JP2011015105A - Image forming apparatus, method for controlling the same, program, and storage medium storing the program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of selecting whether or not specific characters are displayed in the whole confidential document by performing character decoration of one part of specific character parts which is not desired to be disclosed in the confidential document.SOLUTION: After reading, for every page, a recording medium including a document in which a mark is given to a part desired to be concealed, the document is changed into image data, and the document, in which the mark is given to the changed image data, is stored in a concealment candidate list table as concealment candidate information so that the document is not duplicated. Then, after storing the image data changed by an input part in a page information table for every page, the concealment candidate information stored in the concealment candidate list table is displayed on a concealment candidate list window 902, and when the concealment candidate information is selected by a user, the document of the image data falling under the selected concealment candidate information is concealed.

Description

The present invention reduces the risk of information leakage etc. by concealing specific characters present in a document in order to prevent inadvertent copying, printing, file saving, etc. of confidential parts in the document. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of performing the above.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an image forming system capable of improving the convenience of creating and handling a confidential document that is an output stop target when copying, printing, or fax transmission while maintaining high security.

For example, a confidential document including a document written in a specific character format is read, authentication information is accepted for password authentication entered by the user via the user interface, and if authentication fails, it is written in the specific character format. In order to cancel the output to the specified portion, a system has been proposed in which the output is performed with the specific character format portion erased at the time of print output. (For example, see Patent Document 1)

Moreover, productivity can be improved by automating the mask process of the character image which has a fixed form. For example, a document image to be processed and a mask image for hiding a part of the document image are captured, and the mask image is not superimposed on the document image to be processed to display a part of the document image. A system has been proposed. (For example, see Patent Document 2)

JP 2005-136818 A JP 2006-309622 A

In the image forming system described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228688, the correspondence when a document that is not desired to be output is not described in a specific character format is not specified.

When a document containing a character string that is character-modified in the specific character format is printed, if password authentication fails as described above, it is effective to hide the portion that is character-modified in the specific character format.

However, if there are multiple documents of the same type to be described in a specific character format, all documents are concealed, and if you forget to use a specific character format, After character modification, it takes time and effort to redo such as printing.

In addition, if the user forgets to use the specific character format, the portion desired to be concealed is not concealed, so that a confidential document may be published, which is a serious problem in terms of security.

In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2, after the first original document in which the user wants to conceal is read, the first original document is read, and then the second and subsequent original documents are read and printed. It describes a technique for performing blackout printing and printing out the same portion as the portion blackened with the first original when outputting.

However, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2, it is effective only when the layout is a predetermined layout. However, it is clearly indicated which pattern the original including the black portion read on the first sheet is. If there is a difference between the layout of the first and second sheets, the user may be confused by setting the black part in the wrong place. Therefore, it is not practical to deal with the case where a manuscript including a blacked portion exists.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and conceals a character string that has been character-modified with a specific character format and also conceals a character string that is identical to the character string that has been character-modified with a specific character format. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming control method, a program, and a recording medium that enable a user to efficiently perform a concealing operation in order to improve security.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the first invention includes an input unit that reads a recording medium including a document with a mark at a location where concealment is desired for each page, and converts the recording medium into image data; and the input unit A concealment candidate information storage unit that stores as a concealment candidate information so as not to overlap a document with a mark on the image data converted by the above, and a page information storage that stores the image data converted by the input unit for each page A concealment candidate list display unit that displays concealment candidate information stored in the concealment candidate information storage unit, an operation unit for selecting concealment candidate information displayed in the concealment candidate list display unit, and the operation A search unit for searching for a document included in the image data stored in the page information storage unit corresponding to the concealment candidate information selected by the copy unit, and a document searched for by the search unit. After that, a mask unit that stores the image data as confirmed image data in the page information storage unit, and a display unit that displays the confirmed image data stored in the page information storage unit, The image forming apparatus.

In the image forming apparatus, the operation unit can select a concealed document displayed on the display unit, and the search unit corresponds to the concealment candidate information selected by the operation unit. Corresponding to the image data stored in the page information storage unit, the concealment candidate information and the position information of the concealment candidate information in the image data are stored in the page information storage unit, and the mask unit After deleting the concealment candidate information corresponding to the position information of the concealment candidate information stored in the page information storage unit corresponding to the position information of the concealed document selected by the unit and the position information of the concealment candidate information , After concealing the document of the image data corresponding to the position information of the concealment candidate information stored in the page information storage unit, the image data as the confirmed image data An image forming apparatus and to store the serial page information storage section.

In the image forming apparatus, the masking unit may include the concealment candidate information corresponding to all the concealment candidate information stored in the page information storage unit corresponding to the concealed document selected by the operation unit, and After deleting the position information of the concealment candidate information, after concealing the document of the image data corresponding to the position information of the concealment candidate information stored in the page information storage unit, the image data as the confirmed image data The image forming apparatus stores the information in a page information storage unit.

According to a second invention for achieving the above object, there is provided an input step of reading a recording medium including a document with a mark at a location where concealment is desired for each page and then converting the recording medium into image data; and the input step A concealment candidate information storing step for storing a document with a mark on the image data converted in step 2 as concealment candidate information so as not to overlap, and a page information storage for storing the image data converted in the input step for each page A concealment candidate list display step for displaying concealment candidate information stored in the concealment candidate information storage step, an operation step for selecting concealment candidate information displayed in the concealment candidate list display step, and the operation A search step for searching for a document included in the image data stored in the page information storage step corresponding to the concealment candidate information selected in the step A masking step of concealing the document searched in the searching step and storing the image data as finalized image data in the page information storage step; and a confirmed image data stored in the page information storage step And a display step for controlling the image forming apparatus.

According to a third aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, there is provided an input means for reading a recording medium including a document with a mark at a location where concealment is desired for each page and then converting the recording medium into image data; and the input means A concealment candidate information storage unit that stores as a concealment candidate information so as not to overlap a document with a mark on the image data converted by the above, and a page information storage that stores the image data converted by the input unit for each page Means, concealment candidate list display means for displaying concealment candidate information stored by the concealment candidate information storage means, operation means for selecting concealment candidate information displayed by the concealment candidate list display means, and the operation Retrieval means for retrieving documents included in the image data stored by the page information storage means corresponding to the concealment candidate information selected by the means A mask means for concealing the document retrieved by the retrieval means and storing the image data as confirmed image data by the page information storage means; and a confirmed image data stored by the page information storage means It is a computer-readable program characterized by functioning as display means.

A fourth invention for achieving the above object is a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded.

According to the present invention, the document modified with the specific character format is concealed, and the same character string as the character string modified with the specific character format is also concealed, so that the user can improve security. There is an effect that the concealment work can be efficiently performed.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the hardware of the client computer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the hardware of the multifunctional device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of the present invention, it is explanatory drawing for demonstrating that the character modification (underline) was given to the specific character to conceal. In embodiment of this invention, it is explanatory drawing for demonstrating that the specific character to conceal became black. In the embodiment of the present invention, it is a block diagram showing a table for storing and managing a candidate list of character strings to be concealed. In an embodiment of the present invention, it is a block diagram showing a table for storing and managing a character string to be concealed for each page. In embodiment of this invention, it is a block diagram about the screen by which the state immediately after reading the character-modified place was shown. In an embodiment of the present invention, it is a block diagram about a screen showing a state where a character string corresponding to a specific character selected from a concealment candidate list is concealed. In embodiment of this invention, it is a block diagram about the screen by which the state by which all the specific characters were selected from the concealment candidate list was shown. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for hiding a specific image character string in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of details of processing for searching for and concealing a specific image character string in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for resetting a specific hidden image character string in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of details of processing for resetting a specific image character string of all hidden pages in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of details of a process of resetting a specific hidden image character string in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of details of a process of resetting all of a specific hidden image character string in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, it is a lineblock diagram showing a screen for selecting reset processing.

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

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus that conceals a specific image character string according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a client computer 100 and a multifunction machine 101 are connected via a network 102 and created by a user based on instruction information input by a user via a user interface (not shown) provided in the client computer 100. This system is configured by forming image data from the processed document and transmitting the formed image data to the multifunction peripheral 101 via the network 102.

It should be noted that this system can be used by using a user interface (not shown) of the multifunction machine 101 without using the client computer 100.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram functionally showing an outline of a hardware configuration included in the client computer 100.

2, the client computer 100 includes a display 201, a CPU 202, a RAM 203, a ROM 204, a network I / F 205, a video I / F 206, a keyboard 207, a mouse 208, an HDD 209, a storage medium 210, and a system bus 211.

The display 201 is a display controlled via the video IF 206, and the display may be a liquid crystal display as well as a CRT.

The CPU 202 comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 211.

Further, the ROM 204 or the storage medium 210 is necessary for realizing a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as an OS), which is a control program of the CPU 202, and a function for executing a client computer. Various programs to be described later are stored.

The RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 202.

The CPU 202 implements various operations by loading a program or the like necessary for execution of processing into the RAM 203 and executing the program.

The Network I / F 205 is connected to and communicates with an external device via the network 102, and executes communication control processing in the network 102.

For example, Internet communication using TCP / IP is possible.

It also controls input from pointing devices such as a keyboard 207 and a mouse 208.

The HDD 209 represents a hard disk drive that stores a boot program, browser software, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like.

The storage medium 210 represents an external memory such as a compact flash memory connected to a floppy disk (registered trademark FD) or a PCMCIA card slot via an adapter.

Access to these HDD 209 and storage medium 210 from the outside is controlled by a memory controller (not shown).

A scanner interface (scanner I / F) 212 is connected to the scanner unit 213 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

The scanner unit 213 illuminates an image on paper serving as a document and scans it with a CCD line sensor, thereby converting the image into electrical signals as raster image data.

Note that the CPU 202 enables display on the display 201 by executing outline font rasterization processing on a display information area in the RAM 203, for example. In addition, the CPU 202 allows a user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the display 201.

A program related to an image forming method for concealing a specific character string for realizing the present invention is recorded in the HDD 209 and is executed by the CPU 202 by being loaded into the RAM 203 as necessary.

Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used by the program according to the present invention are stored in the HDD 209, and detailed description thereof will be described later.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram functionally showing an outline of a hardware configuration included in the multifunction peripheral 101.

In FIG. 3, the controller unit 301 is connected to a printer unit 314 functioning as an image output device and a scanner unit 315 functioning as an image input device, and also connected to a LAN so that image data and device information can be input and output. Is possible. Further, the multifunction peripheral 101 can be visually operated by the operation unit 316.

The controller unit 301 includes a CPU 302, a RAM 303, a ROM 304, an HDD 305, a network I / F 306, an IMAGE BUSI / F 307, an operation unit I / F 308, an external I / F 309, a RIP 310, a printer I / F 311, a scanner I / F 312 and an image processing unit 313. Is provided.

The controller unit 301 is connected to a scanner unit 315 that functions as an image input device and a printer unit 314 that functions as an image output device, while a LAN (for example, the network 102 shown in FIG. 1) or a public line (WAN) (for example, , PSTN, ISDN, etc.) to input / output image data and device information.

In the controller unit 301, 302 is a CPU which controls the entire system. A RAM 303 is a system work memory for the CPU 302 to operate, and is also a program memory for recording a program and an image memory for temporarily recording image data.

A ROM 304 stores a system boot program and various control programs. A hard disk drive (HDD) 305 stores various programs for controlling the system, image data, and the like.

  An operation unit interface (operation unit I / F) 308 is an interface unit with the operation unit (keyboard) 316. In addition, the operation unit I / F 308 serves to transmit key information (for example, pressing of a start button) input from the operation unit 316 to the CPU 302.

  A network interface (Network I / F) 306 is connected to the network (LAN) 102 and inputs / outputs data.

  Reference numeral 309 denotes an external interface (external I / F), which is an I / F unit that accepts external inputs such as USB, IEEE 1394, printer port, and RS-232C.

The above devices are arranged on the system bus 317.

  Reference numeral 307 denotes an image bus interface (IMAGE BUS I / F), which is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 317 and an image bus 318 that transfers image data at high speed, and converts the data structure.

  The image bus 318 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394.

The following devices are arranged on the image bus 318.

A raster image processor (RIP) 310 develops vector data such as a PDL code into a bitmap image. A printer interface (printer I / F) 311 connects the printer unit 314 and the controller unit 301, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

A scanner interface (scanner I / F) 312 connects the scanner unit 315 and the controller unit 301, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  An image processing unit 313 corrects, processes, and edits input image data, and performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data.

In addition to this, the image processing unit 313 performs image data rotation and compression / decompression processing such as JPEG for multi-valued image data and JBIG, MMR, MH for binary image data.

  The scanner unit 315 illuminates an image on paper as a document and scans it with a CCD line sensor, thereby converting it into an electrical signal as raster image data. The original paper is set on the tray of the original feeder, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 316, the CPU 302 gives an instruction to the scanner unit 315, and the feeder feeds the original paper one by one to read the original image. Perform the action.

  The printer unit 314 is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, or ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array and directly onto the paper. There is an inkjet method for printing an image, but any method may be used.

Activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the CPU 302.

The printer unit 314 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and has a paper cassette corresponding thereto.

  The operation unit 316 includes an LCD display unit, and a touch panel sheet is pasted on the LCD. The operation unit 316 displays an operation screen of the system. When a displayed key is pressed, the position information is displayed on the operation unit I / F 308. To the CPU 302 via

The operation unit 316 includes, for example, a start key, a stop key, an ID key, a reset key (all not shown) as various operation keys.

Note that the display unit has different display performance depending on the printer, and a printer that can be operated via a touch panel, or a printer that simply includes a liquid crystal display and displays a character string (displays the print status and the name of the document being printed). Is structured.

  Here, the start key of the operation unit 316 is used to start a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key, there are two color LEDs, green and red, which indicate whether or not the start key can be used.

Further, the stop key of the operation unit 316 serves to stop the operation in operation.

The ID key of the operation unit 316 is used when inputting the user ID of the user.

The reset key of the operation unit 316 is used to initialize settings from the operation unit.

 With the configuration described above, the multi-function peripheral 101 can transmit the image data read from the scanner unit 315 to the network 102 and print out the print data received from the network 102 by the printer unit 314.

  Further, the image data read from the scanner unit 315 can be faxed to the public line by a modem (not shown), and the image data received by fax from the public line can be output by the printer unit 314.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus that conceals a specific character string according to the embodiment of the present invention.

4, the image forming apparatus 400 includes an input unit 401, an image determination unit 402, a search unit 403, a mask unit 404, an output unit 405, a storage unit 406, an operation unit 407, and an enlargement / reduction unit 408.

The input unit 401 receives image data obtained by converting a document to be output to a recording medium such as printing paper from the outside.

The received image data includes concealment candidate image data relating to a character-modified document as a concealment candidate. The concealment candidate image data is obtained for each page with respect to image data composed of one page or a plurality of pages. The input of the concealment candidate image data included is accepted.

For example, the user accepts image data obtained by data conversion of a document underlined in a desired concealed document.

A document that is underlined in a document to be concealed consists of one page or a plurality of pages, and a document to be concealed exists on a page consisting of one page, or an arbitrary page relative to a document consisting of a plurality of pages. The case where it exists is assumed.

Note that the term “external” refers to an image that is formed on the basis of instruction information input by a user via a user interface (not shown) provided in the client computer 100 and is received by the MFP 101 via the network 102. Data or image data created by a document read by the scanner unit 315 of the multifunction machine 101 may be used.

A document image 501 shown in FIG. 5 shows an example in which the input image data includes concealment candidate image data that is character-modified (underlined) as a concealment candidate.

In the present embodiment, an example in which a specific character string is underlined as a document image 501 shown in FIG. 5 will be described as an example of concealment candidate image data.

The document image 601 shown in FIG. 6 is an example showing that the portion corresponding to the character string displayed and selected in the concealment candidate list (details will be described later) by the user is blackened with respect to the document image 501 shown in FIG. Represents.

The concealment candidate list table 700 shown in FIG. 7 shows a concealment candidate information storage unit. In the input unit 401, an underline representing a concealment target location is drawn as concealment candidate information from the image data input and received. The character string underlined is used as a concealment character string 701, and an ID for uniquely identifying the concealment character string is issued to each character string. And manage the memory.

A page information table 800 shown in FIG. 8 shows a page information storage unit, and shows how the input unit 401 stores and manages input image data as page information.

The page information table 800 includes a page ID, a concealed character string ID 801, a concealed character string coordinate 802, page image original data 803, confirmed image data 804, and thumbnail image data 805 for each input image data. , Manage memory.

When a character string in the concealment candidate list is selected by the operation unit 407 by the user (details will be described later), it is searched whether or not there is a selected concealment character string on each page. Then, the hidden character string coordinates 802 are added to the page information table 800.

Page image original data 803 represents image data input by the input unit 401.

The confirmed image data 804 is subjected to a mask process in which, for example, a character string in the concealment candidate list is selected by the user performing an operation input to the operation unit 407, and the masking unit 404 performs blacking on the concealment target portion. Represents the processed image data.

The thumbnail image data 805 is subjected to a masking process in which a character string in the concealment candidate list is selected by the user performing an operation input to the operation unit 407, and the masking unit 404 performs a blacking process on a portion to be concealed. The image data for displaying the image data on the operation unit 407 is shown.

This is created or updated at the same timing as the creation of the confirmed image data 804.

The image determination unit 402 registers the image data input by the input unit 401 in the storage unit 406 as a page information table 800 for each page.

A page ID is assigned to each image data input by the input unit 401, and the input document image data is set as the page image original data 803.

Other than that, nothing is set in the concealment character string ID 801, concealment character string coordinates 802, confirmed image data 804, and thumbnail image data 805 included in the page information table 800.

Further, the character string to be concealed with the underline representing the concealment target portion is recognized from the image data input by the input unit 401 and stored in the concealment candidate list table 700.

For each image data input by the input unit 401, the underlined character string representing the concealment target portion is recognized and set in the concealment candidate list table 700 as the concealment character string 701 together with the ID.

At this time, if there is a match as the already set hidden character string 701, the setting is not performed, so that the hidden character string does not have overlapping contents.

Further, an ID corresponding to the hidden character string 701 is set in the hidden character string ID 801.

When a character string is selected from a concealment candidate list that is a concealment candidate list display unit in the operation unit 407, the search unit 403 sets a concealed character string ID 801 and a concealed character string coordinate 802 for the page information table 800. To be called.

When a character string is selected from the concealment candidate list displayed on the operation unit 407 by the user, the page image original data 803 in the page information table 800 is searched for the presence of the selected character string.

If the character string exists, the position coordinate of the character string is acquired as the hidden character string coordinate 802.

Then, an ID corresponding to the concealed character string 701 is set in the concealed character string ID 801 of the character string, and a position coordinate of the character string is set in the page information table 800 in the concealed character string coordinate 802.

By executing this process for all the page information, it is possible to acquire information related to the character string that matches the selected character string.

When the user selects a character string from the concealment candidate list displayed on the operation unit 407, the mask unit 404 applies the concealed character string coordinate 802 to the confirmed image data 804 stored and managed in the page information table 800. The mask process is performed by, for example, blackening a portion to be shown.

When a character string is selected by the user from the concealment candidate list displayed on the operation unit 407, the concealment character string ID 801 related to the character string in the concealment candidate list selected by the user is retrieved from the page information table 800 by the search unit 403. And the concealed character string coordinates 802 are set.

Based on the concealed character string information, a mask process is performed by, for example, blackening a portion indicated by the concealed character string coordinates 802 on the confirmed image data 804 in the page information table 800.

The output unit 405 prints out the image data processed in the multifunction machine 101 on a paper medium or the like.

By pressing a print button 905 (details will be described later) provided in the operation unit 407, the confirmed image data 804 in the page information table 800 is sent to the output unit 405, and print output to a paper medium or the like is performed.

The storage unit 406 stores and manages the concealment candidate list table 700 and the page information table 800.

Data is recorded in the concealment candidate list table 700 by the image determination unit 402.

The image determination unit 402 recognizes an underlined character string indicating a concealment target part by inputting image data from the input unit 401, and stores it in the concealment candidate list table 700.

Data is recorded in the page information table 800 by the image determination unit 402.

The image determination unit 402 registers the input image data in the page information table 800 by inputting the image data from the input unit 401.

The operation unit 407 is an interface with a user who uses the image forming apparatus 400. Using the operation unit 407, functions such as character string selection in the concealment candidate list, document image printing, and character string concealment processing reset are activated for the user.

The enlargement / reduction unit 408 is called after the mask unit 404 performs mask processing on the confirmed image data 804 stored in the page information table 800, creates image data to be displayed on the operation unit 407, and generates a thumbnail. Recorded as image data 805.

The enlargement / reduction unit 408 obtains the ratio of the sizes of the confirmed image data 804 and the thumbnail image data 805.

Specifically, the quotient of the larger one of the vertical or horizontal lengths of the confirmed image data 804 and the length in the corresponding direction of the thumbnail display window 903 (described later in detail) is obtained.

Using the obtained ratio, thumbnail image data 805 is created from the confirmed image data 804 and set in the page information table 800.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of the operation unit 407 serving as an interface with the user.

The operation screen 901 includes an operation explanation window, a concealment candidate list window 902, a thumbnail display window 903, a reread button 904, a print button 905, a reset button 906, and a concealment all reset button 907. .

In the operation explanation window, for example, it is possible to prompt the user's operation by displaying “Please select the one to be concealed from the concealment candidate list. To print in this state, press the print button”. is there.

The concealment candidate list window 902 displays data stored and managed in the concealment candidate list table 700.

FIG. 9 shows a state immediately after the document image is input from the input unit 401. In this state, the user selects a character string to be concealed from the concealment candidate list window 902 using the operation unit 316, and is selected. The mask processing is performed by, for example, painting a character string corresponding to the character string.

A thumbnail display window 903 displays thumbnail image data 805 stored and managed in the page information table 800.

When the reread button 904 is pressed by the user, the data stored and managed in the concealment candidate list table 700 and the page information table 800 is deleted, and the image data is input again from the input unit 401.

When the user presses the print button 905, the confirmed image data 804 corresponding to the thumbnail image displayed in the thumbnail display window 903 is acquired from the page information table 800 and printed out from the output unit 405.

When the reset button 906 is pressed by the user, the confirmed image data 804 and thumbnail image data 805 stored and managed in the page information table 800 are erased, and confirmed image data based on the page image original data 803. 804 and thumbnail image data 805 are recreated.

Alternatively, an operation such as pressing the reset button 906 to return to the state immediately after the document image is input from the input unit 401 can be performed.

When the concealment all reset button 907 is pressed by the user, all the concealed character strings can be reset, and after the concealment all reset button 907 is pressed, the page information table 800 is displayed. After the image data stored in the included page image original data 803 is copied and the copied image data is stored in the confirmed image data 804, thumbnail images are used from the image data stored in the confirmed image data 804. The thumbnail image data 805 is updated.

FIG. 10 shows that, on the operation screen 901, one of “Personality: Kanagawa” is selected when the user inputs an instruction using the operation unit 316 to a character string that becomes a concealment candidate from the concealment candidate list window 902. It represents the state.

When this operation is performed, the character string of the image data stored as the confirmed image data 804 included in the page information table 800 corresponding to the concealment character string 701 included in the concealment candidate list table 700 is blackened. Mask processing is performed.

After performing the mask process, the thumbnail image data 805 is created, whereby the thumbnail image is displayed in the thumbnail display window 903, and it can be confirmed that the mask process has been performed on the image data.

In addition, in a state where one character string to be a concealment candidate is selected from the concealment candidate list window 902, the user presses the reread button 904 to re-input the image data from the input unit 401 or the print button An operation such as printing the thumbnail image displayed in the thumbnail display window 903 when the button 905 is pressed, or returning to the state immediately after the image data is input from the input unit 401 when the reset button 906 is pressed. Can be done.

In FIG. 11, in the operation screen 901, a character string that becomes a concealment candidate from the concealment candidate list window 902 is input by the user using the operation unit 316 to input “Ah”, “Personnel: Kanagawa”, and “ “ABCDE” represents a state in which all are selected.

By this operation, the character string included in the image data that matches all the character strings that are candidates for concealment is subjected to a mask process such as black painting.

After performing the mask process, the thumbnail image data 805 is created, whereby the thumbnail image is displayed in the thumbnail display window 903, and it can be confirmed that the mask process has been performed on the image data.

Further, even when all the character strings that are concealment candidates are selected from the concealment candidate list window 902, the re-read button 904, the print button 905, and the reset button 906 function in the same manner as in the case where one character string is selected. To do.

As a matter of course, one or all of the selected character strings are not limited, and a plurality of arbitrary character strings can be selected, and image data that matches the selected character string as a concealment candidate. The character string included in is subjected to mask processing such as blackening, and then thumbnail image data 805 is created to display a thumbnail image in the thumbnail display window 903.

A reread button 904, a print button 905, and a reset button 906 also function in the same manner.

A process for concealing a specific image character string in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that each processing step in this processing is executed under the control of the CPU 302.

In step S 1201, when the user detects that a document is input from the input unit 401 to the multifunction peripheral 101, the document is read, converted into image data, and set in the page information table 800.

Specifically, page IDs are assigned so as to be serial numbers, and converted image data is set as page image original data 803.

In step S <b> 1202, the image determination unit 402 searches for a character string (character string underlined in this embodiment) in which character modification is performed on the image data converted and formed by the input unit 401. To do.

In step S1203, if a character string subjected to character modification is found as a result of the search in step S1202, the process proceeds to step 1204. If not found, the process proceeds to step S1210.

In step S1204, the character string subjected to the character modification found in the search result in step S1203 is stored in the concealment candidate list table 700 of the storage unit 406 in association with the ID.

In step S1212, in order to display the concealment character string 701 stored in the concealment candidate list table 700 on the operation screen 901, the concealment candidate list window 902 is updated and then displayed on the operation screen 901.

In step S1205, it is detected whether or not all the concealment character strings displayed in the concealment candidate list window 902 are selected by the user. If not, the process proceeds to step S1206.

In step S1206, it is determined whether or not the concealment character string displayed in the concealment candidate list window 902 is selected on the operation screen 901 in the operation unit 407. If so, the process proceeds to step S1207 and is selected. If not, the process proceeds to step S1208.

In step S1207, the concealment character string selected in step S1206 is searched by the search unit 403, and mask processing is performed by the mask unit 404 (details will be described with reference to FIG. 13).

In this step, a thumbnail image is created by the enlargement / reduction unit 408 using the result of the mask processing, and the created thumbnail image is displayed in the thumbnail display window 903 of the operation screen 901.

In step S1208, it is determined whether or not the user has pressed the reset button 906 on the operation screen 901.

If the reset button 906 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S1209. If the reset button 906 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S1210.

In step S1209, the concealment state of the character string subjected to the mask process is reset (details will be described with reference to FIG. 14).

In step S1210, it is determined whether or not the user has pressed the print button 905 on the operation screen 901.

If the print button 905 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S1205. If the print button 905 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S1211.

In step S <b> 1211, the thumbnail image created in the thumbnail display window 903 of the operation screen 901 is printed out from the output unit 405.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for searching and masking the character string selected in the processing step of S1207 in FIG. Each processing step in this process is executed under the control of the CPU 302.

In step S1301, it is searched whether the concealment character string of the concealment candidate list window 902 selected by the user on the operation screen 901 exists in the page image original data 803 of the page information table 800 in step S1206.

In step S1302, if the selected character string is found for the page image original data 803 in the search result in step S1301, the process proceeds to step S1303. If the selected character string is not found, step S1309 is executed. Proceed to the process.

In step S1303, the position of the character string found in step S1302 with respect to the origin is obtained using the upper right end of the page image original data 803 as the origin.

In step S1304, the ID stored in the concealment candidate list table 700 corresponding to the concealment character list in the concealment candidate list window 902 is stored in the concealment character string ID 801 of the page information table 800, and the ID is stored in the ID. In association therewith, the position coordinates acquired in step S1303 are stored as concealed character string coordinates 802.

In step S 1305, the page image original data 803 corresponding to the position coordinates acquired in step S 1303 is copied, and the character string of the copied page image original data 803 is masked by performing blackening or the like, It is stored in the page information table 800 as confirmed image data 804.

Thereafter, in step S 1306, a ratio is determined for the sizes of the confirmed image data 804 and the thumbnail image data 805 and stored in the RAM 203 in order to create a thumbnail image to be displayed in the thumbnail display window 903 of the operation screen 901.

Specifically, the quotient of the larger one of the vertical or horizontal lengths of the confirmed image data 804 and the length in the corresponding direction of the thumbnail display window 903 is obtained.

In step S 1307, a thumbnail image is created from the confirmed image data 804 using the ratio obtained in step S 1306, and stored as thumbnail image data 805 in the page information table 800.

In step S1308, the thumbnail image displayed in the thumbnail display window 903 is updated using the thumbnail image created and stored in step S1307.

In step S1309, it is determined whether or not the processing in step S1301 has been performed for all the pages stored in the page information table 800. If processing has been performed, the processing in this flowchart is terminated and processing is being performed. If not, the process proceeds to step S1301.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing flow for setting the concealed character string in the non-hidden state in step S1209 shown in FIG.

Each processing step in this process is executed under the control of the CPU 302.

If the user presses the concealment all reset button 907 in step S1401, the process proceeds to step S1402, and if the process for resetting the specific character string is selected in step S1403, the process proceeds to step S1404. If the process for resetting all character strings has been selected, the process advances to step S1405.

As a method of determining whether or not the process for resetting the specific character string is selected in step S1403, the user selects the hidden character string displayed in the thumbnail display window 903 by operating the mouse 208. At this time, as shown in FIG. 18, there is a method of selecting and displaying a screen for confirming whether or not to hide the concealment of all the character strings identical to the selected character string.

In step S1403, if “Yes” on the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 18 is selected, the process proceeds to step S1404. If “No” is selected, the process proceeds to step S1405.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for resetting all pages in step S1402 shown in FIG. Each processing step in this process is executed under the control of the CPU 302.

In step S1501, after the concealment all reset button 907 on the operation screen 901 is pressed, the page image original data 803 of the page information table 800 is copied and stored in the confirmed image data 804.

As a result, the confirmed image data 804 returns to the initial state where the mask processing is not performed.

In step S1502, the ratio of the sizes of the confirmed image data 804 and the thumbnail image data 805 is obtained.

In step S1503, a thumbnail image is created from the confirmed image data 804 using the ratio obtained in step S1502, and stored in the page information table 800 as thumbnail image data 805.

In step S1504, after the thumbnail image data 805 created in step S1503 is created, the thumbnail image displayed in the thumbnail display window 903 is updated.

In step S1505, it is determined whether or not the processing in step S1501 has been performed for all pages stored in the page information table 800. If processing has been performed, the processing in this flowchart is terminated and processing is being performed. If not, the process proceeds to step S1501.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for resetting a specific character string in step S1404 shown in FIG.

Each processing step in this process is executed under the control of the CPU 302.

In step S1605, the masked character string selected in the thumbnail display window 903 in step S1403 is acquired.

In step S1601, the character string coordinates are acquired for the acquired character string.

Specifically, the character string coordinates selected based on the position information selected by the user and the position information of the thumbnail image are acquired.

Note that the thumbnail image is associated with the acquisition of position coordinates with respect to the origin at the upper right end of the page image original data 803 that is the copy source of the confirmed image data 804 for creating the thumbnail image. Is determined by multiplying the coordinate interval by the ratio stored in the RAM 203 in step S1306.

In step S1602, on the basis of the character string coordinates acquired in step S1601, a search is made for a portion that overlaps the range indicated by the hidden character string coordinates 802 in the page information table 800, and the found hidden character string ID 801 and the hidden character string are found. The coordinate 802 is deleted.

In step S1603, the confirmed image data 804 and thumbnail image data 805 are recreated and stored in the page information table 800.

In step S1604, the thumbnail image displayed in the thumbnail display window 903 is updated using the thumbnail image created in step S1603.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for resetting all the specific character strings in step S1405 shown in FIG.

Each processing step in this process is executed under the control of the CPU 302.

In step S1701, the masked character string selected in the thumbnail display window 903 in step S1403 is acquired.

In step 1702, the hidden character string ID 801 and the hidden character string coordinates 802 corresponding to the character string are all deleted from the page image original data 803 including the character string that matches the character string selected in step S1701.

The relationship between the position information of the thumbnail image and the concealed character string coordinates 802 of the page image source is as described above.

In step S 1703, the confirmed image data 804 and thumbnail image data 805 are recreated based on the page information table 800 and stored in the page information table 800.

In step S1704, the thumbnail image displayed in the thumbnail display window 903 is updated using the thumbnail image created in step S1703.

It should be noted that the configuration and contents of the various data described above are not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the various data and configurations are configured according to the application and purpose.

Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, method, program, or recording medium, and more specifically, a system composed of a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  In addition, the program according to the present invention is a program that allows a computer to execute the processing method of FIGS. 12 to 17 (computer-readable), and the storage medium according to the present invention can execute the processing method of FIGS. A simple program is stored. The program in the present invention may be a program for each processing method of each device in FIGS.

As described above, a recording medium that records a program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program stored in the recording medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by executing the reading.

  In this case, the program itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium storing the program constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, silicon A disk or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on an instruction of the program is actually Needless to say, a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written to the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board is based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  In addition, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. It goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a recording medium storing a program for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  Furthermore, by downloading and reading a program for achieving the present invention from a server, database, etc. on a network by a communication program, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  In addition, all the structures which combined each embodiment mentioned above and its modification are also included in this invention.

100 Client computer 101 MFP 102 Network 201 Display 202 CPU 203 RAM 204 ROM 205 Network I / F 206 Video I / F 207 Keyboard 208 Mouse 209 HDD 210 Storage medium 211 System bus 212 Scanner I / F 213 Scanner unit 301 Controller unit 302 CPU 303 RAM 304 ROM 305 HDD 306 Network I / F 307 IMAGE BUSI / F308 Operation unit I / F309 External I / F310 RIP311 Printer I / F312 Scanner I / F313 Image processing unit 314 Printer unit 315 Scanner unit 316 Operation unit

Claims (6)

An input unit that converts a recording medium including a document with a mark at a location where concealment is desired for each page and then converts the image into image data; and a document with a mark on the image data converted by the input unit. A concealment candidate information storage unit that stores as concealment candidate information so as not to overlap, a page information storage unit that stores image data converted by the input unit for each page, and a concealment stored in the concealment candidate information storage unit A concealment candidate list display unit for displaying candidate information, an operation unit for selecting concealment candidate information displayed on the concealment candidate list display unit, and the page information corresponding to the concealment candidate information selected by the operation unit A search unit for searching for a document included in the image data stored in the storage unit; and concealing the document searched by the search unit; An image forming apparatus to the mask portion to be stored in the page information storage section, a display section for displaying a vested image data stored in the page information storage section, comprising: a. The operation unit can select a concealed document displayed on the display unit, and the search unit stores in the page information storage unit corresponding to the concealment candidate information selected by the operation unit. Corresponding to the image data, the concealment candidate information and the position information of the concealment candidate information in the image data are stored in the page information storage unit, and the mask unit is concealed selected by the operation unit The concealment candidate information corresponding to the position information of the concealment candidate information stored in the page information storage unit corresponding to the position information of the document and the position information of the concealment candidate information are deleted and then stored in the page information storage unit After concealing the document of the image data corresponding to the position information of the concealment candidate information, the image data is stored in the page information storage unit as confirmed image data The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in Rukoto. The mask unit includes the concealment candidate information corresponding to all the concealment candidate information stored in the page information storage unit corresponding to the concealed document selected by the operation unit, and position information of the concealment candidate information. After the deletion, the document of the image data corresponding to the position information of the concealment candidate information stored in the page information storage unit is concealed, and then the image data is stored in the page information storage unit as confirmed image data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. An input step of reading a recording medium including a document with a mark at a place where concealment is desired for each page and then converting the recording medium into image data; and a document with a mark on the image data converted in the input step A concealment candidate information storage step for storing as concealment candidate information so as not to overlap, a page information storage step for storing the image data converted in the input step for each page, and a concealment stored in the concealment candidate information storage step A concealment candidate list display step for displaying candidate information, an operation step for selecting concealment candidate information displayed in the concealment candidate list display step, and the page information corresponding to the concealment candidate information selected in the operation step A search step for searching for a document included in the image data stored in the storage step, and a document searched for in the search step A masking step of storing the image data as confirmed image data in the page information storage step, and a display step of displaying the confirmed image data stored in the page information storage step. A control method in the image forming apparatus. An input unit that reads a recording medium including a document with a mark at a location where concealment is desired for each page and then converts the recording medium into image data; and a document with a mark on the image data converted by the input unit Concealment candidate information storage means for storing as concealment candidate information so as not to overlap, page information storage means for storing the image data converted by the input means for each page, and concealment stored by the concealment candidate information storage means Concealment candidate list display means for displaying candidate information, operation means for selecting concealment candidate information displayed by the concealment candidate list display means, and the page information corresponding to the concealment candidate information selected by the operation means Search means for searching for a document included in the image data stored by the storage means, and a document searched for by the search means A mask unit that stores the image data as finalized image data by the page information storage unit, and a display unit that displays the finalized image data stored by the page information storage unit. A computer readable program. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 5 is recorded.

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