JP2006222747A - Document management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a document management system capable of quickly detecting a forgery or the like of a copy-prohibited image before substantially appearing in the world at periodical timing such as maintenance. <P>SOLUTION: A manager checks job output history information at periodical timing such as maintenance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a document management system that keeps a job output history for image chasing (tracking) on the assumption that copying or file output is performed on original data that is prohibited from being copied. is there.

  As a result of technological development aimed at forming an image that is faithful to the original data when copying or outputting to a file with an MFP (multifunction printer), it is possible to form a reproduced image that is indistinguishable from the original data Is now commercially available.

  If a reproduced image very close to such original data is obtained, there is a possibility that it can be misused for data for which copying is prohibited.

  Conventionally, in order to prevent the above-described misuse, an input image signal read by a reader is determined by feature extraction to determine whether it matches a specific pattern for which copying is prohibited, and is an image signal for which copying is prohibited. If it is determined that the image is a copy-preventing function that reproduces the image after stopping the output image or performing conversion processing such as reduction processing or mirror image reversal, it is configured to easily recognize that the image is counterfeit.

As another conventional example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 can be cited.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-223130 JP 2001-056809 A JP 2003-143138 A

  However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, it is not possible to quickly find counterfeit images of copy-prohibited images before they are fully available, and even if counterfeit materials are found, evidence data on how and with which device was copied is used. There was a drawback that it could not be obtained reliably.

  Therefore, the object of the present invention is that the administrator can check the job output history information at regular timings such as during maintenance so that forgery of copy-prohibited images can be quickly discovered before it becomes available to the public. Is to provide a document management system that makes it clearer.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is applied to an image recording storage means for connecting a document management server to an image forming apparatus and leaving an image record in the form of an output history file on an internal storage medium, and the image forming apparatus. The image recording switching means for changing the remaining image recording by managing the security level for each job is included.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the storage medium capacity of the document management server is reduced by the characteristic image recording storage means and the image recording switching means, while the administrator periodically When chasing, search time can be shortened, and this makes it possible to quickly find counterfeit copies of copy-prohibited images before they become fully available, and the evidence is clear.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus 800 constituting the document management system 1000 according to the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 800 includes a reader 10, a printer 11, and a controller 12.

  First, the configuration of the reader 10 will be described. On the platen glass 101, the documents fed from the automatic document feeder 142 are sequentially placed at predetermined positions.

  The document placed on the document table glass 101 is exposed by a document illumination lamp 102 composed of, for example, a halogen lamp.

  Scanning mirrors 103, 104, and 105 are accommodated in the optical scanning unit 147 and guide reflected light from the original to the CCD unit 106 while reciprocating.

  The CCD unit 106 includes an imaging lens 107 that forms an image of reflected light from a document on a CCD, an image sensor 108 formed of, for example, a CCD, a CCD driver 109 that drives the image sensor 108, and the like. The CCD unit 106 is controlled by a reader controller 147. As a result, the image signal output from the image sensor 108 is converted into, for example, 8-bit digital data, subjected to shading correction, and then input to the controller 12 for various image processing.

  Although details of the controller 12 will be described later, an operation unit 140, a reader control unit 147, and a printer control unit 146 are connected to perform image forming operations by controlling the reader 10 and the printer 11 in accordance with instructions from the operation unit. It also communicates with external I / F.

  Next, the configuration of the printer 11 will be described.

  Reference numeral 110 denotes a photosensitive drum, which is discharged by a pre-exposure lamp 112 in preparation for image formation. A cleaner 111 cleans the surface of the photosensitive drum 110. A primary charger 113 uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 110.

  Reference numeral 117 denotes a laser unit as exposure means. The laser unit 117 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor laser, and exposes the photosensitive drum 110 based on image data processed by the controller unit 12 that performs image processing and overall control of the apparatus, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image. . Reference numeral 118 denotes a developing device that contains a black developer (toner). A pre-transfer charger 119 applies a high voltage before the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 110 is transferred to a sheet.

  In addition, 120, 122, and 124 in the figure are paper feeding units. By driving the paper feeding rollers 121, 123, and 125, transfer paper is fed into the apparatus, and temporarily stops at the position where the registration roller 126 is disposed. The timing of writing with the image formed on the photosensitive drum 110 is taken and the paper is fed again.

  A transfer charger 127 transfers the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 110 onto a transfer sheet to be fed. A separation charger 128 separates the transfer sheet on which the transfer operation has been completed from the photosensitive drum 110. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 110 without being transferred is collected by the cleaner 111.

  Reference numeral 129 denotes a conveyor belt, which transfers the transfer sheet on which the transfer process has been completed to the fixing device 130, and is fixed by heat, for example. 131 is a flapper that controls the transfer path of the transfer sheet after the fixing process to one of the arrangement directions of the staple sorter 132 and the intermediate tray 137.

  The sheets discharged to the staple sorter 132 are sorted into bins, and the staple unit 141 performs stapling according to instructions from the controller unit 12. Reference numerals 133 to 136 denote feeding rollers that feed the transfer paper once the fixing process is completed to the intermediate tray 137 by being reversed (multiple) or non-reversed (both sides). Reference numeral 138 denotes a refeed roller, which again conveys the transfer paper placed on the intermediate tray 137 to the position where the registration roller 126 is disposed.

  FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the reader 10.

  A CPU 24 controls the entire reader unit, and sequentially reads and executes programs from a read-only memory 26 (ROM) that stores control programs. The address bus and data bus of the CPU 24 are connected to each load via a circuit 25 including a bus driver and an address decoder. Further, it communicates with the CPU 53 of the controller unit 12 via the reader I / F to share the device control.

Reference numeral 27 denotes a random access memory (RAM) as a main storage device used for storing input data, a working storage area, and the like. Reference numeral 28 denotes an I / O interface, which includes devices such as a motor 29 for driving a paper feed system, a transport system, and an optical system, a clutch 30 and a paper detection sensor 31 for detecting a transported paper. Connected to each load.
An image control unit 32 composed of 108, 21, 22, and 23 performs correction, control, and transfer of image signals. The video signal control 23 controls the timing of each function and controls image transfer to the controller unit 12.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the controller 12.

  A core IC 53 with a built-in CPU controls the controller 12 and the entire apparatus in an integrated manner. It has various external I / Fs and also has an image compression / decompression unit. First, the program is sequentially read from the read-only memory (ROM-DIMM) 51 storing the control procedure (control program) and executed. In addition, an I / O controller 60 is connected to the CPU 53 via a PCI bus. Each load connected to the I / O controller is changed to an I / F corresponding to each load via the PCI bus and controlled by a program executed by the CPU 53. The I / O controller 60 is directly connected to an HD 307, an EEPROM 65, an operation unit 140, and an RTC (real time clock) 59. An image processing unit 55, a mask ROM 56, an SRAM 57, and an LCD controller 58 are connected via a data bus and an address bus.

  The HD 307 is a hard disk having a memory capacity of about 10 GB, and is divided into an area where a control program is stored and an area used for storing images. The control program is also stored in ROM-DIMM51, but it has a small capacity and is used only at startup. After being activated by the ROM-DIMM 51 program, the program stored in the HD 307 is transferred to the SDRAM-DIMM 52 via the PCI bus, and the device is controlled according to the program.

  When updating the device control program, the PC is connected via IEEE1284 (54), or the program is downloaded to the HD307 from the PC connected via the 10 / 100BASE-T connector 62.

  The EEPROM 65 is an EEPROM connected to the I / O controller, and information on the specifications of the image forming apparatus, such as reading speed, print speed, and language used, is written in advance.

  RTC59 is a real-time clock and indicates time. It is always backed up by a battery (not shown).

The operation unit 140 performs serial communication with the I / O controller 60 and detects that a key of the operation unit is pressed. Display data to the operation unit is written to the LCD controller 58 via the external bus, and the data is transferred to the operation unit 140.
The mask ROM 56 is a mask chrome in which font data is stored, and is used for displaying an operation unit, outputting characters on paper, and the like.

  The SRAM 57 is backed up by a battery (not shown) and stores various data.

  The image processing unit 55 performs image processing on the image signal. It consists of reader-type image processing for images input from the reader I / F63 and printer-type image processing before image transfer to the printer I / F64. It performs scaling processing, density conversion, binarization processing, etc. Do.

  In addition, the CPU 53 is connected to the LAN via the 10 / 100BASE-T connector 62 via the I / F 61 and can send and receive data to and from an external PC, etc. It can be performed.

  IEEE1284 (54) is a so-called Centronics I / F, which is connected in parallel with a PC and can send and receive data to and from the PC.

  The flow of the image will be briefly described. The image input via the reader I / F 63 is subjected to various image processing by the image processing unit 55 and input to the SDRAM-DIMM 52 via the CPU 53. The image once stored in the SDRAM-DIMM 52 is read again by the CPU 53, and the image processing unit 55 performs image processing via the CPU 53. The image is output to the printer unit via the printer I / F 64, and formed on the paper. Is done.

  On the other hand, apart from the image formation data on the paper, the input image from the reader I / F 63 is subjected to various types of image processing, and then subjected to thinning reduction based on the specified scaling size such as VGA, and the thumbnail image data Is generated and input to the SDRAM-DIMM 52.

  When a plurality of copies are to be created, the input image is stored in the HD 307 and read out from the HD 307 each time one copy is created to form an image. More specifically, the image once stored in the SDRAM-DIMM 52 is read by the CPU 53, compressed by the image compression unit inside the CPU 53, and written in another area of the SDRAM-DIMM 52. Next, the compressed image is stored in the HD 307 via the CPU 53, the PCI bus, and the I / O controller 60.

  At the time of image formation, the compressed image read from the HD 307 is written to the SDRAM-DIMM 52 via the I / O controller 60, PCI bus, and CPU 53. The image read from the SDRAM-DIMM 52 is decompressed by the image decompression unit inside the CPU 53 and is written again in another area of the SDRAM-DIMM 52. As described above, the decompressed image is transferred to the image processing unit 55 via the CPU 53 and transferred to the printer unit.

  In the present invention, in order to leave a job output history for the image chasing function, the image formation data on the paper output to the printer unit and the thumbnail image data are compressed by the image compression unit inside the CPU 53 and are always stored in the HD307. Store once.

  FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the printer 11.

  Reference numeral 70 denotes a CPU that controls the printer 11, and sequentially reads and executes the program from the ROM 72 that stores the control procedure (control program) of the printer 11. The address bus and data bus of the CPU 70 are connected to each load via a circuit 71 including a bus driver and an address decoder. In addition, it is connected to the CPU 53 of the controller 12 via the printer I / F to perform communication.

  Reference numeral 73 denotes a random access memory (RAM) as a main storage device used as a storage area for input data or a working storage area. Further, all or a part of the RAM 73 is backed up by a battery or the like, and the contents of the memory are retained even when the main body is turned off. Reference numeral 74 denotes an I / O interface. Motors 76, clutches 77, solenoids 78 for driving the paper feed system, transport system, and optical system, and paper detection sensors 79 for detecting the transported paper. The sensor 80 for detecting the remaining amount of toner and the high voltage control 81 for image formation are connected to the respective loads. Further, the laser beam oscillated from the laser unit 117 is connected to the laser unit 117 and irradiates and exposes the photosensitive drum 110, and in the non-image area, the beam detection sensor 82 (light receiving sensor) emits the laser light and the beam position. Is detected. The detection signal is input to the video signal controller / timing generator 75 to form a timing synchronization signal. The generated timing synchronization signal is output to the controller unit, and in response to this signal, the controller transfers the image data to the printer unit. The image data transferred from the controller is input to the laser unit 117 via the video signal controller / timing generator 75, and image formation is performed.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the flow of image data.

  The 8-bit image signal converted into an electrical signal by the CCD 108 in the reader 10 is converted from analog data to digital data by the A / D converter 21. Next, after the shading correction unit 301 corrects the variation between pixels, the correction is input to the image processing unit 55 of the controller. The image processing unit 55 includes reader-type image processing and printer-type image processing.

  Image data from the reader 10 is input to the reduction / enlargement unit 90. Image data is thinned out during reduced copy, and image data interpolation is performed during enlarged copy. Next, in the edge enhancement unit 91, for example, secondary differentiation is performed in a window of 5 × 5 (5 lines × 5 pixels), thereby enhancing the edge of the image. The LUT 92 is a luminance density conversion unit that converts the luminance signal read by the CCD 108 into density data for output to the printer by table search. The density is also adjusted using this conversion table.

  Reference numeral 93 denotes a binarization processing unit that binarizes input multi-bit (for example, 8 bits) image data. This is to reduce the image size and reduce the memory capacity when storing in the subsequent memory.

  The binarized image data is temporarily stored in the image memory 52 (SDRAM-DIMM) via the CPU 53. The CPU 53 controls the image memory 52, receives image data from the scanner, stores it in the image memory 52, reads out the image stored in the image memory 52, and performs printer-type image processing as necessary. In 94, binary data enlargement / reduction processing is performed, and in 95, binary data density conversion is performed. These processes are mainly used as image processing for print processing from a PC. After that, it is sent to the laser unit 117 via the printer controller unit 146. An image is formed on a sheet.

  The image stored in the image memory 52 is compressed by the image data compression unit in the CPU 53.

  The compressed image is stored in the HD 307 via the I / O controller 60. HD307 has a capacity of about 10 GB and can store thousands of pages of image data. When printing the image stored in the HD 307, it is restored to the original data by the image data expansion unit in the CPU 53 and output to the print unit. Details regarding image transfer between the image memory 52 and the HD 307 will be described later.

  The image data once stored in the image memory (SDRAM-DIMM 52) is output to the LAN 310 via the I / F 61. Data is transmitted and received by connecting to an external personal computer or printer via the LAN 310 via a network.

  Even when image input from the reader unit, image output to the printer unit, image compression / decompression, image transfer with the HD307, and image transfer to the external network overlap, time-division processing is performed on the SDRAM-DIMM52 in parallel. Operation is possible.

  In the present invention, image data or thumbnail image data on a sheet stored in the HD 307 is selected based on certain conditions, and data is transmitted to the document management server 700 via the LAN 310 in the form of an output history file. After data transmission, the corresponding part in HD307 is deleted.

  Next, the image data in the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The CPU 53 is entirely controlled by an internal CPU core 531, and the CPU core 531, the memory controller 532, and the bus bridge 533 are connected by an internal bus. The memory controller 532 controls the memory 52 and the ROM-DIMM 51 configured by SDRAM. The bus bridge 533 is connected to another bus in the CPU 53. LAN-I / F534, compression / decompression unit 535, Video-I / F536, and PCI-I / F537 are connected to the bus. The LAN-I / F 534 has an interface function with the network I / F, and the compression / decompression unit 535 has image data compression / decompression functions. The Video-I / F 536 has an image data I / F function with the image processing unit 55. PCI-I / F537 has a conversion function for connecting internal bus data to an external PCI bus.

In the I / O controller 60, the bus controller 604 controls the bus in the I / O controller. PCI-I / F601, serial I / F602, IDE-I / F603, and EXT bus-I / F605 are connected to the internal bus. The PCI-I / F 601 has an interface function with an external PCI bus, and the serial I / F 602 has an interface function with an IC having a serial communication function. The IDE-I / F603 has an HD control function, and can access the HD via this block, and can write and read data.
The EXT bus-I / F 605 has an external bus signal as an output, and can access an IC such as the SRAM 57 via this interface.

  The memory 52 is configured by SDRAM having a capacity of about 128 MB to 256 MB. In the memory 52, four A4 size images are secured for image layout so that input image data (bit images) can be read and written at high speed. In addition, areas for program data and program work are secured. Therefore, the memory capacity can be further expanded in accordance with the expansion of the function.

  At the time of reading a document image, the binarized image data by the binarization processing unit 93 is input to the CPU 53. The data is input to the Video-I / F 536 and input to the memory 52 via the bus, the bus bridge 533, and the memory controller 532.

  At the time of printing, the image data read from the memory 52 is sent to the printer image processing unit 94 via the memory controller 532, the bus bridge 533, and the Video-I / F 536. Thereafter, an image is formed on a sheet by the printer unit.

  When data is stored in HD, the image data stored in the memory 52 is read by the memory controller 532, and the image data is compressed by the compression / decompression unit 535. The compressed image data is directly transferred to the I / O controller 60 via the PCI-I / F537. The PCI-I / F 601 in the I / O controller 60 is connected to the internal bus in the I / O controller, and data is written to the HD 307 via the IDE-I / F 603.

  When data is read from the HD 307, image data is read from the HD 307 controlled by the IDE-I / F 603 and transferred to the PCI-I / F 537 in the CPU 53 via the PCI-I / F 601. The image data sent to the decompression unit 535 and decompressed is written into the memory 52. At the time of printing, the decompressed image data is read from the memory 52, is subjected to print image processing via the Video-I / F 536, and is output to the printer.

  As described above, when image information is exchanged between an input device (image reading device or the like) or output device (printer or the like) and a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk, data is transferred via the memory 52. It is possible to cover (buffer) the speed difference related to the data transfer rate. Therefore, the data transfer rate required for the hard disk may be slower than the operating frequency of the input device.

  Therefore, in the access in units of one page of image data, the writing operation is normally performed by passing the data through the memory 52 even if the inner area of the HD 307 (the area with a low access speed) is used.

  In this embodiment, the layout area in the memory 52 is composed of a memory 0, a memory 1, a memory 2, and a memory 3. Each memory has a capacity enough to accommodate one page of A4 size data.

  In addition, when handling an A4 size document, two memories, for example, memory 0 and memory 1, are used to perform double buffer processing (image data is read using memory 1 while image data in memory 0 is being read). Receive). At the time of image composition processing, for example, a form image from the HD 307 is written in the memory 2.

  When the original is a large size such as A3 size, the image data is written using the memory 0 and the memory 1 as one memory, and the image data is received using the memory 2 and the memory 3 in parallel therewith. . In the case of image data having an A3 size and a resolution of 600 dpi, a binary image needs a capacity of about 18 MB.

(Main unit startup sequence)
Next, the startup sequence of the main body will be described.

  Each unit of the reader, printer, and controller has a CPU and a control program. Each unit communicates via a controller, and the entire apparatus is controlled by the controller.

  First, the sequence at startup of each unit will be described.

  The reader 10 is activated according to the program stored in the ROM 26 when activated. Start up with default machine information specified in the program, and make settings related to reader cycle, number of processed sheets, etc. Thereafter, the controller activates the activation signal, notifies the activation of the reader, and waits until the controller is activated. When the reader confirms that the controller is activated, it acquires aircraft information from the controller. If the settings related to the reader cycle, the number of processed sheets, etc. differ according to the acquired machine information, the settings are made again. After confirming that the controller is fully activated, detailed information is communicated. When the data notified from the controller cannot be set, the controller is notified to request that the setting data be changed. Repeat until the optimal setting is achieved.

  Next, the printer 11 is activated in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 72. Start with the default machine information specified in the program, and make various settings such as specifying the number of prints. Thereafter, the printer activation signal is activated to the controller, and the activation is notified. After confirming that the controller is running, obtain the correct aircraft information from the controller. Perform various settings again according to the obtained aircraft information. Thereafter, the process shifts to communication of detailed information with the controller. When the data notified from the controller cannot be set, the controller is notified to request that the setting data be changed. Repeat the process until the optimal settings are made.

  Next, the startup sequence of the controller 12 will be described.

  When the power is activated, the CPU 53 of the controller 12 is activated by a program stored in a ROM-DIMM 51 composed of a flash memory or the like. Configure the PCI bus settings, initial settings of the I / O controller, etc., and notify the reader and printer of the controller startup.

  When the ready signal of HD307 becomes active and HD307 activation is confirmed, the program stored in HD307 is transferred to SDRAM-DIMM 52 via I / O controller 60, PCI bus, and CPU53. When the program transfer ends, the program transferred to the SDRAM-DIMM 52 is started. Further, the data stored in the HD 307, SRAM 57, etc. are read out and various settings are made. After that, the controller and the printer are notified of full activation of the controller, and communication of detailed information is started.

  The controller section that controls the functions of the device is configured to start with the program in the ROM-DIMM51 and then with the HD307 program because the startup program is stored in the ROM-DIMM51. The program starts accessing HD. A program for installing a program on the HD is also stored in the ROM-DIMM 51.

  However, the reason why all programs such as the device control program are not stored in the ROM-DIMM 51 is that the memory unit price of the ROM-DIMM is higher than that of the HD and the program capacity is increased.

  Next, the operation panel 140 of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a basic screen displayed on the operation panel 140 of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  Reference numeral 1001 denotes an extended function key. When this key is pressed, a mode such as double-sided copying, multiple copying, movement, binding margin setting, and frame erasing setting is entered. An image mode key 1002 enters a setting mode for shading, shadowing, trimming, and masking a copy image. Reference numeral 1003 denotes a user mode key, which can register a mode memory and set a standard mode screen for each user. Reference numeral 1004 denotes an applied zoom key, which enters a mode for independently scaling the X and Y directions of a document, and a zoom program mode for calculating a scaling factor from the document size and copy size. Reference numerals 1005, 1006, and 1007 denote an M1 key, an M2 key, and an M3 key, which are pressed when calling each mode memory. Reference numeral 1008 denotes a call key, which is pressed to call the copy mode that was previously set. An option key 1009 sets an optional function such as a film projector for copying directly from the film. Reference numeral 1010 denotes a sorter key for setting the sorter, group mode, and the like. Reference numeral 1011 denotes a mixed document key, which is pressed when setting A4 size and A3 size or B5 size and B4 size documents together in the document feeder. Reference numeral 1012 denotes an equal magnification key which is pressed when the copy magnification is set to 100%. Reference numerals 1014 and 1015 denote a reduction key and an enlargement key, respectively, which are pressed to reduce or enlarge the standard size. Reference numeral 1016 denotes a zoom key, which is pressed when performing non-standard reduction or enlargement in increments of 1%. A paper selection key 1013 is pressed when selecting a copy paper. 1018 and 1020 are density keys, and each time 1018 is pressed, a dark copy is made, and every time 1020 is pressed, a light copy is made. 1017 is a density display, and when the density key is pressed, the display changes to the left and right. Reference numeral 1019 denotes an AE key, which is pressed when a document having a dark background such as a newspaper is copied for automatic density adjustment. Reference numeral 1021 denotes a HiFi key, which is pressed when copying an original having a high halftone density such as a photographic original. Reference numeral 1022 denotes a character emphasis key, which is pressed to make a character stand out when copying a character original. Reference numeral 1023 denotes a guide key. When the key is not understood, an explanation of the key is displayed. 1024 is a copy mode key which is pressed when copying. 1025 is a fax key, which is pressed when performing a fax. 1026 is a file key which is pressed when outputting file data. A printer key 1027 is pressed to display a monitor for printing image data from an external device such as a computer.

  Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a drawing that best represents the features of the document management system 1000 of the present invention. The main part of the image forming apparatus 800 in FIG.

  The document management server 700 communicates with the image forming apparatus 800 via the connector 730 via the LAN, and enables load distribution processing while monitoring the processing status of the image forming apparatus 800. Partial processing is executed when a print job is input from a PC (PC_1, 2, 3). In addition, since it is connected to the image forming apparatus via the LAN, a plurality of image forming apparatuses can be connected to one document management server 700, and the processing status of each image forming apparatus can be managed.

Further, it has an HD 720 inside, and stores an output history file transmitted from the image forming apparatus 800 for the image chasing function.
The card reader 710 can authenticate only the ID card of the administrator of the document management server 700, and does not accept third-party authentication.

  The operation of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the configuration of FIG. 1 (see the flowchart of FIG. 9).

  First, when the user A performs a copy output or a file output, the personal authentication is performed to the image forming apparatus 800 via the operation unit 140. As a personal authentication method, a name and a password may be input and collated with user information registered in, for example, the SRAM 57 in the controller 11, or may be collated by fingerprint recognition. In addition, an ID card for personal authentication may be prepared and used for authentication.

  When user A passes the personal authentication, a job for copy output or file output can be submitted to the image forming apparatus 800. The image forming apparatus 800 reads the input document with the reader 10, performs a prescribed process, transfers the image signal to the controller 11, creates image data and thumbnail image data on the paper in the SDRAM-DIMM 52, and outputs a normal copy Alternatively, file output is performed, while the HD307 stores the two types of compressed data.

  The image forming apparatus 800 monitors the job input time by the RTC 59 in the controller 11 and determines whether or not the job of the user A is input within the time defined by the image forming apparatus 800. For example, when the document management system 1000 according to the present invention is used in an office, the normal business hours are defined in the image forming apparatus 800, and are distinguished from the cases where jobs are submitted in the early morning and late at night. In any case, since the user registered in the image forming apparatus 800 submits a job, it goes without saying that the original output processing is not affected.

  Next, if the job input time of user A is within the above-defined time, the image forming apparatus 800 determines that the job is a “standard output action”, and the compressed thumbnail stored in the HD 307 Only the image data is extracted, and the data is input to a specific block in the output history file to be created. Then, the created output history file is transmitted to the document management server 700 that is regularly communicating. Of course, depending on how to interpret the “standard output action”, it is possible to file only the output history without sending even a thumbnail image and send it to the document management server 700.

  On the other hand, if the job input time of user A is outside the above-defined time, the image forming apparatus 800 determines that the job has a high possibility of “exceptional output” and is stored in the HD307. The compressed original image data is extracted, and the data is input to a specific block in the output history file to be created. Then, the created output history file is transmitted to the document management server 700 that is regularly communicating.

  As described above, after the output history file is transmitted to the document management server 700, the corresponding part in the HD 307 is deleted so that the processing of the image forming apparatus 800 is not affected.

Here, FIG. 13 shows a configuration diagram of an example of the output history file. As shown in FIG. 13, the first block is header information of the output history file, the size information of each block used in the file, flag information indicating whether the output is a copy output or a file output, and stored image data Includes flag information indicating whether the image is an original image or a thumbnail. Also, the second block is the history number, the third block is the ID information of the user who used it, the fourth block is the number of copies, the number of copies if it is a copy output, the destination if it is a file output Information such as a mail address list is included. The fifth block is the job submission date and time, and image data is stored in the sixth block. As described above, the image data may be original image data or thumbnail data, and depending on the configuration, the image data can be deleted.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to distinguish the security level according to the time of job submission and to switch the image recording remaining method, so that the storage medium capacity of the HD720 in the document management server 700 can be reduced. On the other hand, when the administrator periodically performs image chasing, there is an effect that the time required for the search can be shortened.

  A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the first embodiment, the security level is distinguished according to the time of job submission and the method of leaving image recording is switched. In this embodiment, however, image recording is performed depending on whether or not there is user authentication for a plurality of users. This is to switch the method of leaving.

  Specifically, as described in the flowchart of FIG. 10, after passing user A's personal authentication, the operation unit 140 requests authentication of another user who is registered in the image forming apparatus 800. Naturally, there is a possibility that a third party ID card may not be prepared in response to the request, and therefore it is possible to pass the request.

  For example, when the document management system 1000 of the present invention is used in an office, a supervisor is designated as another user requested by the operation unit 140. That is, the method of leaving image recording when both the user A and his / her superior are authenticated and the method of leaving image recording when only the user is authenticated are switched.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that a plurality of ID cards are prepared. In addition to this, after passing user A's personal authentication, the user A's boss registered for authentication in the image forming apparatus 800 is authenticated. A configuration may be adopted in which authentication is permitted by sending an e-mail and notifying the device usage history.

  Then, when the user A submits a job for copy output or file output to the image forming apparatus 800, the job output is performed while the image data and the thumbnail image data on the compressed paper are stored on the HD 307 as in the first embodiment. Store.

  If only the user passes the authentication, the image forming apparatus 800 determines that the job has a high possibility of “exceptional output”, and extracts the compressed original image data stored in the HD307. The data is input to a specific block in the output history file to be created. Then, the created output history file is transmitted to the document management server 700 that is regularly communicating.

  On the other hand, if multiple people pass the authentication, the image forming apparatus 800 determines that the job is a “standard output act” and extracts only the compressed thumbnail image data stored in the HD307 to create it. The data is input to a specific block in the output history file. Then, the created output history file is transmitted to the document management server 700 that is regularly communicating. Of course, depending on how to interpret the “standard output action”, it is possible to file only the output history without sending even a thumbnail image and send it to the document management server 700.

  Then, after the output history file is transmitted to the document management server 700, the corresponding part in the HD 307 is deleted so as not to affect the processing of the image forming apparatus 800, as in the first embodiment. is there.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to switch the method of leaving an image record depending on whether or not there is a user authentication of a third party other than the person at the time of job submission, so the HD 720 in the document management server 700 can be switched. The storage medium capacity can be reduced, and the time required for searching can be shortened when the administrator periodically performs image chasing.

  A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In this embodiment, in addition to user authentication, when a digital watermark is included in a job to be submitted and the image forming apparatus 800 can determine the data specifying the user personally, the image recording remaining method is switched. Is.

  Specifically, as described in the flowchart of FIG. 11, when a job for copy output or file output is input after passing user A's personal authentication, the input image data read by the reader 10 is converted to the controller 11. In this case, when a specific first pattern is detected in the background in the input image data, the image forming apparatus 800 determines that a digital watermark is embedded, and further, If the electronic watermark information of user A registered in the SRAM 57 in the controller 11, for example, matches the second pattern in the background in the input image data, the security level of the job executed by user A is The image forming apparatus 800 determines that the value is high.

  In this case, the image forming apparatus 800 determines that the job is “standard output action”, extracts only the compressed thumbnail image data stored in the HD307, and creates a specific block in the output history file to be created. The above data is input to. Then, the created output history file is transmitted to the document management server 700 that is regularly communicating. Of course, depending on how to interpret the “standard output action”, it is possible to file only the output history without sending even a thumbnail image and send it to the document management server 700.

  On the other hand, if only personal authentication is passed and no data specifying an individual is detected in the submitted job, the image forming apparatus 800 determines that the job has a high possibility of “exceptional output”. The compressed original image data stored in the HD 307 is extracted, and the data is input to a specific block in the output history file to be created. Then, the created output history file is transmitted to the document management server 700 that is regularly communicating.

  Since the subsequent operations are the same as those in the previous embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition to personal authentication, when data that can identify an individual is detected in the submitted job itself, that is, when a multiple-authenticated job is submitted, Since the storage method can be switched, the storage medium capacity of the HD 720 in the document management server 700 can be reduced. On the other hand, when the administrator periodically performs image chasing, the search time can be reduced.

  A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In this embodiment, when the image forming apparatus 800 is authenticated with an ID card of a specific user defined by the administrator of the document management server 700, the image recording remaining method is switched.

  Specifically, as described in the flowchart of FIG. 12, after passing the personal authentication of the user A, the user who is currently authenticated in the regular communication between the image forming apparatus 800 and the document management server 700. It is determined whether A is a specific user defined in the document management server 700, and the result is returned to the image forming apparatus 800.

  When a job for copy output or file output is submitted, if the specific user is currently authenticated, the image forming apparatus 800 determines that the security level of the job is high, and the image forming apparatus 800 determines that the job is “standard”. In this case, only the compressed thumbnail image data stored in the HD 307 is extracted, and the data is input to a specific block in the output history file to be created. Then, the created output history file is transmitted to the document management server 700 that is regularly communicating. Of course, depending on how to interpret the “standard output action”, it is possible to file only the output history without sending even a thumbnail image and send it to the document management server 700.

  On the other hand, when the currently authenticated user is a general user, the image forming apparatus 800 determines that the job has a high possibility of “exceptional output”, and the compressed original image data stored in the HD307 And the data is input to a specific block in the output history file to be created. Then, the created output history file is transmitted to the document management server 700 that is regularly communicating.

  Since the subsequent operations are the same as those in the previous embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a specific user defined by the administrator on the document management server side authenticates the image forming apparatus, it is possible to switch how to leave an image record. While it is possible to reduce the storage medium capacity of the HD 720 in the management server 700, there is an effect that it is possible to reduce the time required for searching when the administrator periodically performs image chasing.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the document management system 1000 of this invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus 800 that constitutes a document management system 1000. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a reader 10. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a controller 12. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer 11. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the general | schematic flow of image data. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed flow of the image data in this invention. 6 is a diagram showing a basic display screen of an operation unit 140. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the 3rd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the 4th Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of an example of an output history file.

Explanation of symbols

1000 Document management system 700 Document management server 710 Card reader 720 HD
730 Connector 800 Image forming apparatus 10 Reader unit 11 Controller unit 12 Printer unit 140 Operation unit 307 HD
62 Connector

Claims (6)

  By connecting a document management server to the image forming apparatus and leaving an image record in the form of an output history file in an internal storage medium, and managing the security level for each job submitted to the image forming apparatus A document management system comprising image recording switching means for changing how to leave a record.   2. The document management system according to claim 1, wherein the output history file comprises header information, history number, user ID, number of output sheets / number of copies, file destination list, job input date and time, and image data.   The image recording switching means compresses and stores either the image data on the paper or the thumbnail image data in the image data block of the output history file according to the time when the job is input to the image forming apparatus. The document management system according to claim 1.   The image recording switching means determines whether image data on the paper or thumbnail image data is stored in the image of the output history file depending on whether or not there is a user authentication of a third party other than the person at the time of job input to the image forming apparatus. 2. The document management system according to claim 1, wherein the document management system stores the compressed data in a data block.   In addition to personal authentication, the image recording switching means detects image data on the paper or thumbnail image depending on whether or not data that can identify an individual is detected in the input job itself, that is, whether the job is a multiple authentication job. 2. The document management system according to claim 1, wherein any one of the data is compressed and stored in an image data block of the output history file.   The image record switching means determines whether the image data on the paper or the thumbnail image data is stored in the output history file depending on whether a specific user defined by the administrator on the document management server side has authenticated the image forming apparatus. 2. The document management system according to claim 1, wherein the document management system stores the compressed image data in a block for image data.

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