JP4148860B2 - Image transmission device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image transmission apparatus that includes a protection unit that performs data protection according to a protection level and that protects image data and transmits image data.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a facsimile apparatus that transmits read image data to an external apparatus via a communication path such as a telephone line network, or an image transmission apparatus such as a multifunction machine that operates as a facsimile and a printer has been used. Recently, various types of documents have been digitized, and data sharing using a communication network has been progressing. For example, a multifunction device and a computer are connected to a communication network. In order to more smoothly transfer data between the multifunction device and the computer, the correspondence of the multifunction device to e-mail or Internet FAX is also progressing.

  When digitization of various documents and sharing of digitized data progress, there is a risk of data leakage due to unauthorized use or unauthorized access by a third party. In addition, since electronic data of various documents can be transferred easily and quickly, there is a risk that important data is erroneously transferred to the outside. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a security function for protecting important data and preventing leakage.

As the security function, for example, a password (password) is used to authenticate the user. For example, by permitting the use of the multifunction device only when the user ID and password registered in advance in the multifunction device match the user ID and password entered by the user into the multifunction device, Use is prevented (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-29461 JP-A-4-157968

  Unauthorized use by a third party can be prevented by performing user authentication using a password. However, even a legitimate user may make an error such as an error in the image to be transmitted or an error in the transmission destination, and there is no effective solution for data leakage due to a user error. It is.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image transmission apparatus that prevents data leakage due to a user error such as an error in an image to be transmitted or an error in a transmission destination.

An image transmission apparatus according to the present invention includes a protection unit that performs data protection according to a protection level, and in the image transmission apparatus that transmits image data according to a transmission procedure, the image data transmission procedure is changed according to the protection level. A changing unit configured to stop transmission of the image data when a transmission stop instruction is received during transmission of the image data, and the changing unit is configured to display the image when the protection level is lower than a predetermined level. The transmission procedure is changed so as to include a procedure for accepting confirmation of transmission suspension before the data transmission is halted, and when the protection level is higher than a predetermined level, the transmission procedure not including the procedure for accepting confirmation of transmission suspension. the wherein the Citea Rukoto to change.

  In the image transmitting apparatus according to the present invention, the protection means performs data protection on the image data being transmitted, and the changing means is a procedure for transmitting image data according to the protection level of the image data being transmitted. It is comprised so that it may change.

  In the image transmission apparatus according to the present invention, the protection means performs data protection according to a protection level based on the information of the image data to which information on the protection level is added, and the change means adds the image data to the image data. The image data transmission procedure is changed according to the protection level based on the added information.

  In the image transmission apparatus according to the present invention, the protection means performs user authentication relating to transmission of image data and data protection according to a protection level corresponding to a user authentication result, and the change means includes user authentication. The image data transmission procedure is changed according to the protection level corresponding to the result.

  In the image transmission device according to the present invention, when the protection level is higher than a predetermined level, the changing unit changes the transmission procedure so as to include a procedure of accepting confirmation of transmission execution before starting transmission of image data, When the protection level is lower than a predetermined level, the transmission procedure is changed so as not to include the procedure for accepting the confirmation of transmission execution.

  In the present invention, the image data transmission procedure is changed by the changing means according to the protection level. For example, when the protection level is high, the transmission procedure is increased compared to when the protection level is low. By increasing the transmission procedure, the time until the start of image data transmission is delayed.

  In the present invention, when the protection level is higher than the predetermined level, the transmission procedure is changed by the changing means so as to include a procedure of accepting confirmation of transmission execution before starting transmission of image data. When the protection level is lower than the predetermined level, the transmission procedure is changed by the changing means so as not to include the procedure for accepting the confirmation of transmission execution. When the protection level is low, the image data is transmitted without confirmation. However, when the protection level is high, the image data is transmitted after confirmation is completed.

  In the present invention, when the protection level is lower than the predetermined level, the transmission procedure is changed by the changing means so as to include a procedure of accepting confirmation of the transmission stop before stopping the transmission of the image data. Further, when the protection level is higher than the predetermined level, the transmission procedure is changed by the changing means so as not to include the procedure for accepting the confirmation of the transmission suspension. When the protection level is low, the transmission of the image data is stopped after the confirmation is completed, but when the protection level is high, the transmission of the image data is stopped without performing the confirmation.

In the present invention, depending on the protection level of the image data being transmitted, to change the transmission procedure of the image data change unit. For example, when transmitting encrypted image data, thereby increasing the transmission procedure.

In the present invention, depending on the level of protection based on the information added to the image data, to change the transmission procedure of the image data change means. For example, confidentiality of the image data is high, if the information indicating that there is a high confidentiality is added to the image data, thereby increasing the transmission procedure.

In the present invention, depending on the protection level corresponding to the user authentication result, changes the transmission procedure of the image data change means. For example, if the handling of confidential information to the user is permitted, thereby increasing the transmission procedure.

  In the present invention, the setting of the delay time of the transmission timing is accepted by the accepting means, and when the protection level is higher than a predetermined level, the transmission timing is delayed by the accepted delay time by the changing means.

  According to the present invention, by changing the transmission procedure or transmission timing of image data by the changing means according to the protection level, for example, when the protection level is high, the transmission procedure is increased or the transmission timing is delayed, and the protection level is Compared to the low case, the time until the start of transmission of image data can be lengthened. Since the time until the start of transmission becomes longer, there is a higher possibility that a transmission stop instruction due to a user error such as an error in the image to be transmitted or an error in the transmission destination can be made before transmission of the image data, and data leakage due to a user error Can be prevented.

  According to the present invention, when the protection level is high, the transmission execution is confirmed, and when the protection level is low, the transmission procedure is changed by the changing means so that the transmission execution is not confirmed. Since transmission contents are confirmed before transmission, it is possible to prevent data leakage due to a user error such as an error in an image to be transmitted or an error in a transmission destination.

  According to the present invention, when the protection level is low, the transmission stop is confirmed, and when the protection level is high, the transmission procedure is changed by the changing means so that the transmission suspension is not confirmed. Can skip the confirmation and stop sending immediately. When the transmission stop is instructed by recognizing an error in the image to be transmitted or an error in the transmission destination, the transmission is immediately stopped in a state where the protection level is high, so that data leakage due to a user error can be prevented.

According to the present invention, the protection level of the image data during transmission, protection level based on the information added to the image data, or, depending on the protection level corresponding to the user authentication result, transmission procedure of the flexibly image data it is possible to change the.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a communication network having an image transmission apparatus according to the present invention. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the communication network includes, for example, an internal network N1 constructed in the company and an external network N2 constructed outside the company. Connected to the internal network N1 are a digital multifunction peripheral (image transmission device) 1, a color digital multifunction peripheral 2, and a plurality of personal computers (hereinafter referred to as personal computers) 32. In the example of FIG. 1, a printer 36, an Internet fax machine (hereinafter referred to as iFAX machine) 34, and a personal computer 32 are connected to the external network N2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 includes an image reading unit 2 having a CCD 2a, an input unit 4a such as an input key and an operation unit 4 having a display unit 4b such as a liquid crystal display panel, and a memory 6a for storing image data. And an image forming unit 6 having a printing unit 6b for forming an image on recording paper, a communication unit 10 for controlling communication with the internal network N1, a modem 11 connected to the telephone line network N3, and image data stored in the memory 6a. A hard disk 12, a management unit 14 for storing a control program and various settings, and a control unit 8 for controlling each component in the apparatus in accordance with the control program are provided, and each component 2, 4, 6, 10, 11, 12 is provided. , 14 are connected to the control unit 8. In the present embodiment, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 can operate as a copier, a printer, a network scanner, and a facsimile.

  When the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is used as a copying machine, the original set on the image reading unit 2 is electronically read under the control of the control unit 8, and the read image data is stored in the memory 6 a and then stored in the hard disk 12. To do. If there are a plurality of documents, the same processing is repeated. Thereafter, when the print mode is instructed from the operation unit 4 under the control of the control unit 8, the image data stored in the hard disk 12 is sequentially read out at an appropriate timing and sent to the memory 6a according to the instruction, and printed. Image data is sent from the memory 6a to the printing unit 6b in accordance with the printing timing of the unit 6b. When printing a plurality of image data, the image data is repeatedly sent to the printing unit 6b by the number of output copies.

  When the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is used as a printer, the communication unit 10 receives image data transmitted from the personal computer 32 connected to the internal network N1, and the image data received by the communication unit 10 is controlled by the control unit 8. , Sent to the memory 6a, stored in units of pages, and then stored in the hard disk 12. Thereafter, under the control of the control unit 8, the image data stored in the hard disk 12 is sent to the memory 6a, and is sent to the printing unit 6b in the same manner as in the case of using the copying machine described above.

  When the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is used as a network scanner, the control unit 8 controls to electronically read a document set on the image reading unit 2, store image data of the read document in the memory 6a, and then store the hard disk 12 in the memory 6a. To remember. Thereafter, the image data stored in the hard disk 12 is transmitted to the memory 6 a under the control of the control unit 8, and transmitted from the communication unit 10 to the transmission destination received by the operation unit 4. As the transmission destination of the image data, the personal computer 32 in the internal network N1, the personal computer 32 in the external network N2, the iFAX machine 34, or the printer 36 can be designated. It is also possible to designate a FAX number as a transmission destination and transmit image data from the modem 11 to an external FAX machine 38 via the telephone line network N3.

  In the above description, the hard disk 12 is described as an example of a storage device that stores image data. However, the storage device is not limited to the hard disk, and can store image data even if it is removed from the apparatus main body. Other storage devices using a nonvolatile memory, a memory with a backup function, or a magnetic storage medium can be used.

  Each component of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is controlled by the control unit 8 and receives an operation instruction from the input unit 4a such as a touch panel or an input key, and executes processing according to the accepted operation instruction, or the digital multi-function peripheral 1 It is possible to notify the user of necessary information by displaying information on the operation state of the display on the display unit 4b. Further, the management unit 14 stores information related to the operation state or operation setting of each component, and the control unit 8 controls the operation of the entire digital multi-function peripheral 1 based on the information.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the operation unit 4. The operation unit 4 includes an input unit 4a and a display unit 4b. In the example of FIG. 2, the display unit 4b is configured by a dot matrix type liquid crystal panel, and displays necessary information to the user. A transparent touch panel is provided on the screen of the liquid crystal panel, and various instructions can be input by operating the touch panel in accordance with information displayed on the liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal panel has an input unit 4a. Act as part of The input unit 4a includes a key group disposed adjacent to the liquid crystal panel. In the example of FIG. 2, there are a start key 16 for instructing the start of copying, a full release key 17 for interrupting processing being executed, a clear key 18 for clearing input contents, a FAX number or the number of copies. A numeric keypad 22 for instructing, mode switching keys 23a, 23b, 23c for switching modes, a user setting key 24, and the like are provided.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the mode switching key 23a is assigned to the printer, the mode switching key 23b is assigned to fax or image transmission, and the mode switching key 23b is assigned to copy. For example, when the mode switching key 23b is pressed, the control unit 8 Under the control, a FAX transmission screen, an Internet FAX transmission screen, or an e-mail (E-MAIL) / FTP (File Transfer Protocol) transmission screen is displayed, and a transmission setting or a transmission instruction is accepted.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a FAX transmission screen, FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an Internet FAX transmission screen, and FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an E-MAIL / FTP transmission screen. Each transmission screen has a setting button such as “density”, a display button for a destination list such as “address book”, and various setting buttons such as a “mode switching” button. When the “mode switching” button is operated, each transmission screen is switched under the control of the control unit 8.

  Hereinafter, an example of typical settings will be described using the E-MAIL / FTP transmission screen illustrated in FIG. 5 as an example. 6 to 13 are diagrams illustrating examples of setting screens. FIG. 6 shows an image density setting screen, which is displayed when the “density” button on the E-MAIL / FTP transmission screen is operated. FIG. 7 is an image resolution setting screen which is displayed when the “resolution” button on the E-MAIL / FTP transmission screen is operated. FIG. 8 shows a transmission data format setting screen, which is displayed when the “format” button on the E-MAIL / FTP transmission screen is operated.

  FIG. 9 shows a setting screen for the orientation or size of the document, which is displayed when the “document” button on the E-MAIL / FTP transmission screen is operated. FIG. 10 is a setting screen for the transmission size of the setting screen shown in FIG. 9, and is displayed when the button below “Transmission size” of the setting screen shown in FIG. 9 is operated. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the transmission size is set to “A3”.

  FIG. 12 is a transmission destination selection screen, which is displayed when the “address book” button on the E-MAIL / FTP transmission screen is operated. It is possible to accept selection of a transmission destination from the transmission destination list shown in FIG. FIG. 13 shows a transmission destination input screen, which is displayed when the “address input” button on the E-MAIL / FTP transmission screen is operated. It is possible to accept a destination mail address or the like from the input button shown in FIG. Data such as the various screens and the address book described above are stored in the management unit 14, for example. Each setting screen, display switching of each setting screen, operation acceptance, and the like can be performed in the same manner as in the past under the control of the control unit 8.

  The control program stored in the management unit 14 includes a security program, and the control unit (protection means) 8 executes control related to security (data protection) according to the security program. On / off of the security function or each security function can be received by the operation unit 4, and the setting of on / off of the security function or each security function is stored in the management unit 14 by the control unit 8.

  In this description, the control unit 8 encrypts image data and transmits the encrypted image data. The control unit 8 operates as means (change means) for changing the image data transmission procedure according to the protection level. As described above, the image data being transmitted is encrypted (data protection), and the control unit 8 changes the image data transmission procedure according to the protection level of the image data being transmitted.

  When the protection level is higher than the predetermined level, the control unit 8 increases the transmission procedure. For example, if setting A for not encrypting image data, setting B for encrypting and storing image data, and setting C for encrypting and storing image data and transmitting encrypted image data are possible. When A is the lowest protection level, setting C is the highest protection level, and setting B or C, it is possible to increase the number of transmission procedures. For example, when the protection level is high (for example, setting B or C), the control unit 8 changes the transmission procedure to include a procedure for accepting confirmation of transmission before starting transmission of image data, and the protection level is low. In the case of (for example, setting A), the transmission procedure is changed so as not to include the procedure for accepting the confirmation of transmission execution. Alternatively, the transmission procedure can be changed in accordance with encryption on / off. In this description, the transmission procedure is changed in accordance with encryption on / off.

  The digital multi-function peripheral 1 is configured to cancel transmission of image data when a transmission stop instruction is received from the operation unit 4 during transmission of image data. The control unit 8 changes the transmission procedure (transmission cancellation procedure) according to the protection level. For example, when the protection level is low (for example, the setting A), the control unit 8 changes the transmission procedure to include a procedure for accepting confirmation of transmission stop before stopping transmission of image data, and the protection level is high (for example, In the case of the setting B or C), the transmission procedure is changed so as not to include the procedure for accepting the confirmation of the transmission suspension. Alternatively, it is possible to change the transmission procedure (transmission stop procedure) in accordance with on / off of encryption. In this description, the transmission procedure (transmission stop procedure) is changed according to encryption on / off.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for reading and transmitting image data. In this description, E-MAIL / FTP transmission will be described as an example. The user operates the mode switching key 23 b of the operation unit 4 or the “mode switching” button on the setting screen to display the E-MAIL / FTP transmission screen shown in FIG. 5 and set the document in the reading unit 2.

  The reading unit 2 has a document sensor, and sends a document setting signal to the control unit 8 when a document is set. When the document is not set (S10: NO), the control unit 8 displays a document setting instruction on the operation unit 4 (S12). The reading unit 2 has a document size sensor, and sends a size detection signal to the control unit 8 when a document is set. When the document is set (S10: YES), the control unit 8 detects the document size (S14).

  Thereafter, the operation unit 4 receives the setting of the transmission destination (S16). For example, when “address book” on the transmission screen shown in FIG. 5 is selected, information related to the address book is read from the management unit 14 by the control unit 8, and for example, the selection screen shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the operation unit 4. Is done. When the operation unit 4 accepts a transmission destination selection from the user, the accepted transmission destination selection information is sent to the control unit 8. Alternatively, when “address input” on the transmission screen shown in FIG. 5 is selected, for example, the input screen shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the operation unit 4 by the control unit 8. When the operation unit 4 receives an input of a transmission destination from the user, the input information of the received transmission destination is sent to the control unit 8. The selection or input of the transmission destination can be performed in the same manner as in the past.

  After setting the transmission destination (S16), before the operation unit 4 receives a transmission instruction such as the start key 16 (S18: NO), various settings such as the document size or the transmission size may be received by the operation unit 4 (S20). Is possible. For example, settings such as “density”, “resolution”, “format”, and “document” on the transmission screen shown in FIG. 5 can be received on the setting screen shown in FIGS. Various settings such as the document size or the transmission size can be performed in the same manner as in the past.

  When the operation unit 4 accepts a transmission instruction such as the start key 16 (S18: YES), feeding of one document is started under the control of the control unit 8 (S22), and the document size provided in the middle of feeding The size of the document is reconfirmed by the sensor (S24), and the image reading unit 2 reads the document (S26). The read image data is stored in the memory 6a under the control of the control unit 8, and when the size needs to be changed (S28: YES), necessary processing such as scaling processing (S30) is performed, and the transmission data (image Data) is stored in the hard disk 12 (S32).

  When there is another document (S34: NO), the above-described document feeding, reading, and storage are repeated under the control of the control unit 8. When all the originals have been read (S34: YES), the transmission data stored in the hard disk 12 is transmitted to the accepted transmission destination under the control of the control unit 8.

  When the encryption is off (S36: NO), the control unit 8 immediately transmits the transmission data (normal transmission) as in the conventional case (S44). On the other hand, when the encryption is on (S36: YES), the control unit 8 displays a transmission confirmation message stored in the management unit 14 on the operation unit 4 (S38). FIG. 15A shows an example of a confirmation message display screen. In the example of FIG. 15A, the transmission destination and the number of transmissions are displayed. A transmission instruction is accepted with the “OK” button, and a transmission cancellation instruction is accepted with the “cancel” button. When receiving a transmission instruction from the operation unit 4 (S40: YES), the control unit 8 transmits transmission data (delayed transmission) (S42). When a transmission cancel instruction is accepted from the operation unit 4 (S40: NO), the control unit 8 stops transmission of transmission data.

  When encryption is off, transmission starts immediately after transmission data is ready for transmission, as in the past, but when encryption is on, transmission data is not ready for transmission unlike in the past. When transmission is completed and transmission execution is confirmed, transmission is started. For example, when the user notices that the transmission destination of the image data is wrong, there is a high possibility that the transmission has already been performed. However, in the present invention, if the encryption is on, the content of the transmission is confirmed. Therefore, transmission is not started when the mistake in the transmission destination is noticed, and data leakage due to a mistake can be prevented. Is possible.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for stopping transmission of image data. In a state where transmission is not completed (S50: NO), for example, when a stop instruction is received by the all release key 17 or the like of the operation unit 4 (S52: YES), transmission stop processing is performed under the control of the control unit 8. . When the encryption is off (S54: NO), the control unit 8 displays a transmission cancellation confirmation message stored in the management unit 14 on the operation unit 4 (S56). FIG. 15B is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation message display screen. In the example of FIG. 15B, the transmission destination and the number of transmissions are displayed. The “OK” button accepts a transmission stop instruction, and the “Cancel” button accepts the transmission instruction. When the control unit 8 receives a cancel instruction from the operation unit 4 (S58: YES), the control unit 8 cancels transmission (normally cancels) (S60). When a transmission instruction is accepted from the operation unit 4 (S58: NO), the control unit 8 continues transmission. On the other hand, when the encryption is on (S54: YES), the control unit 8 immediately stops (rapidly stops) the transmission process (S62).

  When the encryption is off, the transmission is stopped after confirmation as in the conventional case. However, when the encryption is on, the transmission is immediately stopped without confirmation, unlike the conventional case. For example, in the case of noticing that the transmission destination of the image data is wrong and instructing to cancel the transmission, there is a possibility that the transmission will be completed while the cancellation confirmation process is being performed conventionally. However, in the present invention, if the encryption process is on, transmission is immediately stopped when an instruction to stop transmission is given.

  Here, the protection level can be defined even when encryption is not performed. For example, transmission is performed based on whether encryption is performed (protection level 1) or not (protection level 0). It is possible to change the procedure. In the above-described embodiment, the transmission procedure is changed based on on / off of encryption of image data being transmitted. However, the transmission procedure is not limited to the encryption, and the transmission procedure is changed based on an arbitrary security function. It is possible.

  For example, it is possible to add information related to the protection level to the image data and perform data protection according to the protection level based on the information added to the image data. Alternatively, the transmission procedure can be changed depending on whether or not data protection is performed according to the protection level based on information added to the image data. The protection level is added to the image data, for example, a two-dimensional code is added to the image data, the two-dimensional code of the image data read by the image reading unit 2 is extracted by the control unit 8, and the extracted two-dimensional code is supported. The transmission procedure can be changed according to the protection level to be performed. The addition of the protection level to the image data is not limited to the two-dimensional code. For example, it is possible to add an IC tag and perform reading with a dedicated reader.

  Further, for example, it is possible to perform user authentication when receiving image data or a transmission instruction, and to perform data protection according to the protection level corresponding to the user authentication result. Alternatively, the transmission procedure can be changed depending on whether or not user authentication is performed. For user authentication, for example, a password or a department code can be received from the operation unit 4. The user authentication is not limited to a password or a department code. For example, fingerprint authentication or IC card authentication can be performed using a dedicated reader.

  In the above-described embodiment, the transmission procedure is changed based on on / off of the security function (data protection). However, the transmission timing can be changed by the control unit (changing unit) 8 instead of the transmission procedure. It is. For example, if setting A for not encrypting image data, setting B for encrypting and storing image data, and setting C for encrypting and storing image data and transmitting encrypted image data are possible. When A has the lowest protection level, setting C has the highest protection level, and the protection level is high (for example, setting B or C), the transmission timing of the image data can be delayed by a predetermined time. Alternatively, the transmission timing can be delayed by a predetermined time when encryption is on.

  The predetermined time is stored in the management unit 14, and the setting of the predetermined time can be received by the operation unit (accepting means) 4. The predetermined time stored in the management unit 14 is updated by the control unit 8 to the predetermined time received by the operation unit 4. The control unit 8 includes clock means, and compares the elapsed time based on the clock means with the predetermined time. For example, the elapsed time from when the preparation for transmission is completed is compared with the predetermined time.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the image data transmission procedure. However, in this description, when encryption is on, the transmission timing is delayed by a predetermined time. The reading of the document is the same as that in FIG. 14 (S10 to S34). When the reading of the document is completed (S34: YES), if the encryption is off (S36: NO), the control unit 8 immediately transmits the transmission data (normal transmission) as in the conventional case (S44). On the other hand, when encryption is on (S36: YES), the control unit 8 transmits transmission data (delayed transmission) after a predetermined time has elapsed (S41: YES) (S42).

  When the encryption is off, transmission is started immediately after preparation for transmission of transmission data is completed, as in the conventional case. On the other hand, when encryption is on, unlike the conventional case, transmission is started after a predetermined time has elapsed since preparation for transmission of transmission data is completed. For example, when the user notices that the transmission destination of the image data is wrong, there is a high possibility that the transmission has already been performed. However, in the present invention, if encryption is on, there is a time until transmission of image data is started, and there is a high possibility that transmission has not yet been performed, and there is a high possibility that transmission can be stopped.

  In the embodiment described above, the transmission timing is changed according to the security function (data protection). However, the transmission timing can be changed according to the transmission destination of the image data. For example, an address including identification information of the group to which the digital multifunction peripheral 1 belongs and identification information in the group is assigned, and transmission of the image data is performed by identifying the identification information of the group to which the transmission destination belongs and the identification information in the group It is possible to carry out based on an address including

  When the group to which the control unit 8 belongs differs from the group to which the image data transmission destination belongs, the control unit 8 changes the transmission timing of the image data. For example, a domain name corresponding to an IP address can be used as group identification information. Alternatively, it is possible to determine whether or not they are in the same group based on whether or not they are extension numbers. When the destination domain name is different from its own domain name, the control unit 8 delays the transmission timing by a predetermined time. Alternatively, when the transmission destination is an external line, the transmission timing is delayed by a predetermined time.

  The own domain name is stored in the management unit 14. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of machine information of the digital multi-function peripheral 1. The machine information is stored in the storage unit 14 and includes information such as the model name, serial number, and address of the digital multi-function peripheral 1. The control unit 8 acquires its own domain name from the machine information address. As the domain name, for example, a company domain name or a domain name for each department in the company can be used.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the image data transmission procedure. However, the reading of the document is the same as in FIG. 14 (S10 to S34). After the reading of the document is completed (S34: YES), the control unit 8 compares the domain between itself and the transmission destination, and when the transmission destination has the same domain name as itself (S37: YES), as in the conventional case. The transmission data is immediately transmitted (normal transmission) (S44). On the other hand, when the transmission destination is a domain name different from itself (S37: NO), the control unit 8 transmits transmission data (delayed transmission) after a predetermined time has elapsed (S41: YES) (S42).

  In the above-described embodiment, the transmission timing is changed based on the domain name of the digital MFP 1 and the destination domain name. However, the transmission timing is changed based on the domain name registered in advance and the destination domain. It is also possible to change. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of domain name registration. For example, when the domain name (group identification information) is stored in advance in the management unit (storage unit) 14 and the group (domain name) to which the transmission destination belongs is not stored in the management unit 14, the control unit 8 Thus, the transmission timing of the image data can be changed.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the digital multi-function peripheral has been described as an example of the image transmission apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited as long as it can transmit data. For example, the image transmission apparatus may not have a copying function or a printer function. Good. In facsimile transmission, transmission of image data that has already been read may be started before reading of all originals is completed. For example, when encryption is on, transmission confirmation is performed before transmission is started. It is possible to change the transmission procedure so that transmission is not performed until the reading of all originals is completed.

It is a block diagram which shows the example of the communication network which has the image transmission apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of an operation part. It is a figure which shows the example of a FAX transmission screen. It is a figure which shows the example of an internet FAX transmission screen. It is a figure which shows the example of an E-MAIL / FTP transmission screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the setting screen of the density of an image. It is a figure which shows the example of the setting screen of the resolution of an image. It is a figure which shows the example of the setting screen of the format of transmission data. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for the orientation or size of a document. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the setting screen of transmission size. It is a figure which shows the example by which the transmission size was set to "A3". It is a figure which shows the example of the selection screen of a transmission destination. It is a figure which shows the example of the input screen of a transmission destination. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the reading and transmission procedure of image data. It is a figure which shows the example of the display screen of a confirmation message. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the transmission stop procedure of image data. It is a flowchart which shows the other example of the transmission procedure of image data. It is a figure which shows the example of the machine information of a digital multi-function peripheral. It is a flowchart which shows the other example of the transmission procedure of image data. It is a figure which shows the example of registration of a domain name.

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital MFP (image transmission device)
2 image reading unit 4 operation unit 6 image forming unit 8 control unit 10 communication unit 11 modem 12 hard disk 14 management unit N1 internal network N2 external network N3 telephone line network

Claims (5)

In an image transmission apparatus that includes a protection unit that performs data protection according to a protection level and transmits image data according to a transmission procedure.
According to the protection level, provided with changing means for changing the transmission procedure of the image data,
When the transmission stop instruction is accepted during the transmission of the image data, it is configured to stop the transmission of the image data,
When the protection level is lower than the predetermined level, the changing unit changes the transmission procedure so as to include a procedure of accepting confirmation of the transmission stop before stopping the transmission of the image data, and the protection level is higher than the predetermined level. An image transmission apparatus, wherein the transmission procedure is changed so as not to include a procedure for accepting the confirmation of the cancellation of transmission. The protection means performs data protection for image data being transmitted,
2. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the changing unit is configured to change a transmission procedure of the image data in accordance with a protection level of the image data being transmitted. The protection means performs data protection according to the protection level based on the information of the image data to which information on the protection level is added,
2. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the changing unit is configured to change a transmission procedure of the image data according to a protection level based on information added to the image data. The protection means performs user authentication related to transmission of image data, and data protection according to a protection level corresponding to a user authentication result,
2. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the changing unit is configured to change a transmission procedure of image data according to a protection level corresponding to a user authentication result.   When the protection level is higher than the predetermined level, the changing unit changes the transmission procedure to include a procedure of accepting confirmation of transmission before starting transmission of image data, and the protection level is lower than the predetermined level. 5. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission procedure is changed so as not to include a procedure for accepting confirmation of the transmission execution.

Images