JP2009177699A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of inexpensively preventing information leakage and easily and surely printing a confidential document. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus comprises: an image input unit for inputting image information including confidential information; a request input unit for inputting an encryption request of the confidential information; a designation unit for designating condition information; an extraction unit for extracting the confidential information from the inputted image information based on inputted encryption information and the designated condition information; an encryption and conversion unit for encrypting the extracted confidential information and converting the information into encrypted confidential information; a permutation generation unit for permuting the confidential information with the encrypted confidential information in the image information and generating permuted image information; and an image formation unit for forming an image based on the generated permuted image information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of preventing information leakage.

  In an office environment such as a company, an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine is shared and used by a plurality of information processing apparatuses. In such an image forming system composed of an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus, the image forming apparatus is shared and used by a large number of users. For example, secrets such as personal information and confidential information that are not desired to be disclosed to unspecified others. When a secret document including information is printed, there is a risk of information leakage in which the output printed matter is touched by another person's eyes or intentionally taken away and the secret information is known.

In order to avoid such a problem of information leakage, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technology of a document printing apparatus that sets a password for a secret document and prints a cover sheet on which the password is superimposed. The user who receives the cover sheet of the secret document causes the document printing apparatus to read the cover sheet and inputs a password. The document printing apparatus extracts a password from the read cover sheet, and authenticates that the user is a person authorized to view the confidential document only when the password matches the input password, and prints the confidential document. I do.
JP 2006-332826 A

  However, the document printing apparatus of the above disclosed technology must store the print data of the whole secret document including the part that may be known to others together with the set password. Therefore, there is a problem that a large-capacity memory is required and costs are increased. Moreover, the creator of the secret document has to transmit the set password to the viewing authority, which is troublesome. Furthermore, the viewing authority cannot see the contents of the confidential document from the received cover sheet, and in order to browse the confidential document, the transmitted password is accurately input to the document printing apparatus, I had to print it.

  Therefore, there has been a demand for an image forming apparatus that can prevent information leakage at low cost and can print a secret document easily and reliably.

  The present invention adopts the following configuration in order to solve the above points.

<Constitution>
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image input unit that inputs image information including secret information, a request input unit that inputs an encryption request for secret information, a designation unit that specifies condition information, and an input encryption An extraction unit that extracts secret information from the input image information based on the encryption information and the specified condition information, an encryption conversion unit that encrypts the extracted secret information and converts it into encrypted secret information, and an image The information includes: a replacement generation unit that replaces secret information with encrypted secret information to generate replaced image information; and an image forming unit that forms an image based on the generated replaced image information. Features.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a specific area is designated, and image information included in the area is encrypted to form an image. Accordingly, leakage of confidential information that is not desired to be known by an unspecified other person is prevented, and the cost required for the prevention is reduced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, the case where the present invention is applied to a copying machine including a scanner unit and a printer unit will be described as an example.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a copier according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the copier 10 of this embodiment is connected to a personal computer 12 by a cable 11 such as a USB cable or a network cable, and constitutes an image forming system.
Using this copying machine 10, it is possible to encrypt and print a secret information portion of a secret document containing secret information that is not desired to be disclosed to an unspecified other person.

  The personal computer 12 is used by a user A as an information processing apparatus connected to the copying machine 10, and includes a PC input unit 13 and a driver unit 14 as shown in FIG.

  The PC input unit 13 includes a mouse and a keyboard, for example, and inputs to the driver unit 14 an encryption print request for encrypting and printing a manuscript as a secret document including secret information based on the operation of the user A. .

  When the driver unit 14 receives an encrypted print request from the PC input unit 13, the driver unit 14 generates a print job including image information of the original and transmits the print job and the encrypted print request to the copier 10.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the copier 10 is an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and includes an external interface unit 15, a reading unit 16, a storage unit 17, an operation panel 18, a display unit 19, an area designating unit 20, an encryption unit. 21, a decryption unit 22, a replacement generation unit 23, and a printing unit 24. These units are connected to each other by a common bus 25.

  The external interface unit 15 has a function of receiving various data from an external device in accordance with, for example, USB 1.1 / 2.0 specifications and TCPIP protocol, and print jobs from the personal computer 12 as an image input unit and a request input unit. And an encrypted print request as an encryption request. Image information included in the received print job is input to and stored in the storage unit 17.

  As a scanner unit, the reading unit 16 has a function of reading an image of a document and acquiring image information. The acquired image information is input and stored in the storage unit 17.

  The storage unit 17 has a function of storing image information received by the external interface unit 15, image information acquired by the reading unit 16, and the like.

  The operation panel 18 has a function of displaying various screens to the user and a function of allowing the user to select and input various setting information as a user interface. The operation panel 18 inputs start position information and end position information, which will be described later, and an area designation instruction to the area designation section 20 and inputs an encryption instruction, which will be described later, to the encryption section 21.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the operation panel.
As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 18 includes an LCD 26, operation keys 27-1 to 27-5, a start key 28, and a cancel key 29.

The LCD 26 displays a notification screen for notifying the state of the copying machine 10, the type of error, processing contents, and the like, and a setting screen for various settings.
The operation keys 27-1 to 27-5 are used for selecting and inputting various information on a setting screen displayed on the LCD 26 and a screen displayed on the display unit 19 described later.
The start key 28 is used for instructing operation such as the start of print processing and the setting related to encryption.
The cancel key 29 is used for canceling the operation.

The display unit 19 includes a monitor, for example, and displays a preview screen of a print image of the document.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a preview screen according to the first embodiment.

  On the preview screen 30a, as shown in FIG. 3A, a print image of the document is displayed based on the image information stored in the storage unit 17. On the preview screen 30a, the user using the copying machine 10 can operate the operation panel 18 to select a desired area as an area to be encrypted, that is, an encrypted area.

  The area designating unit 20 has a function of designating each area selected on the preview screen as an encryption area.

  When an area is selected on the preview screen displayed on the display unit 19 based on the operation of the operation panel 18 by the user, start position information indicating the start position of the area, end position information indicating the end position, An area designation instruction for instructing designation of an area as an encryption area is input from the operation panel 18 to the area designation unit 20. Based on this input, the area designating unit 20 adds a start symbol indicating the start position of the encryption area and an end symbol indicating the end position to the image information stored in the storage unit 17, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the encryption unit 21 includes a region image extraction unit 32, a determination unit 33, a division acquisition unit 34, and a barcode conversion unit 35.

  When the encryption instruction is input from the operation panel 18, the region image extraction unit 32 reads the image information stored in the storage unit 17 and detects a start symbol and an end symbol from the image information. Then, the region image extraction unit 32 extracts image information included between the start symbol and the end symbol as region image information of the encryption region. The extracted area image information is stored in the storage unit 17.

As a character determination unit, the determination unit 33 determines whether the area image information stored in the storage unit 17 is text data including a plurality of character information. If it is determined that the data is text data, the determination unit 33 notifies the division acquisition unit 34 of the determination result.
Further, the determination unit 33 determines whether the area image information stored in the storage unit 17 can be divided into a plurality of partial image information as a division determination unit. Based on the area image information, the determination unit 33 determines whether the encrypted area corresponding to the area image information includes a blank area having a predetermined size or more. If it is determined that a blank area is included, the determination unit 33 determines that the area image information can be divided before and after the blank area, and notifies the division acquisition unit 34 of the determination result.

As the character acquisition unit, the division acquisition unit 34 reads out region image information including text data from the storage unit 17 and acquires a plurality of character information from the region image information. Each acquired character information is stored in the storage unit 17 as secret image information.
Further, the division acquisition unit 34 reads out the region image information of the encrypted region including the blank region from the storage unit 17, divides the region image information before and after the blank region, and acquires a plurality of pieces of partial image information. Each acquired partial image information is stored in the storage unit 17 as secret image information.

  As an encryption conversion unit, the bar code conversion unit 35 reads out secret image information from the storage unit 17 and converts the secret image information into bar code information that can be decrypted based on a predetermined encryption key. At that time, the barcode conversion unit 35 performs a conversion process so that the image size of the generated barcode information is equal to or smaller than the image size of the corresponding secret image information. The barcode information generated by conversion is stored in the storage unit 17 in association with the secret image information before conversion.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the decoding unit 22 includes a barcode extraction unit 36 and a barcode decoding unit 37.

  The barcode extraction unit 36 has a function of reading out image information acquired by the reading unit 16 from the storage unit 17 as an extraction unit, and detecting and extracting barcode information as encrypted secret information from the image information. . The extracted barcode information is stored in the storage unit 17.

  The barcode decoding unit 37, as a decoding conversion unit, reads the barcode information extracted by the barcode extraction unit 36 from the storage unit 17, decodes the barcode information based on a predetermined encryption key, and decrypts it. It has a function of restoring to secret image information as secret information. The restored secret image information is stored in the storage unit 17.

The replacement generation unit 23 reads the image information from the storage unit 17, performs a replacement process on the image information, and generates replaced image information. The generated replaced image information is stored in the storage unit 17.
The replacement generation unit 23 reads each secret image information and corresponding barcode information as encrypted secret information from the storage unit 17. Then, the replacement generation unit 23 detects each secret image information included in the image information, replaces the secret image information with the corresponding barcode information, and generates replaced image information.
The replacement generation unit 23 reads each barcode information and the corresponding secret image information as the decryption secret information from the storage unit 17. Then, the replacement generation unit 23 detects each barcode information included in the image information, replaces the barcode information with the corresponding secret image information, and generates replaced image information.

  As the printer unit, the printing unit 24 reads the replaced image information stored in the storage unit 17 and performs printing based on the replaced image information.

  The copying machine 10 also includes a ROM and a CPU (not shown). Each part of the copying machine 10 is controlled by the CPU executing a control program stored in the ROM.

Next, the operation of the copying machine 10 of this embodiment will be described.
First, the flow of processing when an original document as a secret document is encrypted and printed will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart (part 1) showing the cryptographic printing operation in the first embodiment of the copying machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the cryptographic printing operation in the first embodiment of the copying machine according to the present invention. Part 2).

  Here, with respect to the document displayed on the preview screen 30a (FIG. 3A), the region 31-1 and the region 31-2 (FIG. 3B) are respectively selected as encryption regions. The flow of the encryption printing process in this case will be described.

  Prior to the execution of the encryption printing process, the user A operates the PC input unit 13 of the personal computer 12 to input the above-described document encryption printing request. In response to the input of the encrypted print request, the driver unit 14 generates a print job including the image information of the document, and transmits the print job and the encrypted print request to the copying machine 10.

  In the copying machine 10, when the external interface unit 15 receives a print job and an encryption print request from the personal computer 12, the printing process is not immediately executed, and the image information included in the print job is stored in the storage unit 17. (Step S101).

  Thereafter, the user A operates the operation panel 18 in the copying machine 10 to select an encryption area. At that time, the copying machine 10 may authenticate the user A.

  Based on the operation of the user A, the display unit 19 displays a preview screen 30a (FIG. 3A) of the document to be printed based on the image information stored in the storage unit 17 (step S102). In the preview screen 30a, the user A first displays an area 31-1 (FIG. 3B) in which secret information “abcd@eeee.com 1-234-5678” including an e-mail address and a telephone number is described. In order to select the encrypted area, the operation keys 27-1 to 27-4 on the operation panel 18 are operated to move the cursor displayed on the preview screen to the start position of the area 31-1. Then, the user A presses the operation key 27-5.

  Based on this depression, position information corresponding to the cursor position is input from the operation panel 18 to the area designating unit 20 as start position information (step S103).

  Subsequently, the user A operates the operation keys 27-1 to 27-4 to move the cursor displayed at the start position of the area 31-1 to the end position. Along with this movement, on the preview screen 30b, as shown in FIG. 3B, the region 31-1 is surrounded by a rectangle and is in a selected state. In the selected state of the area 31-1, the user A presses the operation key 27-5.

  Based on the pressing of the operation key 27-5, the operation panel 18 inputs position information corresponding to the cursor position to the area designating unit 20 as end position information (step S103).

  Subsequently, when the user A depresses the start key 28 on the operation panel 18, an area designation instruction is input from the operation panel 18 to the area designation unit 20 based on this depression (step S103).

  When the start position information, end position information, and area designation instruction are input (step S103), the area designation unit 20 designates the selected area 31-1 (FIG. 3B) as an encryption area. The image information of the original is read from the storage unit 17, and a start symbol indicating the start position of the encryption area and an end symbol indicating the end position are added to the image information (step S104).

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of encryption of image information.
FIG. 6A shows the secret information portion in the image information of the document, that is, the region image information corresponding to the region 31-1 (FIG. 3B).

  In order to designate the area 31-1 as the encryption area, the area designating unit 20 sets the start position information of the area image information in the image information based on the start position information input from the operation panel 18 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, a start symbol “# MFPS #” is added (step S103). Similarly, based on the end position information, the area designating unit 20 adds an end symbol “# MFPE #” to the end position of the area image information as shown in FIG. 6B (step S104). Thereby, the region 31-1 is designated as the encryption region.

  Subsequently, the user A operates the operation panel 18 to select the area 31-1 (FIG. 3B) in which the secret information “1-2 Yamakawacho, Takasaki City” including the address is described as the encryption area. By operating the keys 27-1 to 27-4, the cursor displayed at the end position of the area 31-1 is moved to the start position of the area 31-2, and then the operation key 27-5 is pressed.

  Based on this depression, a position response corresponding to the cursor position is input from the operation panel 18 to the area designating unit 20 as start position information (step S103).

  Subsequently, the user A operates the operation keys 27-1 to 27-4 to move the cursor displayed at the start position of the area 31-2 to the end position of the area 31-2, and operates the operation key 27-5. Press.

  Based on this depression, the operation panel 18 inputs position information corresponding to the cursor position to the area designating unit 20 as end position information (step S103).

  Subsequently, when the start key 28 is pressed, an area designation instruction is input from the operation panel 18 to the area designation unit 20 (step S103).

  When the start position information, the end position information, and the area designation instruction are input (step S103), the area designation unit 20 reads the image of the document from the storage unit 17 so as to designate the selected area 31-2 as the encryption area. Information is read out, and a start symbol and an end symbol are added to the image information (step S104).

  Subsequently, when the user A operates the operation keys 27-1 to 5 and the start key 28 according to the display on the LCD 26 of the operation panel 18 to select the start of the encryption process, the operation panel 18 encrypts the encryption instruction. Input to the unit 21 (step S105).

  When the encryption instruction is input (step S105), the encryption unit 21 first reads the image information of the document from the storage unit 17 in order to perform encryption of each encryption region. The start symbol and the end symbol are detected (step S106). The region image extraction unit 32 first detects the start symbol “# MFPS #” and the end symbol “# MFPE #” corresponding to the region 31-2 from the read image information (step S106).

When the start symbol and the end symbol are detected (step S106), the region image extraction unit 32 extracts region image information from between the detected start symbol and end symbol (step S107).
The area image extraction unit 32 extracts area image information of the area 31-2 (FIG. 3B) from the image information of the document and stores it in the storage unit 17 (step S107).

  Next, the determination unit 33 reads the region image information from the storage unit 17 and determines whether the region image information is text data (step S108).

  In the area 31-2, secret information “1-2, Yamakawacho, Takasaki-shi” is described. The determination unit 33 determines that the area image information including the secret information is text data including a plurality of character information (step S108). The determination unit 33 notifies the division acquisition unit 34 of the determination result.

  Based on the notification from the determination unit 33, the division acquisition unit 34 reads the region image information of the region 31-2 from the storage unit 17 and acquires each character information (step S109). The division acquisition unit 34 acquires image information corresponding to each character “high”, “saki”, and the like as character information (step S109). Each acquired character information is stored in the storage unit 17 as secret image information (step S109).

  Subsequently, the barcode conversion unit 35 reads each character information as the secret image information stored in the storage unit 17, converts it into barcode information, and stores it in the storage unit 17 (step S110). The bar code conversion unit 35 converts each character information into bar code information that can be decrypted with a predetermined encryption key, and stores it in the storage unit 17 in association with each character information, that is, secret image information (step S110). .

  Next, the area image extraction unit 32 detects undetected start symbols and end symbols from the image information stored in the storage unit 17 (step S106). The region image extraction unit 32 detects the start symbol “# MFPS #” and the end symbol “# MFPE #” corresponding to the region 31-1 (FIG. 3B) from the image information of the document (step S106). Region image information (FIG. 6B) of the region 31-1 is extracted from between the start symbol and the end symbol (step S107). The extracted area image information is stored in the storage unit 17 (step S107).

  Subsequently, the determination unit 33 determines whether or not the area image information is text data (step S108). In the area 31-1, secret information “abcd@eeee.com 1-234-5678” is described as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the determination unit 33 determines that the area image information including the secret information cannot be recognized.

  If it is determined that character recognition is not possible (step S108), the determination unit 33 searches for a blank area in the area image information and determines whether the area image information can be divided (step S111). The determination unit 33 determines that the area 31-1 includes the blank area 31-1a (FIG. 3B), that is, the area image information of the area 31-1 can be divided, and obtains the determination result in a divided manner. The unit 34 is notified (step S111).

  And the division | segmentation acquisition part 34 divides | segments an area | region image before and behind the searched blank area | region 31-1a, and acquires each partial image information (step S112). The division acquisition unit 34 corresponds to the image information included in the area 31-1 from the start position to the blank area 31-1a, that is, the secret information “abcd@eeee.com”. Partial image information 38a (FIG. 6B) and partial image information 38b (FIG. 6B) corresponding to image information included from the blank area 31-1a to the end position, that is, secret information “1-234-5678”. b)) and obtain partial image information (step S112). The acquired partial image information 38a and 38b are stored in the storage unit 17 as secret image information (step S112).

  Next, the barcode conversion unit 35 reads each partial image information stored in the storage unit 17, converts the partial image information into barcode information, and stores the barcode information in the storage unit 17 (step S <b> 113). The barcode conversion unit 35 converts the partial image information 38a corresponding to the secret information “abcd@eeee.com” into barcode information 39a (FIG. 6C), and the barcode information 39a is converted into the partial image information 38a. That is, it is stored in the storage unit 17 in correspondence with the secret image information (step S113). Further, the barcode conversion unit 35 converts the partial image information 38b corresponding to the secret information “1-234-5678” into the barcode information 39b (FIG. 6C), and converts the barcode information 39b into the partial image. The information is stored in the storage unit 17 in correspondence with the information 38b, that is, the secret image information (step S113). Here, the data “X” and “Y” included in the barcode information 39a and 39b in FIG. 6C mean numbers 0 to 9 or letters A to F.

  If it is determined in step S111 that the region image information cannot be divided, the determination unit 33 notifies the barcode conversion unit 35 of the determination result. For example, when the secret information included in the area 31-1 does not include a blank area of a predetermined size or more, such as “abcd@eeee.com/1-2345678”, the determination unit 33 cannot divide the area image information. It is judged that. Receiving this determination result, the barcode conversion unit 35 reads the region image information of the region from the storage unit 17 and converts it into one barcode information (step S114). Then, the undivided area image information is used as secret image information, and the barcode information generated by conversion is stored in the storage unit 17 in association with the secret image information (step S114).

  Next, when the region image extraction unit 32 determines that the image information stored in the storage unit 17 has no undetected start symbol and end symbol (step S106), the determination result is sent to the replacement generation unit 23. Notice.

  Based on this notification, the replacement generation unit 23 reads the image information of the document from the storage unit 17 and also reads the secret image information and the barcode information. Then, each secret image information included in the image information is replaced with the corresponding barcode information to generate replaced image information (step S115). The generated replaced image information is stored in the storage unit 17 (step S115).

  As shown in FIG. 6C, the partial image information 38a and 38b in the area 31-1 (FIG. 3B) included in the image information of the document are replaced with the corresponding barcode information 39a and 39b, respectively. Is done.

  Subsequently, the printing unit 24 reads the replaced image information from the storage unit 17 and performs a printing process based on the replaced image information (step S116). The printing unit 24 forms an encrypted image on printing paper and outputs it. When the printing process is completed, each piece of image information including the replaced image information is deleted from the storage unit 17. Thereby, the encryption printing process in the copying machine 10 is completed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating an example of an encrypted printed matter.
The images of the area 40-1 and the area 40-2 in which the secret information is described are encrypted based on the selection of the user A, and are output after being replaced with a barcode as shown in FIG.

Next, the flow of processing when the encrypted printed matter is decrypted to print the secret document will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the decoding printing operation in the first embodiment of the copying machine according to the present invention.

  The user B who has received the encrypted printed material (FIG. 7) places the printed material at a predetermined position of the copying machine 10 and operates the operation panel 18 to decrypt the printed material. At that time, the copying machine 10 may authenticate the user B.

  The operation panel 18 inputs a decryption print request as a decryption request to the reading unit 16 based on the operation of the user B (step S201).

  When the decryption print request is input (step S201), the reading unit 16 reads the image of the printed matter and acquires image information (step S202). The acquired image information is stored in the storage unit 17, and the reading unit 16 sends an instruction to decode the image information to the decoding unit 22.

  When receiving the decoding instruction, the barcode extraction unit 36 of the decoding unit 22 reads the image information from the storage unit 17 and detects the barcode information from the image information (step S203). First, the barcode extraction unit 36 detects the first barcode information among the barcode information located in the printed product area 40-2 (FIG. 7) (step S203), and extracts the barcode information. And stored in the storage unit 17 (step S204).

  Next, the barcode decoding unit 37 reads the barcode information from the storage unit 17, decodes and decodes the barcode information based on a predetermined encryption key, and restores the secret image information (step S205). The barcode decoding unit 37 decodes the barcode information, restores the secret image information corresponding to the character information “high”, associates the secret image information with the barcode information before the restoration, and stores it in the storage unit 17. Store (step S205).

  Subsequently, the barcode extraction unit 36 detects and extracts the second barcode information located in the region 40-2 (FIG. 7) from the image information (step S203). Then, the barcode decoding unit 37 decodes the barcode information, restores secret image information corresponding to the character information “Saki”, and stores it in the storage unit 17 (step S205).

  As described above, when the processing from step S203 to step S205 is repeated and each barcode information located in the area 40-2 is decoded, the barcode extracting unit 36 then selects each of the barcode information located in the area 40-1. Of the barcode information, the first barcode information is detected (step S203), and the barcode information is extracted and stored in the storage unit 17 (step S204).

  Subsequently, the barcode decoding unit 37 reads the barcode information from the storage unit 17, decodes and decodes the barcode information, and restores the secret image information corresponding to the secret information “abcd@eeee.com”. . The restored secret image information is stored in the storage unit 17 in association with the barcode information before restoration (step S205).

  Further, the barcode extraction unit 36 detects and extracts the second barcode information located in the area 40-1 (step S203). Then, the barcode decoding unit 37 decodes the barcode information, restores the secret image information corresponding to the secret information “1-234-5678”, and stores it in the storage unit 17 (step S205).

  When the decoding of all the barcode information is completed, the barcode extraction unit 36 determines that there is no undecoded barcode information (step S203), and notifies the replacement generation unit 23 of the determination result.

  Based on this notification, the replacement generation unit 23 reads the image information of the printed matter from the storage unit 17 and also reads the barcode information and the secret image information. Then, each barcode information included in the image information is replaced with corresponding secret image information to generate replaced image information (step S206). The generated replaced image information is stored in the storage unit 17 (step S206).

  Subsequently, the printing unit 24 reads the replaced image information from the storage unit 17 and performs a printing process based on the replaced image information (step S207). The printing unit 24 forms the restored original image (FIG. 3A) on the printing paper and outputs it. When the printing process is completed, each piece of image information including the replaced image information is deleted from the storage unit 17. Thereby, the decryption printing process in the copying machine 10 is completed.

  As described above, each barcode information is decoded, and the original document of the secret document is restored.

  As described above, the copying machine 10 according to the present embodiment designates, as an encryption area, an area in which confidential information that is not desired to be disclosed to an unspecified other person is described based on the operation of the user who created the confidential document. Since the image information included in the area is encrypted, leakage of secret information can be prevented. Further, since the copier 10 embeds the encrypted secret information as a barcode in the printed matter, it is not necessary to store the secret information, and the cost is reduced. In addition, the user who has received the printed material can understand the contents by looking at the partially encrypted printed material, and by causing the copier 10 to read the printed material, decrypting the encrypted confidential information, Since the secret document can be restored, convenience is improved.

  In addition, although the encryption part 21 of a present Example encrypted the confidential information which consists of text data based on the character information which is the image information of each character, and converted it into barcode information, it is not limited to this. For example, after performing character recognition processing on text data and converting each character information into character code information, the character code information can be encrypted and converted into bar code information.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the copier according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
The copying machine 50 according to the present embodiment includes an encryption unit 52 that divides and encrypts region image information of a specified region, and a decryption unit 53 that decrypts and combines each piece of barcode information embedded by division. The configuration is different from that of the first embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the copying machine 50 according to the present embodiment is connected to a personal computer 12 via a cable 11 such as a USB cable or a network cable to constitute an image forming system.

  The personal computer 12 is used by a user A as an information processing apparatus, and includes a PC input unit 13 and a driver unit 14 as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the copier 50 is an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and includes an external interface unit 15, a reading unit 16, a storage unit 17, an operation panel 51, a display unit 19, an area designating unit 20, an encryption unit. 52, a decoding unit 53, a replacement generation unit 54, and a printing unit 24. These units are connected to each other by a common bus 55.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 51 includes an LCD 26, operation keys 27-1 to 27-5, a start key 28, and a cancel key 29, and divides each encrypted area designated by the area designation unit 20. A split encryption instruction is input to the encryption unit 52 for encryption.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the encryption unit 52 includes a region image extraction unit 32, a search designation unit 56, a division provision unit 57, and a barcode conversion unit 58.

  The search designation unit 56 searches for a blank area in the document from the image information of the document stored in the storage unit 17 as a search unit. Then, the search designation unit 56 adds an embedding symbol to the image information and designates the blank area as an embedding area for embedding the barcode information, and also adds the division instruction of the area image information and the image information. The division embedding unit 57 is notified of the embedded symbol.

  As a dividing unit, the division providing unit 57 reads out the region image information from the storage unit 17 based on the division instruction from the search specifying unit 56, and uses the region image information as two pieces of partial image information, that is, main partial image information and sub image information. Divide into partial image information. Further, the division giving unit 57 gives link information as combined information with the main partial image information to the sub partial image information obtained by the division. Then, the division providing unit 57 stores the main partial image information as secret image information in the storage unit 17 in association with the region image information before the division. Further, the division assigning unit 57 stores the sub-partial image information to which the link information is assigned as secret image information in the storage unit 17 in association with the embedding symbol notified from the search specifying unit 56.

  The barcode conversion unit 58 reads each secret image information from the storage unit 17 and converts it into barcode information. The barcode information obtained by converting the main partial image information, that is, the main barcode information is stored in the storage unit 17 in association with the region image information. Further, the barcode information obtained by converting the sub-partial image information, that is, the sub-barcode information is stored in the storage unit 17 in association with the embedding symbol.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the decoding unit 53 includes a barcode extraction unit 36, a barcode decoding unit 37, and a combining unit 59.

  The combining unit 59 reads the secret image information decoded and restored by the barcode decoding unit 37 from the storage unit 17, and determines whether or not the secret image information includes link information as combined information. When link information is included, the combining unit 59 divides the secret image information into sub partial image information and link information. Then, based on the link information, the secret image information as the main partial image information is read from the storage unit 17, and the sub partial image information is combined with the main partial image information to restore the secret image information. The restored secret image information is stored in the storage unit 17 together with the main barcode information, and the secret image information including the sub partial image information is deleted from the storage unit 17.

The replacement generation unit 54 reads the image information of the document and the barcode information as the encryption secret information from the storage unit 17, performs a replacement process, and generates replaced image information. The replacement generation unit 54 reads out the region image information stored corresponding to the main barcode information from the storage unit 17 and replaces the region image information included in the image information with the main barcode information. Further, the replacement generation unit 54 reads out the embedded symbol stored corresponding to the sub-barcode information from the storage unit 17 and replaces the embedded symbol included in the image information with the sub-barcode information.
Further, the replacement generation unit 54 reads the image information and the region image information as the decryption secret information from the storage unit 17, performs a replacement process, and generates replaced image information. The replacement generation unit 54 replaces each barcode information included in the image information with the corresponding region image information, and generates replaced image information. When the area image information corresponding to the barcode information is not stored in the storage unit 17, the replacement generation unit 54 deletes the barcode information from the image information.

Next, the operation of the copying machine 50 of this embodiment will be described.
First, the flow of processing when an original document as a secret document is encrypted and printed will be described with reference to FIGS. 10, 11, and 12. FIG.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart (part 1) showing the cryptographic printing operation in the second embodiment of the copying machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the cryptographic printing operation in the second embodiment of the copying machine according to the present invention. Part 2). FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a preview screen according to the second embodiment.

  Here, the flow of the encryption printing process when the area 61 (FIG. 12B) is selected as the encryption area for the document displayed on the preview screen 60a (FIG. 12A) will be described. I do.

  Prior to the execution of the encryption printing process, the PC input unit 13 in the personal computer 12 inputs a document encryption printing request. Then, the driver unit 14 generates a print job including the image information of the document, and transmits the print job and the encryption print request to the copying machine 50.

  In the copying machine 50, when the external interface unit 15 receives the print job and the encrypted print request as the encryption request from the personal computer 12, the external interface unit 15 stores the image information included in the print job in the storage unit 17 (step S1). S101).

  Next, the user A operates the operation panel 51 to display the preview screen 60a (FIG. 12A) on the display unit 19 (step S102).

  Then, based on the operation of the user A, start position information, end position information and an area designation instruction corresponding to the area 61 (FIG. 12B) are input from the operation panel 51 to the area designation unit 20 (step S103). ).

  When the start position information, the end position information, and the area designation instruction are input (step S103), the area designation unit 20 stores the selected area 61 (FIG. 12B) as an encryption area. The image information of the original is read out from 17 and a start symbol “# MFPS #” and an end symbol “# MFPE #” are added to the image information (step S104).

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the flow of encryption of image information according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 13A shows the secret information portion in the image information of the document, that is, the region image information corresponding to the region 61 (FIG. 12B). FIG. 13B shows the start symbol and the end symbol. The area image information to which is added is shown.

  In accordance with the display on the LCD 26 of the operation panel 51, the user A operates the operation keys 27-1 to 5 and the start key 28 to select the start of the divided encryption process in order to divide and encrypt each encryption area. Then, the operation panel 51 inputs a split encryption instruction to the encryption unit 52 (step S301).

  When the divided encryption instruction is input (step S301), the encryption unit 52 first performs the divided encryption of each encryption region, and the region image extraction unit 32 first receives the image information of the document from the storage unit 17. Reading is performed to detect a start symbol and an end symbol (step S106). The region image extraction unit 32 detects the start symbol “# MFPS #” and the end symbol “# MFPE #” corresponding to the region 61 from the read image information (step S106). Then, the region image extraction unit 32 extracts the region image information of the region 61 from between the detected start symbol and end symbol, and stores it in the storage unit 17 (step S107).

  Next, the search designation unit 56 reads out the image information from the storage unit 17 and searches for a blank area (step S302). For example, when searching for the area 62 shown in FIG. 12B as a blank area, the search specifying unit 56 adds, for example, “# MFP #” as an embedding symbol to the portion corresponding to the area 62 of the image information. Then, the area 62 is designated as an embedded area (step S302). As shown in FIG. 13B, in addition to the start symbol “# MFPS #” and the end symbol “# MFPE #”, the image information of the document further includes an embedded symbol “#” indicating the position of the embedded region. MFP # "is added. The search designation unit 56 stores the image information with the embedded symbol added in the storage unit 17, and notifies the division giving unit 57 of the division instruction and the embedded symbol of the region image information of the region 61 (step S302). .

  Based on this division instruction, the division giving unit 57 reads the region image information of the region 61 from the storage unit 17 and divides the region image information (step S303). The division assigning unit 57 divides the region image information of the region 61 into main partial image information 63a and sub partial image information 63b (FIG. 13B) (step S303). The main partial image information 63a obtained by the division is stored as secret image information in the storage unit 17 corresponding to the region image information.

  Further, the division providing unit 57 provides link information with the main partial image information 63a to the sub partial image information 63b obtained by dividing the region image information (step S304). The sub-image information to which the link information is assigned is stored as secret image information in the storage unit 17 corresponding to the embedded symbol.

  Subsequently, the barcode conversion unit 58 reads the secret image information from the storage unit 17 and converts it into barcode information (step S305). The barcode conversion unit 58 converts the main partial image information into main barcode information, and stores the main barcode information in the storage unit 17 in association with the region image information (step S305). Further, the barcode conversion unit 58 converts the sub-partial image information into sub-barcode information, and stores the sub-barcode information in the storage unit 17 in association with the embedded symbol (step S305).

  Then, when the region image extraction unit 32 determines that the image information stored in the storage unit 17 has no undetected start symbol and end symbol (step S106), the region image extraction unit 32 determines the determination result. Is notified to the replacement generation unit 54.

  Based on this notification, the replacement generation unit 54 reads the document image information from the storage unit 17 and also reads the region image information of each encryption region and the corresponding main barcode information stored therein. Then, the replacement generation unit 54 replaces the area image information included in the image information with the main barcode information (step S306). Further, the embedding symbol and the sub barcode information are read from the storage unit 17, and the embedding symbol included in the image information is replaced with the sub barcode information (step S306). The replaced image information generated by the replacement is stored in the storage unit 17.

  As shown in FIG. 13C, the main partial image information 63a included in the image information of the document is replaced with main bar code information 64, and the sub partial image information 63b and link information are replaced with sub bar code information 65. Replaced.

  Subsequently, the printing unit 24 reads the replaced image information from the storage unit 17 and performs a printing process based on the replaced image information (step S116). The printing unit 24 forms and outputs an image including a plurality of barcodes on the printing paper. When the printing process is completed, each piece of image information including the replaced image information is erased from the storage unit 17, and the encryption printing process in the copying machine 50 ends.

FIG. 14 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating an example of an encrypted printed matter.
The image of the area 61 in which the secret information has been described is divided and encrypted, and as shown in FIG.
In the two areas 66-1 and 66-2, the barcodes are output after being replaced with barcodes.

Next, the flow of processing when the encrypted printed matter is decrypted and the secret document is printed will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the decoding printing operation in the second embodiment of the copying machine according to the present invention.

  The user B who has received the encrypted printed material (FIG. 14) places the printed material at a predetermined position of the copier 50 and operates the operation panel 51 in order to decrypt the printed material. Then, a decryption print request as a decryption request is input from the operation panel 51 to the reading unit 16 (step S201).

  Based on this decryption print request, the reading unit 16 reads an image of the printed matter, acquires image information, and stores it in the storage unit 17 (step S201). Further, the reading unit 16 sends a decoding instruction for the image information to the decoding unit 53.

  Based on this decoding instruction, the barcode extraction unit 36 of the decoding unit 22 reads the image information of the printed material from the storage unit 17, and detects the barcode information from the image information (step S203). The barcode extraction unit 36 first detects barcode information located in the printed material area 66-2 (step S203), extracts the barcode information, and stores it in the storage unit 17 (step S204).

  Next, the barcode decoding unit 37 reads the barcode information from the storage unit 17, decodes and decodes the barcode information based on a predetermined encryption key, and restores the secret image information (step S205). The barcode decoding unit 37 decodes the barcode information, restores the secret image information corresponding to the sub-partial image information and the link information, and associates the secret image information with the barcode information before the restoration, 17 (step S205).

  Subsequently, the barcode extraction unit 36 detects and extracts the second barcode information located in the region 66-1 from the image information of the printed material (step S203). Then, the barcode decoding unit 37 decodes the barcode information, restores the secret image information corresponding to the main partial image information, associates the secret image information with the barcode information before the restoration, 17 (step S205).

  When the decoding of all the barcode information is completed, the barcode extraction unit 36 determines that there is no undecoded barcode information (step S203), and notifies the combination unit 59 of the determination result.

  Based on this notification, the combining unit 59 reads each secret image information from the storage unit 17 and determines whether or not link information is included in the secret image information. When link information is included, the combining unit 59 divides the secret image information into sub-partial image information and link information, and specifies secret image information as main partial image information based on the link information. Then, the sub partial image information is combined with the main partial image information to restore the region image information (step S401). The combining unit 59 stores the restored area image information in the storage unit 17 together with the main barcode information, and deletes the secret image information including the sub partial image information and the link information from the storage unit 17.

  Subsequently, the replacement generation unit 54 reads the image information of the printed matter from the storage unit 17 and also reads the barcode information and the region image information, and replaces each barcode information in the image information with the corresponding region image information (step S402). The replacement generation unit 54 replaces the main barcode information of the region 66-1 with the restored region image information. Since the storage unit 17 does not store area image information corresponding to the sub-barcode information of the area 66-2, the replacement generation unit 54 deletes the sub-barcode information from the image information. When the replacement and erasure processing is completed, the replacement generation unit 54 stores the generated replaced image information in the storage unit 17 (step S402).

  Subsequently, the printing unit 24 reads the replaced image information from the storage unit 17 and performs a printing process based on the replaced image information (step S207). The printing unit 24 forms and outputs the restored original image (FIG. 12A) on the printing paper, and the image information including the replaced image information is deleted from the storage unit 17. Thereby, the decryption printing process in the copying machine 50 is completed.

  As described above, after the barcode information is decoded, the partial image information is combined based on the link information, and the original document of the secret document is restored.

  As described above, the copying machine 50 according to the present embodiment divides and encrypts the image information in the designated encryption area, so that unauthorized decryption can be suppressed, and high confidentiality can be achieved without impairing operability. Can be secured.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to a copying machine including a scanner unit and a printer unit has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it can be applied to a printer, a facsimile machine, and the like. The present invention can also be applied to a multi-function peripheral having a ScanToEmail function, a ScanToUSBMemory function, and the like.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a copier according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of an operation panel. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a preview screen in Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating an encryption printing operation in the first embodiment of the copying machine according to the present invention. 6 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating the encryption printing operation in the first embodiment of the copying machine according to the present invention. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a flow of encryption of image information in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating an example of an encrypted printed matter. 5 is a flowchart showing a decoding printing operation in the first embodiment of the copying machine according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the copying machine which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. 6 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating an encryption printing operation in the second embodiment of the copying machine according to the present invention. 6 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating the encryption printing operation in the second embodiment of the copying machine according to the present invention. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a preview screen in Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a flow of image information encryption in Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a second diagram illustrating an example of an encrypted printed matter. 6 is a flowchart showing a decoding printing operation in the second embodiment of the copying machine according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 50 Copy machine 12 Personal computer 15 External interface part 16 Reading part 17 Storage part 18, 51 Operation panel 19 Display part 20 Area designation part 21, 52 Encryption part 22, 53 Decryption part 23, 54 Replacement generation part 24 Printing part 32 Area image extraction unit 33 Judgment unit 34 Division acquisition unit 35, 58 Bar code conversion unit 36 Bar code extraction unit 37 Bar code decoding unit 56 Search designation unit 57 Division giving unit 59 Coupling unit

Claims (16)

An image input unit for inputting image information including confidential information;
A request input unit for inputting an encryption request for the secret information;
A specification part for specifying condition information;
An extraction unit that extracts the secret information from the input image information based on the input encryption information and the specified condition information;
An encryption conversion unit that encrypts the extracted secret information and converts it into encrypted secret information;
In the image information, a replacement generation unit that generates the replaced image information by replacing the secret information with the encrypted secret information;
An image forming unit for forming an image based on the generated replaced image information;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image input unit includes a receiving unit that receives the image information from an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image input unit includes a reading unit that reads an image on a medium and acquires the image information. The encryption conversion unit includes a barcode conversion unit that converts the secret information into barcode information that can be decrypted with a predetermined encryption key.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the replacement generation unit generates the replaced image information by replacing the secret information with the barcode information. The designating part comprises a character string designating part for designating a character string including a plurality of characters,
The extraction unit includes a character extraction unit that searches the specified character string from the image information and extracts character information of each character included in the character string.
The encryption conversion unit encrypts each extracted character information and converts it into respective encrypted character information,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the replacement generation unit generates the replaced image information by replacing each character information with the corresponding encrypted character information. The designation unit includes an area designation unit that designates at least one area in the image information.
The extraction unit includes a region image extraction unit that extracts region image information of each specified region,
The encryption conversion unit encrypts each extracted region image information and converts it into encrypted region image information,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the replacement generation unit generates the replaced image information by replacing each region image with the corresponding encrypted region image information. The region designating unit adds a start symbol to the start position of the region in the image information, and adds an end symbol to the end position of the region,
The image according to claim 6, wherein the region image extraction unit detects the start symbol and the end symbol from the image information, and extracts the region image information from between the start symbol and the end symbol. Forming equipment.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the encryption conversion unit converts the area image information into the encrypted area image information having an image size equal to or smaller than a size of the corresponding area. A division determination unit that determines whether or not the region image information can be divided into a plurality of pieces of partial image information;
When it is determined that the image can be divided, the image acquisition unit divides the region image information and acquires each partial image information;
Further comprising
The encryption conversion unit encrypts each acquired partial image information and converts it into respective encrypted partial image information,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the replacement generation unit generates the replaced image information by replacing each piece of partial image information with the corresponding encrypted partial image information. The division determination unit searches for a blank area of a predetermined size or more based on the area image information, and determines that division is possible when the blank area exists.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the division acquisition unit divides the area image information before and after the blank area. The division determination unit includes a character determination unit that determines whether or not the region image information is character image information including a plurality of character information.
The division acquisition unit includes a character acquisition unit that acquires character information from the character image information.
The encryption conversion unit encrypts the acquired character information and converts it into respective encrypted character information,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the replacement generation unit generates the replaced image information by replacing each character information with the corresponding encrypted character information. A search unit for searching for a blank area in the image information;
A dividing unit for dividing the region image information into main partial image information and sub partial image information;
A granting unit for giving the sub-partial image information combined information with the main partial image information;
Further comprising
The encryption conversion unit encrypts the main partial image information and converts it into encrypted main partial image information, encrypts the sub partial image information to which the combination information is added, and encrypts the sub partial image information. Converted to
The replacement generation unit replaces the area image information with the encrypted main partial image information, replaces the searched blank area with the encrypted sub partial image information, and generates the replacement image information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus is performed. A decryption conversion unit for decrypting and converting the encrypted secret information;
The image input unit further inputs image information including encrypted secret information,
The request input unit further inputs a request for decoding the input image information,
The extraction unit further extracts the encrypted secret information from the input image information based on the input decryption request,
The decryption conversion unit decrypts the extracted encrypted secret information and converts it into decrypted secret information,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the replacement generation unit further replaces the encrypted secret information with the decrypted secret information to generate replaced image information.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the image input unit includes a reading unit that reads an image on a medium and acquires the image information. The encrypted secret information consists of barcode information that can be decrypted with a predetermined encryption key,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the decryption conversion unit includes a barcode decoding unit that decodes the barcode information with the predetermined encryption key. The image input unit inputs image information including encrypted main partial image information and encrypted sub partial image information;
The extraction unit extracts the encrypted main partial image information and the encrypted sub partial image information,
The decryption conversion unit decrypts the extracted encrypted main partial image information and converts it into decrypted partial image information, and decrypts the extracted encrypted sub partial image information to obtain a decrypted portion. Convert to image information and combined information,
The replacement generation unit replaces the decoded partial image information obtained by connecting the decoded sub-partial image information with the decoded main partial image information with the encrypted main partial image information based on the combination information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the replaced sub-image information is generated by deleting the encrypted sub-partial image information.

Images