JP2008252613A - Image processing device, image forming apparatus, image processing method, image processing program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing device, an image forming apparatus, an image processing method, an image processing program, and a recording medium capable of managing image data for preventing information leakage by adding information about image data to the image data to be outputted if image data whose output is inhibited are outputted. <P>SOLUTION: If an MFP1 receives image data from a client PC4 and the image data are attached with an output prohibiting attribute, such image formation is performed as information representing output prohibition and page ID which is information for specifying a page are added. The attached information is preferred to be texture printing, and a bar code and RFID embedding may be accepted. Upon the completion of image formation, an image forming completion notice containing the page ID is reported to a document managing device 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image processing method, an image processing program, and a recording medium, and relates to an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image processing method, and a method for performing a predetermined response when output prohibited image data is output. The present invention relates to an image processing program and a recording medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image forming apparatuses that perform image formation by scanning image data or receiving image data obtained by converting image data into data have become widespread. Techniques for reading management information from image data according to various uses of image data have also been proposed. For example, when an image is read, it is possible to flexibly set which page can be copied according to a technology for flexibly controlling copying / distribution by page and various other controls (see Patent Document 1) and document management policy. (See Patent Document 2), and a technique (see Patent Document 3) that enables high-quality copying when a document in which copy suppression information is embedded is permitted. In addition, page identification information is embedded in the printed document, and the information embedded in the printed document is read at the timing of printing, copying, and discarding, and the printed document is copied and electronically stored / distributed according to the information. There is a technology that performs admissibility control.

Here, there is a situation where it is desired to output even image data for which output such as copying is prohibited. For example, you want to enlarge the original and want to give one copy to the customer. Thus, a mechanism has been devised that allows users with specific permissions / authorities to output.
JP 2005-151149 A JP 2005-038371 A JP 2006-166139 A

  However, if output is permitted for image data that has been rejected as described above, a user who has been given the special authority of exceptional output permission will be able to properly manage the output document. , There is no guarantee. Therefore, there is a possibility that information leakage is caused by the image data output by the special case in this way. It is also important to identify the situation that requires management and inform the user of appropriate management.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and when outputting image data prohibited from being output, image data for outputting information related to the image data in order to prevent image data management and information leakage. It is intended to be added to.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, information extraction means for extracting information related to whether output is possible from information included in the image data, and whether the output of the image data is determined based on the information extracted by the information extraction means. The output permission determination means, and when the output permission determination means determines that the output is possible because the predetermined permission data is input, the predetermined permission data is extracted and stored. An image processing apparatus comprising: a predetermined information extracting / storing unit; and an information adding unit for adding information included in the predetermined permission data to output image data.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the predetermined permission data includes the image data to be output or the scheduled date of destruction of the image data, the scheduled scan date, and an approver who approves the output. It includes at least one of information to be specified, information to specify an operator, information to specify a distribution destination, and information to specify an administrator.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the output propriety judging means judges that the output is possible when receiving a permission notice from an approver who approves the output. Features.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the information adding unit further adds output performer information.

  A fifth aspect of the invention comprises the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, and an image forming unit that forms image data to which information is added by the adding unit. The image forming apparatus.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, when the image forming unit forms an image of the output enabled image data, an external device indicates that the image has been formed. It is characterized by comprising notifying means for notifying to.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the external device is a document management apparatus.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, an information extraction step for extracting information related to whether output is possible from information included in image data, and whether the output of the image data is possible based on the information extracted by the information extraction step. The output permission determination step and the output rejection, but when the output permission determination step determines that the output is possible because the predetermined permission data is input, the predetermined permission data is extracted and stored An image processing method comprising: a predetermined information extracting and storing step, and an information adding step of adding information included in the predetermined permission data to output image data.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, based on an information extraction process for extracting information related to whether output is possible from information included in image data, and based on the information extracted by the information extraction process, it is determined whether the image data can be output. Output permission determination processing and output rejection, but when the output permission determination processing determines that output is possible because predetermined permission data is input, the predetermined permission data is extracted and stored An image processing program for causing a computer to execute predetermined information extraction and storage processing and information addition processing for adding information included in the predetermined permission data to output image data.

  A tenth aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium on which the image processing program according to the ninth aspect is recorded.

  According to the present invention, when outputting image data forbidden to be output, information about the image data can be added to the output image data in order to prevent image data management and information leakage.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention, and thus various technically preferable limitations are given. However, the scope of the present invention is particularly limited in the following description. As long as there is no description which limits, it is not restricted to these aspects. In the following embodiment, an MFP (Multi Function Printer) 1 is used as an example of an image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is an overall view of an MFP 1 and peripheral external devices according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a document management apparatus 2, a mail server 3, a client PC 4, an approver PC 5, and a shredder 6 are connected as peripheral external devices via a network.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment. The MFP 1 is a multi-function machine equipped with at least an image scanner, a printer, and a copy function. Further, it is assumed that the operation panel 7, the scanner engine 8, the print engine 9 are provided as user interfaces, and a WEB server, a mail transmission function, and a user authentication function are provided as network services. In order to realize these functions, a controller 10 including at least a CPU 11, a RAM 13, a ROM 14, an HDD (hard disk drive) 15, and a network interface 12 is provided. Firmware is executed by the CPU 11 to control each function. Done.

  It is assumed that a destination table can be registered in the HDD 15 and data in which a destination name is associated with an e-mail can be stored. Specifically, the output permission input is realized in a format that accepts input of the output permission data from the WEB interface provided by the WEB server, stores it inside, and refers to it at the time of output. This is realized by issuing an e-mail by operation.

  FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration diagram of the document management apparatus 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The document management apparatus 2 can also be realized by an application that runs on a PC. At least a CPU 16, a RAM 17, an HDD 18, a network interface 19, and a clock 20 are provided, and a document management application 21 installed in the HDD 18 can be executed by the CPU 16. Document management, which is a feature of the present invention, is performed by the document management application 21.

  When the image data created as an electronic document is output by the MFP 1, the client PC 4 can give information related to output permission by setting a printer driver (not shown) provided in the client PC 4. In other words, when printing is performed with settings that do not permit output, information indicating that output is not permitted is added to the image data generated by the printer driver.

  The approver PC 5 is a PC that is operated by a person who makes an output permission determination when a document that is not permitted to be output is specifically permitted. It is assumed that a mailer that can read a mail by connecting to the mail server 3 and a WEB browser that can browse a WEB page by connecting to the WEB server are installed. This is because the permission request notification is sent by e-mail and permission data is sent by the WEB server in this embodiment, as will be described later.

  It may be realized by a unique or other existing message exchange program or a unique or other existing server.

  The mail server 3 is a mail server for communicating an output permission request notification from the MFP 1 and a discard / scan deadline notification from the document management apparatus 2 by electronic mail.

  The shredder 6 is a shredder device that discards a document. It is also possible to scan a document before discarding, extract information (page ID) for specifying a page, and send it to a document management apparatus together with a discard notification. The page ID will be described later.

  Next, the operation processing at the time of image data formation, output image formation, image data discard, image data scan, image data scan time limit, image data scan time limit exceeded, in the document management apparatus 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention Will be described with reference to the drawings.

[When forming image data]
A case where an image is formed in the MFP 1 will be described. When the document management apparatus 2 receives a page ID (page unique identifier) issuance request from the MFP 1 (step S1 in FIG. 4), it numbers the page ID (step S2) and transmits the page ID to the MFP 1 (step S3). . As a result, an identifiable ID is assigned to the image data processed by the MFP 1 in the same system.

  Thereafter, the document management apparatus 2 receives a notification of completion of image formation from the MFP 1 that has completed image formation (step S5 in FIG. 5), and the corresponding image data exists based on the page ID included in the notification. Information is stored in the HDD 18 (step S6).

[During output image formation]
As in the case of image data formation, before the output is executed, the MFP 1 receives a page ID issue request, assigns a page ID, and notifies the MFP 1 of it.

  Thereafter, when printing is completed in the MFP 1, an image formation completion notification is received from the MFP 1 (step S7 in FIG. 6). At this time, the image formation completion notification may include the scheduled date of destruction, the scheduled date of scanning, and the manager (email address) information. If there is such information, it is extracted and included in the page ID. The association is stored in the HDD 18 (steps S8 to S13). Note that the scheduled scan date includes the scheduled scan start date and the number of days until completion.

[When discarding image data]
When the image data is discarded by the shredder 6, a page discard notification is notified from the shredder 6 (step S15 in FIG. 7). The page discard notification includes the page ID, and the data in the HDD 18 is searched for which page is discarded (step S16). When the corresponding page is found, the state of the information associated with the page ID is updated as “discarded” and stored in the HDD 18 together with the discard date and time (step S17).

[When scanning image data]
An image data scan performed to confirm that image data is stored will be described. When the MFP 1 scans image data including the page ID, the MFP 1 issues a scan notification (step S20 in FIG. 8). This scan notification includes a page ID, and it is possible to determine which page has been scanned. The document management apparatus 2 searches for the corresponding page information using the page ID (step S21). It is determined whether or not the corresponding page found by the search has a scheduled scan date (step S22). If there is (page S22 / Yes), the current date and time is acquired (step S23). The above-mentioned scheduled scan date is compared with the current date and time, and when the scan notification is received (the current date and time acquired in step 23) is after the scheduled scan start date of the corresponding page ID (Yes in step S24), The state is updated as “scanned” as information associated with the corresponding page ID, and is stored in the HDD 18 (step S25).

[When the expiration date is exceeded]
The document management application 21 monitors the state of each page stored in the HDD 18 at predetermined time intervals. Specifically, when the check time comes (FIG. 9, step 26 / Yes), page information is acquired for the unchecked page (step S27 / Yes) (step S28). The current date and time, which is the check date and time, is acquired (step S29). The “destruction deadline” included in the page information acquired in step S28 is compared with the monitored date and time (the current date and time acquired in step S29) to determine whether or not the scheduled destruction date has passed (step S30).

  If it has passed (step S30 / Yes), an e-mail indicating that the due date has passed is issued to the administrator's e-mail address stored as information related to the corresponding page ID. It is determined whether or not an overdue notification has been transmitted (step S31). If it has not been transmitted (step S31 / No), an overdue notification is transmitted (step S34).

  If it has been transmitted (step S31 / Yes), the previous notification transmission date / time is acquired (step S32), and compared with the current date / time. If a predetermined interval has passed (step S33 / Yes), retransmission is performed. (Step S34).

  When the document management apparatus 2 transmits an expiration date notification, the document management apparatus 2 stores the type of the transmitted mail and the mail transmission date and time as information related to the page ID.

[When the scanning deadline is exceeded]
The document management application 21 monitors the state of each page stored in the HDD 18 at predetermined time intervals. The scan deadline is a deadline for image data scanning performed to confirm that image data is stored. Specifically, when the check time comes (step 35 / Yes in FIG. 10), page information is acquired for the unchecked page (step S36 / Yes) (step S37). The current date and time, which is the check date and time, is acquired (step S38). The “scheduled scan completion date” (scheduled start date + number of days until completion) included in the page information acquired in step S37 is compared with the monitored date (current date acquired in step S38), and the scheduled scan completion date It is determined whether or not past (step S39).

  If the scheduled scan completion date (scheduled start date + number of days until completion) has passed (step S30 / Yes), the due date is added to the administrator's email address stored as information related to the corresponding page ID. An e-mail indicating that the deadline has passed has been issued. First, it is determined whether or not the deadline notification has already been sent (step S40). If not, the deadline notice is sent (step S40 / No). Transmit (step S43).

  If it has been transmitted (step S40 / Yes), the previous notification transmission date and time is acquired (step S41), and compared with the current date and time. If the predetermined interval has elapsed (step S42 / Yes), retransmission is performed. (Step S43).

  When the document management apparatus 2 transmits an expiration date notification, the document management apparatus 2 stores the type of the transmitted mail and the mail transmission date and time as information related to the page ID.

  Next, operation processing at the time of image data formation, output image formation, image data discard, image data scan, discard time limit exceeded, and scan time limit exceeded in MFP 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.

[When forming image data]
The MFP 1 receives the image data from the client PC 4 (step S45 in FIG. 11). When the output prohibition attribute is given to the image data (step S46 / Yes), it is necessary to add information indicating output prohibition and information for specifying the page. A page ID is requested (step S47). The information for specifying the page is acquired by issuing a page ID issue request to the document management apparatus 2 so that the page can be uniquely specified in the same system.

  When a response to the acquisition request is acquired (step S48 / Yes), image formation is performed in which information indicating that output is prohibited is added to the image data together with information specifying the page. The additional information is preferably tint block printing, but may be a barcode or RFID embedded. When the image formation is completed, an image formation completion notification including the page ID is notified to the document management apparatus 2 (step S50).

[When requesting output permission]
The MFP 1 according to the present embodiment can transmit an output permission request to the approver PC 5. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example of the operation panel 7 of the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment. The content displayed on the operation panel 7 changes for each step.

  The user performs user authentication (enters a user name and password) and logs in to the MFP 1 (Step 52 in FIG. 12). When an output permission request button that can be pressed from the operation panel 7 of the MFP 1 is pressed (Step: 53), an approval request destination setting screen is displayed, and an approval request destination is set by selecting from the destination table (Step: 54). Next, an administrator of image data to be output is set (Step: 55).

  When a request comment is input from the operation panel 7, image data is set, and the transmission button is pressed (Step: 56), an e-mail is transmitted. FIG. 13 shows the processing operation from when the send button is pressed until e-mail transmission. When the send button is pressed (step S57 in FIG. 13), the image data is scanned and the page ID is extracted. Along with the page ID (a plurality of pages if there are multiple pages), the user ID and information indicating that an output permission request is being made are associated with each other and stored in the HDD 15.

  In the output permission request mail transmitted to the approval request destination, the request comment, the manager of the image data to be output, the page ID (a plurality if multiple pages), and the output permission input destination URL are described (step S59). The output permission input destination URL is a WEB service URL prepared in a WEB server installed in the MFP 1. The input of the character string may be realized by a keyboard of the operation panel 7, or the operation panel 7 without a keyboard may be displayed by inputting a virtual keyboard on the touch screen.

[When output permission is issued]
When an approver for output permission opens an e-mail for an output permission request from the PC 5 for approver and browses the URL described in the e-mail with a WEB browser, an output permission approval input screen is displayed (see FIG. 14). FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an output permission approval input screen displayed on the WEB browser provided in the approver PC 5 according to the present embodiment. When the approval / non-approval, the image data management method, the number of copies allowed are selected from the WEB screen and the send button is pressed (step S60 in FIG. 15), the permission data extracted from the selection result is stored in the MFP 1 (step S61), and the permission request is issued. The result is notified to the person by electronic mail (step S62).

[During output image formation]
When an output execution operation is performed on the output-prohibited image data (steps S63 to S65 / Yes in FIG. 16), it is referred whether there is permission data (step S66). If it is permitted (step S66 / Yes), the output is executed by the permitted method. A page ID issuance request is issued to the document management apparatus 2 for each page, and a page ID is acquired (steps S67 and S68). At the time of image formation, the information added to the image data is erased by image processing (step S69), and new page ID, output prohibition information, and administrator information are added depending on the permission method (steps S70 to S72). Printing is performed (step S73). When the printing is completed, the document management apparatus 2 is notified of an image formation completion notification including the page ID, the scheduled date of destruction, the scheduled date of scanning, and the manager (e-mail address) information (step S74).

[When scanning image data]
Next, a case where scanning is performed at a predetermined time in order to confirm that the output image data is stored will be described. Set the image data to be scanned, log in to the MFP 1 (FIG. 17 Step: 80), press the scan button that can be pressed from the operation panel 7 (Step: 81), and press the scan execution button (Step: 82). . When the scan execution button is pressed (step S85 in FIG. 18), the image data is scanned (step S86), the page ID is extracted (step S87), and a scan notification including the page ID is notified to the document management apparatus 2. (Step S88).

  As described above, when the image data is formed, when the output permission is requested, when the output permission is issued, when the output image is formed, when the image data is discarded, when the image data is scanned, when the discarding period is exceeded, when the scanning period is exceeded, the MFP 1 or the document management apparatus 2 However, the operation processing between these devices will be described below with reference to the drawings showing the sequences.

[When forming image data]
The image data formation will be described with reference to FIG. An instruction to output image data is issued from the client PC 4 (FIG. 19, Step: 90), and the image data is transmitted to the MFP 1 (Step: 91). The MFP 1 requests the page ID from the document management apparatus 2 (Step: 92), and acquires the page ID (Step: 93). The MFP 1 outputs the image data (Step: 94), and notifies the document management apparatus 2 that the image has been formed (Step: 95). The document management apparatus 2 registers the page state (indicating that the corresponding page exists).

[When requesting output permission]
The output permission request will be described with reference to FIG. Upon receiving an output permission request execution command (Step: 100), the MFP 1 transmits an output permission request mail to the mail server 3 (Step: 101). The approver accesses the mail server 3 from the approver PC 5 and browses the output permission request mail (Step: 102).

[When output permission is issued]
The output permission issue time will be described with reference to FIG. If there is an instruction to browse the output permission mail on the approver PC 5 (Step: 105), the mail server is accessed and the mail is browsed (Step: 106). When the URL described in the mail is browsed with the WEB browser, the output permission approval input is displayed and the approval / non-approval is input. The input content is sent to the MFP 1 (Step: 107), and the MFP 1 generates and saves permission data.

[During output image formation]
The output image formation will be described with reference to FIG. When there is an output execution command (Step: 110), the MFP 1 checks whether there is permission data and performs a permission determination (Step: 111). A page ID acquisition request is notified to the document management apparatus 2 (Step: 112), and the page ID is acquired (Step: 113). Image processing for adding the acquired page ID is performed, and image data is printed (Step: 114). Thereafter, the MFP 1 notifies the document management apparatus 2 that an image has been formed (Step: 115). The document management apparatus 2 registers the page state (Step: 116).

[When discarding image data]
Image data discarding will be described with reference to FIG. When discarding is performed in the shredder 6 (Step: 120), the shredder 6 sends a discard notification to the document management apparatus 2 (Step: 121). The document management apparatus 2 performs page state update registration. That is, the fact that the discard has been executed is registered (Step: 122).

[When scanning image data]
A case where image data is scanned to confirm the presence of the image data will be described with reference to FIG. When scanning is executed in the MFP 1 (Step: 125), the MFP 1 sends a scan notification to the document management apparatus 2 (Step: 126). The document management apparatus 2 performs page state update registration. That is, the fact that the scan has been executed is registered (Step: 127).

[When the discard deadline is exceeded or the scan deadline is exceeded]
A case where the discard deadline is exceeded and a scan deadline is exceeded will be described with reference to FIG. The document management device 2 performs a discard expiration check at regular intervals (Step: 128), and if the discard expiration date has expired, transmits a discard expiration email to the mail server (Step: 129). Also, the document management apparatus 2 performs a scan expiration check at regular intervals (Step: 130), and if the scan expiration has expired, sends a scan expiration email to the mail server (Step: 131). Therefore, the expiration of the discard or scan can be confirmed by accessing the mail server from the client PC 4 and browsing the mail (Step: 132).

  According to the above-described embodiment, even for image data for which output is prohibited, it is possible to output with permission data, and information on a person in charge regarding output included in the permission data and information regarding a management method are extracted and output. Processing to be added to the image data can be performed.

  In addition, since information related to the management method, output information, and information for specifying the output image data can be transmitted to the document management apparatus that manages the state of the output image data. The output image data can be traced, or the output image data can be managed with a discard time limit for discarding the output image data.

  Further, the document management device 2 can register the generation information of the output image data, the information specifying the output image data discarded document, and the information specifying the scanned document. It is possible to check whether the processed image data is discarded or stored according to a predetermined management method.

  Further, by transmitting information specifying the document scanned by the image scan to the document management apparatus 2, it is confirmed that the output image data is surely stored by the administrator, that is, the image data actually output is stored. Existence can be confirmed.

  In addition, when outputting image data that is specifically permitted to be output, by adding to the output image data all or part of the information involved in the management of the image data output from the information included in the permission data, These persons can be specified from the output image data.

  In addition, the image scanner or the image forming apparatus can output the image data to be output by extracting the information for specifying the image data to be output to a person having the output permission authority by scanning, generating the output permission request data, and transmitting the data. Requests can be issued.

  Further, when the image forming apparatus (MFP), the shredder, and the document management apparatus appropriately cooperate with each other when outputting the output-prohibited document, the output permission application, the output permission, and the output image data are output. It is possible to perform a series of operation processes such as management method determination, output, and confirmation of whether or not management by the determined management method is being performed.

  Note that the program for the CPU to execute the processing shown in the flowcharts of the drawings constitutes a program according to the present invention. As a recording medium for recording the program, a semiconductor storage unit, an optical and / or magnetic storage unit, or the like can be used. By using such a program and a recording medium in a system having a configuration different from that of each of the above-described embodiments and causing the CPU to execute the program, substantially the same effect as the present invention can be obtained.

  Although the present invention has been specifically described above based on the preferred embodiments, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described ones and can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof.

1 is an overall view of an MFP 1 and its peripheral external devices according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an MFP 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a document management apparatus 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of an operation panel 7 of the MFP 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a slow chart which shows the operation | movement process from transmission button press to electronic mail transmission which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the output permission approval input screen which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement process which transmits approval / disapproval of approval to the permission requester by e-mail from PC5 for approver which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process when an output execution operation is performed on image data whose output is prohibited in the MFP 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation panel 7 when scanning is performed to confirm that output image data is stored in the MFP 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. 18 is a flowchart showing an operation process from when a scan execution button is pressed in FIG. It is a figure which shows the sequence at the time of the image data formation which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the sequence at the time of the output permission request | requirement which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the sequence at the time of the output permission issue which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the sequence at the time of the output image formation which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the sequence at the time of the image data discard which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the sequence at the time of the image data scan which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the sequence at the time of the expiration of a time concerning embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

7 Operation Panel 8 Scanner Engine 9 Print Engine 11, 16 CPU
13, 17 RAM
14 ROM
15, 18 HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
12 Network interface 10 Controller 10
19 Network interface 20 Clock 21 Document management application

Claims (10)

Information extracting means for extracting information related to whether output is possible from information included in image data;
Based on the information extracted by the information extraction means, output availability determination means for determining whether the image data can be output;
Predetermined information extraction and storage means for extracting and storing the predetermined permission data when the output permission determination means determines that it is possible to output because predetermined permission data is input, although it is output failure When,
An image processing apparatus comprising: information adding means for adding information included in the predetermined permission data to output image data.   The predetermined permission data includes the image data to be output or the scheduled date of destruction of the image data, the scheduled scan date, information for identifying an approver who approves output, information for specifying an operator, information for specifying a distribution destination, The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one or more pieces of information specifying the manager are included.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the output permission determination unit determines that the output is possible when receiving a permission notification from an approver who approves the output.   4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information adding unit further adds output executor information. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An image forming apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming image data to which information is added by the adding means.   6. The image according to claim 5, further comprising notification means for notifying an external device that image formation has been performed when the image forming means performs image formation of the image data that has been enabled for output. Forming equipment.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the external device is a document management apparatus. An information extraction step of extracting information related to output availability from information included in image data;
Based on the information extracted by the information extraction step, an output availability determination step for determining whether the image data can be output;
Predetermined information extracting and storing step of extracting and storing the predetermined permission data when the output permission determination step determines that the output is possible because the predetermined permission data is input but the output is possible When,
And an information adding step of adding information included in the predetermined permission data to the output image data. An information extraction process for extracting information related to output availability from information included in image data;
Based on the information extracted by the information extraction process, an output permission determination process for determining whether to output the image data;
Predetermined information extraction and storage process for extracting and storing the predetermined permission data when the output permission determination process determines that output is possible because the predetermined permission data has been input, but output is possible When,
An image processing program for causing a computer to execute information addition processing for adding information included in the predetermined permission data to output image data.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the image processing program according to claim 9 is recorded.

Images