JP2011055354A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To record transmission destination information in first data of digitized code data information to be added to image data to be transmitted by an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus reads image data and extracts coded data in a specified size, changes orders of the extracted data, and receives desired data if the extracted data is not the desired data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of handling a code. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus capable of transmitting image data by changing the order of information included as a code.

  When image data is transmitted using an image transmission / reception device such as a facsimile device, if the destination number is entered incorrectly, erroneous transmission occurs and problems such as information leakage occur. In order to prevent this, Patent Document 1 adds a number to a transmission destination and embeds it in a manuscript image as code data. When the information is received, a transmission destination list is generated from the received code data. And when a user inputs a transmission destination with the image transmission / reception apparatus which produced | generated the list, compared with the list information, the technique which determines transmission permission and transmission prohibition and prevents mistransmission is disclosed.

JP 2007-31855 A

  However, there is a problem that image data cannot be transmitted to a destination that is not in the list generated from the code data embedded in the document image. Further, when the image data receiver returns the image data to the image data sender by facsimile or the like, the user has to input the destination information of the transmission destination, which is troublesome.

In order to solve the above problems, an apparatus according to the present invention provides:
Reading means (140) for reading image data;
Extraction means (S101) for extracting coded data of a prescribed size included in the image data read by the reading means;
It is characterized by having a changing means (S106) for changing the order of the extracted data and an input means (S105.4, S109, 180) for inputting the desired data when the extracted data is not the desired data. A configuration of the image forming apparatus.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, when a person who receives data by facsimile or the like returns to the sender, transmission can be performed without setting destination information, and erroneous transmission can be prevented.

The figure which shows the flowchart of an Example The figure which shows the change when the user information added to a transmission original in the encoded state is digitized according to the processing flow of FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the image forming apparatuses 207 and 208 and the configuration of the controller unit 100 of the present invention. The figure which showed an example of composition of user information

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  The present embodiment (this embodiment and other embodiments) is directed to a code image of a specified size (in terms of area) that can include information of a specified size (in terms of information amount). explain. Needless to say, a code image of such a prescribed size can include information of a prescribed size or less. In this embodiment, it is assumed that two types of user information data can be included in the code image of the specified size. One of the data in the user information data is called first data and the rest is called second data. In this embodiment, information = data. Then, it is assumed that image data transmission is performed on the first data of the code image read by the scanner 140 of the image forming apparatus.

  When the user tries to log in to the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus accesses the data server to acquire information specifying the login user, and stores it in the storage unit 1130 in the image forming apparatus. This storage completes login. Although not shown, the data server is a login management server that is electrically connected to the image forming apparatus. In addition, the information which specifies a user is called user information in a present Example etc. For example, the user ID and the user name are included in the user information. In addition, information that indirectly identifies the user is also information that identifies the user.

  FIG. 1 shows a processing flow performed after the CPU 1100 that controls the image forming apparatus causes the scanner of the image forming apparatus to read a transmission original and generate original image data.

  In step S101, the CPU performs a process of extracting code image data included in the document image data.

In step S102, the CPU decrypts the code image data extracted in step S101. Thereby, user information included in the code image data is obtained. Then, the obtained user information is stored in the storage means. In step S103, the CPU performs a process of acquiring logged-in user information from the storage means.

  In step S104, the CPU performs processing for comparing the second data of the code image data decoded in step S102 with the logged-in user information acquired in step S103. If it is determined in step S104 that the compared data is the same, the process proceeds to step S105. If it is determined in step S104 that the compared data are different, the process proceeds to step S111.

  In step S105, the CPU performs processing to determine whether user information is included as the first data of the decoded code image data. If user information is included as the first data in step S105, the process proceeds to step S105.2. If user information is not included in step S105, the process proceeds to step S108.

  In step S105.2, the CPU displays user information of the first data on the operation unit 180 of the image forming apparatus. Then, the user is made to input whether the information is correct as the destination user information. In the user input, if there is an instruction from the user that the information is correct as the destination user information, the process proceeds to step S106. If there is an instruction from the user that the destination user information is incorrect information, the process proceeds to step S105.4.

In step S105.4, the CPU performs processing for prompting input of transmission destination user information as a transmission destination of the transmission original. Here, the CPU displays a message prompting input on the operation unit 180 of the image forming apparatus. Then, when the input from the operation unit 180 ends, the process ends. In step S105.6, the CPU stores the information input in step S105.4 as the first data of the code image data in the storage unit. Process.

  In step S106, the CPU reads out the first data and the second data of the code image data from the storage means, and performs a process of switching the data and storing them in the storage means.

  In step S107, the CPU performs processing for generating code image data.

  In step S108, the CPU performs processing for storing the logged-in user information acquired from the storage unit in step S103 in the storage unit as first data.

In step S109, the CPU performs a process of prompting input of transmission destination user information that is a transmission destination of the transmission original. Here, the CPU displays a message prompting input on the operation unit 180 of the image forming apparatus. Then, when the input from the operation unit 180 is completed, the process is terminated. In step S110, the CPU performs a process of storing the information input in step S109 as the second data of the code image data in the storage unit.

  In step S111, the first data of the code image data decoded in step S102 is compared with the logged-in user information acquired in step S103. If it is determined in step S111 that the compared data is the same, the process proceeds to step S112. If it is determined in step S111 that the compared data are different, the process proceeds to step S113.

  In step S112, the CPU displays user information of the second data on the operation unit 180 of the image forming apparatus. Then, the user is made to input whether the information is correct as the destination user information. In the user input, if there is an instruction from the user that the information is correct as the destination user information, the process proceeds to step S107. If there is an instruction from the user that the information is incorrect as the destination user information, the process proceeds to step S109.

  In step S113, the CPU performs processing for storing the logged-in user information acquired from the storage unit in step S103 in the storage unit as first data.

  Thereafter, the CPU synthesizes the generated code image data with the original image data acquired by scanning the transmission original. The combining position is the same as the position of the code image of the transmission document. Then, the image data obtained by the synthesis is transmitted using data transmission means in the image forming apparatus.

  In this embodiment, data transmission is performed for the user information recorded in the first data of the transmission original. Accordingly, the first data of the user information of the digitized transmission data always stores the information of the user who executed the data transmission. Then, for example, when a user who received the fax needs to send a reply to the sender, if the document is captured by the scanner 140 in the image forming apparatus, the telephone number of the sender is sent to the sender. Data can be sent without input.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a change when the user information added to the transmission original in a coded state is digitized according to the processing flow of FIG.

  A coded user information 202 is printed on the transmission original 201. Then, the user X information 204 is recorded as the first data 203 of the encoded user information 202, and the user Y information 206 is recorded as the second data 205.

  Here, when the user X transmits the transmission original 201 to the user Y by the image forming apparatus 207, the process flows in the order of S111 to S112, and the digitized code image data is exchanged between the first data and the second data. Does not occur.

  Further, when the user Y transmits the transmission original 201 to the user X by the image forming apparatus 208, the process flows in the order of S105 to S106, and the first code data and the second data are exchanged in the digitized code image data. Executed.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the image forming apparatuses 207 and 208 and the configuration of the controller unit 100 according to the present invention.

  The controller unit 100 is connected to a scanner 140, which is an image input device, and a printer 120, which is an image output device. On the other hand, the controller unit 100 is connected to a LAN 40 or a public line (WAN) 60 to input / output image information and device information. It is a controller.

  A CPU 1100 is a controller that controls the entire system. A RAM 1110 is a system work memory for the CPU 1100 to operate, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. A ROM 1120 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. The HDD 1130 is a hard disk drive and stores system software (bootable), image data, software counter values, and the like. The system software (bootable) is a program for realizing functions such as copy, FAX, SEND, SCAN, and operation unit (UI) display, and is expanded on the RAM 1110 and operates. The software counter value has a counter area for each paper size and a counter area for each data processing capacity, and is counted up based on an arbitrary reference capacity value set in advance based on the number of output images and the data capacity processed by the CPU 1100. Is done. The counter value may be stored not only in the HDD 1130 but also in an EEPROM (not shown) or the like as long as it can be stored and retained even when the power is turned off. The LANC 1200 is connected to the LAN 40 and inputs / outputs output image data and information related to device control. Further, by the input operation in the operation unit 180, the output image data corresponding to the input operation by the operation unit 180 is received from the host PC 20 on the network or the output image data management device (not shown), and the image is output. The local I / F 1210 is a local I / F such as USB or Centro, and is connected to the host PC 30 or a printer (not shown) via the cable 50 to input / output data. The Modem 1220 is connected to the public line 60 and inputs / outputs data. The printer I / F 1300 is connected to the printer 120 and communicates with the CPU of the printer 120. Also, synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data is performed. The scanner I / F 1400 is connected to the scanner 140 and communicates with the CPU of the scanner 140. Also, synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data is performed. An operation unit I / F 1500 is an interface unit with the operation unit 180, and outputs image data to be displayed on an LCD display unit (not shown) of the operation unit 180 to the operation unit 180.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of user information.

  The user information has two pieces of information, first data and second data. And each has a user name, a user e-mail address, and a user contact information, and these are recorded as user information as first data and second data.

  On the other hand, not only the above three information (user name, user / email address, user contact information), but also change the user information according to the usage, such as device information used by the user, date of copying performed by the user, number of times of copying, etc. You may do it.

Claims (1)

Reading means (140) for reading image data;
Extraction means (S101) for extracting coded data of a prescribed size included in the image data read by the reading means;
It is characterized by having a changing means (S106) for changing the order of the extracted data and an input means (S105.4, S109, 180) for inputting the desired data when the extracted data is not the desired data. Image forming apparatus.

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