JP2008294572A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus equipped with a job holding function and a security mode, and capable of avoiding that it does not notice a remaining hold job and cancels the security mode. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus comprises a job holding means for holding image data as a hold job, a setting means for setting a security mode to reinforce security on operation of the apparatus, and a judging means for judging existence of a hold job. If it is judged by the judging means that there is a hold job when the security mode is changed by the setting means, the apparatus issues an alarm etc. If a setup operation for a change to a low level security mode or non-security mode is made when there is the hold job, changing of security mode cannot be done while the hold job exists without operator's recognition. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus which forms an image based on image data, can reserve and hold a job related to the image data, and has a security mode for further enhancing security.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine, an image is formed on a transfer sheet using image data generated by an image reading apparatus or image data acquired via a network or the like. In the image forming apparatus, it is known that a plurality of jobs can be reserved in advance and has a function of sequentially executing reserved jobs. In addition, some of these reserved jobs may have low processing urgency or may not be executed immediately because the transfer paper necessary for job execution is not provided in the device. An image forming apparatus having a function of temporarily holding a job as a hold job is also known.

Furthermore, some image forming apparatuses have been proposed that allow setting of a security mode that enhances the security of the operation of the apparatus, and prohibit access by outsiders to jobs that require confidentiality. Further, it is possible to perform processing for overwriting and erasing image data after printing a job (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The security mode can be changed as necessary. In the security mode change setting, as shown in FIG. 9, an inquiry is made to the administrator or the like as to whether or not to execute the security enhancement change (step P1), and the administrator etc. executes the security enhancement setting change. If there is an answer from the administrator or the like that terminates the change process and executes the change of the enhanced security setting (step P1, YES), the change of the enhanced setting is executed (step P1, NO). Step P2).
JP 2006-279967 A

  However, if the image forming apparatus with enhanced security has a hold job function as described above, forgetting to release the hold while holding the job that requires confidentiality, set the change to the non-security mode. In such a case, a highly confidential job remains in the image forming apparatus without being erased, and may be used or viewed by a third party, which may impair confidentiality.

  The present invention has been made against the background of the above circumstances, and prevents a shift to the non-security mode without recognizing that a highly confidential job remains as a held job, and so on. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of protecting the above.

  In other words, the first image forming apparatus of the present invention performs image formation based on image data, and in the image forming apparatus capable of reserving a job related to the image data, enhances security with respect to the operation of the image forming apparatus. Input means for setting a security mode to be performed, control for holding the job as a hold job, and control means for determining the presence or absence of the hold job. The control means is configured to change the security mode by the input means. When it is determined that there is a pending job, control is performed to give a warning.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when there is a pending job, if an attempt is made to change the security mode, the security level is lowered without the operator recognizing that there is a pending job by issuing a warning, It is possible to avoid shifting to a non-security level. The warning can be performed by a method of notifying the display unit that there is a pending job. By receiving the warning, the operator can recognize that the job has a hold job, and if the job that needs to be kept confidential is a hold job, the operator must take the necessary action to maintain the security. Can do.

  The present invention of the second image forming apparatus is a security that reinforces security for the operation of the image forming apparatus in an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on image data and can reserve a job related to the image data. Input means for setting a mode, control for holding the job as a hold job, and control means for determining the presence or absence of the hold job, the control means is set to change the security mode by the input means, And when it determines with the said pending | holding job, control which prohibits the change of the said security mode is performed.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to ensure confidentiality by prohibiting the change of the security mode when there is a pending job. At this time, the warning described above may be performed together.

  The present invention of the third image forming apparatus is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the control means erases the image data relating to the reserved job.

  The present invention of the fourth image forming apparatus is characterized in that, in the third aspect of the present invention, the control means overwrites and erases image data for which image formation has been completed in the security mode.

  The present invention of the fifth image forming apparatus is characterized in that, in any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the input means is capable of setting input for shifting the reserved job to a hold job.

  The present invention of the sixth image forming apparatus is a security which reinforces security for the operation of the image forming apparatus in an image forming apparatus which forms an image based on image data and can reserve a job related to the image data. Input means for setting a mode, control for holding the job as a hold job, and control means for determining the presence or absence of the hold job, the control means is set to change the security mode by the input means, And when it determines with the said pending | holding job, control which displays the selection input of the deletion of the said pending | holding job on the said input means is performed.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when there is a pending job, if an attempt is made to change the security mode, it is possible to prompt the operator to delete the pending job and to maintain confidentiality.
At this time, the change of the security mode may be prohibited as described above. Further, when the pending job is deleted, control for permitting the change of the security mode may be performed.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on image data and can reserve a job related to the image data. Input means for setting a mode, control for holding the job as a hold job, and control means for determining the presence or absence of the hold job, the control means is set to change the security mode by the input means, And when it determines with the said pending | holding job existing, control which deletes the said pending | holding job is performed.

  According to the seventh invention, when there is a pending job, if it is attempted to change the security mode, it is possible to securely maintain confidentiality by forcibly deleting the pending job. In this case, it is desirable to notify the operator that the pending job has been deleted. Further, before forcible erasure, the operator may be inquired about whether or not erasure is possible, and the above erasure may be performed when there is a reply that erasure is possible. After the pending job is deleted, it is possible to perform control for permitting the change of the security mode.

  The invention of an eighth image forming apparatus is a security mode in which image forming is performed based on image data and a job relating to the image data can be reserved, and security is enhanced with respect to the operation of the image forming apparatus. And an input unit for setting the job as a hold job, and a control unit for determining the presence or absence of the hold job, the control unit is set to change the security mode by the input unit, and If it is determined that there is the pending job, the security mode is further controlled when the forced change is set by the input means.

  According to the eighth invention, if there is a pending job and the security mode is to be changed, the operator can change the security mode by performing additional settings. This is because when the operator confirms that the held job does not require confidentiality and further requests the change of the security mode, there is no problem even if the change of the security mode is permitted. In this case, the operator may easily recognize that there is a pending job by performing the above-mentioned warning before the operator makes additional settings.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when there is a pending job, when the setting for changing the security mode to the low level or the non-security mode is made, the presence of the pending job is manipulated. There is an effect that the security mode is not changed while the hold job exists without being recognized by the user. In addition, since confidentiality can be easily maintained as described above, it is possible to maintain confidentiality while ensuring user convenience by permitting a suspended job even in the security mode.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
That is, the image forming apparatus 1 is input / output between a digital copier unit 100 having a control unit 110, a scanner 130, an operation unit 140, and a printer unit 150 as main components, and an external device (for example, the terminal 60) through the LAN 50. Image processing means (print & scanner controller) 160 for processing image data.

  The control unit 110 has a PCI bus 102, and the PCI bus 102 is connected to the DRAM control IC 111 in the control unit 110. In addition, the control unit 110 includes an image control CPU 113, and the DRAM control IC 111 is connected to the image control CPU 113. Further, a nonvolatile memory 115 is connected to the image control CPU 113. The nonvolatile memory 115 stores a program for operating the image control CPU 113, setting data for the image forming apparatus 1, data such as process control parameters, and the like. The image control CPU 113 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1 and functions as a control unit for managing reserved jobs, managing held jobs, and executing a security mode.

The security mode is used to control the security function installed to improve the security level of the machine, and can be set by the administrator as required by the user's security function. . Specifically, there are the following. However, these are examples and are not limited thereto.
・ Audit log (eg, whether the password matches when the administrator password is entered) ・ If the administrator password does not match, key entry will not be accepted for a certain period of time ・ Access from the network will be restricted (eg, network) Cannot change SMPT port number from firmware, firmware (control ROM) version upgrade restrictions)
The image data in the image storage means (on the memory) is overwritten and erased after JOB printing. Further, only the administrator can do the following in the enhanced security mode.
・ Setting whether to delete data stored in HDD during scanning ・ Setting password to lock (electronic) HDD data so that it is not taken out

  In the change in the security mode, the security mode and the non-security mode may be switched, or the security level in the security mode may be changed in multiple stages and the security level may be changed.

  The scanner unit 130 includes a CCD 131 that performs optical reading, and a scanner control unit 132 that controls the entire scanner unit 130. The scanner control unit 132 is connected to the image control CPU 113 so as to be capable of serial communication. The scanner control unit 132 is controlled by the image control CPU 113, and image data read by the CCD 131 is processed by the reading processing unit 116. The read processing unit 116 is connected to the DRAM control IC 111 described above.

  The operation unit 140 includes a touch panel type LCD 141 and an operation unit control unit 142. The LCD 141 and the operation unit control unit 142 are connected, and the operation unit control unit 146 and the image control CPU 113 are connected. Has been. With this configuration, the operation control unit 140 is controlled by the image control CPU 113. The operation unit 140 can input operation control conditions such as settings and operation commands in the image forming apparatus, and can display setting contents, machine states, warnings, and the like. Be controlled. The image control CPU 113 and the operation unit 140 function as input means for performing setting of the present invention in cooperation with each other.

The DRAM control IC 111 is connected to an image memory 120 including a compression memory 121 and a page memory 122. The image memory 120 stores image data acquired by the scanner unit 130 and image data acquired through the LAN 50. As described above, the image memory 120 is a storage area for image data, and functions as an image storage unit that stores image data of a job to be printed.
The DRAM control IC 111 can store image data relating to a plurality of jobs in the image memory 120. That is, the image memory 120 can store image data of a reserved job. Further, the DRAM control IC 111 can store a job related to image data stored in the image memory 120 as a pending job. The presence / absence of a pending job can be recognized by the image control CPU 113 through the DRAM control IC 111. Therefore, the image control CPU 113 has a function of determining the presence / absence of a pending job.

  Note that the hold job function means, for example, that if a job that you want to print urgently occurs, you can temporarily hold the reserved job and print the rush job first, and then release the hold. It is a method of printing. This is a function for holding a selected job, and functions for a reserved job.

  Further, the DRAM control IC 111 is connected with a compression / expansion IC 117 that expands compressed image data or compresses image data, and a write processing unit 118 is connected to the compression / expansion IC. The writing processing unit 118 is connected to an LD (laser diode) 151 of the printer unit 150 and processes data used for the operation of the LD 151. The printer unit 150 includes a printer control unit 152 that controls the entire printer unit 150. The printer control unit 152 is connected to the image control CPU 113 and receives control.

  Further, a DRAM control IC 161 of the image processing control unit 160 is connected to the PCI bus 102 connected to the DRAM control IC 111. In the image processing means 160, an image memory 162 is connected to the DRAM control IC 161. In the image processing means 160, a controller control CPU 163 and a LAN control unit 164 are connected to the DRAM control IC 161, and a LAN interface 165 is connected to the LAN control unit 164. The LAN interface 165 is connected to the LAN 50.

Next, the basic operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.
First, a procedure for storing image data in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.
First, in the image forming apparatus 1, when the scanner unit 130 reads an image of a document and generates image data, the scanner unit 130 optically reads the document image from the document by the CCD 131. At this time, the operation of the CCD 131 is controlled by the scanner control unit 132 that receives a command from the image control CPU 113.

  The image read by the CCD 131 is subjected to data processing by the reading processing unit 116, and the processed image data is compressed by a compression / expansion IC 117 by a predetermined method and stored in the compression memory 121 via the DRAM control IC 111. The

  When acquiring image data from the outside, for example, image data transmitted from the terminal 60 or the like through the LAN 50 is stored in the image memory 162 by the DRAM control IC 161 via the LAN interface 165 and the LAN control unit 164. Data in the image memory 162 is temporarily stored in the page memory 122 via the DRAM control IC 161, the PCI bus 102, and the DRAM control IC 111. The data stored in the page memory 122 is sequentially sent to the compression / decompression IC 118 via the DRAM control IC 111 and subjected to compression processing, and stored in the compression memory 121 via the DRAM control IC 111.

  The image data stored in the compression memory 121 can be managed as a reserved job by the image control CPU 113. In addition, the setting means including the image control CPU 113 can shift a part of the reservation job to a hold job and manage it in a hold state as necessary, and can further transfer the hold job to a reservation job.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 outputs an image, that is, when used as a copying machine or a printer, the image data stored in the compression memory 121 is sent to the compression / decompression IC 117 via the DRAM control IC 111 to decompress the data, The decompressed data is sent to the writing processing unit 118, and the LD 151 performs writing on the photoconductor. Further, in the printer unit 150, each unit is controlled by the printer control unit 152 in response to an instruction from the image control unit 113, and printing on a predetermined transfer sheet (not shown) is performed. When there are a plurality of reserved jobs, the image output is sequentially performed.

As described above, the reservation job is managed by the image control CPU 113, and the reservation job can be set by the operation unit 140 controlled by the image control CPU 113. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the reserved job management screen 141 is displayed on the operation unit 140.
On the reserved job management screen 141, as shown in FIG. 2, a list of jobs reserved in the reserved job display column 141a is arranged in the order of execution. A reserved job setting button group is provided on the right side of the reserved job display field 141a, and a hold button 141b is provided in the set button group.

When holding a job to be specified from among the jobs displayed in the reserved job display field 141a, first touch the display image position of the job to be held displayed in the reserved job display field 141a and specify the job. Then, the hold button 141b displayed on the right side is pressed.
As a result of the above operation, the designated job is moved from the reserved job list that sequentially stores the reserved jobs to the reserved job list that sequentially stores the reserved jobs, and the operation unit 140 holds the specified job as shown in FIG. A job management screen 142 is displayed. On the held job management screen 142, a list of held jobs is arranged in the held job display field 142a. The transition to the hold job is permitted even in a state where a security mode described later is set.

  A hold job setting button group is provided on the right side of the hold job display field 142a, and a hold release button 142b and a hold batch release button 142c are provided in the set button group. To register a held job again as a reserved job in the reserved job file, touch the display image position of the held job displayed in the held job display field 142a to specify the job, and then to the right By pressing the displayed hold release button 142b, it is possible to shift from the hold job to the reserved job. Further, when the displayed held jobs are collectively transferred to the reserved job, all the held jobs are transferred to the reserved jobs by pressing the hold batch cancel button 142c without selecting a job. The display of the job transferred to the reserved job from the hold job display field 142a by the hold release is deleted. When the hold release button 142b button is pressed, it is possible to shift to a reserved job and immediately disclose printing, or to place it in the lower order or the original order of the reserved job list.

An example of control when changing the security mode setting will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, when the change setting of the security mode is selected from the setting menu or the like, a security mode setting screen 143 is displayed on the operation unit 140 as shown in FIG. 5, and an inquiry about the setting change is made (step A1). On the security mode setting screen 143, an ON button 143a and an OFF button 143b for setting the security mode are displayed so that the setting can be input, and the button for changing the current mode can be pressed. That is, in the security mode state, the OFF button 143b can be pressed to cancel this and shift to the non-security mode. In the non-security mode state, the ON button is used to shift to the security mode. The button 143a can be pushed down. If the button for changing the setting is not pressed (step A1, NO), the process ends. On the other hand, when the button for changing the setting (OFF button 143b) is pressed (step A1, YES), it is determined whether there is a pending job.

  This determination is performed using the hold job flag. In other words, when the reserved job is set by the transfer of the reserved job, the flag is set to Hi, and when there is no held job because the held job is released, the held job flag is set to Low. If the hold job flag is set to Low (no hold job) by the above determination (Step A2, Low), the security setting change (shift to the non-security mode) is permitted and the setting change is executed (Step A5). On the other hand, if the hold job flag is set to Hi (with hold job) in the determination (step A2, Hi), a warning screen 144 is displayed on the operation unit 140 as shown in FIG. (Step A3). At this time, control for prohibiting the change of the security mode may be performed together. In the warning, a warning display part 144a is provided on the warning screen 144. Further, on the warning screen, an inquiry is made as to whether or not to continue as an additional setting, and the “Yes” button 144b and the “No” button 144c are displayed so as to be pressed down (step A4). In response to this inquiry, if the “Yes” button 144b indicating continuation is pushed by the operator (step A4, YES), the setting of the security mode is forcibly changed, and here, the transition from the security mode to the non-security mode is performed. Execute (Step A5). At this time, it is possible to control to forcibly delete the hold job from the image memory. On the other hand, if the “NO” button 144c is pressed in the continuation inquiry, the process ends without changing the setting of the security mode. The operator can take necessary measures such as deleting the hold job by recognizing the existence of the hold job.

Another example of control when changing the setting of the security mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When the security mode setting change is selected from the setting menu or the like, the security mode setting screen 143 is displayed on the operation unit 140 as described above, and the execution of the setting change is inquired (step B1). If the button for changing the setting is not pressed (step B1, NO), the process is terminated. On the other hand, when the button for changing the setting is pressed (step B1, YES), it is determined whether there is a pending job.

This determination is performed using the hold job flag, as in the control method. If the hold job flag is set to Low (no hold job) by this determination (step B2, Low), the security setting change is permitted and the setting change is executed (step B7). When the hold job flag is set to Hi (hold job exists) in the above determination (step B2, Hi), a warning screen 145 having a warning display portion 145a as shown in FIG. Is notified that there is a pending job (step B3). At this time, control for prohibiting the change of the security mode is also performed. In the above warning, a warning display unit 145a is provided on the warning screen 145, and the "Yes" button 145b for executing the deletion and the "No" button 145c for not executing the deletion can be pressed by requesting the deletion of the held job. (Step B4). In response to this request, when the “Yes” button 145b for executing the deletion is pressed (step B5, YES), the hold job is deleted (step B6), and then the security mode setting change is permitted. Then, the transition from the security mode to the non-security mode is executed (step B7). In order to delete the hold job, the DRAM control IC 111 overwrites and deletes the hold job in the image memory 120 according to a command from the image control CPU 113.
When the “No” button 145c that does not execute the deletion of the hold job is pressed, the process is terminated while prohibiting the change of the security mode setting. As a result, it is possible to prevent the security mode from being changed while the pending job exists.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the description of the above embodiment, and can naturally be changed without departing from the scope of the present invention. is there.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the reservation job management screen of an operation part. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the pending | holding job management screen of an operation part. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing a procedure for changing the security mode. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the change setting screen of the security mode of an operation part. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the warning screen at the time of the change setting of the security mode of an operation part. It is a flowchart which shows the change procedure of the security mode in other embodiment of this invention. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the warning screen at the time of the change setting of the security mode of an operation part. It is a flowchart which shows the change procedure of the conventional security mode.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image forming apparatus 110 Control unit 113 Image control CPU
120 Image memory 130 Scanner unit 140 Operation unit 141 Reserved job management screen 142 Reserved job management screen 143 Security mode setting screen 144 Warning screen 145 Warning screen 150 Printer unit

Claims (8)

  In an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image based on image data and reserving a job related to the image data, an input means for setting a security mode for enhancing security with respect to the operation of the image forming apparatus, and the job When holding control as a hold job and control means for determining the presence or absence of the hold job, the control means is set to change the security mode by the input means, and it is determined that there is the hold job Is an image forming apparatus that performs control for warning.   In an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image based on image data and reserving a job related to the image data, an input means for setting a security mode for enhancing security with respect to the operation of the image forming apparatus, and the job When holding control as a hold job and control means for determining the presence or absence of the hold job, the control means is set to change the security mode by the input means, and it is determined that there is the hold job Performs control for prohibiting the change of the security mode.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit deletes the image data relating to the reservation job.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit overwrites and erases the image data for which image formation has been completed in the security mode.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit is capable of setting input for shifting the reservation job to a hold job.   In an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image based on image data and reserving a job related to the image data, an input means for setting a security mode for enhancing security with respect to the operation of the image forming apparatus, and the job When holding control as a hold job and control means for determining the presence or absence of the hold job, the control means is set to change the security mode by the input means, and it is determined that there is the hold job The image forming apparatus controls the display of the selection input for erasing the held job on the input unit.   In an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image based on image data and reserving a job related to the image data, an input means for setting a security mode for enhancing security with respect to the operation of the image forming apparatus, and the job When holding control as a hold job and control means for determining the presence or absence of the hold job, the control means is set to change the security mode by the input means, and it is determined that there is the hold job Performs control to delete the held job.   In an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image based on image data and reserving a job related to the image data, an input means for setting a security mode for enhancing security with respect to the operation of the image forming apparatus, and the job When holding control as a hold job and control means for determining the presence or absence of the hold job, the control means is set to change the security mode by the input means, and it is determined that there is the hold job Further, the image forming apparatus is characterized in that a control for changing a security mode is performed when a forced change is set by the input means.

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