JP4450590B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that is provided with means for substituting another image processing apparatus for processing image data that should be performed by itself, and that can protect image data from unauthorized use.

  As a method of processing image data using a printer device, in recent years, a printer device and a transmission device such as a personal computer (PC) are connected to a communication network, and image data is transmitted from the transmission device to the printer device via the communication network. In many cases, a printer apparatus outputs an image.

  In such an environment, a large number of PCs are connected to the printer apparatus via a communication network, and a plurality of PCs can cause the printer apparatus to perform image processing. For this reason, there is a problem that processing of image data may stagnate due to concentration of processing instructions from a large number of PCs in the printer apparatus. In addition, when the processing capability of the printer device is insufficient, there is a problem that when a processing instruction consisting of a large amount of data is received, the processing takes time. As a solution to such a problem, there is a method of introducing a printer device capable of performing processing at high speed. However, there is a new problem that the cost for introducing a high-speed printer device is large.

Therefore, a technique as disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. In Patent Document 1, when a plurality of printer devices are connected to a communication network and a large number of processing instructions are concentrated on a single printer device, or when a printer device receives a processing instruction including a large amount of data. A technique is disclosed in which a part of processing is performed on behalf of another printer device so that image data is distributed by a plurality of printer devices. By using this technology, it is possible to cope with an increase in processing load without increasing costs by using an inexpensive printer. Further, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688, when one printer is in the middle of processing image data and the processing cannot be continued due to a problem such as a paper jam or out of toner, another printer is used. A proxy processing technique for substituting the rest of the processing is disclosed.
JP 61-198958 A

  The image data handled by the printer apparatus may include confidential information such as a document describing a trade secret. For this reason, image data is protected from unauthorized use of information such as leakage of confidential information or falsification of information by taking out image data processed by the printer from the inside of the printer or reading the image data on a communication network. It is necessary to take measures. Accordingly, a printer apparatus has been developed that protects image data from unauthorized use of information by using a method such as encrypting image data with a PC and transmitting / receiving the image data, or encrypting image data and performing processing. . However, with the technology that performs image data distribution processing or proxy processing as described above, there is a possibility that information exchanged via a communication network may be illegally read when processing of image data is performed by another printer device. is there. Further, when a printer device that does not have a function for protecting image data is connected to a communication network, the image data may be taken out from the printer device when the printer device performs processing of the image data. There is. As described above, there is a risk that the security of information is lowered in the technique of performing the image data distribution processing or proxy processing.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of improving information security by restricting image data distribution processing and proxy processing. Is to provide.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a receiving unit that includes image data and receives a processing instruction for forming an image from the image data, and a storage unit that stores image data included in the instruction received by the receiving unit. A processing unit that performs an image forming process for forming an image from image data in accordance with the received instruction, and a part or all of the image forming process performed by the processing unit on behalf of another image processing apparatus. A proxy instruction means for performing a proxy instruction to instruct, and image data stored in the storage means by encrypting and / or erasing or nullifying other data after completion of the image forming process, operation to protect against unauthorized use, and a valid state, in the image processing apparatus and a protective means which can be switched between a disabled state, the proxy indicating means behalf fingers Before performing the operation, it is determined whether the operation of the protection means is in a valid state or an invalid state, and when the operation of the protection means is in a valid state, the substitution instruction means gives a substitution instruction It is characterized by comprising prohibiting means for prohibiting this.

  In the present invention, an image processing apparatus that receives an image processing instruction from an external apparatus and processes image data performs part or all of the processing on behalf of another image processing apparatus connected to the communication network. Means for transmitting a proxy processing instruction for instructing this, and restricts the transmission of the proxy processing instruction when the operation of a protection means for protecting image data from unauthorized use is effective. The protection means switches between a state in which the operation is valid and a state in which the operation is invalid by setting, so that the operation is in a valid state, or the protection means is in a state in which the operation is valid by mounting a removable protection means.

  In the present invention, when the processing of the image data is completed, the protection means renders the stored image data worthless by deleting or overwriting other data.

  In the present invention, the protection means encrypts and stores the image data.

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the proxy indicating means to perform distributed image forming processing by the processing means, alternate processing instruction to another image to be instructed to perform on behalf of the part of the image forming processing wherein the are no in order to transmit to the processor.

  In the present invention, there is provided means for performing distributed processing of image data performed by distributing processing with a large load by a plurality of image processing apparatuses, and the operation of the protection means is effective for distributed processing. Sending proxy processing instructions is prohibited.

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the proxy indicating means during the image forming processing by the processing means, when the image forming processing can no longer be continued, and instructs to perform on behalf of the continuation of the image forming process wherein the are no in order to transmit the proxy process instruction to another image processing apparatus.

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the proxy instructing means, if it can not image formation processing by said processing means, to transmit a proxy processing instruction that instructs to perform on behalf of the image forming processing to another image processing apparatus wherein the are no order.

  In the present invention, when image data processing cannot be performed due to a trouble such as a paper jam or when image data processing cannot be performed due to a trouble when an image processing instruction is received, Provide a means for performing image data proxy processing for proxying the rest or all of the processing to another image processing apparatus, and when the operation of the protection means is valid, transmit a proxy processing instruction for the proxy processing Is prohibited.

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention, when said proxy instructing means performs a substitutional instruction said inhibiting means has inhibited, characterized by further comprising means for notifying to that effect.

  Further, in the present invention, when the transmission of the proxy processing instruction is restricted, the fact is notified.

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the proxy indicating means further comprises means for canceling the state in which the inhibiting means to perform a substitutional instruction is prohibited.

  Further, in the present invention, when it is necessary to perform distributed processing or proxy processing, it is possible to remove the restriction on transmission of proxy processing instructions.

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention, when a predetermined time in a state that can not image formation processing by said processing means has elapsed, the image data according to the image forming processing among the image data stored in said storage means It is further characterized by further comprising means for eliminating the value by erasing or overwriting other data .

  Furthermore, in the present invention, when a predetermined time elapses in a state where the image data cannot be processed due to a problem such as a paper jam, the stored image data to be processed is deleted or other data is stored. Make it worthless by overwriting it.

  In the present invention, an image processing apparatus that receives an image processing instruction from an external apparatus and processes image data is connected to a communication network when the operation of a protection means that protects the image data from unauthorized use is effective. By restricting the transmission of proxy processing instructions that instruct the other image processing apparatus to perform part or all of the processing on behalf of it, the transmitted proxy processing instructions are prevented from being used illegally. In addition, information security can be improved.

  In the present invention, when the processing of the image data is completed, the stored image data is rendered valueless by erasing or overwriting other data, so that the image data is protected from unauthorized use. can do.

  In the present invention, the image data relating to the processing is encrypted and stored, so that the image data can be protected from unauthorized use.

  In the present invention, the proxy processing including the image data is prohibited by prohibiting the transmission of the proxy processing instruction for performing the distributed processing of the image data performed by distributing the processing with a large load by the plurality of image processing apparatuses. It is possible to prevent the instruction from being read on the communication network and to be taken out from another image processing apparatus that does not have a function for protecting the image data, and to protect the image data from unauthorized use. .

  Further, in the present invention, when the image data cannot be processed from the beginning or from the middle, by prohibiting the transmission of the proxy processing instruction to cause other image processing devices to perform the proxy processing of the image data, Protects image data from unauthorized use by preventing substitution processing instructions including image data from being read on a communication network and being taken out from other image processing devices that do not have a function to protect image data It becomes possible to do.

  Further, in the present invention, when the transmission of the proxy processing instruction is restricted, the user is prohibited from distributing and substituting the image data in order to notify that the transmission of the proxy processing instruction is restricted. Knowing that you can respond accordingly.

  Further, in the present invention, since the restriction on the transmission of the proxy processing instruction can be released, it is possible to perform the image data distribution processing and proxy processing when necessary, thereby improving the convenience of the image processing apparatus. .

  Further, in the present invention, when a predetermined time elapses in a state where the image data cannot be processed, the image data stored to be processed is made worthless, thereby performing the image data processing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the image data stored indefinitely from being taken out and to protect the image data from unauthorized use. Furthermore, the present invention has an excellent effect such as improvement of information security on an image processing system including a plurality of image processing apparatuses connected to a communication network.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an internal functional configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. The image processing apparatus 1 is a printer apparatus, and includes a control unit 11 including a CPU that performs calculations and a RAM that stores temporary information associated with the calculations. A ROM 13 that stores a control program for controlling the image processing apparatus 1 is connected to the control unit 11, and the control unit 11 performs the entire image processing apparatus 1 according to the control program stored in the ROM 13. Control. The control unit 11 is connected to a management unit 14 that is a memory for storing management information for managing processing performed by the image processing apparatus 1. The control unit 11 refers to the management information stored in the management unit 14 and controls the image processing apparatus 1 based on the referenced information. Further, the control unit 11 includes a communication unit 12 connected to a communication network N such as a LAN, an image memory 16 that temporarily stores image data, an image formed from the image data, and the formed image as a recording sheet Is connected to an image forming unit 17 which records and outputs the data.

  A plurality of PCs 2, 2,... Are connected to the communication network N. The communication unit 12 receives the image data transmitted from the PC 2 via the communication network N, the image memory 16 receives the received image data, and the image forming unit 17 forms and outputs an image from the image data. . The control unit 11 is connected to a storage unit 15 including a hard disk or a nonvolatile memory, and the storage unit 15 stores image data processed by the image processing apparatus 1.

  Further, a plurality of other image processing devices 3, 3,... That are printer devices are connected to the communication network N. The image processing apparatus 1 of the present invention is configured to be able to perform distribution processing and substitution processing of image data using other image processing apparatuses 3, 3,... Connected to the communication network N. The control unit 11 functions as a substitute instruction unit according to the present invention in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 13.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing distributed processing and proxy processing. FIG. 2A shows distributed processing, and FIG. 2B shows proxy processing. The image processing apparatus 1 receives a processing instruction for image data from the PC 2 and has a heavy processing load, for example, when the amount of data in the received processing instruction is large or when processing instructions are received from a large number of PCs 2, 2,. In this case, a proxy processing instruction is transmitted to a plurality of other image processing devices 3, 3,. The image processing device 3 that has received the proxy processing instruction performs a part of the processing that the image processing device 1 should originally perform, thereby allowing the image processing device 1 and the image processing devices 3, 3,. Perform distributed processing.

  In addition, the image processing apparatus 1 is in the middle of performing processing according to the processing instruction of the image data received from the PC 2, and when the processing cannot be continued due to a trouble such as a paper jam, the image processing apparatus 1 transfers to another image processing apparatus 3. , A proxy processing instruction for transmitting the processing continuation on behalf is transmitted. The image processing device 3 that has received the proxy processing instruction performs the proxy processing of the image data by performing the processing continuation that should be originally performed by the image processing device 1. Further, the image processing apparatus 1 causes the other image processing apparatus 3 to perform all of the processing on behalf of the image processing apparatus 3 when the processing is already impossible due to a trouble when the image data processing instruction is received from the PC 2. Send the proxy processing instruction. The image processing apparatus 3 that has received the proxy processing instruction performs the processing on behalf of it and performs the proxy processing of the image data. The image processing apparatus 1 stores information indicating each of the image processing apparatuses 3, 3,..., Such as the name, IP address, or Mac address of the image processing apparatuses 3, 3,. The proxy processing instruction is transmitted to the image processing apparatuses 3, 3,.

  The various functions of the image processing apparatus 1 as described above are controlled by the control unit 11 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 13. The image processing apparatus 1 of the present invention has a configuration that can be controlled by the control unit 11 in accordance with a security program for improving security in addition to the control program. The control unit 11 operates as a protection unit according to the present invention by following a security program stored in the ROM 13. The operation according to the security program stored in the ROM 13 can be switched between a valid state and an invalid state, and the operation is switched to a valid state by receiving a setting for enabling the operation by the security program. Thus, the operation of the protection means of the present invention becomes effective. By replacing the ROM storing only the control program and mounting the ROM 13 storing the control program and the security program, the security program becomes operable and the operation of the protection means of the present invention is effective. The form which becomes a state may be sufficient. Further, the ROM 13 in this case may be configured such that the operation according to the security program can be switched between a valid state and an invalid state. Furthermore, in addition to the ROM that stores the control program, the ROM that stores the security program may be additionally installed to enable the operation of the protection means of the present invention to be in an effective state. . Also in this case, a configuration in which the operation according to the security program can be switched between a valid state and an invalid state may be employed.

  The control unit 11 operates as a protection unit according to the present invention in accordance with the security program stored in the ROM 13 and encrypts the image data stored in the storage unit 15 and the image memory 16 so that the image data is subjected to image processing. The image data is protected from being taken out of the apparatus 1 and illegally used. Further, the processed image data stored in the storage unit 15 cannot be used by performing processing such as erasing the image data for which processing such as image output has been completed or overwriting other data. To make it worthless. Furthermore, even if the image data is erased, the image data may be restored due to the magnetism remaining in the storage unit 15, so when erasing the image data, random data is overwritten a predetermined number of times. It is also possible to erase a plurality of times.

  When the security program is not operating, the management unit 14 stores management information indicating that the security program is not operating. Further, when the ROM 13 storing the security program is mounted or when the security program stored in the ROM 13 is operable, the control unit 11 is in a state in which the security program operates. Management information indicating this is stored in the management unit 14. When processing the image data, the control unit 11 checks the management information stored in the management unit 14 and whether the content of the management information indicates that the security program is operating. If the security program is in an operating state, the control unit 11 performs processing while protecting the image data.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating image data processing performed by the image processing apparatus 1 in a state where the security program is operable. When the image processing apparatus 1 performs processing for receiving image data from an external PC 2 and outputting an image, the communication unit 12 receives a processing instruction including image data from the PC 2 via the communication network N. In the figure, the flow of image data is indicated by thick arrows. The control unit 11 sequentially encrypts the received image data in accordance with the control program and security program stored in the ROM 13, stores the encrypted image data in the image memory 16 in units of pages, and the encryption stored in the image memory 16. The converted image data is stored in the storage unit 15. The control unit 11 reads the encrypted image data stored in the storage unit 15 into the image memory 16 according to the control program and the security program stored in the ROM 13, decrypts the read image data, and decrypts the decoded image data. The data is transferred to the image forming unit 17, and an image is formed from the image data and output. When the output of the image is completed, the control unit 11 deletes the encrypted image data stored in the storage unit 15 according to the control program and the security program stored in the ROM 13 and renders them valueless.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, when the control unit 11 controls the image processing apparatus 1 in accordance with the security program, the image processing apparatus 1 uses another image processing apparatus to perform image data distribution processing or proxy processing. 3. Sending the proxy processing instruction to 3 is restricted. Since the proxy processing instruction transmitted from the image processing apparatus 1 to the other image processing apparatus 3 includes a part or all of the image data, when the proxy processing instruction is transmitted and received in a dark manner, the communication network N is transmitted over the communication network N. There is a risk that image data can be read and used illegally. Therefore, in order to improve the security of information of the image processing apparatus 1, the control unit 11 prohibits transmission of proxy processing instructions for performing image data distribution processing or proxy processing in accordance with the control program and the security program. It functions as a limiting means according to the present invention.

  Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus 1 of the present invention will be described using a flowchart. 4 to 6 are flowcharts showing a procedure of processing performed by the image processing apparatus 1 of the present invention that has received an image processing instruction. The PC 2 receives a user operation and transmits an image processing instruction including image data to the image processing apparatus 1 via the communication network N. The image processing apparatus 1 receives an image processing instruction including image data at the communication unit 12 (S11), and stores the image data included in the received processing instruction in the storage unit 15. First, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the image processing apparatus 1 is in a state capable of processing image data (S12). If the image processing apparatus 1 cannot process the image data due to a trouble such as a paper jam or out of paper (S12: NO), the control unit 11 advances the process to step S44, and performs a substitution. Perform processing for processing.

  If it is determined in step S12 that the image processing apparatus 1 is capable of processing image data (S12: YES), the control unit 11 performs the received processing according to the control program stored in the ROM 13. It is determined whether or not the processing load is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, such as when the data amount of the instruction is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, or a predetermined number of processing instructions are waiting for processing (S13). If the processing load is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value (S13: NO), the control unit 11 advances the processing to step S41 and processes the image data according to the processing instruction. When the processing load is greater than or equal to the predetermined value (S13: YES), the control unit 11 checks the management information stored in the management unit 14 according to the control program stored in the ROM 13, and manages the management information. It is determined whether or not the content of the information indicates that the security program is operating (S14).

  When the contents of the management information indicate that the security program is in an operating state (S14: YES), the control unit 11 performs the distributed processing according to the control program and the security program stored in the ROM 13. Transmission of proxy processing instructions is prohibited. Next, in accordance with the control program and security program stored in the ROM 13, the control unit 11 transmits information indicating that image data distribution processing is prohibited to the processing instruction transmission source PC 2 to distribute It is notified that the processing is prohibited (S21).

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a screen example of the PC 2 notified of the prohibition of distributed processing. Information indicating that image data distributed processing is prohibited is output on the screen of the PC 2, and further, it is possible to accept an instruction to continue the processing or cancel the prohibition of distributed processing. .

  Next, the control unit 11 monitors reception of an instruction to cancel the prohibition of distributed processing according to the control program and security program stored in the ROM 13 (S22). An instruction to cancel the prohibition of distributed processing, such as when the user specifies “OK” on the screen shown in FIG. 7 to receive an instruction to continue from the PC 2 or when a predetermined time elapses without receiving the instruction. Is not received (S22: NO), the control unit 11 advances the process to step S41 and processes the image data without performing the distributed process.

  In step S22, when the user designates “cancel prohibition” on the screen shown in FIG. 7 and receives an instruction to cancel the prohibition of distributed processing from PC 2 (S22: YES), the control unit 11 sends a password request to the PC 2 according to the control program and security program stored in the ROM 13 and monitors the reception of the password from the PC 2 (S23). If the password is not received from the PC 2 (S23: NO), such as when a password input cancellation is received from the PC 2 or a predetermined time elapses without receiving the password (S23: NO), the control unit 11 proceeds to step S41. The image data is processed without proceeding with distributed processing. When the password is received from the PC 2 (S23: YES), the control unit 11 determines whether the received password is valid according to the control program and the security program stored in the ROM 13 (S24). If not (S24: NO), the process returns to step S23 to monitor reception of a new password. If the received password is valid (S24: YES), the control unit 11 cancels the prohibition of the distributed processing in accordance with the control program and the security program stored in the ROM 13, and the image data after step S31 is deleted. Perform distributed processing.

  If the content of the management information does not indicate that the security program is in operation in step S14 (S14: NO), and if the password is valid in step S24 (S24: YES) The control unit 11 confirms the other image processing apparatuses 3, 3,... That can transmit the substitute processing instruction according to the control program stored in the ROM 13 (S31). Next, the control unit 11 checks the management information stored in the management unit 14 according to the control program stored in the ROM 13, and transmits other proxy processing instructions to the other image processing apparatuses 3, 3,. Is determined to be automatically selected (S32).

  If it is not set to be automatically selected (S32: NO), the control unit 11 follows the control program stored in the ROM 13 and information on other image processing devices 3, 3,... Confirmed in step S31. Are transmitted to the PC 2 that is the source of the processing instruction, and the PC 2 is made to output a list of the image processing devices 3, 3,. Next, the control unit 11 performs image processing to be performed together with the image processing device 1 to perform image data distribution processing when the user designates one of the other image processing devices 3, 3... On the screen of the PC 2. The designated reception of the devices 3, 3,... Is monitored (S34). When the designation of the image processing devices 3, 3,... Is not received (S34: NO), the monitoring of the reception is continued, and when the designation of the image processing devices 3, 3,... Is received (S34: YES). The image processing devices 3, 3,... To which the proxy processing instruction is to be transmitted are determined (S35). If the automatic selection is set in step S32 (S32: YES), the control unit 11 transmits the proxy processing instruction 3 according to the control program stored in the ROM 13. 3,... Are automatically selected and confirmed (S35). Next, the control unit 11 gives a substitute processing instruction for instructing the determined image processing devices 3, 3,... To perform part of the processing of the image data in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM 13. The image data is transmitted (S36), the image data is distributed (S37), and the process is terminated.

  If the processing load is not greater than or equal to the predetermined value in step S13 (S13: NO), if no instruction to cancel the prohibition of distributed processing is received in step S22 (S22: NO), and the password in step S23 Is not received (S23: NO), the control unit 11 processes the image data in accordance with the received processing instruction (S41). In accordance with the control program stored in the ROM 13, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the processing of the image data has been interrupted due to a trouble such as a paper jam or out of paper every predetermined time (S42). When the processing is not interrupted (S42: NO), the control unit 11 determines whether the processing of the image data is finished (S43), and when the processing of the image data is not finished (S43: NO), the process is returned to step S42, and when the process of the image data is finished (S43: YES), the process is finished.

  If the image data processing is interrupted due to a trouble in step S42 and the image processing apparatus 1 cannot continue the image data processing (S42: YES), and because of the trouble in step S12 When the image processing apparatus 1 is in a state where image data cannot be processed (S12: NO), the control unit 11 manages information stored in the management unit 14 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 13. Is checked to determine whether or not the content of the management information indicates that the security program is operating (S44).

  When the content of the management information indicates that the security program is in an operating state (S44: YES), the control unit 11 performs the proxy process according to the control program and the security program stored in the ROM 13. Transmission of proxy processing instructions is prohibited. Next, in accordance with the control program and security program stored in the ROM 13, the control unit 11 transmits information indicating that image data proxy processing is prohibited to the PC 2 that is the source of the processing instruction, and performs proxy processing. It is notified that the processing is prohibited (S51).

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a screen example of the PC 2 that is notified of the prohibition of the proxy process. Information indicating that image data processing is not being performed and proxy processing is prohibited is output on the screen of the PC 2, and an instruction is given to continue or cancel the proxy processing prohibition. It can be accepted.

  Next, in accordance with the control program and security program stored in the ROM 13, the control unit 11 monitors reception of an instruction to cancel the prohibition of proxy processing (S52). When the user designates “cancel prohibition” on the screen shown in FIG. 8 and receives an instruction for canceling the prohibition of proxy processing from the PC 2 (S52: YES), the control unit 11 stores in the ROM 13 In accordance with the stored control program and security program, a password request is transmitted to the PC 2 to monitor reception of the password from the PC 2 (S53). When the password is received from the PC 2 (S53: YES), the control unit 11 determines whether the received password is valid according to the control program and the security program stored in the ROM 13 (S54). If not (S54: NO), the process returns to step S53 to monitor reception of a new password. When the received password is valid (S54: YES), the control unit 11 cancels the prohibition of the substitution process according to the control program and the security program stored in the ROM 13, and the image data after step S61 is deleted. Perform proxy processing.

  In step S52, when the user designates “OK” on the screen shown in FIG. 8, an instruction to continue is received from the PC 2, or a predetermined time elapses without receiving the instruction. When the instruction to cancel the prohibition is not received (S52: NO), the password input is canceled from the PC 2, or the password has not been received, or the password has not been received. In this case (S53: NO), the control unit 11 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the processing of the image data is not performed according to the control program and the security program stored in the ROM 13 (S55). .

  If the predetermined time has not yet elapsed (S55: NO), the control unit 11 determines whether or not the trouble such as paper jam or paper out has been solved, and the image data can be processed. (S56). When the processing of the image data is not yet possible (S56: NO), the control unit 11 returns the processing to step S55. When the trouble is resolved and the image data can be processed (S56: YES), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S41 to process the image data. If it is determined in step S55 that the predetermined time has elapsed since the processing of the image data has not been performed (S55: YES), the control unit 11 starts from the PC 2 according to the control program and the security program stored in the ROM 13. With respect to the received processing instruction, the image data stored in the storage unit 15 is deleted (S57), and the processing ends.

  When the content of the management information does not indicate that the security program is in an operating state at step S44 (S44: NO), and when the password is valid at step S54 (S54: YES) The control unit 11 confirms the other image processing apparatuses 3, 3,... That can transmit the proxy processing instruction according to the control program stored in the ROM 13 (S61). Next, the control unit 11 checks the management information stored in the management unit 14 in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM 13 and automatically selects another image processing apparatus 3 to which the proxy processing instruction is to be transmitted. It is determined whether or not the setting is made (S62).

  If it is not set to be automatically selected (S62: NO), the control unit 11 follows the control program stored in the ROM 13 and information on the other image processing devices 3, 3,... Confirmed in step S61. Are transmitted to the PC 2 as the processing instruction transmission source, and the PC 2 is made to output a list of the image processing apparatuses 3, 3,... (S63). Next, the control unit 11 monitors the designation reception of the image processing apparatus 3 that should perform the image data substitution process from the PC 2 (S64). If the designation of the image processing device 3 has not been received (S64: NO), the monitoring of the reception is continued. If the designation of the image processing device 3 has been received (S64: YES), a proxy processing instruction should be transmitted. The image processing device 3 is determined (S65). Further, when the automatic selection is set in step S62 (S62: YES), the control unit 11 selects the image processing apparatus 3 to which the proxy processing instruction is to be transmitted according to the control program stored in the ROM 13. Automatically select and confirm (S65).

  Next, in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM 13, the control unit 11 instructs the confirmed image processing device 3 to perform the processing of the image data to be performed by the image processing device 1 on behalf. Transmit (S66). The image processing apparatus 3 that has received the proxy processing instruction performs proxy processing of the image data. Next, according to the control program stored in the ROM 13, the control unit 11 erases the image data stored in the storage unit 15 regarding the processing instruction received from the PC 2 (S67), and ends the processing.

  As described above in detail, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present invention provides a proxy processing instruction to another image processing apparatus for distributed processing or proxy processing of image data when a security program for protecting image data is operating. Sending to 3 is prohibited. This prevents the proxy processing instruction including the image data from being illegally read on the communication network N and prevents the image data from being illegally taken out from the image processing apparatus 3 that does not have the function of protecting the image data. Image data can be protected from unauthorized use.

  In addition, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present invention performs processing by encrypting image data according to the security program, and when the processing is completed, the image data is rendered valueless and the image data is protected. Can be protected.

  In addition, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present invention renders image data related to processing worthless when a predetermined time has passed without processing the image data due to a problem such as a paper jam. It is possible to prevent the image data stored in the image processing apparatus 1 from being taken out without any processing of the image data and the proxy processing, and to protect the image data from unauthorized use. With the above effects, information security is improved on the image processing system including the image processing apparatus 1 and other image processing apparatuses 3, 3,... Connected to the communication network N.

  Further, in the present invention, the user is informed that transmission of proxy processing instructions for image data distribution processing or proxy processing is prohibited by transmitting information to the PC 2, etc. Knowing that distributed processing and proxy processing are prohibited, use other image processing devices with high speed processing, or resolve the cause of the image processing device 1 stopping processing, etc. It can be performed.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the prohibition of the transmission of proxy processing instructions can be canceled by inputting a password for cancellation, etc., so that it is possible to perform distributed processing and proxy processing of image data when necessary. Yes, the convenience of the image processing apparatus 1 is improved.

2 is a functional block diagram showing an internal functional configuration of the image processing apparatus of the present invention. FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows typically a distributed process and an agency process. It is the model which showed the process of the image data which an image processing apparatus performs in the state which can operate | move a security program. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the image processing apparatus of this invention which received the image process instruction | indication of this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the image processing apparatus of this invention which received the image process instruction | indication of this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the image processing apparatus of this invention which received the image process instruction | indication of this invention performs. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a screen of PC notified of prohibition of distributed processing. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a screen of PC informed of prohibition of proxy processing.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing apparatus 11 Control part 12 Communication part 13 ROM
17 Image forming unit 2 PC
3 Image processing equipment N Communication network

Claims (7)

Receiving means for receiving a processing instruction including image data and forming an image from the image data;
Storage means for storing image data included in the instruction received by the receiving means;
Processing means for performing an image forming process for forming an image from image data in accordance with the received instruction;
Proxy instruction means for instructing another image processing apparatus to perform part or all of the image forming process by the processing means on behalf of the image processing apparatus;
The image data stored in the storage means, by worthless by overwriting erasure or other data that is encrypted and / or after the image formation processing is completed, the operation to protect against unauthorized use, valid state And a protection means capable of switching between invalid states,
Before the proxy instruction means performs the proxy instruction, it is determined whether the operation of the protection means is in a valid state or an invalid state, and if the operation of the protection means is in a valid state, An image processing apparatus comprising: a prohibiting unit that prohibits the instruction unit from issuing a substitute instruction.   In order to perform the image forming process by the processing unit in a distributed manner, the proxy instructing unit is configured to transmit a proxy processing instruction instructing to perform a part of the image forming process to another image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The proxy instructing unit issues a proxy processing instruction to instruct to perform the continuation of the image forming process when the image forming process cannot be continued during the image forming process by the processing unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is configured to transmit to an image.   The proxy instruction means is configured to transmit a proxy processing instruction for instructing to perform the image forming process to another image processing apparatus when the image forming process cannot be performed by the processing means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for notifying the proxy instruction means when the prohibit means prohibits the proxy instruction means from issuing a proxy instruction. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the proxy indicating means further comprises means for canceling the state in which said inhibiting means to make alternate instructions are prohibited. When a predetermined time elapses in a state where the image forming process cannot be performed by the processing unit, the image data related to the image forming process is erased or overwritten with other data in the image data stored in the storage unit. the image processing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising a means for value-.

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