JP2007038565A - Image forming device, image forming method and storage medium storing the program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device featuring a shorter processing time and can be used even if communication with a server computer is cut off. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device comprises an identification information acquisition means 11 to acquire identification information to identify at least a copy image or a user, a communication means 12 to send the identification information to the server computer 1 and receive control information from the server computer 1, a control information storage means 13 to uniquely relatedly store the identification information and the control information acquired by the communication means, a control information acquisition means 14 to acquire the control information from the control information storage means 13 when acquisition is possible and acquires from the communication means 12 when acquisition is impossible, an output data preparation means 8 to prepare image data for output in accordance with the control information, and an output means 9 to output image data in accordance with the control information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a storage medium storing the program, and in particular, determines whether or not processing such as copying, reading, and printing is performed by a server computer connected through a network, and the determination result is The present invention relates to a technique for determining whether to continue or stop processing.

  In recent years, with increasing interest in information leakage, there is an increasing demand for restricting printing, copying, and reading of confidential documents so that an unspecified person cannot obtain the confidential documents.

  Conventionally, as a method for restricting printing, copying, and reading, the following technique is disclosed in (Patent Document 1).

When the user instructs the image forming apparatus to perform processing such as printing, copying, and reading, the image forming apparatus first acquires document identification information from the document, and further acquires user identification information from the user. The image forming apparatus transmits the identification information and the processing contents designated by the user to the external server computer via the network. The external server computer applies a security policy to determine whether processing is possible or not, and transmits it to the image forming apparatus via the network. When the image forming apparatus receives a notification that processing is possible from the external server computer, the image forming apparatus continues the processing. When a notification indicating that processing cannot be performed is received from the external server computer, the processing is stopped.
JP 2004-192610 A

  However, in the technique described in (Patent Document 1), each time printing, copying, or reading is performed, identification information is acquired, and the identification information is transferred from the image forming apparatus to the server computer. It takes time to search for document identification information, determine whether processing is possible, and notify the result from the server computer to the image forming apparatus. There was a problem.

  Further, when communication between the server computer and the image forming apparatus is interrupted, the image forming apparatus cannot be used.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be used even when the processing time is shorter and communication with a server computer is interrupted.

  In order to solve this problem, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes at least identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information for identifying a document image or a user, transmits the identification information to a server computer, and further controls the server computer. Communication means for receiving information, control information storage means for uniquely storing identification information and control information acquired by the communication means, and control information corresponding to identification information can be acquired from the control information storage means Control information acquisition means to acquire from the communication means, image data creation means to create output image data according to the control information, and image data according to the control information Output means for outputting.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus has a first control information deleting unit that deletes the control information stored in the control information storage unit according to an instruction from the server computer.

  In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, there is provided second control information deleting means for deleting the control information stored in the control information storage means in accordance with an instruction from the user.

  In order to solve this problem, the image forming method of the present invention acquires at least identification information for identifying a document image or a user, and acquires control information for controlling an output corresponding to the identification information from a control information storage unit. Acquire if possible, send identification information to the server computer if not possible, receive control information from the server computer, store the identification information and the received control information in association with each other, and control information Output image data is generated according to the control information, and the image data is output according to the control information.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stored control information is deleted according to an instruction from the server computer.

  In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stored control information is deleted according to an instruction from the user.

  In order to solve this problem, the storage medium of the present invention can acquire at least identification information for identifying a document image or a user, and can acquire control information for controlling an output corresponding to the identification information from the control information storage unit. If it cannot be acquired, the identification information is transmitted to the server computer, the control information is received from the server computer, the identification information and the received control information are uniquely associated and stored, and the control information is stored in the control information. A control program for storing output image data in response to the output and outputting the image data in accordance with the control information is stored.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stored control information is deleted by an instruction from the server computer.

  In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the stored control information is deleted by an instruction from the user.

  According to the present invention, control information previously acquired in the image forming apparatus is stored, and when the processing is performed under the same conditions, the control information stored in the image forming apparatus is used, so that the server computer Thus, an effective effect of shortening the processing time can be obtained.

  Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an effective effect that the image forming apparatus can be used even when communication with the server computer is interrupted.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the security policy is updated in the server computer, the control information stored in the image forming apparatus is forcibly deleted by an instruction from the server computer or the user, and then updated. It is possible to obtain an effective effect of reliably applying the security policy.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, at least identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information for identifying a document image or a user, and communication for transmitting identification information to a server computer and receiving control information from the server computer Means, the control information storage means for storing the identification information and the control information acquired by the communication means in association with each other, and the control information corresponding to the identification information is acquired from the control information storage means. If it is not possible, it has control information acquisition means for acquiring from communication means, image data generation means for generating image data for output according to control information, and output means for outputting image data according to control information. This is an image forming device that has a shorter processing time and can be used even when communication with the server computer is interrupted. That.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming method according to the first aspect, further comprising a first control information deleting means for deleting the control information stored in the control information storing means in response to an instruction from the server computer. It is an apparatus, and has the effect that it can be used even when the processing time is shorter and communication with the server computer is interrupted.

  The invention according to claim 3 of the present invention is the image according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising second control information deleting means for deleting the control information stored in the control information storage means in accordance with an instruction from the user. It is a forming apparatus, and has an effect that it can be used even when the processing time is shorter and communication with the server computer is interrupted.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when at least identification information for identifying a document image or a user is acquired, and control information for controlling output corresponding to the identification information can be acquired from the control information storage means. Acquire and send identification information to the server computer if it cannot be obtained, receive control information from the server computer, store the identification information and the received control information in association with each other, and output them according to the control information Is an image forming method for generating image data and outputting image data in accordance with control information, and has an effect that it can be used even when communication with the server computer is interrupted because the processing time is shorter. .

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming method for deleting control information stored in accordance with an instruction from the server computer according to the fourth aspect of the present invention. It has the effect that it can be used even when communication is interrupted.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming method for deleting control information stored in accordance with an instruction from a user according to the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein the processing time is shorter, and Even if the communication is interrupted, it can be used.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when at least identification information for identifying a document image or a user is acquired and control information for controlling an output corresponding to the identification information can be acquired from the control information storage means Acquire and send identification information to the server computer if it cannot be obtained, receive control information from the server computer, store the identification information and the received control information in association with each other, and output them according to the control information Is a storage medium that stores a control program that generates image data and outputs image data according to control information, and can be used even when the processing time is shorter and communication with the server computer is interrupted An image forming technique is obtained.

  The invention according to claim 8 of the present invention is the storage medium storing the control program for deleting the control information stored in accordance with the instruction from the server computer in the invention according to claim 7, wherein the processing time is shorter, An image forming technique that can be used even when communication with the server computer is interrupted is obtained.

  The invention according to claim 9 of the present invention is the storage medium storing the control program for deleting the control information stored by the instruction from the user in the invention according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the processing time is shorter, In addition, an image forming technique that can be used even when communication with the server computer is interrupted can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to the drawings. Here, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same members, and duplicate descriptions are omitted. In addition, since description here is the best form by which this invention is implemented, this invention is not limited to the said form.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of connection between an image forming apparatus, a server computer, and a client computer according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of document identification information in the first embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a control information list stored in the control information storage unit of the image forming apparatus in the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of user input means in the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a copying operation in the image forming apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a reading operation in the image forming apparatus in the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a printing operation in the image forming apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a control information acquiring operation in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a server computer 1 that determines whether processing is to be continued or stopped, an image forming apparatus 2 (2A, 2B, 2C) of the present invention having printing, copying, and image reading functions, and a client computer 3 that creates printing data. Are connected to the network 4 and can exchange data among the server computer 1, the image forming apparatus 2, and the computer 3.

  Here, a flow of a copying process using the image forming apparatus 2A will be described.

  When the user instructs the image forming apparatus 2A to perform a copying process, first, the image forming apparatus 2A optically reads a document. Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 2 </ b> A acquires information for identifying the user from the user, further acquires information for identifying the document from the read document, and transfers the information to the server computer 1 via the network 4. The server computer 1 determines whether copying is possible from the transferred information, and notifies the image forming apparatus 2A of the determination result via the network 4. When the image forming apparatus 2A receives a notification that copying is possible, the image forming apparatus 2A continues the copying process and discharges the sheet on which the read image is printed. In addition, when the image forming apparatus 2A receives a notification indicating that copying is not possible, the image forming apparatus 2A stops the copying process and does not discharge the sheet.

  Next, a flow of printing processing using the image forming apparatus 2A will be described.

  When the user instructs the client computer 3 to perform printing processing, the client computer 3 transfers the printing data to the image forming apparatus 2A via the network 4. When receiving the print data, the image forming apparatus 2A obtains information for identifying the user from the user, further obtains information for identifying the document from the received print data, and receives a server computer via the network 4. Transfer to 1. The server computer 1 determines whether printing is possible from the transferred information, and notifies the image forming apparatus 2A of the determination result via the network 4. When the image forming apparatus 2A receives the print notification, the image forming apparatus 2A continues the printing process and discharges the sheet on which the image corresponding to the print data is printed. When the image forming apparatus 2A receives a notification that printing is not possible, the image forming apparatus 2A interrupts the printing process and does not discharge the paper.

  Next, the flow of reading processing using the image forming apparatus 2A will be described.

  When the user instructs the image forming apparatus 2A to perform reading processing, the image forming apparatus 2A first optically reads a document. Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 2 </ b> A acquires information for identifying the user from the user, further acquires information for identifying the document from the read document, and transfers the information to the server computer 1 via the network 4. The server computer 1 determines whether or not reading is possible from the transferred information, and notifies the image forming apparatus 2A of the determination result via the network 4. When the image forming apparatus 2 </ b> A receives the read permission notice, the image forming apparatus 2 </ b> A continues the reading process and transfers the read data to the client computer 3. When the image forming apparatus 2 </ b> A receives the notification that reading is impossible, the reading process is interrupted, and the read data is not transferred to the client computer 3.

  The image forming apparatus 2A has been described above, but the same processing is performed for the image forming apparatuses 2B and 2C. Here, the image forming apparatus 2A has been described as having the functions of copying, printing, and reading. However, it is not necessary to have all of these functions, and it is sufficient if there is at least one function. The number of image forming apparatuses connected to the network 4 is not limited to three.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 2 includes an image reading unit 6, an image data storage unit 7, an output data creation unit 8, an output unit 9, a user input unit 10, and an identification information acquisition unit 11. , Communication means 12, control information storage means 13, control information acquisition means 14, first control information deletion means 15, and second control information deletion means 16.

  Here, the image reading means 6 optically reads a manuscript placed by the user and further converts it into electronic data. The electronic data is, for example, data of 256 gradations for each color of red, green, and blue.

  The image data storage unit 7 stores electronic data output from the image reading unit 6 and print data sent from the client computer 3.

  The operation of the output data creating means 8 differs depending on the processing type of copying, reading and printing.

  That is, in the case of copying, the image data stored in the image data storage means 7 is converted into a format suitable for forming on paper. In the present embodiment, enlargement, reduction, rotation, filter processing, and the like are performed on the image data, and thereafter, the image data is converted into two-tone image data of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

  In the case of reading, the document image data output from the image reading means 6 is converted into a format suitable for transfer to the external client computer 3 via the network 4 (FIG. 1). In this embodiment, image data is enlarged, reduced, rotated, filtered, etc., and further encoded in a format such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) if necessary.

  In the case of printing, the print data stored in the image data storage means 7 is converted into a format suitable for forming an image on paper. The print data format includes run-length encoding of PDL (Page Description Language) such as PostScript and PCL, 256-level data of red, green, and blue, and 2 levels of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. And those encoded in a format such as JBIG (Joint Bi-level Image experts Group). The output data creation means 8 interprets and renders these print data, and finally converts them into image data of two gradations for each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

  When copying or printing is instructed, the output unit 9 forms the image received from the output data creation unit 8 on a sheet. When reading is instructed, the image data is transmitted to the external client computer 3 via the network 4 (FIG. 1). However, these operations are executed only when the control information acquired by the control information acquisition unit 14 can be output, and are not performed when the control information cannot be output.

  The user input unit 10 enables a user to give an instruction directly to the image forming apparatus 2. That is, in the first embodiment, the user uses the user input means 10 to select a processing type such as copying, printing, and reading, input a user ID, and instruct to delete stored control information. Here, the user identification information is information uniquely assigned to each user, and is, for example, a 4-digit number in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the user input means 10. The user input means 10 shown in the figure includes numeric buttons 501a to 501j from 0 to 9, a copy button 502 for instructing copying, a reading button 503 for instructing reading, a determination button 504 for instructing determination, and a cancel button 505 for instructing cancellation. The display panel 506 displays the current state of the image forming apparatus 2.

  When the copy button 502 is pressed, the image forming apparatus 2 starts a copy operation. Similarly, when the reading button 503 is pressed, the image forming apparatus 2 starts a reading operation.

  Further, when the image forming apparatus 2 is in a user ID input standby state, after the number buttons 501a to 501j are pressed and then the enter button 504 is further pressed, the user input means 10 is input with the number buttons 501a to 501j. A number is acquired as a user ID.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the identification information acquisition unit 11 acquires user identification information from the user input unit 10, and further acquires document identification information from the image data stored in the image data storage unit 7.

  Note that the user identification information in the first embodiment is the user ID itself input by the user input means 10.

  The document identification information is a number uniquely assigned to a document to be copied, printed, and read by the image forming apparatus 2. FIG. 3 is an example of a document including document identification information in copying and reading. In the case shown in the figure, the barcode at the upper right of the document represents the document identification information. Then, the identification information acquisition unit 11 detects a barcode from the electronic data stored in the image data storage unit 7 and further interprets the barcode to acquire the document identification information. In the first embodiment, the document identification information is, for example, an 8-digit integer. In addition, document identification information in printing is included in print data, and is described in PJL (Printer Job Language) in the present embodiment.

  Furthermore, the identification information acquisition means 11 also acquires process identification information representing the current process content.

  The communication unit 12 receives user identification information, document identification information, and a processing type selected by the user from a control information acquisition unit 14 to be described later, and transfers them to the server computer 1 via the network. Also, control information such as output enable / disable transmitted from the server computer 1 is received and transferred to the control information acquisition means 14.

  The control information storage unit 13 receives the user identification information, the document identification information, and the processing type selected by the user from the control information acquisition unit 14, and stores them in a uniquely associated manner. FIG. 4 shows an example of user identification information, document identification information, and processing types stored in the control information storage means 13, and this is referred to as a control information list in this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 4, reference numeral 401 </ b> A represents that the user having the user identification information 0002 has received control information indicating that output is possible from the server computer 1 when the document having the document identification information 123400000 is copied.

  The control information acquisition unit 14 receives user identification information, document identification information, and process identification information from the identification information acquisition unit 11. The control information acquisition unit 14 determines whether control information corresponding to the received identification information is stored in the control information storage unit 13. If the information is stored in the control information storage unit 13, the control information is acquired from the control information storage unit 13. If the control information is not stored in the control information storage means 13, the identification information is transferred to the server computer 1 via the communication means 12, and then the control information sent from the server computer 1 is transferred to the communication means 12. To get via.

  Furthermore, the control information acquisition unit 14 uniquely associates the user identification information, the document identification information, the processing type selected by the user, and the control information received from the communication unit 12 in the format shown in FIG. 13 is stored.

  The first control information deleting unit 15 deletes all the control information lists stored in the control information storage unit 13 when the user instructs to delete the control information using the user input unit 10.

  The second control information deleting unit 16 deletes all the control information lists stored in the control information storage unit 13 when the server computer 1 instructs to delete the control information via the communication unit 12.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the copy processing operation in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that the copy process is executed when the copy button 502 is pressed on the user input means 10.

  In the copying process, first, the image forming apparatus 2 displays text prompting the user to input a user ID on the display panel 506, and enters a user ID input standby state. And the identification information acquisition means 11 acquires the user ID which the user input using the number buttons 501a-501j and the determination button 504 as user identification information (step S601).

  Next, the image reading means 6 converts the optically read document into electronic data and stores it in the image data storage means 7 (step S602).

  Then, the identification information acquisition unit 11 detects and interprets a barcode representing the document identification information from the image data stored in the image data storage unit 7, and acquires the document identification information (step S603).

  The control information acquisition unit 14 acquires user identification information, document identification information, and process identification information representing copying from the identification information acquisition unit 11. The control information acquisition unit 14 acquires control information based on the information (step S604).

  Here, the subsequent processing branches depending on whether the acquired control information can be output or not (step S605). That is, if the control information can be output in step S605, the output data creation means 8 reads the image data stored in the image data storage means 7 and converts it into an output data format for printing (step S606). Then, the output unit 9 forms the output data created by the output data creation unit 8 on the sheet, and completes the copying process (step S607). On the other hand, if the control information cannot be output in step S605, the image forming apparatus 2 does nothing and ends the process as it is.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the reading process in the image forming apparatus in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The reading process is executed when the reading button 503 is pressed on the user input unit 10.

  Here, steps S701 to S705 have the same contents as steps S601 to S605 in FIG. However, the process identification information that the control information acquisition unit 14 acquires from the user input unit 10 in step S704 is different only in that it represents reading.

  If the control information acquired by the control information acquisition unit 14 in step S705 can be output, the output data creation unit 8 reads the image data stored in the image data storage unit 7 and outputs the output data format for transfer. (Step S706). Then, the output unit 9 transfers the output data created by the output data creation unit 8 to an external computer, and completes the reading process (step S707). On the other hand, if the control information cannot be output in step S705, the image forming apparatus 2 does nothing and ends the process as it is.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing process in the image forming apparatus in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The print process is executed when print data is received from an external computer.

  In the printing process, first, the image forming apparatus 2 stores print data transferred from an external computer in the image data storage unit 7 (step S801).

  Next, the image forming apparatus 2 displays a text prompting the user to input a user ID on the display panel 506, and enters a user ID input standby state. Therefore, if the user inputs a user ID using the numeric buttons 501a to 501j and the enter button 504, the identification information acquisition unit 11 acquires the user ID as user identification information (step S802).

  Then, the identification information acquisition unit 11 acquires document identification information from the print data stored in the image data storage unit 7 (step S803).

  The control information acquisition unit 14 acquires user identification information, document identification information, and process identification information indicating printing from the identification information acquisition unit 11. The control information acquisition unit 14 acquires control information based on the information (step S804).

  Here, the subsequent processing branches depending on whether the acquired control information can be output or not (step S805). That is, if the control information can be output in step S805, the output data creation means 8 reads the print data stored in the image data storage means 7, interprets and renders it, and further converts it into an output data format for printing. Conversion is performed (step S806). Then, the output unit 9 forms the output data created by the output data creation unit 8 on the paper, and completes the printing process (step S807). On the other hand, if the control information cannot be output in step S805, the image forming apparatus 2 does nothing and ends the process as it is.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the detailed operation of the control information acquisition process (step S604 in FIG. 6, step S704 in FIG. 7, and step S804 in FIG. 8).

  In the control information acquisition process, first, it is determined whether or not control information that matches the acquired user identification information, document identification information, and process identification information is stored in the control information storage unit 13 (step S901).

  If control information is stored in step S901, the control information is acquired (step S902), and the control information is used as it is.

  If no control information is stored in step S901, the control information acquisition unit 14 sends the user identification information, the document identification information, and the processing identification information to the server computer via the network 4 via the communication unit 12. 1 (step S903). Thereafter, the communication means 12 waits for a predetermined time (step S904), and confirms whether control information has been received from the server computer 1 (step S905). When the communication unit 12 acquires the control information, the control information is transferred to the control information acquisition unit 14, and the control information acquisition unit 14 uses the user identification information, the document identification information, the processing identification information, and the server. The control information received from the computer 1 is stored in the control information storage unit 13 (step S906). If control information has not been received in step S904, the communication unit 12 waits until control information is received.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, previously acquired control information is stored in the image forming apparatus 2, and when processing is performed under the same conditions, the control stored in the image forming apparatus 2 is stored. By using the information, communication with the server computer 1 can be omitted, and the processing time becomes shorter. Even when communication with the server computer 1 is interrupted, the image forming apparatus 2 can be used.

  Further, when the security policy is updated in the server computer 1, the updated security policy is updated by forcibly deleting the control information stored in the image forming apparatus according to an instruction from the server computer 1 or the user. It can be applied reliably.

  The first embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various embodiments can be considered.

  For example, in the present embodiment, it has been described that the user inputs the user ID using the numeric buttons 501a to 501j of the user input means 10, but other than that, it is natural to consider only letters or a combination of letters and numbers. It is done. Further, a method of acquiring user identification information from a user's identification information input using a magnetic card or an IC card or from physical features such as a fingerprint or a retina can be considered. These may all be encrypted. Further, the user identification information has been described as being uniquely assigned to each user, but the same user identification information may be assigned to a plurality of users.

  In this embodiment, the document identification information at the time of copying or reading is described as being printed as a barcode on the upper right of the document. However, other than that, a QR code, a simple number, a character, a combination thereof, or the like is used. Of course, it can be considered. In order to prevent tampering, a method of printing in a format that is not easily recognized by human eyes, that is, a so-called digital watermarking method is also conceivable. It is also conceivable to embed a wireless tag in the paper and acquire document identification information by communicating with the wireless tag. Although the document identification information at the time of printing is described as being included in the print data, the print data and the document identification information may be transferred separately. Furthermore, these may all be encrypted. Although the document identification information has been described as being uniquely assigned to each document, the same document identification information may be allocated to a plurality of documents.

  Further, the identification information is not limited to user identification information, document identification information, and process identification information.

  In the present embodiment, the first control information deleting unit 15 and the second control information deleting unit 16 are described as being present. However, a configuration in which one or both of them is absent is also conceivable. The first control information deleting unit 15 and the second control information deleting unit 16 have been described as deleting all the control information lists stored in the control information storage unit 13, but are stored in the control information storage unit 13. Only a part of the control information list may be deleted, or only the control information list designated by the server computer 1 or the user may be deleted.

  In the present embodiment, the control information indicates whether output is possible or not, and when it is impossible, the process is terminated without doing anything. However, the control information and the operation of the image forming apparatus corresponding thereto are limited to this. is not. For example, a message indicating that processing cannot be performed is displayed on the display panel 506, the output data created by the output data creation unit 8 is temporarily discarded, and white data or image data indicating that processing cannot be performed is output by the output unit 9. May be. Further, it may be possible to prompt the user to input user identification information again. Further, the control indicated by the control information is not limited only to whether output is possible or not. For example, partial control is possible. In this case, only the first page is output or a reduced image is output.

  The present invention can be applied to various forms of image forming apparatuses such as a printer, a facsimile machine, a scanner, or a complex machine of these.

Explanatory drawing which shows the example of a connection of the image forming apparatus, server computer, and client computer in Embodiment 1 of this invention 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the document identification information in Embodiment 1 of this invention Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the control information list memorize | stored in the control information memory | storage means of the image forming apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the user input means in Embodiment 1 of this invention 7 is a flowchart showing a copying operation in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a flowchart showing a reading operation in the image forming apparatus in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 7 is a flowchart showing a printing operation in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a flowchart showing control information acquisition operation in the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Server computer 2A, 2B, 2C Image forming apparatus 3 Computer 4 Network 5 Image forming apparatus 6 Image reading means 7 Image data storage means 8 Output data creation means 9 Output means 10 User input means 11 Identification information acquisition means 12 Communication means 13 Control Information storage means 14 Control information acquisition means 15 First control information deletion means 16 Second control information deletion means 501a to 501j Number buttons 502 Copy button 503 Read button 504 Enter button 505 Cancel button 506 Display panel

Claims (9)

Identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information for identifying at least a document image or a user;
Communication means for transmitting identification information to a server computer and further receiving control information from the server computer;
Control information storage means for uniquely storing the identification information and the control information acquired by the communication means in association with each other;
If the control information corresponding to the identification information can be obtained from the control information storage means, obtain the control information, if not obtainable control information acquisition means to obtain from the communication means,
Image data creation means for creating image data for output according to control information;
Output means for outputting image data in accordance with the control information;
An image forming apparatus comprising: First control information deleting means for deleting control information stored in the control information storage means according to an instruction from the server computer;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A second control information deleting unit that deletes the control information stored in the control information storage unit according to an instruction from a user;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. Acquire identification information that at least identifies the document image or user,
If the control information for controlling the output corresponding to the identification information can be acquired from the control information storage means, if acquisition is not possible, the identification information is transmitted to the server computer,
Receiving control information from the server computer;
Storing the identification information and the received control information in a uniquely associated manner,
Create output image data according to the control information,
Output image data according to the control information,
An image forming method. Deleting the control information stored in accordance with an instruction from the server computer;
The image forming method according to claim 4. Delete the stored control information according to the instruction from the user.
6. The image forming method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: Acquire identification information that at least identifies the document image or user,
If the control information for controlling the output corresponding to the identification information can be acquired from the control information storage means, if not, the identification information is transmitted to the server computer,
Receiving control information from the server computer;
Storing the identification information and the received control information in a uniquely associated manner,
Create output image data according to the control information,
A storage medium storing a control program for outputting image data in accordance with control information. Deleting the control information stored in accordance with an instruction from the server computer;
8. A storage medium storing the control program according to claim 7. Delete the stored control information in response to an instruction from the user,
A storage medium storing the control program according to claim 7 or 8.

Images