JP2009171199A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that a security action is not so effective against an unexpected earthquake if the action is not taken until the tremor caused by the earthquake is sensed. <P>SOLUTION: In an MFP1, upon receiving a news flash of an earthquake by an earthquake information sensing section 32, an abnormality determining section 34 instructs a print processing section 22 to stop forming or printing of images. Further, the section 34 instructs a transfer processing section 36 to transfer stored data to a safe portion for evacuation. In addition, an operation panel 20 displays urgent information about an earthquake to urge a user to take prompt action. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile transmitter / receiver, a multi-function peripheral having these functions, and a multifunction peripheral device.

  When this type of image forming apparatus receives document data for printing via, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like, or receives facsimile transmission data via a telephone line, printing is executed based on the data. In particular, when an image forming apparatus is used in a business of a public office or a company, various types of secret information (for example, personal information, trade secrets, etc.) is often included in document data for printing and facsimile transmission data. Therefore, in recent years, not only documents after being printed by the image forming apparatus but also electronic data before printing has become a security target that should be kept secret. As countermeasures in normal times, for example, it is prohibited to allow outsiders to enter the installation place of the image forming apparatus or to disable the operation of the image forming apparatus by outsiders. In the event of an emergency, it is not sufficient to take countermeasures during normal times.

For this reason, conventionally, when vibration due to an earthquake is detected at a place where an image forming apparatus is actually installed (for example, an office building), the internal information held in the apparatus is saved in a removable external storage device such as a removable medium. The prior art to make is known (for example, refer patent document 1). According to this prior art, even if an outsider tries to access the internal information of the image forming apparatus after the shaking due to the earthquake has subsided, the internal information is already saved in the external storage device, thus preventing leakage of internal information. It is considered possible. On the other hand, since a legitimate user can restore internal information from the external storage device by authenticating a password or the like, it is considered that the internal information can be accessed again after the end of the earthquake and a document can be printed from there. .
JP 2007-27682 A

  However, since the above prior art starts to evacuate internal information only after detecting a shake at the site of the occurrence of the earthquake, there is a possibility that the damage caused by the earthquake has already reached the image forming apparatus at that time. That is, even if the internal information is saved to the external storage device, if the save function (part or all) is impaired at that time, or if the external storage device is physically damaged, the internal information is no longer available. It is impossible to evacuate. In this case, there is a problem that the security measure itself at the time of the earthquake does not function effectively, and as a result, leakage of internal information cannot be prevented.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of reliably executing security measures when an earthquake occurs.

  The present invention solves the above problem by completing the processing for security measures before full-scale shaking due to an earthquake occurs. That is, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image based on image data, a printing unit that prints an image formed by the image forming unit on a medium, and earthquake occurrence information based on a prediction or warning of earthquake motion. Information receiving means, and when the earthquake occurrence information is received by the information receiving means, at least a stop processing means for stopping an image forming operation by the image forming means or an image printing operation by the printing means.

  The above-mentioned “earthquake occurrence information” is information based on a prediction or warning of seismic motion, and is for informing in advance that earthquakes may occur in various places. This earthquake occurrence information is provided by, for example, a public organization (for example, the Japan Meteorological Agency) that conducts forecasting work related to the weather or a licensed business operator, etc. Based on alarms.

  When the image forming apparatus of the present invention receives earthquake occurrence information, the image forming apparatus takes security measures by stopping the image forming or printing operation before actual shaking occurs. That is, at the time of receiving the earthquake occurrence information, in most cases, the actual earthquake motion (shake) has not yet occurred at the location where the image forming apparatus is installed. Utilizing sound functions, the stop process can be completed with certainty. For this reason, even after the user requests the image forming apparatus to print a document, the printing based on the request is not performed, and the document in which the secret matter is recorded at the earthquake occurrence site is left behind. Absent.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention further includes receiving means for receiving image data transmitted from an external device through a predetermined communication line. In this case, when the information receiving unit receives the earthquake occurrence information, the stop processing unit stops the operation of receiving the image data by the receiving unit.

  For example, when image formation and printing are performed based on image data received through a network or a telephone line, in the present invention, when earthquake occurrence information is received, reception of further image data is stopped. Thereby, it is possible to prevent inadvertent transmission of image data including secret information to the image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention transfers the information stored in the storage unit to another storage device when the earthquake occurrence information is received by the storage unit storing information including at least image data and the information receiving unit. And a transfer means.

  In this case, the image data received via the network or the telephone line is stored in the storage means, but when earthquake occurrence information is received, the image data is transferred to another storage device to safely save the information. be able to. At this time, if “another storage device” is placed in a remote place (an area where damage due to an earthquake is difficult to occur) and image data is transferred to this storage device via a network, the storage device can be accessed after the end of the earthquake. Image data can be restored.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention further includes a storage erasure unit that erases the information stored in the storage unit when the information stored in the storage unit is transferred to another storage unit by the transfer unit as described above. It is preferable. Thereby, leakage of secret information can be prevented reliably.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention may further include a report issuing unit that issues a report that the information stored in the storage unit by the transfer unit has been transferred to another storage device. The report issued at this time may be provided, for example, to the transmission source of the image data, or may be provided to the administrator of the image forming apparatus. As a result, the user or administrator of the transmission source can surely know the data transfer destination (whereabouts).

  In addition, the image forming apparatus of the present invention displays a display unit that displays operation information related to a user's operation at normal times and information related to occurrence of earthquake motion instead of the operation information when the earthquake occurrence information is received by the information receiving unit. Information display means for displaying on the screen may be further provided.

  In this case, it is possible to make the user aware of earthquake motion forecasts, warnings, and the like through the display unit, and prompt the user to take subsequent actions. Further, for example, when the user tries to copy a document, the operation can be stopped, and the document can be saved together with the user to a safe place.

  According to the present invention, security measures can be taken before actual earthquake motion (sway) occurs. For this reason, it is more reliable than starting countermeasures after sensing a shake due to an earthquake, and it is possible to more securely prevent leakage of secret information.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Basic configuration]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a multifunction peripheral device 1 (hereinafter referred to as “MFP”), which is an example of an image forming apparatus, from the upper left front. In FIG. 1, the front surface of the MFP 1 facing the operator and the left side surface of the MFP 1 can be seen. The apparatus main body 2 of the MFP 1 is, for example, an in-body discharge type, and a discharge tray 15 is formed inside thereof.

  A document feeder (ADF) 8 is mounted on the upper side of the apparatus body 2. When the MFP 1 is used as a copying machine, a facsimile, or a network scanner, a document is conveyed from the document feeder 8 and its image surface is optically read by an optical scanner unit (image reading unit) 9.

  An operation panel 20 is installed on the front side of the scanner unit 9. The operation panel 20 includes a plurality of operation keys and switches used for various user operations, and a display screen 21 for displaying various information. The display screen 21 also serves as a touch panel type input device, and an image such as an operation menu button is displayed on the display screen 21.

  A front loading type paper supply device 3 is disposed at the lower part of the apparatus main body 2. Specifically, the supply device 3 is provided with two upper and lower paper feed cassettes 4 along the height direction of the device body 2. Each of the cassettes 4 is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body 2. When the cassette 4 is pulled out toward the front side of the MFP 1, the inside of the cassette 4 is opened to the outside, while facing the rear side of the MFP 1. The inside is closed by being pushed in.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the internal structure of the MFP 1. Note that arrows indicated by solid lines in the drawing represent a sheet conveyance path and its conveyance direction. Each cassette 4 stores sheets P in a stacked state, and the sheets P are separated from the cassette 4 one by one and sent out in the left direction in the figure.

  A paper transport unit 6 is disposed on the left side of the supply device 3. The paper P delivered from the cassette 4 is vertically transported upward along the left side surface of the apparatus main body 2 in the paper transport unit 6. Further, an openable manual feed tray 5 is provided on the right side surface of the apparatus main body 2, and the paper supplied from the manual feed tray 5 is also conveyed from the right side of the apparatus main body 2 to the left as viewed in the figure. Thereafter, it is vertically conveyed upward.

[Image forming unit (image forming unit), transfer unit (printing unit)]
Inside the apparatus main body 2, a registration roller 7, an image forming unit 10, and a transfer unit 11 are sequentially arranged on the downstream side when viewed in the sheet conveyance direction. An optical unit 14 is provided on the right side of the image forming unit 10, and laser light is irradiated from the optical unit 14 toward the photosensitive drum of the image forming unit 10.

  Further, a fixing unit 12 having a roller pair 19 and a discharge branching unit 13 are sequentially arranged on the downstream side of the transfer unit 11 when viewed in the sheet conveying direction. When performing single-sided printing, the paper discharged from the fixing unit 12 is discharged to the paper discharge tray 15 via the discharge branching unit 13. A duplex printing unit 16 is disposed between the discharge branching unit 13 and the sheet conveying unit 6. The duplex printing unit 16 returns the sheet discharged from the fixing unit 12 to the sheet conveying unit 6 to form an image. The data is sent again toward the unit 10.

[Security measures function]
The basic configuration (hardware configuration) and functions of the MFP 1 have been described above. In addition, in the present embodiment, the MFP 1 has a control function for executing security measures in the event of an earthquake. Hereinafter, the security function of the MFP 1 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram relating to the control configuration of the MFP 1. Here, for convenience, various components are shown in units of blocks, but most of the components except the operation panel 20 can be realized by using existing hardware resources (for example, a CPU, a communication adapter, etc.). It can be done. Each will be described below.

  First, as a configuration relating to control of basic functions of the MFP 1 (document reading, fax transmission / reception, image formation, printing), the operation panel 20 is cited, a print processing unit 22, a storage unit 24, a fax communication unit. 28, network communication unit 30 and the like. Among these, the operation panel 20 receives the operation input performed by the user as described above. The print processing unit 22 has a function of controlling the image forming operation (latent image formation and development) performed in the image forming unit 10 and the printing operation in the transfer unit 11.

[Storage means]
For example, a nonvolatile memory 26 is connected to the storage unit 24 as a storage medium. The storage unit 24 has a function of managing data write, read, and erase operations with respect to the nonvolatile memory 26. A database can be constructed in the non-volatile memory 26, and in its storage area, for example, an address book (contact name, fax number, mail address list, etc.) registered in the MFP 1 and various settings (personal) Paper size and density, printing magnification, designation of paper feed stage, etc.) are stored. When the MFP 1 is used as a network printer, for example, image data for printing transmitted from a personal computer (not shown) used by the user is stored in the nonvolatile memory 26. In addition, when the MFP 1 is used as a facsimile transmitter / receiver, image data obtained by reading a document for transmission and image data received from a transmission source are stored in the nonvolatile memory 26. Here, the nonvolatile memory 26 is taken as an example, but a hard disk (magnetic recording medium) may be used as a storage medium.

[Receiving means]
The fax communication unit 28 can be connected to a telephone line using resources such as a fax modem. The network communication unit 30 can be connected to an existing network (LAN) using resources such as a general-purpose network adapter. Thus, as described above, the MFP 1 can be used as a fax transmitter / receiver or a network printer, or can be used as a network scanner, an Internet fax, or the like.

[Information receiving means]
Further, the MFP 1 includes an earthquake occurrence information detection unit 32, an abnormality determination processing unit 34, and a transfer processing unit 36 as elements for security measures. Among these, the earthquake occurrence information detection unit 32 has a function of receiving an emergency earthquake bulletin through the network communication unit 30, for example. “Earthquake early warning” is service information provided based on earthquake motion predictions and warnings made by public agencies (Japan Meteorological Agency), or earthquake motion predictions made by authorized operators. In addition, although the form which receives an earthquake early warning through the network communication part 30 is mentioned as an example here, for example, the form which receives an earthquake early warning through a telephone line, or receives using a dedicated radio receiver. There may be.

[Stop processing means]
When the earthquake occurrence information detection unit 32 detects that the earthquake early warning has been received, the abnormality determination processing unit 34 specifically instructs the operation relating to the security measure. For example, the abnormality determination processing unit 34 issues an instruction to stop the image forming and printing operations to the print processing unit 22. Further, the abnormality determination processing unit 34 issues an instruction to transfer and delete data to the transfer processing unit 36 and the storage unit 24, and issues an instruction to stop communication to the fax communication unit 28. Further, as a security measure, for example, the fact that the earthquake early warning has been received is displayed on the operation panel 20, or the operation menu displayed on the operation panel 20 is invalidated. These processes will be further described later with reference to another flowchart.

[Transfer means]
The transfer processing unit 36 transfers the electronic data stored in the nonvolatile memory 26 through the network communication unit 30 based on an instruction from the abnormality determination processing unit 34. The data transfer destination is, for example, a storage device such as a file server connected to the network, and the transfer destination storage device is set in advance in a remote area (such as the Osaka area relative to the Tokyo area where it is difficult to be affected by an earthquake). It is desirable that

[Reception of earthquake occurrence information]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of information detection processing executed by the earthquake occurrence information detection unit 32. While the MFP 1 is operating, the earthquake occurrence information detection unit 32 executes the information detection process of FIG. 4 as a timer interrupt process, for example. Hereinafter, it demonstrates along the example of a procedure.

  Step S100: The earthquake occurrence information detection unit 32 confirms whether or not the earthquake occurrence information based on the emergency earthquake warning has been received. In particular, if no earthquake occurrence information has been received (No), the earthquake occurrence information detection unit 32 ends the information detection process for a while and returns to the state before the occurrence of the interruption (for example, the main program). On the other hand, if it is confirmed that the earthquake occurrence information has been received (Yes), the earthquake occurrence information detection unit 32 next executes step S102.

  Step S102: The earthquake occurrence information detection unit 32 analyzes the received earthquake occurrence information. For example, if the earthquake occurrence information includes detailed information such as the time to reach the ground motion (predicted arrival time), the magnitude of the shake (predicted seismic intensity), and the duration of the shake (predicted shake time), Is calculated from earthquake occurrence information. When the detailed information up to that point is not included in the earthquake occurrence information, the earthquake occurrence information detection unit 32 proceeds to the next step S104 without particularly calculating a value.

[Display of information on occurrence of earthquake motion (information display means)]
Step S <b> 104: The earthquake occurrence information detection unit 32 issues an information display request to the operation panel 20. Specifically, the display driver (not shown) of the operation panel 20 is requested to display information corresponding to the reception of the earthquake early warning. In response to this, the display driver invalidates the menu button or the like of the operation panel 20 displayed so far, and displays a message such as “Earthquake early warning received” instead of the menu button image. . If the detailed information has been calculated in the previous step S102, the predicted arrival time, predicted seismic intensity, predicted shake time, etc. may be displayed together.

  Step S106: Next, the earthquake occurrence information detection unit 32 notifies the abnormality determination processing unit 34 of the occurrence of an earthquake (that an emergency earthquake early warning has been received). When the above procedure is completed, the abnormality determination processing unit 34 returns to the state before the interruption. In this case, the earthquake occurrence information detection unit 32 prohibits subsequent interruptions and enters a standby state without executing the information detection process again.

[Activation of security measures]
Next, FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of an abnormality countermeasure process executed by the abnormality determination processing unit 34. This abnormality countermeasure process is also periodically executed, for example, as a timer interrupt process while the MFP 1 is operating.

  Step S200: The abnormality determination processing unit 34 confirms whether or not an earthquake occurrence notification has been received from the earthquake occurrence information detection unit 32. In particular, if an earthquake occurrence notification has not been made (No), the abnormality determination processing unit 34 returns to the state before the occurrence of the interruption. On the other hand, when an earthquake occurrence notification is made (Yes), the abnormality determination processing unit 34 proceeds to the next step S202 and subsequent steps.

[Stopping image formation and printing]
Step S202: First, the abnormality determination processing unit 34 executes a print stop process. In this defined process, the abnormality determination processing unit 34 instructs the print processing unit 22 to stop image formation and printing. As a result, for example, the image forming unit 10 does not perform the operation of exposing the photosensitive drum or developing the latent image with toner. Further, when the sheet P is waiting on the registration roller 7, for example, the sheet remains stopped without being supplied to the transfer unit 11, and new sheet feeding from the sheet feeding cassette 4 is not performed.

[Stop receiving data]
Step S204: Next, the abnormality determination processing unit 34 executes communication stop processing. In this defined process, the abnormality determination processing unit 34 instructs the fax communication unit 28 and the network communication unit 30 to stop communication. Thereby, even if the fax communication unit 28 receives a fax, for example, the communication is cut off. If there is received data that has been received halfway at this time, the data is also erased. Similarly, even if the network communication unit 30 is receiving image data for printing, the reception is interrupted, and the buffered data is erased halfway. In this case, since a fax transmission error occurs, it becomes clear that communication has not been completed normally at the transmission source. In addition, since a printing error occurs in the user's personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as “personal computer”), it is apparent that the printing has not been completed normally.

[Data transfer (transfer means) and erase (memory erase means)]
Step S206: Furthermore, the abnormality determination processing unit 34 executes a data transfer process. In this defined process, the abnormality determination processing unit 34 instructs the transfer processing unit 36 to transfer (save) data. In response to this, the transfer processing unit 36 starts transferring various data (including received image data, data registered in the database, etc.) stored in the nonvolatile memory 26 (including the accumulated data). The data transfer work is completed within the time until the actual seismic wave arrives.

  The transfer method here may be, for example, a form attached to an e-mail or a form by network communication. The data transfer destination may be another storage device connected to the network as described above, or may be another image forming device (an MFP other than the MFP 1). In addition, in this process, the abnormality determination processing unit 34 instructs the storage unit 24 to erase the transferred data. As a result, no important data remains in the MFP 1 after the earthquake ends.

[Issuance of transfer reports (report issuing means)]
Step S208: Subsequently, the abnormality determination processing unit 34 executes a report issuing process. In this predefined process, the abnormality determination processing unit 34 collects logs, checksum values, and the like at the time of data transfer by the transfer processing unit 36, and creates a report regarding the transferred data. For example, when image data transmitted from a user's personal computer is transferred without being printed, a report of the transfer result is notified to the user's personal computer as the sender. The report may be in a text file format or CSV format, or may be in an audio file format. Further, the abnormality determination processing unit 34 notifies a transfer result report (a list of transferred data) to a terminal or the like held by the administrator of the MFP 1.

  When the above procedure is executed, the abnormality determination processing unit 34 returns to the state before the occurrence of the interrupt. After the return, the abnormality determination processing unit 34 prohibits subsequent interruptions and enters a standby state without executing the abnormality countermeasure processing again. The standby state continues until the MFP 1 is restored after the end of the earthquake, for example. If the MFP 1 is not seriously damaged, the MFP 1 can be normally started by releasing the standby state (reset start) at the time of recovery.

  In any case, by executing the above security measures when an earthquake occurs, the MFP 1 of the present embodiment has the following utility.

(1) When the earthquake early warning is received, the MFP 1 immediately stops the image forming and printing operations. Therefore, even if the user or the administrator accuses the site, the document containing the secret matter is It is not left behind at the site of the outbreak. As a result, information leakage from the MFP 1 can be reliably prevented.

(2) Further, since data reception is stopped even during communication, data including secret matters is not stored in the MFP 1. For this reason, even if the MFP 1 is stolen after the end of the earthquake, it is possible to prevent the sender's information from leaking therefrom.

(3) On the other hand, since already received data and registered data are transferred to other places and deleted, information leakage due to theft can be reliably prevented as in (2) above.

(4) Since the report of the transfer result is notified to the sender and the manager together with the above (3), the location of the data can be traced reliably after the end of the earthquake (ensure traceability). As a result, the data recovery operation for the MFP 1 can be performed more quickly and reliably.

(5) Further, since the earthquake early warning can be notified to the user who is going to operate the MFP 1 through the operation panel 20, it is possible to contribute to the subsequent action of the user. In addition, the user can be discouraged from placing a document on the document table or the document feeder 8 and can be prompted to take the document safely. In addition, by invalidating the acceptance of the operation by the operation panel 20, it is possible to stop the reading of the original document.

  The present invention can be implemented with various modifications without being limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, in the data transfer process (step S206 in FIG. 5), not only image data, received data by fax, and address book data, but also maintenance management information (printer counter information, remaining toner information, etc.) of the MFP 1 are combined. May be transferred. Thereby, further information leakage can be prevented.

  The configuration shown in FIG. 3 may be realized using existing hardware resources as described above, or may be separately incorporated into the MFP 1 as a dedicated module. However, when existing resources are utilized as in the present embodiment, it can be dealt with only by rewriting on software, and therefore there is an advantage (cost reduction effect) that hardware remodeling is unnecessary.

  In one embodiment, an information display request is issued to the operation panel 20 in the information detection process, but this may be performed in an abnormality countermeasure process.

  In addition, in one embodiment, an MFP is cited as an example of an image forming apparatus, but the image forming apparatus may be a copier, a printer, a scanner, or the like.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the MFP from the upper left front. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an internal structure of an MFP. FIG. 2 is a block diagram relating to a control configuration of an MFP. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a procedure of an information detection process. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a procedure of the countermeasure process at the time of abnormality.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Paper supply apparatus 4 Paper feed cassette 10 Image forming part 11 Transfer part 20 Operation panel 22 Print processing part 24 Storage part 26 Non-volatile memory 28 Fax communication part 30 Network communication part 32 Earthquake occurrence information detection part 34 Abnormality judgment processing part

Claims (6)

Image forming means for forming an image based on image data;
Printing means for printing an image formed by the image forming means on a medium;
Information receiving means for receiving earthquake occurrence information based on earthquake motion prediction or warning;
Image formation comprising: stop processing means for stopping at least image formation by the image forming means or image printing operation by the printing means when earthquake occurrence information is received by the information receiving means apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
Receiving means for receiving the image data transmitted from an external device through a predetermined communication line;
The stop processing means includes
An image forming apparatus, wherein when the information receiving unit receives earthquake occurrence information, the receiving unit stops the operation of receiving the image data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
Storage means for storing information including at least the image data;
An image forming apparatus, further comprising: a transfer unit configured to transfer the information stored in the storage unit to another storage device when earthquake occurrence information is received by the information receiving unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.
An image forming apparatus, further comprising: a storage erasing unit for erasing the information stored in the storage unit when the information stored in the storage unit is transferred to another storage unit by the transfer unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 or 4,
An image forming apparatus, further comprising: a report issuing unit that issues a report that the information stored in the storage unit by the transfer unit has been transferred to another storage device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
A display unit that displays operation information related to user operations during normal operation;
An image forming apparatus, further comprising: information display means for displaying information related to occurrence of earthquake motion on the display unit instead of the operation information when earthquake information is received by the information receiving means.

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