JP2008060693A - Image processor and time information certification processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor and a time information certification processing program which perform timestamp processings (time information certification processing) per unit of documents that are put together, based on a prescribed condition. <P>SOLUTION: A multifunction machine 10 that is the image processor executes signature processing and timestamp processing on an electronic document, read from an original and electronizes and preserves the processed electronic document as an official document. The timestamp processing is started at an arbitrary timing and is executed per unit of documents put together, based on the prescribed condition. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a time information certification processing program.

  The e-Document Law (Electronic Document Law), which allows electronic storage of documents obligated to be stored by various laws and regulations, has been enforced, and it is no longer necessary to store documents using paper media. In addition to reducing the amount of space required for storing documents, the management costs can be reduced.

  When a document subject to e-document law is digitized and stored, the document is subjected to signature processing and time stamp processing to prove the creator, creation time, and non-falsification of the document. It is necessary to ensure authenticity.

The signature processing is a technique for proving that an electronic document creator or the document has not been tampered with by giving the electronic document an electronic signature. The time stamp process is a technique for proving that the document creation time and the document have not been tampered with by combining certain information (for example, a hash value generated from the document) and time information. Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for executing this time stamp process in an image processing apparatus.
JP 2005-123980 A

  To digitize and store a document subject to the e-document method, an application that scans an original using a scanner or a multifunction peripheral, transfers the read electronic document to a personal computer, etc., and then operates on the computer In many cases, the signature processing and the time stamp processing are performed using.

  When time stamp processing is performed using a public institution, costs are incurred each time a stamp is issued. For this reason, when time stamp processing is performed for each document when processing a large amount of documents, the cost becomes enormous.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus and a time information certification processing program that perform time stamp processing (time information certification processing) in units of documents that are grouped according to predetermined conditions.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a reading unit that reads a document, a storage unit that stores an electronic document read from the document by the reading unit, and a storage unit that stores the electronic document. Document classification means for classifying a plurality of electronic documents according to a predetermined condition, and time information certification processing means for executing time information certification processing for each electronic document classified by the document classification means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, when the time information proof processing by the time information proof processing means reaches a predetermined time, a predetermined number of electronic documents are stored in the storage means. It further includes activation processing means for activation at any time.

  The invention of claim 3 further comprises signature processing means for performing signature processing prior to time information certification processing by the time information certification processing means in the invention of claim 1.

  Further, the invention of claim 4 is the abnormality notification means for notifying an abnormality notification destination of an abnormality when an abnormality occurs in the time information certification processing by the time information certification processing means in the invention of claim 1. And an abnormality processing means for executing abnormality processing in response to the abnormality.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the invention, the abnormality notifying unit determines in advance a destination acquired from the attribute of the signature information attached to the corresponding electronic document in response to the occurrence of the abnormality. An abnormality is notified using either the fixed destination specified or the destination associated with the signature information attached to the electronic document as an abnormality notification destination.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 4, wherein the abnormality processing means deletes the corresponding electronic document and deletes the signature information attached to the corresponding electronic document in response to the occurrence of the abnormality. One of the following processes is executed: invalidation of signature information attached to the corresponding electronic document.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the document classification unit classifies the plurality of electronic documents stored in the storage unit based on the format of the electronic document.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the document classification unit classifies the plurality of electronic documents stored in the storage unit based on character information included in the electronic document.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program incorporated in an image processing apparatus having a reading unit, wherein a plurality of electronic documents read from a document by the reading unit stored in a storage unit are stored. Document classifying means for classifying according to a predetermined condition, and functioning as time information certification processing means for executing time information certification processing for each electronic document classified by the document classification means.

  According to the present invention, in the image processing apparatus, in order to perform time information certification processing on an electronic document read from a manuscript in document units organized according to predetermined conditions, a server device for performing time information certification processing is arranged. Since the time information certification process can be performed by the image processing apparatus alone without assembling the system, the cost can be reduced accordingly.

  In addition, when a public institution is used, a predetermined cost is incurred for each time information certification process, but according to the present invention, the time information certification process is performed in units of documents organized according to a predetermined condition. It is possible to reduce the cost burden for the time information certification process.

  In addition, when an abnormality occurs during the time information certification process, an abnormality can be notified to an arbitrary abnormality notification destination, so that the management burden on the user can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an image processing apparatus and a time information certification processing program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an image reading system configured by arranging an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, the case where the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied to the multifunction machine 10 will be described as an example.

  The image reading system includes a multifunction machine 10, a client terminal 30, a certificate authority 40, and a time stamp authority 50. The multifunction machine 10, the client terminal 30, the certificate authority 40, and a time stamp authority. 50 is communicably connected via an intranet 61 and the Internet 62.

  Here, the multifunction machine 10 has various functions such as copying, scanning, and faxing, and performs signature processing between the intranet 61 and the certificate authority 40 connected via the Internet 62. Time stamp processing is executed with the time stamp station 50 connected via the terminal 62.

  The multi-function device 10 has a function of reading a manuscript that is an object of the e-document method, executing signature processing and time stamp processing on the read electronic document, and digitizing and storing the document as an official document. At the time of this digitization, the multifunction machine 10 executes a time stamp process in units of documents that are grouped according to a predetermined arbitrary condition (predetermined condition). For example, documents having the same form are grouped based on a form (electronic document format) or the like, and signature processing and time stamp processing are executed in units of the grouped multiple documents.

  The client terminal 30 is a general-purpose personal computer or the like handled by the user. The client terminal 30 receives a notification of processing results (normal or abnormal) such as signature processing performed in the multifunction machine 10. For this reason, it is considered that the client terminal 30 as the notification destination is often arranged on the same intranet 61 as the multifunction machine 10, but may be arranged on the Internet 62.

  The certificate authority 40 is a public institution that issues certificates. The certificate authority 40 issues an electronic certificate for proving that the electronic document issuer is a trusted organization. That is, the certificate authority 40 guarantees the trust of the electronic document for which the certificate is issued by the certificate authority 40. The signature processing is performed in the certificate authority 40, and the electronic signature is given to the electronic document, thereby proving that the creator of the electronic document and the document have not been tampered with.

  The time stamp station 50 is a public organization that guarantees time information. The time stamp station 50 can verify the electronic document by issuing reliable time information to the electronic document. A time stamp process is performed in the time stamp station 50, and a time stamp is given to the electronic document, thereby proving that the document creation time and the document have not been tampered with.

  Next, a part of the functional configuration of the multifunction machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The multifunction machine 10 has, as its functional configuration, a reading unit 11, a reading control unit 12, an image formation control unit 13, an image forming unit 14, a job control unit 15, an instruction information recognition unit 16, and stored data. The processing unit 17, the storage unit 18, the image processing unit 19, the signature processing unit 20, the time stamp processing unit 21, the time stamp processing activation unit 22, and the network control unit 23 are configured.

  The reading unit 11 functions to read an electronic document from a document, and the reading control unit 12 functions to control the operation of the reading unit 11. The image forming unit 14 functions to form an image on a recording medium such as paper, and the image formation control unit 13 functions to control the operation of the image forming unit 14.

  The job control unit 15 performs a function of controlling and controlling job execution. In other words, the various processing functions constituting the multi-function device 10 operate according to instructions from the job control unit 15 when executing a job. Note that the job control unit 15 also controls input / output of data generated between the processing functions.

  The instruction form information recognition unit 16 has a function of recognizing instruction information read from the instruction form. In the instruction sheet, the document name, storage format, presence / absence of time stamp processing, and the like are entered. When this is read by the reading unit 14, the instruction sheet information recognizing unit 16 instructs the instruction information based on the read information. Recognize The instruction information recognized from this instruction sheet is stored in the storage unit 18 as operation setting information.

  The storage unit 18 has a function of storing various data such as an electronic document and operation setting information, and the storage data processing unit 17 has a function of storing data in the storage unit 18. The operation setting information stored in the storage unit 18 can be set from, for example, an operation panel (not shown), the client terminal 30 and the like in addition to the setting based on the above-described instruction sheet.

  The image processing unit 19 functions to perform image processing on the electronic document read by the reading unit 11. The image processing unit 19 includes a character recognition unit 19a that recognizes an image of an electronic document by converting it into character information.

  The signature processing unit 20 manages a signature process performed with the certificate authority 40 and performs a function of adding a signature to the electronic document. For the signature processing in the signature processing unit 20, for example, an electronic signature employing an authentication method using a public key is often used.

  The time stamp processing unit 21 manages time stamp processing performed with the time stamp authority 50 and performs a function of giving a time stamp to an electronic document. The time stamp processing in the time stamp processing unit 21 is basically performed on the electronic document to which the electronic signature is given in the signature processing unit 20. That is, time information or the like (time information, hash value, etc.) that is publicly certified is attached to the electronic document that has been subjected to the signature processing in the signature processing unit 20.

  The time stamp processing activation unit 22 has a function of instructing activation of time stamp processing. The time stamp process is started in response to the activation instruction from the time stamp process activation unit 22. Here, the issuing timing of the activation instruction from the time stamp processing activation unit 22 is performed based on the operation setting information stored in the storage unit 18. For example, when a predetermined time is reached, a predetermined number of times are stored in the storage unit 18. This is performed when the electronic document is stored.

  The network control unit 23 functions to control communication with various devices. Specifically, communication with the client terminal 30 connected via the intranet 61, the authentication station 40 and the time stamp station 50 connected via the intranet 61 and the Internet 62 is controlled. The above is the description of the various processing functions that make up the multifunction machine 10.

  Next, a part of the functional configuration of the time stamp processing unit 21 described in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The time stamp processing unit 21 includes an electronic document classification unit 71, a time stamp giving unit 72, an error notification unit 73, and an error processing unit 74 as its functional configuration.

  The electronic document classification unit 71 has a function of classifying electronic documents based on any predetermined condition. Time stamp processing is executed for each document classified by the electronic document classification unit 71. The electronic document classification in the electronic document classification unit 71 is performed based on, for example, a form of the electronic document, a predetermined character string included in the electronic document, or the like. When electronic documents are classified based on forms, for example, electronic documents can be classified according to the type of form. Further, when electronic documents are classified based on a predetermined character string, for example, only electronic documents that include a predetermined character string such as “receipt” can be classified.

  The time stamp giving unit 72 has a function of giving a time stamp to the electronic document. The time stamp is given to the electronic document by requesting the time stamp authority 50 to give the time stamp.

  The error notification unit 73 functions to notify an error to an arbitrary error notification destination when an error occurs during time stamp processing. The error notification destination by the error notification unit 23 is determined based on the operation setting information stored in the storage unit 18. Note that examples of the error notification method include e-mail notification, alarm ringing notification, notification by display on the display, and the like, but errors may be notified by other methods.

  The error processing unit 74 has a function of performing error processing when an error occurs during time stamp processing. The error processing unit 74 performs error processing based on the operation setting information stored in the storage unit 18. This completes the description of the various processing functions that make up the time stamp processing unit 21.

  Here, using FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, the operation when the document of the paper medium is digitized and stored as an official document in the multifunction machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

  First, the overall operation will be described with reference to FIG.

  The multifunction device 10 is on standby until there is an instruction to read a document or the time stamp processing is activated (NO in step S101 and NO in step S102). If the user issues a reading instruction from the operation panel (not shown) during the standby, a reading instruction is issued from the job control unit 15 of the multifunction machine 10 to the reading control unit 12, and the reading control unit 12 that receives the reading instruction reads the reading instruction. The unit 11 is operated to read the electronic document from the original (step S103).

  The image processing unit 19 converts the read electronic document into a format suitable for storage, and the storage data processing unit 17 stores the converted electronic document in a predetermined area of the storage unit 18. (After NO in step S104, step S106), when execution of signature processing is specified in the operation setting information of the multifunction machine 10 during accumulation in the storage unit 18 (YES in step S104), the signature processing After the signature processing by the unit 20 is executed (step S106), the electronic document is accumulated in the storage unit 18. Thereafter, the multifunction machine 10 returns to the process of step S101 again.

  When the time stamp processing is started by the time stamp processing starting unit 22 during standby in steps S101 and S102 (NO in step S101, YES in step S102), the time stamp processing by the time stamp processing unit 21 is performed. Is started.

  In this time stamp process, first, the electronic document classification unit 71 classifies the electronic documents stored in the storage unit 18 according to any predetermined condition (step S107). That is, the electronic document is classified based on a form, a predetermined character string, or the like.

  After this classification, the time stamp assigning unit 72 assigns a time stamp to the classified document unit (step S108). As described above, the time stamp is given by the time stamp giving unit 72 by requesting the time stamp station 50 to give a time stamp.

  As a result, when the time stamp process is normally completed (YES in step S109), the multi-function device 10 returns to the process of step S101 again, but when an error occurs in the time stamp process (step S109). NO), it is determined whether or not to execute reprocessing. This determination is based on the cause of the error. If there is room for recovery from the error, it is determined that reprocessing will be performed, but if there is no room for recovery from the error, reprocessing will not be performed. To be judged. Here, errors that have no room for recovery include, for example, an abnormality that occurs outside the multi-function device 10 such as a disconnection of communication with the time stamp station 50, an abnormality that occurs inside the multi-function device 10, and the like. Also, for example, if the time stamp process is not executed even after a certain time has passed since the signature process, it may not be accepted as an official document even if a time stamp is attached thereafter. However, there is no room for error recovery, and no reprocessing is performed.

  If it is determined in step S110 that reprocessing is to be performed (YES in step S110), the time stamp processing in step S108 is performed again, but it is determined that no reprocessing is performed. If the error is not detected (NO in step S110), error notification by the error notification unit 73 (step S111), error processing by the error processing unit 74 is executed (step S112), and the multifunction machine 10 again performs the process of step S101. Return.

  Next, details of the error notification process in step S110 of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When this process is started, the error notification unit 73 first checks the error notification destination with reference to the operation setting information stored in the storage unit 18 (step S201). As a result, when the setting for acquiring the error notification destination from the signature information attribute has been made, the error notification unit 73 acquires the destination information included in the signature information attribute of the corresponding electronic document. (Step S202), the error notification is made with the destination as the error notification destination (Step S205).

  Further, as a result of the confirmation of the operation setting information, if the setting is made such that a predetermined fixed destination is set as the error notification destination (for example, a supervisor), the error notification unit 73 displays the operation setting information. A fixed destination is acquired from the information, and an error notification is made using the destination as an error notification destination (step S205).

  Further, as a result of the confirmation of the operation setting information, if it is set that the destination related to the signature is an error notification destination, the error notification unit 73 acquires the signature information of the corresponding electronic document and A destination related to the signature information is acquired from a destination table registered in advance in the storage unit 18 (step S204), and an error is notified using the destination as an error notification destination (step S205). An alarm may be sounded together with the error notification. When the alarm is sounded simultaneously, the error notification effect is enhanced. Therefore, when the alarm is sounded together with the error notification particularly when processing an important electronic document, the multifunction device 10 is used. It is very useful for users who use.

  Next, details of the error processing in step S111 in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When this process is started, the error processing unit 74 first checks the error processing method with reference to the operation setting information stored in the storage unit 18 (step S301). As a result, when the setting for deleting the electronic document has been made, the error processing unit 74 deletes the corresponding electronic document from the storage unit 18.

  If the setting for deleting the signature is set as a result of the confirmation of the operation setting information, the error processing unit 74 deletes the signature attached to the corresponding electronic document from the storage unit 18 (step S303). ). In this case, the electronic document itself remains only by deleting the signature.

  If it is determined that the signature is revoked as a result of checking the operation setting information, the error processing unit 74 revokes the signature attached to the electronic document (step S304). In this case, since only the validity of the signature is invalidated, both the signature attached to the electronic document and the electronic document itself remain.

  Although the above is an example of typical embodiment of this invention, this invention is not limited to the Example shown to the said and drawing, It can implement suitably deform | transforming within the range which does not change the summary. .

  For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied to the multifunction machine 10 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is a scanner, The present invention may be applied to a copying machine or a fax machine.

  The processing described in the above embodiment may be configured to be executed by a time information certification processing program installed in a computer. This control program can be provided not only by communication means such as a network but also by storing it in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  The image processing apparatus and the time information certification processing program of the present invention can be applied to an image processing apparatus having a function of reading an electronic document from a manuscript and a time information certification processing program in general that causes a computer to execute this processing.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of an image reading system configured by arranging an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows a part of functional structure of the multifunctional machine 10 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows a part of functional structure of the time stamp process part 21 shown in FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the multifunction machine 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the error notification process in FIG.4 S110. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the error process in step S111 of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Multifunction device 11 Reading apparatus 12 Reading control apparatus 13 Image formation control part 14 Image formation part 15 Job control part 16 Instruction document information recognition part 17 Storage data processing part 18 Storage part 19 Image processing part 19a Character recognition part 20 Signature processing part 21 Time stamp processing unit 22 Time stamp processing activation unit 23 Network control unit 30 Client terminal 40 Authentication station 50 Time stamp station 61 Intranet 62 Internet 71 Electronic document classification unit 72 Time stamp giving unit 73 Error notification unit 74 Error processing unit

Claims (9)

Reading means for reading a document;
Storage means for storing an electronic document read from an original by the reading means;
Document classification means for classifying a plurality of electronic documents stored in the storage means according to a predetermined condition;
An image processing apparatus comprising: time information certification processing means for executing time information certification processing for each electronic document classified by the document classification means. The time information certification processing by the time information certification processing means further comprises an activation processing means for activating either the time when a predetermined time is reached or the time when a predetermined number of electronic documents are stored in the storage means. Item 6. The image processing apparatus according to Item 1. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising signature processing means for performing signature processing prior to time information certification processing by the time information certification processing means. An abnormality notification means for notifying an abnormality notification destination of an abnormality when an abnormality has occurred during the time information proof processing by the time information proof processing means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an abnormality processing unit that executes abnormality processing in response to the abnormality. The abnormality notification means includes
Corresponding to the occurrence of the abnormality, a destination acquired from the attribute of the signature information attached to the corresponding electronic document, a predetermined fixed destination, a destination related to the signature information attached to the corresponding electronic document, The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an abnormality is notified using any one of the abnormality notification destinations. The abnormality processing means is
In response to the occurrence of the abnormality, the corresponding electronic document is deleted, the signature information attached to the electronic document is deleted, or the signature information attached to the electronic document is invalidated. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4. The document classification means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of electronic documents stored in the storage unit are classified based on a format of the electronic document. The document classification means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of electronic documents stored in the storage unit are classified based on character information included in the electronic document. A computer incorporated in an image processing apparatus having a reading unit,
Document classification means for classifying a plurality of electronic documents read from a document by the reading unit stored in a storage unit according to a predetermined condition;
A time information authentication processing program for functioning as time information certification processing means for executing time information certification processing for each electronic document classified by the document classification means.

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