JP2009110370A - Control program, image forming apparatus, control system, and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely prevent confidential information from leaking even when data containing the confidential information is transferred to a user terminal. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus is provided with: a store control section which stores original document data, designated position information showing hidden position of the confidential information, open area information showing an open area of the confidential information, and printer specification information, with them associated; a user terminal determination section which determines whether the user terminal has a predetermined printer driver; and an output control section which transmits the original document data, the designated position information, the printer specification information, and the open area information to the user terminal having the predetermined printer driver. The user terminal is provided with: a user determination section which determines whether a user matches the open area specified by the open area information; a printer determination section which determines whether a printer at a user site coincides with a printer specified by the printer specification information; and a print control section which transmits the original document data and the designated position information to the printer at the user site for printing of an edited document. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control program, an image forming apparatus, a control system, and a control method, and more particularly to a control program, an image forming apparatus, a control system, and a control method for controlling output of a document including confidential information.

  Copiers and multi-function peripherals (MFPs) having a copy function, a facsimile function, a printer function, a scanner function, etc. (hereinafter collectively referred to as an image forming apparatus) are widely used, such as companies. Widely used in Documents printed by this image forming apparatus include documents that can be browsed by all users, and documents that contain confidential information that can be browsed only by a specific user. It is necessary to control printing so that information is not leaked.

  Regarding the above print control, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, when a user identification ID is inputted and designation information for designating a copy-prohibited area on the image is inputted, the corresponding identification ID is inputted on the image. In addition, an image forming method is disclosed in which a copy prohibited area is set, the copy prohibited area is displayed in an identifiable manner, and image data in which a copy prohibited mark is combined with the copy prohibited area is generated and output.

JP 2003-32487 A

  In the method described in Patent Document 1, when the input identification ID matches the ID registered corresponding to the copy prohibited area, an image with a copy prohibition mark is printed on the original document image. If the input identification ID does not match the registered ID, the image is not printed, or only the image excluding the copy-prohibited area is printed. On the other hand, information recorded in the copy-prohibited area can be prevented from being disclosed.

  However, the method described in Patent Document 1 is only for browsing and printing on the image forming apparatus, and has no idea of transmitting data to the user terminal. There is a problem that the original image cannot be viewed on the user terminal, and the image with the copy prohibition mark cannot be printed with another printer, which is inconvenient.

  On the other hand, if the original document image data can be freely transmitted, there is no restriction on the copy-prohibited area, and an unauthorized user can view the original document image or arbitrarily print it. The problem arises that it becomes impossible to prevent leakage of confidential information.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its main purpose is a control program that can reliably prevent leakage of secret information even when data including secret information is transmitted to a user terminal, An image forming apparatus, a control system, and a control method are provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, a control program according to the present invention enables a computer to determine whether a user terminal to which document data of a first document including confidential information is transmitted is a terminal provided with a predetermined printer driver. A terminal determination unit, when the user terminal includes the predetermined printer driver, the user terminal includes document data of the first document and designated position information indicating a position to be concealed in the first document; An output control unit that associates and transmits printer identification information that identifies a printer that prints a second document that conceals the secret information of the first document, and disclosure range information that indicates a disclosure range of the secret information; It is to function as.

  In addition, the control program of the present invention causes the computer to store document data of a first document including secret information, designated position information indicating a position to be concealed in the first document, and the secret of the first document. A storage control unit that associates and stores in the storage unit printer identification information that identifies a printer that prints the second document that conceals information and the disclosure range of the secret information; and the first document A user terminal determination unit that determines whether the user terminal to which the document data is transmitted is a terminal that includes a predetermined printer driver, and when the user terminal includes the predetermined printer driver, It functions as an output control unit that transmits the document data of one document, the designated position information, the printer specifying information, and the disclosure range information in association with each other.

  In the present invention, when the user terminal is a terminal that does not include the predetermined printer driver, the output control unit generates document data of the second document, and sends the second document to the user terminal. The document data of this document can be transmitted.

  The printer driver according to the present invention determines whether a user who accesses the document data of the first document including the confidential information matches the disclosure range specified by the disclosure range information associated with the document data. A user determination unit that determines a printer specified by printer specifying information associated with document data of the first document and a printer specified on a print instruction screen when printing is instructed to a user who matches the disclosure range A printer determination unit that determines whether the first and second documents match, and if the printer matches, the designated position information that indicates the document data of the first document and the concealment position in the first document to the designated printer And a print control unit that instructs to print the second document in which the secret information of the first document is concealed.

  In the present invention, when the printer does not match, the printer determination unit can display information indicating that printing is not possible or information prompting re-designation of the printer on the display unit.

  The present invention is also an image forming apparatus for acquiring document data of a first document including confidential information, wherein a user terminal to which the document data of the first document is transmitted includes a predetermined printer driver. When the user terminal includes the predetermined printer driver, the user terminal conceals the document data of the first document and the first document in the first document. Designated position information indicating a position, printer specifying information for specifying a printer for printing a second document concealing the secret information of the first document, and disclosure range information indicating a disclosure range of the secret information. And an output control unit that transmits the data in association with each other.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for acquiring document data of a first document including confidential information, the specification indicating the document data of the first document and a position to be concealed in the first document. The positional information, the printer specifying information for specifying the printer that prints the second document concealing the secret information of the first document, and the disclosure range information indicating the disclosure range of the secret information are stored in association with each other. A storage control unit; a user terminal determination unit that determines whether a user terminal that is a transmission destination of document data of the first document is a terminal that includes a predetermined printer driver; and When provided, the user terminal is provided with at least an output control unit that transmits the document data, the designated position information, the printer specifying information, and the disclosure range information in association with each other. It is.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control system in which at least the image forming apparatus according to any one of the above and a user terminal are connected via a communication network, wherein the user terminal connects the computer to the first document. A user determination unit that determines whether a user who accesses the document data matches a disclosure range defined by the disclosure range information associated with the document data;
When printing is instructed to a user who matches the disclosure range, does the printer specified by the printer specifying information associated with the document data of the first document match the printer specified on the print instruction screen? A printer determination unit that determines whether or not the printer matches, the printer transmits the document data of the first document and the specified position information to the specified printer, and instructs to print the second document At least the predetermined printer driver that functions as a control unit is provided.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method in a control system in which at least an image forming apparatus and a user terminal are connected via a communication network, the document data of the first document including confidential information in the image forming apparatus. A first determination step for determining whether the user terminal of the transmission destination is a terminal including a predetermined printer driver; and when the user terminal includes the predetermined printer driver, the user terminal includes Document data of the first document, designated position information indicating a position to be concealed in the first document, and printer specifying information for specifying a printer that prints the second document concealing the secret information of the first document And at least a transmission step of transmitting in association with the disclosure range information indicating the disclosure range of the secret information, and at the user terminal, the first sentence A second determination step for determining whether the user who accesses the document data matches the disclosure range specified by the disclosure range information associated with the document data, and printing is instructed to the user who matches the disclosure range And a third determination step for determining whether the printer specified by the printer specifying information associated with the document data of the first document matches the printer specified on the print instruction screen. When the printers match, at least a print instruction step of transmitting the document data of the first document and the specified position information to the designated printer and instructing printing of the second document is executed. To do.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method in a control system in which at least an image forming apparatus and a user terminal are connected via a communication network, the document data of the first document including confidential information in the image forming apparatus. Specified position information indicating a position to be concealed in the first document, printer specifying information for specifying a printer that prints the second document concealing the secret information of the first document, and the secret information A storage step of associating and storing in the storage unit the disclosure range information indicating the disclosure range of the first document, and determining whether the user terminal to which the document data of the first document is transmitted is a terminal having a predetermined printer driver And when the user terminal includes the predetermined printer driver, the user terminal receives document data of the first document and the designated position information. And a transmission step of transmitting the printer identification information and the disclosure range information in association with each other, and a user accessing the document data of the first document at the user terminal is associated with the document data. A second determination step for determining whether or not it matches the release range specified by the release range information, and when printing is instructed to a user that matches the release range, the document is associated with the document data of the first document A third determination step for determining whether the printer specified by the specified printer specifying information and the printer specified on the print instruction screen match; and if the printer matches, At least a print instruction step of transmitting document data of the first document and the designated position information and instructing printing of the second document; Than is.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the document data of the first document is not transmitted to a user terminal that does not have a predetermined printer driver. Since the second document is not printed from a printer other than the printer specified by the specific information, leakage of confidential information can be reliably prevented.

  According to the control program, the image forming apparatus, the control system, and the control method of the present invention, it is possible to reliably prevent leakage of secret information even when data including secret information is transmitted to the user terminal.

  The reason is that the image forming apparatus or server that stores the data has the original document data including the secret information, the designated position information that specifies the concealment position, the disclosure range information that defines the disclosure range of the secret information, and the processing that conceals the secret information. It is stored in association with printer identification information that identifies a printer that prints a document, determines whether a user terminal that transmits data includes a predetermined printer driver, and only for a user terminal that includes a predetermined printer driver. Since control is performed to transmit original document data, designated position information, printer identification information, and disclosure range information, it is possible to prevent a problem that original document data is transmitted to a user terminal that does not have a predetermined printer driver. Because.

  In a user terminal having a predetermined printer driver, after receiving original document data, designated position information, printer identification information, and disclosure range information, a user who accesses the original document data based on the disclosure range information enters the disclosure range. When the user who matches the disclosure range instructs printing of the processed document, the predetermined printer driver determines whether the printing destination printer matches the printer specified by the printer specifying information. If the printer matches, the print data including the original document data and the specified position information is transmitted to control the printing of the processed document, so that confidential information is viewed or specified by an unauthorized user. This is because it is possible to prevent the problem that the processed document is printed from other than the printer.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes, as hardware or software, original document data including secret information, designated position information indicating a concealment position, and disclosure range information indicating a disclosure range of the secret information. A storage control unit that associates and stores printer specifying information that specifies a printer that prints a processed document that conceals confidential information, and a user terminal determination unit that determines whether a user terminal that transmits data includes a predetermined printer driver And an output control unit for transmitting original document data, designated position information, printer identification information, and disclosure range information to the user terminal when the user terminal includes a predetermined printer driver, In addition, a user judgment that determines whether the user accessing the original document data matches the disclosure range specified in the disclosure range information. If the printer matches the printer and the printer determination unit that determines whether the printer to be printed matches the printer specified by the printer identification information when the user who matches the disclosure range instructs printing, the printing is performed. A print control unit that transmits print data including original document data and designated position information to the previous printer and instructs printing of the processed document; As a result, original document data is not transmitted to a user terminal without a predetermined printer driver, and an unauthorized user can view confidential information or print a processed document from a printer other than the designated printer. Therefore, leakage of confidential information can be reliably prevented.

  In order to describe the above-described embodiment of the present invention in more detail, a control program, an image forming apparatus, a control system, and a control method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrams schematically showing the configuration of the control system of the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the user terminal according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the control unit of the user terminal. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an original document creation and data storage procedure in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a data transmission procedure in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment. It is. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for printing a processed document in the user terminal according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a printing procedure performed by the printer according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the original document according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 12 and 13 are diagrams illustrating configuration examples of screens displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. 14 and 15 are diagrams showing an example of the configuration of the processed document according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the control system according to the present embodiment is referred to as a first document (hereinafter referred to as an original document) that includes information (hereinafter referred to as secret information) that should be disclosed only to authorized users. ) Is created, stored, transmitted, and the like, and the original document is browsed and a second document (hereinafter referred to as a processed document) that conceals the designated position of the original document is printed. One or a plurality of user terminals 30 and a printer 40 that prints a processed document are connected by a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus 10 and the user terminal 30 will be described in detail.

[Image forming apparatus]
As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a control unit 11, a scanner unit 12, an image processing unit 13, a printer unit 14, a network connection unit 15, a storage unit 16, and a display. A unit 17 and an operation unit 18 are provided, and each unit is connected by a bus.

  The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The CPU reads various programs stored in the ROM by operating the operation unit 18 and develops them in the RAM, and controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the developed programs.

  The scanner unit 12 reads information recorded on a document such as an original document, and includes a light source that scans the document, a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) that converts light reflected by the document into an electrical signal, and an electrical signal. Is constituted by an A / D converter or the like for A / D conversion.

  The image processing unit 13 performs enlargement / reduction, rotation, frequency conversion, color conversion from RGB data to YMCK data, gradation correction, and the like on an image read by the scanner unit 12 (hereinafter referred to as a scanned image). Perform various image processing.

  The printer unit 14 includes an image forming unit that forms an image to be printed on transfer paper, a transfer unit that transfers the formed image to the transfer paper, a fixing unit that fixes the transferred image, a transport unit that transports the transfer paper, and an image forming unit. And an individual cleaning unit for cleaning each of the transfer unit and the fixing unit, and forms and outputs an image on a transfer sheet based on input data by an electrophotographic method.

  The network connection unit 15 includes a NIC (Network Interface Card), a modem, a LAN adapter, a router, a TA (Terminal Adapter), and the like, and performs communication control with devices connected via a communication network.

  The storage unit 16 is configured by a flash memory, a hard disk, or the like, and stores various data, setting conditions, and the like. In this embodiment, in particular, data of the original document (hereinafter referred to as original document data), information indicating a position designated by the user with respect to the original document (hereinafter referred to as designated position information), and secret information. Information (hereinafter referred to as “public range information”) indicating the range of users who publish the document, and a MAC (Media Access Control) address for identifying a printer that is permitted to print the processed document. And the IP (Internet Protocol) address (hereinafter referred to as printer specifying information) are stored in association with each other, and printer driver information for specifying the printer driver provided in the user terminal 30 is stored.

  The display unit 17 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL (electroluminescence) display device, and the like, and displays the concealment position of the original document read by the scanner unit 12 on the screen according to the display signal from the control unit 11. Display the screen to specify and the screen to set the disclosure range. The operation unit 18 includes operation buttons, a mouse, and the like, and performs operations for designating a concealment position for the original document and setting a disclosure range of information recorded in the concealment position on the screen displayed on the display unit 17. Make it possible. The display unit 17 and the operation unit 18 may be separate devices, or may be an integrated device provided with a pressure-sensitive operation unit (touch panel) 18 in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a lattice pattern on the display unit 17. In the case of a touch panel, the XY coordinates of the force point pressed with a finger or a touch pen are detected by a voltage value, and the detected position signal is output to the control unit 11 as an operation signal.

  In addition to the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 10, the control unit 11 associates the original document data, the specified position information, the disclosure range information, and the printer identification information as shown in FIG. When the storage control unit 11a to store, the user terminal determination unit 11b for determining whether the user terminal 30 to which the original document data is transmitted is a terminal having a predetermined printer driver, and the user terminal 30 has a predetermined printer driver Moreover, it also functions as an output control unit 11c that transmits original document data, designated position information, printer identification information, and disclosure range information to the user terminal 30.

  The storage control unit 11a, the user terminal determination unit 11b, and the output control unit 11c may be configured as hardware, or control that causes the computer to function as the storage control unit 11a, the user terminal determination unit 11b, and the output control unit 11c. It is good also as a structure comprised as a program and operating this control program on the control part 11. FIG.

  In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 creates the original document and stores various data. However, as shown in FIG. 2, a server 20 or the like is connected to the communication network, and the image forming apparatus 10 The document may be created, and the original document data, designated position information, disclosure range information, and printer identification information may be associated with each other and stored in the server 20. In that case, a user terminal determination unit and an output control unit may be provided as hardware or software in the control unit of the server 20.

[User terminal]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the user terminal 30 of this embodiment includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a network connection unit 33, a display unit 34, an operation unit 35, and the like. Connected by.

  The control unit 11 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The CPU reads various programs stored in the ROM and expands them in the RAM by operating the operation unit 35, and controls the operation of each unit of the user terminal 30 according to the expanded programs.

  The storage unit 32 is configured by a flash memory, a hard disk, or the like, and stores various data, setting conditions, and the like.

  The network connection unit 33 includes a NIC, a modem, a LAN adapter, a router, a TA, and the like, and performs communication control with the image forming apparatus 10 and the server 20 connected via a communication network.

  The display unit 34 includes a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device, and the like, and displays an original document on a screen according to a display signal from the control unit 31 or a print instruction screen for instructing printing of a processed document. The operation unit 35 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and enables an operation to specify the printer 40 that prints the processed document on the print instruction screen displayed on the display unit 34. The display unit 34 and the operation unit 35 may be separate devices, or may be a touch panel in which the display unit 34 and the operation unit 35 are integrated.

  In addition to the operation of each unit of the user terminal 30, the control unit 31 functions as a predetermined printer driver that instructs printing to the printer 40, as shown in FIG. In addition to the normal function, a user determination unit 31a that determines whether a user accessing the original document data matches the disclosure range specified by the disclosure range information associated with the original document data, and a processed document The printer determination unit 31b that determines whether the printer 40 as the printing destination matches the printer specified by the printer specifying information, and if the printer matches, transmits the original document data and the specified position information to the printer as the printing destination. It also functions as a print control unit 31c that instructs printing of the processed document.

  Here, the printer driver is configured to include the user determination unit 31a, the printer determination unit 31b, and the print control unit 31c. However, the user determination unit 31a is not necessarily provided in the printer driver, and is separate from the printer driver. It may be operated.

  Hereinafter, a procedure for creating an original document using the image forming apparatus 10 having the above-described configuration and storing various data will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S101, as shown in FIG. 11, the original document 50 on which the confidential information 51 and information whose publication is not restricted (hereinafter referred to as public information 52) is set in the image forming apparatus 10, and the user is set. When the scanner unit 12 operates the operation unit 18 to instruct scanning, the scanner unit 12 scans the original document 50 with the light source, receives the light reflected by the original document 50 with the CCD, and converts the light into an electrical signal. A / D conversion is performed to create a scanned image in which the information of the original document 50 is recorded, and the control unit 11 causes the display unit 17 to display a concealment position designation screen 60 as shown in FIG. Although the original document 50 is scanned here, the original document data stored in advance in the storage unit 16 of the image forming apparatus 10 or the original document data received via the communication network is displayed on the display unit 17. It is good.

  Next, in step S102, the user operates the operation unit 18 to designate a concealment position. The method for specifying the concealment position is not particularly limited, and a range may be specified, the start point and end point of the document may be specified, or coordinates may be input. Further, there may be one or more concealment positions.

  Next, in step S103, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 17 to display the concealment position designated by the operation unit 18 in a distinguishable manner. This display method is also arbitrary. As shown in FIG. 12 (b), the specified concealment position may be displayed surrounded by a frame, displayed in a different color, or shaded. A decoration may be added and displayed.

  Next, in step S <b> 104, the control unit 11 acquires designated position information indicating a concealment position based on information from the operation unit 18. The specified position information shall be the corner coordinates (diagonal coordinates for a rectangular range) if a range is specified, and the start and end coordinates if a document start point and end point are specified. Can do.

  Next, when the designation of the concealment position is completed in step S105, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 17 to display the disclosure range setting screen in step S106. This disclosure range setting screen is a screen for defining the range of users who disclose secret information, and its configuration is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in FIG. The open range may be displayed in a selectable manner, or the users who are permitted to browse the confidential information may be displayed in a selectable manner as shown in FIG. 13B, or these may be combined. . Then, the user operates the operation unit 18 to set a disclosure range by checking a desired check box. At that time, the same disclosure range may be set for all the specified positions, or different disclosure ranges may be set for each specified position.

  Next, in step S <b> 107, the control unit 11 acquires the set disclosure range information based on information from the operation unit 18. If the disclosure range is always constant, the specification of the disclosure range can be omitted.

  In step S108, the storage control unit 11a specifies the original document data acquired in step S101, the specified position information acquired in step S104, the disclosure range information acquired in step S107, and the printer 40 that permits printing of the processed document. The printer information to be associated is stored in the storage unit 16 or the server 20.

  Next, a procedure for transmitting various data from the image forming apparatus 10 to the user terminal 30 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S201, the user terminal determination unit 11b acquires printer driver information of the user terminal 30 connected to the communication network from the storage location (the storage unit 16 or the server 20). In step S202, the user terminal 30 Is a terminal having a predetermined printer driver.

  If the user terminal 30 does not include the predetermined printer driver, the process skips to step S204. If the user terminal 30 includes the predetermined printer driver, in step S203, the output control unit 11c displays the storage location ( The original document data, the designated position information corresponding to the original document data, the printer identification information, and the disclosure range information are read from the storage unit 16 or the server 20), and are associated with each other and transmitted to the user terminal 30.

  Next, in step S204, it is determined whether there is another user terminal 30 connected to the communication network. If there is another user terminal 30, the process returns to step S201 and the same processing is repeated, and a predetermined printer driver The above data is transmitted to all user terminals 30 including

  As described above, only when the user terminal 30 includes a predetermined printer driver, the original document data, the specified position information, the printer specifying information, and the disclosure range information are transmitted to the user terminal 30 in association with each other. It is possible to prevent the original document data from being transmitted to a user terminal without a printer driver, and reliably prevent leakage of confidential information.

  Next, procedures for browsing the original document and instructing to print the processed document on the user terminal 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S301, the control unit 31 of the user terminal 30 monitors data transmission from the image forming apparatus 10 (or the server 20), and when data is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 10 (or the server 20), a predetermined process is performed. In step S302, the user determination unit 31a acquires the disclosure range information stored in association with the transmitted original document data, and causes the display unit 34 to display a predetermined user authentication screen. The user who accesses the document data is made to input the user specifying information, and in step S303, it is determined whether or not the user specified by the user specifying information matches the disclosure range specified by the disclosure range information.

  If the user does not match the disclosure range of the secret information, the process ends. If the user matches the disclosure range of the secret information (for example, if the disclosure range is greater than the section manager and the user is the section manager or department manager), the process proceeds to step S304. The control unit 31 displays the original document data on the display unit 34, and the user confirms the displayed original document data.

  Next, when a user who matches the disclosure range instructs printing, in step S305, the printer driver displays a print instruction screen for designating various printing conditions such as the number of prints, a printer to be printed, and the like on the display unit 34. Display, and allow the user to specify various printing conditions, a printer to be printed, and the like.

  Next, in step S306, the printer determination unit 31b determines whether the printing destination printer specified on the print instruction screen matches the printer specified by the printer specifying information. If the printer matches, step S307 is performed. Then, the print control unit 31 c transmits print data including the original document data and the designated position information to the printer 40. In addition, if they do not match, the printer determination unit 31b cannot print on the display unit 34 in step S308 so that the processed document is not output from an unintended printer and viewed by an unspecified user. Information for informing the user, or information for prompting the user to reset the print destination printer.

  As described above, the printer driver permits only the user who matches the disclosure range information to view the original document data, and when the user instructs printing, the printer of the printing destination is specified by the printer specifying information. Only when it matches the printer, the print data including the original document data and the specified position information is transmitted to allow the processed document to be printed, so that the processed document can be used to improve convenience and without authority. It is possible to prevent the original document data from being browsed by the user and the processed document from being printed from other than the specified printer, thereby reliably preventing leakage of confidential information.

  Next, a printing procedure in the printer 40 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S401, the control unit of the printer 40 monitors reception of print data, and when print data is received, in step S402, the control unit determines whether the print data includes designated position information.

  If the designated position information is included, the designated position of the original document data needs to be concealed. Therefore, in step S403, as shown in FIG. 14A, the designated position of the original document data is filled. The processed document 53 is printed. On the other hand, if the designated position information is not included, since the confidential information is not included in the document to be printed, the print data is printed as it is in step S404.

  The processed document 53 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 14A. For example, the concealment unit 54 is filled with the same color as paper, or information corresponding to the concealment unit 54 is displayed as shown in FIG. 14B. It can be deleted so that nothing is printed. Further, if the concealment unit 54 is simply painted or nothing is printed on the concealment unit 54, the user who sees the processed document 53 does not know whether he or she has the authority to view the confidential information. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 15A, the disclosure range information 55 can be printed on the concealing unit 54 so as to be visible (for example, in a color different from the filled color or white), or in FIG. As shown in (b), different disclosure range information 55 can be printed for each concealment unit 54. In that case, the print data including the original document data, the designated position information, and the disclosure range information may be transmitted from the user terminal 30 to the printer 40.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to description of the said Example, Unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention, it can change suitably. For example, in the image forming apparatus 10 (or the server 20), when the user terminal 30 does not have a predetermined printer driver, the processing is completed without transmitting data. However, even if the processed document 53 is browsed and printed, there is a big problem. Since it is considered that it does not occur, the image forming apparatus 10 (or the server 20) may generate processed document data in which the designated position of the original document data is filled, and transmit the generated processed document data. In the above-described embodiment, the original document data, the specified position information, the printer specifying information, and the disclosure range information are transmitted from the image forming apparatus 10 (or the server 20) to the user terminal 30. Alternatively, the processing document data in which the designated position of the original document data is filled in (or the server 20) may be generated, and the original document data, the processed document data, the printer identification information, and the disclosure range information may be transmitted to the user terminal 30. In the above embodiment, the original document data and the designated position information are transmitted from the user terminal 30 to the printer 40. However, the user terminal 30 generates processed document data in which the designated position of the original document data is filled. The generated processed document data may be transmitted to the printer 40.

  The present invention is applicable to a control program for controlling creation, storage, and printing of a document including confidential information, an image forming apparatus and a control system provided with the control program, and a control method in the control system.

It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the control system which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the other structure of the control system which concerns on one Example of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the user terminal which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part of the user terminal which concerns on one Example of this invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for creating an original document and storing data in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a data transmission procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the print instruction | indication procedure of the processed document in the user terminal which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the printing procedure in the printer which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the original document which concerns on one Example of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a screen (a concealment position designation screen) displayed on the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a screen (open range setting screen) displayed on the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the process document which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the processed document which concerns on one Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 11 Control part 11a Storage control part 11b User determination part 11c User terminal determination part 11d Output control part 12 Scanner part 13 Image processing part 14 Printer part 15 Network connection part 16 Storage part 17 Display part 18 Operation part 20 Server 30 User terminal 31 Control unit 31a Printer determination unit 31b Print control unit 32 Storage unit 33 Network connection unit 34 Display unit 35 Operation unit 40 Printer 50 Original document 51 Secret information 52 Public information 53 Processed document 54 Concealment unit 55 Public range information 60 Concealment position Designation screen 61 Open range setting screen

Claims (15)

Computer
A user terminal determination unit that determines whether the user terminal that is the transmission destination of the document data of the first document including the confidential information is a terminal that includes a predetermined printer driver;
When the user terminal includes the predetermined printer driver, the user terminal includes document data of the first document, designated position information indicating a position to be concealed in the first document, and the first Functioning as an output control unit that associates and transmits printer identification information that identifies a printer that prints the second document that conceals the confidential information of the document, and public range information that indicates a public range of the secret information. A control program characterized by Computer
A printer that prints document data of a first document including confidential information, designated position information indicating a position to be concealed in the first document, and a second document that conceals the secret information of the first document. A storage control unit that associates and stores in the storage unit the printer identification information that specifies the disclosure range information that indicates the disclosure range of the secret information,
A user terminal determination unit for determining whether a user terminal to which the document data of the first document is transmitted is a terminal having a predetermined printer driver;
When the user terminal includes the predetermined printer driver, output control for associating and transmitting the document data of the first document, the designated position information, the printer specifying information, and the disclosure range information to the user terminal A control program that functions as a unit.   The output control unit generates document data of the second document when the user terminal is a terminal that does not include the predetermined printer driver, and outputs the document data of the second document to the user terminal. The control program according to claim 1, wherein the control program is transmitted. Computer
A user determination unit that determines whether a user who accesses the document data of the first document including the confidential information matches the disclosure range defined by the disclosure range information associated with the document data;
When printing is instructed to a user who matches the disclosure range, whether the printer specified by the printer specifying information associated with the document data of the first document matches the printer specified on the print instruction screen A printer determination unit for determining,
When the printers match, the document data of the first document and designated position information indicating a position to be concealed in the first document are transmitted to the designated printer, and the first document A printer driver that functions as a print control unit that instructs to print a second document in which confidential information is hidden.   5. The printer driver according to claim 4, wherein the printer determination unit causes the display unit to display information notifying that printing is impossible or information prompting re-designation of the printer when the printers do not match. An image forming apparatus for acquiring document data of a first document including confidential information,
A user terminal determination unit that determines whether a user terminal to which the document data of the first document is transmitted is a terminal having a predetermined printer driver;
When the user terminal includes the predetermined printer driver, the user terminal includes document data of the first document, designated position information indicating a position to be concealed in the first document, and the first At least an output control unit that associates and transmits printer identification information that identifies a printer that prints the second document that conceals the confidential information of the document and public range information that indicates a public range of the secret information; An image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus for acquiring document data of a first document including confidential information,
A printer that prints document data of the first document, designated position information indicating a position to be concealed in the first document, and a second document that conceals the secret information of the first document is specified. A storage control unit that associates and stores printer identification information and disclosure range information indicating a disclosure range of the secret information;
A user terminal determination unit that determines whether a user terminal to which the document data of the first document is transmitted is a terminal having a predetermined printer driver;
When the user terminal includes the predetermined printer driver, an output control unit that transmits the document data, the designated position information, the printer specifying information, and the disclosure range information in association with the user terminal, at least An image forming apparatus comprising the image forming apparatus.   The output control unit generates document data of the second document when the user terminal is a terminal that does not include the predetermined printer driver, and outputs the document data of the second document to the user terminal. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus transmits the image. A control system in which at least the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8 and a user terminal are connected via a communication network,
The user terminal is
Computer
A user determination unit that determines whether a user accessing the document data of the first document matches a disclosure range defined by the disclosure range information associated with the document data;
When printing is instructed to a user who matches the disclosure range, does the printer specified by the printer specifying information associated with the document data of the first document match the printer specified on the print instruction screen? A printer determination unit for determining
When the printer matches, the document data of the first document and the designated position information are transmitted to the designated printer, and the print control unit is configured to instruct printing of the second document. A control system comprising at least a predetermined printer driver.   The control system according to claim 9, wherein the printer determination unit causes the display unit to display information notifying that printing is impossible or information prompting re-designation of the printer when the printers do not match. At least a control method in a control system in which an image forming apparatus and a user terminal are connected via a communication network,
In the image forming apparatus,
A first determination step of determining whether a user terminal to which document data of the first document including confidential information is transmitted is a terminal provided with a predetermined printer driver;
When the user terminal includes the predetermined printer driver, the user terminal includes document data of the first document, designated position information indicating a position to be concealed in the first document, and the first At least a transmission step of associating and transmitting printer specifying information for specifying a printer that prints the second document that conceals the confidential information of the document and public range information indicating a public range of the secret information; ,
In the user terminal,
A second determination step of determining whether a user accessing the document data of the first document matches a disclosure range specified by the disclosure range information associated with the document data;
When printing is instructed to a user who matches the disclosure range, does the printer specified by the printer specifying information associated with the document data of the first document match the printer specified on the print instruction screen? A third determination step for determining
When the printers match, at least a print instruction step of transmitting the document data of the first document and the specified position information to the designated printer and instructing printing of the second document is executed. A control method characterized by: At least a control method in a control system in which an image forming apparatus and a user terminal are connected via a communication network,
In the image forming apparatus,
A printer that prints document data of a first document including confidential information, designated position information indicating a position to be concealed in the first document, and a second document that conceals the secret information of the first document. A storage step of associating and storing in the storage unit the printer specifying information for specifying the information and the disclosure range information indicating the disclosure range of the secret information;
A first determination step of determining whether a user terminal to which document data of the first document is transmitted is a terminal having a predetermined printer driver;
When the user terminal includes the predetermined printer driver, a transmission step of associating and transmitting the document data of the first document, the designated position information, the printer specifying information, and the disclosure range information to the user terminal And at least
In the user terminal,
A second determination step of determining whether a user accessing the document data of the first document matches a disclosure range specified by the disclosure range information associated with the document data;
When printing is instructed to a user who matches the disclosure range, does the printer specified by the printer specifying information associated with the document data of the first document match the printer specified on the print instruction screen? A third determination step for determining
When the printers match, at least a print instruction step of transmitting the document data of the first document and the specified position information to the designated printer and instructing printing of the second document is executed. A control method characterized by:   In the transmitting step, when the user terminal is a terminal that does not include the predetermined printer driver, the document data of the second document is generated, and the document data of the second document is transmitted to the user terminal. The control method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein transmission is performed.   The document data of the first document is displayed on a display unit when the user matches the disclosure range in the second determination step. Control method.   The step of displaying, on the display unit, information notifying that printing is impossible or information prompting re-designation of the printer when it is determined that the printer does not match in the third determination step. Item 15. The control method according to any one of Items 11 to 14.

Images