JP2007235226A - Printed matter management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To manage when, by whom, and how many a confidential document, or the like floating around, for example, without being collected and abandoned was printed. <P>SOLUTION: A printed matter management system comprises: a composite machine 1, having an information storage section 5 capable of printing inputted print data as a printed matter from a print section and storing the management information of the printed matter that has been printed; and a management box 11 that can acquire the management information of the printed matter from the information storage section 5 and can delete management information corresponding to the information management section 5 by verifying the printed matter corresponding to the information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printed matter management system used for a multifunction machine, a copier, a printer, a scanner, and the like.

  Conventionally, when a confidential document such as an internal secret used in an internal meeting is printed out with a copier, etc., a mark is printed on the printed material at the same time when the print is output to notify that the document is a confidential document or to clarify the source of the leak There is technology. With this technology, confidential documents can be managed.

  However, it is impossible to control when and how many printed printed confidential documents are collected without being collected or discarded. It has been difficult to accurately collect and dispose of waste.

JP 2005-184408 A JP 2005-186517 A

  The problem to be solved is that it has been impossible to manage when and what the confidential documents, etc. that have been circulated without being collected or discarded are printed by whom.

  In the present invention, since it is possible to manage when, by whom, what printed matter is printed on confidential documents, etc. that are circulated without being collected, discarded, etc., the input print data is printed from the printing unit as printed matter. An image forming apparatus provided with an information storage unit capable of printing output and capable of storing management information of the printed matter printed out, and a printed matter capable of acquiring management information of the printed matter from the information storage unit and corresponding to the information And a management unit capable of deleting the corresponding management information from the information storage unit by confirming the above.

  The printed matter management system according to the present invention includes an image forming apparatus provided with an information storage unit capable of printing input print data as a printed matter from a printing unit and storing management information of the printed matter printed, and the information The management unit can acquire the management information of the printed matter from the storage unit and can delete the management information corresponding to the information storage unit by confirming the printed matter corresponding to the information. The information storage unit can store the management information related to the printed matter that has been printed out, and the confidential documents that are circulated without being discarded or collected are the printed matter that was printed by who and when Etc. can be managed accurately.

  The information storage unit and the management unit have realized the purpose of managing the confidential documents, etc. that have been circulated without being collected or disposed of, such as when and by whom the printed matter is printed.

[Printed matter management system]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system to which the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the system includes a multifunction device 1 that is an image forming apparatus and a management unit 3.

The multifunction device 1 has functions of a copying machine, a fax machine, a scanner, a printer, and the like, and can print out input print data as a printed matter from the printing unit 4 and can store management information of the printed matter that has been printed out. A storage unit 5 is provided.
The information storage unit 5 is a memory for storing confidential manuscript data, and is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) that writes to and reads from the hard disk. Management information is selectively stored when there is a property.
The confidentiality determination is performed by the confidentiality determination unit 7 configured by a CPU or the like to determine the print data read at the time of copying or the identifier in the print data read as a scanner. When the multifunction device 1 functions as a printer, the multifunction device 1 can read an identifier or the like transmitted together with print data created by a client PC (Personal Computer) or the like.

  The management information is print information of printed matter and user information to be printed out. The print information includes, for example, print data, the number of prints, and the print date / time. The user information is information for identifying the user, such as the name and affiliation of the user, for example, and is stored corresponding to the password of each user.

  The multifunction device 1 enables printout according to the confidentiality determination of the printed matter and the determination of the information regarding the user who has been input or read. The confidentiality determination is the same as described above. The information regarding the user is, for example, a password, and is input to the multi-function peripheral by a numeric keypad operation. This password is discriminated by the user discriminating unit 9 constituted by a CPU or the like, and it is discriminated whether or not the user who has performed the print output is permitted to output confidential printed matter. When the multifunction device 1 functions as a printer, the multifunction device 1 can also determine by reading a password or the like transmitted together with print data created by a client PC (Personal Computer) or the like.

The multifunction device 1 can add an identifier to the printed material and store the identifier in the information storage unit 5. The identifier is printed matter identification data and user identification data for identifying a printed matter printed out in the present embodiment. The identifier is encrypted by a bar code or other means. The printed matter identification data is data that can identify the printed matter, such as the print data itself or the name of the print data. The user identification data is data such as the password that can identify the user.
Note that the image forming apparatus is not limited to the multifunction machine 1 and can be formed by a copying machine, a scanner, a printer, or the like.

The management unit 3 can acquire management information of the printed matter from the information storage unit 5 and can delete the management information corresponding to the information storage unit 5 by confirming the printed matter corresponding to the information. The management unit 3 performs the confirmation based on at least one of the print data and the identifier, for example, the identifier in this embodiment. However, the management unit 3 can also perform the confirmation based only on the print data.
The management unit 3 includes a management box 11 having a cutting function as a cutting unit that cuts a printed material. A contact-type image sensor 13 (CIS “CIS”) serves as an information reading unit that reads information about the printed material at a slot of the management box 11. Contact Image Sensor ”). In the present embodiment, the information relating to the printed material is the identifier.
The management box 11 confirms the printed matter based on the information read by the image sensor 13 and the management information acquired from the information storage unit 5. When it is determined by this confirmation that the printed matter has confidentiality according to the information stored in the information storage unit 5, it is transmitted to the multifunction device 1, and the corresponding management information is deleted from the information storage unit 5.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the printed matter management system.
As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction machine 1 includes a CPU 15, a ROM 17, and a RAM 19, and also includes a hard disk drive 5 and an external interface 23.
The CPU 15 and the ROM 17 perform various controls and constitute the confidentiality determination unit 7 and the user determination unit 9.
The external interface 23 performs signal transmission / reception with the management box 11.
As shown in FIG. 2, the management box 11 includes a CPU 25, a RAM 27, an image sensor 13, and an external interface 29.
The CPU 25 and the RAM 27 perform confirmation of the printed matter, signal output for the deletion, and the like.
The external interface 29 performs signal transmission / reception with the external interface 23 of the multifunction device 1.
[Print output]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation during print output.
When the multifunction device 1 is turned on and print output as a copier, print output as a printer, and the like are performed in step S1, the process proceeds to step S2.
In step S2, “print data identification read” processing is executed. In this process, in order to identify the print data read by the multifunction device 1, the data is read and the process proceeds to step S3.
In step S3, a determination process of “confidential data?” Is executed. This process is performed in the confidentiality determination unit 7 and it is determined from the printed matter identification data of the read print data whether or not the print data is confidential and confidential. If it is not confidential (NO), the process proceeds to step S4. If it is confidential (YES), the process proceeds to step S5.
In step S4, a “normal print output” process is executed. In this process, normal printing output is performed without storing management information as a copying machine or the like.
In step S5, a process of “reading user identification number” is executed. In this process, the user's password input with the numeric keypad on the operation panel of the multifunction device 1 is read, and the process proceeds to step S6.
In step S6, a “user discrimination?” Process is executed. This process is performed by the user determination unit 9, and it is determined from the input password whether the employee is permitted to print confidential printed matter. If it is not permitted (NO), the process ends and printing cannot be performed. If permitted (YES), the process proceeds to step S7.
In step S7, the process of “register user information and print information in memory” is executed. In this process, the print information and the user information are stored in the information storage unit 5 as the management information of the printed material, and the process proceeds to step S8.
In step S8, a process of “print output (encryption addition)” is executed. In this process, print data is printed on a recording sheet and output as a printed matter. The identifier encrypted with a barcode or the like is printed on the printed matter. The identifier is simultaneously stored as management information in the information storage unit 5.
By such a printing process, when the printed material is confidential, the management information of the printed material is stored in the information storage unit 5. Therefore, by reading the management information from the information storage unit 5 on the operation panel of the multifunction device 1, Alternatively, by accessing the multi-function device 1 by the management PC and acquiring management information, it is possible to accurately manage when and who printed which confidential prints.
[Delete data]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation for deleting management information from the information storage unit 5.
When the printed material is input to the input port of the management box 11 for discarding the printed material, the flowchart of FIG. 4 is executed.
In step S11, the process of “reading printed matter” is executed. In this process, the print data of the printed material input by the image sensor 13 is read, and the process proceeds to step S12.
In step S12, a determination process of “Is it a confidential printed matter?” Is executed. In this process, the identifier is read from the information storage unit 5 in the management box 11 and compared with the identifier in the print data read by the image sensor 13. If the identifiers do not match (NO), the process proceeds to step S13, and if they match (YES), the process proceeds to step S14.
In step S13, the “discard to management BOX” process is executed. In this process, the input printed material is automatically cut by the cutting function in the management box 11, and the process ends.
In step S14, a process of “deleting user data in memory and discarding to management box” is executed. In this processing, since it is confirmed that the print is a confidential print managed by the management information as described above, the management box 11 outputs a signal to the multifunction device 1, and the management information is output from the information storage unit 5 in the multifunction device 1. Is deleted, and the process ends.
[Effect of Example 1]
In the printed matter management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a multifunction device 1 including an information storage unit 5 that can print input print data as a printed matter from a printing unit and can store management information of the printed matter that has been printed out. And a management box 11 that can acquire management information of the printed matter from the information storage unit 5 and that can delete the management information corresponding to the information storage unit 5 by confirming the printed matter corresponding to the information. 11 until the printed material is cut, the information storage unit 5 can store and hold management information related to the printed material, and when and when the confidential documents, etc. are circulated without being discarded or collected. Thus, it is possible to accurately manage how many printed documents are printed.
Since the multifunction device 1 selectively stores the management information in the information storage unit 5 in accordance with the confidentiality determination of the printed material, the burden on the storage unit is larger than when storing the management information of all printed materials. Can be reduced.

  Since the management information is print information of the printed material and user information to be printed out, it is possible to accurately manage who has what printed material and how many.

  In order to enable print output according to the confidentiality determination of the printed matter and the determination of the input or read password, the multi-function device 1 can specify and output a print of a confidential non-confidential printed matter or the like. It can be done and reliable management can be performed.

The information storage unit 5 includes the print data as the management information, and the management box 11 can perform the confirmation based on the print data, and reliably and easily manages confidential printed matter. Can be made.
The MFP 1 can add an identifier to the printed material and store the identifier in the information storage unit 5 as management information, and the management box 11 performs the confirmation based on the identifier, so that it should be discarded. It is possible to easily determine the printed material to be deleted and to reliably delete the management information in the information storage unit 5.

Since the MFP 1 uses the identifier as an encryption, even if the identifier is added to the printed matter, it cannot be easily read, and the deletion of the management information from the information storage unit 5 due to unauthorized reading is suppressed in advance. be able to.
Since the identifier is printed matter identification data and user identification data for identifying the printed matter that has been printed out, it is possible to reliably and easily identify the printed matter and the person who has printed out, and ensure management.
The management box 11 includes an image sensor 13 that reads information about the printed matter, and performs the confirmation based on the read identifier and the identifier acquired from the information storage unit 5, so that the confidential printed matter can be easily and easily obtained. Can be identified.

Since the management box 11 has a cutting function for cutting the printed matter after being read by the information reading unit 5, it is possible to reliably discard the printed matter having confidentiality while managing it with the management information.
[Others]
The management box 11 can also be configured as a simple box that can be unlocked only by an administrator without providing a cutting function.
Confirmation of confidential printed matter in the management box 11 can also be performed by comparing the print data itself.
The image forming apparatus can determine whether the printed matter has confidentiality or the like, and can set the confidentiality by switching by a button operation and store the management information.
Specificity determination in the image forming apparatus is not limited to confidentiality determination, and includes what should specify a printed matter for some reason.
The management box 11 can also be set apart from the image forming apparatus without being adjacent. It is also possible to form the management box 11 integrally with the image forming apparatus so that the printed matter to be discarded is fed to the management box 11 side while being transported along the transport path of the image forming apparatus.

1 is a configuration diagram of a system (first embodiment). FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printed matter management system (Example 1). FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation at the time of print output (Example 1). 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation for deleting management information (Example 1).

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP (image forming device)
3 Management Unit 4 Printed Material 5 Information Storage Unit 11 Management Box (Management Unit)
13 Image sensor (information reading unit)

Claims (10)

An image forming apparatus comprising an information storage unit capable of printing input print data as a printed material from a printing unit and storing management information of the printed material printed;
A management unit capable of acquiring the management information of the printed matter from the information storage unit and deleting the corresponding management information from the information storage unit by confirming the printed matter corresponding to the information;
A printed matter management system comprising: The printed matter management system according to claim 1,
The image forming apparatus selectively stores the management information in the information storage unit according to the specificity determination of the printed matter.
A printed matter management system characterized by that. The printed matter management system according to claim 1 or 2,
The management information is printing information of printed matter and user information to be printed out. The printed matter management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The printed image management system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is capable of performing print output in accordance with the specificity determination of a printed material and the determination of information regarding a user who has been input or read. A printed matter management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The information storage unit includes the print data as the management information,
The printed matter management system, wherein the management unit performs the confirmation based on the print data. A printed matter management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The image forming apparatus can add an identifier to a printed material and store the identifier as management information in the information storage unit.
The printed matter management system, wherein the management unit performs the confirmation based on the identifier. The printed matter management system according to claim 6,
The printed material management system, wherein the image forming apparatus encrypts the identifier. The printed matter management system according to claim 6 or 7,
The identifier is printed matter identification data and user identification data for identifying the printed matter printed out.
A printed matter management system characterized by that. A printed matter management system according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The management unit includes an information reading unit that reads information about the printed matter, and performs the confirmation based on the read information and management information acquired from the information storage unit. The printed matter management system according to claim 9,
The printed matter management system, wherein the management unit includes a cutting function for cutting the printed matter after being read by the information reading unit.

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