JP2008165711A - Display device, display method and display program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To specifically display data without leak of secrecy. <P>SOLUTION: A multi function peripheral MFP includes a display image generation part 205 for generating a display image in which characters in data are converted to a display form undecipherable by a person; a retrieval character string receiving part 203 for receiving a retrieval character string composed of at least one character; an extraction part 207 for extracting the retrieval character string from data; a retrieval character position addition part 211 for adding, when the retrieval character string is extracted from the data, a mark showing a presence of character string for retrieval in the position of the extracted retrieval character string of the display image; and a display control part 221 for displaying the display image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device, a display method, and a display program, and more particularly to a display device, a display method, and a display program that prevent secret leakage.

  In recent years, there is an image forming apparatus having a function of previewing data in order to confirm the contents of data to be printed before printing the data. However, when the data includes confidential information, if the data is previewed, the data displayed on the display may be peeped by others, and the confidentiality may be leaked. This is particularly a problem when data is previewed on an image forming apparatus installed in a public place such as a convenience store.

On the other hand, a technique for displaying data in a form that cannot be recognized by a person is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-31284 (Patent Document 1) or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-127857 (Patent Document 2). Yes. However, in the conventional technology, in order to confirm the content of the data, a part or all of the data is displayed in a display form that can be recognized by a person. Secrets are leaked when they are peeped.
JP 2000-312284 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-127857

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a display device, a display method, and a display program for displaying data in a manner that allows data to be specified without leaking confidential information. It is.

  The present invention has been made to achieve the above-described object, and according to one aspect of the present invention, the display device generates a display image in which characters in the data are converted into a display form that cannot be read by a person. Display image generating means, search character string accepting means for accepting a search character string composed of at least one character, extraction means for extracting a search character string from data, and when a search character string is extracted from data, Search character position adding means for adding a mark indicating the presence of the search character string to the position of the extracted search character string in the display image, and display means for displaying the display image.

  According to this aspect, when a display image in which characters in the data are converted into a display form that cannot be read by humans is generated and a search character string composed of at least one character is extracted from the data, the display image A mark indicating the presence of the search character string is added to the position of the search character string and displayed. Characters in the data are displayed as undecipherable characters, but since a mark indicating the presence of the search character string is added, the user must identify the data from the position of the search character string in the data Can do. Therefore, it is possible to provide a display device that displays data in such a manner that confidentiality is not leaked.

  Preferably, when the first search character string received by the search character string receiving means is extracted by the extraction means, the search character position adding means is the position of the extracted first search character string in the display image. A first adding means for adding a first mark indicating the presence of the first search character string and a second search character string received by the search character string accepting means when the extraction means extracts the display. Second adding means for indicating the presence of the second search character string at the position of the extracted second search character string in the image, and adding a second mark having a display form different from the first mark; including.

  Preferably, the data is a file name or a folder name.

  Preferably, the search character position adding means includes first history data generating means for storing first association data defining an association between the first search character string received by the search character string receiving means and the first mark. And second history data generating means for storing second association data defining association between the second search character string received by the search character string receiving means and the second mark, and the display means includes: First search character string display means for displaying the first search character string and the first mark in association with each other in accordance with the first association data, and the second search character string and the second in accordance with the second association data. First search character string display means for displaying the mark in association with each other.

  Preferably, the display image generation unit includes a character replacement unit that replaces the character with the replacement identification information, and the search character position adding unit identifies the character at the position of the search character string extracted from the display image. Search character replacement means for replacing with information is included.

  Preferably, the display image generation unit includes a mosaic processing unit that performs a mosaic process on the data.

  Preferably, the display image generation unit includes a character color conversion unit that makes the character the same as the background color.

  Preferably, the search character position adding means includes replacement means for replacing the character at the position of the search character string extracted from the display image with the search character identification information.

  Preferably, the search character identification information has a color different from the color included in the display image.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a display method includes a step of generating a display image obtained by converting characters in data into a display form that cannot be read by a person, and a search character string including at least one character. A step of accepting, a step of extracting a search character string from the data, and a search character string extracted from the data, a mark indicating the presence of the search character string is placed at the position of the extracted search character string in the display image. Adding, and displaying a display image.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a display method for displaying data in a identifiable manner without leaking confidential information.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, the display program generates a display image obtained by converting characters in the data into a display form that cannot be read by a person, and a search character string including at least one character. When the search character string is extracted from the data, the mark indicating the presence of the search character string at the position of the extracted search character string in the display image And a step of displaying an image for display are executed by a computer.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a display program that displays data in an identifiable manner without leaking confidential information.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the MFP. Referring to FIG. 1, an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) 100 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) 10, an image reading unit 20, a main display unit 114A, an image forming unit 30, a paper feeding unit 40, And a post-processing unit 50. The ADF 10 handles a plurality of documents placed on the document table 11 and conveys them one by one to the image reading unit 20 one by one. The image reading unit 20 optically reads image information such as photographs, characters, pictures, and the like from a document and acquires image data. The main display unit 114A is a display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic ELD (Electro Luminescence Display), and the sub display unit 114B displays an instruction menu for the user, information about acquired image data, and the like.

  When image data is input, the image forming unit 30 forms an image on a sheet based on the image data. The image forming unit 30 forms an image using toners of four colors, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. The paper feed unit 40 stores paper and supplies the stored paper to the image forming unit 30 one by one. The post-processing unit 50 discharges the paper on which the image is formed. The post-processing unit 50 has a plurality of paper discharge trays, and can sort and discharge the recording sheets. The post-processing unit 50 includes a punch hole processing unit and a staple processing unit, and can perform punch hole processing or staple processing on the discharged recording sheet. MFP 100 includes an operation panel 9 on the upper surface thereof.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP. Referring to FIG. 2, MFP 100 includes main circuit 101, facsimile unit 60, communication control unit 61, ADF 10, image reading unit 20, image forming unit 30, paper feeding unit 40, and post-processing unit. 50. The main circuit 101 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 111, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 112 used as a work area of the CPU 111, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 113 for storing programs executed by the CPU 111, and the like. A main display unit 114A, a sub display unit 114B, an operation unit 115, a hard disk drive (HDD) 116 as a mass storage device, and a data communication control unit 117. The CPU 111 is connected to the main display unit 114A, the sub display unit 114B, the operation unit 115, the HDD 116, and the data communication control unit 117, and controls the entire main circuit 101. CPU 111 is connected to facsimile unit 60, communication control unit 61, ADF 10, image reading unit 20, image forming unit 30, paper feed unit 40, and post-processing unit 50, and controls the entire MFP 100.

  The sub display unit 114B is a display such as an LCD or an organic ELD, and displays the same information as the main display unit 114A. The operation unit 115 includes a plurality of keys, and accepts input of various instructions, data such as characters and numbers by user operations corresponding to the keys. Operation unit 115 includes a touch panel provided on main display unit 114A and sub display unit 114B. The sub display unit 114B and the operation unit 115 constitute the operation panel 9.

  The HDD 116 has at least one area called a folder for storing data. One folder may further include at least one folder. For this reason, the HDD 116 can store data in a hierarchical structure. A folder name is given to the folder, and the folder in which the data is stored is specified by arranging the folders in which the data are stored in order from the first hierarchy. For example, when the folder A and the folder B are defined in the first hierarchy, and the folder A includes the folder C and the folder D in the second hierarchy, when the data is stored in the folder C, the data is “¥ Folder name of folder A \ folder name of folder C \ data name of data ". The data name is a name given to the data. For this reason, the data stored in the HDD 116 can be identified by a combination of the folder name and the data name.

  On the other hand, when the storage location of the data is not known, the user can search for data from the HDD 116 by relying on the folder name. First, the folder name of the folder defined in the first hierarchy is displayed on the main display portion 114A. Here, the folder name of folder A and the folder name of folder B are displayed on main display portion 114A and sub display portion 114B. If the user designates the position where the folder A is displayed on the touch panel of the main display unit 114A, the folder name of the folder C and the folder name of the folder D are displayed. Furthermore, if the folder name of the folder C is designated, the data names of the data stored therein are displayed on the main display portion 114A and the sub display portion 114B. In this way, the user can search for data depending on the folder name. This folder name is determined by the user and stored in the HDD 116 in association with the folder. For this reason, the folder name may include confidential information that should not be known to others.

  The data communication control unit 117 includes a LAN terminal 118 that is an interface for communication using a communication protocol such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) or FTP (File Transfer Protocol), and a serial communication interface terminal 119 for serial communication. . The data communication control unit 117 transmits / receives data to / from an external device connected to the LAN terminal 118 or the serial communication interface terminal 119 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 111.

  When a LAN cable for connecting to a network is connected to the LAN terminal 118, the data communication control unit 117 communicates with another MFP, scanner, printer, or computer connected via the LAN terminal 118. When the CPU 111 receives data from another MFP, scanner, printer, or computer connected via the LAN terminal 118, the CPU 111 stores the data in the HDD 116. When a device is connected to the serial communication interface terminal 119, the data communication control unit 117 communicates with a device connected to the serial communication interface terminal 119, for example, a digital camera, a digital video camera, or a portable information terminal. Input / output data. The serial communication interface terminal 119 can be connected to a memory card 119A incorporating a flash memory. Similar to HDD 116, memory card 119A stores data in a hierarchical structure.

  Further, the CPU 111 controls the data communication control unit 117 to read a program to be executed by the CPU 111 from the memory card 119A, and stores the read program in the RAM 112 and executes it. The recording medium for storing the program to be executed by the CPU 111 is not limited to the memory card 119A, but a flexible disk, a cassette tape, an optical disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) / MO (Magnetic Optical Disc / A medium such as a semiconductor memory such as an MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), an IC card, an optical card, a mask ROM, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electronically EPROM), or the like may be used. A program is downloaded from a computer connected to the HDD and stored in the HDD 116 Alternatively, a computer connected to the Internet may write an image data storage program into the HDD 116, and the program stored in the HDD 116 may be loaded into the RAM 112 and executed by the CPU 111. In addition to a program that can be directly executed by the CPU 111, a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like are included.

  The communication control unit 61 is a modem for connecting the CPU 111 to the PSTN 7. The MFP 100 is assigned a telephone number in the PSTN 7 in advance. When a call is made from the facsimile apparatus connected to the PSTN 7 to the telephone number assigned to the MFP 100, the communication control unit 61 detects the call. When the communication control unit 61 detects a call, the communication control unit 61 establishes a call and causes the facsimile unit 60 to communicate.

  The facsimile unit 60 is connected to the PSTN 7 and transmits facsimile data to the PSTN 7 or receives facsimile data from the PSTN 7. The facsimile unit 60 converts the received facsimile data into print data that can be printed by the image forming unit 30 and outputs the print data to the image forming unit 30. As a result, the image forming unit 30 prints the facsimile data received by the facsimile unit 60 on a recording sheet. Further, the facsimile unit 60 converts the data stored in the HDD 116 into facsimile data, and outputs it to a facsimile machine connected to the PSTN 7 or another MFP. As a result, the data stored in HDD 116 can be output to a facsimile machine or another MFP. As described above, the MFP 100 has a facsimile transmission / reception function.

  Further, the MFP 100 has a scanner function. The CPU 111 stores image data output by the image reading unit 20 by reading a document in a designated area of the HDD 116. MFP 100 also has a copy function. The CPU 111 outputs image data output by the image reading unit 20 by reading a document to the image forming unit 30. Accordingly, the image forming unit 30 forms an image on a recording sheet such as paper based on the image data input from the image reading unit 20.

  When data is input to the MFP 100, (1) when the image reading unit 20 reads a document and outputs image data, (2) when data is received from another computer connected to the network via the LAN terminal 118. When received, (3) when receiving data from a device connected to the serial interface terminal or the memory card 119A, (4) the facsimile unit 60 may receive facsimile data. Here, the data includes image data, text data, application data, folder names, and data names. Application data is data generated by an application program executed on a PC, for example, a character editing program, and the like, and is data that MFP 100 can recognize.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of an outline of CPU functions together with information stored in the HDD. Referring to FIG. 3, CPU 111 receives data as data receiving unit 201 for receiving data, search character string receiving unit 203 for receiving a search character string (hereinafter referred to as “search character string”), and data. A display image generation unit 205 for generating an image (hereinafter referred to as “display image”) to be displayed on the display unit 114A and the sub display unit 114B, and an extraction unit 207 for extracting a search character string from the data. The search character position adding unit 211 for adding a mark to the position of the search character string of the display image, and the display control unit 221 for displaying the marked display image on the main display unit 114A and the sub display unit 114B. A layout display instruction unit 219 that receives a layout display instruction and causes the display control unit 221 to display a layout.

  The data receiving unit 201 receives data from the HDD 116 or the memory card 119A according to a user instruction. The data reception unit 201 displays the data designation screen on the main display unit 114A and the sub display unit 114B, and when the user indicates the position of the data name displayed on the data designation screen, the data reception unit 201 displays the data designation screen on the main display unit 114A and the sub display unit 114B. A position designated by each touch panel is detected, and a specified data name is specified from the detected position. Then, the data having the specified data name is read from the HDD 116 or the memory card 119A, and the read data is received. When two or more data names are specified, the data receiving unit 201 reads all the data corresponding to each of the specified data names from the HDD 116 or the memory card 119A, and receives all of the read data. .

  Further, the data reception unit 201 displays the folder designation screen on the main display unit 114A and the sub display unit 114B, and when the user indicates the position of the folder name displayed on the folder designation screen, the main display unit 114A and the sub display unit The position designated by the touch panel provided in each of 114B is detected, and the folder name is specified from the detected position. Then, the folder name of the folder included in the folder with the specified folder name or the data name of the data stored in the folder is read from the HDD 116 or the memory card 119A, and the read folder name or data name is received.

  4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an example of the data designation screen. Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the data designation screen is a data display area for designating data names of data stored in a certain folder and folder names of folders included in the folder. And a command specification area for specifying a command. In the data display area, “Document 1”, “Document 2”, and “Document 3” are represented as data names, a button for designating them, and “Folder 1” as a folder name are designated and designated. Includes a button for. The data designation screen shown in FIG. 4A shows a state in which the data name “document 1” is designated, and the data designation screen shown in FIG. 4B shows the data names “document 1” and “document”. “2” indicates a designated state. The command specification area includes a button with characters “Open Data” for instructing data display, a button with characters “Print” for instructing image formation, and characters Includes a button representing characters of “character replacement” for instructing display in an undecipherable form. Here, a state in which a button in which the characters “open data” are represented and a button in which characters “character replacement” are represented is indicated.

  In the data designation screen shown in FIG. 4A, the data name “document 1” is designated, and a button with the characters “open data” is designated, so the data of the data name “document 1” is stored in the HDD 116. And is received by the data receiving unit 201. In the data designation screen shown in FIG. 4B, the data names “document 1” and “document 2” are designated, and a button with the characters “open data” is designated. ”And data with the data name“ document 2 ”are read from the HDD 116, and the two data are received by the data receiving unit 201.

  FIG. 4C illustrates an example of a folder designation screen. Referring to FIG. 4C, the folder designation screen designates a data display area for designating a data name of data stored in a certain folder, a folder name of a folder included in the folder, and a command. And a command specification area. The data display area represents “flash memory” as the driver name of the memory card 119A, and includes a button for designating it. Here, a state in which “flash memory” is designated is shown. The command specification area includes a button with characters “Open Data” for instructing data display, a button with characters “Print” for instructing image formation, and characters Includes a button representing characters of “character replacement” for instructing display in an undecipherable form. Here, a state in which a button in which the characters “open data” are represented and a button in which characters “character replacement” are represented is indicated. In the folder designation screen shown in FIG. 4C, the driver name “flash memory” is designated, and a button with the characters “open data” is designated, so the first layer of the driver name “flash memory” Are read from the memory card 119A and received by the data receiving unit 201.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the data reception unit 201 includes a character recognition unit 202. When the data received by the data receiving unit 201 is image data, the character recognizing unit 202 recognizes the image data and converts the character image into text data. The data reception unit 201 outputs the received data to the display image generation unit 205 and the extraction unit 207. In the case of image data, the data recognition unit displays data obtained by converting the character portion of the image data into text data. This is output to the image generation unit 205 and the extraction unit 207.

  The display image generation unit 205 generates a display image obtained by converting characters in the data into a display form that cannot be read by a person. Specifically, (1) a display image is generated based on data obtained by converting characters into a predetermined symbol, for example, “*”, and (2) display image characters generated based on the data. (3) A display image in which the character color is converted into the background color is generated.

  The display image generation unit 205 outputs the generated display image to the display control unit 221. When the display image is input from the search character position adding unit 211, the display control unit 221 displays the display image on the main display unit 114A and the sub display unit 114B.

  FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, and FIG. 5C are diagrams illustrating an example of a display image display screen for displaying a display image before search. FIG. 5A shows a display image display screen that is displayed after the “Open document” button is instructed after the data designation screen of FIG. 4A is displayed. FIG. 5B shows a display image display screen that is displayed after the “open document” button is instructed after the data designation screen of FIG. 4B is displayed. FIG. The display image display screen is displayed after the “Open document” button is instructed after the folder designation screen of C) is displayed.

  Referring to FIG. 5A, the display image display screen includes a display image in which data characters of data name “document 1” are replaced with symbol “*”. The display image display screen includes an area for inputting a search character string below the area for displaying the display image. Although the data with the data name “document 1” is displayed, since the character is replaced with the symbol “*”, the content of the data of the document 1 cannot be decoded. Therefore, even if another person sees this display image display screen, confidentiality does not leak. However, the arrangement of characters is understandable.

  Referring to FIG. 5B, the display image display screen includes a display image in which data characters of data name “document 1” are replaced with symbol “*”, and data name “ It includes a display image in which the character of the data of “Document 2” is replaced with the symbol “*”, and further includes an area for inputting a search character string below the display image. Data of the data name “Document 1” and data of the data name “Document 2” are displayed, but since the characters are replaced by the symbol “*”, the contents of the data of the document 1 and the data of the document 2 are displayed. It cannot be deciphered. Therefore, even if another person sees this display image display screen, confidentiality does not leak. However, the arrangement of characters is understandable.

  Referring to FIG. 5C, the display image display screen includes a display image in which characters of four folder names are replaced with a symbol “*”, and a search character string is input at the bottom of the screen. Includes area. You can see that there are four folders or data, but their names are unknown. Therefore, even if another person sees this display image display screen, confidentiality does not leak.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the display image generation unit 205 includes a number extraction unit 209. The number extraction unit 209 extracts page numbers and chapter numbers in the data. If the data is data in which the page number and chapter number are distinguished from other characters, the page number and chapter number are extracted and set as specific characters. If the data is not data in which the page number and chapter number are distinguished from other characters, numbers are extracted from the data and set as specific characters. The display image generation unit 205 generates a display image obtained by converting a character other than the specific character extracted by the number extraction unit 209 into a display form that cannot be read by a person. For example, since the page number and chapter number included in the data are not confidential information, even if they are displayed on the main display portion 114A and the sub display portion 114B and viewed by others, the confidentiality does not leak. In addition, a user who has viewed a display image to be displayed on the main display unit 114A and the sub display unit 114B can recognize how many pages the data is based on numbers such as page numbers or chapter numbers. The position of the chapter in the page can be recognized, and reference information for specifying data can be provided to the user. The display image generated by the display image generation unit 205 is output to the search character position adding unit 211.

  The search character string receiving unit 203 receives a search character string that the user inputs to the operation unit 115. The search character string consists of at least one character. The search character string reception unit 203 outputs the received search character string to the extraction unit 207.

  The extraction unit 207 receives data from the data reception unit 201 and receives a search character string from the search character string reception unit 203. The extraction unit 207 extracts a search character string from the data, and outputs the extracted search character string and position information indicating the position of the search character string in the data to the search character position adding unit 211. When extracting a plurality of search characters, the extraction unit 207 outputs a set of the search character string and position information indicating the position of the search character to the search character position adding unit 211. Since the search character string is composed of at least one character, the position information indicates the position in the data of at least one character of the search character string, and may indicate the position of one character selected from the search characters. Alternatively, the positions of all characters may be indicated.

  The search character position adding unit 211 outputs the display image input from the display image generating unit 205 to the display control unit 221. The search character position adding unit 211 adds a predetermined mark to the position specified by the position information of the display image every time position information is input from the extracting unit 207. Specifically, (1) the image at the position specified by the position information of the display image is replaced with predetermined identification information, for example, the image of the symbol “◯”, or (2) the position of the display image The color of the image at the position specified by the information is converted to a predetermined color. The search character position adding unit 211 outputs the display image with the mark added thereto to the display control unit 221.

  Although an example of replacing a part of the display image is shown here, the search character string extracted from the data output by the data receiving unit 201 is replaced with predetermined identification information, and the replaced data The display image generation unit 205 may generate a display image based on the above.

  When the position information of each of two or more types of search character strings is input from the extraction unit 207, the search character position adding unit 211 differs depending on the type of search character string in the position specified by the position information of the display image. Add a mark. Specifically, (1) the image at the position specified by the position information of the display image is replaced with different identification information for each of a plurality of types of search character strings. For example, the symbol “◯” is associated with the first search character string, and “Δ” is associated with the second search character string, and the image at the position specified by the position information of the first search character in the display image. Is replaced with the image of the symbol “◯”, and the image at the position specified by the position information of the second search character in the display image is replaced with the image of the symbol “Δ”. Alternatively, (2) the color of the image at the position specified by the position information of the display image is converted into a different color for each of a plurality of types of search character strings. For example, red is associated with the first search character string and blue is associated with the second search character string, and the color of the image at the position specified by the position information of the first search character in the display image is red. The color of the image at the position specified by the position information of the second search character of the display image is converted to blue. Each time the extraction unit 207 extracts a search character string, in other words, each time two or more types of search character strings are input from the extraction unit 207, the search character position adding unit 211 performs a mark corresponding to the search character string. The display image to which “” is added is output to the display control unit 221.

  The search character position adding unit 211 includes a history data generating unit 213. When the extraction unit 207 extracts a search character string from the data, the history data generation unit 213 generates history data that associates the extracted search character string with a corresponding mark, and stores the history data in the HDD 116. As a result, the history data 231 is stored in the HDD 116. Specifically, (1) history data in which a search character string is associated with predetermined identification information, for example, the symbol “◯”, is generated and stored in the HDD 116, or (2) a search character string is predetermined. History data in association with the specified color is generated and stored in the HDD 116.

  Further, when the extraction unit 207 extracts a plurality of search character strings from the data, the history data generation unit 213 generates a plurality of history data corresponding to each of the extracted plurality of search character strings, and stores it in the HDD 116. Specifically, (1) a plurality of pieces of history data in which a plurality of pieces of different identification information are associated with a plurality of search character strings are generated and stored in the HDD 116. For example, history data in which the first search character string is associated with the symbol “◯” and history data in which the second search character string is associated with the symbol “Δ” are stored in the HDD 116. Alternatively, (2) a plurality of pieces of history data in which a plurality of different colors are associated with a plurality of types of search character strings are generated and stored in the HDD 116. For example, history data in which the first search character string is associated with red and history data in which the second search character string is associated with blue are stored in the HDD 116.

  The display control unit 221 receives the display image from the search character position adding unit 211 and displays the display image on the main display unit 114A and the sub display unit 114B. First, the display control unit 221 displays the display image generated by the display image generation unit 205. At this stage, the display image display screen shown in FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, or FIG. 5C is displayed on the main display portion 114A and the sub display portion 114B. Thereafter, each time the search character string is received by the search character string receiving unit 203, the display control unit 221 adds a mark to the display image by the search character position adding unit 211. Each time a column is received, a display image with a mark added is displayed on the main display unit 114A and the sub display unit 114B.

  Specifically, the first search character string is input to the area for inputting the search character string below the display image display screen shown in FIG. 5 (A), FIG. 5 (B) or FIG. 5 (C). Then, the display image is marked, and a display image display screen for displaying the marked display image is displayed on the main display portion 114A and the sub display portion 114B.

  In this way, the display image displayed on the main display portion 114A and the sub display portion 114B is displayed in a form that cannot be read by a person, and therefore cannot be decoded even if another person sees it. Confidentiality does not leak. In addition, when the user inputs a search character string, the user can see the display image with a mark added at a position corresponding to the search character string. Even at this stage, the search character string is displayed in an undecipherable form, so that even if another person sees the display image, the confidentiality is not lost. On the other hand, the user who has input the search character string can specify data corresponding to the display image from the position of the search character string in the display image. Furthermore, after inputting a plurality of types of search character strings, a display image with a plurality of types of marks added to the positions corresponding to each of the plurality of types of search character strings is displayed. It becomes easy to specify the data displayed from the position in the display image of each column.

  Display control unit 221 further includes a search history display unit 223 and a layout display unit 225. When the user inputs an instruction to display the search character string input history to the operation unit 115, the search history display unit 223 reads the history data 231 in response to the input of the instruction, and displays the main display unit 114A and the sub display unit. 114B. The user can confirm the inputted plural kinds of search character strings by displaying the history data after inputting plural kinds of search character strings.

  A layout display instruction command is input from the layout display instruction unit 219 to the layout display unit 225. When the user presses a button for inputting a layout display instruction provided in advance on the operation unit 115, the layout display instruction unit 219 receives a layout display instruction corresponding to the button. In response to receiving a layout display instruction from the operation unit 115, the layout display instruction unit 219 outputs a layout display instruction command corresponding to the layout display instruction to the layout display unit 225. The layout display instruction is an instruction for displaying a position in the display image where processing is to be executed by the post-processing unit 50.

  When a layout display instruction is input, the layout display unit 225 superimposes and displays the position where processing is to be executed by the post-processing unit 50 on the display image. For example, by the punch hole processing executed by the post-processing unit 50, the position to be punched is superimposed and displayed on the display image. Alternatively, the position where the staple is scheduled to be driven is displayed superimposed on the display image by the staple processing executed by the post-processing unit 50. Thereby, the relationship between the image formed on the sheet by the image forming unit 30 based on the data and the position where the processing is executed by the post-processing unit 50, the stage before the image forming unit 30 forms the image based on the data. Can be confirmed. Furthermore, since the display image is displayed in a form that cannot be deciphered by a person, it cannot be deciphered even if another person sees it, so that confidentiality is not leaked.

  Hereinafter, description will be given according to specific examples of screens displayed on the main display unit 114A and the sub display unit 114B. FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are diagrams illustrating an example of a display image display screen after the first search character string is input. Here, an example is shown in which “estimate” is input as the first search character string in the area for inputting the search character string. FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, and FIG. 7C are diagrams illustrating an example of a display image display screen for displaying a display image after the first search. 7A, 7B, and 7C are displayed after the display image display screen shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C. The image display screen for a display is shown.

  Referring to FIG. 7A, an area in which the character of the first search character string “estimate” is replaced with the symbol “◯” in the data of the data name “document 1” and the search character string is input “***” is displayed on the screen. Referring to FIG. 7B, the character of the first search character string “estimate” in the data of the data name “document 1” is replaced with the symbol “◯” and displayed, and the data name “document 2” is displayed. In the data, the character of the first search character string “estimate” is replaced with the symbol “◯” and displayed, and “***” is displayed in the area for inputting the search character string.

  Since each of the display image display screens shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B does not display the first search character string “estimation”, even if another person sees the display image, confidentiality does not leak. . Further, the user who has input the first search character string can know the arrangement of the search character string in the data from the position of the symbol “◯” in the display image, and can specify the data.

  Referring to FIG. 7C, the search character string “estimate” is replaced with the symbol “O” in the four folder names or data names, and “**” is displayed in the area for inputting the search character string. * "Is displayed. In the display image display screen shown in FIG. 7C, the search character string “estimation” is not displayed, so that even if another person views the display image, confidentiality does not leak. Furthermore, the user who has input the search character string can specify the file name or data name including the search character string from the position of the symbol “◯” in the display image.

  If the data or folder name cannot be specified on the display image display screen shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C, the second search is performed using another search character string. By doing this, a more detailed search becomes possible. FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, and FIG. 8C are diagrams illustrating an example of a display image display screen after the second search character string is input. Here, an example is shown in which “Company A” is input as the second search character string in the area for inputting the search character string. FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, and FIG. 9C are diagrams showing an example of a display image display screen for displaying a display image after the second search. 9A, 9B, and 9C are displayed after the display image display screen shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C. The image display screen for a display is shown.

  Referring to FIG. 9A, the character of search character string “Company A” is replaced with the symbol “Δ” in the data of data name “document 1” and displayed in the area for inputting the search character string. ** "is displayed. Referring to FIG. 9B, the character of the search character string “Company A” is replaced with the symbol “Δ” in the data of the data name “Document 1”, but the data name “Document 2” is displayed. Even though the character of the search character string “Company A” is replaced with the symbol “Δ” in the data, the symbol “Δ” is not displayed. In addition, “**” is displayed in the area for inputting the search character string.

  Since the search character string “Company A” is not displayed on each of the display image display screens shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, confidentiality is not leaked even if another person views the display image. Furthermore, the user who has input the first search character string and the second search character string can specify data based on the presence or absence of the symbol “Δ” in the display image.

  Referring to FIG. 9C, the search character string “Company A” is replaced with the symbol “Δ” in the four folder names or data names, and “*” is displayed in the area for inputting the search character string. * "Is displayed. Since the search character string “Company A” is not displayed on the display image display screen shown in FIG. 9C, confidentiality does not leak even if another person views the display image. In addition, the user who has input the first search character string and the second search character string can specify the file name or data name including the search character strings from the positions of the symbols “◯” and “Δ” in the display image. Can be specified.

  The display image display screens shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, FIGS. 7A to 7C, FIGS. 8A to 8C, and FIGS. Has a button on which characters of “contrast table” are displayed. When a button on which the characters “comparison table” are displayed is designated, the search history display unit 223 displays a search history display screen for displaying history data on the main display unit 114A and the sub display unit 114B.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search history display screen. In the search history display screen shown in FIG. 10, after a first search character string “estimate” and a second search character string “Company A” are input, a button indicating a character “comparison table” is indicated. It shows an example that is displayed when it is done. Referring to FIG. 10, the search history display screen displays history data associating history symbol “◯” with first search character string “estimation”, symbol “Δ” and second search character string “Company A”. ”And history data associated with each other. For this reason, the user can confirm the symbol corresponding to the input search character string. In particular, when multiple types of search character strings are entered, the correspondence with the symbols may not be known. In such a case, the correspondence can be confirmed. Convenient.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of print operation processing. The print operation process is a process executed by the CPU 111 when the CPU 111 executes a print operation program stored in the ROM 113. Referring to FIG. 11, CPU 111 determines whether designation of data has been accepted (step S01). The CPU 111 detects whether or not the position of the data name displayed on the data designation screen is pressed by the touch panel while the data designation screen is displayed on the main display unit 114A and the sub display unit 114B. If it is detected that the button has been pressed, the designation of data of the data name displayed at that position is accepted. Further, the CPU 111 detects whether or not the position of the folder name displayed on the folder designation screen is pressed by the touch panel while the folder designation screen is displayed on the main display unit 114A and the sub display unit 114B. If it is detected that the button has been pressed, designation of the folder name displayed at that position is accepted. The designation of the folder name is reception of an instruction for displaying the data name of the data stored in the folder of the folder name or the folder name of the folder, and the data name or folder name is to be displayed. It is data.

  In the next step S02, data is read from HDD 116 or memory card 119A. When the designation of the data name displayed on the data designation screen is accepted, the data with the data name is read. When a plurality of data names are specified, all the data with the specified data names are read out. When the designation of the folder name displayed on the folder designation screen is accepted, the data name of the data stored in the folder having the designated folder name or the folder name of the folder is read as data.

  In step S03, it is determined whether the data read in step S02 is image data. If it is image data, the process proceeds to step S04, and if it is not image data, step S04 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S05. In step S04, the image data is recognized, and text data is generated by converting the character image into text. The text data is used to specify a character in the next display image generation process, and is used to extract a search character string in a search process (step S09) described later.

  In step S05, display image generation processing is executed. Although details of the display image generation process will be described later, this is a process for generating a display image for displaying the data read in step S02. This display image is an image obtained by converting characters into a form that cannot be recognized by a person. Then, the generated display image is displayed on the main display unit 114A and the sub display unit 114B (step S06). Here, the display image display screen shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C is displayed. Since the display image is converted into a form in which characters cannot be recognized by a person, even if the display image is viewed by another person, confidentiality is not leaked.

  In the next step S07, it is determined whether or not a search operation has been accepted. When the user inputs a search character string to the operation unit 115 in accordance with the display image display screens shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the search character string is received from the operation unit 115. If a search character string is accepted, it is determined that a search operation has been accepted, and the process proceeds to step S08; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S15.

  In step S08, 1 is set to the variable N. The variable N is a counter for counting the number of searches. In other words, the variable N is also a number for identifying the search character string. Then, in the next step S09, search processing is executed. Although details of the search process will be described later, this is a process of extracting the search character string received in step S07 from the data read in step S02.

  In step S10, it is determined whether a history display instruction has been accepted. The display image display screens shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, 7A to 7C, 8A to 8C, and 9A to 9C are mainly displayed. When the user presses a button with a “contrast table” character displayed on the lower side of the display image display screen while being displayed on the display unit 114A and the sub display unit 114B, a history display instruction is accepted. If a history display instruction is accepted, the process proceeds to step S11; otherwise, step S11 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S12. In step S11, history data 231 stored in HDD 116 is read, and a search history display screen including history data 231 is displayed on main display portion 114A and sub display portion 114B.

  In step S12, it is determined whether a search end instruction has been accepted. When the user presses a button provided in advance on the operation unit 115 to instruct the search end, the search end instruction is received from the operation unit 115. If a search end instruction is accepted, the process proceeds to step S14. If not, the process proceeds to step S13 in order to execute the next search process. In step S13, the variable N is set to a value increased by 1, and the process returns to step S09.

  In step S14, it is determined whether a layout display instruction has been accepted. When the user presses a button for inputting a layout display instruction provided in advance on the operation unit 115, the layout display instruction is accepted. If a layout display instruction is accepted, the process proceeds to step S15; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S18. In step S15, the position where the post-processing unit 50 is to execute the process is superimposed on the display image and displayed. Then, it is determined whether a correction instruction has been accepted (step S16). The correction instruction includes a change in post-processing conditions for executing processing in the post-processing unit 50, for example, a change in position where the processing is scheduled to be executed. If a correction instruction is accepted, the process proceeds to step S17; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S18. In step S17, the post-processing conditions are corrected, and the process returns to step S15. In step S15, when the post-processing unit 50 executes the process according to the post-processing condition after the change, the position where the process is to be executed by the post-processing unit 50 is displayed superimposed on the display image. For this reason, the relationship between the image formed on the sheet by the image forming unit 30 based on the data and the position where the processing is performed by the post-processing unit 50 is the stage before the image forming unit 30 forms the image based on the data. Can be confirmed by the user. Even in this case, since the display image is displayed, it cannot be decrypted even if another person sees it, and confidentiality is not leaked.

  In step S18, it is determined whether a print instruction has been accepted. The display image display screens shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, 7A to 7C, 8A to 8C, and 9A to 9C are mainly displayed. When the user presses a button displaying “print” provided on the lower side of the display image display screen while being displayed on display portion 114A and sub-display portion 114B, a print instruction is accepted. If a print instruction is accepted, the process proceeds to step S19; otherwise, the process returns to step S07. In step S19, the image forming unit 30 is controlled to form an image based on the data read in step S02 on a sheet.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of display image generation processing. The display image generation process is a process executed in step S05 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 12, CPU 111 determines whether or not number display is set (step S21). The number display setting is set in advance in the MFP 100 by the user of the MFP 100. If the number display is set, the process proceeds to step S22. If the number display is not set, the process proceeds to step S25. In step S25, all characters are set as process target characters, and the process proceeds to step S26.

  In step S22, the page number is extracted from the data, and in step S23, the chapter number is extracted from the data. If the data is data in which the page number and chapter number are distinguished from other characters, the page number and chapter number are extracted. If the data is not data in which the page number and chapter number are distinguished from other characters, numbers are extracted from the data and used as page numbers or chapter numbers. In the next step S24, characters other than the page number and chapter number extracted from the data are set as processing target characters, and the process proceeds to step S26.

  In step S26, the character set as the processing target character in step S24 or step S25 is replaced with replacement identification information. Specifically, the character to be processed is converted into a predetermined symbol, for example, “*”. Then, the data is converted into an image to generate a display image (step S27). Characters in the data are converted to a symbol “*”, and an image obtained by converting the character is used as an output image. Since the output image is an image in which the symbol “*” is arranged in the number of characters, a person cannot decipher the meaning and is an image showing the arrangement of characters. For this reason, even if the data includes confidential information, the confidential information cannot be known from the output image. In addition, when the number display is set, the page number and the chapter number are not converted to the symbol “*”, so the display image includes the page number and the chapter number. Therefore, the user can know the page number and the chapter number from the display image, so that it can be used as a reference for specifying the data.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of search processing. The search process is a process executed in step S09 in FIG. Referring to FIG. 13, CPU 111 determines whether a search character string has been accepted (step S31). When the user inputs a search character string to the operation unit 115, the search character string is received from the operation unit 115. If the search character string is accepted, the process proceeds to step S32. If not, the process returns to the print operation process. Then, the received search character string is set as a search target, and data is searched (step S32). As a result of the search, it is determined whether or not a search character string is extracted from the data (step S33). If it is extracted, the process proceeds to step S34, and if not, the process returns to the print operation process.

  In step S34, the image at the position of the search character string in the display image is replaced with an image of the Nth search character identification information, for example, an image of the symbol “◯”. N is the value of the variable N set in the print operation process shown in FIG. Then, history data associating the Nth search character string with the Nth search character identification information is generated and stored in the HDD 116 (step S35).

  In step S36, a display image obtained by replacing the image at the position of the search character string with the image of the Nth search character identification information is displayed on main display 114A and sub display 114B. For example, a case where a first search character string and a second search character string are input, the first search character identification information is “◯”, and the second search character identification information is “Δ” will be described. The display image is an image obtained by replacing the image at the position of the first search character string with the image of the symbol “◯” and replacing the image at the position of the second search character string with the image of the symbol “Δ”. Therefore, the user who has input the search character string can know the arrangement of the search character string in the data from the positions of the symbols “◯” and “Δ” in the display image, and can specify the data. .

  In step S34, the color of the image at the position specified by the position information of the display image may be converted to a predetermined Nth color. In this case, the Nth search character identification information is information for specifying a color. In step S36, the display image obtained by converting the image at the position of the search character string into the Nth color is displayed on the main display portion 114A and the sub display portion 114B. For example, a case will be described in which a first search character string and a second search character string are input, the first search character identification information is red, and the second search character identification information is blue. The display image is an image obtained by converting the image at the position of the first search character string into red and converting the image at the position of the second search character string into blue. Therefore, the user who has input the search character string can know the arrangement of the search character string in the data from the positions of the red image and the blue image in the display image, and can specify the data.

<First Modification of Display Image Generation Processing>
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of display image generation processing in the first modification. The difference from the display image generation process shown in FIG. 12 is that step S21A is added before step S21, step S26 is changed to step S26A, and step S27 is deleted. . Since other processes are the same, the description will not be repeated here. In step S21A, data is converted into an image. In step S26A, the image of the character set as the processing target character is subjected to mosaic processing in the image converted in step S21A. An image obtained by mosaicing the image of characters in the data is set as an output image. For this reason, the image for output cannot be decoded by a person and is an image showing the arrangement of characters. Even if the data includes confidential information, the confidential information cannot be known from the output image. Therefore, even if the output image is seen by others, confidentiality does not leak. Further, when number display is set, the page number and chapter number images are not subjected to mosaic processing, so the display image is an image in which the page number and chapter number can be decoded. Therefore, the user can know the page number and the chapter number from the display image, so that it can be used as a reference for specifying the data.

<Second Modification of Display Image Generation Processing>
In the display image generation processing in the second modification, the character color set as the processing target character in step S26A of the display image generation processing shown in FIG. 14 is made the same as the background color. An image obtained by converting the character color in the data into the background color is used as an output image. For this reason, the image for output cannot be decoded by a person and is an image showing the arrangement of characters. Even if the data includes confidential information, the confidential information cannot be known from the output image. Therefore, even if the output image is seen by others, confidentiality does not leak. Further, when the number display is set, the image of the page number and the chapter number is not converted in color, so the display image is an image in which the page number and the chapter number can be decoded. Therefore, the user can know the page number and the chapter number from the display image, so that it can be used as a reference for specifying the data.

  In the present embodiment, MFP 100 has been described as an example of a display device, but a computer having the functions shown in FIG. 3 may be used. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the invention can be understood as a display method or a display program for causing a computer to execute the processes shown in FIGS.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

<Appendix>
(1) When the first search character string received by the search character string reception unit is extracted by the extraction unit, the search character replacement unit extracts the first search character extracted from the display image. First search character replacement means for replacing the character at the position of the column with the first search character identification information;
When the second search character string received by the search character string receiving means is extracted by the extraction means, the first search is performed for the character at the position of the extracted second search character string in the display image. The display device according to claim 5, further comprising second search character replacement means for replacing with second search character identification information having a display form different from that of the character identification information.
(2) The search character replacement means stores first association data defining an association between the first search character string received by the search character string reception means and the first search character identification information. History data generating means;
Second history data generating means for storing second association data defining an association between the second search character string received by the search character string receiving means and the second search character string;
The display means includes first search character string display means for displaying the first search character string and the first search character string in association with each other according to the first associated data;
The display device according to (1), further comprising: a second search character string display unit that displays the second search character string and the second search character string in association with each other according to the second association data. .

1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an MFP. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an MFP. FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the outline | summary of a function of CPU with the information memorize | stored in HDD. (A) And (B) is a figure which shows an example of a data designation | designated screen, (C) is a figure which shows an example of a folder designation | designated screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the display image display screen for displaying the display image before a search. It is a figure which shows an example of the image display screen for a display after the 1st search character string input. It is a figure which shows an example of the display image display screen for displaying the display image after the 1st search. It is a figure which shows an example of the image display screen for a display after the 2nd search character string input. It is a figure which shows an example of the display image display screen for displaying the display image after the 2nd search. It is a figure which shows an example of a search history display screen. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of a print operation process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a display image generation process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a search process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the display image generation process in a 1st modification.

Explanation of symbols

  10 ADF, 20 image reading unit, 30 image forming unit, 40 paper feeding unit, 50 post-processing unit, 60 facsimile unit, 61 communication control unit, 100 MFP, 101 main circuit, 111 CPU, 112 RAM, 113 ROM, 114A main Display unit, 114B Sub display unit, 115 operation unit, 116 HDD, 117 data communication control unit, 118 LAN terminal, 119 serial communication interface terminal, 119A memory card, 201 data reception unit, 202 character recognition unit, 203 search character string reception , 205 display image generation unit, 207 extraction unit, 209 number extraction unit, 211 search character position addition unit, 213 history data generation unit, 219 layout display instruction unit, 221 display control unit, 223 search history display unit, 225 layout Display unit, 231 history data .

Claims (11)

Display image generating means for generating a display image in which characters in the data are converted into a display form that cannot be read by a person;
Search character string accepting means for accepting a search character string composed of at least one character;
Extracting means for extracting the search character string from the data;
When the search character string is extracted from the data, search character position adding means for adding a mark indicating the presence of the search character string to the position of the extracted search character string in the display image;
Display means for displaying the display image. When the first search character string received by the search character string receiving unit is extracted by the extraction unit, the search character position adding unit is configured to store the first search character string extracted from the display image. First adding means for adding a first mark indicating the presence of the first search character string to a position;
When the second search character string received by the search character string receiving means is extracted by the extraction means, the second search character string is placed at the position of the extracted second search character string in the display image. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second adding unit that indicates the presence of a character string and adds a second mark having a display form different from that of the first mark.   The display device according to claim 1, wherein the data is a file name or a folder name. The search character position adding means stores first history data generating means for storing first association data defining an association between the first search character string received by the search character string receiving means and the first mark. When,
Second history data generating means for storing second associated data defining an association between the second search character string received by the search character string receiving means and the second mark;
The display means is a first search character string display means for displaying the first search character string and the first mark in association with each other according to the first association data;
The display device according to claim 2, further comprising first search character string display means for displaying the second search character string and the second mark in association with each other according to the second association data. The display image generation means includes character replacement means for replacing characters with replacement identification information,
The display device according to claim 1, wherein the search character position adding means includes search character replacement means for replacing a character at a position of the extracted search character string in the display image with search character identification information.   The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display image generation unit includes a mosaic processing unit that performs a mosaic process on the data.   The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display image generation unit includes a character color conversion unit that makes a character the same as a background color.   The display device according to claim 6, wherein the search character position adding unit includes a replacement unit that replaces a character at a position of the extracted search character string of the display image with search character identification information.   The display device according to claim 8, wherein the search character identification information has a color different from a color included in the display image. Generating a display image in which characters in the data are converted into a display form that cannot be read by a person;
Accepting a search string consisting of at least one character;
Extracting the search string from the data;
When the search character string is extracted from the data, adding a mark indicating the presence of the search character string to the position of the extracted search character string in the display image;
Displaying the image for display. Generating a display image in which characters in the data are converted into a display form that cannot be read by a person;
Accepting a search string consisting of at least one character;
Extracting the search string from the data;
When the search character string is extracted from the data, adding a mark indicating the presence of the search character string to the position of the extracted search character string in the display image;
A display program for causing a computer to execute the step of displaying the display image.

Images