JP2008252584A - Document monitoring system, image forming apparatus, image reader, document monitoring device, information processor, image formation program, image reading program, document monitoring program, and printing control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a document monitoring system, an image forming apparatus, an image reader, a document monitoring device, an information processor, an image formation program, an image reading program, a document monitoring program and a print control program, by which presence of a document is managed. <P>SOLUTION: A print image generation part generates a print image, a paper ID generation part generates a paper ID, a paper ID addition part adds the paper ID to the print image, a paper ID transmitting part transmits the paper ID to the document monitoring device and an image formation part forms the print image on paper. A paper ID management part manages a paper ID list. A reading part generates image data, a paper ID extraction part extracts the paper ID from the image data, a paper ID list acquisition part acquires the paper ID list from the document monitoring device, a presence confirmation part compares the paper ID with all the paper IDs on the paper ID list to transmit presence information to the document monitoring device. A presence information management part stores the presence information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a document monitoring system, an image forming apparatus, an image reading apparatus, a document monitoring apparatus, an information processing apparatus, an image forming program, an image reading program, a document monitoring program, and a print control program.

As for a document printed or copied by an image forming apparatus such as a printer, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for limiting a browsing period of a confidential document. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for determining whether or not a confidential document can be taken out by RFID. (See Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2.)
JP 2005-190365 A JP 2006-198798 A

  The present invention relates to a document monitoring system, an image forming apparatus, an image reading apparatus, a document monitoring apparatus, an information processing apparatus, an image forming program, an image reading program, a document monitoring program, and a print control program for managing the presence of a document output on paper. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 includes an image forming apparatus, an image reading apparatus, and a document monitoring apparatus, and the image forming apparatus generates a print image in a format that can be formed on a print medium. Print image generating means for performing identification information generating means for generating identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which the print image generated by the print image generating means is formed, and identification generated by the identification information generating means Identification information adding means for adding information to the print image, image forming means for forming a print image with the identification information added by the identification information adding means on the print medium, and identification generated by the identification information generating means Identification information transmitting means for transmitting information to the document monitoring apparatus connected via communication means, and the image reading apparatus is a print medium on which a print image to which the identification information is added is formed Reading means for reading and generating image data, identification information extracting means for extracting the identification information from the image data generated by the reading means, and identification stored in the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means Identification information acquisition means for acquiring information, comparison means for comparing the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means with the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means, and the result of comparison by the comparison means as the document monitor A comparison result transmitting means for transmitting to the apparatus, wherein the document monitoring apparatus manages identification information transmitted from the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means, and the identification information. Identification information providing means for providing the identification information managed by the management means to the image reading apparatus connected via the communication means; and sending from the image reading apparatus. Characterized by comprising a comparison result management means for managing the results of the comparison that has been in association with the identification information managed by the identification information managing means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the image reading apparatus is configured such that the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction unit by the comparison unit matches the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit. When it is confirmed that the time is confirmed, it further comprises time addition means for adding the confirmed time to the comparison result.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, when the document monitoring apparatus has passed a predetermined period from the time added to the comparison result transmitted from the image reading apparatus, It further comprises warning notification means for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation of the presence of the print medium.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus, an image reading apparatus, and a document monitoring apparatus are provided, and the image forming apparatus generates a print image in a format that can be formed on a print medium. Identification information generating means for generating identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which the print image generated by the print image generating means is formed, and the identification information generated by the identification information generating means as the print image Identification information adding means to be added to the image, image forming means for forming the print image with the identification information added by the identification information adding means on the print medium, and communication means for transmitting the identification information generated by the identification information generating means. Identification information transmitting means for transmitting to the document monitoring device connected via the image monitoring device, wherein the image reading device reads a print medium on which a print image to which the identification information has been added is formed, and outputs image data. A document for connecting the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means and the identification information extraction means for extracting the identification information from the image data generated by the reading means, and the communication means. Identification information transmitting means for transmitting to the monitoring apparatus, wherein the document monitoring apparatus manages identification information transmitted from the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means, and the communication A comparison means for comparing the identification information transmitted from the image reading device connected via the means with the identification information managed by the identification information management means, and the comparison result by the comparison means is the identification information management. Comparison result management means for managing the identification information in association with the identification information managed by the means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the fourth aspect, the document monitoring apparatus is configured to identify the identification information transmitted from the image reading apparatus connected by the comparison means via the communication means and the identification information management. When it is confirmed that the identification information managed by the means matches, it further comprises time adding means for adding the confirmed time to the comparison result.

  Further, the invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 5, wherein the document monitoring device is configured such that the presence of the print medium is present when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result by the time adding means. It is further characterized by further comprising a warning notification means for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation.

  The invention of claim 7 includes an image forming apparatus, an image reading apparatus, and a document monitoring apparatus, and the image forming apparatus generates a print image in a format that can be formed on a print medium. Identification information generating means for generating identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which the print image generated by the print image generating means is formed, and the identification information generated by the identification information generating means as the print image Identification information adding means to be added to the image, image forming means for forming the print image with the identification information added by the identification information adding means on the print medium, and communication means for transmitting the identification information generated by the identification information generating means. Identification information transmitting means for transmitting to the document monitoring device connected via the image monitoring device, wherein the image reading device reads a print medium on which a print image to which the identification information has been added is formed, and outputs image data. Reading means for generating data, and image data transmission means for transmitting image data generated by the reading means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means, wherein the document monitoring apparatus includes the communication means The identification information management means for managing the identification information transmitted from the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means, and the identification information extracted from the image data transmitted from the image reading apparatus connected via the communication means Identification information extracting means, comparing means for comparing the identification information extracted by the identification information extracting means with identification information managed by the identification information managing means, and a result of comparison by the comparing means as the identification information management Comparison result management means for managing the identification information in association with the identification information managed by the means.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7, wherein the document monitoring device includes identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means by the comparison means and identification information managed by the identification information management means. When it is confirmed that the two coincide, time adding means for adding the confirmed time to the comparison result is further provided.

  Further, the invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 8, wherein the document monitoring device is configured to include the print medium when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result by the time adding means. It is further characterized by further comprising a warning notification means for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, an identification information supply apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image reading apparatus, and a document monitoring apparatus are provided, and the identification information supply apparatus is a print medium on which a print image is formed in the image forming apparatus. Identification information generating means for generating identification information for managing the presence of the identification information, and identification information supply means for supplying the identification information generated by the identification information generating means to the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means The image forming apparatus receives the identification information supplied from the identification information supply apparatus connected via the communication means and the print image generation means for generating a print image in a format that can be formed on the print medium. Identification information storage means for storing, identification information addition means for adding the identification information stored in the identification information storage means to the print image, and the identification information added by the identification information addition means Image forming means for forming the printed image on the print medium, and identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information stored in the identification information storage means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means. The image reading device reads the print medium on which the print image to which the identification information is added is formed to generate image data, and extracts the identification information from the image data generated by the reading unit. Identification information extracting means, identification information acquiring means for acquiring identification information stored in the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means, identification information extracted by the identification information extracting means, and the identification information acquiring means A comparison means for comparing the identification information acquired in step (b), and a comparison result transmission means for transmitting a comparison result by the comparison means to the document monitoring device. The apparatus connects the identification information management means for managing the identification information transmitted from the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means, and the identification information managed by the identification information management means via the communication means. Identification information providing means for providing to the image reading apparatus; comparison result managing means for managing the comparison result transmitted from the image reading apparatus in association with the identification information managed by the identification information managing means; It is characterized by comprising.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction unit by the comparison unit matches the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit. When it is confirmed that the time is confirmed, it further comprises time addition means for adding the confirmed time to the comparison result.

  In a twelfth aspect of the invention according to the eleventh aspect, when the document monitoring device has passed a predetermined period from the time added to the comparison result transmitted from the image reading device, It further comprises warning notification means for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation of the presence of the print medium.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, an identification information supply device, an image forming device, an image reading device, and a document monitoring device are provided, and the identification information supply device is a print medium on which a print image is formed in the image forming device. Identification information generating means for generating identification information for managing the presence of the identification information, and identification information supply means for supplying the identification information generated by the identification information generating means to the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means The image forming apparatus receives the identification information supplied from the identification information supply apparatus connected via the communication means and the print image generation means for generating a print image in a format that can be formed on the print medium. Identification information storage means for storing, identification information addition means for adding the identification information stored in the identification information storage means to the print image, and the identification information added by the identification information addition means Image forming means for forming the printed image on the print medium, and identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information stored in the identification information storage means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means. The image reading apparatus reads the print medium on which the print image with the identification information added is formed to generate image data, and extracts the identification information from the image data generated by the reading unit. An identification information extracting unit; and an identification information transmitting unit configured to transmit the identification information extracted by the identification information extracting unit to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication unit, wherein the document monitoring apparatus includes the communication unit ID information management means for managing identification information transmitted from the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means, and transmission from the image reading apparatus connected via the communication means A comparison unit that compares the identification information that has been received and the identification information that is managed by the identification information management unit, and a comparison result by the comparison unit is associated with the identification information that is managed by the identification information management unit It comprises comparison result management means for managing.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the invention, in the invention of the thirteenth aspect, the document monitoring apparatus is configured to identify the identification information transmitted from the image reading apparatus connected by the comparison means via the communication means and the identification information management. When it is confirmed that the identification information managed by the means matches, it further comprises time adding means for adding the confirmed time to the comparison result.

  The invention according to claim 15 is the invention according to claim 14, wherein the document monitoring apparatus is configured such that when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result by the time adding means, the presence of the print medium is present. It is further characterized by further comprising a warning notification means for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, an identification information supply device, an image forming device, an image reading device, and a document monitoring device are provided, and the identification information supply device is a print medium on which a print image is formed in the image forming device. Identification information generating means for generating identification information for managing the presence of the identification information, and identification information supply means for supplying the identification information generated by the identification information generating means to the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means The image forming apparatus receives the identification information supplied from the identification information supply apparatus connected via the communication means and the print image generation means for generating a print image in a format that can be formed on the print medium. Identification information storage means for storing, identification information addition means for adding the identification information stored in the identification information storage means to the print image, and the identification information added by the identification information addition means Image forming means for forming the printed image on the print medium, and identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information stored in the identification information storage means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means. The image reading apparatus reads the print medium on which the print image to which the identification information has been added is formed to generate image data, and the image data generated by the reading unit via the communication unit. An image data transmitting means for transmitting to the document monitoring apparatus to be connected, wherein the document monitoring apparatus manages identification information transmitted from the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means. Identification information extraction means for extracting the identification information from image data transmitted from the image reading device connected via the communication means, and the identification information extraction A comparison means for comparing the identification information extracted in the stage with the identification information managed by the identification information management means, and a comparison result by the comparison means is associated with the identification information managed by the identification information management means And comparison result management means for managing them.

  The invention according to claim 17 is the invention according to claim 16, wherein the document monitoring device includes identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means by the comparison means and identification information managed by the identification information management means. When it is confirmed that the two coincide, time adding means for adding the confirmed time to the comparison result is further provided.

  The invention according to claim 18 is the invention according to claim 17, wherein the document monitoring apparatus, when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result by the time adding means, It is further characterized by further comprising a warning notification means for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation.

  According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, an information processing apparatus, an image reading apparatus, and a document monitoring apparatus are provided, and the information processing apparatus includes print data generation means for generating print data in a format interpretable by the image forming apparatus. , Identification information generating means for generating identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which the print data generated by the print data generating means is printed, and the identification information generated by the identification information generating means in the print data The identification information adding means to be added, the print data transmitting means for sending the print data to which the identification information is added to the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means, and the identification information generated by the identification information generating means are communicated. Identification information transmitting means for transmitting to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the means, and the image reading apparatus is formed with a print image to which the identification information is added. Stored in the document monitoring device connected via the communication means, the reading means for reading the printing medium to generate image data, the identification information extracting means for extracting the identification information from the image data generated by the reading means, and the communication means The identification information acquisition means for acquiring the identification information, the comparison means for comparing the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means with the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means, and the comparison result by the comparison means. A comparison result transmitting means for transmitting to the document monitoring apparatus, wherein the document monitoring apparatus manages identification information transmitted from the information processing apparatus connected via the communication means; Identification information providing means for providing identification information managed by the identification information management means to the image reading apparatus connected via the communication means; and the image reading device Characterized by comprising a comparison result management means for managing in association with identification information of the result of the comparison that has been transmitted is managed by the identification information managing means from.

  According to a twentieth aspect of the invention, in the invention of the nineteenth aspect, the image reading device matches the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction unit by the comparison unit with the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit. When it is confirmed that the time is confirmed, it further comprises time addition means for adding the confirmed time to the comparison result.

  The invention of claim 21 is the invention of claim 20, wherein when the document monitoring device has passed a predetermined period from the time added to the comparison result transmitted from the image reading device, Warning notification means for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation of the presence of the print medium is further provided.

  According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, an information processing apparatus, an image reading apparatus, and a document monitoring apparatus are provided, and the information processing apparatus includes print data generation means for generating print data in a format interpretable by the image forming apparatus. , Identification information generating means for generating identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which the print data generated by the print data generating means is printed, and the identification information generated by the identification information generating means in the print data The identification information adding means to be added, the print data transmitting means for sending the print data to which the identification information is added to the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means, and the identification information generated by the identification information generating means are communicated. Identification information transmitting means for transmitting to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the means, and the image reading apparatus is formed with a print image to which the identification information is added. A reading unit that reads the print medium to generate image data; an identification information extraction unit that extracts the identification information from the image data generated by the reading unit; and the communication unit that receives the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction unit. Identification information transmitting means for transmitting to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication monitoring means, the document monitoring apparatus managing identification information transmitted from the information processing apparatus connected via the communication means Management means, comparison means for comparing the identification information transmitted from the image reading apparatus connected via the communication means and identification information managed by the identification information management means, and comparison by the comparison means It comprises comparison result management means for managing the result in association with the identification information managed by the identification information management means.

  According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the twenty-second aspect of the invention, the document monitoring apparatus includes the identification information transmitted from the image reading apparatus connected by the comparison unit via the communication unit and the identification information management. When it is confirmed that the identification information managed by the means matches, it further comprises time adding means for adding the confirmed time to the comparison result.

  According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the twenty-third aspect, the document monitoring apparatus is configured such that the presence of the print medium is detected when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result by the time adding means. And a warning notification means for notifying a warning for prompting confirmation.

  According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, an information processing apparatus, an image reading apparatus, and a document monitoring apparatus are provided, and the information processing apparatus includes print data generation means for generating print data in a format interpretable by the image forming apparatus. , Identification information generating means for generating identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which the print data generated by the print data generating means is printed, and the identification information generated by the identification information generating means in the print data The identification information adding means to be added, the print data transmitting means for sending the print data to which the identification information is added to the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means, and the identification information generated by the identification information generating means are communicated. Identification information transmitting means for transmitting to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the means, and the image reading apparatus is formed with a print image to which the identification information is added. Reading means for generating image data by reading a printing medium; and image data transmission means for transmitting the image data generated by the reading means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means, the document monitoring The apparatus includes: identification information management means for managing identification information transmitted from the information processing apparatus connected via the communication means; and image data transmitted from the image reading apparatus connected via the communication means. Identification information extraction means for extracting the identification information from the comparison information, comparison means for comparing the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means and the identification information managed by the identification information management means, and comparison by the comparison means It comprises comparison result management means for managing the result in association with the identification information managed by the identification information management means.

  According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the twenty-fifth aspect, the document monitoring apparatus matches the identification information managed by the identification information management means extracted by the identification information extraction means by the comparison means. If it is confirmed, the apparatus further comprises time adding means for adding the confirmed time to the comparison result.

  According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, in the twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, when the document monitoring device has passed a predetermined period from the time added to the comparison result by the time adding means, It is further characterized by further comprising a warning notification means for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation.

  According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, an identification information supply device, an information processing device, an image reading device, and a document monitoring device are provided, and the identification information supply device prints print data generated by the information processing device. Identification information generating means for generating identification information for managing the presence of a print medium, and identification information supply means for supplying the identification information generated by the identification information generating means to the information processing apparatus connected via the communication means The information processing apparatus includes: print data generation means for generating print data in a format interpretable by the image forming apparatus; and identification information supplied from an identification information supply apparatus connected via the communication means. Identification information storage means for storing the identification information, identification information addition means for adding the identification information stored in the identification information storage means to the print data, and print data to which the identification information is added. Print data transmission means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means, and identification for transmitting the identification information stored in the identification information storage means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means An information transmitting unit, wherein the image reading device reads a print medium on which a print image to which the identification information is added is formed, generates image data, and the image data generated by the reading unit. Identification information extraction means for extracting the identification information, identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information stored in the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means, and identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means And comparison means for comparing the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means, and comparison result transmission for transmitting the comparison result by the comparison means to the document monitoring apparatus And the document monitoring apparatus manages the identification information transmitted from the information processing apparatus connected via the communication means, and the identification information management means manages the identification information. Identification information providing means for providing identification information to the image reading apparatus connected via the communication means; identification information for managing the result of comparison transmitted from the image reading apparatus by the identification information managing means; It comprises comparison result management means for managing in association with each other.

  The invention according to claim 29 is the invention according to claim 28, wherein the image reading device matches the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means by the comparison means with the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means. When it is confirmed that the time is confirmed, it further comprises time addition means for adding the confirmed time to the comparison result.

  In a thirty-third aspect of the present invention, in the thirty-ninth aspect, when the document monitoring device has passed a predetermined period from the time added to the comparison result transmitted from the image reading device, It further comprises warning notification means for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation of the presence of the print medium.

  According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, an identification information supply device, an information processing device, an image reading device, and a document monitoring device are provided, and the identification information supply device prints print data generated by the information processing device. Identification information generating means for generating identification information for managing the presence of a print medium, and identification information supply means for supplying the identification information generated by the identification information generating means to the information processing apparatus connected via the communication means The information processing apparatus includes: print data generation means for generating print data in a format interpretable by the image forming apparatus; and identification information supplied from an identification information supply apparatus connected via the communication means. Identification information storage means for storing the identification information, identification information addition means for adding the identification information stored in the identification information storage means to the print data, and print data to which the identification information is added. Print data transmission means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means, and identification for transmitting the identification information stored in the identification information storage means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means An information transmission unit, wherein the image reading device reads a print medium on which a print image to which the identification information is added is formed, generates image data, and the image data generated by the reading unit. An identification information extracting means for extracting the identification information; and an identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information extracted by the identification information extracting means to the document monitoring device connected via the communication means. The apparatus connects the identification information management means for managing the identification information transmitted from the information processing apparatus connected via the communication means, via the communication means. Comparison means for comparing the identification information transmitted from the image reading device with the identification information managed by the identification information management means, and the result of comparison by the comparison means is managed by the identification information management means It comprises comparison result management means for managing in association with identification information.

  According to a thirty-second aspect of the invention, in the thirty-first aspect of the invention, the document monitoring apparatus is configured to detect the identification information transmitted from the image reading apparatus connected via the communication means by the comparison means and the identification information management. When it is confirmed that the identification information managed by the means matches, it further comprises time adding means for adding the confirmed time to the comparison result.

  Further, in the invention of claim 33, in the invention of claim 32, the document monitoring apparatus is configured such that the presence of the print medium is present when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result by the time adding means. It is further characterized by further comprising a warning notification means for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation.

  According to a thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention, an identification information supply device, an information processing device, an image reading device, and a document monitoring device are provided. Print data generated by the information processing device is printed on the identification information supply device. Identification information generating means for generating identification information for managing the presence of a print medium, and identification information supply means for supplying the identification information generated by the identification information generating means to the information processing apparatus connected via the communication means The information processing apparatus includes: print data generation means for generating print data in a format interpretable by the image forming apparatus; and identification information supplied from an identification information supply apparatus connected via the communication means. Identification information storage means for storing the identification information, identification information addition means for adding the identification information stored in the identification information storage means to the print data, and print data to which the identification information is added. Print data transmission means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means, and identification for transmitting the identification information stored in the identification information storage means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means An information transmitting unit, wherein the image reading device reads a print medium on which a print image to which the identification information is added is formed to generate image data; and the image data generated by the reading unit. Image data transmitting means for transmitting to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means, and the document monitoring apparatus receives the identification information transmitted from the information processing apparatus connected via the communication means. An identification information extraction unit that extracts the identification information from the image data transmitted from the image information transmitted from the image reading apparatus connected via the communication unit and the identification information management unit to be managed A means for comparing the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means with the identification information managed by the identification information management means, and the result of comparison by the comparison means is managed by the identification information management means. Comparison result management means for managing the identification information in association with the identification information.

  In the invention of claim 35, in the invention of claim 34, the document monitoring apparatus matches the identification information managed by the identification information management means extracted by the comparison information extraction means by the comparison means. If it is confirmed, the apparatus further comprises time adding means for adding the confirmed time to the comparison result.

  Further, in the invention of claim 36, in the invention of claim 35, the document monitoring apparatus is configured such that the presence of the print medium is present when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result by the time adding means. It is further characterized by further comprising a warning notification means for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation.

  According to a thirty-seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print image generation unit that generates a print image in a format that allows image formation, and a print medium on which the print image generated by the print image generation unit is formed. Identification information generating means for generating identification information, identification information adding means for adding the identification information generated by the identification information generating means to the print image, and an image for forming a print image with the identification information added on a print medium Forming means; and identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information generated by the identification information generating means to a document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means.

  According to a thirty-eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print image generating unit that generates a print image in a format capable of forming an image, and the presence of a print medium on which the print image generated by the print image generating unit is formed. Identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information from an identification information supply device connected via communication means, identification information addition means for adding identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means to the print image, and the identification information An image forming unit that forms the added print image on a print medium; and an identification information transmitting unit that transmits the identification information acquired by the identification information acquiring unit to a document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication unit. It is characterized by.

  According to a thirty-ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided reading means for reading a print medium on which a print image is formed to generate image data, and identification information for managing the presence of the print medium from the image data generated by the reading means. ID information extracting means for extracting ID information, ID information acquiring means for acquiring ID information stored in a document monitoring apparatus connected via communication means, ID information extracted by the ID information extracting means, and ID information acquisition Comparing means for comparing the identification information acquired by the means, and comparison result transmitting means for transmitting a result of comparison by the comparing means to the document monitoring apparatus.

  Further, in the invention of claim 40, in the invention of claim 39, when it is confirmed that the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means by the comparison means matches the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means And a time adding means for adding the confirmed time to the result of the comparison.

  According to a forty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided reading means for reading a print medium on which a print image is formed to generate image data, and identification information for managing the presence of the print medium from the image data generated by the reading means. Identification information extracting means for extracting the identification information, and identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information extracted by the identification information extracting means to the document monitoring apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 42 is a print medium on which a print image generated by the image forming apparatus transmitted from the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means is formed, or information connected via the communication means. The identification information management means for managing the identification information for managing the presence of the print medium on which the print data generated by the information processing apparatus transmitted from the processing apparatus is printed, and is managed by the identification information management means. Identification information providing means for providing identification information to an image reading apparatus connected via the communication means, identification information extracted from image data read by the image reading apparatus transmitted from the image reading apparatus, and the identification information A comparison result managing means for managing a result of comparison with the identification information provided by the providing means in association with the identification information managed by the identification information managing means. And butterflies.

  The invention of claim 43 is the confirmation of the presence of the print medium when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the result of the comparison transmitted from the image reading device in the invention of claim 42. And a warning notification means for notifying a warning for prompting the user.

  According to a 44th aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print medium on which a print image generated by the image forming apparatus transmitted from the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means is formed, or information connected via the communication means. An identification information management means for managing identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which print data generated by the information processing apparatus transmitted from the processing apparatus is printed, and image reading connected via the communication means Comparison means for comparing the identification information extracted from the image data read by the image reading apparatus transmitted from the apparatus with the identification information managed by the identification information management means, and the comparison result by the comparison means It comprises comparison result management means managed in association with the identification information managed by the identification information management means.

  According to a 45th aspect of the invention, in the 44th aspect of the invention, the comparison means manages the identification information transmitted from the image reading apparatus connected via the communication means and the identification information management means. When it is confirmed that the identification information matches, it further comprises time adding means for adding the confirmed time to the comparison result.

  According to a 46th aspect of the present invention, in the 45th aspect of the invention, when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result by the time adding means, confirmation of the presence of the print medium is urged. Warning notification means for notifying warning is further provided.

  According to a 47th aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print medium on which a print image generated by the image forming apparatus transmitted from the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means is formed, or information connected via the communication means. An identification information management means for managing identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which print data generated by the information processing apparatus transmitted from the processing apparatus is printed, and image reading connected via the communication means Identification information extracting means for extracting the identification information from image data read by the image reading apparatus transmitted from the apparatus, identification information extracted by the identification information extracting means, and identification managed by the identification information management means Comparison means for comparing with information, and comparison result management means for managing the comparison result by the comparison means in association with the identification information managed by the identification information management means Characterized by including the.

  According to a 48th aspect of the invention, in the 47th aspect of the invention, it is confirmed that the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means by the comparison means matches the identification information managed by the identification information management means. In this case, it further comprises time adding means for adding the confirmed time to the comparison result.

  According to a 49th aspect of the invention, in the 48th aspect of the invention, when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result by the time adding means, confirmation of the presence of the print medium is urged. Warning notification means for notifying warning is further provided.

  According to a fifty-fifth aspect of the present invention, print data generation means for generating print data in a format interpretable by the image forming apparatus and presence of a print medium on which the print data generated by the print data generation means is printed are managed. Identification information generating means for generating identification information for identification, identification information adding means for adding the identification information generated by the identification information generating means to the print data, and the print data with the identification information added via the communication means Printing data transmitting means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus to be connected, and identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information generated by the identification information generating means to the document monitoring apparatus to be connected via the communication means. Features.

  The invention according to claim 51 manages the presence of a print data generating unit that generates print data in a format interpretable by the image forming apparatus, and a print medium on which the print data generated by the print data generating unit is formed. Identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information for connection from an identification information supply device connected via a communication means, identification information addition means for adding identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means to the print data, and the identification Print data transmission means for transmitting print data to which information is added to the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means, and document monitoring for connecting the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means via the communication means And an identification information transmitting means for transmitting to the apparatus.

  The invention of claim 52 is for managing a print image generation process for generating a print image in a form capable of image formation and a print medium on which the print image generated by the print image generation process is formed. An identification information generating process for generating identification information, an identification information adding process for adding the identification information generated in the identification information generating process to the print image, and an image for forming a print image with the identification information added on a print medium The image forming apparatus is caused to execute a forming process and an identification information transmitting process for transmitting the identification information generated in the identification information generating process to a document monitoring apparatus connected via a communication unit.

  According to a 53rd aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print image generation process for generating a print image in a form capable of image formation, and the presence of a print medium on which the print image generated by the print image generation process is formed. Identification information acquisition processing for acquiring identification information from an identification information supply device connected via communication means, identification information addition processing for adding the identification information acquired in the identification information acquisition processing to the print image, and the identification information An image forming apparatus that forms an added print image on a print medium, and an identification information transmission process that transmits the identification information acquired in the identification information acquisition process to a document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication unit. It is made to perform.

  According to a 54th aspect of the present invention, there is provided a read process for reading a print medium on which a print image is formed to generate image data, and identification information for managing the presence of the print medium from the image data generated by the read process. Identification information extraction processing for extracting identification information, identification information acquisition processing for acquiring identification information stored in a document monitoring apparatus connected via communication means, identification information extracted by the identification information extraction processing, and acquisition of the identification information A comparison process for comparing the identification information acquired in the process and a comparison result transmission process for transmitting a comparison result by the comparison process to the document monitoring apparatus are executed by the image reading apparatus.

  Further, in the invention of claim 55, in the invention of claim 54, when it is confirmed that the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction process in the comparison process matches the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition process The image reading apparatus is caused to execute time addition processing for adding the confirmed time to the comparison result.

  According to a 56th aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reading process for reading a print medium on which a print image is formed to generate image data, and identification information for managing the presence of the print medium from the image data generated by the reading process. The image reading apparatus executes an identification information extraction process for extracting the identification information and an identification information transmission process for transmitting the identification information extracted in the identification information extraction process to the document monitoring apparatus.

  According to a 57th aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print medium on which a print image generated by the image forming apparatus transmitted from the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means is formed, or information connected via the communication means. The identification information management process for managing the identification information for managing the presence of the print medium on which the print data generated by the information processing apparatus transmitted from the processing apparatus is printed, and the identification information management process are used for management. Identification information providing processing for providing identification information to an image reading apparatus connected via the communication means, identification information extracted from image data read by the image reading apparatus transmitted from the image reading apparatus, and the identification information A comparison result management process for managing a result of comparison with the identification information provided in the provision process in association with the identification information managed in the identification information management process; Characterized in that to the row.

  According to a 58th aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the 57th aspect, when a predetermined period has elapsed from a time added to the comparison result transmitted from the image reading device, the presence of the print medium is confirmed. It is characterized by causing a computer to execute a warning notification process for notifying a warning for prompting.

  The invention according to claim 59 is a printing medium on which a print image generated by the image forming apparatus transmitted from the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means is formed, or information connected via the communication means. An identification information management process for managing identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which print data generated by the information processing apparatus transmitted from the processing apparatus is printed, and image reading connected via the communication means A comparison process for comparing the identification information extracted from the image data read by the image reading apparatus transmitted from the apparatus with the identification information managed in the identification information management process, and a comparison result by the comparison process A comparison result management process managed in association with the identification information managed in the identification information management process is executed by a computer.

  In the invention of claim 60, in the invention of claim 59, it is confirmed that the identification information extracted in the identification information extraction process by the comparison process matches the identification information managed in the identification information management process. In this case, the computer is caused to execute time addition processing for adding the confirmed time to the comparison result.

  According to a sixty-first aspect of the invention, in the sixty-sixth aspect, when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result by the time addition processing, confirmation of the presence of the print medium is urged. A warning notification process for notifying a warning is executed by a computer.

  The invention according to claim 62 provides a print medium on which a print image generated by the image forming apparatus transmitted from the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means is formed, or information connected via the communication means. An identification information management process for managing identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which print data generated by the information processing apparatus transmitted from the processing apparatus is printed, and image reading connected via the communication means Identification information extraction processing for extracting the identification information from image data read by the image reading device transmitted from the device, identification information extracted by the identification information extraction processing, and identification managed by the identification information management processing Comparison processing for comparing with information, and comparison result management processing for managing the comparison result by the comparison processing in association with the identification information managed in the identification information management processing And characterized by causing a computer to execute the.

  In the invention of claim 63, in the invention of claim 62, it is confirmed that the identification information extracted in the identification information extraction process by the comparison process matches the identification information managed in the identification information management process. In this case, the computer is caused to execute time addition processing for adding the confirmed time to the comparison result.

  According to a 64th aspect of the invention, in the 63rd aspect of the invention, when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result by the time addition process, confirmation of the presence of the print medium is urged. A warning notification process for notifying a warning is executed by a computer.

  According to a 65th aspect of the present invention, print data generation processing for generating print data in a format interpretable by the image forming apparatus, and presence of a print medium on which the print data generated by the print data generation processing is printed are managed. An identification information generation process for generating identification information for the identification information, an identification information addition process for adding the identification information generated in the identification information generation process to the print data, and the print data to which the identification information is added via communication means. Causing the computer to execute print data transmission processing to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus to be connected and identification information transmission processing to transmit the identification information generated in the identification information generation processing to the document monitoring apparatus to be connected via a communication unit. It is characterized by that.

  The invention of claim 66 manages the print data generation process for generating print data in a format interpretable by the image forming apparatus and the presence of the print medium on which the print data generated by the print data generation process is formed. Identification information acquisition processing for acquiring identification information for connection from an identification information supply device connected via a communication means, identification information addition processing for adding identification information acquired in the identification information acquisition processing to the print data, and the identification Print data transmission processing for transmitting print data to which information is added to the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means, and document monitoring for connecting the identification information acquired in the identification information acquisition processing via the communication means The computer is caused to execute identification information transmission processing to be transmitted to the apparatus.

  Claims 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 44, 47, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, The inventions described in 56, 57, 59, 62, 65, and 66 can manage the existence of a document.

  Further, the invention according to claim 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 35, 40, 45, 48, 55, 60, 63 has a document. It is possible to check the time.

  Further, the invention described in claims 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 43, 46, 49, 58, 61, 64 is the existence of the previous document. After the elapse of a predetermined period from the confirmation of the document, it is possible to prompt the user to confirm the existence of the document.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a document monitoring system, an image forming apparatus, an image reading apparatus, a document monitoring apparatus, an information processing apparatus, an image forming program, an image reading program, a document monitoring program, and a print control program according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. And will be described in detail.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the document monitoring system 101 according to the present embodiment includes at least one image processing apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, a document monitoring apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment, and at least one document storage apparatus 4. And at least one information processing apparatus 5 is connected via a network 6.

  The image processing apparatus 2 has at least one of an image forming function for forming a print image on a print medium (hereinafter referred to as paper) and an image reading function for acquiring image data by optically reading a document. For example, a printer, a copier, a scanner, etc. are mentioned. An apparatus having both functions may be used.

  When the image processing apparatus 2 (for example, an image forming apparatus) having an image forming function has an image reading function, a process for forming a print image generated from image data read by the image reading function on a sheet (for example, a copying process) , A process for forming a print image generated from various data such as a file and image data acquired from the document storage device via the network 6 on a sheet, and a printer control code format received from the information processing device via the network. Processing (for example, print processing) for forming a print image generated from a print request (hereinafter referred to as print data) on paper is performed.

  When the image processing apparatus 2 (for example, an image reading apparatus) having an image reading function has an image forming function, a process for forming a print image generated from the image data read by the image reading function on a sheet (for example, a copying process) The image data read by the image reading function is stored in a specified location (for example, stored in a storage area built in the image processing apparatus, transferred to a document storage apparatus, transferred to an information processing apparatus, etc.) processing (for example, scan processing) ) Processing for transmitting image data read by the image reading function by facsimile (for example, facsimile transmission processing), processing for attaching image data read by the image reading function to an e-mail (for example, e-mail transmission processing) Do.

  It is assumed that the image processing apparatus 2 in the first embodiment has an image forming function and an image reading function.

  The document monitoring device 3 performs processing for monitoring the presence of paper printed by the image processing device 2. The specific means for monitoring the presence of paper will be described below.

  The document storage device 4 is a device that stores various data such as files and image data, and is, for example, a personal computer or a file server. The document storage device 4 provides the requested data to the image processing device 2 in response to various data requests from the image processing device 2.

  The information processing apparatus 5 is, for example, a personal computer, a portable terminal, or the like, and is used directly by the user. The information processing apparatus 5 uses the function of a print control program (for example, a printer driver) incorporated in the information processing apparatus 5 to generate print data for requesting printing of data such as files and images created by an application or the like. It transmits to the image processing apparatus 2.

  Next, the image processing device 2 and the document monitoring device 3 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a first functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 2 and the document monitoring apparatus 3.

  First, a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 2 generates identification information (hereinafter referred to as a paper ID) corresponding to a reading unit 7, a receiving unit 8, an image forming unit 9, and a printed image for one sheet. A sheet ID adding unit 10 for adding to a print image and a sheet presence confirmation unit 11 for extracting the sheet ID from the image data read by the reading unit 7 and confirming the presence of the sheet are configured.

  The reading unit 7 performs processing for reading a document and generating image data, and includes, for example, an image sensor such as a CCD [Charge Coupled Devices] and an electric motor mounted with the image sensor, for example, moving a carriage or a document. Is done. The reading unit generates one image data every time one original is read. That is, by reading n originals with the reading unit, image data corresponding to n sheets is generated.

  The receiving unit 8 performs processing for acquiring various data such as files and image data from the document storage device 3 via the network 6 and processing for receiving print data from the information processing device 5 via the network 6.

  The image forming unit 9 performs a process of forming a print image on a sheet.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the paper ID adding unit 10 includes a print image generation unit 12, a paper ID generation unit 13, a paper ID addition unit 14, and a paper ID transmission unit 15.

  The print image generation unit 12 can form an image based on the image data generated by the reading unit 7, various data acquired by the reception unit 8, print data received by the reception unit 8, and the like, for example, a bitmap image (hereinafter referred to as a bitmap image). , Referred to as a print image). The print image generation unit 12 generates a print image corresponding to one sheet. That is, when the print image generation unit 12 generates n print images, n sheets are output. However, when duplex printing is performed, n / 2 sheets are output.

  The paper ID generation unit 13 performs processing for generating identification information (hereinafter referred to as a paper ID) corresponding to the print image for one sheet generated by the print image generation unit 12. That is, when n print images are generated by the print image generation unit 12, n paper IDs are generated. However, when performing double-sided printing, n / 2 paper IDs are generated when a paper ID is added to one side (or the same paper ID is added to both sides), and different paper IDs are used for both sides. In the setting to add, n sheet IDs are generated.

  The paper ID adding unit 14 performs processing for adding the paper ID generated by the paper ID generating unit 13 to the print image. Specifically, a configuration in which the paper ID is directly added to the print image as characters may be applied, or the paper ID is converted into a pattern image such as a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code and added to the print image. You may apply the structure to do.

  The paper ID transmission unit 15 performs processing for transmitting the paper ID generated by the paper ID generation unit 14 to the document monitoring apparatus 3 via the network 6. Specifically, when a bundle of n originals is set in the reading unit 7 and a process of reading the original bundle and printing on n sheets of paper is performed, n sheets generated at the time of the process are performed. When a process for printing one piece of data acquired from the document storage apparatus 3 on n sheets is performed in association with the ID, the n sheet IDs generated during the process are printed. Are transmitted to the document monitoring apparatus 3 and the print data received from the information processing apparatus 5 is printed on n sheets of paper, the n paper IDs generated during the process are associated with each other. To the document monitoring device 3. The document monitoring apparatus 3 manages these n sheet IDs in association with each other (hereinafter referred to as a sheet ID list) (described below). Further, the paper ID transmission unit 15 may transmit the n paper IDs without associating them.

  The paper ID generation unit 13 generates identification information (hereinafter referred to as a process ID) for identifying the process for each process unit (note that a data name or the like may be used as a process ID). Alternatively, a configuration in which the process ID and all the sheet IDs generated at the time of the process are associated with each other and transmitted may be applied.

  Further, every time the above processing is performed, a request is made to input identification information (hereinafter referred to as a user ID) of the user who has instructed the processing, and the input user ID, processing ID, and paper ID are associated with each other and transmitted. May be applied.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the paper presence confirmation unit 11 includes a paper ID extraction unit 16, a paper ID list acquisition unit 17, a presence confirmation unit 18, and a presence information transmission unit 19.

  The paper ID extraction unit 16 performs a process of extracting a paper ID from the image data read by the reading unit 7. The reading unit 7 generates one image data every time one original is read. That is, n paper IDs are extracted by reading n originals by the reading unit 7.

  The paper ID list acquisition unit 17 performs processing for acquiring a paper ID list including the paper ID extracted by the paper ID extraction unit 16 from the document monitoring apparatus 3. Specifically, a sheet ID list including the sheet ID extracted first (that is, the sheet ID extracted from the image data read by the reading unit 7 first) is acquired from the document monitoring apparatus 3. It will be.

  The presence check unit 18 performs a process of comparing the paper ID extracted by the paper ID extraction unit 16 with the paper ID on the paper ID list acquired by the paper ID list acquisition unit 17. Specifically, processing is performed to check whether all the paper IDs extracted by the paper ID extraction unit 16 match all the paper IDs on the paper ID list acquired by the paper ID list acquisition unit 17.

  Here, when all the paper IDs coincide with all the paper IDs on the paper ID list (that is, when all the papers on the paper ID list are read), all the paper IDs on the paper ID list are supported. Comparison result information (hereinafter referred to as presence information) indicating that the presence of the sheet to be confirmed has been confirmed, and a time at which the presence of the sheet is confirmed (hereinafter referred to as a confirmation time) is added to the presence information. . Also, when all the paper IDs do not match all the paper IDs on the paper ID list (that is, when some or all of the papers on the paper ID list are not read), Existence information indicating that the presence of sheets corresponding to all sheet IDs could not be confirmed is generated. Hereinafter, the above confirmation process is referred to as a document unit existence confirmation process. Here, in addition to the time when the existence of the paper is confirmed, the confirmation time includes the time when the document is read, the time when the paper ID is extracted, the time when the confirmation of the existence of the paper is started, and the like.

  Note that a configuration in which presence information is generated for each sheet ID on the sheet ID list may be applied. Hereinafter, the above confirmation process is referred to as a sheet ID unit existence confirmation process.

  Further, existence confirmation information is generated including identification information (hereinafter referred to as a confirmation user ID) of a user who has performed existence confirmation processing in document units or paper ID units.

  The presence information transmission unit 19 performs processing for transmitting the presence information generated by the presence confirmation unit 18 to the document monitoring apparatus 3 via the network 6.

  Note that it is also possible to apply a configuration in which a program including the above-described paper ID addition unit 10 as a function is incorporated in a general-purpose image processing apparatus (or image forming apparatus). The image processing program is stored in a storage unit (for example, a hard disk), and the arithmetic unit (for example, CPU) of the image processing apparatus executes the image forming program stored in the storage unit. Further, the above-described program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as various memories or optical disks, and can be distributed via a communication line such as a network, for example.

  In addition, it is possible to apply a configuration in which a program including the above-described sheet presence confirmation unit 11 as a function is incorporated into a general-purpose image processing apparatus (or image reading apparatus). An image reading program is stored in a storage unit (for example, a hard disk), and a calculation unit (for example, CPU) of the image processing apparatus executes the image reading program stored in the storage unit. Further, the above-described program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as various memories or optical disks, and can be distributed via a communication line such as a network, for example.

  Next, a functional configuration of the document monitoring apparatus 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the document monitoring device 3 includes a paper ID management unit 20, a presence information management unit 21 for managing presence information from the image processing device 2, and a presence confirmation warning notification unit 22. The

  The paper ID management unit 20 manages the paper ID received from the image processing apparatus 2 via the network 6. As a specific management method, as shown in FIG. 3A, the associated sheet ID transmitted from the image processing apparatus 2 is associated and managed as a sheet ID list. Further, when the process ID and the user ID are received together with the paper ID, a configuration in which the paper ID list, the process ID, and the user ID are associated with each other and managed as shown in FIG. 3B may be applied.

  It should be noted that, when the paper with the paper ID added is discarded in the presence of the administrator of the document monitoring system 101, the administrator etc. uses the administrator password etc. from the information processing device 5 etc. to the network 6 , The document monitoring apparatus 3 is accessed, and the paper ID list managed by the paper ID management unit 20 is also deleted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the presence information management unit 21 includes a paper ID list transmission unit 23 and a presence information management unit 24.

  The paper ID list transmission unit 23 receives the requested paper ID list from the paper ID management unit 20 when receiving a search request for the paper ID list including the paper ID from the image processing apparatus 2 via the network 6. A process of searching and transmitting the searched sheet ID list to the image processing apparatus 2 via the network 6 is performed.

  The presence information management unit 24 manages presence information received from the image processing apparatus 2 via the network 6. As a specific management method, as shown in FIG. 4A, management is performed in association with the confirmation time and the paper ID list, and the existence of all the papers is confirmed at 12:00 on January 10, 2007. Is shown. Then, after 12:00 on January 10, 2007, if the paper ID is confirmed at 12:00 on January 11, 2007, the confirmation time shown in FIG. 4A is “2007/01/11 12: 00 ".

  When presence information for each paper ID is received, as shown in FIG. 4B, the confirmation time and the paper ID in the paper ID list are managed in association with each other, and at 12:00 on February 10, 2007. This indicates that the presence of the first, second, fourth, and fifth sheets has been confirmed, and that the presence of the third sheet has been confirmed at 12:00 on February 5, 2007. That is, when the presence of the first, second, fourth, and fifth sheets is confirmed, the presence of the third sheet cannot be confirmed.

  The presence confirmation warning notification unit 22 needs to confirm the presence of the sheet in the sheet ID list of the presence information when a preset period has elapsed based on the confirmation time of the presence information managed by the presence information management unit 24. Notify that there is a warning.

As a specific notification method, when the period for confirmation of existence is set to one week, the existence of all sheets is confirmed at 12:00 on January 10, 2007 as shown in FIG. One week later, at 12:00 on January 17, 2007,
Confirm the paper ID of “07010111200001”, “07010111200002”, “070101111200003”, “07010111200004”, “070101111200005. Please read the paper with a predetermined image processing device”. The described e-mail is transmitted to the owner or manager of the paper via the network 6.

  In addition, it is also possible to apply a configuration in which a program including the above-described paper ID management unit 20, presence information management unit 21, and presence confirmation warning notification unit 22 as functions is installed in a general-purpose server or computer. Is that a document monitoring program is stored in a storage unit (for example, a hard disk or the like) of a server or computer, and a calculation unit (for example, a CPU or the like) of the server or computer executes the document monitoring program stored in the storage unit. Become. Further, the above-described program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as various memories or optical disks, and can be distributed via a communication line such as a network, for example.

  Next, functional operations of the image processing apparatus 2 and the document monitoring apparatus 3 when a print image with a paper ID added is formed on a paper will be described with reference to FIG.

  The reading unit 7 of the image processing apparatus 2 reads the set original to generate image data, and passes the generated image data to the print image generation unit 12 of the image processing apparatus 2. In addition, the reception unit 8 of the image processing apparatus 2 acquires data from the document storage apparatus 4 and passes the acquired data to the print image generation unit 12. The accepting unit 8 accepts print data from the information processing apparatus 5 and passes the accepted print data to the print image generating unit 12.

  When receiving the image data from the reading unit 7 (or data or print data from the receiving unit 8), the print image generating unit 12 generates a print image based on the received image data (or data or print data). .

  When a print image is generated by the print image generation unit 12, the paper ID generation unit 13 of the image processing apparatus 2 generates a paper ID corresponding to the print image for one sheet, and the generated paper ID is used as the image processing apparatus. 2 to the sheet ID adding unit 14 and the sheet ID transmitting unit 15 of the image processing apparatus 2.

  Upon receiving the paper ID from the paper ID generation unit 13, the paper ID addition unit 14 adds the received paper ID to the print image generated by the print image generation unit 12, and the print image with the paper ID added is an image processing apparatus. 2 to the second image forming unit 9.

  When the image forming unit 9 receives the print image to which the paper ID is added from the paper ID adding unit 14, the image forming unit 9 forms the received print image on the paper.

  Upon receiving the paper ID from the paper ID generation unit 13, the paper ID transmission unit 15 transmits the received paper ID to the document monitoring device 3.

  When receiving the paper ID from the image processing apparatus 2, the paper ID management unit 20 of the document monitoring apparatus 3 manages the received paper ID in association with the received paper ID list.

  Next, an example of the flow of processing performed by the image processing apparatus 2 and the document monitoring apparatus 3 when a print image with a paper ID added is formed on paper will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the reading unit of the image processing apparatus reads the set original to generate image data, or when the receiving unit of the image processing apparatus acquires data from the document storage device, or the receiving unit receives print data from the information processing apparatus. When it is received (S601), the value of the page counter n is initialized to 0 (S602), the value of the page counter n is incremented by 1 (S603), and the print image generation unit of the image processing apparatus 1 forms the paper 1 based on the image data or the like. A print image for the number of sheets is generated (S604), the paper ID generation unit of the image processing apparatus performs a paper ID generation process (S605), and the paper ID addition unit of the image processing apparatus performs a paper ID addition process (S606). ), The image forming unit of the image processing apparatus forms a print image to which the sheet ID is added on a sheet and outputs it (S607).

  If the next print image is generated by the print image generation unit (NO in S608), the process returns to S603.

  Further, when the print image generation unit has finished generating the print image (YES in S608), the paper ID transmission unit of the image processing apparatus prints all the paper IDs generated in the paper ID generation process and the printing described below. (For example, printing types such as normal printing, layout printing, and duplex printing) are transmitted to the document monitoring apparatus (S609).

  When the paper ID management unit of the document monitoring apparatus receives all the paper IDs and print settings from the image processing apparatus (S610), all the received paper IDs (and print settings) are stored in association with each other as a paper ID list. (S611), the processing procedure ends.

  Next, generation of the paper ID corresponding to the print setting and addition of the paper ID to the print image will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating generation of a paper ID and addition of a paper ID to a print image when performing normal printing and layout printing.

  The sheet ID generation unit 13 basically generates one sheet ID corresponding to the print image for one sheet generated by the print image generation unit 12.

  For example, when the reading unit 7 reads n originals and performs normal printing, as shown in FIG. 7A, the first read original printed image 2511 is printed on the first paper 2611. The printed image 2512 of the second original is formed on the second sheet 2612, and the printed image 251n of the nth original read last is formed on the nth sheet 261n. . In this case, the paper ID generation unit 13 generates n paper IDs corresponding to the n print images, and the paper ID addition unit 14 sets the paper ID (2711, 2712,..., 271n) to 1 for each print image. It will be added one by one.

  Further, for example, when 2n originals are read by the reading unit 7 and two-page layout printing is performed, as shown in FIG. 7B, the image data 281 and 2 of the first original read first are displayed. A print image 2521 obtained by combining the image data 282 of the first original is formed on the first paper 2621 and is printed by combining the image data 283 of the third original and the image data 284 of the fourth original. The image 2522 is formed on the second sheet 2622, and the print image 252n obtained by combining the image data 282n-1 of the (2n-1) th original and the image data 282n of the 2nth original read last is n sheets. It is formed on the paper 262n of the eye. In this case, the paper ID generation unit 13 generates n paper IDs corresponding to the n print images, and the paper ID addition unit 14 sets the paper ID (2721, 2722,..., 272n) to 1 for each print image. It will be added one by one.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing generation of a paper ID and addition of a paper ID to a print image when performing duplex printing.

  For example, when 2n originals are read by the reading unit 7 and double-sided printing is performed, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the print image 2531 of the first original read first is 1 A print image 2532 of the first original is formed on the back side 2632 of the second sheet, and a print image 2533 of the third original is formed on the front side of the second sheet. The second original print image 2534 is formed on the back side 2634 of the second sheet, and the 2n-1th original print image 2532n-1 is the front side 2632n- of the nth sheet. The printed image 2532n of the nth original that was formed last and read last is formed on the back side 2632n of the nth sheet.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 8A, when a paper ID is added to one side of the paper, the paper ID generation unit 13 generates n paper IDs corresponding to the n print images, The ID adding unit 14 adds sheet IDs (2731, 2732,..., 273n) one by one to a print image formed on the front side of the sheet in double-sided printing.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, when adding paper IDs to both the front side and the back side of the paper, the paper ID generation unit 13 generates 2n paper IDs corresponding to 2n print images. Then, the paper ID adding unit 14 adds a paper ID (2741, 2742, 2743, 2744,..., 2742n-1, 2742n) one by one to each print image.

  The same sheet ID may be added to the front side and the back side of the sheet. In this case, the paper ID generation unit 13 generates n paper IDs, and the paper ID addition unit 14 uses the same paper for the print image formed on the front side and the print image formed on the back side of one paper. An ID is added.

  Here, the paper ID transmission unit 15 transmits the print setting together with the paper ID to the document monitoring apparatus 3, and the paper ID management unit 20 IDs the paper ID and the print setting transmitted from the image processing apparatus 2. Manage as a list. FIG. 9A shows a paper ID list of paper IDs generated during normal printing, and FIG. 9B shows paper IDs generated for both the front side and the back side of the paper in duplex printing. The sheet ID list is shown.

  The presence information management unit 24 also manages the sheet ID, the print setting, and the confirmation time in association with each other. FIG. 10A shows paper presence information generated during normal printing, and FIG. 10B shows paper presence information generated for both the front side and the back side of the paper in duplex printing. Indicates.

  Further, the presence information management unit 24 manages the sheet ID and the confirmation user ID of the user who confirmed the confirmation time in association with each other. FIG. 11A shows the presence information of the paper generated during normal printing, and FIG. 11B shows the paper generated for both the front side and the back side of the paper during duplex printing. Indicates presence information. In the example shown in FIG. 11B, the first, second, fourth, and fifth sheets are confirmed by the user with the confirmation user ID “ABCDEF” to confirm the presence of the sheet at 12:00 on February 10, 2007. The eye sheet indicates that the user of the confirmation user ID “GHIJKL” confirmed the presence of the sheet at 12:00 on February 5, 2007.

  Next, based on the generation of the paper ID corresponding to the type of printing described above, an example of the flow of the paper ID generation process performed in S605 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. explain.

  The paper ID generation unit confirms the print setting (S1201). If the print setting is normal printing or layout printing (NO in S1202), the paper ID generation unit generates a paper ID (S1203) and ends the processing procedure.

  If the print setting is double-sided printing (YES in S1202), it is confirmed whether the paper ID is added to both sides or one side (S1204).

  When adding a paper ID to both sides (NO in S1204), a paper ID is generated (S1203), and the processing procedure is terminated.

  When adding a paper ID to one side (YES in S1204), it is confirmed whether the page count n is an odd number or an even number (S1205).

  If the page count n is an odd number (YES in S1205), a paper ID is generated (S1203), and the processing procedure ends.

  If the page count n is an even number (NO in S1205), the processing procedure is terminated without generating the paper ID.

  A configuration in which the sheet ID is generated when the page count n is an even number and the sheet ID is not generated when the page count n is an odd number may be applied.

  Next, based on the addition of the paper ID according to the type of printing described above, an example of the flow of the paper ID addition process performed in S606 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. explain.

  The paper ID adding unit checks whether or not the paper ID is generated by the paper ID generation unit (S1301).

  If the paper ID is generated (YES in S1301), the paper ID is added to the print image (S1302), and the processing procedure is terminated.

  If the paper ID is not generated (NO in S1302), the processing procedure is terminated.

  Next, functional operations of the image processing apparatus 2 and the document monitoring apparatus 3 when a sheet with a sheet ID added is read to confirm the presence of the sheet will be described with reference to FIG.

  The reading unit 7 of the image processing apparatus 2 reads the set original to generate image data, and passes the generated image data to the paper ID extraction unit 16 of the image processing apparatus 2. Examples of the processing of the image data include deletion, printing, storage, transfer, facsimile transmission, and e-mail transmission.

  When receiving the image data from the reading unit 7, the sheet ID extraction unit 16 extracts a sheet ID from the received image data, and uses the extracted sheet ID of the sheet ID list acquisition unit 17 of the image processing apparatus 2 and the image processing apparatus 2. It passes to the existence confirmation unit 18.

  When the sheet ID list acquisition unit 17 receives the sheet ID from the sheet ID extraction unit 16, the sheet ID list acquisition unit 17 requests the document monitoring apparatus 3 for a sheet ID list including the received sheet ID.

  When the paper ID list transmission unit 23 of the document monitoring apparatus 3 receives the request for the paper ID list from the image processing apparatus 2, the paper ID list including the requested paper ID is received from the paper ID management unit 20 of the document monitoring apparatus 2. The retrieved paper ID list is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 2.

  When the paper ID list acquisition unit 17 receives the paper ID list from the document monitoring apparatus 3, it passes the received paper ID list to the presence check unit 18.

  Upon receiving the paper ID from the paper ID extraction unit 16 and the paper ID list from the paper ID list acquisition unit 17, the presence check unit 18 performs a process of comparing the paper ID with the paper ID list. Here, if all the paper IDs match all the paper IDs on the paper ID list, presence information indicating that the presence of the papers corresponding to all the paper IDs on the paper ID list has been confirmed is generated. The confirmation time is added to the generated presence information, and the presence information with the confirmation time is passed to the presence information transmission unit 19 of the image processing apparatus. Also, if all the paper IDs do not match all the paper IDs on the paper ID list, presence information indicating that the presence of the papers corresponding to all the paper IDs on the paper ID list could not be confirmed. The generated presence information is passed to the presence information transmission unit 19.

  Upon receiving the presence information from the presence check unit 18, the presence information transmission unit 19 transmits the received presence information to the document monitoring device 3.

  When the presence information management unit 24 of the document monitoring device 3 receives the presence information from the image processing device 2, it stores the received presence information.

  Next, an example of the flow of processing performed by the image processing apparatus 2 and the document monitoring apparatus 3 when reading the sheet with the sheet ID and confirming the presence of the sheet will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. I will explain.

  When the reading unit of the image processing apparatus reads the set first document and generates image data (S1501), the value of the page counter n is initialized to 1 (S1502), and the paper ID extraction unit of the image processing apparatus A sheet ID is extracted from the image data (S1503), and the sheet ID list acquisition unit of the image processing apparatus requests the document monitoring apparatus for a sheet ID list including the extracted sheet ID (S1504).

  The paper ID list transmission unit of the document monitoring apparatus searches the paper ID management unit of the document monitoring apparatus for a paper ID list including the paper ID requested from the image processing apparatus (S1505), and the searched paper ID list is the image processing apparatus. (S1506).

  The paper ID list acquisition unit receives the paper ID list from the document monitoring apparatus (S1507), and the presence confirmation unit of the image processing apparatus checks the print settings based on the paper ID list (S1508).

  If the print setting is normal printing or layout printing (NO in S1508), it is confirmed whether or not the next document is set in the reading unit (S1509).

  If the next original is set in the reading unit (YES in S1509), the value of the page counter n is incremented by 1 (S1510), and the reading unit reads the set nth original to generate image data. (S1511), the paper ID extraction unit extracts the paper ID from the generated image data (S1512), and returns to S1509.

  In step S1509, if the next original is not set in the reading unit (NO in step S1509), the presence confirmation unit performs the presence confirmation process (S1513), and the presence information transmission unit of the image processing apparatus converts the presence information into a document. The data is transmitted to the monitoring device (S1514).

  The presence information management unit of the document monitoring apparatus receives the presence information from the image processing apparatus (S1515), stores the received presence information (S1516), and ends the processing procedure.

  If it is determined in step S1508 that the print setting is duplex printing (YES in step S1508), it is confirmed whether the sheet ID is added to both sides or one side (S1517).

  When the paper ID is added to one side (YES in S1517), the process proceeds to S1509.

  If the paper ID is added to both sides (NO in S1517), the first original set in the reading unit is reversed (S1518 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 16), and the reading unit sets the first original. The sheet ID extraction unit extracts the sheet ID from the generated image data (S1520), and confirms whether the next document is set in the reading unit (S1521). ).

  If the next original is set in the reading unit (YES in S1521), the value of the page counter n is incremented by 1 (S1522), and the reading unit reads the set nth original to generate image data. (S1523), the sheet ID extraction unit extracts the sheet ID from the generated image data (S1524), inverts the nth document set in the reading unit (S1525), and the reading unit reads the nth document. The back side is read to generate image data (S1526), and the paper ID extraction unit extracts the paper ID from the generated image data (S1527), and returns to S1521.

  If the next document is not set in the reading unit (NO in 1521), the process proceeds to S1513 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Next, the existence confirmation processing (document unit existence confirmation processing, paper ID unit existence confirmation processing) performed in S1513 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 15 will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an exemplary flow of document unit existence confirmation processing.

  The presence confirmation unit compares all sheet IDs on the sheet ID list with all the extracted sheet IDs (S1701).

  If all the sheet IDs on the sheet ID list match all the extracted sheet IDs (YES in S1702), the time is acquired (S1703), and presence information indicating that the presence of all sheets has been confirmed is generated. (S1704), the time is added to the generated presence information (S1705), and the processing procedure is terminated.

  If all the sheet IDs on the sheet ID list do not match all the extracted sheet IDs (NO in S1702), presence information indicating that the presence of all sheets could not be confirmed is generated (S1706). ), The processing procedure is terminated.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of a paper ID unit existence confirmation process.

  The value of the counter n is initialized to 0 (S1801), the value of the page counter n is incremented by 1 (S1802), and it is confirmed whether or not the nth sheet ID on the sheet ID list has been extracted (S1803).

  If it has been confirmed that it has been extracted (YES in S1804), the time is acquired (S1805), and presence information indicating that the nth sheet ID on the sheet ID list has been confirmed is generated (S1806). Time is added to the generated presence information (S1807), and it is confirmed whether or not the (n + 1) th sheet ID exists on the sheet ID list (S1808).

  If the (n + 1) th sheet ID exists on the sheet ID list (YES in S1808), the process returns to S1802, and if the (n + 1) th sheet ID does not exist on the sheet ID list (NO in S1808), the processing procedure ends. To do.

  If it is not confirmed in S1804 that the data has been extracted (NO in S1804), presence information indicating that the nth sheet ID on the sheet ID list could not be confirmed is generated (S1809). The process proceeds to S1808.

  Next, display examples of the paper ID list managed by the paper ID management unit 20 and the presence information managed by the presence information management unit 24 will be described.

  An administrator or the like of the document monitoring system 101 accesses the document monitoring apparatus 3 from the information processing apparatus 5 or the like via the network 6 using a password or the like for the administrator, and the sheet ID managed by the sheet ID management unit 20. The presence information managed by the list and presence information management unit 24 is displayed on the display device of the information processing apparatus, and the paper ID list and the presence information are managed.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen for a paper ID list.

  As shown in FIG. 19, on the display screen of the paper ID list, the document name of the paper ID list managed by the paper ID management unit 20 (this corresponds to the processing ID), the confirmation time (this corresponds to the time information) ), Print type, and number of sheets. Here, the time of the time information may be anything as long as the time can be specified, such as year, month, or day.

  For example, from the paper ID list of the document name “Opinion”, the printing type of this document is “single-sided printing”, the number of papers is “5”, and the five papers constituting this document are document unit existence confirmation processing Indicates that the existence was confirmed at “12:00 on January 10, 2007”.

  In addition, from the paper ID list of the document name “A0B1C2D3”, the print type of this document is “single-sided printing”, the number of paper sheets is “5 sheets”, and the confirmation time is blank. This indicates that the presence of each sheet has been confirmed by the confirmation process.

  In addition, when a predetermined period has elapsed since the last confirmation time of a certain sheet ID list, a configuration may be applied in which a warning or the like indicating that fact is displayed. In addition, the paper ID list, the processing ID, the user ID, the e-mail address of the user ID, and the like are also managed in association with each other, and when a predetermined period has elapsed from the final confirmation time of the paper ID list, A configuration in which an e-mail or the like indicating that the presence confirmation is necessary is transmitted to the e-mail address or the like may be applied. In the above configuration, the user ID is replaced with the confirmation user ID, the confirmation user ID and the e-mail address of the confirmation user ID are also managed in association with each other, and an e-mail or the like indicating that the presence of the sheet needs to be confirmed You may apply the structure which transmits with respect to the electronic mail address.

  Then, by pressing a detail button displayed on the right side of each paper ID list, detailed information on each paper ID list is displayed.

  For example, when a detail button corresponding to the document name “opinion” is pressed, a sheet ID list detail screen as shown in FIG. 20 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 20, paper IDs added to the five papers constituting the document name “opinion book” are displayed, and time information on the existence of each paper ID is displayed. Since the presence of the sheet is confirmed in the document unit existence confirmation process, the confirmation times of all the sheet IDs are the same time.

  When the detail button corresponding to the document name “A0B1C2D3” is pressed, a sheet ID list detail screen as shown in FIG. 21 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 21, the sheet ID added to the five sheets constituting the document name “A0B1C2D3” is displayed, and the time information when the existence of each sheet ID is confirmed is displayed. Since the presence of the sheet is confirmed in the document ID unit existence confirmation process, the confirmation time may differ for each sheet ID. In FIG. 21, the first sheet ID, the second sheet, the fourth sheet, and the fifth sheet ID are different from the third sheet ID. This indicates that the presence of the third sheet cannot be confirmed when the first, second, fourth and fifth sheets are confirmed.

  Next, a second functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 2 and the document monitoring apparatus 3 will be described. The second functional configuration is that the image processing apparatus 2 extracts the paper ID from the image data and does not perform the process of confirming the presence of the paper based on the extracted paper ID, but the extracted paper ID. Is sent to the document monitoring apparatus 3, and the document monitoring apparatus 3 performs a process of confirming the presence of the sheet based on the sheet ID from the image processing apparatus 2.

  FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a second functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 2 and the document monitoring apparatus 3.

  First, a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 22, the image processing apparatus 2 includes a reading unit 7, a receiving unit 8, an image forming unit 9, a sheet for generating identification information corresponding to a print image for one sheet and adding it to the print image. An ID addition unit 10 and a sheet presence confirmation unit 11 that extracts a sheet ID from image data read by the reading unit 7 are provided. The reading unit 7, the receiving unit 8, the image forming unit 9, and the paper ID adding unit 10 are the same as the first functional configuration shown in FIG. Since the functional operations of the image processing apparatus 2 and the document monitoring apparatus 3 when forming the added print image on the sheet are the same as the operations in the first functional configuration shown in FIG. 5, detailed description thereof is omitted. Furthermore, the flow of processing performed by the image processing device 2 and the document monitoring device 3 when forming a print image with a paper ID added on the paper is the flow of processing in the first functional configuration shown in FIG. Since it is the same, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the sheet presence confirmation unit 11 includes a sheet ID extraction unit 16 and an extraction sheet ID transmission unit 29.

  The paper ID extraction unit 16 performs a process of extracting a paper ID (referred to as an extraction paper ID in the second functional configuration) from the image data read by the reading unit 7. The reading unit 7 generates one image data every time one original is read. That is, n extraction sheet IDs are extracted by reading n originals by the reading unit 7.

  The extraction sheet ID transmission unit 29 performs processing for transmitting the extraction sheet ID extracted by the sheet ID extraction unit 16 to the document monitoring apparatus 3 via the network 6.

  Note that it is also possible to apply a configuration in which a program including the above-described sheet presence confirmation unit 11 as a function is incorporated in a general-purpose image processing apparatus (or image reading apparatus). An image reading program is stored in a storage unit (for example, a hard disk), and a calculation unit (for example, CPU) of the image processing apparatus executes the image reading program stored in the storage unit. Further, the above-described program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as various memories or optical disks, and can be distributed via a communication line such as a network, for example.

  Next, a functional configuration of the document monitoring apparatus 3 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the document monitoring device 3 includes a paper ID management unit 20, a presence information management unit 21 for confirming the presence of paper based on a paper ID from the image processing device 2, and a presence confirmation warning notification unit 22. It is comprised and comprises.

  The paper ID management unit 20 manages the paper ID received from the image processing apparatus 2 via the network 6.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the presence information management unit 21 includes a presence confirmation unit 18 and a presence information management unit 24.

  The presence confirmation unit 18 performs processing for comparing the sheet ID received from the image processing apparatus 2 via the network 6 with the sheet ID on the sheet ID list managed by the sheet ID management unit 20. Specifically, processing is performed to check whether all the extracted sheet IDs received from the image processing apparatus 2 match all the sheet IDs on the sheet ID list managed by the sheet ID management unit 20.

  Here, when all the paper IDs coincide with all the paper IDs on the paper ID list (that is, when all the papers on the paper ID list are read), all the paper IDs on the paper ID list are supported. Presence information indicating that the presence of the sheet to be confirmed has been confirmed is generated, and a confirmation time at which the presence of the sheet is confirmed is added to the presence information. Also, when all the paper IDs do not match all the paper IDs on the paper ID list (that is, when some or all of the papers on the paper ID list are not read), Existence information indicating that the presence of sheets corresponding to all the sheet IDs could not be confirmed is generated (document unit existence confirmation process). Here, in addition to the time when the existence of the paper is confirmed, the confirmation time includes the time when the document is read, the time when the paper ID is extracted, the time when the confirmation of the existence of the paper is started, and the like.

  Note that a configuration in which presence information is generated for each sheet ID on the sheet ID list may be applied (sheet ID unit existence confirmation process).

  The presence information management unit 24 manages the presence information generated by the presence check unit 18.

  The presence confirmation warning notification unit 22 needs to confirm the presence of the sheet in the sheet ID list of the presence information when a preset period has elapsed based on the confirmation time of the presence information managed by the presence information management unit 24. Notify that there is a warning.

  In addition, it is also possible to apply a configuration in which a program including the above-described paper ID management unit 20, presence information management unit 21, and presence confirmation warning notification unit 22 as functions is installed in a general-purpose server or computer. Is that a document monitoring program is stored in a storage unit (for example, a hard disk or the like) of a server or computer, and a calculation unit (for example, a CPU or the like) of the server or computer executes the document monitoring program stored in the storage unit. Become. Further, the above-described program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as various memories or optical disks, and can be distributed via a communication line such as a network, for example.

  Next, functional operations of the image processing apparatus 2 and the document monitoring apparatus 3 when reading a sheet with a sheet ID and confirming the presence of the sheet will be described with reference to FIG.

  The reading unit 7 of the image processing apparatus 2 reads the set original to generate image data, and passes the generated image data to the paper ID extraction unit 16 of the image processing apparatus 2. Examples of the processing of the image data include deletion, printing, storage, transfer, facsimile transmission, and e-mail transmission.

  When receiving the image data from the reading unit 7, the sheet ID extracting unit 16 extracts the extracted sheet ID from the received image data, and passes the extracted extracted sheet ID to the extracted sheet ID transmitting unit 29 of the image processing apparatus 2.

  When the extraction sheet ID transmission unit 29 receives the extraction sheet ID from the sheet ID extraction unit 16, the extraction sheet ID transmission unit 29 transmits the received extraction sheet ID to the document monitoring apparatus 3.

  When receiving the extracted sheet ID from the image processing apparatus 2, the existence confirmation unit 18 of the document monitoring apparatus 3 searches the sheet ID list including the received extracted sheet ID from the sheet ID management unit 20 of the document monitoring apparatus 3 and receives it. The extracted sheet ID is compared with the retrieved sheet ID list. Here, if all the extracted sheet IDs match all the sheet IDs on the sheet ID list, presence information indicating that the existence of sheets corresponding to all the sheet IDs on the sheet ID list can be confirmed is generated. Then, a confirmation time is added to the generated presence information, and the presence information with the confirmation time added is passed to the presence information management unit of the document monitoring apparatus. In addition, if all the extracted sheet IDs do not match all the sheet IDs on the sheet ID list, presence information indicating that the existence of sheets corresponding to all the sheet IDs on the sheet ID list cannot be confirmed. And the generated presence information is passed to the presence information management unit 24.

  When the presence information management unit 24 receives the presence information from the presence check unit 18, the presence information management unit 24 stores the received presence information.

  Next, an example of the flow of processing performed by the image processing apparatus 2 and the document monitoring apparatus 3 when reading a sheet with a sheet ID and confirming the presence of the sheet will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. .

  The value of the page counter n is initialized to 0 (S2401), the value of the page counter n is incremented by 1 (S2402), and the reading unit of the image processing apparatus reads the set nth original to generate image data. (S2403) The paper ID extraction unit of the image processing apparatus extracts the paper ID from the image data (S2404), checks whether or not the document is duplex printing (S2405), and if the document is duplex printing (S2405). (YES), the process proceeds to S2406, and if the document is normal printing or layout printing (NO in S2405), the process proceeds to S2410.

  If the original is double-sided printing (YES in S2405), it is confirmed whether the paper ID is added to both sides or one side (S2406). If the paper ID is added to both sides (NO in S2406). The process proceeds to S2407, and if the sheet ID is added to one side (YES in S2406), the process proceeds to S2410.

  When the paper ID is added to both sides (NO in S2406), the nth original set in the reading unit is reversed (S2407), and the reading unit reads the back side of the nth original to obtain image data. In step S2408, the sheet ID extraction unit extracts a sheet ID from the generated image data (S2409), and the process advances to step S2410.

  Then, it is confirmed whether or not the next document is set in the reading unit (S2410). If the next document is set in the reading unit (YES in S2410), the process returns to S2402, and the next document is set in the reading unit. If no document is set (NO in S2410), the extracted sheet ID transmission unit transmits all the sheet IDs to the document monitoring apparatus (S2411).

  The presence check unit of the document monitoring apparatus receives the paper ID from the image processing apparatus (S2412), searches the paper ID list including the received paper ID from the paper ID management unit of the document monitoring apparatus (S2413), and checks the presence. The processing is executed (S2414), the presence information management unit of the document monitoring apparatus stores the presence information (S2415), and the processing procedure ends.

  The document unit existence confirmation process performed in S2414 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 24 is the same as the process flow in the first functional configuration shown in FIG. 17, and the paper ID unit existence confirmation process is shown in FIG. Since it is the same as the flow of processing in the first functional configuration, detailed description is omitted.

  Next, a third functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 2 and the document monitoring apparatus 3 will be described. The third functional configuration does not execute the process of extracting the paper ID from the image data read by the image processing apparatus 2, but transmits the read image data to the document monitoring apparatus 3, and the document monitoring apparatus Reference numeral 3 denotes a configuration in which a sheet ID is extracted from the image data from the image processing apparatus 2 and a process of confirming the presence of the sheet is performed based on the extracted sheet ID.

  FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a third functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 2 and the document monitoring apparatus 3.

  First, a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 2 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the image processing apparatus 2 includes a reading unit 7, a receiving unit 8, an image forming unit 9, and a sheet for generating identification information corresponding to a print image for one sheet and adding it to the print image. An ID adding unit 10 and a sheet presence confirmation unit 11 for transmitting image data read by the reading unit 7 to the document monitoring apparatus 3 are provided. The reading unit 7, the receiving unit 8, the image forming unit 9, and the paper ID adding unit 10 are the same as the first functional configuration shown in FIG. Since the functional operations of the image processing apparatus 2 and the document monitoring apparatus 3 when forming the added print image on the sheet are the same as the operations in the first functional configuration shown in FIG. 5, detailed description thereof is omitted. Furthermore, the flow of processing performed by the image processing device 2 and the document monitoring device 3 when forming a print image with a paper ID added on the paper is the flow of processing in the first functional configuration shown in FIG. Since it is the same, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the sheet presence confirmation unit 11 includes an image data transmission unit 30.

  The image data transmission unit 30 performs processing for transmitting the image data read by the reading unit 7 to the document monitoring apparatus 3 via the network 6. The reading unit generates one image data every time one original is read.

  Next, a functional configuration of the document monitoring apparatus 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 25, the document monitoring apparatus 3 includes a sheet ID management unit 20, a presence information management unit 21 for confirming the presence of a sheet based on a sheet ID extracted from the image data from the image processing apparatus 2, A confirmation warning notification unit 22 is provided.

  The paper ID management unit 20 manages the paper ID received from the image processing apparatus 2 via the network 6.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the presence information management unit 21 includes a paper ID extraction unit 16, a presence confirmation unit 18, and a presence information management unit 23.

  The paper ID extraction unit 16 performs a process of extracting a paper ID from image data received from the image processing device 2 via the network 6. Note that n sheet IDs are extracted by receiving n image data.

  The presence check unit 18 performs a process of comparing the paper ID extracted by the paper ID extraction unit 16 with the paper ID on the paper ID list managed by the paper ID management unit 20. Specifically, processing is performed to check whether all the paper IDs extracted by the paper ID extraction unit 16 match all the paper IDs on the paper ID list managed by the paper ID management unit 20.

  Here, when all the paper IDs coincide with all the paper IDs on the paper ID list (that is, when all the papers on the paper ID list are read), all the paper IDs on the paper ID list are supported. Presence information indicating that the presence of the sheet to be confirmed has been confirmed is generated, and a confirmation time at which the presence of the sheet is confirmed is added to the presence information. Also, when all the paper IDs do not match all the paper IDs on the paper ID list (that is, when some or all of the papers on the paper ID list are not read), Existence information indicating that the presence of sheets corresponding to all the sheet IDs could not be confirmed is generated (document unit existence confirmation process). Here, in addition to the time when the existence of the paper is confirmed, the confirmation time includes the time when the document is read, the time when the paper ID is extracted, the time when the confirmation of the existence of the paper is started, and the like.

  Note that a configuration in which presence information is generated for each sheet ID on the sheet ID list may be applied (sheet ID unit existence confirmation process).

  The presence information management unit 23 manages the presence information generated by the presence confirmation unit 18.

  The presence confirmation warning notification unit 22 needs to confirm the presence of the sheet in the sheet ID list of the presence information when a preset period has elapsed based on the confirmation time of the presence information managed by the presence information management unit 24. Notify that there is a warning.

  In addition, it is also possible to apply a configuration in which a program including the above-described paper ID management unit 20, presence information management unit 21, and presence confirmation warning notification unit 22 as functions is installed in a general-purpose server or computer. Is that a document monitoring program is stored in a storage unit (for example, a hard disk or the like) of a server or computer, and a calculation unit (for example, a CPU or the like) of the server or computer executes the document monitoring program stored in the storage unit. Become. Further, the above-described program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as various memories or optical disks, and can be distributed via a communication line such as a network, for example.

  Next, functional operations of the image processing apparatus 2 and the document monitoring apparatus 3 when reading a sheet with a sheet ID and confirming the presence of the sheet will be described with reference to FIG.

  The reading unit 7 of the image processing apparatus 2 reads the set original to generate image data, and passes the generated image data to the image data transmission unit 30 of the image processing apparatus 2. Examples of the processing of the image data include deletion, printing, storage, transfer, facsimile transmission, and e-mail transmission.

  When receiving the image data from the reading unit 7, the image data transmission unit 30 transmits the received image data to the document monitoring device 3.

  When receiving the image data from the image processing device 2, the paper ID extraction unit 16 of the document monitoring device 3 extracts the paper ID from the received image data, and passes the extracted paper ID to the existence confirmation unit 18 of the document monitoring device 3. .

  Upon receiving the paper ID from the paper ID extraction unit 16, the presence check unit 18 of the document monitoring device 3 searches the paper ID list including the received paper ID from the paper ID management unit 20 of the document monitoring device 3, and the paper. A process of comparing the ID with the retrieved paper ID list is performed. Here, if all the paper IDs match all the paper IDs on the paper ID list, presence information indicating that the presence of the papers corresponding to all the paper IDs on the paper ID list has been confirmed is generated. The confirmation time is added to the generated presence information, and the presence information with the confirmation time is passed to the presence information management unit 23 of the document monitoring apparatus. Also, if all the paper IDs do not match all the paper IDs on the paper ID list, presence information indicating that the presence of the papers corresponding to all the paper IDs on the paper ID list could not be confirmed. The generated presence information is passed to the presence information management unit 24.

  When the presence information management unit 24 receives the presence information from the presence check unit 18, the presence information management unit 24 stores the received presence information.

  Next, an example of the flow of processing performed by the image processing apparatus 2 and the document monitoring apparatus 3 when reading the sheet with the sheet ID added and confirming the presence of the sheet will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. .

  The value of the page counter n is initialized to 0 (S2701), the value of the page counter n is incremented by 1 (S2702), and the reading unit of the image processing apparatus reads the set nth original to generate image data. (S2703) It is confirmed whether or not the document is duplex printing (S2704). If the document is duplex printing (YES in S2704), the process proceeds to S2705, and if the document is normal printing or layout printing (S2704). NO), the process proceeds to S2708.

  When the original is duplex printing (YES in S2704), it is confirmed whether the paper ID is added to both sides or one side (S2705). If the paper ID is added to both sides (NO in S2705). The process proceeds to S2706, and if the paper ID is added to one side (YES in S2705), the process proceeds to S2708.

  When the paper ID is added to both sides (NO in S2705), the nth original set in the reading unit is reversed (S2706), and the reading unit reads the back side of the nth original and reads the image data. Generate (S2707) and go to S2708.

  Then, it is confirmed whether or not the next document is set in the reading unit (S2708). If the next document is set in the reading unit (YES in S2708), the process returns to S2702, and the next document is set in the reading unit. If no document is set (NO in S2708), the image data transmission unit transmits all image data to the document monitoring apparatus (S2709).

  The paper ID extraction unit of the document monitoring apparatus receives the image data from the image processing apparatus (S2710), extracts the paper ID from the received image data (S2711), and monitors the paper ID list including the extracted paper ID. A search is performed from the paper ID management unit of the apparatus (S2712), the presence confirmation process is performed (S2713), the presence information management unit of the document monitoring apparatus stores the presence information (S2714), and the processing procedure ends.

  The document unit existence confirmation process executed in S2713 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 27 is the same as the process flow in the first functional configuration shown in FIG. 17, and the paper ID unit existence confirmation process is shown in FIG. Since it is the same as the flow of processing in the first functional configuration, detailed description is omitted.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 28, the document monitoring system 102 according to the present embodiment includes at least one image processing apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, a document monitoring apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment, and at least one document storage apparatus 4. And the information processing apparatus 5 in which the print control program according to the present embodiment is incorporated is connected via the network 6.

  The image processing apparatus 2 has at least one of an image forming function for forming a print image on a sheet and an image reading function for acquiring image data by optically reading a document. For example, a printer, a copier, a scanner Etc. An apparatus having both functions may be used.

  If the image processing apparatus 2 having an image forming function has an image reading function, a process for forming a print image generated from image data read by the image reading function on a sheet (for example, a copying process), and a network from the document storage apparatus. A process for forming a print image generated from various data such as a file and image data obtained via the print on a sheet, a print request in the form of a printer control code received from an information processing apparatus via a network (hereinafter referred to as print data and A process (for example, a printing process) for forming a print image generated on the sheet from the printer.

  If the image processing apparatus 3 having an image reading function has an image forming function, the image reading function reads a print image generated from the image data read by the image reading function on a sheet (for example, a copying process) and the image reading function. Store image data in a specified location (for example, store it in a storage area built in the image processing device, transfer it to a document storage device, transfer it to an information processing device, etc.), process it (for example, scan processing), and read it with an image reading function A process for transmitting the image data by facsimile (for example, a facsimile transmission process) and a process for transmitting the image data read by the image reading function attached to an electronic mail (for example, an electronic mail transmission process) are performed.

  It is assumed that the image processing apparatus 2 in the second embodiment has an image forming function and an image reading function.

  The document monitoring device 3 performs processing for monitoring the presence of paper printed by the image processing device 2. The specific means for monitoring the presence of paper will be described below.

  The information processing apparatus 5 is, for example, a personal computer, a portable terminal, or the like, and is used directly by the user. The information processing apparatus 5 uses the function of a print control program (for example, a printer driver) incorporated in the information processing apparatus 5 to generate print data for requesting printing of data such as files and images created by an application or the like. It transmits to the image processing apparatus 2.

  The document storage device 4 is a device that stores various data such as files and image data, and is, for example, a personal computer or a file server. The document storage device 4 provides the requested data to the image processing device 2 in response to various data requests from the image processing device 2.

  Next, the information processing device 5, the image processing device 2, and the document monitoring device 3 will be described.

  FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a first functional configuration of the information processing device 5, the image processing device 2, and the document monitoring device 3.

  First, the functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 5 will be described.

  Although not shown, the information processing apparatus 5 performs sequence control of the main body of the information processing apparatus 5 based on basic software such as an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS), for example, a CPU [Central Processing Unit] or the like. For example, a first storage unit such as a ROM [Read Only Memory], used as a buffer area for a work area necessary for program execution For example, a second storage unit such as a RAM [Random Access Memory], an OS, an application program, a print control program, data such as various files, a third storage unit such as an HD [Hard Disk], a network, etc. The communication unit is configured to transmit and receive commands, data, and the like between devices via the network.

  As shown in FIG. 29, a printing control program 31 is incorporated in the information processing apparatus 5, and data in the storage area 32 (for example, data developed in a RAM) is used by using an OS function (not shown). For example, print data in the form of a printer control code such as PDL [Page Description Language] that can be interpreted by the image processing apparatus 2 is generated, and the generated print data is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 2.

  Next, a functional configuration of the print control program 31 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 29, the print control program 31 includes a print data generation unit 33, a paper ID generation unit 13, a paper ID addition unit 14, a print data transmission unit 34, and a paper ID transmission unit 15 as its functions. .

  The print data generation unit 33 performs a process of generating print data based on the data in the storage area 32.

  The paper ID generation unit 13 performs a process of counting the number of print papers from the print data generated by the print data generation unit 33 and generating the number of paper IDs corresponding to the number of print papers. That is, when print data with n print sheets is generated, n paper IDs are generated. However, when performing double-sided printing, n / 2 paper IDs are generated when a paper ID is added to one side (or the same paper ID is added to both sides), and different paper IDs are used for both sides. In the setting to add, n sheet IDs are generated.

  The paper ID adding unit 14 performs processing for adding the paper ID generated by the paper ID generating unit 13 to a predetermined position of each page area in the print data. Specifically, a configuration in which the paper ID is directly added to the print data as characters may be applied, or the paper ID may be converted into a pattern image such as a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code, for example, in the print data. A configuration added to may be applied.

  The print data transmission unit 34 performs processing for transmitting the print data to which the paper ID is added by the paper ID addition unit 14 to the image processing apparatus 2 via the network 6.

  The paper ID transmission unit 15 performs processing for transmitting the paper ID generated by the paper ID generation unit 13 to the document monitoring device 3 via the network 6. Specifically, when print data having n print sheets is generated, n paper IDs corresponding to the number of print sheets of the print data are transmitted in association with each other. The document monitoring device 3 manages these n sheet IDs as a sheet ID list (described below). The paper ID generation unit may transmit the n paper IDs without associating them.

  The paper ID generation unit 13 generates a document ID (corresponding to the processing ID of the first embodiment) for identifying the print data for each generated print data (note that the data name or the like can be used as the document ID). It is also possible to apply a configuration in which the document ID and all the sheet IDs generated when generating the print data are transmitted in association with each other.

  In addition, a configuration is adopted in which the input of the user ID of the user who instructed the generation of print data is requested every time the print data is generated, and the input user ID, document ID, and paper ID are transmitted in association with each other. You may do it.

  Next, a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 2 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 29, the image processing apparatus 2 extracts the sheet ID from the reading unit 7, the image forming unit 35 that forms a print image generated from the print data on the sheet, and the image data read by the reading unit 7. A sheet presence confirmation unit 11 for confirming the presence of a sheet is provided.

  The reading unit 7 performs processing for reading a document and generating image data, and includes, for example, an image sensor such as a CCD [Charge Coupled Devices] and an electric motor mounted with the image sensor, for example, moving a carriage or a document. Is done. The reading unit generates one image data every time one original is read. That is, by reading n originals with the reading unit, image data corresponding to n sheets is generated.

  As shown in FIG. 29, the image forming unit 35 includes a print image generating unit 12 and an image forming unit 9.

  The print image generation unit 12 performs processing for generating a print image based on print data received from the information processing apparatus 5 via the network 6. The print image generation unit 12 generates a print image corresponding to one sheet. That is, when the print image generation unit 12 generates n print images, n sheets are output. However, when duplex printing is performed, n / 2 sheets are output.

  The image forming unit 9 performs a process of forming a print image on a sheet.

  As shown in FIG. 29, the paper presence confirmation unit 11 includes a paper ID extraction unit 16, a paper ID list acquisition unit 17, a presence confirmation unit 18, and a presence information transmission unit 19.

  The paper ID extraction unit 16 performs a process of extracting a paper ID from the image data read by the reading unit 7. The reading unit 7 generates one image data every time one original is read. That is, n paper IDs are extracted by reading n originals by the reading unit 7.

  The paper ID list acquisition unit 17 performs processing for acquiring a paper ID list including the paper ID extracted by the paper ID extraction unit 16 from the document monitoring apparatus 3. Specifically, a sheet ID list including the sheet ID extracted first (that is, the sheet ID extracted from the image data read by the reading unit 7 first) is acquired from the document monitoring apparatus 3. It will be.

  The presence check unit 18 performs a process of comparing the paper ID extracted by the paper ID extraction unit 16 with the paper ID on the paper ID list acquired by the paper ID list acquisition unit 17. Specifically, processing is performed to check whether all the paper IDs extracted by the paper ID extraction unit 16 match all the paper IDs on the paper ID list acquired by the paper ID list acquisition unit 17.

  Here, when all the paper IDs coincide with all the paper IDs on the paper ID list (that is, when all the papers on the paper ID list are read), all the paper IDs on the paper ID list are supported. Comparison result information (hereinafter referred to as presence information) indicating that the presence of the sheet to be confirmed has been confirmed, and a time at which the presence of the sheet is confirmed (hereinafter referred to as a confirmation time) is added to the presence information. . Also, when all the paper IDs do not match all the paper IDs on the paper ID list (that is, when some or all of the papers on the paper ID list are not read), Existence information indicating that the presence of sheets corresponding to all sheet IDs could not be confirmed is generated. Hereinafter, the above confirmation process is referred to as a document unit existence confirmation process. Here, in addition to the time when the existence of the paper is confirmed, the confirmation time includes the time when the document is read, the time when the paper ID is extracted, the time when the confirmation of the existence of the paper is started, and the like.

  Note that a configuration in which presence information is generated for each sheet ID on the sheet ID list may be applied. Hereinafter, the above confirmation process is referred to as a sheet ID unit existence confirmation process.

  Further, existence confirmation information is generated including identification information (hereinafter referred to as a confirmation user ID) of a user who has performed existence confirmation processing in document units or paper ID units.

  The presence information transmission unit 19 performs processing for transmitting the presence information generated by the presence confirmation unit 18 to the document monitoring apparatus 3 via the network 6.

  Note that it is also possible to apply a configuration in which a program including the above-described sheet presence confirmation unit 11 as a function is incorporated in a general-purpose image processing apparatus (or image reading apparatus). An image reading program is stored in a storage unit (for example, a hard disk), and a calculation unit (for example, CPU) of the image processing apparatus executes the image reading program stored in the storage unit. Further, the above-described program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as various memories or optical disks, and can be distributed via a communication line such as a network, for example.

  Next, a functional configuration of the document monitoring apparatus 3 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 29, the document monitoring device 3 includes a paper ID management unit 20, a presence information management unit 21 for managing presence information from the image processing device 2, and a presence confirmation warning notification unit 22. The

  The paper ID management unit 20 manages the paper ID received from the information processing apparatus 5 via the network. A specific management method is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 29, the presence information management unit 21 includes a paper ID list transmission unit 23 and a presence information management unit 24.

  When receiving a request for a paper ID list including a paper ID from the image processing apparatus 2 via the network 6, the paper ID list transmission unit 23 searches the paper ID management unit 20 for the requested paper ID list. The retrieved paper ID list is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 2 via the network 6.

  The presence information management unit 24 manages presence information received from the image processing apparatus 2 via the network 6. A specific management method is shown in FIG.

  The presence confirmation warning notification unit 24 needs to confirm the presence of the sheet in the sheet ID list of the presence information when a preset period has elapsed from the confirmation time of the presence information managed by the presence information management unit 23. Notify that there is a warning.

  In addition, it is also possible to apply a configuration in which a program including the above-described paper ID management unit 20, presence information management unit 21, and presence confirmation warning notification unit 24 as functions is installed in a general-purpose server or computer. Is that a document monitoring program is stored in a storage unit (for example, a hard disk or the like) of a server or computer, and a calculation unit (for example, a CPU or the like) of the server or computer executes the document monitoring program stored in the storage unit. Become. Further, the above-described program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as various memories or optical disks, and can be distributed via a communication line such as a network, for example.

  Next, functional operations of the print control program 31 of the information processing apparatus 5, the image processing apparatus 2, and the document monitoring apparatus 3 when a print image with a paper ID added is formed on a sheet will be described with reference to FIG. .

  The print data generation unit 33 of the print control program 31 acquires data in the storage area 32 of the information processing apparatus 5 and generates print data based on the acquired data.

  When print data is generated by the print data generation unit 33, the paper ID generation unit 13 of the print control program 31 counts the number of print sheets from the print data, and generates a number of paper IDs corresponding to the number of print sheets. The generated paper ID is passed to the paper ID adding unit 14 of the print control program 31 and the paper ID transmission unit 15 of the print control program 31.

  When the paper ID adding unit 14 receives the paper ID from the paper ID generating unit 13, the paper ID adding unit 14 adds the received paper ID to the print data generated by the print data generating unit 33, and print control the print data with the paper ID added. The print data is sent to the print data transmission unit 34 of the program 31.

  When the print data transmission unit 34 receives the print data to which the paper ID is added from the paper ID addition unit 14, the print data transmission unit 34 transmits the received print data to the image processing apparatus 2.

  Upon receiving the paper ID from the paper ID generation unit 13, the paper ID transmission unit 15 transmits the received paper ID to the document monitoring device 3.

  When the print image generation unit 12 of the image processing device 2 receives the print data to which the paper ID is added from the information processing device 5, the print image generation unit 12 generates a print image based on the received print data, and the generated print image is displayed on the image processing device. To the second image forming unit 9.

  When the image forming unit 9 receives the print image from the print image generating unit 12, the image forming unit 9 forms the received print image on a sheet.

  When the paper ID management unit 20 of the document monitoring apparatus 3 receives the paper ID from the information processing apparatus 5, it manages the received paper ID in association with the paper ID list.

  Next, a flowchart shown in FIG. 31 shows an example of the flow of processing performed by the print control program 31, the image processing apparatus 2, and the document monitoring apparatus 3 of the information processing apparatus 5 when a print image with a paper ID added is formed on a sheet. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  The print data generation unit of the print control program acquires data from the storage area of the information processing apparatus (S3101), generates print data from the acquired data (S3102), and the paper ID generation unit of the print control program performs the paper ID generation process (S3103), the paper ID addition unit of the print control program performs the paper ID addition process (S3104), and the print data transmission unit of the print control program prints the print data with the paper ID added in the paper ID addition process. The sheet ID transmission unit of the print control program transmits all the sheet IDs generated in the sheet ID generation process to the document monitoring apparatus (S3106).

  The print image generation unit of the image processing apparatus receives the print data to which the paper ID is added from the information processing apparatus (S3107), generates a print image based on the received print data (S3108), and the image of the image processing apparatus. The forming unit forms a print image on a sheet (S3109).

  When the paper ID management unit of the document monitoring apparatus receives all the paper IDs from the information processing apparatus (S3110), all the received paper IDs are stored in association with each other as a paper ID list (S3111), and the processing procedure ends.

  The generation of the paper ID corresponding to the print setting and the addition of the paper ID to the print image are shown in FIGS.

  Next, an example of the flow of the paper ID generation process performed in S3103 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 31 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The sheet ID generation unit counts the number of print sheets from the print data (S3201), sets the counted number of print sheets in the number counter n (S3202), confirms the print setting (S3203), and the print setting is normal printing. If it is layout printing (NO in S3204), n sheet IDs are generated (S3205), and the processing procedure is terminated.

  If the print setting is double-sided printing (YES in S3204), it is confirmed whether the paper ID is added to both sides or one side (S3206).

  When the paper ID is added to one side (YES in S3206), n paper IDs are generated (S3205), and the processing procedure ends.

  When adding paper IDs to both sides (NO in S3206), 2n paper IDs are generated (S3207), and the processing procedure ends.

  Next, an example of the flow of the sheet ID adding process performed in S3104 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 31 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The paper ID adding unit confirms the print setting (S3301). If the print setting is normal printing or layout printing (NO in S3302), n paper IDs are set at predetermined positions in each page area in the print data. Is added (S3303), and the processing procedure ends.

  If the print setting is double-sided printing (YES in S3302), it is confirmed whether the paper ID is added to both sides or one side (S3304).

  When adding paper IDs to both sides (NO in S3304), 2n paper IDs are added to predetermined positions in each page area in the print data (S3303), and the processing procedure ends.

  If a paper ID is added to one side (YES in S3304), n paper IDs are added to predetermined positions in the odd-numbered page area of the print data (S3305), and the processing procedure ends.

  A configuration in which the paper ID is added to the even-numbered page area and the paper ID is not added to the odd-numbered page area may be applied.

  The functional operations of the image processing apparatus 2 and the document monitoring apparatus 3 when reading a sheet with a sheet ID and confirming the presence of the sheet are the first functional configuration described in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, the detailed description is omitted, and the flow of processing performed by the image processing apparatus 2 and the document monitoring apparatus 3 when checking the presence of the sheet by reading the sheet to which the sheet ID is added is illustrated in FIG. 15, 16, 17, and 18 are the same as the process flow in the first functional configuration described in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Display examples of the paper ID list managed by the paper ID management unit 20 and the presence information managed by the presence information management unit 24 are shown in FIG. 19, FIG. 20, and FIG.

  FIG. 34 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a second functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 5, the image processing apparatus 2, and the document monitoring apparatus 3. The second functional configuration is that the image processing apparatus 2 extracts the paper ID from the image data and does not perform the process of confirming the presence of the paper based on the extracted paper ID, but the extracted paper ID. Is sent to the document monitoring apparatus 3, and the document monitoring apparatus 3 performs a process of confirming the presence of the sheet based on the sheet ID from the image processing apparatus 2.

  The functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 5 is the same as the first functional configuration shown in FIG. 29, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. Further, the image forming unit 35 of the image processing apparatus 2 is shown in FIG. Therefore, the detailed description is omitted, and the sheet presence confirmation unit 11 of the image processing apparatus 2 has the second functional configuration described in the first embodiment shown in FIG. The detailed configuration is omitted, and the functional configuration of the document monitoring apparatus 3 is the same as the second functional configuration described in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Detailed description is omitted.

  FIG. 35 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a third functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 5, the image processing apparatus 2, and the document monitoring apparatus 3. The third functional configuration does not execute the process of extracting the paper ID from the image data read by the image processing apparatus 2, but transmits the read image data to the document monitoring apparatus 3, and the document monitoring apparatus Reference numeral 3 denotes a configuration in which a sheet ID is extracted from the image data from the image processing apparatus 2 and a process of confirming the presence of the sheet is performed based on the extracted sheet ID.

  The functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 5 is the same as the first functional configuration shown in FIG. 29, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. Further, the image forming unit 35 of the image processing apparatus 2 is shown in FIG. Therefore, the detailed description is omitted, and the sheet presence confirmation unit 11 of the image processing apparatus 2 has the third functional configuration described in the first embodiment shown in FIG. The detailed configuration is omitted, and the functional configuration of the document monitoring apparatus 3 is the same as the third functional configuration described in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Detailed description is omitted.

  FIG. 36 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 36, the document monitoring system 103 according to the present embodiment includes at least one image processing apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, a document monitoring apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment, and a paper ID according to the present embodiment. A supply device 36, at least one document storage device 4, and at least one information processing device 5 are connected via a network 6.

  The image processing apparatus 2 has at least one of an image forming function for forming a print image on a sheet and an image reading function for acquiring image data by optically reading a document. For example, a printer, a copier, a scanner Etc. An apparatus having both functions may be used.

  If the image processing apparatus 2 having an image forming function has an image reading function, a process for forming a print image generated from image data read by the image reading function on a sheet (for example, a copying process), and a network from the document storage apparatus. A process for forming a print image generated from various data such as a file and image data obtained via the print on a sheet, a print request in the form of a printer control code received from an information processing apparatus via a network (hereinafter referred to as print data and A process (for example, a printing process) for forming a print image generated on the sheet from the printer.

  If the image processing apparatus 3 having an image reading function has an image forming function, the image reading function reads a print image generated from the image data read by the image reading function on a sheet (for example, a copying process) and the image reading function. Store image data in a specified location (for example, store it in a storage area built in the image processing device, transfer it to a document storage device, transfer it to an information processing device, etc.), process it (for example, scan processing), and read it with an image reading function A process for transmitting the image data by facsimile (for example, a facsimile transmission process) and a process for transmitting the image data read by the image reading function attached to an electronic mail (for example, an electronic mail transmission process) are performed.

  It is assumed that the image processing apparatus 2 according to the third embodiment has an image forming function and an image reading function.

  The document monitoring device 3 performs processing for monitoring the presence of paper printed by the image processing device 2. The specific means for monitoring the presence of paper will be described below.

  The paper ID supply device 36 performs processing for generating a paper ID corresponding to the print image generated by the image processing device 2 and supplying the generated paper ID to the image processing device 2. Specific means for generating the paper ID will be described below.

  The document storage device 4 is a device that stores various data such as files and image data. The document storage device 4 provides the requested data to the image processing device 2 in response to various data requests from the image processing device 2.

  The information processing apparatus 5 is, for example, a personal computer, a portable terminal, or the like, and is used directly by the user. The information processing apparatus 5 uses the function of a print control program (for example, a printer driver) incorporated in the information processing apparatus 5 to generate print data for requesting printing of data such as files and images created by an application or the like. It transmits to the image processing apparatus 2.

  Next, the image processing device 2, the paper ID supply device 36, and the document monitoring device 3 will be described.

  FIG. 37 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a first functional configuration of the image processing device 2, the paper ID supply device 36, and the document monitoring device 3.

  First, a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 2 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 37, the image processing apparatus 2 prints a sheet ID corresponding to a print image for one sheet supplied from the reading unit 7, the receiving unit 8, the image forming unit 9, and the sheet ID supply unit 36. A paper ID adding unit 10 for adding to the paper, and a paper presence confirmation unit 11 for extracting the paper ID from the image data read by the reading unit 7 and confirming the presence of the paper.

  The reading unit 7 performs processing for reading a document and generating image data, and includes, for example, an image sensor such as a CCD [Charge Coupled Devices] and an electric motor mounted with the image sensor, for example, moving a carriage or a document. Is done. The reading unit generates one image data every time one original is read. That is, by reading n originals with the reading unit, image data corresponding to n sheets is generated.

  The receiving unit 8 performs processing for acquiring various data such as files and image data from the document storage device 3 via the network 6 and processing for receiving print data from the information processing device 5 via the network 6.

  The image forming unit 9 performs a process of forming a print image on a sheet.

  As shown in FIG. 37, the paper ID adding unit 10 includes a print image generating unit 12, a paper ID requesting unit 37, a paper ID acquiring unit 38, a paper ID adding unit 14, and a paper ID transmitting unit 15. .

  The print image generation unit 12 can form an image based on the image data generated by the reading unit 7, various data acquired by the reception unit 8, print data received by the reception unit 8, and the like, for example, a bitmap image (hereinafter referred to as a bitmap image). , Referred to as a print image). The print image generation unit 12 generates a print image corresponding to one sheet. That is, when the print image generation unit 12 generates n print images, n sheets are output. However, when duplex printing is performed, n / 2 sheets are output.

  The paper ID request unit 37 performs processing for requesting the paper ID supply device 36 to generate a paper ID. Specifically, every time the print image generating unit 12 generates a print image for one sheet, the sheet ID supply device 36 is requested to generate one sheet ID. In other words, when n print images are generated by the print image generation unit 12, the paper ID supply device 36 is requested to generate n paper IDs. However, when performing double-sided printing, the setting for adding a paper ID on one side (or adding the same paper ID on both sides) requires generation of a paper ID for a printed image on one side, and different paper IDs on both sides. In the setting to add, a paper ID is requested every time a print image is generated.

  The paper ID acquisition unit 38 receives the paper ID transmitted from the paper ID supply device 36 and temporarily stores the received paper ID in the storage area of the image processing device 2.

  The paper ID adding unit 14 performs processing for adding the paper ID stored in the paper ID acquiring unit 38 to the print image. Specifically, a configuration in which the paper ID is directly added to the print image as characters may be applied, or the paper ID is converted into a pattern image such as a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code and added to the print image. You may apply the structure to do.

  The paper ID transmission unit 15 performs processing for transmitting the paper ID stored by the paper ID acquisition unit 38 to the document monitoring apparatus 3 via the network 6. Specifically, when a bundle of n sheets of documents is set in the reading unit 7 and the bundle of documents is read and printed on n sheets of paper, the sheet ID supply device 36 performs the process. When the supplied n sheet IDs are associated with each other and transmitted to the document monitoring apparatus 3 and one data acquired from the document storage apparatus 3 is printed on n sheets, the process is performed. When the generated n paper IDs are associated with each other and transmitted to the document monitoring apparatus 3 and the print data received from the information processing apparatus 5 is printed on n sheets of paper, it is generated at the time of the process. The n sheet IDs are associated with each other and transmitted to the document monitoring apparatus 3. The document monitoring apparatus 3 manages these n sheet IDs in association with each other (hereinafter referred to as a sheet ID list) (described below). Further, the paper ID transmission unit 15 may transmit the n paper IDs without associating them.

  The paper ID request unit 37 generates identification information (hereinafter referred to as a process ID) for identifying the process for each process unit (note that a data name or the like may be used as a process ID). May be applied to the paper ID supply device 36, and the processing ID and all the paper IDs are transmitted in association with each other.

  Further, every time the above processing is performed, a request is made to input identification information (hereinafter referred to as a user ID) of the user who has instructed the processing, and the input user ID, processing ID, and paper ID are associated with each other and transmitted. May be applied.

  As shown in FIG. 37, the paper presence confirmation unit 11 includes a paper ID extraction unit 16, a paper ID list acquisition unit 17, a presence confirmation unit 18, and a presence information transmission unit 19.

  The paper ID extraction unit 16 performs a process of extracting a paper ID from the image data read by the reading unit 7. The reading unit 7 generates one image data every time one original is read. That is, n paper IDs are extracted by reading n originals by the reading unit 7.

  The paper ID list acquisition unit 17 performs processing for acquiring a paper ID list including the paper ID extracted by the paper ID extraction unit 16 from the document monitoring apparatus 3. Specifically, a sheet ID list including the sheet ID extracted first (that is, the sheet ID extracted from the image data read by the reading unit 7 first) is acquired from the document monitoring apparatus 3. It will be.

  The presence check unit 18 performs a process of comparing the paper ID extracted by the paper ID extraction unit 16 with the paper ID on the paper ID list acquired by the paper ID list acquisition unit 17. Specifically, processing is performed to check whether all the paper IDs extracted by the paper ID extraction unit 16 match all the paper IDs on the paper ID list acquired by the paper ID list acquisition unit 17.

  Here, when all the paper IDs coincide with all the paper IDs on the paper ID list (that is, when all the papers on the paper ID list are read), all the paper IDs on the paper ID list are supported. Comparison result information (hereinafter referred to as presence information) indicating that the presence of the sheet to be confirmed has been confirmed, and a time at which the presence of the sheet is confirmed (hereinafter referred to as a confirmation time) is added to the presence information. . Also, when all the paper IDs do not match all the paper IDs on the paper ID list (that is, when some or all of the papers on the paper ID list are not read), Existence information indicating that the presence of sheets corresponding to all sheet IDs could not be confirmed is generated. Hereinafter, the above confirmation process is referred to as a document unit existence confirmation process. Here, in addition to the time when the existence of the paper is confirmed, the confirmation time includes the time when the document is read, the time when the paper ID is extracted, the time when the confirmation of the existence of the paper is started, and the like.

  Note that a configuration in which presence information is generated for each sheet ID on the sheet ID list may be applied. Hereinafter, the above confirmation process is referred to as a sheet ID unit existence confirmation process.

  Further, existence confirmation information is generated including identification information (hereinafter referred to as a confirmation user ID) of a user who has performed existence confirmation processing in document units or paper ID units.

  The presence information transmission unit 19 performs processing for transmitting the presence information generated by the presence confirmation unit 18 to the document monitoring apparatus 3 via the network 6.

  Note that it is also possible to apply a configuration in which a program including the above-described paper ID addition unit 10 as a function is incorporated in a general-purpose image processing apparatus (or image forming apparatus). The image processing program is stored in a storage unit (for example, a hard disk), and the arithmetic unit (for example, CPU) of the image processing apparatus executes the image forming program stored in the storage unit. Further, the above-described program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as various memories or optical disks, and can be distributed via a communication line such as a network, for example.

  In addition, it is possible to apply a configuration in which a program including the above-described sheet presence confirmation unit 11 as a function is incorporated into a general-purpose image processing apparatus (or image reading apparatus). An image reading program is stored in a storage unit (for example, a hard disk), and a calculation unit (for example, CPU) of the image processing apparatus executes the image reading program stored in the storage unit. Further, the above-described program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as various memories or optical disks, and can be distributed via a communication line such as a network, for example.

  Next, a functional configuration of the paper ID supply device 36 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 37, the paper ID supply device 36 includes a request reception unit 39, a paper ID generation unit 13, and a paper ID supply unit 40.

  The request receiving unit 39 performs processing for receiving a request for generating a paper ID from the image processing apparatus 2.

  When the request receiving unit 39 receives a request for generating a paper ID, the paper ID generating unit 13 performs processing for generating a paper ID corresponding to a print image for one sheet. When a request for generating a process ID is received from the image processing apparatus 2, a process ID is also generated.

  The paper ID supply unit 40 performs processing to transmit the paper ID generated by the paper ID generation unit 13 to the image processing apparatus 2.

  In addition, it is possible to apply a configuration in which a program including the above-described request reception unit 39, paper ID generation unit 13, and paper ID supply unit 40 as functions is incorporated in a general-purpose server or computer. The program is stored in a storage unit (for example, a hard disk) of the server or computer, and the calculation unit (for example, CPU) of the server or computer executes the program stored in the storage unit. Further, the above-described program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as various memories or optical disks, and can be distributed via a communication line such as a network, for example.

  Next, a functional configuration of the document monitoring apparatus 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 37, the document monitoring apparatus 3 includes a paper ID management unit 20, a presence information management unit 21 for managing presence information from the image processing apparatus 2, and a presence confirmation warning notification unit 22. The

  The paper ID management unit 20 manages the paper ID received from the image processing apparatus 2 via the network 6. A specific management method is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the presence information management unit 21 includes a paper ID list transmission unit 23 and a presence information management unit 24.

  The paper ID list transmission unit 23 receives the requested paper ID list from the paper ID management unit 20 when receiving a search request for the paper ID list including the paper ID from the image processing apparatus 2 via the network 6. A process of searching and transmitting the searched sheet ID list to the image processing apparatus 2 via the network 6 is performed.

  The presence information management unit 24 manages presence information received from the image processing apparatus 2 via the network 6. A specific management method is shown in FIG.

  The presence confirmation warning notification unit 22 needs to confirm the presence of the sheet in the sheet ID list of the presence information when a preset period has elapsed based on the confirmation time of the presence information managed by the presence information management unit 24. Notify that there is a warning.

  In addition, it is also possible to apply a configuration in which a program including the above-described paper ID management unit 20, presence information management unit 21, and presence confirmation warning notification unit 22 as functions is installed in a general-purpose server or computer. Is that a document monitoring program is stored in a storage unit (for example, a hard disk or the like) of a server or computer, and a calculation unit (for example, a CPU or the like) of the server or computer executes the document monitoring program stored in the storage unit. Become. Further, the above-described program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as various memories or optical disks, and can be distributed via a communication line such as a network, for example.

  Next, functional operations of the image processing device 2, the paper ID supply 36, and the document monitoring device 3 when a print image with a paper ID added is formed on a paper will be described with reference to FIG.

  The reading unit 7 of the image processing apparatus 2 reads the set original to generate image data, and passes the generated image data to the print image generation unit 12 of the image processing apparatus 2. In addition, the reception unit 8 of the image processing apparatus 2 acquires data from the document storage apparatus 4 and passes the acquired data to the print image generation unit 12. The accepting unit 8 accepts print data from the information processing apparatus 5 and passes the accepted print data to the print image generating unit 12.

  When receiving the image data from the reading unit 7 (or data or print data from the receiving unit 8), the print image generating unit 12 generates a print image based on the received image data (or data or print data). .

  When a print image is generated by the print image generation unit 12, the paper ID request unit 37 of the image processing apparatus 2 requests the paper ID supply device 36 to generate a paper ID corresponding to the print image for one sheet. To do.

  When receiving a request for generating a paper ID from the image processing apparatus 2, the request receiving unit 39 of the paper ID supply device 36 requests the paper ID generation unit 13 of the paper ID supply device 36 to generate a paper ID.

  When the paper ID generation unit 13 receives a paper ID generation request from the request reception unit 39, the paper ID generation unit 13 generates a paper ID and passes the generated paper ID to the paper ID supply unit 40 of the paper ID supply device 36.

  Upon receiving the paper ID from the paper ID generation unit 13, the paper ID supply unit 40 transmits the received paper ID to the image processing apparatus 2.

  When receiving the paper ID from the paper ID supply device 36, the paper ID acquisition unit 38 of the image processing device 2 temporarily stores the received paper ID in the storage area of the image processing device 2, and stores the stored paper ID in the image processing device 2. To the sheet ID adding unit 14 and the sheet ID transmitting unit 15 of the image processing apparatus 2.

  Upon receipt of the paper ID from the paper ID acquisition unit 38, the paper ID addition unit 14 adds the received paper ID to the print image generated by the print image generation unit 12, and the print image with the paper ID added is the image processing apparatus. 2 to the second image forming unit 9.

  When the image forming unit 9 receives the print image to which the paper ID is added from the paper ID adding unit 14, the image forming unit 9 forms the received print image on the paper.

  Upon receiving the paper ID from the paper ID generation unit 13, the paper ID transmission unit 15 transmits the received paper ID to the document monitoring device 3.

  When receiving the paper ID from the image processing apparatus 2, the paper ID management unit 20 of the document monitoring apparatus 3 manages the received paper ID in association with the received paper ID list.

  Next, referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 39, an example of the flow of processing performed in the image processing apparatus 2, the paper ID supply apparatus 36, and the document monitoring apparatus 3 when a print image with a paper ID added is formed on the paper. explain.

  When the reading unit of the image processing apparatus reads the set original to generate image data, or when the receiving unit of the image processing apparatus acquires data from the document storage device, or the receiving unit receives print data from the information processing apparatus. When it is received (S3901), the value of the page counter n is initialized to 0 (S3902), the value of the page counter n is incremented by 1 (S3903), and the print image generation unit of the image processing apparatus 1 forms the paper 1 based on the image data and the like. A print image for the number of sheets is generated (S3904), and the sheet ID request unit of the image processing apparatus performs a sheet ID generation request process for the request ID supply apparatus (S3905).

  When the request reception unit of the paper ID supply device receives a request for generation of a paper ID from the image processing device (S3906), the paper ID generation unit of the paper ID supply device generates a paper ID (S3907) and supplies the paper ID. The paper ID supply unit of the apparatus transmits the paper ID to the image processing apparatus (S3908).

  When the paper ID acquisition unit of the image processing device receives the paper ID from the paper ID supply device (S3909), the paper ID addition unit of the image processing device performs the paper ID addition processing (S3910), and the image of the image processing device. The forming unit forms a print image with the sheet ID added on the sheet (S3911).

  If the next print image is generated by the print image generation unit (NO in S3912), the process returns to S3903.

  When the print image generation unit has finished generating the print image (YES in S3912), the paper ID transmission unit of the image processing apparatus prints all the paper IDs generated in the paper ID generation process and the printing described below. (For example, printing types such as normal printing, layout printing, and duplex printing) are transmitted to the document monitoring apparatus (S3913).

  When the paper ID management unit of the document monitoring apparatus receives all the paper IDs and print settings from the image processing apparatus (S3914), all the received paper IDs (and print settings) are stored in association with each other as a paper ID list. (S3915), the processing procedure ends.

  The generation of the paper ID corresponding to the print setting and the addition of the paper ID to the print image are shown in FIGS.

  Next, an example of the flow of the paper ID request process performed in S3905 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 39 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The paper ID request unit confirms the print setting (S4001), and if the print setting is normal printing or layout printing (NO in S4002), requests the paper ID supply device to generate a paper ID (S4003). The processing procedure is finished.

  If the print setting is double-sided printing (YES in S4002), it is confirmed whether the paper ID is added to both sides or one side (S4004).

  When adding a paper ID to both sides (NO in S4004), the paper ID supply device is requested to generate a paper ID (S4003), and the processing procedure is terminated.

  When adding the paper ID to one side (YES in S4004), it is confirmed whether the page count n is an odd number or an even number (S4005).

  If the page count n is an odd number (YES in S4005), the paper ID supply device is requested to generate a paper ID (S4003), and the processing procedure ends.

  If the page count n is an even number (NO in S4005), the processing procedure is terminated without requesting the generation of the paper ID.

  A configuration may be applied in which the generation of the paper ID is requested when the page count n is an even number, and the generation of the paper ID is not requested when the page count n is an odd number.

  Next, an example of the flow of the sheet ID addition process performed in S3910 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 39 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The paper ID adding unit checks whether or not the paper ID requesting unit has requested generation of the paper ID (S4101).

  If generation of the paper ID is requested (YES in S4101), the paper ID is added to the print image (S4102), and the processing procedure is terminated.

  If no paper ID generation is requested (NO in S4101), the processing procedure is terminated.

  The functional operations of the image processing apparatus 2 and the document monitoring apparatus 3 when reading a sheet with a sheet ID and confirming the presence of the sheet are the first functional configuration described in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, the detailed description is omitted, and the flow of processing performed by the image processing apparatus 2 and the document monitoring apparatus 3 when checking the presence of the sheet by reading the sheet to which the sheet ID is added is illustrated in FIG. 15, 16, 17, and 18 are the same as the process flow in the first functional configuration described in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Display examples of the paper ID list managed by the paper ID management unit 20 and the presence information managed by the presence information management unit 24 are shown in FIG. 19, FIG. 20, and FIG.

  FIG. 42 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a second functional configuration of the image processing device 2, the paper ID supply device 36, and the document monitoring device 3. The second functional configuration is that the image processing apparatus 2 extracts the paper ID from the image data and does not perform the process of confirming the presence of the paper based on the extracted paper ID, but the extracted paper ID. Is sent to the document monitoring apparatus 3, and the document monitoring apparatus 3 performs a process of confirming the presence of the sheet based on the sheet ID from the image processing apparatus 2.

  Note that the paper ID adding unit 10 of the image processing apparatus 2 is the same as the first functional configuration shown in FIG. 37, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. Further, the paper presence confirmation unit 11 of the image processing apparatus 2 is Since this is the same as the second functional configuration described in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 22, the detailed description is omitted, and the functional configuration of the paper ID supply device 36 is the first functional configuration shown in FIG. Since it is the same as the functional configuration, detailed description is omitted, and the functional configuration of the document monitoring apparatus 3 is the same as the second functional configuration described in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, detailed description is omitted.

  FIG. 43 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a third functional configuration of the image processing device 2, the paper ID supply device 36, and the document monitoring device 3. The third functional configuration does not execute the process of extracting the paper ID from the image data read by the image processing apparatus 2, but transmits the read image data to the document monitoring apparatus 3, and the document monitoring apparatus Reference numeral 3 denotes a configuration in which a sheet ID is extracted from the image data from the image processing apparatus 2 and a process of confirming the presence of the sheet is performed based on the extracted sheet ID.

  Since the paper ID unit 10 of the image processing apparatus 2 is the same as the first functional configuration shown in FIG. 36, detailed description thereof is omitted, and the paper presence confirmation unit 11 of the image processing apparatus 2 is further illustrated in FIG. 25, the detailed functional description is omitted, and the functional configuration of the sheet ID supply device 36 is the first function shown in FIG. The detailed configuration is omitted, and the functional configuration of the document monitoring apparatus 3 is the same as the third functional configuration described in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Detailed description will be omitted.

  FIG. 44 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the fourth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 44, the document monitoring system 104 according to this embodiment includes at least one image processing apparatus 2 according to this embodiment, the document monitoring apparatus 3 according to this embodiment, and a paper ID according to this embodiment. A supply device 36, at least one document storage device 4, and an information processing device 5 in which a print control program according to the present embodiment is incorporated are connected via a network 6.

  The image processing apparatus 2 has at least one of an image forming function for forming a print image on a sheet and an image reading function for acquiring image data by optically reading a document. For example, a printer, a copier, a scanner Etc. An apparatus having both functions may be used.

  If the image processing apparatus 2 having an image forming function has an image reading function, a process for forming a print image generated from image data read by the image reading function on a sheet (for example, a copying process), and a network from the document storage apparatus. A process for forming a print image generated from various data such as a file and image data obtained via the print on a sheet, a print request in the form of a printer control code received from the information processing apparatus via a network (for example, print data and A process (for example, a printing process) for forming a print image generated on the sheet from the printer.

  If the image processing apparatus 3 having an image reading function has an image forming function, the image reading function reads a print image generated from the image data read by the image reading function on a sheet (for example, a copying process) and the image reading function. Store image data in a specified location (for example, store it in a storage area built in the image processing device, transfer it to a document storage device, transfer it to an information processing device, etc.), process it (for example, scan processing), and read it with an image reading function A process for transmitting the image data by facsimile (for example, a facsimile transmission process) and a process for transmitting the image data read by the image reading function attached to an electronic mail (for example, an electronic mail transmission process) are performed.

  It is assumed that the image processing apparatus 2 according to the fourth embodiment has an image forming function and an image reading function.

  The document monitoring device 3 performs processing for monitoring the presence of paper printed by the image processing device 2. The specific means for monitoring the presence of paper will be described below.

  The information processing apparatus 5 is, for example, a personal computer, a portable terminal, or the like, and is used directly by the user. The information processing apparatus 5 uses the function of a print control program (for example, a printer driver) incorporated in the information processing apparatus 5 to generate print data for requesting printing of data such as files and images created by an application or the like. It transmits to the image processing apparatus 2.

  The paper ID supply device 36 generates a paper ID corresponding to the print data generated by the print control program incorporated in the information processing device 5 and supplies the generated paper ID to the information processing device 5. Do. Specific means for generating the paper ID will be described below.

  The document storage device 4 is a device that stores various data such as files and image data. The document storage device 4 provides the requested data to the image processing device 2 in response to various data requests from the image processing device 2.

  Next, the information processing device 5, the paper ID supply device 36, the image processing device 2, and the document monitoring device 3 will be described.

  FIG. 45 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a first functional configuration of the information processing device 5, the paper ID supply device 36, the image processing device 2, and the document monitoring device 3.

  First, the functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 5 will be described.

  Although not shown, the information processing apparatus 5 performs sequence control of the main body of the information processing apparatus 5 based on basic software such as an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS), for example, a CPU [Central Processing Unit] or the like. Is used as a buffer area for a work area necessary for program execution, for example, a first storage unit such as a ROM [Read Only Memory]. For example, a second storage unit such as a RAM [Random Access Memory], an OS, an application program, a print control program, data such as various files, a third storage unit such as an HD [Hard Disk], a network, etc. Etc., and a communication unit that transmits and receives commands, data, and the like between devices via the network.

  As shown in FIG. 45, a print control program 31 is incorporated in the information processing apparatus 5, and data in the storage area 31 (for example, data expanded in a RAM) is used by using an OS function (not shown). For example, print data in the form of a printer control code such as PDL [Page Description Language] that can be interpreted by the image processing apparatus 2 is generated, and the generated print data is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 2.

  Next, a functional configuration of the print control program 31 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 45, the print control program 31 functions as a print data generation unit 33, a paper ID request unit 37, a paper ID acquisition unit 38, a paper ID addition unit 14, a print data transmission unit 34, and a paper ID transmission. The unit 15 is configured.

  The print data generation unit 33 performs a process of generating print data based on the data in the storage area 32.

  The paper ID request unit 37 counts the number of print sheets from the print data generated by the print data generation unit 33 and requests the paper ID supply device 36 to generate a number of paper IDs corresponding to the number of print sheets. Do. That is, when n print data is generated, the generation of n paper IDs is requested. However, when performing double-sided printing, setting to add a paper ID to one side (or to add the same paper ID to both sides) requires generation of n / 2 paper IDs, which are different for both sides. In the setting for adding paper IDs, generation of n paper IDs is requested.

  The paper ID acquisition unit 38 receives the paper ID transmitted from the paper ID supply device 36 and performs a process of temporarily storing the received paper ID in the storage area of the image processing device 2.

  The paper ID adding unit 14 performs processing for adding the paper ID stored in the paper ID acquisition unit 38 to a predetermined position in each page area in the print data. Specifically, a configuration in which the paper ID is directly added to the print data as characters may be applied, or the paper ID may be converted into a pattern image such as a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code, for example, in the print data. A configuration added to may be applied.

  The print data transmission unit 34 performs processing for transmitting the print data to which the paper ID is added by the paper ID addition unit 14 to the image processing apparatus 2 via the network 6.

  The paper ID transmission unit 15 performs processing for transmitting the paper ID stored by the paper ID acquisition unit 38 to the document monitoring apparatus 3 via the network 6. Specifically, when print data having n print sheets is generated, n paper IDs corresponding to the number of print sheets of the print data are transmitted in association with each other. The document monitoring device 3 manages these n sheet IDs as a sheet ID list (described below). The paper ID generation unit may transmit the n paper IDs without associating them.

  For each print data generated, the paper ID request unit generates a document ID (corresponding to the processing ID of the first embodiment) to identify the print data (note that a data name or the like may be used as the document ID). ) May be requested to the paper ID supply device, and the document ID and all the paper IDs may be transmitted in association with each other.

  In addition, a configuration is adopted in which the input of the user ID of the user who instructed the generation of print data is requested every time the print data is generated, and the input user ID, document ID, and paper ID are transmitted in association with each other. You may do it.

  Next, a functional configuration of the paper ID supply device 36 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 45, the paper ID supply device 36 includes a request reception unit 39, a paper ID generation unit 13, and a paper ID supply unit 40.

  The request receiving unit 39 performs a process of receiving a request for generating a paper ID from the information processing apparatus.

  When the request receiving unit 39 receives a request for generating a paper ID, the paper ID generating unit 13 performs processing for generating a paper ID corresponding to a print image for one sheet. When a request for generating a document ID is received from the information processing apparatus 5, a document ID is also generated.

  The paper ID supply unit 40 performs a process of transmitting the paper ID generated by the paper ID generation unit 13 to the information processing apparatus 5.

  In addition, it is possible to apply a configuration in which a program including the above-described request reception unit 39, paper ID generation unit 13, and paper ID supply unit 40 as functions is incorporated in a general-purpose server or computer. The program is stored in a storage unit (for example, a hard disk) of the server or computer, and the calculation unit (for example, CPU) of the server or computer executes the program stored in the storage unit. Further, the above-described program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as various memories or optical disks, and can be distributed via a communication line such as a network, for example.

  Next, a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 2 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 45, the image processing apparatus 2 extracts the sheet ID from the reading unit 7, the image forming unit 35 that forms a print image generated from the print data on the sheet, and the image data read by the reading unit 7. A sheet presence confirmation unit 11 for confirming the presence of a sheet is provided.

  The reading unit 7 performs processing for reading a document and generating image data, and includes, for example, an imaging device such as a CCD [Charge Coupled Devices], a carriage on which the imaging device is mounted, or an electric motor that moves the document. The reading unit generates one image data every time one original is read. That is, by reading n originals with the reading unit, image data corresponding to n sheets is generated.

  As shown in FIG. 45, the image forming unit 35 includes a print image generating unit 12 and an image forming unit 9.

  The print image generation unit 12 performs processing for generating a print image based on print data received from the information processing apparatus 5 via the network 6. The print image generation unit 12 generates a print image corresponding to one sheet. That is, when the print image generation unit 12 generates n print images, n sheets are output. However, when duplex printing is performed, n / 2 sheets are output.

  The image forming unit 9 performs a process of forming a print image on a sheet.

  As shown in FIG. 45, the paper presence confirmation unit 11 includes a paper ID extraction unit 16, a paper ID list acquisition unit 17, a presence confirmation unit 18, and a presence information transmission unit 19.

  The paper ID extraction unit 16 performs a process of extracting a paper ID from the image data read by the reading unit 7. The reading unit 7 generates one image data every time one original is read. That is, n paper IDs are extracted by reading n originals by the reading unit 7.

  The paper ID list acquisition unit 17 performs processing for acquiring a paper ID list including the paper ID extracted by the paper ID extraction unit 16 from the document monitoring apparatus 3. Specifically, a sheet ID list including the sheet ID extracted first (that is, the sheet ID extracted from the image data read by the reading unit 7 first) is acquired from the document monitoring apparatus 3. It will be.

  The presence check unit 18 performs a process of comparing the paper ID extracted by the paper ID extraction unit 16 with the paper ID on the paper ID list acquired by the paper ID list acquisition unit 17. Specifically, processing is performed to check whether all the paper IDs extracted by the paper ID extraction unit 16 match all the paper IDs on the paper ID list acquired by the paper ID list acquisition unit 17.

  Here, when all the paper IDs coincide with all the paper IDs on the paper ID list (that is, when all the papers on the paper ID list are read), all the paper IDs on the paper ID list are supported. Comparison result information (hereinafter referred to as presence information) indicating that the presence of the sheet to be confirmed has been confirmed, and a time at which the presence of the sheet is confirmed (hereinafter referred to as a confirmation time) is added to the presence information. . Also, when all the paper IDs do not match all the paper IDs on the paper ID list (that is, when some or all of the papers on the paper ID list are not read), Existence information indicating that the presence of sheets corresponding to all sheet IDs could not be confirmed is generated. Hereinafter, the above confirmation process is referred to as a document unit existence confirmation process. Here, in addition to the time when the existence of the paper is confirmed, the confirmation time includes the time when the document is read, the time when the paper ID is extracted, the time when the confirmation of the existence of the paper is started, and the like.

  Note that a configuration in which presence information is generated for each sheet ID on the sheet ID list may be applied. Hereinafter, the above confirmation process is referred to as a sheet ID unit existence confirmation process.

  Further, existence confirmation information is generated including identification information (hereinafter referred to as a confirmation user ID) of a user who has performed existence confirmation processing in document units or paper ID units.

  The presence information transmission unit 19 performs processing for transmitting the presence information generated by the presence confirmation unit 18 to the document monitoring apparatus 3 via the network 6.

  In addition, it is possible to apply a configuration in which a program including the above-described sheet presence confirmation unit 11 as a function is incorporated into a general-purpose image processing apparatus (or image reading apparatus). An image reading program is stored in a storage unit (for example, a hard disk), and a calculation unit (for example, CPU) of the image processing apparatus executes the image reading program stored in the storage unit. Further, the above-described program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as various memories or optical disks, and can be distributed via a communication line such as a network, for example.

  Next, a functional configuration of the document monitoring apparatus 3 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 45, the document monitoring device 3 includes a paper ID management unit 20, a presence information management unit 21 for managing presence information from the image processing device 2, and a presence confirmation warning notification unit 22. The

  The paper ID management unit 20 manages the paper ID received from the information processing apparatus 5 via the network 6. A specific management method is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the presence information management unit 21 includes a paper ID list transmission unit 23 and a presence information management unit 24.

  The paper ID list transmission unit 23 receives the requested paper ID list from the paper ID management unit 20 when receiving a search request for the paper ID list including the paper ID from the image processing apparatus 2 via the network 6. A process of searching and transmitting the searched sheet ID list to the image processing apparatus 2 via the network 6 is performed.

  The presence information management unit 24 manages presence information received from the image processing apparatus 2 via the network 6. A specific management method is shown in FIG.

  The presence confirmation warning notification unit 22 needs to confirm the presence of the sheet in the sheet ID list of the presence information when a preset period has elapsed based on the confirmation time of the presence information managed by the presence information management unit 24. Notify that there is a warning.

  In addition, it is also possible to apply a configuration in which a program including the above-described paper ID management unit 20, presence information management unit 21, and presence confirmation warning notification unit 22 as functions is installed in a general-purpose server or computer. Is that a document monitoring program is stored in a storage unit (for example, a hard disk or the like) of a server or computer, and a calculation unit (for example, a CPU or the like) of the server or computer executes the document monitoring program stored in the storage unit. Become. Further, the above-described program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as various memories or optical disks, and can be distributed via a communication line such as a network, for example.

  Next, FIG. 46 shows functional operations of the print control program 31, the paper ID supply device 36, the image processing device 2, and the document monitoring device 3 of the information processing apparatus 5 when a print image with a paper ID added is formed on paper. Will be described with reference to FIG.

  The print data generation unit 33 of the print control program 31 acquires data in the storage area 32 of the information processing apparatus 5 and generates print data based on the acquired data.

  When the print data is generated by the print data generation unit 33, the paper ID request unit of the print control program 31 counts the number of print sheets from the print data, and responds to the paper ID supply device 36 according to the number of print sheets. Requests generation of the number of paper IDs.

  When the request reception unit 39 of the paper ID supply device 36 receives a request for generation of the paper ID from the information processing device 5, the request reception unit 39 requests the paper ID generation unit 13 of the paper ID supply device 36 to generate the paper ID.

  When the paper ID generation unit 13 receives a paper ID generation request from the request reception unit 39, the paper ID generation unit 13 generates a paper ID and passes the generated paper ID to the paper ID supply unit 40 of the paper ID supply device 36.

  Upon receiving the paper ID from the paper ID generation unit 13, the paper ID supply unit 40 transmits the received paper ID to the information processing apparatus 5.

  When the paper ID acquisition unit 38 of the print control program 31 receives the paper ID from the paper ID supply device 36, it temporarily stores the received paper ID in the storage area of the image processing device, and stores the stored paper ID in the print control program 31. The data is sent to the paper ID adding unit 14 and the paper ID transmitting unit 15 of the print control program 31.

  When the paper ID adding unit 14 receives the paper ID from the paper ID acquiring unit 38, the paper ID adding unit 14 adds the received paper ID to the print data generated by the print data generating unit 33, and print control the print data with the paper ID added. The print data is sent to the print data transmission unit 34 of the program 31.

  When the print data transmission unit 34 receives the print data to which the paper ID is added from the paper ID addition unit 14, the print data transmission unit 34 transmits the received print data to the image processing apparatus 2.

  Upon receiving the paper ID from the paper ID acquisition unit 38, the paper ID transmission unit 15 transmits the received paper ID to the document monitoring device 3.

  When the print image generation unit 12 of the image processing apparatus 2 receives the print data to which the paper ID is added from the information processing apparatus 5, the print image generation unit 12 generates a print image based on the received print data, and the generated print image is displayed on the image processing apparatus. 2 to the second image forming unit 9.

  When the image forming unit 9 receives the print image from the print image generating unit 12, the image forming unit 9 forms the received print image on a sheet.

  When the paper ID management unit 20 of the document monitoring apparatus 3 receives the paper ID from the information processing apparatus 5, it manages the received paper ID in association with the paper ID list.

  Next, an example of the flow of processing performed by the print control program 31, the paper ID supply device 36, the image processing device 2, and the document monitoring device 3 of the information processing device 5 when forming a print image with a paper ID added on the paper. Will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The print data generation unit of the print control program acquires data from the storage area of the information processing apparatus (S4701), generates print data from the acquired data (S4702), and the paper ID request unit of the image processing apparatus is a request ID supply apparatus. A paper ID generation request process is executed for S4 (S4703).

  When the request reception unit of the paper ID supply device receives a request for generation of the paper ID from the information processing device (S4704), the paper ID generation unit of the paper ID supply device generates a paper ID (S4705) and supplies the paper ID. The paper ID supply unit of the apparatus transmits the paper ID to the information processing apparatus (S4706).

  When the paper ID acquisition unit of the print control program receives the paper ID from the paper ID supply device (S4707), the paper ID addition unit of the print control program performs a paper ID addition process (S4708), and prints the print control program. The data transmission unit transmits the print data with the paper ID added in the paper ID addition processing to the image processing apparatus (S4709), and the paper ID transmission unit of the print control program stores all the paper IDs generated in the paper ID generation processing. The document is transmitted to the document monitoring apparatus (S4710).

  The print image generation unit of the image processing apparatus receives the print data to which the paper ID is added from the information processing apparatus (S4711), generates a print image based on the received print data (S4712), and the image of the image processing apparatus. The forming unit forms a print image on a sheet (S4713).

  When the paper ID management unit of the document monitoring apparatus receives all the paper IDs from the information processing apparatus (S4714), all the received paper IDs are stored in association with each other as a paper ID list (S4715), and the processing procedure ends.

  The generation of the paper ID corresponding to the print setting and the addition of the paper ID to the print image are shown in FIGS.

  Next, an example of the flow of the paper ID request process executed in S4703 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 47 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The paper ID generation unit counts the number of print sheets from the print data (S4801), sets the counted number of print sheets in the number counter n (S4802), confirms the print setting (S4803), and the print setting is normal printing. If it is layout printing (NO in S4804), the paper ID supply device is requested to generate n paper IDs (S4805), and the processing procedure is terminated.

  If the print setting is double-sided printing (YES in S4804), it is confirmed whether the paper ID is added to both sides or one side (S4806).

  If a paper ID is added to one side (YES in S4806), the paper ID supply device is requested to generate n paper IDs (S4805), and the processing procedure ends.

  When adding paper IDs to both sides (NO in S4806), 2n paper IDs are generated for the paper ID supply device (S4807), and the processing procedure is terminated.

  Next, an example of the flow of the paper ID addition process performed in S4708 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 47 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The paper ID adding unit confirms the print setting (S4901), and if the print setting is normal printing or layout printing (NO in S4902), n paper IDs at predetermined positions in each page area in the print data. Is added (S4903), and the processing procedure ends.

  If the printing setting is double-sided printing (YES in S4902), it is confirmed whether the paper ID is added to both sides or one side (S4904).

  When adding paper IDs to both sides (NO in S4904), 2n paper IDs are added to predetermined positions in each page area in the print data (S4903), and the processing procedure ends.

  If a paper ID is added to one side (YES in S4904), n paper IDs are added to a predetermined position in the odd-numbered page area of the print data (S4905), and the processing procedure ends.

  A configuration in which the paper ID is added to the even-numbered page area and the paper ID is not added to the odd-numbered page area may be applied.

  The functional operations of the image processing apparatus 2 and the document monitoring apparatus 3 when reading a sheet with a sheet ID and confirming the presence of the sheet are the first functional configuration described in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, the detailed description is omitted, and the flow of processing performed by the image processing apparatus 2 and the document monitoring apparatus 3 when checking the presence of the sheet by reading the sheet to which the sheet ID is added is illustrated in FIG. 15, 16, 17, and 18 are the same as the process flow in the first functional configuration described in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Display examples of the paper ID list managed by the paper ID management unit 20 and the presence information managed by the presence information management unit 24 are shown in FIG. 19, FIG. 20, and FIG.

  FIG. 50 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a second functional configuration of the information processing device 5, the paper ID supply device 36, the image processing device 2, and the document monitoring device 3. The second functional configuration is that the image processing apparatus 2 extracts the paper ID from the image data and does not perform the process of confirming the presence of the paper based on the extracted paper ID, but the extracted paper ID. Is sent to the document monitoring apparatus 3, and the document monitoring apparatus 3 performs a process of confirming the presence of the sheet based on the sheet ID from the image processing apparatus 2.

  The functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 5 is the same as the first functional configuration shown in FIG. 45, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. Further, the image forming unit 35 of the image processing apparatus 2 is shown in FIG. Therefore, the detailed description is omitted, and the sheet presence confirmation unit 11 of the image processing apparatus 2 has the second functional configuration described in the first embodiment shown in FIG. The detailed configuration is omitted, and the functional configuration of the document monitoring apparatus 3 is the same as the second functional configuration described in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Detailed description is omitted.

  FIG. 51 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a third functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 5, the image processing apparatus 2, and the document monitoring apparatus 3. The third functional configuration does not execute the process of extracting the paper ID from the image data read by the image processing apparatus 2, but transmits the read image data to the document monitoring apparatus 3, and the document monitoring apparatus Reference numeral 3 denotes a configuration in which a sheet ID is extracted from the image data from the image processing apparatus 2 and a process of confirming the presence of the sheet is performed based on the extracted sheet ID.

  The functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 5 is the same as the first functional configuration shown in FIG. 45, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. Further, the image forming unit 35 of the image processing apparatus 2 is shown in FIG. Therefore, the detailed description is omitted, and the sheet presence confirmation unit 11 of the image processing apparatus 2 has the third functional configuration described in the first embodiment shown in FIG. The detailed configuration is omitted, and the functional configuration of the document monitoring apparatus 3 is the same as the third functional configuration described in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Detailed description is omitted.

  As described above, the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the third embodiment, and the fourth embodiment have been described.

  Next, specific application examples of the present invention will be given. In addition, the usage examples given below are merely examples and are not limited.

  When a company employee copies a confidential document of the company, a paper ID is added to all the copied sheets, and the administrator of the document monitoring system confirms that the confidential document has been copied. The employee manages the paper with the paper ID, and when a predetermined period elapses, the employee or the document monitoring system requests the image processing apparatus to read the paper with the paper ID. When the employee reads all the copied sheets with the image processing apparatus according to the request, the existence of the sheets is confirmed. However, if some or all of the copied paper is lost, the existence of the paper has not been confirmed, and the administrator confirms that some or all of the paper on which the confidential document has been copied has been lost. To do.

  It is also used to confirm the existence of statutory documents that are required to be stored for a certain period, such as contracts, certificates, and medical records.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an overview of the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the 1st functional structure of an image processing apparatus and a document monitoring apparatus. 6 is a diagram illustrating a specific management method of a paper ID management unit. FIG. It is a figure which shows the specific management method of a presence information management part. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating functional operations of an image processing apparatus and a document monitoring apparatus when a print image with a sheet ID added is formed on a sheet. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the image processing apparatus and the document monitoring apparatus when a print image with a paper ID added is formed on a paper. FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing generation of a paper ID and addition of a paper ID to a print image in normal printing and layout printing. FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing generation of a paper ID and addition of a paper ID to a print image in the case of duplex printing. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper ID list in which paper IDs and print settings are associated with each other. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of presence information in which a paper ID, a print setting, and a confirmation time are associated with each other. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of presence information in which a paper ID, a print setting, a confirmation time, and a confirmation user ID are associated with each other. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a sheet ID generation process performed in S605 of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a sheet ID addition process performed in S606 of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. It is a figure explaining the functional operation | movement of an image processing apparatus and a document monitoring apparatus at the time of reading the paper to which paper ID was added, and confirming presence of paper. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the image processing apparatus and the document monitoring apparatus when reading a sheet with a sheet ID added thereto and confirming the presence of the sheet. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the image processing apparatus and the document monitoring apparatus when reading a sheet with a sheet ID added thereto and confirming the presence of the sheet. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a document unit presence confirmation process. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a paper ID unit existence confirmation process. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a paper ID list. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper ID list detail screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper ID list detail screen. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the 2nd functional structure of an image processing apparatus and a document monitoring apparatus. It is a figure explaining the functional operation | movement of an image processing apparatus and a document monitoring apparatus at the time of reading the paper to which paper ID was added, and confirming presence of paper. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the image processing apparatus and the document monitoring apparatus when reading a sheet with a sheet ID added thereto and confirming the presence of the sheet. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the 3rd functional structure of an image processing apparatus and a document monitoring apparatus. It is a figure explaining the functional operation | movement of an image processing apparatus and a document monitoring apparatus at the time of reading the paper to which paper ID was added, and confirming presence of paper. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the image processing apparatus and the document monitoring apparatus when reading a sheet with a sheet ID added thereto and confirming the presence of the sheet. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a second embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the 1st functional structure of an information processing apparatus, an image processing apparatus, and a document monitoring apparatus. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating functional operations of a print control program of an information processing apparatus, an image processing apparatus, and a document monitoring apparatus when a print image with a paper ID added is formed on paper. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by a print control program of an information processing apparatus, an image processing apparatus, and a document monitoring apparatus when a print image to which a sheet ID is added is formed on a sheet. FIG. 32 shows an exemplary flow of a paper ID generation process performed in S3103 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 31. FIG. FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of a sheet ID addition process performed in step S3104 of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 31. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the 2nd functional structure of an information processing apparatus, an image processing apparatus, and a document monitoring apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the 3rd functional structure of an information processing apparatus, an image processing apparatus, and a document monitoring apparatus. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a third embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a first functional configuration of an image processing apparatus, a paper ID supply apparatus, and a document monitoring apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating functional operations of an image processing apparatus, a paper ID supply, and a document monitoring apparatus when a print image with a paper ID added is formed on paper. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by an image processing apparatus, a paper ID supply apparatus, and a document monitoring apparatus when a print image with a paper ID added is formed on paper. FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing an exemplary flow of a sheet ID request process performed in S3905 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 39. FIG. FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing an exemplary flow of a sheet ID addition process performed in S3910 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 39. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the 2nd functional structure of an image processing apparatus, a paper ID supply apparatus, and a document monitoring apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the 3rd functional structure of an image processing apparatus, a paper ID supply apparatus, and a document monitoring apparatus. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a fourth embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the 1st functional structure of an information processing apparatus, a paper ID supply apparatus, an image processing apparatus, and a document monitoring apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating functional operations of a print control program of an information processing device, a paper ID supply device, an image processing device, and a document monitoring device when a print image with a paper ID added is formed on paper. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by a print control program of an information processing apparatus, a paper ID supply apparatus, an image processing apparatus, and a document monitoring apparatus when a print image with a paper ID added is formed on paper. 48 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a sheet ID request process performed in S4703 of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 47. 47 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of sheet ID addition processing performed in S4708 of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 46. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the 2nd functional structure of an information processing apparatus, a paper ID supply apparatus, an image processing apparatus, and a document monitoring apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the 3rd functional structure of an information processing apparatus, an image processing apparatus, and a document monitoring apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101,102,103,104 Document monitoring system 2 Image processing apparatus 3 Document monitoring apparatus 4 Document storage apparatus 5 Information processing apparatus 6 Network 7 Reading part 8 Reception part 9 Image formation part 10 Paper ID addition unit 11 Paper presence confirmation unit 12 Printing Image generation unit 13 Paper ID generation unit 14 Paper ID addition unit 15 Paper ID transmission unit 16 Paper ID extraction unit 17 Paper ID list acquisition unit 18 Presence confirmation unit 19 Presence information transmission unit 20 Paper ID management unit 21 Presence information management unit 22 Presence Confirmation warning notification unit 23 Paper ID list transmission unit 24 Presence information management unit 2511, 2512, 251n, 2521, 2522, 252n, 2531, 2532, 2533, 2534, 2532n-1, 2532n, 2541, 2542, 2543, 2544, 2542n -1,254 n Print image 2611, 2612, 261n, 2621, 2622, 262n, 2631, 2632, 2633, 2634, 2632n-1, 2632n, 2641, 2642, 2643, 2644, 2642n-1, 2642n Paper 2711, 2712, 271n, 2721 , 2722, 272n, 2731, 2732, 273n, 2741, 2742, 2743, 2744, 2742n-1, 2742n Paper ID
281, 282, 283, 284, 282n-1, 282n Image data 29 Extracted paper ID transmission unit 30 Image data transmission unit 31 Print control program 32 Storage area 33 Print data generation unit 34 Print data transmission unit 35 Image forming unit 36 Paper ID Supply device 37 Paper ID request unit 38 Paper ID acquisition unit 39 Request reception unit 40 Paper ID supply unit

Claims (66)

An image forming apparatus, an image reading apparatus, and a document monitoring apparatus;
The image forming apparatus includes:
Print image generation means for generating a print image in a format that can be formed on a print medium;
Identification information generating means for generating identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which the print image generated by the print image generating means is formed;
Identification information adding means for adding the identification information generated by the identification information generating means to the print image;
Image forming means for forming a print image with the identification information added by the identification information adding means on the print medium;
Identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information generated by the identification information generating means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means,
The image reading device includes:
Reading means for reading the print medium on which the print image with the identification information added is formed to generate image data;
Identification information extraction means for extracting the identification information from the image data generated by the reading means;
Identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information stored in the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means;
A comparison means for comparing the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means with the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means;
A comparison result transmission means for transmitting a result of comparison by the comparison means to the document monitoring device;
The document monitoring device includes:
Identification information management means for managing identification information transmitted from the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means;
Identification information providing means for providing identification information managed by the identification information management means to the image reading apparatus connected via the communication means;
A document monitoring system comprising: a comparison result management unit that manages a comparison result transmitted from the image reading apparatus in association with identification information managed by the identification information management unit. The image reading device includes:
Time addition means for adding the confirmed time to the comparison result when the comparison means confirms that the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means matches the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means The document monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising: The document monitoring device includes:
A warning notification means for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation of the presence of the print medium when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result transmitted from the image reading apparatus; The document monitoring system according to claim 2. An image forming apparatus, an image reading apparatus, and a document monitoring apparatus;
The image forming apparatus includes:
Print image generation means for generating a print image in a format that can be formed on a print medium;
Identification information generating means for generating identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which the print image generated by the print image generating means is formed;
Identification information adding means for adding the identification information generated by the identification information generating means to the print image;
Image forming means for forming a print image with the identification information added by the identification information adding means on the print medium;
Identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information generated by the identification information generating means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means,
The image reading device includes:
Reading means for reading the print medium on which the print image with the identification information added is formed to generate image data;
Identification information extraction means for extracting the identification information from the image data generated by the reading means;
Identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information extracted by the identification information extracting means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means, and
The document monitoring device includes:
Identification information management means for managing identification information transmitted from the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means;
A comparison means for comparing the identification information transmitted from the image reading device connected via the communication means with the identification information managed by the identification information management means;
A document monitoring system comprising: a comparison result management unit that manages a result of comparison by the comparison unit in association with identification information managed by the identification information management unit. The document monitoring device includes:
When the comparison means confirms that the identification information transmitted from the image reading apparatus connected via the communication means matches the identification information managed by the identification information management means, the result of the comparison 5. The document monitoring system according to claim 4, further comprising time adding means for adding the confirmed time. The document monitoring device includes:
And a warning notification means for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation of the presence of the print medium when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result by the time addition means. The document monitoring system according to claim 5. An image forming apparatus, an image reading apparatus, and a document monitoring apparatus;
The image forming apparatus includes:
Print image generation means for generating a print image in a format that can be formed on a print medium;
Identification information generating means for generating identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which the print image generated by the print image generating means is formed;
Identification information adding means for adding the identification information generated by the identification information generating means to the print image;
Image forming means for forming a print image with the identification information added by the identification information adding means on the print medium;
Identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information generated by the identification information generating means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means,
The image reading device includes:
Reading means for reading the print medium on which the print image with the identification information added is formed to generate image data;
Image data transmission means for transmitting the image data generated by the reading means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means,
The document monitoring device includes:
Identification information management means for managing identification information transmitted from the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means;
Identification information extracting means for extracting the identification information from image data transmitted from the image reading device connected via the communication means;
A comparison means for comparing the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means with the identification information managed by the identification information management means;
A document monitoring system comprising: a comparison result management unit that manages a result of comparison by the comparison unit in association with identification information managed by the identification information management unit. The document monitoring device includes:
Time when the comparison unit confirms that the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction unit matches the identification information managed by the identification information management unit, and adds the confirmed time to the comparison result The document monitoring system according to claim 7, further comprising additional means. The document monitoring device includes:
And a warning notification means for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation of the presence of the print medium when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result by the time addition means. The document monitoring system according to claim 8. An identification information supply device, an image forming device, an image reading device, and a document monitoring device;
The identification information supply device includes:
Identification information generating means for generating identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which a print image is formed in the image forming apparatus;
Identification information supply means for supplying the identification information generated by the identification information generation means to the image forming apparatus connected via a communication means,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Print image generation means for generating a print image in a format that can be formed on the print medium;
Identification information storage means for storing identification information supplied from the identification information supply device connected via the communication means;
Identification information adding means for adding the identification information stored in the identification information storage means to the print image;
Image forming means for forming a print image with the identification information added by the identification information adding means on the print medium;
Identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information stored in the identification information storage means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means, and
The image reading device includes:
Reading means for reading the print medium on which the print image with the identification information added is formed to generate image data;
Identification information extraction means for extracting the identification information from the image data generated by the reading means;
Identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information stored in the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means;
A comparison means for comparing the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means with the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means;
A comparison result transmission means for transmitting a result of comparison by the comparison means to the document monitoring device;
The document monitoring device includes:
Identification information management means for managing identification information transmitted from the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means;
Identification information providing means for providing identification information managed by the identification information management means to the image reading apparatus connected via the communication means;
A document monitoring system comprising: a comparison result management unit that manages a comparison result transmitted from the image reading apparatus in association with identification information managed by the identification information management unit. The image reading device includes:
Time addition means for adding the confirmed time to the comparison result when the comparison means confirms that the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means matches the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means The document monitoring system according to claim 10, further comprising: The document monitoring device includes:
A warning notification means for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation of the presence of the print medium when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result transmitted from the image reading apparatus; The document monitoring system according to claim 11. An identification information supply device, an image forming device, an image reading device, and a document monitoring device;
The identification information supply device includes:
Identification information generating means for generating identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which a print image is formed in the image forming apparatus;
Identification information supply means for supplying the identification information generated by the identification information generation means to the image forming apparatus connected via a communication means,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Print image generation means for generating a print image in a format that can be formed on the print medium;
Identification information storage means for storing identification information supplied from the identification information supply device connected via the communication means;
Identification information adding means for adding the identification information stored in the identification information storage means to the print image;
Image forming means for forming a print image with the identification information added by the identification information adding means on the print medium;
Identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information stored in the identification information storage means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means, and
The image reading device includes:
Reading means for reading the print medium on which the print image with the identification information added is formed to generate image data;
Identification information extraction means for extracting the identification information from the image data generated by the reading means;
Identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information extracted by the identification information extracting means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means, and
The document monitoring device includes:
Identification information management means for managing identification information transmitted from the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means;
A comparison means for comparing the identification information transmitted from the image reading device connected via the communication means with the identification information managed by the identification information management means;
A document monitoring system comprising: a comparison result management unit that manages a result of comparison by the comparison unit in association with identification information managed by the identification information management unit. The document monitoring device includes:
When the comparison means confirms that the identification information transmitted from the image reading apparatus connected via the communication means matches the identification information managed by the identification information management means, the result of the comparison 14. The document monitoring system according to claim 13, further comprising time adding means for adding the confirmed time. The document monitoring device includes:
And a warning notification means for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation of the presence of the print medium when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result by the time addition means. The document monitoring system according to claim 14. An identification information supply device, an image forming device, an image reading device, and a document monitoring device;
The identification information supply device includes:
Identification information generating means for generating identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which a print image is formed in the image forming apparatus;
Identification information supply means for supplying the identification information generated by the identification information generation means to the image forming apparatus connected via a communication means,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Print image generation means for generating a print image in a format that can be formed on the print medium;
Identification information storage means for storing identification information supplied from the identification information supply device connected via the communication means;
Identification information adding means for adding the identification information stored in the identification information storage means to the print image;
Image forming means for forming a print image with the identification information added by the identification information adding means on the print medium;
Identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information stored in the identification information storage means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means, and
The image reading device includes:
Reading means for reading the print medium on which the print image with the identification information added is formed to generate image data;
Image data transmission means for transmitting the image data generated by the reading means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means,
The document monitoring device includes:
Identification information management means for managing identification information transmitted from the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means;
Identification information extracting means for extracting the identification information from image data transmitted from the image reading device connected via the communication means;
A comparison means for comparing the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means with the identification information managed by the identification information management means;
A document monitoring system comprising: a comparison result management unit that manages a result of comparison by the comparison unit in association with identification information managed by the identification information management unit. The document monitoring device includes:
Time when the comparison unit confirms that the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction unit matches the identification information managed by the identification information management unit, and adds the confirmed time to the comparison result The document monitoring system according to claim 16, further comprising additional means. The document monitoring device includes:
And a warning notification means for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation of the presence of the print medium when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result by the time addition means. The document monitoring system according to claim 17. An information processing device, an image reading device, and a document monitoring device;
The information processing apparatus includes:
Print data generating means for generating print data in a format interpretable by the image forming apparatus;
Identification information generating means for generating identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which the print data generated by the print data generating means is printed;
Identification information adding means for adding the identification information generated by the identification information generating means to the print data;
Print data transmitting means for transmitting the print data to which the identification information is added to the image forming apparatus connected via a communication means;
Identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information generated by the identification information generating means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means,
The image reading device includes:
Reading means for reading the print medium on which the print image with the identification information added is formed to generate image data;
Identification information extraction means for extracting the identification information from the image data generated by the reading means;
Identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information stored in the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means;
A comparison means for comparing the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means with the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means;
A comparison result transmission means for transmitting a result of comparison by the comparison means to the document monitoring device;
The document monitoring device includes:
Identification information management means for managing identification information transmitted from the information processing apparatus connected via the communication means;
Identification information providing means for providing identification information managed by the identification information management means to the image reading apparatus connected via the communication means;
A document monitoring system comprising: a comparison result management unit that manages a comparison result transmitted from the image reading apparatus in association with identification information managed by the identification information management unit. The image reading device includes:
Time addition means for adding the confirmed time to the comparison result when the comparison means confirms that the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means matches the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means The document monitoring system according to claim 19, further comprising: The document monitoring device includes:
A warning notification means for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation of the presence of the print medium when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result transmitted from the image reading apparatus; 21. The document monitoring system according to claim 20, wherein: An information processing device, an image reading device, and a document monitoring device;
The information processing apparatus includes:
Print data generating means for generating print data in a format interpretable by the image forming apparatus;
Identification information generating means for generating identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which the print data generated by the print data generating means is printed;
Identification information adding means for adding the identification information generated by the identification information generating means to the print data;
Print data transmitting means for transmitting the print data to which the identification information is added to the image forming apparatus connected via a communication means;
Identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information generated by the identification information generating means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means,
The image reading device includes:
Reading means for reading the print medium on which the print image with the identification information added is formed to generate image data;
Identification information extraction means for extracting the identification information from the image data generated by the reading means;
Identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information extracted by the identification information extracting means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means, and
The document monitoring device includes:
Identification information management means for managing identification information transmitted from the information processing apparatus connected via the communication means;
A comparison means for comparing the identification information transmitted from the image reading device connected via the communication means with the identification information managed by the identification information management means;
A document monitoring system comprising: a comparison result management unit that manages a result of comparison by the comparison unit in association with identification information managed by the identification information management unit. The document monitoring device includes:
When the comparison means confirms that the identification information transmitted from the image reading apparatus connected via the communication means matches the identification information managed by the identification information management means, the result of the comparison 23. The document monitoring system according to claim 22, further comprising time adding means for adding the confirmed time. The document monitoring device includes:
And a warning notification means for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation of the presence of the print medium when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result by the time addition means. The document monitoring system according to claim 23. An information processing device, an image reading device, and a document monitoring device;
The information processing apparatus includes:
Print data generating means for generating print data in a format interpretable by the image forming apparatus;
Identification information generating means for generating identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which the print data generated by the print data generating means is printed;
Identification information adding means for adding the identification information generated by the identification information generating means to the print data;
Print data transmitting means for transmitting the print data to which the identification information is added to the image forming apparatus connected via a communication means;
Identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information generated by the identification information generating means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means,
The image reading device includes:
Reading means for reading the print medium on which the print image with the identification information added is formed to generate image data;
Image data transmission means for transmitting the image data generated by the reading means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means,
The document monitoring device includes:
Identification information management means for managing identification information transmitted from the information processing apparatus connected via the communication means;
Identification information extracting means for extracting the identification information from image data transmitted from the image reading device connected via the communication means;
A comparison means for comparing the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means with the identification information managed by the identification information management means;
A document monitoring system comprising: a comparison result management unit that manages a result of comparison by the comparison unit in association with identification information managed by the identification information management unit. The document monitoring device includes:
A time adding means for adding the confirmed time to the result of the comparison when the comparing means confirms that the identification information managed by the identification information managing means extracted by the identification information extracting means matches 26. The document monitoring system according to claim 25, further comprising: The document monitoring device includes:
And a warning notification means for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation of the presence of the print medium when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result by the time addition means. 27. The document monitoring system according to claim 26. An identification information supply device, an information processing device, an image reading device, and a document monitoring device;
The identification information supply device includes:
Identification information generating means for generating identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which print data generated by the information processing apparatus is printed;
Identification information supply means for supplying the identification information generated by the identification information generation means to the information processing apparatus connected via the communication means,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Print data generating means for generating print data in a format interpretable by the image forming apparatus;
Identification information storage means for storing identification information supplied from an identification information supply device connected via the communication means;
Identification information adding means for adding the identification information stored in the identification information storage means to the print data;
Print data transmitting means for transmitting the print data to which the identification information is added to the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means;
Identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information stored in the identification information storage means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means, and
The image reading device includes:
Reading means for reading the print medium on which the print image with the identification information added is formed to generate image data;
Identification information extraction means for extracting the identification information from the image data generated by the reading means;
Identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information stored in the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means;
A comparison means for comparing the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means with the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means;
A comparison result transmission means for transmitting a result of comparison by the comparison means to the document monitoring device;
The document monitoring device includes:
Identification information management means for managing identification information transmitted from the information processing apparatus connected via the communication means;
Identification information providing means for providing identification information managed by the identification information management means to the image reading apparatus connected via the communication means;
A document monitoring system comprising: a comparison result management unit that manages a comparison result transmitted from the image reading apparatus in association with identification information managed by the identification information management unit. The image reading device includes:
Time addition means for adding the confirmed time to the comparison result when the comparison means confirms that the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means matches the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means 29. The document monitoring system according to claim 28, further comprising: The document monitoring device includes:
A warning notification means for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation of the presence of the print medium when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result transmitted from the image reading apparatus; 30. The document monitoring system according to claim 29. An identification information supply device, an information processing device, an image reading device, and a document monitoring device;
The identification information supply device includes:
Identification information generating means for generating identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which print data generated by the information processing apparatus is printed;
Identification information supply means for supplying the identification information generated by the identification information generation means to the information processing apparatus connected via the communication means,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Print data generating means for generating print data in a format interpretable by the image forming apparatus;
Identification information storage means for storing identification information supplied from an identification information supply device connected via the communication means;
Identification information adding means for adding the identification information stored in the identification information storage means to the print data;
Print data transmitting means for transmitting the print data to which the identification information is added to the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means;
Identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information stored in the identification information storage means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means, and
The image reading device includes:
Reading means for reading the print medium on which the print image with the identification information added is formed to generate image data;
Identification information extraction means for extracting the identification information from the image data generated by the reading means;
Identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information extracted by the identification information extracting means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means, and
The document monitoring device includes:
Identification information management means for managing identification information transmitted from the information processing apparatus connected via the communication means;
A comparison means for comparing the identification information transmitted from the image reading device connected via the communication means with the identification information managed by the identification information management means;
A document monitoring system comprising: a comparison result management unit that manages a result of comparison by the comparison unit in association with identification information managed by the identification information management unit. The document monitoring device includes:
When the comparison means confirms that the identification information transmitted from the image reading apparatus connected via the communication means matches the identification information managed by the identification information management means, the result of the comparison 32. The document monitoring system according to claim 31, further comprising time adding means for adding the confirmed time. The document monitoring device includes:
And a warning notification means for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation of the presence of the print medium when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result by the time addition means. The document monitoring system according to claim 32. An identification information supply device, an information processing device, an image reading device, and a document monitoring device;
The identification information supply device includes:
Identification information generating means for generating identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which print data generated by the information processing apparatus is printed;
Identification information supply means for supplying the identification information generated by the identification information generation means to the information processing apparatus connected via the communication means,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Print data generating means for generating print data in a format interpretable by the image forming apparatus;
Identification information storage means for storing identification information supplied from an identification information supply device connected via the communication means;
Identification information adding means for adding the identification information stored in the identification information storage means to the print data;
Print data transmitting means for transmitting the print data to which the identification information is added to the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means;
Identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information stored in the identification information storage means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means, and
The image reading device includes:
Reading means for reading the print medium on which the print image with the identification information added is formed to generate image data;
Image data transmission means for transmitting the image data generated by the reading means to the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means,
The document monitoring device includes:
Identification information management means for managing identification information transmitted from the information processing apparatus connected via the communication means;
Identification information extracting means for extracting the identification information from image data transmitted from the image reading device connected via the communication means;
A comparison means for comparing the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means with the identification information managed by the identification information management means;
A document monitoring system comprising: a comparison result management unit that manages a result of comparison by the comparison unit in association with identification information managed by the identification information management unit. The document monitoring device includes:
A time adding means for adding the confirmed time to the result of the comparison when the comparing means confirms that the identification information managed by the identification information managing means extracted by the identification information extracting means matches The document monitoring system according to claim 34, further comprising: The document monitoring device includes:
And a warning notification means for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation of the presence of the print medium when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result by the time addition means. 36. The document monitoring system according to claim 35. Print image generation means for generating a print image in a format capable of image formation;
Identification information generating means for generating identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which the print image generated by the print image generating means is formed;
Identification information adding means for adding the identification information generated by the identification information generating means to the print image;
An image forming means for forming a print image to which the identification information is added on a print medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising: identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information generated by the identification information generating means to a document monitoring apparatus connected via a communication means. Print image generation means for generating a print image in a format capable of image formation;
Identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which a print image generated by the print image generation means is formed from an identification information supply device connected via a communication means;
Identification information adding means for adding the identification information acquired by the identification information acquiring means to the print image;
An image forming means for forming a print image to which the identification information is added on a print medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising: identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information acquired by the identification information acquiring means to a document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means. Reading means for reading the print medium on which the print image is formed and generating image data;
Identification information extraction means for extracting identification information for managing the presence of the print medium from the image data generated by the reading means;
Identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information stored in the document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means;
A comparison means for comparing the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means with the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means;
An image reading apparatus comprising: comparison result transmission means for transmitting a result of comparison by the comparison means to the document monitoring apparatus. Time addition means for adding the confirmed time to the comparison result when the comparison means confirms that the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means matches the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means 40. The image reading apparatus according to claim 39, further comprising: Reading means for reading the print medium on which the print image is formed and generating image data;
Identification information extraction means for extracting identification information for managing the presence of the print medium from the image data generated by the reading means;
An image reading apparatus comprising: identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information extracted by the identification information extracting means to the document monitoring apparatus. The print medium on which the print image generated by the image forming apparatus transmitted via the communication means is formed, or the information transmitted from the information processing apparatus connected via the communication means Identification information management means for managing identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which print data generated by the processing device is printed;
Identification information providing means for providing identification information managed by the identification information management means to an image reading apparatus connected via the communication means;
The identification information management means manages the result of comparison between the identification information extracted from the image data read by the image reading apparatus transmitted from the image reading apparatus and the identification information provided by the identification information providing means. A document monitoring apparatus comprising: comparison result management means for managing in association with identification information. A warning notification means for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation of the presence of the print medium when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result transmitted from the image reading apparatus; 43. The document monitoring apparatus according to claim 42. The print medium on which the print image generated by the image forming apparatus transmitted via the communication means is formed, or the information transmitted from the information processing apparatus connected via the communication means Identification information management means for managing identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which print data generated by the processing device is printed;
Comparison means for comparing the identification information extracted from the image data read by the image reading apparatus transmitted from the image reading apparatus connected via the communication means and the identification information managed by the identification information management means When,
A document monitoring apparatus comprising: a comparison result management unit that manages a result of comparison by the comparison unit in association with identification information managed by the identification information management unit. When the comparison means confirms that the identification information transmitted from the image reading apparatus connected via the communication means matches the identification information managed by the identification information management means, the result of the comparison 45. The document monitoring apparatus according to claim 44, further comprising: time adding means for adding the confirmed time to the document. And a warning notification means for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation of the presence of the print medium when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result by the time addition means. The document monitoring apparatus according to claim 45. The print medium on which the print image generated by the image forming apparatus transmitted via the communication means is formed, or the information transmitted from the information processing apparatus connected via the communication means Identification information management means for managing identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which print data generated by the processing device is printed;
Identification information extracting means for extracting the identification information from the image data read by the image reading device transmitted from the image reading device connected via the communication means;
A comparison means for comparing the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction means with the identification information managed by the identification information management means;
A document monitoring apparatus comprising: a comparison result management unit that manages a result of comparison by the comparison unit in association with identification information managed by the identification information management unit. Time when the comparison unit confirms that the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction unit matches the identification information managed by the identification information management unit, and adds the confirmed time to the comparison result 48. The document monitoring apparatus according to claim 47, further comprising additional means. And a warning notification means for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation of the presence of the print medium when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result by the time addition means. 49. A document monitoring apparatus according to claim 48. Print data generating means for generating print data in a format interpretable by the image forming apparatus;
Identification information generating means for generating identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which the print data generated by the print data generating means is printed;
Identification information adding means for adding the identification information generated by the identification information generating means to the print data;
Print data transmitting means for transmitting the print data to which the identification information is added to the image forming apparatus connected via a communication means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information generated by the identification information generating means to a document monitoring apparatus connected via a communication means. Print data generating means for generating print data in a format interpretable by the image forming apparatus;
Identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which the print data generated by the print data generation means is formed from an identification information supply device connected via a communication means;
Identification information adding means for adding the identification information acquired by the identification information acquiring means to the print data;
Print data transmitting means for transmitting the print data to which the identification information is added to the image forming apparatus connected via the communication means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information acquired by the identification information acquiring means to a document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication means. Print image generation processing for generating a print image in a format capable of image formation;
Identification information generation processing for generating identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which the print image generated by the print image generation processing is formed;
Identification information addition processing for adding the identification information generated in the identification information generation processing to the print image;
An image forming process for forming a print image to which the identification information is added on a print medium;
An image forming program that causes an image forming apparatus to execute identification information transmission processing for transmitting identification information generated by the identification information generation processing to a document monitoring apparatus connected via a communication unit. Print image generation processing for generating a print image in a format capable of image formation;
An identification information acquisition process for acquiring identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which a print image generated by the print image generation process is formed from an identification information supply device connected via a communication unit;
Identification information addition processing for adding the identification information acquired in the identification information acquisition processing to the print image;
An image forming process for forming a print image to which the identification information is added on a print medium;
An image forming program that causes an image forming apparatus to execute identification information transmission processing for transmitting identification information acquired in the identification information acquisition processing to a document monitoring device connected via the communication unit. A reading process for reading the print medium on which the print image is formed and generating image data;
An identification information extraction process for extracting identification information for managing the presence of the print medium from the image data generated by the reading process;
Identification information acquisition processing for acquiring identification information stored in a document monitoring apparatus connected via a communication means;
A comparison process for comparing the identification information extracted in the identification information extraction process with the identification information acquired in the identification information acquisition process;
An image reading program for causing an image reading apparatus to execute a comparison result transmission process for transmitting a result of comparison by the comparison process to the document monitoring apparatus. Time addition processing for adding the confirmed time to the comparison result when it is confirmed that the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction processing in the comparison processing matches the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition processing. 55. The image reading program according to claim 54, wherein the image reading apparatus is executed. A reading process for reading the print medium on which the print image is formed and generating image data;
An identification information extraction process for extracting identification information for managing the presence of the print medium from the image data generated by the reading process;
An image reading program causing an image reading apparatus to execute identification information transmission processing for transmitting identification information extracted in the identification information extraction processing to the document monitoring device. The print medium on which the print image generated by the image forming apparatus transmitted via the communication means is formed, or the information transmitted from the information processing apparatus connected via the communication means An identification information management process for managing identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which print data generated by the processing device is printed;
Identification information provision processing for providing identification information managed in the identification information management processing to an image reading apparatus connected via the communication means;
The identification information management process manages the comparison result between the identification information extracted from the image data read by the image reading apparatus transmitted from the image reading apparatus and the identification information provided by the identification information providing process. A document monitoring program that causes a computer to execute comparison result management processing that is managed in association with identification information. Causing a computer to execute a warning notification process for notifying a warning to prompt confirmation of the presence of the print medium when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the comparison result transmitted from the image reading apparatus. 58. A document monitoring program according to claim 57. The print medium on which the print image generated by the image forming apparatus transmitted via the communication means is formed, or the information transmitted from the information processing apparatus connected via the communication means An identification information management process for managing identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which print data generated by the processing device is printed;
Comparison processing for comparing identification information extracted from image data read by the image reading device transmitted from the image reading device connected via the communication means and identification information managed by the identification information management processing When,
A document monitoring program for causing a computer to execute a comparison result management process for managing a comparison result by the comparison process in association with identification information managed in the identification information management process. When it is confirmed by the comparison process that the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction process matches the identification information managed by the identification information management process, a time to add the confirmed time to the comparison result 60. The document monitoring program according to claim 59, wherein the additional processing is executed by a computer. When a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the result of the comparison by the time addition process, the computer is caused to execute a warning notification process for notifying a warning that prompts confirmation of the presence of the print medium. 61. The document monitoring program according to claim 60. The print medium on which the print image generated by the image forming apparatus transmitted via the communication means is formed, or the information transmitted from the information processing apparatus connected via the communication means An identification information management process for managing identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which print data generated by the processing device is printed;
An identification information extraction process for extracting the identification information from the image data read by the image reading apparatus transmitted from the image reading apparatus connected via the communication means;
A comparison process for comparing the identification information extracted in the identification information extraction process with the identification information managed in the identification information management process;
A document monitoring program for causing a computer to execute a comparison result management process for managing a comparison result by the comparison process in association with identification information managed in the identification information management process. When it is confirmed by the comparison process that the identification information extracted by the identification information extraction process matches the identification information managed by the identification information management process, a time to add the confirmed time to the comparison result 64. The document monitoring program according to claim 62, wherein the computer executes the additional processing. When a predetermined period has elapsed from the time added to the result of the comparison by the time addition process, the computer is caused to execute a warning notification process for notifying a warning that prompts confirmation of the presence of the print medium. 64. A document monitoring program according to claim 63. Print data generation processing for generating print data in a format interpretable by the image forming apparatus;
An identification information generation process for generating identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which the print data generated by the print data generation process is printed;
An identification information adding process for adding the identification information generated in the identification information generating process to the print data;
Print data transmission processing for transmitting the print data to which the identification information is added to the image forming apparatus connected via a communication unit;
A printing control program causing a computer to execute identification information transmission processing for transmitting identification information generated in the identification information generation processing to a document monitoring apparatus connected via a communication unit. Print data generation processing for generating print data in a format interpretable by the image forming apparatus;
Identification information acquisition processing for acquiring identification information for managing the presence of a print medium on which the print data generated in the print data generation processing is formed from an identification information supply device connected via a communication unit;
Identification information addition processing for adding the identification information acquired in the identification information acquisition processing to the print data;
Print data transmission processing for transmitting the print data to which the identification information is added to the image forming apparatus connected via the communication unit;
A printing control program that causes a computer to execute identification information transmission processing for transmitting identification information acquired in the identification information acquisition processing to a document monitoring apparatus connected via the communication unit.

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