JP2007243351A - Image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus capable of executing erasure processing of image data in order to surely protect confidential information while keeping the productivity. <P>SOLUTION: An image data erasure section applies erasure processing to image data stored in an HDD when at least either condition of a case of turning off a main power supply section by a user and a case of automatic turning-off of the main power supply section on the occurrence of abnormity. During the execution of erasure processing, other power supplies that those for an electric system required for the erase processing are turned off in order to prevent useless power consumption. When the erasure processing is finished, the power supply for the electric system required for the erasure processing is turned off and the image processing apparatus is completely stopped. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that temporarily stores image data and processes an image based on the stored image data.

  The image processing apparatus temporarily stores image data of a document read by a scanner and image data input via a network in a nonvolatile memory (for example, an HDD (hard disk drive)). Then, the image processing apparatus forms and outputs an image on a recording sheet based on the image data stored in the nonvolatile memory as image processing.

  The necessity of the image data stored in the non-volatile memory is lost when the image processing is completed. However, since the storage medium storing the image data is a non-volatile memory, even if the power supply to the image processing apparatus is completely cut off, and even if the non-volatile memory is removed from the image processing apparatus, The image data is not erased. Therefore, when the nonvolatile memory storing the image data related to the confidential information of the user is placed in a state where it is not managed by the user, the confidential information may be leaked. Therefore, the user needs to erase the image data from the nonvolatile memory in order to protect the confidential information.

  Here, there are the following processes for erasing image data stored in the nonvolatile memory. This is a process of physically destroying the nonvolatile memory, a process of applying a strong magnetic field to the nonvolatile memory to demagnetize, and an overwrite process of overwriting new electronic data on the image data.

  In an operating image processing apparatus, an overwrite process is used among the above processes. In the overwriting process, for example, meaningless electronic data such as “00” is overwritten on the image data whose necessity is lost, and as a result, the image data is erased. Further, the image data can be erased more reliably if the overwriting process is executed a plurality of times for one image data. This is because when the number of overwriting is low, particularly when the magnetic material scan analysis is performed in the HDD, information can be restored with a high probability, and the restoration probability decreases as the number of overwriting increases. In general, the NSA method is recommended, and this method writes random twice and "0" once. For more safety, there is a Gutmann method (overwriting 35 times).

  The image processing apparatus may be used by a plurality of users. In this case, a problem arises in terms of when and who performs the erasing process.

  In order to solve the problem, as a conventional technique, an apparatus provided with an overwrite setting unit is disclosed (see Patent Document 1). In this patent document 1, overwriting settings, overwriting timing, overwriting data, and the number of overwriting are set for each user, and image data erasure processing is performed based on the overwriting setting.

Another prior art mentions the timing of erasure processing (see Patent Document 2). In Patent Document 2, an image data erasing process is performed after an image based on image data is formed on a recording sheet and the recording sheet is output, or when the image processing apparatus is in a standby state.
JP-A-9-284572 JP 2004-288140 A

  However, in both cases of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the erasing process is performed when the user is using the image processing apparatus or when it is in a relatively short time, such as in a standby state. When the image data erasing process is being performed, the image processing apparatus cannot store the image data in the nonvolatile memory or read the image data from the nonvolatile memory. For this reason, the image processing apparatus cannot perform image processing when executing the erasing process, and the productivity for the standby time (the number of output sheets per unit time of the recording paper on which the image is formed based on the image data). Will be reduced. For this reason, when trying to maintain productivity, the user may miss the opportunity to perform image data erasure processing. Further, when the operation rate of the image processing apparatus is high and the standby state is not established, the erasure process is not performed on the image data. As a result, there is a possibility that confidential information is not sufficiently protected.

  In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain an image processing apparatus capable of erasing image data in order to reliably protect confidential information while maintaining productivity.

  The present invention is an image processing apparatus including a main power supply unit that supplies predetermined power corresponding to each rating to all electrical systems including an image processing unit that processes an image based on image data. And at least one of an image data storage means for temporarily storing the image data and an operation for turning off the main power supply unit or a case where the main power supply unit is automatically turned off when an abnormality occurs. An image data erasing unit for erasing the image data stored in the image data storage unit, and a power source for stopping the power supply by the main power unit after the erasing process by the image data erasing unit And a control means.

  According to the present invention, when an operation for turning off the main power supply unit included in the image processing apparatus is performed, or when at least one of the conditions for automatically turning off the main power supply unit when an abnormality occurs is satisfied, A data erasing unit performs an erasing process on the image data stored in the image data storage unit. The power supply control means stops the power supply from the main power supply unit to all the electrical systems including the image processing unit after the erasing process is completed. Therefore, the image data is erased after the image processing apparatus is no longer used.

  According to the present invention, the image data erasing unit may be one of the processes in which the storage area of the image data storage unit is in an initial reset state, or the overwrite data preset in the storage area is overwritten a predetermined number of times. It is characterized by being.

  The erasure process performed by the image data erasure unit on the image data storage unit may be any means for setting the storage area to the initial reset state or overwriting preset overwrite data in the storage area a predetermined number of times. Usually, it is preferable to execute the erasing process by overwriting predetermined overwrite data in the storage area a predetermined number of times.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the erasure process by the image data erasure unit is executed when the condition is established and the establishment of the condition continues for a predetermined time.

  When an operation for turning off the main power supply unit is performed, or when at least one of the conditions for automatically turning off the main power supply unit is established and the establishment of the condition continues for a predetermined time, the image data erasing unit An erasing process of the image data stored in the image data storage means is executed.

  According to the present invention, the image data erasing unit is configured to store the image data storage unit with respect to the image data storage unit, based on management information including a file name, a FAT (File Allocation Table) number, a data size, and the number of times of the erasing process. The image processing apparatus further includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the erasing process is necessary.

  After the establishment of the condition continues for a predetermined time, the determination means performs an erasure process on the image data storage means by the image data erasure means based on management information including the file name, FAT number, data size, and the number of erasure processes for the image data. Determine the necessity.

  Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, when the determination unit determines that the erasing process is necessary, information on the erasing process is notified.

  If the determination unit determines that the image data storage unit needs to be erased after the condition has been satisfied for a predetermined time, the image processing apparatus displays information related to the deletion process by the image data deletion unit. By notifying this information, the user can recognize the reason for the delay in power-off.

  Further, in the present invention, when the determination unit determines that the erasing process is necessary, the power supply control unit stops power supply to other than the electrical system necessary for the erasing process, and the erasing process The power supply to the electrical system required for the erasing process is stopped after the end of.

  When it is determined by the judging means that the erasing process is necessary, the power control means stops the power supply to other than the electrical system necessary for the erasing process before the image data erasing means performs the erasing process, and the erasing process is completed. The power supply to the electrical system necessary for the erasing process is stopped later. Thereby, useless power consumption can be reduced.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the erasing process by the image data erasing unit is being executed, when an operation for turning on the main power supply unit is performed, the erasing process is interrupted and the power supply is stopped. A predetermined power supply is resumed with respect to the electrical system that has been used.

  If an operation to turn on the main power supply unit is performed during execution of the erasing process by the image data erasing unit, the image data erasing unit interrupts the erasing process, and the power supply control unit stops supplying power to the electrical system. Restart the power supply. Therefore, the user can prioritize image processing over erasure processing.

  In the present invention, when the erasing process by the image data erasing unit is being executed, when new image data is input, the erasing process is interrupted, and the image is based on the new image data. The image processing is executed by a processing unit.

  If new image data is input during the execution of the erasing process by the image data erasing unit, the image data erasing unit interrupts the erasing process, and the image processing unit executes the image processing based on the new image data. Therefore, the user can prioritize image processing over erasure processing.

  Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the interrupted erasing process is resumed after the image processing based on the new image data by the image processing unit is completed.

  The erasing process interrupted by the input of new image data is resumed after the image processing based on the new image data by the image processing unit is completed. For this reason, the erase process can be performed on newly stored image data without extending the erase process interval more than necessary.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the execution of the erasing process by the image data erasing means prohibits the input of new image data.

  When the erasing process by the image data erasing unit is being executed, the input of new image data is prohibited, so that the erasing process is prioritized and the confidential information can be reliably protected.

  As described above, the present invention has an excellent effect that image data can be erased in order to reliably protect confidential information while maintaining productivity.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows an image processing system 10 according to the present embodiment.

  The image processing system 10 includes an image processing device 12 and an external device.

  The image processing apparatus 12 includes a scanner module 14, a printer module 16, a paper feed unit 18, an operation panel module 20, and an interface 22.

  The scanner module 14 is provided in the upper part of FIG. 1 in the image processing apparatus 12 and reads an image written on a document placed on a document table to obtain image data.

  The printer module 16 is supplied with recording paper 24 one by one from a paper supply unit 18 provided in the lower part of FIG. 1 in the image processing apparatus 12, and forms an image on the recording paper 24 based on the image data. The recording paper 24 is discharged from the image processing apparatus 12 after an image is formed.

  The operation panel module 20 is provided on the upper surface of FIG. The operation panel module 20 includes an operation unit 20A (see FIG. 4) that receives a request by an operation from the user, and a display unit 20B (see FIG. 4) that notifies the user of the control state of the image processing device 12.

  The interface 22 is connected to an external device via a LAN (Local Area Network) 26 or a telephone line 28.

  The external device includes a personal computer 30 connected to the LAN 26 and a facsimile machine 32 connected to the telephone line 28. Image data transmitted from the personal computer 30 and the facsimile apparatus 32 is input to the image processing apparatus 12 via the interface 22 via the LAN 26 and the telephone line 28, respectively.

  FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the electrical system constituting the image processing apparatus 12 and its control circuit (control module 100).

  The control module 100 includes a microcomputer 126 that controls the image processing apparatus 12.

  The microcomputer 126 includes a CPU 102, a ROM 104, and a RAM 106, and is connected via a bus 128 such as a control bus or a data bus.

  The CPU 102 reads commands and data related to the control of the image processing apparatus 12 from the ROM 104 and the RAM 106, and transmits a control signal to each control unit described later.

  The microcomputer 126 is connected to the HDD 108 via the bus 110.

  The HDD 108 includes an image data storage unit 112 and a management information storage unit 114. The image data storage unit 112 stores image data, and the management information storage unit 114 stores information related to the image data stored in the image data storage unit 112 (see Table 1, details will be described later).

  Further, the microcomputer 126 is connected to the interface control unit 116, the module control unit 118, and the power supply control unit 120, which is a power supply control unit, via the bus 110.

  The interface control unit 116 is connected to the interface 22 and converts image data received by the interface 22 so that the image processing apparatus 12 can process the image data.

  The module control unit 118 is connected to the scanner module 14, the printer module 16, and the operation panel module 20, and controls them based on signals from the CPU 102.

  The power supply control unit 120 is connected to the main power supply unit 122 and performs control related to power supply of the image processing apparatus 12.

  The main power supply unit 122 supplies power to each module based on a control signal from the power supply control unit 120. A power switch 124 is connected to the main power supply unit 122. The power switch 124 is a switch for starting the operation of the stopped image processing apparatus 12 and stopping the image processing apparatus 12 in the operating state.

  Here, input / output of image data will be described.

  Image data read by the scanner module 14 is stored in the image data storage unit 112 of the HDD 108 via the module control unit 118 and the bus 110. 1 is received by the interface 22 and processed by the interface control unit 116, and then stored in the image data storage unit 112 of the HDD 108 via the bus 110. The

  The image data stored in the image data storage unit 112 is transmitted to the printer module 16 via the bus 110 and the module control unit 118 based on control by the CPU 102. The printer module 16 forms an image on the recording paper 24 based on the transmitted image data.

  By the way, the image data used for image formation by the printer module 16 loses its purpose of use when the image formation on the recording paper 24 is completed. However, the image data remains in the image data storage unit 112. If it is left as it is, there is a possibility that the image data leaks and the confidential information cannot be protected.

  Therefore, it becomes necessary to delete the image data left in the image data storage unit 112 and lose the purpose of use, thereby protecting confidential information. On the other hand, the time spent for the erasing process leads to a delay in the normal image forming process.

  As the erasure process, an overwrite process that overwrites new data on image data is generally used. Further, it is possible to reduce the possibility of restoring the image data if the overwriting process is repeated a plurality of times.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram functionally showing details relating to the image data erasing process by the CPU 102 in order to eliminate the delay of the image forming process caused by the erasing process.

  The CPU 102 includes an image data erasing unit 150 that is an image data erasing unit. The image data erasure unit 150 includes an erasure process determination unit 152 and an erasure process execution unit 154.

  The erasure process determination unit 152 receives the first stop signal, the second stop signal, and the start signal from the power switch 124 via the main power supply unit 122 and the power supply control unit 120.

  Here, the condition for transmitting the first stop signal is a case where the main power supply unit 122 is turned off in order to stop the image processing apparatus 12 by a user operation. The case where the second stop signal is transmitted is a case where the main power supply unit 122 is automatically turned off when an abnormality occurs. The condition for transmitting the start signal is when the image processing apparatus 12 is activated by a user operation.

  Further, the erasure processing determination unit 152 receives an image data input signal transmitted by the interface control unit 116 on condition that new image data is input to the interface 22.

  Here, the erasure process determination unit 152 receives the signals before the start of the erasure process, but does not receive the signals after the erasure process is started.

  When the erasure processing determination unit 152 receives at least one of the first stop signal and the second stop signal when the image processing apparatus 12 in FIG. 1 is in an operating state, the erasure processing determination unit 152 stores in the management information storage unit 114 included in the HDD 108. Based on the stored management information, it is determined whether or not an erasure process is necessary.

  Here, the management information stored in the management information storage unit 114 is shown in Table 1.

  In the management information, the top FAT number, the number of FATs, and the number of remaining overwrite processes are stored for each image data that needs to be erased. The start FAT number indicates the start position of the physical arrangement of the image data stored in the image data storage unit 112. The FAT number indicates the size of the image data. The remaining number of overwriting processes is the remaining number of overwriting processes (N) performed on the image data, and decreases by one each time overwriting is performed on the image data. The number of overwriting processes can be set in advance by the user to be 1 or more.

  When image data having a remaining number of overwriting processes of 1 or more is recorded in the management information storage unit 114, the erasure processing determination unit 152 determines that erasure processing is necessary for the image data.

  Further, the erasure process determination unit 152 is connected to the erasure process execution unit 154.

  When the erasure process determination unit 152 determines that the erasure process is necessary, the erasure process determination unit 152 transmits a signal to the erasure process execution unit 154. Upon receiving the signal, the erasure processing execution unit 154 performs erasure processing by overwriting processing on the image data stored in the image data storage unit 112.

  When the erasure process determination unit 152 determines that the erasure process is necessary, the module control unit 118 displays a message on the display unit 20B of the operation panel module 20 as shown in FIG. This display notifies the user that the image processing apparatus 12 is executing the image data erasing process. The information to be notified includes the time required for the erasure process calculated based on the number of FATs recorded in the management information. The message is erased after a certain period of time for notifying the user who has turned off the power switch 124 and saving power.

  On the other hand, when the erasure process determination unit 152 determines that the erasure process is necessary, the power supply control unit 120 stops supplying power to the main power supply part 122 other than the electrical system necessary for the erasure process and A signal is sent to stop the power supply to the electrical system necessary for the erasing process.

  The main power supply unit 122 executes the following power supply stop control for the electrical system.

  (1) The power source of the scanner module 14, the printer module 16, the interface 22, and the interface control unit 116 shown in FIG.

  This is because the scanner module 14, the interface 22, and the interface control unit 116 are used for reading image data, and the printer module 16 is used for image processing.

  (2) The power supply of the operation panel module 20 and the module control unit 118 shown in FIG. 2 is turned off. The operation panel module 20 is turned off after a predetermined time when the message shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. For this reason, the operation panel module 20 is turned off after the display is completed. At the same time as the operation panel module 20 is powered off, the module control unit 118 becomes unnecessary because all the electrical systems to be controlled are powered off.

  (3) Assuming that the remaining electrical system is necessary for the erasing process, the power is turned on during the erasing process, and the power is turned off after the erasing process is completed.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart in the case where at least one of the first stop signal or the second stop signal is transmitted and the erasing process is performed in a state where the image processing apparatus 12 is in operation.

  In step 300, it is determined whether the first stop signal or the second stop signal is transmitted. If the signal is transmitted, the determination is affirmative and the process proceeds to step 302. On the other hand, if the signal is not transmitted, the routine process ends.

  In step 302, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the first stop signal or the second stop signal. This is because the user confirms that the image processing apparatus 12 is not used. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the determination is affirmative and the process proceeds to step 306. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has not elapsed, the determination is negative, and the routine proceeds to step 304.

  In step 304, it is determined whether or not a signal different from the first stop signal or the second stop signal, that is, a start signal or an image data input signal is generated. If a different signal is issued, the determination is affirmative and the routine ends without executing the erasure process. On the other hand, if a different signal is not issued, a negative determination is made and the routine proceeds to step 302 and waits until a predetermined time has elapsed.

  In step 306, it is necessary for the erasure processing determination unit 152 to erase the image data stored in the image data storage unit 112 of the HDD 108 based on the management information (see Table 1) stored in the management information storage unit 114. Determine the presence or absence. If it is determined that the erasing process is necessary, the determination is affirmative and the process proceeds to step 308. On the other hand, if it is determined that the erasing process is unnecessary, the determination is negative and the process proceeds to step 310.

  In step 310, since it is determined in step 306 that there is no need for erasure processing, all the electrical components are powered off by the main power supply unit 122, the image processing apparatus 12 is completely stopped, and this routine ends.

  In step 308, the power supply control unit 120 transmits a control signal to the main power supply unit 122, turns off the power supply other than the electrical system necessary for the erasing process, and the process proceeds to step 312.

  In step 312, the operation panel module 20 displays that the erasing process shown in FIG. 4 is being executed. The display disappears after a certain period of time.

  Next, in step 313, the number of overwrites (N) is read. In step 314, the erasure processing execution unit 154 performs erasure processing on the image data in the image data storage unit 112 of the HDD 108.

  Next, in step 315, each time overwriting is performed on one piece of image data, the remaining number of overwriting management information in the management information storage unit 114 is decreased by one.

  Next, in step 316, it is determined whether or not the number of remaining overwrites for all image data to be erased has become zero. If the number of remaining overwrites of all image data to be erased is 0, the determination is affirmative and the process proceeds to step 318. On the other hand, if the number of remaining overwrites of all image data to be erased is not 0, the determination is negative, and the process proceeds to step 314 to execute the remaining erase process.

  In step 318, since there is no image data to be erased, the management information in the management information storage unit 114 is cleared.

  Next, in step 320, the power supply of the electrical system necessary for the erasing process is turned off. As a result, the power of all the electrical components of the image processing apparatus 12 is turned off, and the image processing apparatus 12 is completely stopped.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, at least one condition is satisfied when the user turns off the main power supply unit 122 or when the main power supply unit 122 is automatically turned off when an abnormality occurs. The image data stored in the HDD 108 is erased by the image data erasure unit 150. During execution of the erasure process, the power is turned off except for the electrical system necessary for the erasure process in order to prevent unnecessary power consumption. When the erasing process is completed, the power supply for the electrical system necessary for the erasing process is also turned off, and the image processing apparatus 12 is completely stopped.
(Second Embodiment)
The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

  In the first embodiment, input of image data is not accepted during execution of the erasure process in order to prioritize the erasure process. However, when the HDD 108 has a large capacity, it may take time to delete the image data. Therefore, the second embodiment is characterized in that a user turns on a power switch in order to prioritize image processing over erasure processing.

  Since the configuration according to the second embodiment is the same as the configuration according to the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.

  However, the erasure process determination unit 152 receives a start signal from the power switch even after the erasure process is started. When the erasure process determination unit 152 receives the start signal, the erasure process determination unit 152 transmits an interruption signal to the erasure process execution unit 154 so as to interrupt the erasure process. When receiving the interruption signal, the erasing process execution unit 154 interrupts the erasing process.

  Next, referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a flowchart when the power switch 124 is turned on and a start signal is transmitted by the user when the erasing process is executed. In 2nd Embodiment, it respond | corresponds only when the 1st stop signal is transmitted. The case where the second stop signal is transmitted is a case where an abnormality has occurred, and therefore it is not appropriate to return the image processing apparatus 12 in that state.

  In FIG. 6, the same steps as those in the flowchart of FIG. 5 will be described only before and after the added steps, and other identical steps will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

  In step 400, it is determined whether or not a first stop signal has been transmitted. If the signal is transmitted, the determination is affirmative and the process proceeds to step 302. On the other hand, if the signal is not transmitted, the routine ends.

  If it is determined in step 316 whether or not the remaining number of overwriting has become 0 by executing the erasure process, if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 318. On the other hand, if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 402.

  In step 402, the erasure process determination unit 152 determines whether or not a start signal is transmitted. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 404. On the other hand, if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 314 and the remaining erasure process is executed.

  In step 404, since the start signal is transmitted, the erasing process being executed is interrupted.

  Next, in step 406, the management information in the management information storage unit 114 is updated in a state immediately before the erasure process is interrupted.

  Next, in step 408, power supplies other than the electrical system necessary for the erasing process are turned on. As a result, the image processing apparatus 12 is restored, and the erasing process ends.

  If the determination in step 316 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 318, the management information is cleared, and then the process proceeds to step 410.

  In step 410, the erasure process determination unit 152 determines whether or not a start signal has been transmitted. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 408. On the other hand, if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 320 where the image processing apparatus 12 is completely stopped by turning off the electrical system power necessary for the erasing process, and the erasing process is terminated.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, even during execution of the erasing process, the user can interrupt the erasing process and return the image processing apparatus 12 by turning on the power switch 124. As a result, the user can prioritize image processing over erasure processing.
(Third embodiment)
The third embodiment will be described below.

  In the third embodiment, the image processing apparatus 12 receives image data input from an external device and performs image processing based on the image data even during execution of the erasing process.

  Since the configuration according to the third embodiment is the same as the configuration according to the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.

  However, the erasure process determination unit 152 can accept an image data input signal from the interface control unit 116 even after the erasure process is started. When the erasure process determination unit 152 receives an image data input signal, the erasure process determination unit 152 transmits an interruption signal to the erasure process execution unit 154 so as to interrupt the erasure process. When receiving the interruption signal, the erasing process execution unit 154 interrupts the erasing process.

  Further, when the image formation on the recording paper 24 is completed based on the image data from the external device, the erasing process is started again.

  Further, in the power-off control for the electrical system by the main power supply unit 122, the interface 22 and the interface control unit 116 accept the input of image data from the external device even during the erasing process, so that the power is turned on during the erasing process. The power is turned off after the erasing process is completed.

  Next, referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a flowchart in the case where the interface 22 receives image data from the personal computer 30 or the facsimile apparatus 32 and an image data input signal is transmitted while executing the erasing process. This case is also applicable only when the first stop signal is issued as in the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 7, the same steps as those in the flowchart of FIG. 5 will be described only before and after the added steps, and other identical steps will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

  In step 500, it is determined whether or not a first stop signal has been transmitted. If the signal is transmitted, the determination is affirmative and the process proceeds to step 302. On the other hand, if the signal is not transmitted, the routine ends.

  If it is determined in step 316 whether or not the remaining number of overwriting has become 0 by executing the erasing process, the process proceeds to step 318. On the other hand, if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 502.

  In step 502, the erasure processing determination unit 152 determines whether an image data input signal has been transmitted. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 504. On the other hand, if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 314 and the remaining erasure process is executed.

  In step 504, the erasing process being executed is interrupted by the transmission of the image data input signal.

  Next, in step 506, the management information in the management information storage unit 114 is updated in a state immediately before the erasure process is interrupted.

  Next, in step 508, power supplies other than the electrical system necessary for the erasing process are turned on. As a result, the image processing apparatus 12 returns.

  Next, in step 510, image processing for forming an image on the recording paper 24 based on image data input from an external device is executed.

  Next, in step 512, it is determined whether or not the image processing based on the image data input from the external device has been completed. When the image processing is completed, the determination is affirmative and the process proceeds to step 514. On the other hand, if it is determined that the image processing has not ended, the determination is negative, and image processing is performed until all image processing ends.

  In step 514, the management information stored in the management information storage unit 114 is updated when the image data input from the external device is stored in the image data storage unit 112 of the HDD 108. Then, the process proceeds to step 308 again, and the erasure process is resumed.

  If the determination in step 316 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 318, the management information is cleared, and then the process proceeds to step 516.

  In step 516, the erasure process determination unit 152 determines whether an image data input signal has been transmitted. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 508. On the other hand, if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 320 where the image processing apparatus 12 is completely stopped by turning off the electrical system power necessary for the erasing process, and the erasing process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, even when the erasure process is being executed, image data input from an external device is accepted, the erasure process is interrupted, and the image processing apparatus 12 is returned to the image data. The image processing can be performed based on the above. Further, when the image processing is completed, the erasing process is executed again.

Further, when image data from an external device is received during the erasing process, only image data from an authorized user may be received without receiving image data from all users.
(First modification)
In combination with the first to third embodiments, a setting function can be selected to select whether or not to perform return control by turning on a power switch and return control by inputting image data from an external device during execution of an erasing process. Provide.
(Second modification)
In the first to third embodiments, a message to be displayed on the display unit 20B of the operation panel module 20 while executing the erasing process is continuously displayed until the erasing process is completed.

  This is for notifying the user that the image processing apparatus 12 is executing the erasing process other than the user whose power is turned off.

  In this case, the power-off timing of the operation panel module 20 and the module control unit 118 is after the end of the erasing process.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image processing system. It is a block diagram of the electrical system which comprises an image processing apparatus. It is a functional block diagram regarding an image data erasure unit. It is the schematic which showed the message displayed on an operation panel module during the deletion process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the erasure | elimination process when at least one of a 1st stop signal or a 2nd stop signal is transmitted. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the erasure | elimination process when a power switch is turned on by the user during execution of the erasure | elimination process based on 2nd Embodiment. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an erasing process when new image data is input to the image processing apparatus during execution of a concession process according to the third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

12 Image Processing Device 16 Printer Module (Image Processing Unit)
108 HDD (image data storage means)
120 Power control unit (power control means)
122 Main power supply unit 150 Image data erasing unit (image data erasing means)

Claims (10)

An image processing apparatus including a main power supply unit that supplies predetermined power corresponding to each rating to all electrical systems including an image processing unit that processes an image based on image data,
Image data storage means for temporarily storing the image data;
When the operation for turning off the main power supply unit is performed, or when at least one of the conditions for automatically turning off the main power supply unit when an abnormality occurs is stored in the image data storage means Image data erasing means for erasing the image data;
Power supply control means for stopping power supply by the main power supply unit after the erasing process by the image data erasing means;
An image processing apparatus.   The image data erasing unit is a process of either setting the storage area of the image data storage unit to an initial reset state or overwriting preset overwrite data in the storage area a predetermined number of times. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the erasure process is performed by the image data erasure unit when the condition is established and the establishment of the condition continues for a predetermined time.   Based on management information including a file name, a FAT (File Allocation Table) number, a data size, and the number of times of erasure processing for the image data, the image data erasure means determines whether the image data storage means needs the erasure processing. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines presence or absence.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the determining unit determines that the erasing process is necessary, information on the erasing process is notified.   When it is determined by the determination means that the erasing process is necessary, the power control means stops power supply to other than the electrical system necessary for the erasing process, and the erasing process is performed after the erasing process is completed. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein power supply to the electrical system necessary for the operation is stopped.   When an operation for turning on the main power supply unit is performed when the erasing process by the image data erasing unit is performed, the erasing process is interrupted, and the electric system that has stopped power supply is used. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein predetermined power supply is resumed.   When the erasing process by the image data erasing unit is executed, when new image data is input, the erasing process is interrupted, and the image processing unit performs the image processing based on the new image data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus executes.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the interrupted erasure process is resumed after the image processing based on the new image data by the image processing unit is completed.   8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein execution of the erasing process by the image data erasing unit prohibits input of new image data.

Images