to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 211 by the developing device 212. In the case of a color machine, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black color developers are installed. Then, at the timing synchronized with the start of laser light irradiation, the recording paper is fed from one of the cassette 213, the cassette 214, and the manual paper feed stage 227, conveyed to the transfer unit 215, and developed on the photosensitive drum 211. The agent is transferred to the recording paper. The recording paper on which the developer is placed is conveyed to the fixing unit 216, and the developer is fixed to the image paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 216. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 216 is discharged by the discharge roller 217. If double-sided recording is set, the recording paper is conveyed to the discharge roller 217, and then the rotation direction of the discharge roller 217 is reversed. Then, the paper is guided to the refeed conveyance path 219 by the flapper 218. The recording sheet guided to the refeed conveyance path 219 is fed to the transfer unit 215 at the timing described above.

  When the Z-folding unit 226 is mounted on the main body, the recording paper is conveyed to the Z-folding unit, and Z-folding is performed according to an operation from the operation unit. When the finisher 220 is installed, the discharged recording sheets are bundled to sort the recording sheets, and the recording sheets are punched by the puncher 223 and stapled by the stapler 224 according to the designation from the user. When the saddle stitcher 225 is used, the recording paper is bound by stitching the central portion of the recording paper and folding the central portion. The inserter 222 can feed pre-printed recording paper as a cover or slip sheet, and does not pass through the recording paper path of the printer unit, so that the paper can be conveyed without being damaged. A job that does not use the saddle stitcher 225 passes through the paper discharge outlet 231 and is discharged to one of the movable trays 228 and 229. Both the movable trays 228 and 229 can move up and down, and when outputting to the movable tray 228, the movable tray 228 descends to the position of the paper discharge port 231. A job using the saddle stitcher 225 passes through the paper discharge outlet 232 and is discharged to the bookbinding tray 230.

  FIG. 3 shows a key layout of the operation unit 102 of the digital copying machine in this embodiment. Reference numeral 301 denotes a power switch, which controls energization to the main body. 302 is a preheating key, which is used to turn on / off the preheating mode. A copy A mode key 303 is used to select the copy A mode from a plurality of functions. A copy B mode key 304 is used to select the copy B mode from a plurality of functions. Copy A and Copy B have the same copy function, but if one of the copies has been read by the scanner, the next copy can be entered. It is divided. A mailbox key 305 is used when selecting a mailbox mode from a plurality of functions. The mailbox function is a function that has a storage area in the memory in the copying machine for each individual user or department, puts PDL and scanned images in the memory area, and outputs them when desired. Reference numeral 306 denotes an extended key, which is used when performing an operation on the PDL. 303 to 306 are also used when calling up each function screen of the LCD 316 described later, and the status of each job can be viewed on the LCD 316 display. Reference numeral 307 denotes a copy start key, which is used to instruct the start of copying. Reference numeral 308 denotes a stop key which is used when copying is interrupted or stopped. A reset key 309 operates as a key for returning to the standard mode during standby. 310 is a guide key, which is used when it is desired to know each function. Reference numeral 311 denotes a user mode key which is used when the user changes the basic setting of the system. Reference numeral 312 denotes an interrupt key, which is used to interrupt and copy during copying. Reference numeral 313 denotes a numeric keypad which is used when inputting numerical values. A clear key 314 is used to clear a numerical value. Reference numeral 315 denotes an ID key which is used when shifting to an ID input mode when using a copying machine. 316 is an LCD touch panel that consists of a combination of a liquid crystal screen and a touch sensor. Individual setting screens are displayed for each mode, and various detailed settings can be made by touching the drawn keys. It is. It also displays the operation status of each job. Reference numeral 317 denotes a tally lamp that indicates a network communication state. The tally lamp is normally green, blinks green when communicating, and turns red when a network error occurs.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a copy standard screen of the operation panel 316 in the present embodiment. The image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is activated on the copy standard screen as a default when the power is turned on. A message line 401 displays the status of the copy job as a message. Reference numeral 402 denotes a magnification display, which displays a magnification that is automatically determined according to a set magnification or a copy mode as a percentage. Reference numeral 403 denotes a paper size display, which displays the selected output paper. If automatic paper selection is set, a message “auto paper” is displayed. Reference numeral 404 denotes a numerical value display indicating how many copies are made. Reference numeral 405 denotes a reduction key, which is used when a reduction copy is desired. Reference numeral 406 denotes an equal-magnification key which is used when it is desired to return to the same magnification when reduction or enlargement is set. Reference numeral 407 denotes an enlargement key, which is used when an enlarged copy is desired. Reference numeral 408 denotes a zoom key, which is used when it is desired to perform a reduction copy or an enlargement copy by setting the magnification to h in fine units. A paper selection key 409 is used when an output paper is designated. Reference numeral 410 denotes a sorter key, which is used when setting a sorting or stapling mode. Reference numeral 411 denotes a double-sided key which is used when setting the double-sided mode. Reference numeral 412 is a density display, which shows the current density. The left side shows a low density and the right side shows a high density. Further, the display of the density display 412 changes in conjunction with the light key 413 and the light key 415. 413 is a light key and is used when it is desired to reduce the density. Reference numeral 414 denotes an automatic key, which is used when a mode for automatically determining density is used. 415 is a rich key, which is used when it is desired to increase the density. A character key 416 is used to set a character mode that is automatically set to a density suitable for copying a character document. Reference numeral 417 denotes a character / photo key, which is used to set a character / photo mode that is automatically set to a density suitable for copying a document in which photos are mixed. Reference numeral 418 denotes an application mode key, which is used to set various copy modes that cannot be set on the copy standard screen. Reference numeral 419 denotes a print status key, which is used when it is desired to check the status of printing currently being performed by the image forming apparatus 101. The print status key 419 always appears at this position as well as the copy standard screen, and the print status can be viewed at any time by pressing this key.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a logical usage method of the image memory 107 in the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the storage area of the image memory such as a hard disk is logically divided into a temporary area 501 and a box area 502 according to the usage. Temporary area 501 is a memory that temporarily stores PDL development data and image data from a scanner in order to change the output order of image data or to output a plurality of copies in a single scan. It is an area. The entire box area 502 is a storage area for using the box function, and is divided into a small number of registered storage areas like 503 to 507. Boxes 503 to 507 are assigned to each department such as each user or company, and a box name and a password can be attached to each box. The user can input a PDL job or a scan job in each box by specifying the box, and by actually entering the password, the user can actually see the box, change settings, and print out.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of box registration in the present embodiment. Registration in the box includes registration of a PDL image from the host computer 109 and a scan image from the scanner, and the flow is shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, respectively. In the figure, S601 to S608 indicate steps.

  In the case of registering a PDL image, in S601, the user performs print settings on 109 and proceeds to S602. The contents of the print settings are the number of copies, paper size, enlargement / reduction ratio, single-sided / double-sided, page output order, sort output, presence or absence of stapling.

  In S602, an area in the box area 602 of the image memory 107 is designated by setting a box number on the PC 109, and the process proceeds to S603. For example, when the box number is designated as 1, the box area 503 in the whole box area 502 is designated.

  In S603, a print instruction is given on the PC 109, and at the same time, the driver software installed on the PC 109 converts the code data to be printed into so-called PDL data, along with the print setting parameters set in S601, The PDL data is transferred to the control device 110 of the output device, and the process proceeds to S604.

  In S604, the transferred PDL data is developed (rasterized) into image data. When the development of the image data is completed, the process proceeds to S605.

  In S605, the developed image data is sequentially recorded in the entire box area 502 of the image memory 106. For example, when the box number is 1, it is stored in the box area 503. The print setting parameters set in S601 are also recorded in the area 503. When the box numbers are 2 and 3, they are stored in areas 504 and 505, respectively.

  When registering a scanned image, first, a box number for inputting an image is designated in S606, and the process proceeds to S607.

  In S607, scan settings such as image processing are designated, and the process proceeds to S608.

  In S608, by issuing an instruction to start scanning, the reader unit 103 reads the document and proceeds to S609.

  In S609, the image read in S608 is stored in the box area designated in S606.

  FIG. 7 shows a display on the LCD 316 when the box key 305 on the operation panel in this embodiment is pressed. This screen is a screen for selecting a box, and 701 displays the box number, the box name, and information on how much capacity the box takes in the entire box area 502 of the image memory 107. When the box number is pressed, the screen changes to the password input screen shown in FIG. Reference numerals 702 and 703 denote vertical scroll keys, which are used to scroll the screen when a number of boxes exceeding the display of 701 are registered.

  FIG. 8 is a box password input screen of the operation panel in this embodiment. By inputting the password set in each box from this screen, the screen transits to the in-box screen shown in FIG. 9, and each box can be accessed. If the password is different, the screen changes to a warning screen (not shown) and the box cannot be accessed. Reference numeral 801 denotes a cancel key, which returns to the screen of FIG. Reference numeral 802 denotes an OK key. By pressing this key, the entered password is confirmed, and the password is verified.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a box document list screen of the operation panel in the present embodiment. Reference numeral 901 denotes a document list, which displays the document name and the date and time when the document was registered in a list. Touching a document name highlights one document, indicating that the document has been selected. It is also possible to cancel the selection by touching the document name of the same document again. A confidential icon 902 indicates that this document is a document in which the confidential mode of the present invention is set. Reference numeral 903 denotes the number of documents in the box. Reference numeral 904 denotes an up / down scroll key, which is used when the list is switched by scrolling up / down when the number of documents in the box does not fit on one screen of the document list 901. Reference numeral 905 denotes an all selection key, which is used to select all the documents in the box. Reference numeral 906 denotes a detailed information key. When a document is selected in the document list 901 and this key is pressed, detailed information on the document can be viewed. An erasure key 907 is used when erasing a document selected from the document list 901. A document movement key 908 is used when the document selected in the document list 901 is moved to another box. A print key 909 is used when a document selected from the document list 901 is printed. When the print key 909 is pressed, the screen changes to the print setting change screen, and it is possible to change the print mode such as double-sided or stapling. However, the print mode cannot be changed for documents with the confidential mode set. Also good. An original reading key 910 is used when a new document is read from the reader unit 103 in this box. By pressing this key, a transition is made to the document reading screen shown in FIG. A close key 911 is used to return to the box list screen shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a document reading screen on the operation panel in this embodiment. By determining the reading mode on this screen and pressing the start key 307, it is possible to read the document from the reader unit 103 into the box. Reference numeral 1001 denotes a message line, which displays an alarm status. FIG. 10 shows a state in which reading from the reader unit 103 is possible. Reference numeral 1002 denotes a reading magnification display. Reference numeral 1003 denotes a read size display. 1004 is an equal magnification key, and when this key is pressed, the reading magnification is 100%. Reference numeral 1005 denotes a magnification key, which is used to change the reading magnification. Reference numeral 1006 denotes a reading document size selection, which is used when the reading size is explicitly designated. A confidential document setting key 1007 is used when setting the confidential mode of the present invention to the box document to be read. On the screen that transitions from this key, it is possible to set the watermark ratio of the copy number, the print position of the copy number, the number of printable copies of the read document, and the like. When the confidential mode is designated, the copy number is printed on the background as shown in FIG. 11, and the document is automatically deleted from the box when the printable number of copies is printed. A double-sided document key 1008 is set when the document read from the reader unit 103 is a double-sided document. An application mode key 1009 is used to set various reading modes. Reference numeral 1010 denotes a density key, which can be adjusted to read lightly or darkly when the original is read by the reader unit 103. An image processing mode setting key 1011 is used when image processing is changed depending on whether a document read by the reader unit 103 is a photographic document or a character document. Reference numeral 1012 denotes a key for returning to the initial setting, which is used to clear the mode set on the screen of FIG. 10 and return to the basic setting. A cancel key 1013 is used to return to the screen of FIG. In this embodiment, the confidential mode for reading from the reader unit 103 is set. However, the confidential mode can be similarly set for image input from the host computer 109.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the result of printing in the confidential mode in this embodiment. Reference numeral 1101 denotes a print output result of one page of the first copy obtained by printing the document registered in the box in the confidential mode. 1102 is a copy number, which is printed as a watermark as a background. In the example of FIG. 11, 00001 is printed, indicating the first copy. 1103 is the original image.

  1104 to 1107 show print output results when two copies of a 3-page box document are printed. P1 and P2 are original images of each page. Reference numeral 1104 denotes a print output result of the first copy, and a part number 1106 indicating the first copy is printed in a three-page image of P1 to P2. In the present embodiment, the part number 1106 is printed at five locations, but it may be printed at any number of locations, and the print location may be designated. 1105 is a print output result of the second copy, and a part number 1107 indicating the second copy is watermark printed on the three-page image of P1 to P2.

  The number of copies printed in the past is stored in the hard disk 107 as a document attribute. When the document is printed out from the box after the third copy, printing is started from 00003.

  In the present embodiment, this confidential mode is used to manage who made a copy by grandchild copy or the like by managing which copy number and the printed copy passed to whom. The same part number is not printed each time. In this embodiment, the document is automatically deleted from the box when the designated number of copies are printed out, thereby increasing the security level.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a print output procedure in the confidential mode in this embodiment. Note that S1201 to S1208 in the figure indicate each step.

  In S1201, a print start instruction is input from the operation unit 102, and the process proceeds to S1202.

  In S1202, the part number for watermark printing is read from the hard disk 107, and the process proceeds to S1203. The initial value of this part number is set to 1 when a document is registered in the box.

  In S1203, one copy of the designated document is printed while watermarking the copy number read in S1202 in the confidential mode, and the process proceeds to S1204.

  In S1204, it is determined whether the total number of prints has reached the number of printable copies specified at the time of document registration in the box by printing in S1203. If so, the process proceeds to S1207. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S1205. .

In S1205, the box document printed out in S1203 is deleted, and the process proceeds to S1206.
In S1206, a message screen indicating that the document shown in FIG. 13 has been deleted is displayed on the operation panel 316, and the process ends.

  In S1207, the copy number is incremented, registered in the hard disk 107, and the process proceeds to S1208.

  In S1208, it is determined whether or not the number of copies designated in S1201 has been printed out. If all copies have been printed out, the process ends. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S1202.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a document deletion message screen on the operation panel in this embodiment. A message 1301 indicates that the document has been automatically deleted because the number of printable copies has been reached. Reference numeral 1302 denotes an OK key, which is used to close this screen.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a copying machine with a finisher installed in the present embodiment. 2 illustrates a key layout of an operation unit of a digital copying machine according to the present exemplary embodiment. It is the figure which showed the copy standard screen of the operation panel in a present Example. It is the figure which showed the logical usage method of the image memory in a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the box registration in a present Example. It is the figure which showed the box list screen of the operation panel in a present Example. It is the figure which showed the box password input screen of the operation panel in a present Example. It is the figure which showed the box document list screen of the operation panel in a present Example. It is the figure which showed the original reading screen of the operation panel in the example. It is a figure explaining the printing result of the confidential mode in a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the print output procedure of the confidential mode in a present Example. It is a figure which shows the document deletion message screen of the operation panel in a present Example.

Claims (9)

  Image input means for inputting image data, image storage means for storing image data input by the image input means, and document storage for storing print settings set for the image data as a document linked to the image In the image processing apparatus comprising: an image output unit that reads out the image data stored in the image storage unit and outputs the print according to the print setting stored in the document storage unit. Is set, it has a confidential printing means for synthesizing and outputting the copy number when printing by the image output means, and an automatic erasing means for automatically erasing the document after the designated number of copies are printed. An image processing apparatus.   2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specified number of copies can be specified when an image is stored in the image storage unit by the image input unit and is stored in the document storage unit.   2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a special display is performed on the display means so that it can be determined that the document is set with the confidential mode.   2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the document is automatically erased by the automatic erasure unit, the erasure is displayed on the display unit.   2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the confidential mode cannot be canceled when the document in which the confidential mode is set is printed.   2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the copy number combined by the confidential printing means is the total number of times the document has been printed.   2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a watermark ratio of a part number to be combined by the confidential printing unit can be changed.   2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a part number printing position to be combined by the confidential printing unit can be changed.   2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of prints of one page of a copy number to be combined by the confidential print unit can be changed.

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