JP2007013417A - Image processor and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain a data transfer in consideration of communication security in a data transmission origin. <P>SOLUTION: This image processor judges whether or not the transfer of data whose security is secured is possible according to transfer destination (S406), and when it is judged that the transfer of data whose security is secured is not possible, received data are not transferred but stored (S413), and the transfer destination is notified of a password for printing the data (S417). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method having a transfer function for retransmitting received data according to set transfer conditions.

  Conventionally, for example, there has been a data transfer system that transmits received data to a predetermined transfer destination such as a digital multi-function peripheral having a transmission / reception function. An example of a system that transmits received data is a digital multi-function peripheral that includes a transmission / reception unit. In this digital multi-function peripheral, for example, a mechanism is realized in which incoming fax data or I-fax data is transferred as it is to a database or a computer via a network according to transfer conditions.

The contents that can be described as this transfer condition are the destination Fax number, subaddress, and password if Fax, and the sender name (From), destination (To), subject (Subject), etc. if I-Fax. . It is possible to specify via the operation unit to perform transfer on condition that these items match completely or partially. (For example, Patent Document 1)
If these items instructed in the transfer conditions match the contents of the items added to the received document, the received document is transferred using the designated transmission means. Further, in addition to the transfer processing to the designated destination, it is also possible to instruct the printing unit of the device to print and store in the storage device.
JP 2001-358876 A

  In recent years, from the viewpoint of maintaining confidentiality during communication, communication is performed by encrypting the contents during communication. Examples of such encrypted communication include e-mail transmission using SMIME. When such received data is encrypted, it is common to perform a decryption process on the receiving device side so that it can be visualized at the time of printing or transferring.

  In addition, if encrypted transmission is set in the setting of the digital copying machine, it is assumed that transmission data is encrypted and transmitted. Further, when the received data is transferred, if transmission to the transfer destination is instructed to be encrypted, it is assumed that the digital copying machine is configured so that the transmission data can be encrypted and transmitted.

  However, in the prior art and assumed technology, the transfer of received data depends on the transfer conditions set in the digital copying machine, and whether or not the encryption process is performed at the time of transferring the received data is digital. The judgment is made according to the transfer conditions of the copying machine. For this reason, even if the data was encrypted when it was received, the received data is transferred using a normal communication method that is not encrypted unless the encrypted communication at the time of transfer is set in the transfer conditions of the digital copying machine. Therefore, there is a problem that security at the time of transfer cannot be secured. In addition, if the transfer process of the digital copying machine is set to print the received data together with the transfer process, the received data is decoded and printed. Thus, the handling of the received data depends on the transfer conditions of the received digital copying machine, the intention of the sender who sent the data to the digital copying machine cannot be reflected, and security cannot be maintained. There's a problem.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem. In an image processing apparatus having a function of transferring received data, security is ensured when the data is received, and the transfer destination user is assured. An object is to provide a mechanism for notifying that data is being transferred or data is being received.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image processing apparatus according to the present application includes a receiving unit that receives data from a first external device, and a transfer unit that transfers data received by the receiving unit to a second external device. An image processing apparatus, wherein when receiving data from the first external device, first determination means for determining whether the communication processing is secure, and security is maintained by the first determination means. Second determination means for determining whether a secure communication process is possible when the transfer means transfers the received data to the second external device when it is determined that the communication process is performed. And an encryption method for encrypting the received data in order to perform a transfer process by the transfer means when the second determination means determines that a secure communication process is possible. When the second determination means determines that secure communication processing cannot be performed, the second external device to which the received data is to be transferred is notified that the received data is stored. Notification means.

  Further, transfer condition setting means for setting transfer conditions for transferring the received data received by the receiving means to the second external device by the transfer means, and the received data received by the receiving means, Third determination means for determining whether the transfer condition set by the transfer condition setting means is satisfied, and when the third determination means determines that the transfer condition is satisfied, the transfer means transfers the received data And a control means for controlling.

  In addition, when the second determination unit determines that secure communication processing cannot be performed, the storage unit stores the received data, and prints the received data stored in the storage unit Generating means for generating a password for the notification, and the notifying means notifies the password generated by the generating means.

  Further, a registration unit for registering a user password for each transfer, an association unit for associating a user password registered by the registration unit and a password generated by the generation unit, a user password input from the operation unit, And a print control unit that reads and prints the received data stored in the storage unit when the passwords of the received data stored in the storage unit match.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an image processing method of the present application includes a receiving unit that receives data from a first external device, and a transfer unit that transfers data received by the receiving unit to a second external device. An image processing method in an image processing apparatus, wherein when data is received from the first external device, a first determination step for determining whether the communication processing is secure, and the first determination step When it is determined that the communication process is maintained with security, it is determined whether the communication process with security can be performed when the transfer means transfers the received data to the second external device. When it is determined by the second determination step and the second determination step that communication processing with security is possible, the received data is subjected to transfer processing by the transfer means. The received data is stored in the second external device to which the received data should be transferred when it is determined that the communication process with security can not be performed by the encryption process for encryption and the second determination process. And a notification step for notifying that it is in progress.

  A transfer condition setting step for setting a transfer condition for transferring the received data received by the receiving means to the second external device by the transfer means; and for the received data received by the receiving means, A third determination step for determining whether the transfer condition set in the transfer condition setting step is satisfied, and a transfer process of the received data by the transfer means when it is determined in the third determination step that the transfer condition is satisfied And a control step for controlling.

  A storage step of storing the received data in a storage unit when the second determination unit determines that a secure communication process cannot be performed; and the received data stored in the storage step A generating step of generating a password for instructing printing, and the notifying step notifies the password generated in the generating step.

  Also, a registration step for registering a user password for each transfer, an association step for associating the user password registered in the registration step with the password generated in the generation step, and an input from the operation unit of the image processing apparatus And a print control step of reading and printing the received data stored in the storage means when the user password matches the password of the received data stored in the storage means.

  According to the present invention, if data is communicated with security maintained at the time of reception, even if the transfer conditions are met, if the transfer destination cannot ensure security, notification is performed without transferring the data. Therefore, security for data can be maintained. In addition, since a transfer destination that can ensure security performs data transfer while ensuring security, security for data can be maintained even during transfer.

  Hereinafter, it will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital multi-function peripheral (copier) to which the image processing apparatus of the present invention is applied.

  This digital copying machine includes an image forming unit 101 that forms an image on recording paper by a method such as an electrophotographic method, a control unit 102 that controls the digital copying machine, a finisher 103 that performs post-processing such as stapling, and a document image. Scanner unit 104 for reading, operation unit 105 for inputting various data and commands, a plurality of reception interfaces 106 for receiving Fax data, I-Fax data, etc., a plurality for transmitting Fax data, I-Fax data, etc. The transmission interface 107 is connected to the control unit 102 through a dedicated interface. The control unit 102 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 108 and a storage device (memory) 109, and the main parts thereof are configured. The memory 109 stores a control program corresponding to the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 to 5, a control program for a dialog box for setting transfer conditions shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a transfer condition setting book, and the like.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a setting screen for setting transfer conditions, and is displayed on the operation unit 105, for example. FIG. 7A is a setting screen in which transfer conditions for transferring data received from an external fax via the reception interface 106 to an external FTP server via the transmission interface 107 are set. The means, telephone number, forwarding FTP server address, etc. are set. FIG. 7B is a setting screen in which transfer conditions for transmitting data received from an external fax via the reception interface 106 to a predetermined mail address via the transmission interface 107 are set. The receiving means for receiving the data, the sender for sending the data, the mail address of the forwarding destination, etc. are set.

  The above-described setting screen shown in FIG. 7 is an example of a setting screen for setting transfer conditions, and the present invention is not limited to the setting screen shown in FIG. The transfer conditions set using the setting screen as shown in FIG. 7 are subjected to predetermined processing and stored in the transfer setting book and the transfer destination DB of the destination book.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the transfer setting book and the transfer destination DB of the address book. In the transfer setting book, transfer condition information is stored as shown in FIG. 6 for each transfer condition set using the setting screen as shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, “condition ID” is an identifier uniquely assigned for each transfer condition, and “reception”, “date / time”, “phone number”, “password”, and “subaddress” are input on the setting screen. Is.

  The “transfer destination” is key information (transfer destination ID) corresponding to the destination information of the transfer destination entered on the setting screen, and destination information (email address, mail address, Phone number etc.) is stored in the forwarding destination DB of the destination book as shown in FIG. “Valid / invalid” is information indicating whether the transfer condition information is valid or invalid. In this way, by storing destination information about the transfer destination in the transfer destination DB of the destination book, and storing key information (transfer destination ID) indicating the destination information in the transfer destination DB of the destination book in the transfer setting book, The received data corresponding to the transfer condition information is transmitted to the transfer destination indicated by the destination information corresponding to the transfer destination ID.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process for transferring a received Fax or I-Fax received document to an external apparatus such as a host computer in the image processing apparatus of this embodiment.

  First, when data is received via the reception interface 106 (step S201), the central processing unit 108 determines whether or not the received data is fax data (step S202). As a result, if it is Fax data, the data of the transfer permission determination item added to the Fax data, that is, the caller telephone number, password, and sub-address are acquired (step S203). On the other hand, if the received data is I-Fax data, the transfer item determination data added to the I-Fax data, that is, the contents of the header such as the sender (From), the destination (To), the subject (Subject), etc. Is acquired (step S212).

  Subsequently, the document type of the received data determined in step S202 and the additional information (data on the transfer permission determination item) acquired in step S202 or step S212 are set in the storage device 109 (step S204). Then, as a pre-process for determining whether or not the received data should be transferred, the transfer condition setting book stored in the storage device 109 is searched (S205).

  After the process of step S205 is completed, the central processing unit 108 determines whether it is necessary to transfer the received data (step S206). As a result, if transfer is necessary, the transfer destination obtained in step S205 is set as the transfer destination of the received data (step S207). Then, the reception data is transferred to the designated destination via the transmission interface 107 (step S208), and the process proceeds to step S209. If it is determined in step S206 that it is not necessary to transfer the image processing apparatus, the image forming unit 101 forms a print image, prints the received data (step S213), and the process proceeds to step S211.

  In step S209, when the central processing unit 108 searches for the transfer condition in step S205, it is determined whether or not printing of received data at the time of transfer is instructed, and it is determined that printing of received data is instructed. If so, the image forming unit 101 forms a print image and performs printing (step S210). On the other hand, if it is determined that printing of received data is not instructed, the process proceeds to step S211.

In step S <b> 211, the central processing unit 108 determines whether the operation unit 105 has instructed the end of the transfer process. As a result, if it is determined that the end of the transfer process has not been instructed, the process returns to step 201 to enter a data reception waiting state. On the other hand, if the end of the transfer process is instructed, the transfer process ends.
[Forward destination search processing]
Next, processing for searching for a transfer destination of the received fax data will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. This transfer destination search process is performed as part of the transfer condition search process in step S205 of FIG.

  The central processing unit 108 first initializes a transfer destination list on the storage device 109 (step S301), and sets a group of transfer conditions that are not compared with the received data from the transfer condition setting book stored in the storage device 109. Obtain (step S302). Then, it is determined whether or not the acquired transfer condition is a transfer condition related to fax data (step S303). If the transfer condition is not a transfer condition related to fax data, the process proceeds to step S311 described later.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination, if the transfer condition is related to fax data, it is determined whether or not the number of transfer condition items acquired in step S302 is equal to the number of transfer determination items added to the received fax data. Determination is made (step S304).

  In this case, if “does not exist” is specified for the transfer condition item acquired from the transfer condition setting book, the item is not counted as the transfer condition item. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7A, since “password does not exist” is specified for the item “password”, the number of transfer condition items is three, that is, receiving means, telephone number, and subaddress. Accordingly, when a password is added to the received fax data or data indicating that there is no password is added, the number of transferability determination items added to the received fax data is four. This is different from the number of items related to the transfer condition.

  If it is determined in step S304 that the number of items does not match, the process proceeds to step S311 described later. On the other hand, if the number of items matches, the telephone number of the caller in the transfer condition acquired from the transfer condition setting book a matches the caller's telephone number added to the received fax data completely or partially. It is determined whether or not to perform (step S305).

  In this case, whether it is determined to be “matched” with complete match or partial match depends on the setting contents of the transfer condition acquired in step S302 (the same applies to passwords and subaddresses other than the telephone number). That is, when “matches with” is set, it is determined that the match is made only when the match is complete. Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, when “begins with”, “ends with”, or “includes” is set, the partial matching is determined based on the setting contents.

  If it is determined in step S305 that the telephone numbers do not match, the process proceeds to step S311. If it is determined that the telephone numbers match, the sender in the transfer condition acquired from the transfer condition setting book It is determined whether or not the password and subaddress of the password and subaddress of the received password and subaddress match completely or partially with the password and subaddress respectively added to the received fax data (steps S306 and S307).

  As a result, if these passwords or subaddresses do not match, the process proceeds to step S311. On the other hand, if the password and the subaddress match, that is, if the number of items and the contents of these items match, the transfer conditions acquired in step S302 are set in the transfer destination list initialized in step S301. A transfer destination is added (step S308), and the process proceeds to step S309.

  In step S309, the central processing unit 108 determines whether or not the transfer condition being compared includes a designation for performing a print process together with the transfer process. If the result of the determination is that a print process is designated, the transfer data Is designated as a printing target (step S310), and the process proceeds to step S311.

  In step S311, it is determined whether or not the comparison has been completed with all transfer condition groups set in the transfer condition setting book. As a result, when the comparison with all the transfer condition groups is completed, the process ends. When the comparison has not been completed, the process returns to step S302 to continue the comparison process with the next transfer condition group.

  As is clear from the above description, when it is specified that “not present” is specified for an item, the number of items does not match. When the number of items does not match in this way, the transfer destination is transferred. Since it is not registered in the destination list, transfer processing of received data is prohibited, and it is possible to prevent erroneous transmission of received data that should not be transferred.

In addition, when printing is specified as processing of a received document after transfer, it is possible to perform print output by the image forming unit 101 of the image processing apparatus while performing transfer processing of received data according to transfer conditions. Become.
[Security transfer processing]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing for transferring a document received by encrypted communication in the present embodiment.

  First, received data is received via the receiving interface 106 (step S401), and the central processing unit 108 analyzes the header of the received data (step S402). Then, it is determined whether or not the received data matches the transfer condition (step S403). If the received data matches, the transfer condition stored in the storage device 109 is searched to acquire the transfer destination ( Step S404).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether the received data analyzed in step S402 is received by encrypted communication (step S405). As a result of the determination, if the encrypted communication is received, the central processing unit 108 determines whether or not the transfer destination acquired in step S404 can be transferred while maintaining security (step S406).

  If the security can be maintained as a result of the determination, the transfer destination acquired in step S404 is set as the transfer destination of the received data (step S407). Then, the central processing unit 108 encrypts the reception data (step S408), and transmits the reception data encrypted in step S408 to the destination set in step S407 via the transmission interface 107 (step S409).

  After the process of step S409 is completed, the central processing unit 108 determines whether or not the transfer unit is instructed by the operation unit 105 (step S410). If the process is instructed, the process ends. On the other hand, if the end of the process is not instructed, the process proceeds to step S401 and returns to the data reception waiting state.

  If it is determined in step S406 that security cannot be maintained, the central processing unit 108 performs processing for generating a different password (hereinafter referred to as a one-time password) each time (step S411), and the received document received in step S401 is added to the received document. The one-time password generated in step S411 is set (step S412) and stored in the storage device 109 (step S413).

  Subsequently, the central processing unit 108 encrypts the one-time password generated in step S411 (step S414), and notifies that there is a received document that cannot be transferred because it is a communication process that cannot maintain security. A message is created (step S415). Then, the notification destination obtained in step S403 is set as a reception notification destination (step S410), and the notification message generated in step S415 is sent to the destination set in step S416 via the transmission interface 107. The one-time password encrypted in step S414 is transmitted (step S417), and the process proceeds to step S410.

  If the determination in step S403 is No and the received document does not match the transfer conditions, secure printing or normal received printing is performed according to the attribute of the received document (step S420), and the process is performed in step S410. Move on.

  If the determination in step S405 is No and the received document is not secure, the transfer destination obtained in step S404 is set (step S418), the received document is transferred (step S419), and the processing is step. The process moves to S410.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention stores the received data in the memory 109 and stores the one-time password in the external apparatus when the communication path to the transfer destination external apparatus (host computer) cannot be secured. When the one-time password is input via the operation unit 105, the received data stored in the memory 109 is read out, and an image is formed and printed by the image forming unit 101.

  With this configuration, if the transfer destination's communication path security can be maintained, transfer processing is performed. If the security cannot be maintained, transfer is not performed carelessly and a message with a password is transferred. The user can be notified that there is received data to be transferred, and the user can obtain a printed matter of the received data while ensuring security.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process for determining whether or not the acquired transfer destination can be transferred while maintaining security in the present embodiment.

  First, the central processing unit 108 determines whether or not there is one transfer destination matched in step S403 (step S501). If the determination in step S501 is No, it is determined that transfer with security is not possible ( Step S508), the process ends.

  If the determination in step S501 is Yes, it is determined whether or not the transfer means is E-mail (step S502). If the determination in step S502 is No, the process proceeds to step S508. If the determination is Yes, the process proceeds to the mail server. Connect (step S503), acquire details of the transfer destination (step S504), and disconnect the connection established in step S503 (step S505).

  Subsequently, it is determined from the details of the transfer destination acquired in step S504 whether or not the transfer destination is only a single address (step S505). If the determination in step S505 is No, the process proceeds to S508. If Yes, it is determined that transfer with security is possible (step S507), and the process ends.

  As described above, when it is determined that the received data is encrypted, the conditions accompanying the received data match the transfer conditions set in the system, and the acquired transfer destination is encrypted and can be addressed to an individual. If the received data is encrypted and transferred using the destination password registered in the system, otherwise, it is not transferred to the destination described in the transfer condition, a password is generated, and the received data is The password is stored in the storage device in association with the password. In addition, if the encrypted data is received at the time of reception by notifying the password received using encryption means and the destination specified as the transfer destination, the data is transferred. Even if the conditions are met, if the transfer destination cannot secure security, the transfer is not performed, but is stored in the storage device. For this reason, since encrypted communication is not designated at the time of transfer, it can be prevented that the security of received data cannot be maintained by being transferred or printed as it is. Since a password is set for the received document stored and received, it is possible to prevent access by anyone other than a user having a legitimate access right.

  In addition, by encrypting and transferring a destination that can be transferred while maintaining security, it is possible to save the trouble of processing the document stored in the device later and to improve the convenience for the user.

(Other embodiments of the present invention)
In order to operate various devices in order to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments, a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is provided to an apparatus connected to the various devices or a computer in the system. What is implemented by operating the various devices according to a program supplied and stored in a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is also included in the scope of the present invention.

  In this case, the program code of the software itself realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer, for example, the program code is stored. The recording medium constitutes the present invention. As a recording medium for storing the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code supplied by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS (operating system) or other application software in which the program code is running on the computer, etc. It goes without saying that the program code is also included in the embodiment of the present invention even when the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized in cooperation with the embodiment.

  Further, after the supplied program code is stored in the memory provided in the function expansion board of the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit based on the instruction of the program code Needless to say, the present invention includes a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing.

  For example, the data transfer system shown in the present embodiment has a computer function 800 as shown in FIG. 9, and the CPU 801 performs the operations in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the computer function 800 includes a CPU 801, a ROM 802, a RAM 803, a keyboard controller (KBC) 805 for a keyboard (KB) 809, and a CRT controller (CRT display (CRT) 810 as a display unit ( A configuration in which a CRTC) 806, a hard disk (HD) 811 and a disk controller (DKC) 807 of a flexible disk (FD) 812, and a network interface card (NIC) 808 are connected to each other via a system bus 804. It is said.

  The CPU 801 generally controls each component connected to the system bus 804 by executing software stored in the ROM 802 or the HD 811 or software supplied from the FD 812. That is, the CPU 801 reads out from the ROM 802, the HD 811, or the FD 812 and executes a processing program for performing the operation as described above, thereby performing control for realizing the operation in the present embodiment.

  The RAM 803 functions as a main memory or work area for the CPU 801. The KBC 805 controls an instruction input from the KB 809 or a pointing device (not shown). The CRTC 806 controls the display of the CRT 810. The DKC 807 controls access to the HD 811 and the FD 812 that store a boot program, various applications, user files, a network management program, the processing program in the present embodiment, and the like. The NIC 808 exchanges data with other devices on the network 813 in both directions.

1 is a block diagram of a composite device to which the present invention is applied. 6 is a flowchart showing a normal process of transferring a received fax or I-fax received document in the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing for searching for a transfer destination of a received fax document in the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing processing for transferring an I-Fax document received by encrypted communication in the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing for transferring an I-Fax document received by encrypted communication according to the first embodiment. It shows the structure of a transfer rule used in the present embodiment. It is an example of the transfer rule setting screen used in the present embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of the computer which can implement | achieve a data transfer system.

Claims (8)

An image processing apparatus comprising: receiving means for receiving data from a first external device; and transfer means for transferring data received by the receiving means to a second external device,
First determination means for determining whether the communication process is maintained when receiving data from the first external device;
When the first determining means determines that the communication process is secure, the transfer means can perform the secure communication process when the received data is transferred to the second external device. Second judging means for judging whether or not,
An encryption unit that encrypts the received data to perform a transfer process by the transfer unit when it is determined by the second determination unit that a secure communication process is possible;
Notification that notifies the second external device that should transfer the received data that the received data is stored when it is determined by the second determining means that secure communication processing cannot be performed Means,
An image processing apparatus comprising: Transfer condition setting means for setting transfer conditions for transferring the received data received by the receiving means to the second external device by the transfer means;
Third determination means for determining whether or not the transfer condition set by the transfer condition setting means is satisfied for the received data received by the receiving means;
2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls a transfer process of received data by the transfer unit when the third determination unit determines that the transfer condition is satisfied. . Storage means for storing the received data when it is determined by the second determination means that secure communication processing cannot be performed;
Generating means for generating a password for instructing printing of the received data stored in the storage means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies the password generated by the generation unit. A registration means for registering a user password for each transfer;
Association means for associating the user password registered by the registration means with the password generated by the generation means;
And a print control unit that reads out and prints the received data stored in the storage unit when the user password input from the operation unit matches the password of the received data stored in the storage unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3. An image processing method in an image processing apparatus comprising: a receiving unit that receives data from a first external device; and a transfer unit that transfers data received by the receiving unit to a second external device,
When receiving data from the first external device, a first determination step of determining whether the communication processing is secure,
When the first determination step determines that the communication process is secure, the transfer means can perform a secure communication process when transferring the received data to the second external device. A second determination step for determining whether or not
An encryption step of encrypting the received data in order to perform a transfer process by the transfer means when it is determined by the second determination step that secure communication processing is possible;
A notification for notifying that the received data is stored in the second external device to which the received data should be transferred when it is determined by the second determining step that communication processing with security is not possible Process,
An image processing method comprising: A transfer condition setting step for setting transfer conditions for transferring the received data received by the receiving means to the second external device by the transferring means;
A third determination step of determining whether or not the transfer condition set in the transfer condition setting step is satisfied for the received data received by the receiving means;
6. The image processing method according to claim 5, further comprising a control step of controlling transfer processing of received data by said transfer means when it is determined in said third determination step that transfer conditions are satisfied. . A storage step of storing the received data in a storage means when it is determined by the second determination means that secure communication processing cannot be performed;
A generation step of generating a password for instructing printing of the received data stored in the storage step,
The image processing method according to claim 5, wherein the notifying step notifies the password generated in the generating step. A registration process for registering a user password for each transfer;
Associating the user password registered in the registration step with the password generated in the generation step;
A print control step of reading and printing the received data stored in the storage means when the user password input from the operation unit of the image processing apparatus matches the password of the received data stored in the storage means The image processing method according to claim 7, further comprising:

Images