JP2018176492A - Image processing device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a file to be set in a display mode and in a non-display mode according to confidentiality of the file, so as to improve the confidentiality of the file.SOLUTION: In an image forming device 10, a main control part 41 makes a display part 32 display a list of files memorized in a memorizing part 38, which when acquiring predetermined letters or a string of letters showing confidentiality from the files, determines the file, from which the letters or the string of letters are obtained, as a confidential file and therefore does not make the display part 32 to display the confidential file on the list, and after preset first operation is performed to a touch panel 35, makes the display part 32 display the confidential file on the list.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus, and to a technology for managing stored files.

  In the image forming apparatus, a plurality of files are stored in the storage unit, a list of the respective files is displayed on the display unit, and an arbitrary file is selected among the files indicated by the list by the user. Some perform file content display, printing, or transmission. In Patent Document 1, attribute information defining the handling of image data is associated with a box (storage area) storing image data, and control based on the attribute information improves the confidentiality retention of image data. Technology is described.

JP, 2006-72604, A

  In the image forming apparatus described above, when displaying a list of files on the display unit, display of confidential files having high confidentiality is not limited. In the technique described in Patent Document 1, although the display restriction of the content of the confidential file is possible, the fact that the confidential file is stored is displayed, and thus there is a problem that the existence of the confidential file can not be concealed. there were.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to easily set display and non-display of a file according to the secrecy of the file and to further enhance the secrecy of the file.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus includes a display unit, an operation unit operated by a user, a storage unit for storing a file, and the file stored in the storage unit. When a detected character or character string is detected, and a password for the file is input by an operation of the operation unit, and an instruction to hide the file is input, the input password Is stored in association with the file as a condition for executing the process of opening the file, and the file is not displayed as a confidential file on the display unit and stored in the storage unit. And a control unit configured to create a list of the files being displayed and to display the list on the display unit.

  An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes the above-described image processing apparatus, and an image forming unit that forms an image indicated by the file on a recording medium.

  According to the present invention, display and non-display of a file can be easily set according to the confidentiality of the file, and the confidentiality of the file can be further enhanced.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of an image forming apparatus of the present embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence for setting the display or non-display of the file in the list of files, and a password suitably. It is a figure which shows an example of the data table in which the data which concern on the file was written. It is a figure which shows the pop-up screen for password setting displayed on the display part. It is a figure which shows the pop-up screen for confirming the unset of the password displayed on the display part. It is a flowchart which shows the process which makes the file memorize | stored in a memory | storage part display or hide in a file list based on the data which concerns on the file preserve | saved at the data table, and the process which opens the said file. It is a flowchart which shows the process following FIG. 7A. It is a flowchart which shows the other process following FIG. 7A. It is a flowchart which shows another process following FIG. 7A. It is a figure which shows the initial screen displayed on the display part. It is a figure which illustrates the list of the file with which the information with file list display presence is matched. It is a figure which illustrates the list of the file with which the information of no file list display is matched. It is a figure which shows the pop-up screen for password input displayed on the display part. It is a figure which shows the pop-up screen for confirming deletion of the password displayed on the display part. It is a figure which shows the pop-up screen for confirming transmission of the password displayed on the display part. It is a flowchart which shows the process which makes the file memorize | stored in the memory | storage part display or hide in a file list based on the data which concerns on the file preserve | saved at the data table. It is a figure which illustrates the list of the file with which file list display nothing and confidentiality are matched, and in which the password is set. It is a figure which illustrates the list of the file in which file list display nothing and confidentiality are matched, and in which the password is not set.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment includes an image reading unit 11 and an image forming unit 12. Note that the image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention does not include the image forming unit 12, and in addition to at least the display unit 32 and the operation unit 34 (touch panel 35) in the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10. A main control unit 41, a display control unit 42, and a communication control unit 43 described later are provided.

  The image reading unit 11 includes a scanner that optically reads a document, and generates image data indicating an image of the document.

  The image forming unit 12 prints an image indicated by the image data generated by the image reading unit 11 on a recording sheet, and the image forming unit 3M for magenta, the image forming unit 3C for cyan, the image for yellow A forming unit 3Y and an image forming unit 3Bk for black are provided. In any of the image forming units 3M, 3C, 3Y, and 3Bk, the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is uniformly charged, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is exposed to expose electrostatic latent images on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4. The electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is developed into a toner image, and the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 5. Thereby, a color toner image (image) is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5. The color toner image is secondarily transferred onto the recording sheet P conveyed from the sheet feeding cassette 7 through the conveyance path 8 in the nip area N between the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the secondary transfer roller 6.

  Thereafter, the recording sheet P is heated and pressed by the fixing device 15, the toner image on the recording sheet P is fixed by thermocompression bonding, and the recording sheet P is discharged to the discharge tray 17 through the discharge roller pair 16.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the main configuration of the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a control unit 31, a display unit 32, an operation unit 34, a touch panel 35, a network communication unit 36, a facsimile communication unit 37, a storage unit 38, an image reading unit 11, and an image forming unit It has 12 and so on. These components are capable of transmitting and receiving data or signals through the bus.

  The display unit 32 is configured of a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, or the like.

  The operation unit 34 has, for example, a menu key for calling a menu displayed on the screen of the display unit 32, an arrow key for moving focus in a GUI constituting the menu, a decision key for performing a confirmation operation on the GUI constituting the menu It has a start key and so on.

  A touch panel 35 is superimposed on the screen of the display unit 32. The touch panel 35 is a touch panel of so-called resistance film type or capacitance type, and detects touch (touch) of the user's finger or the like on the touch panel 35 together with the touch position. Enter user instructions. Therefore, the touch panel 35 plays a role as an operation unit to which a user operation on the screen of the display unit 32 is input.

  A network communication unit (NW communication unit in FIG. 2) transmits and receives various data to and from other terminal devices (not shown) through the network N. A facsimile communication unit (a FAX communication unit in FIG. 2) 37 transmits and receives image data to and from another image forming apparatus, a facsimile machine (not shown) or the like through the network N.

  The storage unit 38 includes a RAM, a large capacity HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and the like, and stores various data and programs.

  The control unit 31 includes a processor, a random access memory (RAM), and a read only memory (ROM). The processor is a central processing unit (CPU), an MPU, an ASIC, or the like. The control unit 31 functions as a main control unit 41, a display control unit 42, and a communication control unit 43 by executing the program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 38 in the processor. Note that each of the above-described configurations of the control unit 31 may be configured by hardware circuits regardless of the operation based on the program. Further, the main control unit 41, the display control unit 42, and the communication control unit 43 correspond to the "control unit" in the claims.

  The main control unit 41 is in charge of overall operation control of the image forming apparatus 10. The main control unit 41 also has a known OCR function (an example of a character recognition function in the claims) that analyzes an image indicated by image data and recognizes characters included in the image. An application program and data for this OCR function are stored in the storage unit 38.

  The display control unit 42 controls the display unit 32 to display the above-described GUI or various information.

  The communication control unit 43 has a function of controlling the communication operation of the network communication unit 36 and the facsimile communication unit 37.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 having such a configuration, the storage unit 38 stores a plurality of files which are print target data including image data, text data, and the like. These files are image data indicating an image of a document read by the image reading unit 11, image data received by the facsimile communication unit 37, or document data created by an application such as a word processor or spreadsheet software. .

  The main control unit 41 detects a preset character or character string indicating confidentiality which is included in the file of image data stored in the storage unit 38 by the above-described OCR function. Further, the main control unit 41 detects a preset character or character string indicating confidentiality by using a known character search function for a file consisting of document data stored in the storage unit 38.

  Here, the main control unit 41 receives an instruction to display a list of files based on an operation of the touch panel 35 by the user. When instructed to display a list of files, the main control unit 41 generates a list of files based on each file stored in the storage unit 38. The display control unit 42 causes the display unit 32 to display the list of the files, for example, by an icon image indicating each file. Then, the user performs touch operation on the touch panel 35 to designate an icon image indicating an arbitrary file in the file list on the screen of the display unit 32, instructs processing on the arbitrary file, and the main control of the instruction When accepted by the unit 41, the main control unit 41 reads the arbitrary file from the storage unit 38, and executes the designated process for the arbitrary file. For example, when the instruction is a print instruction, the main control unit 41 activates the image forming unit 12 to record an image or text indicated by data of the arbitrary file on a recording sheet. Alternatively, if the instruction is a transmission instruction, the main control unit 41 activates the facsimile communication unit 37 through the communication control unit 43 to transmit the file to the communication partner indicated by the instruction.

  Among the files stored in the storage unit 38, there is a file with high confidentiality, and in the list of files displayed on the display unit 32, the file with high confidentiality (classified file) is displayed by an icon image or the like. When displayed on the display unit 32, the existence of the confidential file is known to anyone, which is not preferable for the protection of the confidential file.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the user can easily set the list display and non-display of each file in the file list to enhance the confidentiality of the file. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 stores the password input from the user in association with the confidential file, and prohibits the process of displaying the content of the confidential file, printing, and transmission unless the password is input again. Note that the process of displaying the content of the confidential file, printing, and transmission described here is an example of the "file opening process" in the claims.

  Next, a process procedure for displaying or hiding a file in the file list and setting a password will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, at the time of file generation, the main control unit 41 writes various information on the file in the data table DT, an example of which is shown in FIG. The main control unit 41 uses the data table DT as file information, file creation date / time, file name, presence / absence of file confidentiality, presence / absence of file list display (whether displayed in file list) as various information about the file. , And memorize the password. The data table DT is stored in the storage unit 38.

  When a file is generated and stored in the storage unit 38 of the image forming apparatus 10, the user sets a document in the image reading unit 11, and operates the operation unit 34 to input a document reading instruction. When the main control unit 41 receives an instruction for reading the document, the main control unit 41 activates the image reading unit 11 in response to the instruction. The image reading unit 11 reads an image of a document and generates image data indicating the image of the document. The main control unit 41 generates a file composed of the image data, and stores the file in the storage unit 38 (S101). Alternatively, when image data is received by the facsimile communication unit 37, the main control unit 41 generates a file composed of the image data and stores the file in the storage unit 38 (S101). Alternatively, when the image data or the document data is received from another PC by the communication control unit 43 through the network communication unit 36, the main control unit 41 generates a file including the image data or the document data, and The file is stored in the storage unit 38 (S101).

  At this time, the main control unit 41 writes the file number (the identification number unique to the file) and the creation date of the file in the data table DT in the storage unit 38 as data related to the file.

  In addition, for each file stored in the storage unit 38, the main control unit 41 sets the file name input by the operation of the operation unit 34 or the touch panel 35 by the user to the data table DT in the storage unit 38 for the file. It writes as a part of various information (S102).

  Alternatively, since the data indicating the transmission source is added to the data received by the facsimile communication unit 37 or the communication control unit 43, the main control unit 41 includes the data indicating the transmission source from the image data. The file name is set as the file name of the file, and the file name is written in the data table DT in the storage unit 38 as part of various information on the file (S102).

  Alternatively, if the file name is not input by the user, the main control unit 41 automatically generates the file name based on the file creation date and the like, and this file name becomes an object in the data table DT in the storage unit 38. It writes as a part of the various information about a file (S102).

  Subsequently, the main control unit 41 analyzes the data content indicated by the file, and determines whether or not the data constituting the file includes a preset character or character string indicating confidentiality (S103). . Alternatively, the main control unit 41 may determine whether or not the file name of the file includes a character or character string indicating the security (S103). For example, the letter or character string indicating confidentiality is "secret", "secret", or "confidential". The main control unit 41 performs the above determination by character search when the file is document data having text data, and performs OCR processing when the file is image data such as jpeg or PDF. The above determination is made from.

  When main control unit 41 determines that a character or character string indicating confidentiality is included (YES in S103), the file is regarded as a confidential file, and information indicating presence of confidentiality is stored in data table DT in storage unit 38. , As part of various information on the file (S104).

  In addition, it is also possible for the user to input designation of whether or not to make the file confidential by operating the operation unit 34 and the touch panel 35. For example, when the designation to make the file confidential is input (YES in S103), the main control unit 41 regards the file as a confidential file, and writes information having confidentiality to the data table DT in the storage unit 38 (FIG. S104).

  In S103, when the main control unit 41 determines that the data forming the file does not include a preset character or character string indicating confidentiality (NO in S103), the file is not regarded as a confidential file. The information indicating the absence of confidentiality and the presence of display in the file list is displayed in the data table DT in the storage unit 38 as a part of various information about the file, assuming that the file is displayed as an icon image in the file list. Write (S105). After this, the process ends.

  Alternatively, when the main control unit 41 designates that the file is not classified as confidential by the operation of the operation unit 34 and the touch panel 35 by the user (NO in S103), the main control unit 41 does not set the file as the classified file and Information indicating absence of confidentiality and presence of file list display is written in the data table DT in the storage unit 38 as a part of various information on the file, as what is displayed as an icon image in the list (S105).

  As described above, after the main control unit 41 writes the information with confidentiality regarding the file to the data table DT in S104, the display control unit 42 displays the pop-up screen PU1 as shown in FIG. 5 on the display unit 32. (S106). A password box 51, a confirmation password box 52, a cancel key 53, and an OK key 54 are displayed on the pop-up screen PU1.

Here, without the user performing an operation of inputting a password in the password box 51 and the confirmation password box 52 (“not set” in S107), the touch operation on the cancel key 53 is performed through the touch panel 35 through the touch panel 35. When accepted by the main control unit 41 (“cancel” in S108), the main control unit 41 deletes the file from the storage unit 38 (S115).
After this, the process ends.

  In addition, the user does not input the password in the password box 51 and the confirmation password box 52 (S107 “not set”), the touch operation on the OK key 54 is performed through the touch panel 35, and the touch operation is performed. When accepted by the main control unit 41 via the touch panel 35 ("OK" in S108), the display control unit 42 causes the display unit 32 to display a pop-up screen PU2 as shown in FIG. 6 (S110). On the pop-up screen PU2, a message for confirming that the password is not set, a Yes key 55, and a No key 56 are displayed.

  Here, for example, when the user performs a touch operation on the Yes key 55, the display control unit 42 receives a touch operation on the Yes key 55 through the touch panel 35 (YES in S111) and erases the pop-up screen PU2. Then, the main control unit 41 accepts an instruction to set no password and to not display the icon image of the file in the file list, and information indicating no file list display is displayed in the data table DT with respect to the file. It writes as a part of various information (S112). After this, the process ends.

  When the user touches the No key 56 in S111 and the display control unit 42 receives the touch operation of the No key 56 through the touch panel 35 (NO in S111), the display control unit 42 displays the pop-up screen PU2. to erase. Thereafter, the process returns to S106, and the display control unit 42 causes the display unit 32 to display the pop-up screen PU1 again (S106), and subsequently, the process after S107 is performed.

  Further, in S107, the user inputs the same password into the password box 51 and the confirmation password box 52, performs touch operation on the OK key 54 ("set" in S107), and the OK by the user through the touch panel 35. When main control unit 41 receives a touch operation on key 54 ("OK" in S113), main control unit 41 receives an instruction to set a password and an instruction not to display the icon image of the file in the file list. In addition to the password, information indicating that the file list is not displayed is written in the data table DT as a part of various information on the file (S114). After this, the process ends.

  When the main control unit 41 receives a touch operation on the cancel key 53 by the user in S113 (“cancel” in S113), the main control unit 41 instructs to set a password and display an icon image in the file list. The instruction to be performed is accepted, and in addition to the password, information indicating presence of file list display is written in the data table DT as a part of various information on the file (S116). After this, the process ends.

  As described above, at the time of file generation, the file creation date, file name, presence or absence of file confidentiality, presence or absence of file list display (display of icon image indicating file), and password are appropriately set, and the storage unit 38 Stored in the internal data table DT. As a result, for a normal file that is not confidential, the password is not set and is not considered to be a confidential file, and it is set to display the file. In addition, for a confidential file, after setting or non-setting of the password is selected, it is set that display indicating the file is not performed.

  Next, a process of displaying or non-displaying the file stored in the storage unit 38 in the file list and the process of opening the file will be described based on the data related to the file stored in the data table DT. 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D are flowcharts showing the process.

  First, the display control unit 42 causes the display unit 32 of the image forming apparatus 10 to display, as an initial screen, a plurality of touch keys 61a to 61h and the like associated with the respective functions as shown in FIG. At this time, when the user performs touch operation on the touch key 61 h corresponding to the list of files, the main control unit 41 receives an instruction to display the list of files stored in the storage unit 38 through the touch panel 35.

  Subsequently, the main control unit 41 refers to the data table DT in the storage unit 38 to search for files associated with the information with file list display, and an icon image showing each file detected by this search Is created, and the icon image is used to create a display screen showing a list of files associated with the file list display information (S201). The display control unit 42 causes the display unit 32 to display the file list (S202). As a result, the user visually identifies the file list displayed on the display unit 32 to identify each file associated with the information with the file list display, that is, a file that is not a confidential file, and a confidential file. Even in this case, it is possible to check the file list consisting of the files that are indicated as having the file list display.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of a list of files associated with information with file list display. As shown in FIG. 9, the display unit 32 displays, as the file list, a display screen indicating the icon FA of each file associated with the information with the file list display. On the display screen, a menu key 71, a secret key 72, a preview key 73, and a print key 74 are displayed. Although in FIG. 9 the information on presence / absence of confidentiality and the presence / absence of file list display are shown in the icon image FA for ease of explanation, each icon image is actually displayed on the display section 32. The information is not displayed on the FA.

  Here, in a state where the file list shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display unit 32, when the user performs a first operation or a second operation set in advance, the display control unit 42 displays information indicating no file list display. Is displayed on the display unit 32. FIG.

  When the user wants the display unit 32 to display a list of files associated with the information without the file list display, for example, the user simultaneously touches two places on the screen of the display unit 32 with a finger, The touch operation is continued for a prescribed time (for example, 2 seconds) or more (this operation is an operation for receiving an instruction to display a list of confidential files that are not displayed in the list on the display unit 32. This is taken as a first operation. ).

  When the main control unit 41 receives the simultaneous touch operation for the above two places through the touch panel 35 and determines that the touch operation has continued for the prescribed time or more (YES in S203), the data table DT in the storage unit 38 Reference is made to search for and detect files associated with the information without the file list display, create an icon image showing each detected file, and display an image showing a list of the detected files. Create (S204). The display control unit 42 causes the display unit 32 to display an image indicating a list of the files (S205). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S218 shown in FIG. 7C or S226 shown in FIG. 7D (each process after the shift will be described later). Thereby, the user can confirm each file which is a file stored in the storage unit 38 and in which the icon image is not displayed on the display unit 32 by default.

  FIG. 10 shows an example in which a list of files associated with the information without the file list is displayed. As shown in FIG. 10, under the control of the display control unit 42, an icon FA, which is an icon image indicating a file associated with the information with the file list display, as the file list on the display screen of the display unit 32. In addition to the above, icons FB and FC indicating files associated with the information without displaying the file list are further displayed. Further, on the display screen, a menu key 71, a secret key 72, a preview key 73, and a print key 74 are displayed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, first, when the user performs touch operation on the touch key 61 h corresponding to the list of files in the initial screen displayed on the display unit 32, the display unit 32 displays as shown in FIG. 9. A list of files that are associated with the presence of a certain display is displayed.

  Then, when the user simultaneously performs touch operation on two places on the display screen on the display screen of the display unit 32 shown in FIG. 9 and continues the touch operation for a prescribed time or more (first operation), As shown in FIG. 10, a list of files associated with the information without displaying the file list is displayed.

  Here, various processes for each file displayed on the display unit 32 will be described.

  In a state where a list of files associated with the presence of display as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display unit 32 (for example, S202 in FIG. 7A), the user can select an icon FA of any file in the list. Is selected, and the touch operation is performed on the print key 74, the main control unit 41 receives the touch operation on the icon FA of the arbitrary file and the print key 74 through the touch panel 35 (S209), An instruction to execute print processing for the file indicated by the icon FA subjected to the touch operation is received (S210 “print”). The main control unit 41 reads the data of the file corresponding to the touch operated icon FA from the storage unit 38, and causes the image forming unit 12 to record the image or text indicated by the read data on the recording paper ( S211).

  In addition, when the user selects an icon FA of an arbitrary file in the list shown in FIG. 9 and performs touch operation, and then performs a touch operation on the preview key 73, the main control unit 41 causes the touch panel 35 to Each touch operation on the FA and the preview key 73 is sequentially received (S209), and an instruction to execute a preview process on the file indicated by the icon FA subjected to the touch operation is received (S210 "preview"). Then, the display control unit 42 reads, from the storage unit 38, data of a file corresponding to the touch-operated icon FA. The display control unit 42 causes the display unit 32 to preview the image or text indicated by the read data (S212).

  At this time, the display control unit 42 causes the display unit 32 to display an image indicating a close key together with the image and the text. When the user performs touch operation on the close key, the main control unit 41 receives touch operation on the close key through the touch panel 35 (YES in S213). Then, the display control unit 42 stops the preview display displayed on the display unit 32 (S214). After this, the process returns to S209.

  Further, the user selects the icon FA of the file considered to be non-confidential in the list shown in FIG. 9 and performs touch operation (S209), and then performs touch operation on the secret key 72, and the main control unit 41 When each touch operation on an icon FA of an arbitrary file and the confidential key 72 is sequentially received through the touch panel 35 (S210 “secrecy”), the main control unit 41 makes the arbitrary file subjected to the touch operation be a confidential file And the information indicating the presence of confidentiality is written in the data table DT in the storage unit 38 as part of various information on the file (S215). Subsequently, the display control unit 42 causes the display unit 32 to display the pop-up screen PU1 (FIG. 5) in the same manner as the process of S106 described with reference to FIG. 3. Thereafter, the same processing as S106 to S115 shown in FIG. 3 is performed, and the presence or absence of the file list display and the password are appropriately written in the data table DT in the storage unit 38 (S216). Thereafter, the processing shifts to the processing from S201 shown in FIG. 7A.

  When the user touches the menu key 71 without selecting a file, the display control unit 42 receives the touch operation through the touch panel 35, and a list of files displayed at this time (FIG. 9). An instruction to stop the display and display the initial screen (FIG. 8) is received (S210 "menu"). Then, the display control unit 42 stops the display of the file list (FIG. 9) and causes the display unit 32 to display the initial screen (FIG. 8) (S217).

  The various processes for each file displayed on the display unit 32 will be described continuously. As shown in FIG. 10, when the list of files to which the information without file list display is associated is displayed on the display unit 32 based on the operation by the user, the user is in the file list. When the icon FC indicating an arbitrary secret file for which the password is not set is selected and touched (S218), and then the print key 74 is touched, the main control unit 41 controls the icon FC of the arbitrary file through the touch panel 35 and Each touch operation on the print key 74 is accepted (S219 “print”). The main control unit 41 reads the data of the confidential file corresponding to the touch-operated icon FC from the storage unit 38, and causes the image forming unit 12 to record the image or text indicated by the read data on the recording sheet (S220).

  In addition, when the user selects an icon FC of an arbitrary secret file for which password is not set in the list shown in FIG. 10 and performs touch operation (S218) and then performs touch operation on the preview key 73, the main control unit 41 The control unit 41 receives the touch operation on the icon FC of an arbitrary file and the preview key 73 through the touch panel 35 (S 219 “preview key”). The main control unit 41 reads the data of the confidential file corresponding to the touch-operated icon FC from the storage unit 38. The display control unit 42 causes the display unit 32 to display an image or text indicated by the read data (S221). At this time, the display control unit 42 also causes the display unit 32 to display an image indicating the close key. Then, when the user performs a touch operation on the image indicating the close key, and the display control unit 42 receives the touch operation through the touch panel 35 (YES in S222), the display control unit 42 is displayed on the display unit 32. The display of the displayed image or text is stopped (S223), and the file list shown in FIG. After this, the process returns to S218.

  Further, when the user selects an icon FC of an arbitrary secret file for which password is not set in the list shown in FIG. 10 and performs touch operation (S218), and then performs touch operation on the secret key 72, the main control unit 41 receives the touch operation (S219 "secrecy"), and the display control unit 42 causes the display unit 32 to display the pop-up screen PU1 (FIG. 5) in the same manner as the process of S106 described with reference to FIG. . Thereafter, the same processing as S106 to S115 shown in FIG. 3 is performed, and the presence or absence of the file list display and the password are appropriately written in the data table DT in the storage unit 38 (S216). Thereafter, the processing shifts to the processing from S201 shown in FIG. 7A.

  When the user touches the menu key 71 shown in FIG. 10 without selecting a file, the display control unit 42 receives the touch operation through the touch panel 35 and displays a list of files displayed at this time ( An instruction to delete the screen shown in FIG. 10 and display the initial screen (FIG. 8) is received (S219 "menu"). Then, the display control unit 42 deletes the list of files (FIG. 10) and causes the display unit 32 to display the initial screen (FIG. 8) (S225).

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, when the list of files associated with the information without displaying the file list is displayed on the display unit 32, the user sets the password in the list. When the user selects an icon FB of an arbitrary confidential file and performs touch operation (S226), and then performs touch operation on the print key 74, the display control unit 42 receives the touch operation through the touch panel 35 (S227 "print") . The display control unit 42 causes the display unit 32 to display the pop-up screen PU3 as shown in FIG. 11 (S228). A password box 75, a cancel key 76, and an OK key 77 are displayed on the pop-up screen PU3.

  Here, when the user operates the operation unit 34 to input a password in the password box 75 and touch the OK key 77, the main control unit 41 receives the touch operation through the touch panel 35, and the touch operation is performed in S226. The password of the confidential file corresponding to the icon FB selected by is read out from the data table DT in the storage unit 38, and it is determined whether the read password matches the password input in the password box 75 (S229) .

  When the main control unit 41 determines that the two passwords match (YES in S229), the data of the confidential file corresponding to the touch operated icon FB is read out from the storage unit 38, and the image forming unit 12 An image or text indicated by the read data is recorded on a recording sheet (S230). When the user touches the cancel key 76, the display control unit 42 stops displaying the pop-up screen PU3 displayed on the display unit 32, and causes the display unit 32 to display a list of files shown in FIG.

  In addition, the display control unit is also selected when the user selects an icon FB of an arbitrary confidential file for which the password in the list illustrated in FIG. 10 is set and performs a touch operation (S226) and subsequently performs a touch operation on the preview key 73. 42 receives the touch operation (S227 “preview”), and causes the display unit 32 to display a pop-up screen PU3 as shown in FIG. 11 (S231).

  Then, when the user operates the operation unit 34 to input a password in the password box 75 and touch the OK key 77, the main control unit 41 selects a confidential file corresponding to the icon FB touched in S226. The password is read from the data table DT in the storage unit 38, and it is determined whether the read password matches the password input in the password box 75 (S232).

  When the main control unit 41 determines that the two passwords match (YES in S232), the main control unit 41 reads data of a confidential file corresponding to the touch operated icon FB from the storage unit 38. The display control unit 42 causes the display unit 32 to display (preview display) the content of the image or text indicated by the read data (S233). At this time, the display control unit 42 also causes the display unit 32 to display an image indicating the close key. Then, when the user performs a touch operation on the image indicating the close key and the display control unit 42 receives the touch operation through the touch panel 35 (YES in S234), the display control unit 42 is displayed on the display unit 32. The display of the displayed image or text is stopped (S235), and the file list shown in FIG. After this, the process returns to S226.

  Also, when the user selects an icon FB of an arbitrary confidential file for which a password is set in the list shown in FIG. 10 and performs a touch operation, and subsequently performs a touch operation on the confidential key 72, the main control unit 41 The touch control is received (S227 “secrecy”), and the display control unit 42 causes the display unit 32 to display the pop-up screen PU3 illustrated in FIG. 11 (S238).

  Here, when the user operates the operation unit 34 to input a password in the password box 75 and touch the OK key 77, the main control unit 41 selects a confidential file corresponding to the icon FB touched in S226. The password is read from the data table DT in the storage unit 38, and it is determined whether the read password matches the password input in the password box 75 (S237).

  If the main control unit 41 determines that the two passwords match (YES in S237), the display control unit 42 causes the display unit 32 to display a pop-up screen PU4 as shown in FIG. 12 (S238). On the pop-up screen PU4, a message for confirming deletion of the password, a Yes key 81, and a No key 82 are displayed.

  For example, when the user performs a touch operation on the Yes key 81, the display control unit 42 receives a touch operation on the Yes key 81 through the touch panel 35 (YES in S239) and stops the display of the pop-up screen PU4. Deletes the password of the confidential file corresponding to the icon FB touch-operated in S226 from the data table DT in the storage unit 38, changes the information indicating the presence of confidentiality without confidentiality, and the data table DT Information on no file list display corresponding to the confidential file is changed to file list display on (S240). After this, the process returns to the process from S201 shown in FIG. 7A. As a result, the file indicated by the icon FB of the file touched in S226 is managed as a file that is not a confidential file.

  When the user touches the No key 82 while displaying the pop-up screen PU4, the display control unit 42 accepts the touch operation of the No key 82 through the touch panel 35 (NO in S239) and erases the pop-up screen PU4. The main control unit 41 maintains the password of the confidential file corresponding to the icon FB touched in S226 without deleting it from the data table DT in the storage unit 38, and associates the password with the confidential file in the data table DT. The stored information is changed from no file list display to file list display (S241). Therefore, by the touch operation on the No key 82, the main control unit 41 receives the maintenance of the password of the confidential file and the instruction to list the confidential file. Thereafter, the process returns to the process from S201 of FIG. 7A. Also in this case, the file indicated by the icon FB of the file touched in S226 is managed as a file that is not a confidential file.

  When the user touches the menu key 71 while displaying the file list shown in FIG. 10 (S227 “Menu”), the display control unit 42 stops the display of the confidential file list shown in FIG. The display unit 32 displays the initial screen shown in FIG.

  If the password entered in the password box 75 of the pop-up screen PU3 does not match the password of the confidential file read from the data table DT in the storage unit 38, the user enters the password in the password box 75. Enter again. The main control unit 41 confirms again whether the re-written password matches the password of the confidential file read from the data table DT. If the entered password does not match the password of the confidential file read from the data table DT even if the password is entered a predetermined number of times in the password box 75, the main control unit 41 determines the predetermined time In the meantime, the pop-up screen PU3 is not erased and displayed, and password input is prohibited.

  Then, the display control unit 42 causes the display unit 32 to display a pop-up screen PU5 as shown in FIG. On the pop-up screen PU5, a message indicating that the password is to be transmitted by e-mail, a Yes key 83, and a No key 84 are displayed. For example, when the user touches the Yes key 83, the main control unit 41 receives the touch operation of the Yes key 83 through the touch panel 35, erases the pop-up screen PU5, and creates an e-mail of a predetermined destination. The password is written in the e-mail, and the communication control unit 43 sends the e-mail to the predetermined destination. When the e-mail is received and displayed by the terminal device having the predetermined destination, the user can confirm the e-mail password.

  In addition, as a first operation for displaying a list of files for which no display and confidentiality are associated and the password is not set, touch operation is performed on two places on the screen of the display unit 32 for a prescribed time or more. Although the operation of is illustrated, other operations may be applied as the first operation. As the first operation, an operation of performing touch operation at three places for a prescribed time or more may be applied.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, the process of displaying or non-displaying the files stored in the storage unit 38 in the file list has been described using FIG. 7A, but each file is displayed or non-displayed in the file list The process is not limited to this, and may be as shown in FIG. 14, for example. In the description with reference to FIG. 14, the same processing as the processing shown in FIG. 7A will not be described.

  At the time of display of the file list shown in FIG. 9, the main control unit 41 accepts simultaneous touch operations for the above two places through the touch panel 35, and determines that this touch operation has continued for a prescribed time or more (S303 YES), referring to the data table DT in the storage unit 38, searching for and detecting a file to which information with no file list display is associated and in which a password is set is detected An icon image showing each file is created, and an image showing a list of the detected files is created (S304). The display control unit 42 causes the display unit 32 to display an image indicating a list of the files (S305).

  FIG. 15 shows an example in which a list of files for which information without display of file list is associated and in which a password is set is displayed. As shown in FIG. 15, under the control of the display control unit 42, the display screen of the display unit 32 is an icon image showing an icon image indicating a file associated with the information with the file list display as the file list. In addition, the icon FB, which is an icon image of the file to which the information without the file list display is associated and the password is set, is further displayed.

  Further, in the case where the condition that the touch operation in S303 continues for a prescribed time or more is not satisfied (NO in S303), the main control unit 41 operates the ten keys (see FIG. 8) of the operation unit 34 by the user. When it is verified that, for example, four-digit alphanumeric characters for predetermined icon display have been input (YES in S306), information on no file list display is correlated with reference to the data table DT. These files are searched and detected for files for which the password is not set, and an icon image indicating the detected files is created. The main control unit 41 uses the icon images to create a list of the detected files (S307). The display control unit 42 causes the display unit 32 to display the image of the file list (S308).

  FIG. 16 shows an example in which a list of files not associated with the file list display is displayed and files for which passwords are not set are displayed. As shown in FIG. 16, the display screen of the display unit 32 includes, as a list of files, information indicating no file list display in addition to the icon FA indicating an icon image indicating files associated with the information with the file list display. Is a file that is associated with the file, and an icon FC that is an icon image of a file for which the password is not set is displayed.

  Note that after the file list shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 is displayed, processing for opening each file based on the touch operation on the icon images FB and FC of each file shown in the file list (processing for printing, preview, confidential) 7C and 7D are performed in the same manner as the above processing for each file.

  The configurations and processes of the above-described embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16 are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations and processes.

10 image forming apparatus 11 image reading unit 12 image forming unit 31 control unit 32 display unit 34 operation unit 35 touch panel 36 network communication unit 37 facsimile communication unit 38 storage unit 41 main control unit 42 display control unit 43 communication control unit

Claims (7)

A display unit,
An operation unit operated by the user;
A storage unit for storing files,
When a preset character or character string indicating confidentiality is detected from the file stored in the storage unit, a password for the file is input by the operation of the operation unit, and the file is When a non-display instruction is input, the input password is stored in association with the file as a condition for executing re-input of the password as a condition for opening the file, and the file is set as the confidential file. An image processing apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to create a list of the files stored in the storage unit and display the list on the display unit after the list is not displayed on the display unit.   The control unit is configured to detect a preset character or character string indicating confidentiality from the file, and the operation unit is operated to hide the file without inputting a password for the file. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the file is not displayed in a list as the confidential file on the display unit without performing the process of associating the password when an instruction to enter is input.   The control unit is configured to receive, when a first operation set in advance is received, the instruction for causing the display unit to display the non-displayed confidential files in a list with respect to the operation unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the confidential files that are not displayed are listed.   The control unit executes processing for opening the confidential file when the password is input by the operation of the operation unit with respect to the displayed confidential file, and opens the confidential file when the password is not input. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the process is not performed.   The control unit cancels the association of the password for the confidential file when an instruction to cancel the association of the password is instructed by the operation of the operation unit for the confidential file displayed in the list. Or the image processing apparatus of Claim 4.   The control unit has a character recognition function that recognizes characters or a character string included in the file, and acquires the character or the character string indicating the security from the characters or the character string recognized by the character recognition function. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
An image forming unit configured to form an image indicated by the file on a recording medium.

Images