JP2010030172A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which secures high security while increasing the convenience of a user. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU in an image forming apparatus starts a timer section 11 simultaneously with the data reception completion of a transceiver unit 9 to start timer count. Thereafter, the CPU 1 compares an elapsed time from the data reception completion with a prescribed time memorized in a memory unit 7. Then, in the case where the elapsed time from the data reception completion exceeds the prescribed time memorized in the memory unit 7, the CPU1 performs rewriting by adding (012345) being second identification information 22 immediately before a password (8624) being first identification information 21 memorized in the first memory unit 7a, as a rewriting unit 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for enhancing security.

  In general, when image data of an original is transmitted from a PC (personal computer) to an image forming apparatus such as a printer for printing, a desired printed material is mixed with other printed materials. May be exposed to the eyes of a third party other than the user who sent the message, or may be accidentally taken away by the third party. For this reason, in an image forming apparatus such as a printer, received image data is stored in a storage unit, and a user who has transmitted image data from a PC inputs identification information such as an ID and a password from an operation unit or the like. Thus, there is a function for printing desired image data for the first time.

  However, the ID and password input as identification information at this time are often set to a relatively small number of digits using only numeric characters that can be entered on the numeric keypad so that the user can input them in a short time in consideration of user convenience. . In such a case, a malicious third party may intentionally search for a password and obtain a printed material.

  The ID and password may be registered as initial values in the printer driver. In such a case, if the user uses the password set as the initial value of the printer driver as it is when transmitting the image data, there is a possibility that the same password as the third party is used. There is a possibility that another person's original is accidentally printed. Further, there is a possibility that a malicious third party will intentionally search for a password and obtain a printed matter.

For this reason, the invention described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. Specifically, there is described a printing apparatus that automatically deletes stored image data after a storage period corresponding to image data stored in a storage area of the image forming apparatus.
JP 2006-85352 A

  According to the invention described in Patent Document 1, it is true that the stored image data is automatically deleted after the storage period, so that high security can be ensured. However, if the storage time is set to be short from the viewpoint of security, if an interruption operation such as a telephone call occurs immediately after issuing a print instruction, the data for which the print instruction has been issued may be automatically deleted. In such a case, since it is necessary to give a print instruction again, there is a problem that convenience for the user is impaired.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of ensuring high security while improving user convenience.

In order to solve the above problem, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is provided.
A receiving unit for receiving image data to be formed by a user and security information for preventing formation of the image data by a person other than the user;
A first storage unit that stores the image data and the security information that have been received by the reception unit;
A time measuring unit for measuring an elapsed time since completion of the reception in the receiving unit;
A comparison unit that compares the elapsed time measured in the time measurement unit with a predetermined time;
An authentication unit for authenticating the user based on the security information stored in the first storage unit;
A rewriting unit that rewrites the security information stored in the first storage unit according to a result of the comparison in the comparison unit;
And an image forming unit that forms an image on a predetermined recording medium based on the image data stored in the first storage unit when the authentication in the authentication unit is normally completed.

The image forming method according to claim 5 is:
A receiving step for receiving image data to be formed by a user and security information for preventing formation of the image data by a person other than the user;
A storage step of storing the image data and the security information that have been received in the reception step;
A time measurement step for measuring an elapsed time since completion of the reception in the reception step;
A comparison step for comparing the elapsed time measured in the time measurement step with a predetermined time;
An authentication step of authenticating the user based on the security information stored in the storage step;
A rewriting step of rewriting the security information stored in the storing step according to a result of the comparison in the comparing step;
An image forming step of forming an image on a predetermined recording medium based on the image data stored in the storage step when the authentication in the authentication step is normally completed.

The program according to claim 6 is:
A receiving step for receiving image data to be formed by a user and security information for preventing formation of the image data by a person other than the user;
A storage step of storing the image data and the security information that have been received in the reception step;
A time measurement step for measuring an elapsed time since completion of the reception in the reception step;
A comparison step for comparing the elapsed time measured in the time measurement step with a predetermined time;
An authentication step of authenticating the user based on the security information stored in the storage step;
A rewriting step of rewriting the security information stored in the storing step according to a result of the comparison in the comparing step;
When the authentication in the authentication step is normally completed, an image forming step for forming an image on a predetermined recording medium based on the image data stored in the storage step is executed by a computer.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to ensure high security while improving user convenience.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described by taking a multifunction peripheral having both a copying function, a printing function, and a FAX transmission / reception function as an example.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction peripheral A according to this embodiment. The multi-function device A includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 2, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 3, various sensor groups 4, a paper transport unit 5, an image reading unit 6, a storage unit 7, and image formation. Unit 8, transmission / reception unit 9, and operation display unit 10.

  The CPU 1 controls the control program stored in the ROM 2, the original image data stored in the storage unit 7 (the first storage unit 7 a), various instructions and operation display input from an external device via the transmission / reception unit 9. The overall operation of the multifunction device A is controlled based on an operation instruction input from the unit 10. The CPU 1 also functions as a timer unit 11, a comparison unit 12, a rewriting unit 13, and an authentication unit 14 to be described later. The details of the control process of the CPU 1 will be described below as the operation of the multifunction device A.

  The ROM 2 is a non-volatile memory that stores a control program executed by the CPU 1 and other data.

  The RAM 3 is a volatile memory used as a working area as a temporary storage destination of data when the CPU 1 executes a control program and performs various operations.

  The various sensor groups 4 are various sensors necessary for an image forming operation such as a paper out detection sensor, a paper jam detection sensor, a paper position detection sensor, a temperature sensor, and the like, and various kinds of information detected by each sensor are detected signals. To the CPU 1.

  The paper transport unit 5 includes a transport roller for transporting the print paper stored in the paper tray to the image forming unit 8, a motor for driving the transport roller, and a print paper after the image forming process to a discharge tray (not shown). It is composed of a conveying roller for conveying, a motor for driving the conveying roller, and the like.

  The image reading unit 6 includes an ADF (automatic document feeder), a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor, and the like, and causes the CCD sensor to read images of documents sequentially fed by the ADF so that document image data based on the document image is obtained. Output. The image reading unit 6 outputs the document image data to the CPU 1, while the CPU 1 stores the document image data in the storage unit 7 (the first storage unit 7a).

  The storage unit 7 is an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), for example, and stores document image data in response to a request from the CPU 1, while serial numbers of the first storage unit 7 a that outputs the document image data to the CPU 1 and the MFP A. And a second storage unit 7b for storing predetermined data such as.

  Under the control of the CPU 1, the image forming unit 8 transports a print image formed from toner based on the document image data stored in the first storage unit 7 a of the storage unit 7 from the paper transport unit 5. The image is transferred to printing paper and the printed image is fixed.

  The transmission / reception unit 9 is connected to an external device such as a personal computer (not shown) via a local area network (not shown), and transmits / receives various signals to / from the external device.

  The operation display unit 10 includes a start key, a stop key, a power key, a numeric keypad (numerical value input key), a touch panel 10a, a clear key, and other various operation keys, and outputs an operation instruction for each key to the CPU 1. At the same time, under the control of the CPU 1, various screens are displayed on the touch panel 10a.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of security data rewriting according to the present embodiment.

  The transmission / reception unit 9 prevents printing of original image data to be printed by a user of the external device and original image data by a third party other than the user from an external device such as a personal computer (not shown). Receive security data. Document image data and security data received by the transmission / reception unit 9 are stored in the first storage unit 7a. As shown in FIG. 2A, the security data includes a password “8624” that is the first identification information 21.

  The CPU 1 can serve as an authentication unit 14 that authenticates a user by collating the password input to the operation display unit 10 with the first identification information 21 stored in the first storage unit 7a. it can. As described above, the CPU 1 also functions as the timer unit 11, the comparison unit 12, and the rewriting unit 13. The CPU 1 starts the timer unit 11 by starting the timer unit 11 simultaneously with the completion of data reception by the transmission / reception unit 9. After that, the CPU 1 compares the elapsed time from the completion of data reception measured by the timer count with a predetermined time stored in the storage unit 7. When the elapsed time from the completion of data reception exceeds the predetermined time stored in the storage unit 7, the CPU 1 uses the first identification stored in the first storage unit 7a as the rewrite unit 13. Rewriting is performed by adding “012345” as the second identification information 22 immediately before the password “8624” as the information 21 (FIG. 2B). At this time, the second identification information 22 may be information based on the serial number of the multifunction peripheral A stored in advance in the second storage unit 7b, the printing date and time, the user ID number, or the like.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of security data rewriting according to the present embodiment. That is, in FIG. 3, rewriting is performed by adding “012345” as the second identification information 22 immediately after the password “8624” as the first identification information 21 stored in the first storage unit 7a. Is going.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of security data rewriting according to the present embodiment. That is, in FIG. 4, “012345” that is the second identification information 22a immediately before the password “8624” that is the first identification information 21 stored in the first storage unit 7a, and the second Rewriting is performed by adding “9727331” which is the identification information 22b.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a personal identification number (password) input screen 30 of the operation display unit 10 according to the present embodiment. When printing the desired document image data, the user performs authentication by inputting the password from the numeric keypad of the operation display unit 10 while looking at the password input screen 30.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of security data rewriting according to the present embodiment.

  In step S1, the transmission / reception unit 9 of the multi-function peripheral A receives document image data and security data from a PC (not shown). Then, the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, when the multifunction device A completes data reception from the PC, the timer unit 11 of the CPU 1 starts timer counting. Then, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S3, the comparison unit 12 of the CPU 1 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the timer count. If the predetermined time has been exceeded, the process proceeds to step S4. If the predetermined time has not been exceeded, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S <b> 4, the rewriting unit 13 of the CPU 1 rewrites the security data by adding the second identification information 22 to the first identification information 21. Then, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S <b> 5, the CPU 1 determines whether or not a password has been input from the operation display unit 10. If the password is entered, the process proceeds to step S7. If the password is not entered, the process waits for input in step S5.

  In step S7, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the password entered in step S5 is correct based on the security data (rewritten in step S4). If it is determined that the password is correct, the user authentication is normally completed, and the process proceeds to step S9. If the password is not determined correct, the user authentication is not normally completed. Therefore, it proceeds to step S5 and waits for input.

  In step S <b> 6, the CPU 1 determines whether or not a password has been input from the operation display unit 10. If a password is entered, the process proceeds to step S8. If a password is not entered, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S8, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the password entered in step S6 is correct based on the security data (not rewritten). If it is determined that the password is correct, the user authentication is normally completed, and the process proceeds to step S9. If the password is not determined correct, the user authentication is not normally completed. Therefore, it progresses to step S3.

  In step S9, the CPU 1 logs in to a screen for selecting document image data. Thus, an image can be formed on the printing paper based on desired original image data.

  As described above, the multifunction peripheral A according to the present embodiment receives the document image data to be printed by the user and the security data for preventing the document image data from being printed by a third party other than the user. A transmission / reception unit 9; a first storage unit 7a for storing document image data and security data received by the transmission / reception unit 9; a timer unit 11 for measuring an elapsed time since reception by the transmission / reception unit 9; The comparison unit 12 that compares the elapsed time measured in the unit 11 with a predetermined time, the authentication unit 14 that authenticates the user based on the security data stored in the first storage unit 7a, and the first storage The rewrite unit 13 that rewrites the security data stored in the unit 7a according to the comparison result in the comparison unit 12 and the authentication in the authentication unit 14 are normally completed. If the, and an image forming unit 8 which prints an image on printing paper based on the stored original image data in the first storage section 7a. According to this configuration, authentication is determined based on the received security data during a period from when the document image data and security data transmitted from the PC are received by the transmission / reception unit 9 until a predetermined time elapses. However, when a predetermined time elapses without the user performing authentication, the received security data is rewritten with new security data. As a result, after a predetermined time has elapsed, authentication is determined based on the security data after rewriting, so that it is possible to prevent a third party from entering and printing the same password.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction peripheral A according to the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the security data rewriting which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the security data rewriting which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the security data rewriting which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the PIN code input screen of the operation display part 10 which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the security data rewriting which concerns on this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU, 2 ROM, 3 RAM, 4 various sensor groups, 5 paper conveyance part, 6 image reading part, 7 memory | storage part, 7a 1st memory | storage part, 7b 2nd memory | storage part, 8 image formation part, 9 transmission / reception part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Operation display part, 10a Touch panel, 11 Timer part, 12 Comparison part, 13 Rewriting part, 14 Authentication part, 21 1st identification information, 22, 22a, 22b 2nd identification information, 30 PIN code input screen

Claims (6)

A receiving unit for receiving image data to be formed by a user and security information for preventing formation of the image data by a person other than the user;
A first storage unit that stores the image data and the security information that have been received by the reception unit;
A time measuring unit for measuring an elapsed time since completion of the reception in the receiving unit;
A comparison unit that compares the elapsed time measured in the time measurement unit with a predetermined time;
An authentication unit for authenticating the user based on the security information stored in the first storage unit;
A rewriting unit that rewrites the security information stored in the first storage unit according to a result of the comparison in the comparison unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on a predetermined recording medium based on the image data stored in the first storage unit when the authentication in the authentication unit is normally completed. The security information includes first identification information,
The rewriting unit adds the second identification information to the first identification information stored in the first storage unit according to a result of the comparison in the comparison unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an identification information adding unit for rewriting information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a non-volatile second storage unit that stores the second identification information in advance. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the identification information adding unit adds the second identification information to one or both of the positions immediately before and immediately after the first identification information. A receiving step for receiving image data to be formed by a user and security information for preventing formation of the image data by a person other than the user;
A storage step of storing the image data and the security information that have been received in the reception step;
A time measurement step for measuring an elapsed time since completion of the reception in the reception step;
A comparison step for comparing the elapsed time measured in the time measurement step with a predetermined time;
An authentication step of authenticating the user based on the security information stored in the storage step;
A rewriting step of rewriting the security information stored in the storing step according to a result of the comparison in the comparing step;
An image forming method comprising: an image forming step of forming an image on a predetermined recording medium based on the image data stored in the storage step when the authentication in the authentication step is normally completed. A receiving step for receiving image data to be formed by a user and security information for preventing formation of the image data by a person other than the user;
A storage step of storing the image data and the security information that have been received in the reception step;
A time measurement step for measuring an elapsed time since completion of the reception in the reception step;
A comparison step for comparing the elapsed time measured in the time measurement step with a predetermined time;
An authentication step of authenticating the user based on the security information stored in the storage step;
A rewriting step of rewriting the security information stored in the storing step according to a result of the comparison in the comparing step;
A program for causing a computer to execute an image forming step of forming an image on a predetermined recording medium based on the image data stored in the storage step when the authentication in the authentication step is normally completed.

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