JP4176068B2 - Image processing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system that manages data to be processed in image processing and processing information related to image processing applied to the data as history information in an image processing apparatus and / or an external apparatus.

  Conventionally, as an image processing apparatus, an image recorded on a sheet is scanned and captured as image data, and an image based on the captured image data is formed on a sheet and output. Multiple functions such as a facsimile function for sending and receiving image data, a transmission function for sending captured image data to an external device, and a printer function for receiving image data sent from an external device and outputting it to paper Digital multifunction devices have been commercialized. In particular, recent digital multi-function peripherals are provided with storage means such as a hard disk for storing image data so that processing of each function can be performed in parallel.

  As a new function of the digital multifunction peripheral as described above, captured image data, data acquired from an external device, etc. are stored in a storage means, and the stored data is recorded on a sheet as necessary. The function of using the digital multi-function peripheral as a server device for image data is realized by making it possible to output it as an image or to send it to an externally connected device such as a personal computer. Yes.

  As an example, Patent Document 1 stores image data captured using a scanner or image data received by facsimile communication, and instructs to output image data by reading out image data as necessary. An image data output control device having an electronic filing function is disclosed. By using such an image processing apparatus, it is possible to reuse image data once used, and the user can smoothly output a document or an image when necessary.

  On the other hand, the image data handled by the image processing device includes confidential image data such as a document describing a trade secret. When the image processing device enables unlimited storage and output of image data, Security problems such as leakage or unauthorized use of information occur. Therefore, Patent Document 2 discloses a copying apparatus that performs personal authentication before use and permits use only by a registered user.

Further, as a security measure for image data stored in the image processing apparatus, Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for encrypting image data and storing it in a storage means. Patent Document 4 discloses a technique for erasing stored image data from storage means when it becomes unnecessary. As described above, the image processing apparatus encrypts the image data, so that it is difficult to illegally use the image data taken out from the image processing apparatus, and the image processing apparatus erases the image data. It becomes impossible to extract image data from the processing apparatus, and the security of the image processing apparatus is improved.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-178041 JP-A-7-28365 JP-A-1-256068 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-223061

  However, in the electronic filing function for storing the image data in the storage unit as described above, the image processing apparatus performs the process of encrypting and storing the image data or the process of deleting the unnecessary image data. Although it is not possible to grasp how each stored image data has been used in the past, even if each image data has been used improperly There is a problem that it cannot be grasped.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide data received for image processing as image processing apparatus and / or history information together with processing information related to the image processing. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system that can be stored in an external device and history information of each data can be managed by the image processing device and / or the external device.

  Another object of the present invention is to compare the history information stored in the image processing apparatus as described above with the history information stored in the external apparatus, thereby illegally editing the history information stored in each apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system capable of detecting unauthorized erasure.

An image processing system according to the present invention includes a data storage unit that stores received data, an instruction reception unit that receives an instruction to execute image processing based on the data, and the data storage unit according to the execution instruction received by the instruction reception unit. In an image processing system including an image processing device having processing means for performing image processing based on stored data and an external device capable of communicating with the image processing device, the image processing device is stored in the data storage means. History storage means for storing, as history information, processing information relating to image processing based on the data for which the instruction receiving means has received an execution instruction; output means for outputting the history information to the external device; Processing for storing the history information in the history storage means, and the history information by the output means for the external device Means for accepting an instruction to perform one or both of the processes to be output; setting means for setting to perform either one or both of the process to be stored and the process to be output according to the received instructions; and the setting means According to the setting by the control means for performing either one or both of the storing process and the outputting process, and the setting means is set to perform only the outputting process, the data storing means Means for erasing data included in the history information output to the external device by the output means when the data is not stored, and the external device outputs the history output from the image processing device. It has an external history storage means for storing information.

According to the present invention, the received data is stored in the data storage means, and when the execution instruction of the image processing based on the data is received, the image processing based on the data stored in the data storage means is performed according to the received execution instruction. The image processing device to perform either one of processing for storing the data and processing information related to image processing based on the data as history information in a history storage unit, and processing for outputting the history information to an external device capable of communication Alternatively, an instruction to perform both is received, and one or both of the storing process and the outputting process is set in accordance with the received instruction. Then, the image processing apparatus performs one or both of the storing process and the outputting process according to the setting. Therefore, it is possible to set whether history information is managed inside the image processing apparatus, history information is managed by an external apparatus, or both history information is managed by an instruction from the user. When the image processing apparatus outputs the history information to an external device, the external device stores the history information in an external history storage unit. Therefore, each data can be managed in the image processing apparatus and / or an external apparatus as history information together with processing information related to image processing based on each data. Further, when only the process of outputting the history information to the external device is performed and the data is not stored in the data storage means , the image processing device deletes the data included in the history information output to the external device from the data storage means. To do.

  In the image processing system according to the present invention, the image processing apparatus includes a plurality of the processing units that respectively perform a plurality of types of image processing, and the history storage unit stores the history information for each image processing performed by each of the processing units. And a means for accepting an instruction to perform one or both of the process of storing the history information and the process of outputting the history information to the external device, and the setting means performs the storage for each image process according to the accepted instruction. It is set as the structure set so that any one or both of the process to perform and the process to output may be performed.

  According to the present invention, for each of a plurality of types of image processing, an instruction to perform one or both of processing for storing history information in the history storage unit and processing for outputting history information to an external device is received and received. In accordance with the instruction, for each image process, one or both of the stored process and the output process is set to be performed, and when set, the set process is executed. Therefore, it is possible to set the type of image processing for managing history information in the image processing apparatus and the type of image processing for managing history information in the external apparatus according to instructions from the user.

In the image processing system according to the present invention, at least one of the image processing apparatus and the external apparatus includes a process in which the control unit of the image processing apparatus stores the history information in the history storage unit and the history information is stored in the external apparatus. When performing both of the processing to output to the external device, when the output unit of the image processing device outputs the history information to the external device, the history storage unit stores it, and transmission to the external device is completed. Comparing means for comparing at least processing information included in each of the history information and at least processing information included in each of the history information stored in the external history storage means, the output means of the image processing apparatus includes the comparison If it is determined that the unit is coincident, characterized in that the front Ki履 history information is arranged to output to the external device.

According to the present invention, when history information is managed by both the image processing device and the external device, the external information in the history information stored in the image processing device when the image processing device outputs the history information to the external device. At least processing information included in the history information that has been transmitted to the device is compared with at least processing information included in the history information stored in the external device. Therefore, whether history information stored in the external device or history information already transmitted by the image processing device to the external device has been illegally edited and deleted is detected based on the processing information in each history information. Is possible. Further, when they match, the image processing apparatus outputs history information that was to be output to the external apparatus to the external apparatus. Therefore, if they match, the history information that has not yet been transmitted to the external device can be transmitted to the external device and managed by the external device.

  In the image processing system according to the present invention, at least one of the image processing apparatus and the external apparatus includes a process in which the control unit of the image processing apparatus stores the history information in the history storage unit and the history information is stored in the external apparatus. In the case of performing both of the processes to be output to, the history storage means stores at least the processing information included in each of the history information that has been transmitted to the external device, and the history stored by the external history storage means Comparing means for comparing at least processing information included in each piece of information, and means for notifying the comparison result by the comparing means to the outside.

  According to the present invention, when history information is managed by both the image processing device and the external device, at least the history information stored in the image processing device is included in the history information that has been transmitted to the external device. The processing information is compared with at least the processing information included in the history information stored in the external device, and the comparison result is notified. Therefore, whether history information stored in the external device or history information already transmitted by the image processing device to the external device has been illegally edited and deleted is detected based on the processing information in each history information. When history information managed by the image processing apparatus and the external apparatus is illegally edited and deleted, the fact can be notified.

  In the image processing system according to the present invention, the image processing apparatus encrypts at least data included in each of the history information using a key storage unit that stores an encryption key and an encryption key stored in the key storage unit. And the output means is configured to output the encrypted history information to the external device, and the history encrypted from the external device in response to a request to the external device. It is characterized by comprising means for acquiring information and means for decrypting the acquired history information using an encryption key stored in the key storage means.

  According to the present invention, when the history information is output to the external device, by encrypting at least data included in the history information, even if the history information managed by the external device is leaked, the history information is converted into the history information. It is possible to prevent unauthorized use of contained data. Further, by acquiring and decrypting the encrypted history information from the external device, it is possible to confirm the history information managed by the external device.

In the present invention, the data received and stored in the data storage means and the processing information related to the image processing based on the data for which the execution instruction has been received are stored in the history storage means as history information and / or can be communicated. By outputting to an external device, each data is managed as history information in the image processing device and / or an external device together with various processing conditions in image processing based on each data and processing information such as the execution date and time of the image processing. Can do. Accordingly, for the image processing performed on each data, for example, the number of sheets on which an image is formed, the number of copies, the formation density, the reduction rate or enlargement rate, the execution date and time, etc. can be managed together with the data to be processed. You can check the information at a later date. In addition, when each data is illegally used, the usage state of each data can be traced based on these information, so that security can be improved. Note that whether or not to perform processing for storing history information in the history storage means and / or processing for outputting history information to an external device can be set according to an instruction from the user. Whether or not history information is managed by the device can be arbitrarily changed by the user.

  In the present invention, for each of a plurality of types of image processing, whether to perform processing for storing history information in the history storage unit and / or processing for outputting history information to an external device can be set by an instruction from the user. Therefore, the type of image processing in which history information is stored in the image processing apparatus and / or in the external apparatus can be arbitrarily changed by the user.

  In the present invention, when the history information is managed by both the image processing apparatus and the external apparatus, the processing information included in the history information that has been transmitted to the external apparatus among the history information stored in the image processing apparatus; Whether the history information stored in the external device or the history information already transmitted by the image processing device to the external device has been illegally edited and deleted by comparing the processing information included in the history information stored in the external device. Whether or not can be detected. Also, in the case of matching, the image processing device matches by outputting history information that has not been transmitted to the external device among the history information stored in the history storage means to the external device The history information that has not been transmitted to the external device can be transmitted to the external device and managed by the external device. Further, when comparing the data itself included in the history information stored in the image processing apparatus with the data itself included in the history information stored in the external apparatus, the history stored in each of the image processing apparatus and the external apparatus is stored. Tampering of data in information can also be detected.

  Further, the external device notifies the outside of the comparison result of comparing the processing information included in the history information stored in the external device with the processing information included in the history information already transmitted by the image processing device to the external device. When the history information stored or the history information stored by the image processing apparatus is illegally edited and deleted, the fact can be notified.

  In the present invention, when outputting history information to an external device, by encrypting at least data included in the history information, even if the history information managed by the external device is leaked, it is included in the history information. Unauthorized use of data can be prevented. Further, by decrypting the encrypted history information from the external device, the history information managed by the external device can be confirmed by the image processing device.

  Hereinafter, an image processing system according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof. Note that an image processing system according to the embodiment described below includes an image processing apparatus that is a multifunction machine in which a copy function, a facsimile communication function, a network communication function, and the like are combined, and a server apparatus as an external device, for example, a LAN (Local It is configured by connecting via a communication network such as an area network.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image processing system according to the present invention. The image processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a control unit 10, a ROM 11, a RAM 12, an NCU (Network Control Unit) 13, a modem 14, an image reading unit 15, an image memory 16, an image forming unit 17, an operation panel 18, and a data processing unit. 19, a communication unit 20, a management unit 21, a data invalidation unit 22, a hard disk device (hereinafter referred to as HDD) 23, and the like, which are connected to each other via a bus 1 a.

  The control unit 10 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) having a timer (not shown), an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), or the like, and controls each of the above-described hardware units connected via the bus 1a. At the same time, the control program stored in advance in the ROM 11 is appropriately read out to the RAM 12 and executed. The ROM 11 stores in advance various control programs, authentication processing programs, and the like necessary for operating the image processing apparatus 1 as an image processing apparatus constituting the image processing system of the present invention. The RAM 12 is configured by SRAM, flash memory, or the like, and temporarily stores data generated when the control unit 10 executes the control program.

  The modem 14 is a fax modem capable of facsimile communication, and is directly connected to the NCU 13. The NCU 13 is connected to the public telephone line network 101, connects the modem 14 to the public telephone line network 101 as necessary, and performs facsimile communication with the external facsimile apparatus 4 via the public telephone line network 101. It operates as a processing means for performing processing.

  The communication unit 20 is an interface for connecting to the communication network 100, receives print jobs from the server device 3 and the computers 2 and 2 connected to the communication network 100, and receives the server device 3, the computer 2, and the like. 2 to send information to be notified. The communication unit 20 operates, for example, as a processing unit that transmits image data read from a document by the image reading unit 15 to the external computers 2 and 2.

  The operation panel 18 includes an operation unit that receives user operation instructions and a display unit that displays information to be notified to the user. The operation unit is provided with various operation buttons for receiving operation instructions from the user. From the user such as setting values for each function such as the number of prints and copy density, switching operation of each function, execution instruction for each process, etc. This is an instruction receiving means for receiving the instruction. The display unit includes a liquid crystal display, and displays the operation status of the image processing apparatus 1, various setting values input through the operation unit, information to be notified to the user, and the like.

  The image reading unit 15 is a scanner device including a light source that irradiates light to a document to be read, an image sensor using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), an A / D converter, and the like, and is set at a predetermined reading position. The image of the original document is formed on the image sensor and converted into an analog electric signal, and the obtained analog electric signal is A / D converted by an A / D converter. The image reading unit 15 corrects the light distribution characteristics of the light source at the time of reading the document, the sensitivity unevenness of the image sensor, and the like on the digital signal obtained by the A / D conversion, thereby obtaining digital image data. Is generated and stored in the image memory 16.

  The image memory 16 is composed of, for example, a DRAM, image data generated by the image reading unit 15 reading an image of a document, image data received from an external facsimile apparatus 4 via the public telephone line network 101, and a communication network The image data acquired by developing the print job received from the external computers 2 and 2 via 100 is temporarily stored. The image data stored in the image memory 16 is transferred to the data processing unit 19 in page units, and after predetermined data processing is performed, the image data is transferred to the HDD 23.

  The data processing unit 19 converts the image data read from the document by the image reading unit 15, the image data received from the external facsimile apparatus 4, the image data acquired by developing the print job received from the external computers 2 and 2, and the like. Means for performing an encryption process is provided, and encrypted data (image data) obtained by performing the encryption process is transferred to the HDD 23 and stored therein. The data processing unit 19 includes means for performing decryption processing on the encrypted data read from the HDD 23 under the control of the control unit 10, and the decrypted image data is transferred to a destination according to the purpose of use. Forwarded to Specifically, when the image data is formed on a sheet, the image data is transferred to the image forming unit 17, and when the image data is transmitted to the computers 2 and 2, the image data is transferred to the communication unit 20 and transmitted by facsimile. If it is, it is transferred to the modem 14. Further, the data processing unit 19 stores an encryption key used for encryption processing and decryption processing, and operates as a key storage unit.

  The image forming unit 17 includes, for example, a charger that charges the photosensitive drum to a predetermined potential, a laser writing device that generates an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum by emitting laser light according to image data, and a photosensitive member. A developer that supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the drum surface to make it visible, a transfer device that transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum onto a sheet such as paper or an OHP film, etc. (Not shown), and operates as processing means for performing processing for forming an image desired by the user on a sheet by electrophotography. Note that the image forming unit 17 is not limited to a configuration in which image formation is performed by an electrophotographic method using a laser writing device, but may be a configuration in which image formation is performed by an inkjet method, a thermal transfer method, or a sublimation method. It is.

  The management unit 21 is composed of, for example, a flash memory, stores information related to the hardware configuring the image processing apparatus 1 and information related to the internal state of the apparatus, and communicates with each hardware when the power is turned on. While acquiring these information, it is comprised so that the content of the managed information may be updated at any time by regularly monitoring the state of the hardware in operation.

  Further, the management unit 21 stores authentication information used for authentication processing appropriately performed during the operation of the image processing apparatus 1. As the authentication information, for example, an authentication number composed of a plurality of digits is stored in the management unit 21 in advance. Therefore, when the authentication data is input from the operation panel 18, the control unit 10 reads out the authentication processing program stored in the ROM 11 to the RAM 12 and executes the authentication processing program and the management unit 21 in advance. It is determined whether or not the stored management information matches, and if it matches, the user is authenticated as a valid user or administrator.

  The HDD 23 is a large-capacity storage device that develops and acquires image data read from the original by the image reading unit 15, image data received from the external facsimile device 4, and print jobs received from the external computers 2 and 2. The image data and the like are stored after being subjected to a predetermined encryption process by the data processing unit 19. Note that the HDD 23 stores the image storage unit 23a, which is a data storage unit that stores the above-described image data for reuse, and history data (history information) related to various types of image processing performed by the image processing apparatus 1. An area that functions as the process management unit 23b, which is a history storage unit, is set.

  The image data stored in the image accumulating unit 23a is transmitted when the image once output needs to be output again due to failure of output or the number of output units or the like, or an instruction from the user, transmitted from the computers 2 and 2 Then, according to the instruction received by the communication unit 20, it can be read and reused as necessary. Accordingly, the image processing apparatus 1 functions as a data file server apparatus. When image data is stored in the image storage unit 23a, convenience by reusing the image data can be improved, but when image data is not stored in the image storage unit 23a, the image storage unit 23a. Therefore, the security of the image processing apparatus 1 can be improved.

  Accordingly, the user or administrator of the image processing apparatus 1 may set whether to store image data in the HDD 23 according to the priority order of improvement in convenience and security in the image processing apparatus 1. The image data stored in the HDD 23 is subjected to a predetermined decoding process by the data processing unit 19 and then transferred to a transfer destination according to the purpose of use.

  On the other hand, when the image processing apparatus 1 receives an image processing execution instruction from the user via the operation panel 18, the processing management unit 23 b receives processing information related to image processing indicated by the received execution instruction, and the image processing The image data to be processed is stored as history data. Specifically, when the image processing apparatus 1 receives a copy processing execution instruction from the user via the operation panel 18, for example, the image reading unit 15 reads a document placed on a predetermined document placement table, and the data The processing unit 19 performs a predetermined encryption process and then temporarily stores it in the image storage unit 23a. Then, the processing information related to the copying process indicated by the received execution instruction and the image data stored in the image storage unit 23a ( (Encrypted data) is stored in the process management unit 23b as one history data.

  When the image processing apparatus 1 receives a facsimile transmission processing execution instruction from the user via the operation panel 18, for example, the image reading unit 15 reads a document placed on a predetermined document placing table, and the data processing unit After performing predetermined encryption processing at 19 and temporarily storing it in the image storage unit 23a, processing information relating to facsimile transmission processing indicated by the received execution instruction and image data stored in the image storage unit 23a are stored. It is stored in the process management unit 23b as one history data.

  The above processing information includes, for example, image processing execution date and time, information related to acquisition processing when image data is acquired, information related to image processing when the acquired image data is output on paper, and acquired image data Includes information related to transmission processing when the message is transmitted to the outside. More specifically, the information related to the acquisition process includes an acquisition path of image data, a facsimile number (telephone number) of the facsimile apparatus 4 that transmitted the image data, or IP addresses of the computers 2 and 2. Information relating to image processing includes the number of sheets, number of copies, density, reduction rate or enlargement rate, and information relating to transmission processing includes the facsimile number of the facsimile apparatus 4 to which image data is transmitted or the computers 2 and 2. IP address, etc.

  When user authentication is required when the user uses the image processing apparatus 1, user information that can be acquired when authentication is performed is included in the processing information and stored in the processing management unit 23b. In this case, since the user who performed the image processing indicated by each history data stored in the process management unit 23b can be grasped, it is possible to reliably identify the criminal when the image data is illegally used. it can.

  In the processing management unit 23b, each history data is organized and stored for each file format of each image data, for each image processing such as copying, facsimile transmission, printer output, etc., or for each folder created by the user. In addition, when the image processing apparatus 1 is operating normally, the control unit 10 restricts access to the process management unit 23b.

  Specifically, when an instruction to read or delete history data stored in the processing management unit 23b is given, the control unit 10 performs authentication, for example, authenticates that the image processing apparatus 1 is a valid administrator. Only when this is done, reading or erasing of history data from the process management unit 23b is permitted. When reading of history data stored in the process management unit 23b is permitted, that is, when the image processing apparatus 1 is operated by a valid administrator, connection is made via the operation panel 18 or the communication network 100. The history data can be displayed and confirmed on the display units of the computers 2 and 2.

  In accordance with an instruction from the control unit 10, the data invalidation unit 22 deletes image data stored in the HDD 23 or overwrites predetermined data so that the image data stored in the HDD 23 cannot be used. Execute the data erase function to be invalidated. Note that even if the data in the HDD 23 is erased, the data may be restored due to the magnetism remaining in the HDD 23. Therefore, it is more difficult to restore the data by overwriting the random data a plurality of times. It is also possible to set as follows.

  With the configuration described above, the image processing apparatus 1 allows the image reading unit 15 to read a document placed by a user on a predetermined document placing table (not shown), and obtains the obtained image data via a public telephone line via the modem 14 and the NCU 13. It functions as a facsimile apparatus that receives image data transmitted to the facsimile apparatus 4 connected to the network 101 and transmitted from the external facsimile apparatus 4 by facsimile communication via the public telephone line network 101.

  The image processing apparatus 1 also functions as a copying apparatus that copies an image based on the obtained image data onto a recording sheet by the image forming unit 17 while the image reading unit 15 reads a document. The image processing apparatus 1 also functions as a network scanner that transmits image data read from the original by the image reading unit 15 from the communication unit 20 to the computers 2 and 2 connected to the communication network 100. Further, the image processing apparatus 1 also functions as a network printer that records an image based on data received from the outside by the communication unit 20 via the communication network 100 on a recording sheet by the image forming unit 17.

  Here, as described above, in the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when the user receives an execution instruction for various image processes as described above by operating the operation panel 18, the received execution instruction indicates. Apart from the process of storing the processing information related to image processing and the image data to be processed in the image processing in the process management unit 23b as history data, the server apparatus 3 connected to the communication network 100 has the same history data. The communication unit (output means) 20 outputs the data to the server device 3 and stores it in the server device 3. The control unit 30 (see FIG. 2) of the server device 3 to which the history data is transmitted from the image processing device 1 acquires the history data transmitted from the image processing device 1 and stores it in the HDD 33 sequentially.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of the server device 3 according to the present embodiment. The server device 3 is connected to the control unit 30, the ROM 31, the RAM 32, the HDD 33, the operation unit 34 including a keyboard and a mouse, the display unit 35 including a liquid crystal display or a CRT display, the management unit 36, and the communication network 100. A communication unit 37, a data invalidation unit 38, and the like are provided, and they are connected to each other via a bus 3a. The control unit 30 is configured by a CPU or MPU having a timer (not shown), and controls the above-described hardware units connected via the bus 3a and is stored in the ROM 31 in advance. The control program is appropriately read into the RAM 32 and executed.

  The ROM 31 stores in advance various control programs, authentication processing programs, and the like necessary for operating the server device 3 as an external device constituting the image processing system according to the present invention. The RAM 32 is configured by SRAM, flash memory, or the like, and temporarily stores data generated when the control unit 30 executes the control program.

  The management unit 36 is configured by, for example, a flash memory, stores information related to the hardware configuring the server device 3 and information related to the internal state of the device, and communicates with each hardware when the power is turned on. And the contents of information managed by periodically monitoring the status of the operating hardware are updated as needed.

  Further, the management unit 36 stores authentication information used for authentication processing that is appropriately performed during the operation of the server device 3. As the authentication information, for example, an authentication number composed of a plurality of digits is stored in the management unit 36 in advance, and when the authentication data is input from the operation unit 34, the control unit 30 stores an authentication processing program stored in the ROM 31. By reading the data into the RAM 32 and executing it, it is determined whether or not the input authentication data matches the management information stored in advance in the management unit 36. If they match, the user or the administrator is a valid user. And authenticate.

  The HDD 33 is a large-capacity storage device and is an external history storage unit that stores history data output from the image processing apparatus 1 as described above. The history data is organized and stored in the HDD 33 for each file format of each image data, for each image processing such as copying, facsimile transmission, and printer output, or for each folder created by the user. Further, when the server device 3 is operating normally, the control unit 30 restricts access to the HDD 33.

  Specifically, when an instruction to read or erase the history data stored in the HDD 33 is given, the control unit 30 performs authentication, and is, for example, a valid administrator of the server device 3 or the image processing device 1. Reading or erasing history data from the HDD 33 is permitted only when authenticated. When reading of history data stored in the HDD 33 is permitted, that is, when the server device 3 is operated by a legitimate administrator, the connection is made via the display unit 35 of the server device 3 or the communication network 100. The history data can be displayed and confirmed on the display units of the computers 2 and 2.

  The data invalidation unit 38 deletes the image data stored in the HDD 33 or overwrites predetermined data in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 30 so that the image data stored in the HDD 33 cannot be used. Execute the data erase function to be invalidated.

  In the image processing system configured as described above, when the image processing apparatus 1 receives an image processing execution instruction via the operation panel 18, the administrator of the image processing apparatus 1 stores the history data as described above. It is possible to select whether to perform the process to be stored in 23b or to perform the process of transmitting the history data to the server apparatus 3 and storing it in the server apparatus 3. Accordingly, when an image processing execution instruction is received in a state where the storage process of the history data in the process management unit 23b is selected by the administrator, the image processing apparatus 1 sends the corresponding history data to the process management unit 23b. Remember.

  On the other hand, when an image processing execution instruction is received in a state where the storage process of the history data in the server device 3 is selected by the administrator, the image processing device 1 transmits the corresponding history data to the server device 3. . Further, when an image processing execution instruction is received in a state where both storage processes are selected by the administrator, the image processing apparatus 1 stores the corresponding history data in the process management unit 23b and the server apparatus 3 Send to. Therefore, when the image processing apparatus 1 receives an image processing execution instruction, the control unit 10 either or both of a process of storing history data in the process management unit 23b and a process of transmitting history data to the server apparatus 3 It operates as a control means for controlling.

  In the server device 3 that acquires the history data from the image processing device 1, the control unit 30 acquires the history data transmitted from the image processing device 1 and sequentially stores it in the HDD 33, and the history data is stored in the HDD 33. When the acquisition is completed, an acquisition completion signal indicating that acquisition of history data is completed is transmitted from the communication unit 37 to the image processing apparatus 1. Thereby, the control unit 10 of the image processing device 1 detects that the transmission of the history data to the server device 3 is completed, and stores it in the image storage unit 23a of the HDD 23 according to the execution instruction received through the operation panel 18. Image processing corresponding to the stored image data is started.

  As described above, when the image processing apparatus 1 performs various types of image processing, the history data relating to the image data to be processed is stored in the processing management unit 23b of the HDD 23 and / or the HDD 33 of the server apparatus 3 to thereby generate an image. History data in image processing performed by the processing apparatus 1 can be managed. In addition, by accumulating processing information relating to each process together with the image data to be processed as history data, the contents of the image data indicate which image data was used for what process (type of process). It can be grasped with itself.

  Here, in the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the control unit (comparison unit) 10 performs history data relating to the image data to be processed in the process management unit 23b of the HDD 23 and the server device when performing various types of image processing. In the case where it is set to be stored in both of the three HDDs 33, the history data stored in the process management unit 23b and the history data stored in the HDD 33 are periodically compared.

  Specifically, the control unit 10 of the image processing apparatus 1 communicates with the server apparatus 3 at predetermined time intervals, and requests transmission of processing information in the history data stored in the HDD 33. In response to a request from the image processing apparatus 1, the control unit 30 of the server device 3 reads processing information included in the history data stored in the HDD 33 from the HDD 33 and transmits it from the communication unit 37. The control unit 10 of the image processing device 1 compares the processing information transmitted from the server device 3 with the processing information included in the history data stored in the processing management unit 23b of the HDD 23.

  As a result, when the control unit 10 determines that the history data stored in the process management unit 23b and the HDD 33 do not match, that is, when any history data in the process management unit 23b or the HDD 33 is illegally edited or deleted. This can be displayed on the operation panel 18 to notify the administrator or user.

  Further, as described above, the image processing apparatus 1 starts and ends history data management processing for storing history data in the process management unit 23b and / or the HDD 33 of the server device 3, and each of the process management unit 23b and the server device 3 It is possible to check and delete the history data stored in the server only when authentication by the administrator of the image processing apparatus 1 and the server apparatus 3 has been made valid.

  The start and end of the management process in the history data processing management unit 23b and / or the server device 3, and the confirmation and deletion of the history data stored in the processing management unit 23b and the server device 3 are performed by the image processing device. This operation can be performed by operating one operation panel 18 and operating the operation unit 34 of the server device 3. In the following description, by operating the operation panel 18 of the image processing apparatus 1, the history data process management unit 23b and / or the server apparatus 3 starts and ends management processing, the process management unit 23b, and the server apparatus 3 respectively. As an example, the history data stored in is checked and deleted.

  Hereinafter, the administrator of the image processing apparatus 1 starts or ends the management process of the history data processing management unit 23b and / or the server apparatus 3, confirms the history data managed by the process management unit 23b or the server apparatus 3, or Processing performed by the control unit 10 when performing an operation to instruct erasing will be described. When the administrator operates a predetermined operation button on the operation panel 18 in order to perform an operation permitted only by the administrator, the control unit 10 of the image processing apparatus 1 is as shown in FIG. An administrator authentication screen is displayed on the operation panel 18. Various screen information displayed on the operation panel 18 is stored in the ROM 11 in advance.

  In accordance with the administrator authentication screen shown in FIG. 3A, the administrator inputs authentication data assigned to the administrator using the numeric keypad of the operation panel 18 and operates the “authentication” button. When the “authentication” button is operated, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the administrator authentication authentication information stored in the management unit 21 matches the input authentication data, and does not match. In this case, a message indicating that the user is not authenticated as an administrator is displayed on the operation panel 18 to notify the user.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 10 authenticates that the user is an administrator, the controller 10 causes the operation panel 18 to display an administrator operation screen as shown in FIG. The administrator operation screen allows operations such as “Start history data management process”, “End history data management process”, “Check history data”, and “Clear history data” that are only allowed for administrators. This is a screen for selection, and the administrator selects a desired operation.

  Here, when the administrator selects “start history data management process”, the control unit 10 causes the operation panel 18 to display a management condition setting screen as shown in FIG. The management condition setting screen performs processing for accumulating history data corresponding to an execution instruction of various types of processing in the processing management unit 23b of the HDD 23 or processing for transmitting corresponding history data to the server device 3. Or the screen to set whether to perform both processes. The administrator selects either “Inside this machine”, “Server”, or “Both” as the management location of the history data. From among “Copy”, “Fax”, and “Printer”, the type of processing for which history data is to be managed is selected and the “Set” button is operated.

  In this management condition setting screen, not only one of “Copy”, “Fax”, and “Printer”, but also two or all types of processing can be selected, and history data can be selected for each type of processing. It is possible to select whether or not to perform management. Further, on the management condition setting screen, processing for storing history data in the processing management unit 23b of the HDD 23, processing for transmitting history data to the server device 3, or both are performed in accordance with the type of image processing. It may be possible to set whether to perform the process.

  In the management condition setting screen shown in FIG. 3C, when the administrator operates the “set” button, the control unit (setting means) 10 transfers the selected process to the selected management location in the history data. Set the target of management processing. Accordingly, when the execution instruction for each set process is received, the control unit 10 receives the image data read from the document as the processing target or the image data received from the outside as the processing target, and each process indicated by the received execution instruction. The processing information related to is stored as history data in the process management unit 23b and / or the history data is transmitted to the server device 3.

  Specifically, when an instruction to execute a copying process (copying) or a facsimile transmission process is received from the user, the control unit 10 of the image processing apparatus 1 reads the document by the image reading unit 15 and encrypts it by the data processing unit 19. After the stored image data is temporarily stored in the image storage unit 23a of the HDD 23, it is stored in the process management unit 23b as history data together with various processing conditions in the copy process or facsimile transmission process and date / time information indicated by the timer of the control unit 10. Store (copy) and / or transmit to server device 3. When the storage of the history data in the process management unit 23b and / or the transmission to the server device 3 is completed, the control unit 10 stores the image data stored in the image storage unit 23a in accordance with the received execution instruction. 17 or the modem 14 to execute image forming processing or facsimile transmission processing on paper.

  When the image processing apparatus 1 performs a facsimile reception process or an image formation process based on data received from the external computers 2 and 2, the control unit 10 receives via the NCU 13 and the modem 14 or the communication unit 20, After the image data encrypted by the data processing unit 19 is temporarily stored in the image storage unit 23a of the HDD 23, various processing conditions in the facsimile reception process or the data reception process from the computers 2 and 2 and the timer of the control unit 10 are set. It is stored in the process management unit 23b and / or transmitted to the server device 3 as history data together with the date and time information shown. When the storage of the history data in the process management unit 23b and / or the transmission to the server device 3 is completed, the control unit 10 stores the image data stored in the image storage unit 23a in accordance with the received execution instruction. 17 to execute image forming processing on a sheet.

  As described above, when the image processing apparatus 1 performs various types of image processing, the image data to be processed is stored in the process management unit 23b and / or the server apparatus 3, thereby performing image processing performed by the image processing apparatus 1. History data can be managed in the image processing apparatus 1 and / or in the server apparatus 3. Further, by accumulating processing information relating to each process together with the image data to be processed as history data, it is possible to grasp which image data is used for what process and when. Further, by storing the history data in the process management unit 23b and / or the server device 3 before performing the image processing, the image data captured by the image processing device 1 for executing the image processing can be reliably used as the history data. Can be managed.

  On the other hand, when the administrator selects “Finish history data management processing” on the administrator operation screen shown in FIG. 3B, the control unit 10 causes the image processing apparatus 1 to execute various processes as described above. When the instruction is accepted, the process of storing the history data in the process management unit 23b of the HDD 23 and / or the server device 3 is terminated. Even when the management process of history data is terminated, as shown in FIG. 3A, only when the control unit 10 performs administrator authentication and is authenticated as a valid administrator, Since the management process can be terminated, the security data is not inadvertently lowered by the termination of the history data management process by an unauthorized person.

  When the administrator selects “confirm history data” on the administrator operation screen shown in FIG. 3B, the control unit 10 displays the history data display screen as shown in FIG. 18 is displayed. The history data display screen shown in FIG. 4A is stored as history data to be displayed on the operation panel 18 or stored in the processing unit 23b of the image processing apparatus 1 or the HDD 33 of the server apparatus 3. This is a screen for selecting certain history data, and prompts the administrator to select a management location of history data to be displayed.

  When the administrator selects a management location of history data to be displayed, the control unit 10 causes the operation panel 18 to display a history data display screen as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, when selecting history data to be displayed, the processing information of each process indicated by each history data is used, and the history data display screen shown in FIG. ) Is a screen for selecting whether to display each processing information of the history data stored in the management location selected via the screen in order of date or time, or to display in order of date by type of processing.

  In this history data display screen, when the administrator selects “in order of date and time”, the control unit 10 stores all the data stored in the selected management location (the process management unit 23b of the HDD 23 or the HDD 33 of the server device 3). The processing information corresponding to each of the history data is displayed as a list on the operation panel 18 in order of date and time. Further, when the administrator selects “by processing type”, the control unit 10 displays the history data display screen shown in FIG. 4C on the operation panel 18 and wants the administrator to display the processing information. Encourage selection of types.

  When the administrator selects the type of process for which the process information is to be displayed, the control unit 10 displays the process information corresponding to the selected type of process in the selected management location (the process management unit 23b of the HDD 23 or the server device). 3 are displayed on the operation panel 18 in order of date and time. For example, when the administrator selects “Fax”, as shown in FIG. 5A, the control unit 10 sends processing information indicating history data in the facsimile transmission processing and facsimile reception processing from the processing management unit 23b or the HDD 33. Read and display. When the HDD 33 is selected as the management location of the history data to be displayed, the control unit 10 requests the server device 3 for processing information indicating the history data stored in the HDD 33, whereby FIG. ) Can be displayed.

  From this list of processing information, the administrator specifies processing information indicating history data to be displayed and confirmed on the operation panel 18, selects the specified processing information, and operates the OK button. When the administrator operates the OK button, the control unit 10 reads history data corresponding to the selected processing information from the processing management unit 23b or the HDD 33, and the image processing unit (encrypted data) in the history data is a data processing unit. After being decrypted at 19, it is displayed on the operation panel 18 as shown in FIG.

  Again, the control unit 10 can display the selected history data on the operation panel 18 by requesting the server device 3 for the history data stored in the HDD 33. As described above, even when the history data stored in the process management unit 23b or the HDD 33 is displayed, by performing administrator authentication in accordance with the administrator authentication screen shown in FIG. Can be prohibited.

  On the history data display screen shown in FIG. 5B, processing information and image data in the read history data, and a “print” button for outputting the displayed history data on paper are displayed. When the administrator wants to output the displayed history data as an image, the administrator operates the “print” button. When the “print” button is operated, the control unit 10 acquires the history data acquired from the process management unit 23 b or the HDD 33. Is transferred to the image forming unit 17.

  On the other hand, when the administrator selects “delete history data” on the administrator operation screen shown in FIG. 3B, the control unit 10 displays the history data deletion screen as shown in FIG. 18 is displayed. The history data deletion screen shown in FIG. 6A selects history data stored in the process management unit 23b of the image processing apparatus 1 or history data stored in the HDD 33 of the server apparatus 3 as history data to be deleted. The screen prompts the administrator to select the management location of the history data to be deleted.

  When the administrator selects a management location of history data to be deleted, the control unit 10 causes the operation panel 18 to display a history data deletion screen as shown in FIG. This history data erasure screen is “Erase all history data”, “Erase every processing type”, “Every date and time” for history data stored in the management location selected via the screen of FIG. This is a screen for selecting an erasing method of “erasing”.

  Here, when the administrator selects “delete all history data”, the control unit 10 causes the operation panel 18 to display a confirmation screen as shown in FIG. Is operated, all the history data stored in the selected management location (the process management unit 23b of the HDD 23 or the HDD 33 of the server device 3) is converted into the data invalidation unit 22 or the data invalidation unit 38 of the server device 3. To erase. The history data stored in the HDD 33 is deleted by the data invalidation unit 38 controlled by the control unit 30 when the control unit 10 of the image processing apparatus 1 instructs the control unit 30 of the server apparatus 3 to delete the history data. Is done. The history data stored in the process management unit 23b or the HDD 33 may be invalidated by overwriting predetermined data in addition to being erased by the data invalidation units 22 and 38.

  If the administrator selects “Erase for each processing type”, the control unit 10 selects the type of processing for erasing the history data from the processing management unit 23b or the HDD 33, as shown in FIG. 7B. For this purpose is displayed on the operation panel 18. In the history data deletion screen shown in FIG. 7B, when the administrator selects the type of processing for which history data is to be deleted and operates the “erase” button, the control unit 10 causes the process management unit 23b or HDD 33 to The history data corresponding to the selected process in the stored history data is erased by the data invalidation unit 22 or 38.

  Further, when the administrator selects “Erase by date / time”, the control unit 10 is a screen for inputting the date / time in the history data to be deleted from the process management unit 23b or the HDD 33, as shown in FIG. Is displayed on the operation panel 18. In the history data deletion screen shown in FIG. 7C, when the administrator inputs a desired date and time using the numeric keypad and operates the “delete” button, the control unit 10 stores it in the process management unit 23 b or the HDD 33. Corresponding history data within the input date and time range in the history data is erased by the data invalidation unit 22 or 38.

  As described above, even when the history data stored in the process management unit 23b or the HDD 33 is deleted, the administrator who is authorized by performing the administrator authentication in accordance with the administrator authentication screen shown in FIG. The history data can be erased only by the above, so that the history data can be erased by an unauthorized person, and the history data of the image processing performed by the image processing apparatus 1 is stored in the image processing apparatus 1 and / or the server apparatus 3. Since the management can be performed reliably and the history data that has become unnecessary can be deleted by the administrator, the processing management unit 23b and the HDD 33 can be effectively used.

  Furthermore, when the user information is also included in the processing information in the history data stored in the processing management unit 23b and the HDD 33, as described above, the history data is not only deleted for each processing type or each date / time. It is also possible to delete for each user. For example, history data relating to processing performed by a user who has stopped using the image processing apparatus 1 due to retirement or the like can be selected and deleted.

  The operation of the image processing apparatus 1 when the administrator sets the start of the history data management process as described above will be described below. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting history data management processing by the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present invention. The following processing is executed by the control unit 10 in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 11.

  In the image processing apparatus 1 in normal operation, when the administrator operates a predetermined operation button on the operation panel 18 in order to perform an operation for setting the start of the history data management process, the control unit 10 displays FIG. The administrator authentication screen shown in a) is displayed to request input of authentication data (S1). The administrator inputs authentication data using the numeric keypad of the operation panel 18 according to the administrator authentication screen and operates the “authentication” button. Thereby, the control unit 10 receives the input authentication data (S2), and based on whether or not the received authentication data matches the authentication information for administrator authentication stored in the management unit 21 in advance. Thus, it is determined whether or not the administrator is valid (S3).

  When the control unit 10 determines that it is not valid (S3: NO), the control unit 10 displays on the operation panel 18 that the administrator cannot be authenticated and notifies the user (S4). If the control unit 10 determines that it is valid (S3: YES), the control unit 10 displays the administrator operation screen shown in FIG. 3B (S5), and accepts selection of a process that the administrator wants to execute.

  The control unit 10 determines whether or not the administrator has selected “start history data management processing” on the administrator operation screen (S6), and “start history data management processing” is selected. If it is determined that it is not present (S6: NO), each operation selected by the administrator is executed as described with reference to FIGS.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that “start history data management process” is selected (S6: YES), the control unit 10 displays the management condition setting screen shown in FIG. 3C (S7). In accordance with the management condition setting screen, the administrator selects the history data management location and the type of processing for managing the history data, and operates the “set” button. Thereby, the control unit 10 receives the selected management condition, and sets the history data to be managed in the selected management location for the process indicated by the received management condition (S8). The management process is started (S9).

  In the following, the operation of the image processing apparatus 1 when conditions for history data management processing are set by the administrator and the start of management processing is instructed as described above will be described. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the procedure of history data management processing by the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present invention. The following processing is executed by the control unit 10 in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 11.

  In the image processing apparatus 1 in a normal operation, when an instruction to execute a copying process or a facsimile transmission process is received by a user operating the operation panel 18, the NCU 13 and the modem 14 receive facsimile data, or the communication unit 20 performs printing. When the job is received, the control unit 10 receives image data to be processed along with various image processing execution instructions (S11). The control unit 10 displays the received image data, specifically, the image data read from the original by the image reading unit 15, the image data obtained by developing the facsimile data received via the modem 14, or the communication unit 20. The image processing unit 19 encrypts the image data obtained by developing the print job received via the data storage unit 19 and temporarily stores it in the image storage unit 23a of the HDD 23 (S12).

  Here, the control unit 10 determines in step S12 based on whether or not management processing of the history data in the image processing apparatus 1 is set to the image processing for which the execution instruction has been received in step S11. It is determined whether or not the history data related to the image data stored in the image storage unit 23a needs to be managed inside the image processing apparatus 1 (this apparatus) (S13). When the control unit 10 determines that management of history data is necessary (S13: YES), the image data stored in the image storage unit 23a and the processing information related to the image processing for which the execution instruction has been received in step S11 Is stored in the process management unit 23b as history data (S14). Note that if the control unit 10 determines that management of history data is not necessary (S13: NO), the process proceeds to step S16.

  The control unit 10 determines whether or not the storage process of the history data in the process management unit 23b is completed (S15), and if it is determined that the storage process is not completed (S15: NO), the storage process Until the process is completed, the storage process of the history data in the process management unit 23b is continued (S14). When the control unit 10 determines that the storage process is completed (S15: YES), the control unit 10 is set to perform the management process of the history data in the server device 3 for the image process for which the execution instruction has been accepted in step S11. Based on whether or not the history data related to the image data stored in the image storage unit 23a in step S12 is required to be managed by the server device 3 (S16).

  When the control unit 10 determines that management of the history data in the server device 3 is necessary (S16: YES), the image data stored in the image storage unit 23a and the image processing that has received the execution instruction in step S11 The processing information related to is transmitted as history data from the communication unit 20 to the server device 3 (S17). Note that when the control unit 10 determines that management of the history data in the server device 3 is not necessary (S16: NO), the process proceeds to step S19. Further, when history data is stored in the process management unit 23b in step S14, the history data may be transmitted to the server device 3 in step S17.

  The control unit 10 determines whether or not an acquisition completion signal indicating that acquisition of history data has been completed is received from the server device 3 that has transmitted the history data (S18), and has received the acquisition completion signal. If it is determined that there is no acquisition (S18: NO), transmission of the history data to the server device 3 is continued until the acquisition completion signal is received (S17). If it is determined that the acquisition completion signal is received (S18: YES), The image data stored in the image storage unit 23a in step S12 is read and decoded by the data processing unit 19 (S19), and image processing is executed according to the execution instruction received in step S11 (S20).

  Specifically, when an image output process to a sheet is instructed, image data stored in the image storage unit 23a is transferred to the image forming unit 17, and a facsimile transmission process is instructed. Transfers the image data stored in the image storage unit 23a to the modem 14, and when the network transmission processing is instructed, transfers the image data stored in the image storage unit 23a to the communication unit 20. .

  The control unit 10 determines whether or not the executed image processing has been completed (S21). If it is determined that the image processing has not been completed (S21: NO), the control unit 10 continues the image processing until completion (S20). If it is determined that the processing has been completed (S21: YES), it is determined whether or not the image storage unit 23a of the HDD 23 stores the image data that is the target of the executed image processing based on the setting from the user or the administrator. Judgment is made (S22). When it is determined that the image storage unit 23a stores the image (S22: YES), the control unit 10 ends the process, and when the image storage unit 23a determines not to store the image (S22: NO), the image storage unit 23 in step S12. The image data stored in 23a is erased by the data invalidation unit 22 (S23), and the process ends.

  As described above, when the image processing apparatus 1 receives an instruction to execute the copying process, the facsimile communication process, and the network communication process, the image data to be processed is used as history data together with the processing information related to each process. By storing the image data in 1 and / or the server device 3, it is possible to grasp when and for what kind of processing each image data is used together with the content of the image data itself to be processed. In addition, when the image processing apparatus 1 is configured to require user authentication when used by each user, the user information can be managed together with the processing information for each processed image data. Can be prevented from being illegally used. In addition, it is possible to specify when and who used what kind of processing for illegally used image data.

  Hereinafter, a comparison process performed when the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment stores history data in both the process management unit 23b of the HDD 23 and the HDD 33 of the server apparatus 3 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure of history data comparison processing by the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present invention. The following processing is executed by the control unit 10 in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 11.

  The control unit 10 of the image processing apparatus 1 performs the time indicated by its own timer separately from various processes such as execution of the image processing as described above and storage of the history data in the process management unit 23b and / or the server apparatus 3. If it is determined whether or not the predetermined time has elapsed (S31), and it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (S31: NO), processing other than the history data comparison processing is performed until the predetermined time has elapsed. Wait while doing.

  When it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (S31: YES), the control unit 10 requests the server device 3 for processing information indicating each history data stored in the HDD 33 of the server device 3 (S32), and the server The control unit 30 of the apparatus 3 transmits processing information corresponding to each of the history data stored in the HDD 33 up to this point to the image processing apparatus 1 (S33). The control unit 10 of the image processing device 1 compares the processing information received from the server device 3 with the processing information corresponding to each of the history data stored in the processing management unit 23b of the HDD 23 (S34), and matches. Whether or not (S35).

  If the control unit 10 determines that they match (S35: YES), the process proceeds to step S31 and waits until the next predetermined time elapses. If it is determined that they do not match (S35: NO), the image processing apparatus 1 History data managed internally and history data managed by the server device 3 are notified and warned (S36), the process proceeds to step S31 and waits until the next predetermined time elapses. .

  As described above, the control unit 10 of the image processing apparatus 1 periodically stores the history data stored in the process management unit 23b of the HDD 23 and the history data stored in the HDD 33 of the server apparatus 3 respectively. By comparing based on the processing information included in the history data, it is possible to detect at an early stage that the history data stored in the processing management unit 23b or the HDD 33 has been illegally edited or deleted for some reason.

  Further, such a comparison process may be performed by the control unit 30 of the server device 3. In this case, the control unit 30 periodically acquires processing information corresponding to the history data stored in the image processing device 1. By doing so, it is possible to compare the processing information corresponding to the history data stored in its own HDD 33 with the processing information corresponding to the history data stored in the image processing apparatus 1. Furthermore, when the image processing apparatus 1 transmits history data to the server apparatus 3, the above-described comparison process is performed, and the history data is transmitted from the image processing apparatus 1 to the server apparatus 3 only when the comparison results match. It may be.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which history data is transmitted to the server device 3 as necessary when the image processing apparatus 1 performs copying processing, facsimile communication processing, and network communication processing has been described. It may be stored once in the process management unit 23b and periodically transmitted to the server apparatus 3 and managed by the server apparatus 3. In this case, history data from the image processing apparatus 1 to the server apparatus 3 is stored. The load on the communication network 100 due to the transfer process can be reduced.

  Furthermore, the configuration in which the comparison process between the history data stored in the image processing apparatus 1 and the history data stored in the server apparatus 3 is performed based on the processing information included in each history data is taken as an example. Alternatively, the entire history data may be compared. In this case, it is possible to detect falsification in the image data in the history data stored in each of the image processing device 1 and the server device 3. Further, as a warning method when the history data stored in the image processing apparatus 1 and the history data stored in the server apparatus 3 do not coincide with each other, not only a warning message is displayed on the operation panel 18 but also a warning sound or sound is output. An alarm output unit for outputting, a warning light output unit such as an LED or a rotating light may be used.

  In the image processing apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the image data is acquired by the document image reading process by the image reading unit 15 and the image data receiving process by the modem 14 or the communication unit 20 has been described. When the apparatus 1 includes a card-type recording medium reading mechanism such as an IC card or a memory card, the image data read from the card-type recording medium may be acquired.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which authentication data for performing administrator authentication and user authentication is performed by operating the operation panel 18 has been described. For example, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) card is contactlessly provided. A reader that can be read may be provided, and the authentication data stored in the RFID card may be read by the reader.

  In the above-described embodiment, the description has been given of the configuration in which the image data itself that is the processing target of the copying process, the facsimile communication process, or the network communication process is stored in the process management unit 23b of the HDD 23 as the history data. When the predetermined information is included in the image data received from the outside, the corresponding history data can be stored in the process management unit 23b. In this case, for example, only image data read from a document with a mark indicating that it is an important document such as “confidential” can be selected and stored in the processing management unit 23b.

  Further, the operation panel 18 is provided with a clear all button or a clear button, and when the clear all button or the clear button is operated during the document reading process by the image reading unit 15 or receiving image data from the outside. Even if the acquisition of data is interrupted, such as when the clear all button or the clear button is operated, the image data acquired until the interruption is recorded along with the status of the reading process being interrupted. It can also be configured to store the data in the process management unit 23b as data. In this case, even if the image processing is not completed, all data for which the image processing apparatus 1 is to execute the image processing can be managed as history data.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the image data read from the document by the image reading unit 15, the image data received from the external facsimile device 4, and the image data acquired by developing the print job received from the external computers 2 and 2. In the above description, the encryption process is performed and stored in the image storage unit 23a of the HDD 23. However, when the history data is transmitted from the image processing apparatus 1 to the server apparatus 3, the history data may be encrypted. . In addition, when the encryption key is not transmitted to the server device 3 and only the encrypted history data is transmitted, the history data is leaked from the server device 3 even if the history data is leaked. Unauthorized use becomes difficult, and the security of the image processing apparatus 1 can be improved.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the image processing system which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structural example of the server apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. (A) is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an administrator authentication screen, (b) is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an administrator operation screen, and (c) is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a management condition setting screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of a log | history data display screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of a log | history data display screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of a log | history data deletion screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of a log | history data deletion screen. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure in the case of the setting of the management process of historical data. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the management process of historical data. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the management process of historical data. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the comparison process of historical data.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing apparatus 10 Control part (control means, setting means, comparison means)
13 NCU (processing means)
17 Image forming unit (processing means)
18 Operation panel (instruction receiving means)
19 Data processing part (key storage means)
23 HDD
23a Image storage unit (data storage means)
23b Process management unit (history storage means)
20 Communication unit (processing means, output means)
22 Data invalidation part 3 Server device (external device)
33 HDD (external history storage means)

Claims (5)

Data storage means for storing received data, instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction to execute image processing based on the data, and image processing based on data stored in the data storage means in accordance with the execution instruction received by the instruction receiving means In an image processing system including an image processing device having processing means for performing and an external device capable of communicating with the image processing device,
The image processing apparatus includes:
History storage means for storing, as history information, data stored in the data storage means and processing information relating to image processing based on the data received by the instruction receiving means .
Output means for outputting the history information to the external device;
Means for receiving an instruction to perform any one or both of processing for storing the history information in the history storage unit and processing for outputting the history information to the external device by the output unit;
Setting means for setting to perform either one or both of the storing process and the outputting process according to the received instruction;
Control means for performing one or both of the storing process and the outputting process in accordance with the setting by the setting means;
When the setting means is set to perform only the output process and when data is not stored in the data storage means, the data included in the history information output by the output means to the external device is stored in the data Means for erasing from the storage means,
The image processing system, wherein the external device includes external history storage means for storing history information output from the image processing device. The image processing apparatus includes:
A plurality of the processing means for respectively performing a plurality of types of image processing;
Means for receiving an instruction to perform one or both of a process of storing the history information in the history storage means and a process of outputting the history information to the external device for each image processing performed by each of the processing means; With
2. The configuration according to claim 1 , wherein the setting unit is configured to perform one or both of the storing process and the outputting process for each image process according to the received instruction. Image processing system. At least one of the image processing device and the external device is:
When the control unit of the image processing apparatus performs both the process of storing the history information in the history storage unit and the process of outputting the history information to the external apparatus, the output unit of the image processing apparatus stores the history information. At the time of output to the external device, at least processing information stored in each of the history information stored in the history storage unit and transmitted to the external device, and history information stored in the external history storage unit Comparing means for comparing at least processing information included in each of the
Output means of the image processing apparatus, when it is determined that the comparing means are matched, before Ki履 history information according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that is arranged to output to the external device Image processing system. At least one of the image processing device and the external device is:
When the control means of the image processing apparatus performs both the process of storing the history information in the history storage means and the process of outputting the history information to the external device, the history storage means stores the information and sends it to the external device Comparing means for comparing at least the processing information included in each of the history information for which transmission of is completed and at least the processing information included in each of the history information stored in the external history storage means,
The image processing system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a means for informing a comparison result by said comparing means to the outside. The image processing apparatus includes:
Key storage means for storing an encryption key;
Means for encrypting at least data included in each of the history information using an encryption key stored in the key storage means;
The output means is configured to output encrypted history information to the external device,
Means for acquiring encrypted history information from the external device in response to a request to the external device;
The image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a means for decoding using the encryption key acquired the key storage unit the history information is stored.

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