JP2009177379A - Image reading apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reading apparatus protecting security when saving image data read-out of a manuscript into a detachable nonvolatile memory. <P>SOLUTION: When determined to protect security of the image data read-out from the manuscript 31 by a CCD 14 based on information read-out from an RFID tag 33 on the manuscript 31, an MPU 11 saves the image data in the USB memory 35 in a protected state requiring input of a password for inspection. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus.

  In recent years, it has been proposed to manage a document by attaching an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag to the document. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133867 discloses a technique for permitting reading of a document when a password input by a user matches a password read from an RFID tag by an RFID reader of an image reading apparatus. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-259542 stores whether an original is a confidential document on an RFID tag or what kind of image processing is performed if the document is a confidential document, and prints out the portion to be classified as white or black. Technology is disclosed.

On the other hand, a technique has been proposed in which image data can be written by connecting a detachable flash memory (compact flash (registered trademark), USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, etc.) to the multifunction peripheral (Patent Document 3). In such a case, the data read from the confidential document can also be stored in the flash memory, which can be printed by another multifunction device or can be connected to a computer to view the document. For this reason, it is necessary to take measures against confidential leakage when the read image data is stored in a flash memory or the like.
JP 2007-11304 A JP 2004-336431 A JP 2006-135908 A

  Accordingly, a problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus capable of maintaining confidentiality when image data read from a document is stored in a removable nonvolatile memory.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes an image reading unit that reads an image from a document, an RFID reader that reads information from an RFID tag attached to the document, and a detachable nonvolatile memory. A memory connection unit connected to the control unit; and a control unit configured to keep the image data read from the document by the image reading unit confidential based on information read from the RFID tag by the RFID reader. When it is determined that the image data should be stored, the image data is stored in the nonvolatile memory connected to the memory connection unit in a manner in which a password is required for browsing.

  The image reading apparatus according to the present invention may further include a storage unit storing the password, and the control unit may protect the image data using the password stored in the storage unit. In the non-volatile memory.

  In the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit protects the image data using the password read from the RFID tag by the RFID reader and stores the image data in the nonvolatile memory.

  In the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, the nonvolatile memory is a flash memory.

  In the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit needs to input the password to open the file when the image reading unit determines that the image data read from the document should be kept confidential. The image data is stored in the non-volatile memory in a protected manner.

  In the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit encrypts the image data using the password when the image reading unit determines that the image data read from the document should be kept confidential. Save in the non-volatile memory.

  According to the present invention, when it is determined that the image data should be kept secret based on information read from the RFID tag attached to the document, a protection is applied that requires the input of a password for browsing. Thus, the image data is stored in the nonvolatile memory. Therefore, if the password is not known, the image data stored in the non-volatile memory cannot be printed by another multifunction device, and the image data cannot be opened by a computer and displayed on the display. As a result, it is possible to maintain the confidentiality of information when image data read from a document is stored in a removable nonvolatile memory.

  Further, according to the present invention, the image data is protected using the password stored in the storage unit of the image reading apparatus, so that the password can be easily managed as compared with a configuration in which password setting is left to individual users. It is.

  Further, since it is not necessary to input a user password or the like when protecting image data, the burden on the user's operation can be reduced.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since the image data is protected using the password read from the RFID tag, the password can be easily managed as compared with a configuration in which the setting of the password is left to individual users.

  Further, since it is not necessary to input a user password or the like when protecting image data, the burden on the user's operation can be reduced.

  In addition, a password can be easily set for each document (original), and confidentiality can be managed according to the characteristics of each document.

  Further, according to the present invention, since a flash memory is used as the nonvolatile memory, even large-capacity image data can be written and read at high speed.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the image data stored in the nonvolatile memory cannot be opened unless the password is known, the confidentiality of the image data stored in the removable nonvolatile memory is increased. It can be held securely.

  According to the present invention, since the image data is encrypted using a password and stored in the nonvolatile memory, the confidentiality of the image data stored in the removable nonvolatile memory can be more reliably maintained.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile multifunction peripheral (hereinafter simply referred to as “multifunction peripheral”) as an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, an MFP 1 includes an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) 11 as a control unit, an NCU (Network Control Unit) 12, a modem (MODEM) 13, and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) as an image reading unit. 14, read image processing circuit 15, RFID reader 16, operation panel 17, ROM (Read Only Memory) 18, SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) 19 as storage unit, image memory 20, printer 21, and memory connection unit USB interface 22 is provided. The functions provided in the multifunction machine 1 include a printer function, a facsimile function, a copy function, a scanner function, and the like.

  The MPU 11 supervises the control of the multifunction machine 1 and operates by software. The NCU 12 is hardware for connecting a line to an analog public telephone line network, and connects the modem 13 to the public telephone line network as necessary. The modem 13 is a facsimile modem capable of facsimile communication.

  The CCD 14 is an element that reads an image of the document 31 and is provided in a reading unit provided in a flat bed scanner (not shown). When reading the image of the document 31 placed on the platen glass, the reading unit reads the image of the document while being moved in the sub-scanning direction of the document 31 by a moving mechanism (not shown). An automatic document feeder (not shown) is provided on the upper side of the flat bed scanner. In reading the document 31 using the automatic document feeder, the image of the document 31 is read by the CCD 14 when the document 31 conveyed by the automatic document feeder passes a predetermined reading position in the conveyance path.

  The read image processing circuit 15 performs image processing on the image data given from the CCD 14. The RFID reader 16 exchanges radio wave signals with the RFID tag 33 attached to the document 32 using the antenna 32 under the control of the MPU 11, and reads information recorded on the RFID tag 33. . The reading by the RFID reader 16 is performed, for example, when a document sensor (not shown) detects that the document 31 has been set on a document setting unit (a platen glass or a document tray of an automatic document feeder). Alternatively, reading by the RFID reader 16 may be performed when the document 31 is set in the document setting unit and a start key for instructing reading, which is provided on the operation panel 17 described later, is operated. As yet another example, when the document 31 is set in the document setting unit, the USB memory 35 (to be described later) is designated as the image data storage destination by the operation from the operation panel 17, and the start key for instructing reading is operated. Reading by the RFID reader 16 may be performed.

  The operation panel 17 is used for operating the multifunction machine 1 and includes a keyboard, a liquid crystal display unit, and the like. The operation panel 17 is provided with a start key for instructing reading of a document and the like.

  The ROM 18 stores various software read by the MPU 11, setting data, and the like. The SRAM 19 stores phone book data and the like. The storage area 34 in the SRAM 19 stores a password used for protecting image data read by the CCD 14.

  The image memory 20 stores image data transmitted and received by facsimile, image data read by the CCD 14, and the like. The printer 21 prints image data read from a document by the CCD 14 and image data received by a facsimile on a recording sheet.

  The USB interface 22 is detachably connected to a USB memory 35, and writes and reads information to and from the connected USB memory 35. By connecting the USB memory 35 to the USB interface 22, for example, image data read from a document by the CCD 14 can be stored in the USB memory 35. In this embodiment, the USB memory 35 is used as an example of a detachable nonvolatile memory. However, another flash memory such as a compact flash (registered trademark) may be used, or another nonvolatile memory may be used. It may be used.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, measures are taken to maintain confidentiality of information when the image data is stored in the USB memory 35. In the present embodiment, when the USB memory 35 is designated as the storage destination of the image data read by the CCD 14, the MPU 11 reads the image data based on information read from the RFID tag 33 of the document 31 by the RFID reader 16. Determine whether it should be confidential. If the MPU 11 determines that the image data should be kept confidential, the MPU 11 stores the image data in the USB memory 35 in a protected form that requires a password to be browsed. On the other hand, when it is not necessary to keep the image data confidential, the MPU 11 stores the image data in the USB memory 35 without applying protection.

  As a password for protecting image data, a password stored in advance in the storage area 34 of the SRAM 19 is used. Various methods for protecting image data can be adopted. For example, as a first method, a method for preventing an image data file from being opened without inputting a password can be adopted. In this case, when an image data file stored in the USB memory 35 is opened (executed), input of a password is requested, and when an appropriate password is not input, the file cannot be opened.

  As a second method, a method of encrypting image data using a password as an encryption key and storing it in the USB memory 35 can be employed. In this case, since the encrypted image data cannot be restored unless the password that is the encryption key is input, a third party who does not know the password cannot view the contents of the image data stored in the USB memory 35. This second method may be used alone or in combination with the first method.

  As a third method, instead of setting or encrypting a password for opening the image data file itself, the folder in which the file is stored may be protected. As a protection method in this case, a method of locking so that a folder cannot be opened without inputting a password, a method of encrypting data in the folder for each folder, and the like can be adopted.

  Further, when the read image data is protected and stored in the USB memory 35, it is preferable that the protected image data is stored in the USB memory 35 after the image data is protected. As another configuration, image data may be temporarily stored in the USB memory 35 without being protected, and then the image data may be protected (or converted to a protected state).

  Various specific methods can be adopted as a method for determining whether the image of the document 31 should be confidential based on information read from the RFID tag 33. In the present embodiment, for example, the necessity of image confidentiality is determined based on whether or not the RFID tag 33 is attached to the document 31 (that is, whether or not the RFID tag 33 is detected). That is, it is determined that the image of the document 31 to which the RFID tag 33 is attached should be kept confidential, and the image of the document 31 to which the RFID tag 33 is not attached is determined not to be confidential. As another configuration regarding this point, information regarding the necessity of confidentiality of the image data of the document 31 is written in the RFID tag 33, and the MPU 11 determines the necessity of confidentiality of the image data based on the written information. You may judge.

  Further, the function for protecting the confidentiality when the confidential data read from the document 31 is stored in the USB memory 35 can be switched on and off by an operation via the operation panel 17 or the like. At the time of switching between ON and OFF (especially when the function is turned off), it is preferable to input a predetermined password.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation when image data read by the MPU of the multi-function peripheral is stored in the USB memory. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the image data that needs to be kept confidential is protected by encrypting the image data using the first and second passwords.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in step S <b> 1, the document 31 is set in the document setting unit of the multifunction machine 1, and the USB memory 35 is designated as the image data storage destination. In subsequent step S2, the MPU 11 determines whether or not the RFID tag 33 is attached to the document 31 via the RFID reader 16, and if the RFID tag 33 is attached, the process proceeds to step S3, where the RFID tag 33 is provided. If is not assigned, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S3, an image is read from the document in accordance with the start button operation. In the subsequent step S4, the image data read from the document 31 is protected by encryption or the like using the first and second passwords stored in the storage area 34 of the SRAM 19. Specifically, for example, the image data file is locked (protected) so that it cannot be opened unless the password is input using the first password of the two. At the same time, the image data or the file containing the image data is encrypted using the remaining second password as an encryption key. As another configuration, one or both of file locking and encryption may be performed using one password instead of two. In step S 5, the protected image data file is stored in the USB memory 35.

  On the other hand, if the RFID tag 33 is not attached to the document 31, reading of an image from the document is executed in step S6 according to the operation of the start button. In step S7, the read image data file is stored in the USB memory 35 without being protected.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for opening protected image data stored in the USB memory with a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC (Personal Computer)”). As shown in FIG. 3, in step S11, an instruction to execute an image data file stored in the USB memory 35 connected to the USB interface of the PC is accepted. Upon receipt of this execution instruction, input of a password necessary for opening the file is requested by a display for guidance on the screen or the like. In response to the request, when two appropriate first and second passwords are input in steps S12 and S13, the protection of the image data is released in step S14, and the image data is viewed (for example, Display, printing, etc.).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, regarding the document 31 to which the RFID tag 33 is attached, it is automatically determined that confidentiality is necessary when the RFID tag 33 is detected by the RF reader 16. Then, the image data read from the document 31 is stored in the USB memory 35 in a protected form that requires a password to be browsed. Therefore, if the password is not known, the image data stored in the USB memory 35 cannot be printed by another multifunction device, and the image data cannot be opened on the computer and displayed on the display. As a result, the confidentiality of the information when the image data read from the document 31 is stored in the removable USB memory 35 can be maintained. In particular, in the present embodiment, not only the image data file is locked by the password, but also the image data is encrypted, so the confidentiality of the image data stored in the removable USB memory 35 can be more reliably maintained. .

  Further, since the image data is protected by using the password stored in the SRAM 19 of the multi-function device 1, the password can be easily managed as compared with a configuration in which password setting is left to individual users.

  Further, since it is not necessary to input a user password or the like when protecting image data, the burden on the user's operation can be reduced.

  Further, since it is stored in the USB memory 35, which is a kind of flash memory, as a detachable nonvolatile memory, even large-capacity image data can be written and read at a high speed and can be easily attached and detached.

  Note that various configurations can be adopted as modifications of the above-described embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the image data is protected using the password stored in the SRAM 19. As a modification regarding this point, a password may be stored in the RFID tag 33 attached to the document 31, and the image data may be protected using the password read from the RFID tag 33. According to this configuration, it is possible to easily set a password for each document (original 31), and it is possible to manage confidentiality according to the characteristics of each document.

  Further, based on information read from the RFID tag 33 attached to the document 31 by the MPU 11 of the multifunction machine 11, either or both of a password used for protecting image data and the type of protection are used. You may switch. As the switching of the protection type, for example, whether to lock the image data file or whether to encrypt the image data as well as the file is switched. Even with this configuration, confidentiality can be managed according to the characteristics of each document.

1 is a block diagram of a facsimile multifunction peripheral as an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation when image data read by the MPU of the facsimile multifunction machine of FIG. 1 is stored in a USB memory. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure at the time of opening the protected image data preserve | saved at USB memory with PC.

Explanation of symbols

1 Facsimile MFP 11 MPU
14 CCD
16 RFID reader 19 SRAM
22 USB interface 31 Document 33 RFID tag 34 Storage area 35 USB memory

Claims (6)

An image reading unit for reading an image from a document;
An RFID reader that reads information from an RFID tag attached to the document;
A memory connection unit to which a removable nonvolatile memory is connected;
A control unit,
The control unit needs to input a password for browsing when it is determined that the image data read from the document by the image reading unit should be kept confidential based on information read by the RFID reader from the RFID tag. The image reading apparatus stores the image data in the non-volatile memory connected to the memory connection unit in a protected form. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1,
A storage unit storing the password;
The image reading apparatus, wherein the control unit stores the image data in the nonvolatile memory in a protected form using the password stored in the storage unit. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1,
The image reading apparatus, wherein the control unit protects the image data with a password read from the RFID tag by the RFID reader and stores the image data in the nonvolatile memory. The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The image reading apparatus, wherein the nonvolatile memory is a flash memory. The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
In a mode in which the control unit is protected so that the password needs to be input to open the file when the image reading unit determines that the image data read from the document should be kept confidential. An image reading apparatus that stores data in the nonvolatile memory. The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The control unit encrypts the image data using the password and stores the encrypted image data in the non-volatile memory when the image reading unit determines that the image data read from the document should be kept secret. An image reading apparatus.

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