JP2018097077A - Image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus which ensures high security in encryption.SOLUTION: An image processing apparatus 11 includes an image data determination unit 32, a decryption key input receiving unit 33, a decryption key validity determination unit 34, a decryption unit 35, and an image data output control unit 36. The image data determination unit 32 determines whether image data acquired by an image data acquisition unit 31 is encrypted image data or not. The encryption key validity determination unit 34 determines whether a decryption key received by the decryption key input receiving unit 33 is valid or not. When the decryption key validity determination unit 34 determines that the decryption key is valid, the decryption unit 35 decrypts the encrypted image data to original image data. The image data output control unit 36 controls the image data decrypted by the decryption unit 35 to be output.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus.

  In an image processing apparatus typified by a multifunction peripheral, light is applied to a photoconductor based on image data to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor. Thereafter, charged toner is supplied onto the formed electrostatic latent image to form a visible image, which is then transferred and fixed on paper, and output to the outside of the apparatus.

  US 2003/0145218 A1 (Patent Document 1) discloses a technique related to image encryption when an image is formed in an image processing apparatus.

US2003 / 0145218A1

  For example, an image of a highly confidential document may be stored after being encrypted or printed. In such a case, there is a risk that an encrypted image of a highly confidential document is stolen or data is intercepted during data communication. As a result, the encrypted image data of the stolen document is decrypted, and the content of the highly confidential document image may be leaked to a malicious third party. Therefore, it is required to reduce such possibility as much as possible. That is, encryption in image formation with higher security is required.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus with high security in encryption.

  An image processing apparatus according to the present invention processes image data. The image processing apparatus includes an image data input reception unit, an encryption key input reception unit, an encryption unit, an encrypted image data output control unit, an image data acquisition unit, an image data determination unit, and a decryption key input reception unit. A decryption key correct / incorrect determination unit, a decryption unit, and an image data output control unit. The image data input receiving unit receives input of image data. The encryption key input receiving unit receives an input of an encryption key when encrypting the image data received by the image data input receiving unit. The encryption unit encrypts the image data by associating the encryption key received by the encryption key input receiving unit with the information of the related image processing device related to the image processing device. The encrypted image data output control unit controls to output the encrypted image data encrypted by the encryption unit. The image data acquisition unit acquires image data. The image data determination unit determines whether the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit is encrypted image data. The decryption key input accepting unit accepts an input of a decryption key when decrypting the encrypted image data when the image data determining unit determines that the image data is encrypted image data. The decryption key correctness determination unit determines whether or not the decryption key received by the decryption key input reception unit is correct. The decryption unit decrypts the encrypted image data into the original image data if the decryption key correctness determination unit determines that the decryption key is correct. The image data output control unit controls to output the image data decoded by the decoding unit.

  According to such a configuration, it is extremely difficult to determine whether or not the encrypted output image is encrypted. Further, the encrypted image can be decrypted only by the image processing apparatus related to the encrypted image processing apparatus. Then, the decryption key set at the time of encryption must be input. Therefore, such an image processing apparatus can increase security in encryption.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an external appearance of a multifunction peripheral when an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction peripheral. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the multifunction machine illustrated in FIG. 1. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine control unit. It is a figure which shows an example of the image data of the confidential document encrypted. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when a confidential document is encrypted using a multifunction peripheral. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen at the time of receiving the input of an encryption key. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printed matter of encrypted image data obtained by associating an encryption key with an identification symbol of a multifunction peripheral and encrypting a confidential document. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when a confidential document is decrypted using a multifunction peripheral. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen at the time of receiving the input of a decoding key. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an external appearance of a multifunction peripheral and a computer connected via a network when an image processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction peripheral. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the multifunctional machine and computer which are shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a display.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an appearance of a multifunction machine 11 when an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction machine. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the multifunction machine 11 shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the multi-function device 11 has a plurality of functions such as a copying function, a printer function, and a facsimile function regarding image processing. The multifunction machine 11 includes a multifunction machine control unit 12, an operation unit 13, an image reading unit 14, a printing unit 15, a multifunction machine hard disk 16, and a multifunction machine network interface unit 17 for connecting to a network 23. .

The multifunction device control unit 12 controls the entire multifunction device 11. The multi-function device control unit 12 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and includes a main memory 18 that temporarily stores data. The operation unit 13 includes a touch panel type display screen 21 as a display unit for displaying information such as information transmitted from the multifunction machine 11 side and user input contents. The image reading unit 14 includes an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 22 as a document transport device that transports a document set at the set position to the read position. The image reading unit 14 reads an image of a document set on the ADF 22 or a mounting table (not shown). That is, the image reading unit 14 reads an image of a document and acquires image data, and is included in an image data acquisition unit 31 described later. The printing unit 15 forms an image on a sheet based on the image read by the image reading unit 14 and the image data transmitted via the network 23. That is, the printing unit 15 prints on a sheet based on the image data. The multi-function device hard disk 16 stores data such as image data and input image forming conditions. The MFP hard disk 16 also stores information on the manufacturer that manufactures the MFP 11 and a unique identification number assigned to the MFP 11 by the manufacturer as data.

  Next, the configuration of the multifunction device control unit 12 provided in the multifunction device 11 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the multifunction machine control unit 12. Referring to FIG. 3, the multifunction device control unit 12 includes an image data input reception unit 26, an encryption key input reception unit 27, an encryption unit 28, an encrypted image data output control unit 29, and an image data acquisition unit. 31, an image data determination unit 32, a decryption key input reception unit 33, a decryption key correctness determination unit 34, a decryption unit 35, and an image data output control unit 36. The image data input receiving unit 26 receives input of image data. The encryption key input reception unit 27 receives an input of an encryption key when encrypting the image data received by the image data input reception unit 26. The encryption unit 28 encrypts the image data by associating the encryption key received by the encryption key input receiving unit 27 with the information of the related multifunction peripheral related to the multifunction peripheral 11. Here, the related multifunction peripheral is specifically a multifunction peripheral manufactured by the same manufacturer, a multifunction peripheral manufactured by the same manufacturer and assigned the same development model number, or a multifunction peripheral with the same specifications from the same manufacturer. And so on. For example, a multi-function machine having a different manufacturer does not correspond to a related multi-function machine. In this case, the related multifunction peripheral that is a multifunction peripheral related to the encrypted multifunction peripheral 11 is the same as the multifunction peripheral 11 that has output the encrypted image data by the encryption unit 28. The encrypted image data output control unit 29 controls to output the encrypted image data encrypted by the encryption unit 28.

  The image data acquisition unit 31 acquires image data. The image data determination unit 32 determines whether the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit 31 is encrypted image data. The decryption key input accepting unit 33 accepts an input of a decryption key when decrypting the encrypted image data when the image data determining unit 32 determines that the image data is encrypted image data. The decryption key correct / incorrect determination unit 34 determines whether or not the decryption key received by the decryption key input reception unit 33 is correct. If the decryption key correctness determination unit 34 determines that the decryption key is correct, the decryption unit 35 decrypts the encrypted image data into the original image data. The image data output control unit 36 controls to output the image data decoded by the decoding unit 35. These configurations will be described in detail later.

  Next, a case where image data of a confidential document is encrypted and further decrypted using such a multifunction machine 11 will be described. First, the configuration of a confidential document to be encrypted will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of image data of a confidential document to be encrypted. Referring to FIG. 4, confidential document 41 includes characters 42 of “confidential document”, sentence 43 a of “• other company trend:...”, And sentence 43 b of “.development schedule:. And are printed. Such a confidential document 41 is first encrypted.

  A process flow when the confidential document 41 is encrypted using the multifunction machine 11 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when the confidential document 41 is encrypted using the multifunction machine 11. Referring to FIG. 5, first, the image data input receiving unit 26 receives the input of the image data of the confidential document 41 shown in FIG. 4 (in FIG. 5, step S <b> 11, hereinafter “step” is omitted). In this case, when the confidential document 41 is set in the ADF 22 and it is detected that a start key (not shown) provided in the operation unit 13 is pressed, the image reading unit 14 reads the image of the confidential document 41. Then, the image data of the read confidential document 41 is acquired (S12). The read image data of the confidential document 41 is temporarily stored in the main memory 18 as a storage unit.

Then, it is determined whether there is a request for encryption (S13). In this case, it is performed by determining whether or not there is a request for encryption of the confidential document 41 on the display screen 21 of the operation unit 13.

  When there is a request for encryption (YES in S13), the encryption key input receiving unit 27 displays a screen for inputting the encryption key (S14), and receives the input of the encryption key (S15).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the display screen 21 when accepting an input of an encryption key. Referring to FIG. 6, the display screen 21 is composed of a message 51a “Enter encryption key.”, A character 52a “encryption key”, and an empty box next to the character 52a. An encryption key input unit 53a for inputting an encryption key and “Cancel” are displayed, and a cancel key 54a for returning to the previous screen upon detection of pressing is displayed. For example, the user inputs an encryption key composed of 5 or less alphanumeric characters such as “1a2b”. The encryption key input receiving unit 27 receives an input of the encryption key by detecting the input to the encryption key to the encryption key input unit 53a.

  Next, when the encryption unit 28 receives the input of the encryption key by the encryption key input reception unit 27 (YES in S15), the encryption unit 28 associates the received encryption key and the information of the multifunction machine 11 to the confidential document 41. The image data is encrypted (S16). In this case, for the association of information of the multifunction device 11, the image data is encrypted based on information of a unique identification symbol assigned to each multifunction device 11. That is, encryption is performed so that the encryption key and the identification symbol of the multifunction machine 11 cannot be decrypted unless they are known. In this case, at the time of encryption, the decryption key required for decryption is also encrypted as the same as the encryption key. The encryption key is stored in the multifunction machine hard disk 16.

  If there is a print request after the encryption (YES in S17), the encrypted image data output control unit 29 uses the printing unit 15 to print and output the encrypted image data (S18). ). That is, when there is a so-called hard copy request, the encrypted image data output control unit 29 controls to output the encrypted image data as a printed matter.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printout of encrypted image data obtained by associating the encryption key with the identification symbol of the multifunction machine 11 and encrypting the confidential document 41. Referring to FIG. 7, an alphanumeric sequence image 47 in which a plurality of alphanumeric characters are enumerated is printed on a printed matter 46 on which the encrypted image data is printed. Looking at this alphanumeric enumerated image 47, no one knows the content of the confidential document 41. The alphanumeric enumerated image 47 is based on the image of the confidential document 41, the encryption key, and the identification symbol information of the multifunction machine 11.

  If there is no request for printing (NO in S17), the encrypted image data output control unit 29 outputs the encrypted image data as an electronic file (S19). In this case, if there is a so-called soft copy request, it is output as an electronic file stored in a storage area (not shown) on the cloud connected to the network 23, for example. The data may be output to a server (not shown) such as a database server connected to the network 23.

  In S12, for example, when the read image is not a confidential document, if there is no request for encryption (NO in S13), the acquired image data is output as it is (S20). In this case, for example, based on the read image data, the printing unit 15 prints and outputs the data.

Next, a case where the encrypted confidential document 41 is decrypted will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when the confidential document 41 is decrypted using the multifunction machine 11. Referring to FIG. 8, the image data acquisition unit 31 acquires image data (S21). In this case, the user sets the printed matter 46 of the encrypted image data shown in FIG. 7 to the ADF 22 and reads it. The image data acquisition unit 31 acquires an alphanumeric sequence image 47 of the printed matter 46 read by the image reading unit 14 as image data. Here, when the encrypted image data is output as an electronic file, it is performed together with a print request to the computer. In this case, when the multi-function device 11 receives the data of the alphanumeric enumerated image 47 transmitted from the computer, the image data acquisition unit 31 acquires the image data.

  Next, the image data determination unit 32 determines whether the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit 31 is encrypted image data (S22). Specifically, the image data determination unit 32 determines whether the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit 31 is obtained by encrypting the character string of the alphanumeric sequence image 47 in the image data by OCR or the like. Judge whether or not. For example, based on whether or not an identification symbol or a character indicating encrypted image data is included in a plurality of predetermined positions in the alphanumeric sequence image 47 acquired by the image data acquisition unit 31, It is determined whether the image data is encrypted image data.

  If the image data determination unit 32 determines that the data is the encrypted image data (YES in S22), the decryption key input accepting unit 33 displays a screen for accepting the input of the decryption key on the display screen 21 and encrypts it. An input of a decryption key for decrypting image data is accepted (S23).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the display screen 21 when receiving an input of a decryption key. Referring to FIG. 9, display screen 21 includes a message 51 b “Please input decryption key”, a character 52 b “decryption key”, and an empty box next to character 52 b. A decryption key input unit 53b for inputting a decryption key and “cancel” are displayed, and a cancel key 54b for returning to the previous screen upon detection of pressing is displayed. The user inputs a decryption key composed of alphanumeric characters “1a2b” used for the above encryption. That is, in this case, the encryption key and the decryption key are the same. The decryption key input accepting unit 33 accepts an input of the decryption key by detecting an input to the decryption key to the decryption key input unit 53b.

  Thereafter, the decryption key correct / incorrect determination unit 34 determines whether or not the decryption key received by the decryption key input reception unit 33 is correct (S24). Since the encryption key is stored in the multi-function device hard disk 16, it is determined using this.

  If the decryption key correct / incorrect determination unit 34 determines that the decryption key is correct (YES in S24), the decryption unit 35 decrypts the encrypted image data into the original image data (S25). Then, the image data output control unit 36 controls to output the image data decoded by the decoding unit 35 (S26). In this case, the image of the confidential document 41 shown in FIG. 4 is printed.

  On the other hand, if the decryption key correct / incorrect determination unit 34 does not determine that the decryption key is correct (NO in S24), image data in which alphanumeric characters are enumerated is output (S27). In this case, specifically, for example, a printed matter 46 on which an alphanumeric sequence image 47 shown in FIG. 7 is printed is output. That is, the image data output control unit 36 controls to output image data different from the image data if the decryption key correctness determination unit 34 does not determine that the decryption key is correct.

If the image data determination unit 32 does not determine that the image data is encrypted image data in S22 (NO in S22), the image data is output as it is (S28). Here, the alphanumeric enumerated image 4 of the printed material 46 shown in FIG. 7, which is an image read by the image reading unit 14.
7 is printed as it is. In addition, when image data is acquired using a multifunction device other than the related multifunction device and it is impossible to determine whether the acquired image data is encrypted image data (NO in S22), an alphanumeric list is displayed. The image 47 is printed as it is.

  According to the MFP 11 having such a configuration, it is extremely difficult to determine whether or not the encrypted output image is encrypted. The encrypted image can be decrypted only by the encrypted multifunction machine 11. Then, the decryption key set at the time of encryption must be input. Therefore, such a multifunction machine 11 can increase security in encryption.

  In this case, since the encryption unit 28 encrypts the image data based on the information of the unique identification symbol assigned to each multifunction device 11, the encryption processing can be more reliably performed for each multifunction device 11. it can.

  In this case, since the encryption key and the decryption key are the same, the decryption can be performed more easily for the user who performed the encryption.

  In this case, since the related multifunction peripheral is the same as the multifunction peripheral 11 that has output the encrypted image data by the encryption unit 28, the security can be further increased.

  In the above embodiment, the pattern for outputting the encrypted printed matter in the multifunction machine 11, that is, the case of performing so-called hard copy has been described. Next, the encrypted electronic file is transmitted and output. A pattern, that is, a case where so-called soft copy is performed will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the external appearance of a multifunction peripheral and a computer connected via the network 23 when an image processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction peripheral. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the multifunction machine 11 and the computer shown in FIG. 10 and 11, the configuration of the multifunction device 11 is the same, and thus the description of the configuration of the multifunction device 11 is omitted.

  With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, a computer 61 is connected to the network 23. A display 62, a keyboard 63, and a mouse 64 are connected to the computer 61. Information and data from the computer 61 are displayed on the display 62. Further, the user inputs data to the computer 61 using the keyboard 63 and the mouse 64.

  The computer 61 includes a computer control unit 65, a computer network interface unit 66 for connecting to the network 23, and a computer hard disk 67 as a storage unit. The computer control unit 65 controls the entire computer 61.

Next, the flow of encryption processing in so-called soft copy will be described. Referring to FIG. 5 again, the user transmits an electronic file of image data to be encrypted to the multi-function device 11 via the network 23. Then, the image data input receiving unit 26 receives input of image data (S11, S12). Then, the encryption key input receiving unit 27 displays a screen for receiving the input of the encryption key on the display 62 via the network 23 and the computer 61. In this case, for example, a screen similar to the display screen 21 shown in FIG. The user inputs an encryption key using the keyboard 63 and the mouse 64. The input encryption key is transmitted to the multifunction machine 11 via the computer 61 and the network 23. In this way, the encryption key input receiving unit 27 receives the input of the encryption key (YES in S13, S14, and S15). Then, the encryption unit 28 associates the encryption key received by the encryption key input reception unit 27 with the information of the multifunction machine 11 and encrypts the image data (S16). When there is a print request, the encrypted image data output control unit 29 prints and outputs the encrypted image data (YES in S17, S18). If there is no print request, the encrypted image data is output as an electronic file (NO in S17, S19). Such an electronic file of encrypted image data can be transmitted as an attached file of an e-mail to another computer, for example.

  In this case, even if the electronic mail is intercepted, the encrypted image is displayed when the electronic file of the encrypted image data is opened. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of display on the display 62 when the encrypted image data is opened as it is. Referring to FIG. 12, the display 62 displays an encrypted alphanumeric enumerated image 69 of the encrypted electronic file 68. Even if such an alphanumeric list image 69 is displayed, the contents of the confidential document 41 cannot be grasped at all.

  Next, the flow of decryption processing using the multifunction machine 11 will be described. Referring to FIG. 8 again, the computer 61 transmits the image data to the multifunction machine 11. Then, the image data acquisition unit 31 acquires image data (S21). Then, the image data determination unit 32 determines whether the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit 31 is encrypted image data (S22).

  If the image data determination unit 32 determines that the data is the encrypted image data (YES in S22), the decryption key input accepting unit 33 displays a screen for accepting the input of the decryption key on the display 62 to display the encrypted image. An input of a decryption key for decrypting data is accepted (S23). In this case, for example, a screen similar to the display screen 21 shown in FIG. The user inputs a decryption key using the keyboard 63 and the mouse 64. The inputted decryption key is transmitted to the multifunction machine 11 side via the computer 61 and the network 23. In this way, the decryption key input accepting unit 33 accepts an input of the decryption key.

  Thereafter, the decryption key correct / incorrect determination unit 34 determines whether or not the decryption key received by the decryption key input reception unit 33 is correct (S24). If the decryption key correct / incorrect determination unit 34 determines that the decryption key is correct (YES in S24), the decryption unit 35 decrypts the encrypted image data into the original image data (S25). The image data output control unit 36 controls to output the image data decoded by the decoding unit 35 (S26). If there is a print request, the image of the confidential document 41 shown in FIG. 4 is printed. If there is no print request, the image data is output as an electronic file.

  On the other hand, if the decryption key correct / incorrect determination unit 34 does not determine that the decryption key is correct (NO in S25), image data in which alphanumeric characters are enumerated is output (S27). Here, when printing is requested, for example, a printed matter 46 shown in FIG. 7 is printed. If there is no print request, image data in which alphanumeric characters are listed is output as an electronic file.

If the image data determining unit does not determine that the image data is encrypted image data in S22 (NO in S22), the image data is output as it is. That is, it is printed as the alphanumeric enumerated image 47 of the printed matter 46 shown in FIG. 7 which is the image read by the image reading unit 14 (S28). When there is no print request, the image data in which alphanumeric characters are arranged is output as an electronic file.

  Thus, even with the above-described configuration, security in encryption can be increased.

  In the above embodiment, the encryption key and the decryption key are the same. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the encryption key and the decryption key may be different. By doing so, the security level can be further increased. The encryption key or decryption key includes up to 5 alphanumeric characters, but is not limited thereto, and may include other characters than alphanumeric characters, or may include 6 or more characters. Absent.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the encryption unit 28 encrypts the image data based on the unique identification symbol assigned to each multifunction device 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this. 28 may perform encryption using, for example, a MAC (Media Access Control Address) address assigned to each MFP 11.

  In the above embodiment, the related multifunction device may be a multifunction device of the same manufacturer as the multifunction device 11 that has output the encrypted image data by the encryption unit 28. By doing so, even if there is no multifunction machine 11 near the user who wants to decode, a decoded image can be obtained using a multifunction machine of the same manufacturer. In this case, as a multifunction device of the same manufacturer, it may be determined whether or not they are the same manufacturer by including a sequence of symbols, alphanumeric characters, and unique alphanumeric characters common to unique identification symbols. In addition, the unique identification symbol may be expressed in the first line or the first stage, the last line, or the last stage in the sequence of unique alphanumeric characters. By doing so, it is possible for a user who knows the unique identification symbol to easily determine whether or not the image data is encrypted. In addition, it is possible to determine whether the input decryption key is correct by sharing the encryption key stored in the MFP hard disk 16 of the MFP 11 that has been encrypted via the network 23 or the like. Alternatively, since the encrypted enciphering key information is included in the alphanumeric enumerated image 47, the cipher key may not be stored in the multi-function device hard disk 16 in the multi-function device 11, or may be another product of the same manufacturer. Even when a multifunction machine is used, the multifunction machine 11 can determine whether the input decryption key is correct.

  In the alphanumeric sequence image 47 shown in FIG. 7, the image data determination unit 32 determines whether the image data is encrypted image data by setting a flag indicating that the image data is encrypted. It may be represented by some alphanumeric characters constituting the numeric enumeration image 47. That is, for example, in the case of what number of characters in what line is a predetermined predetermined alphabetic character or number, this alphanumeric sequence image 47 is not simply image data in which alphanumeric characters are enumerated but encrypted. It is good also as a structure which can grasp | ascertain that it is the image data performed. This also makes it possible to easily grasp from the alphanumeric sequence image 47 whether or not the image data is encrypted.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when printing by the multifunction machine 11 is not performed, the printing unit 15 may be omitted. When image data is not acquired by image reading, the image data acquiring unit 31 may be configured not to include the image reading unit 14.

In the above embodiment, the encryption unit 28 may encrypt the encrypted image data so that the encrypted data is attached with an identification symbol that can be recognized by a specific person or user. . For example, specific characters, numbers, and symbols are added to the upper right and lower right of the image. In this way, a user who recognizes that an identification symbol is attached can see the encrypted image data by seeing the encrypted image data. In this case, since the malicious third party does not recognize that such an identification symbol has a meaning, it is impossible to grasp that the image data is encrypted from the identification symbol.

  It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive in any aspect. The scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention is particularly effectively used when high security in encryption is required.

  11 MFP, 12 MFP control unit, 13 operation unit, 14 image reading unit, 15 printing unit, 16 MFP hard disk, 17 MFP network interface unit, 18 main memory, 21 display screen, 22 ADF, 23 network, 26 Image data input acceptance unit, 27 Encryption key input acceptance unit, 28 Encryption unit, 29 Encrypted image data output control unit, 31 Image data acquisition unit, 32 Image data determination unit, 33 Decryption key input acceptance unit, 34 Decryption key Correct / incorrect determination unit, 35 Decryption unit, 36 Image data output control unit, 41 Confidential document, 42, 52a, 52b Character, 43a, 43b Sentence, 46 Printed matter, 47 Alphanumeric sequence image, 51a, 51b Message, 53a Encryption key input Part, 53b Decryption key input part, 54a, 54b Ruki, 61 computer, 62 a display, 63 a keyboard, 64 mouse, 65 a computer control unit, 66 a computer network interface, 67 a computer hard disk, 68 electronic files 69 images.

Claims (8)

An image processing apparatus for processing image data,
An image data input receiving unit for receiving input of image data;
An encryption key input receiving unit for receiving an input of an encryption key when encrypting the image data received by the image data input receiving unit;
An encryption unit that encrypts image data by associating the encryption key received by the encryption key input receiving unit and information of a related image processing device related to the image processing device;
An encrypted image data output control unit for controlling to output encrypted image data encrypted by the encryption unit;
An image data acquisition unit for acquiring image data;
An image data determination unit that determines whether the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit is the encrypted image data;
If the image data determination unit determines that the image data is the encrypted image data, a decryption key input reception unit that receives an input of a decryption key when decrypting the encrypted image data;
A decryption key correct / incorrect determination unit for determining whether or not the decryption key received by the decryption key input receiving unit is correct;
If the decryption key correctness determination unit determines that the decryption key is correct, a decryption unit that decrypts the encrypted image data into original image data;
An image processing apparatus comprising: an image data output control unit that controls to output the image data decoded by the decoding unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data output control unit controls to output image data different from the image data when the decryption key correctness determination unit does not determine that the decryption key is correct. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the encryption key and the decryption key are the same. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the encryption unit encrypts the image data based on information of a unique identification symbol assigned to each of the image processing apparatuses. . The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the related image processing apparatus is the same as the image processing apparatus that outputs the encrypted image data by the encryption unit. 5. The related image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the related image processing device is an image processing device of the same manufacturer as the image processing device that outputs the encrypted image data by the encryption unit. Image processing device. A printing unit for printing on paper based on the image data;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data output control unit controls the printing unit to print and output the decoded image data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data acquisition unit includes an image reading unit that acquires an image data by reading an image of a document.

Images