JP2007096758A - Image output device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image output device for suppressing the illegal output of image data whose output is limited, and for outputting the image data by a simple operation when the output is desired. <P>SOLUTION: Whether or not the output of image data acquired by an image reading part 13 is limited is judged from the output limitation information of the image data, and when the output is limited, the output start of the image data is held, and a user is notified that the output of the image data is limited, and that history information is left when the image data are output as they are, and the user is made to reconfirm whether the image data should be output. When the output is reconfirmed, the image data are output, and the history information of who and when the image data have been output is stored. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image output apparatus such as a copying machine, and more particularly to a technique for suppressing output of image data whose output is restricted.

  An image output device such as a copying machine is a device that forms a duplicate image of an input original on a recording paper and outputs it. However, if the original is a confidential document or protected by copyright, authority In some cases, it may be desirable to prohibit unauthorized copying by those who do not.

  For example, a copy that has been determined to add predetermined copy prohibition information to a document that is to be prohibited from being copied, and when copy prohibition information is detected from the read document, the copy operation that inhibits the normal copy operation for that document There is an apparatus (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). In this copying apparatus, an operation mode for stopping the inhibition function can be set in order to enable copying of a document having copy prohibition information in a specific case.

JP 2001-189855 A

  Even for a copy-prohibited document, it is not necessary to prohibit copying if the person who instructed the copy operation is the creator of the document or a specific person with authority. However, in the above technique, the operation mode must be switched in order to cancel the copy prohibition. This operation mode switching operation is usually performed by moving to a special setting screen or restricted so that only the administrator can operate it. There is a problem in that it cannot be released and inconveniences a user having copy authority.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problem, and provides an image output apparatus capable of easily outputting an output when desired, while suppressing the output of image data whose output is limited. The purpose is that.

  The above object is achieved by the inventions of the following items.

(1) means for obtaining image data;
Restriction information obtaining means for obtaining output restriction information of the image data;
Instruction means for receiving an output instruction for the image data;
Determining means for determining whether output of the image data received by the instruction means is restricted based on the output restriction information of the image data;
Output confirmation means comprising a function of notifying that the output of the image data is restricted, and a function of reconfirming whether or not to output the image data;
When it is determined that the output of the image data is restricted by the judging means, the output start of the image data is suspended and a notification that the output of the image data is restricted by the output confirming means And an image output apparatus comprising: control means for reconfirming the output of the image data.

  In the above invention, whether or not output of image data for which an output instruction has been received is restricted is determined based on the output restriction information of the image data, and if restricted, the start of image data output is suspended. The user is notified that the output is limited, and receives reconfirmation from the user as to whether or not to output. That is, when the output is restricted, the output is not uniformly prohibited, but the output by the unauthorized user is suppressed by notifying and reconfirming that the output is restricted. In addition, when there is an output restriction, the user is allowed to make a decision on the spot to check whether or not it is still output, so that it is not necessary to go to the setting screen and switch the operation mode each time. Therefore, it is possible to easily output image data with output restrictions.

(2) It further includes storage means for storing history information relating to the output of the image data,
When it is reconfirmed that the output confirmation means outputs the image data, the control means starts outputting the image data and stores history information related to the output of the image data in the storage means. The image output apparatus according to (1), characterized in that:

  According to the above invention, when image data is output by reconfirmation, history information relating to the output is stored. By storing the history information, it is possible to enhance the output suppression effect for unauthorized persons. In addition, if the user is notified that history information related to the output is stored when output is performed by reconfirmation, the deterrence can be increased.

(3) having user information obtaining means for obtaining identification information of a user who has reconfirmed that the image data is output by the output confirmation means;
The image output apparatus according to (2), wherein the control unit stores the identification information of the user in the storage unit as the history information.

  According to the above invention, re-confirmed user identification information is stored as history information.

(4) When the output confirmation unit reconfirms the output of the image data, the control unit adds information indicating that the output has been reconfirmed and starts outputting the image data. The image output apparatus according to (1), characterized in that:

  According to the above invention, when image data is output by reconfirmation, information indicating that the output-restricted image data is forcibly output by reconfirmation is added to the image data and output. Thereby, the deterrent power with respect to the easy output by an unauthorized person can be heightened.

  In the image output apparatus according to the present invention, when the output of the image data that has received the output instruction is restricted, the start of the output is suspended, the user is notified that the output is restricted, and is the output performed? Since the user has received reconfirmation of whether or not, the user can output the image data with a simple operation if the user still wants to output while suppressing the easy output of the output-restricted image data. It is possible to achieve both a deterrent effect against unreasonable output and convenience.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an image output apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image output apparatus 10 is a digital device having a copy function for reading a document image and forming a duplicate image on a recording sheet, a printer function for receiving image data from an external terminal and forming a corresponding image on a recording sheet. It is configured as a multifunction device.

  The image output apparatus 10 includes a control unit 11 that performs overall control of the operation. The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory) (not shown) as main parts. The ROM stores a program executed by the CPU and various fixed data, and the RAM functions as a work memory that temporarily stores various data when the CPU executes the program.

  The control unit 11 includes an image reading unit 13, an image output unit 14, a storage unit 15, an operation display unit 16, a restriction information acquisition unit 17, a user information acquisition unit 18, and a data communication unit 19 through the system bus 12. And are connected.

  The image reading unit 13 functions as an obtaining unit that optically reads a document to obtain image data. The image reading unit 13 includes a light source that irradiates the document, a line image sensor that reads the document for one line in the width direction thereof, a moving unit that moves the reading position in units of lines in the length direction of the document, and reflection from the document. And an optical path composed of a lens and a mirror for guiding light to a line image sensor to form an image. The line image sensor is composed of a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). The analog image signal output from the line image sensor is A / D converted and captured as digital image data.

  The image output unit 14 is an output unit that outputs image data, and functions to form and output an image corresponding to the image data on a recording sheet by an electrophotographic process. The image output unit 14 is configured as a so-called laser printer having a recording paper conveyance device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer separation device, a cleaning device, and a fixing device. Has been.

  The operation display unit 16 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display having a touch panel on the surface and various operation switches, and has a function of performing various guidance displays and status displays to the user and receiving various operations from the user. Have. The operation display unit 16 includes a copy button and the like, and functions as an instruction unit that receives an instruction to output image data.

  The data communication unit 19 performs a function of transmitting / receiving data to / from an external terminal. For example, it communicates with an external terminal through a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The data communication unit 19 also functions as an acquisition unit that acquires image data from an external terminal.

  The restriction information obtaining unit 17 has a function of obtaining output restriction information of image data obtained from the image reading unit 13 or the data communication unit 19. The output restriction information is information for determining whether the corresponding image data can be output. Here, the output restriction information indicates the expiration date of the output restriction. Output is limited within the expiration date, and output is not limited after the expiration date. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the output-restricted document 2 has an expiration date mark 3 as output restriction information at the bottom, and the document 2 is valid from the image data read by the image reading unit 13. By searching for and analyzing the deadline mark 3, output restriction information is obtained.

  The expiration date mark 3 is a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode, but the expiration date may be directly expressed by a character string, a numeric string, or a symbol, or may be expressed by other images such as a figure / pattern. Good.

  The output restriction information is not limited to the visible information as described above. For example, output restriction information may be stored in advance in an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) attached to the document, and the output restriction information may be read out and obtained from the RFID of the document set in the image reading unit 13. When obtaining image data from the data communication unit 19, output restriction information may be received from the external terminal as accompanying information of the image data. For example, attribute information “copy suppression” added to image data may be used as output restriction information.

  The user information acquisition unit 18 has a function of authenticating a user. Here, user identification information is obtained from an RFID-type ID card. In addition, the acquisition method of user identification information is not limited to this, For example, you may input from the operation display part 16, and may acquire by biometrics etc.

  The storage unit 15 functions to store history information (log information) related to image data output and store image data. The image output device 10 can print (output) the image data stored in the storage unit 15 from the data communication unit 19 to an external terminal in addition to printing out the image data from the image output unit 14. Further, the history information stored in the storage unit 15 can be printed in a report format by the image output unit 14 or transmitted to an external terminal such as a server.

  The control unit 11 includes a determination unit 11a, an output confirmation unit 11b, and a history information management unit 11c as functions relating to image data output restriction. The determination unit 11a determines whether the output of the image data for which the output instruction has been received is restricted based on the output restriction information of the image data. The output confirmation unit 11b, when the determination unit 11a determines that the output of the image data is restricted, suspends the output start of the image data and indicates that the output of the image data is restricted. And the function of receiving reconfirmation of the output of the image data. Notification and reconfirmation are performed using the operation display unit 16. The history information management unit 11 c manages the history information regarding the output of the image data, and has a function of storing the history information in the storage unit 15 and reading it from the storage unit 15.

  FIG. 3 shows the flow of a copying operation performed by the image output apparatus 10. When a copy button (not shown) is operated, the image output apparatus 10 reads the original set on the image reading unit 13 to obtain image data (step S101), analyzes the image data, and analyzes FIG. The presence / absence of the expiration date mark 3 (output restriction information) as shown in FIG. If the read original does not have the expiration date mark 3 (step S103; N), the copy operation is executed as it is (step S108), and the processing is ended (END).

  If there is an expiration date mark 3 (step S103; Y), the contents of the expiration date mark 3 are analyzed, and the date and time of the expiration date indicated by the expiration date mark 3 is recognized. Then, it is determined whether or not the current date / time is included in the expiration date indicated by the expiration date mark 3, and when it is outside the expiration date (when output of image data is not restricted) (step S 104; Y), it is left as it is. A copy operation is executed (step S108), and the process is terminated (END).

  If it is within the expiration date (when output of image data is restricted) (step S104; N), the output start of image data is suspended and the user is notified that output of image data is restricted. At the same time, a copy suppression screen for receiving reconfirmation of the output of the image data is displayed (step S105).

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the copy suppression screen 130. On the copy suppression screen 130, a warning message 131 is displayed to the effect that the document is an output-restricted document and log information will be recorded if the copy operation is continued as it is. In addition, a “Yes” button 132 for receiving a reconfirmation of executing the copy operation after recognizing this warning and a “No” button 133 for canceling the copy are arranged at the bottom of the screen. It is.

  If the user receives a reconfirmation that the copy operation is to be executed even if there is an output restriction, for example, by operating the “Yes” button 132 on the copy suppression screen 130 (step S106; Y), the output of the image data is concerned. History information is created and stored in the storage unit 15 (step S107). At this time, the user information acquisition unit 18 acquires user identification information, and the acquired user identification information is included in the history information and stored. For example, when receiving a reconfirmation of output from a user, the user identification information is read in a non-contact manner from an RFID ID card possessed by the user, and history information is added. The user identification information may be obtained from the operation display unit 16 or the like when the user starts using the image output apparatus 10. As long as the user identification information can be obtained before the history information is created, the timing and the obtaining method thereof are not limited.

  After the history information is stored, a normal copy operation is executed (step S108), and the process ends (END). When a copy cancel operation is received from the user, for example, by operating the “No” button 133 on the copy suppression screen 130 (step S106; N), the copy operation is stopped (step S109) and the process is terminated (step S109). End).

  In this way, when the output is restricted, the output is not uniformly prohibited, but the output is restricted, and if it is output as it is, deterrence measures such as storing history information are taken. Since the user is warned of the notification and whether or not it is still output, the user is inquired on the spot to determine whether or not the output can be suppressed by taking measures such as storing warnings and history information for unauthorized users. For users with legitimate authority, such as creators of images, image data can be easily output without having to perform complicated operations such as switching to the setting screen and switching the operation mode. To do. In particular, by leaving the user identification information of the reconfirmed user in the history information, it can be seen from the history information who has output, so a higher deterrence can be obtained.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  For example, in the embodiment, history information is left as a deterrent measure, but a mark or information indicating that the history information is output based on the user's reconfirmation may be added to the image data and output. At this time, if the user identification information of the reconfirmed user and information related to output such as output date and time are added to the image data, the deterrence effect is further enhanced. For example, when printing out, the mark or information can be added to a blank portion such as the lower part of the page, or can be added by overlaying characters like a watermark.

  In the embodiment, the user identification information of the user who performed the reconfirmation operation is stored in the history information. However, the addition of the user identification information is not essential, and the output date and time and the output image You can leave the part as history information. Further, it is possible to simply notify that the document is output-restricted without leaving history information and receive the reconfirmation of the output. Even this will ensure a certain level of deterrence.

  The output restriction information is not limited to information indicating the expiration date, but may be information that limits output within / out of an effective period that defines the start and end, or a simple output restriction that does not limit the period. In addition, it is possible to restrict the output of users, user groups, user levels, output from specific image output devices, output from devices other than specific image output devices, etc. Any restriction on availability is acceptable.

  In the embodiment, the case where image data is obtained from the image reading unit 13 has been described as an example. However, the image data may be obtained by reception from an external terminal such as a personal computer. Further, the image data may be obtained by reading from the storage unit 15. Furthermore, the output destination of the image data is not limited to the image output unit 14, and for example, e-mail transmission or facsimile transmission to an external terminal may be used. Furthermore, the history information may be transferred to an external log information management server (host) and stored. Therefore, the image output apparatus is not limited to a multi-function peripheral having a copy function and a printer function. Any device having a function of inputting image data and a function of outputting input image data may be used, and may be a copier, a facsimile machine, a printer, a scanner device, or the like.

  Further, the measure for suppressing output is not limited to storing history information or adding a predetermined mark to image data. A configuration may be adopted in which a warning sound is generated when an image is output to attract the attention of the surroundings.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image output apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the original document to which output restriction information was added. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of a copying operation performed by the image output apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a copy suppression screen.

Explanation of symbols

2 ... Document with Output Restriction Information (Expiration Date Mark) 3 ... Expiration Date Mark 10 ... Image Output Device 11 ... Control Unit 11a ... Judgment Unit 11b ... Output Confirmation Unit 11c ... History Information Management Unit 12 ... System Bus 13 ... Image reading unit 14 ... Image output unit 15 ... Storage unit 16 ... Operation display unit 17 ... Restriction information acquisition unit 18 ... User information acquisition unit 19 ... Data communication unit 130 ... Copy suppression screen 131 ... Message 132 ... "Yes" button 133 ... "No" button

Claims (4)

Means for obtaining image data;
Restriction information obtaining means for obtaining output restriction information of the image data;
Instruction means for receiving an output instruction for the image data;
Determining means for determining whether output of the image data received by the instruction means is restricted based on the output restriction information of the image data;
Output confirmation means comprising a function of notifying that the output of the image data is restricted, and a function of reconfirming whether or not to output the image data;
When it is determined that the output of the image data is restricted by the judging means, the output start of the image data is suspended and a notification that the output of the image data is restricted by the output confirming means And an image output apparatus comprising: control means for reconfirming the output of the image data. Storage means for storing history information relating to the output of the image data;
When it is reconfirmed that the output confirmation means outputs the image data, the control means starts outputting the image data and stores history information related to the output of the image data in the storage means. The image output apparatus according to claim 1. A user information obtaining unit for obtaining identification information of a user who has reconfirmed that the image data is output by the output confirmation unit;
The image output apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit stores the identification information of the user in the storage unit as the history information. When the output confirmation unit reconfirms the output of the image data, the control unit adds information indicating that the output has been reconfirmed and starts outputting the image data. The image output apparatus according to claim 1.

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