JP4487765B2 - Image processing apparatus and nonvolatile storage medium - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a nonvolatile storage medium used similar image processing apparatus and an image processing apparatus corresponding to a plurality of types of image processing functions.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an image processing apparatus, an apparatus capable of handling a plurality of types of image processing functions such as a copying function, a printing function, a facsimile function, an electronic mail sending / receiving function, and the like is known as a so-called multifunction machine. In addition, in some MFPs that support multiple types of image processing functions, specific image processing functions are treated as options rather than unconditionally enabling all image processing functions. In other cases, in order to limit the use of a specific image processing function, it is possible to switch whether or not each image processing function is enabled.

  The switching of whether or not to enable the image processing function is performed, for example, by operating a setting switch provided in the apparatus, that is, performed by hardware. Therefore, in that case, it is necessary for a maintenance person to go to the place where the apparatus is installed. Therefore, in recent years, a card having an information recording function is used, a signal for controlling the function is recorded in advance on the card, the signal is identified by a reading device such as a card reader, and each image is recorded. It has been proposed to control the processing function in software (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-312137

  However, if the control of each image processing function is made possible simply by using a card, there is a possibility that unauthorized use of each image processing function may be permitted. For example, it is possible for a third party that should not be permitted to remove restrictions on the image processing function due to illegal copying of recorded contents on the card or duplicate use of the card itself. Such unintended release of the function restriction may cause a license violation of a specific image processing function.

Therefore, the present invention is convenient for the user by controlling each image processing function in software so that the setting of the usable state of each image processing function can be performed without requiring work by maintenance personnel or the like. It is an object to provide an image processing apparatus and a non-volatile storage medium that can effectively prevent each set of image processing functions from being used illegally by ensuring that the set authority is illegally changed To do.

The present invention is an image processing apparatus devised to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus having a plurality of types of image processing functions, and an image processing means capable of realizing the plurality of types of image processing functions; The use permission / rejection from the detachable function control key storing use permission / non-permission information for setting for each image processing apparatus whether or not each of the plurality of types of image processing functions is permitted. An information reading unit that reads permission information; a setting unit that sets whether or not each of the plurality of types of image processing functions is enabled based on use permission / non-permission information read by the information reading unit; When the setting means sets a usable state, information erasing means for erasing the use permission / prohibition information from the function control key read permission to use / non-permission information is the basis of the set Characterized in that it comprises a.

The present invention is a non-volatile storage medium devised to achieve the above object, and is a card-like rewritable non-volatile that can be attached to and detached from an image processing apparatus having image processing means capable of realizing a plurality of types of image processing functions. A storage medium for storing use permission / non-permission information for setting for each image processing apparatus whether or not to permit the use of each of the plurality of types of image processing functions. The image processing apparatus is configured to delete the use permission / non-permission information when the image processing apparatus is attached to a processing apparatus and reads the use permission / non-permission information.

  According to the image processing apparatus and the non-volatile storage medium having the above-described configuration, whether to enable or disable each of the plurality of types of image processing functions is performed based on the use permission / denial information. If the use permission / non-permission information is read by the image processing apparatus side, it is possible to perform setting for switching the usable state of each image processing function without requiring a special hardware operation. In addition, even in such a case, after the switching of the usable state is set, the use permission / non-permission information that is the basis of the switching is deleted. Therefore, the non-volatile storage medium (function control key) used for switching the usable state cannot be reused.

  As described above, according to the image processing apparatus and the nonvolatile storage medium according to the present invention, it is possible to switch the usable state of each image processing function based on the use permission / denial information. Therefore, software-like control is possible without requiring special hardware-like work, so that convenience for the user can be ensured. In addition, even in such a case, the use permission / non-permission information once used for switching the usable state is deleted, so that the use permission / non-permission information cannot be used redundantly. It is possible to effectively prevent unauthorized copying or duplication of usage permission / denial information.

  Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus and a nonvolatile storage medium according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, a case where the present invention is applied to a multifunction device and a function control key for controlling an image processing function in the multifunction device will be described as an example.

  First, a schematic configuration of the multifunction peripheral and the function control key will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a multifunction machine to which the present invention is applied and a function control key used in the multifunction machine.

  The multifunction device described here can realize a plurality of image processing functions such as a copy function 1a, a scan function 1b, a print function 1c, a FAX function 1d, and an e-mail sending / receiving function 1e as the image processing unit 1. ing. However, each function 1a-1e ... mentioned here is only an illustration, and is not limited only to these functions 1a-1e .... The details of each of these functions 1a to 1e... Are well-known, and will not be described here. It is assumed that at least one of these functions 1a to 1e... Is positioned as a standard image processing function, and the other is positioned as an optional image processing function.

  In addition to the image processing unit 1, the multifunction device described here includes a card reader 2, a CPU 3, and a memory 4.

The card reader 2 functions as information reading means in the present invention, and reads information from a function control key 5 described later. Further, it is assumed that the card reader 2 can not only read information from the function control key 5 but also write information to the function control key 5 .

  Here, the function control key 5 will be described. The function control key 5 functions as an electronic key for setting the use / non-use of each function 1a to 1e... In the multifunction machine. Specifically, for example, an MMC (multimedia card) or SD (Secure Digital) is used. ) It consists of a card-like non-volatile storage medium that can be attached to and detached from the card reader 2 such as a card. The function control key 5 is not necessarily limited to a card-like shape as long as it can read and write information, that is, is a rewritable nonvolatile storage medium. It is desirable that the card is in the form of a card such as an MMC or an SD card from the viewpoint of performance.

  The function control key 5 stores use permission / non-permission information for each of the functions 1a to 1e. The use permission / denial information is information for specifying which optional functions can be used in addition to the standard functions, and is individually set for each of the functions 1a to 1e. It is assumed that

  Further, in the function control key 5, in addition to the use permission / non-permission information of each function 1a to 1e ..., use / non-use of each function 1a to 1e ... should be set by the use permission / non-permission information. The machine identification information of the multifunction machine is stored in advance. The machine identification information is information for identifying a multifunction machine by machine, specifically, a device ID assigned to each multifunction machine, and a MAC (Media Access Control) address assigned when using a network. It is conceivable to use an IP (Internet Protocol) address or the like.

CPU3 executes a predetermined program, it is for controlling the operation of the entire MFP. The operation control performed by the CPU 3 includes, for example, control by the operation control unit 3a and control by the information erasing unit 3b.

  In the operation control means 3a, based on the use permission / non-permission information read by the card reader 2 from the function control key 5, it is switched whether or not each of the functions 1a to 1e. It has become. However, the usable state is switched only when the machine identification information read from the function control key 5 matches the machine identification information set in advance for the own apparatus.

  On the other hand, in the information erasure unit 3b, when the operation control unit 3a switches the usable state, the use permission / non-permission information is read from the function control key 5 that has read the use permission / non-permission information that is the basis of the switching. Is supposed to be erased. The use permission / non-permission information is erased by giving the card reader 2 an erase command for the information in the function control key 5 or giving an instruction to overwrite the random information in the function control key 5. Just do it.

  The memory 4 is composed of a non-volatile storage device, and stores and holds a predetermined program and various information necessary for the operation of the CPU 3. The various information stored and held in the memory 4 includes information regarding the result of switching the usable state by the operation control means 3a, that is, the setting result of the availability of each function 1a to 1e. Further, the various information includes machine identification information set in advance for the multi-function machine in which the memory 4 is mounted.

  Next, a processing operation example in the multi-function machine configured as described above will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing operation in a multifunction machine to which the present invention is applied.

  After the power to the multifunction device is turned on, the operation control means 3a of the CPU 3 always monitors whether or not the function control key 5 is attached to the card reader 2 (step 101; S ”). When the function control key 5 is attached to the card reader 2, the card reader 2 first reads out the machine identification information from the attached function control key 5 in accordance with an instruction from the operation control means 3a.

  When the card reader 2 reads the machine identification information, the operation control means 3a compares the machine identification information read by the card reader 2 with the machine identification information stored in the memory 4, and they match each other. It is determined whether or not to perform (S102). As a result, if they do not match, the operation control means 3a determines that the function control key 5 attached to the card reader 2 is invalid, and ends the subsequent processing. On the other hand, when the machine body identification information matches each other, the card reader 2 then follows various instructions stored in the function control key 5 from the attached function control key 5 while following instructions from the operation control means 3a. Data, specifically use permission / denial information is read (S103).

  When the card reader 2 reads the use permission / non-permission information, the operation control means 3a determines whether or not each function 1a to 1e... Switch. Specifically, first, for the first of the functions 1a to 1e..., It is determined whether or not it can be used based on the use permission / non-permission information (S104). The function is made available (S105). If it is determined that the function is unavailable, the function is made unavailable (S106). Subsequently, similarly for the second of the functions 1a to 1e..., It is determined whether it can be used or not based on the use permission / non-permission information (S107). The function is set to the usable state (S108), and if it is determined that the function is not usable, the function is set to the unusable state (S109). Hereinafter, such a process is repeated until all the functions 1a to 1e are finished.

  At this time, the operation control means 3a gives an instruction for making each function 1a to 1e... Usable or unusable. The details correspond to the difference between each function 1a to 1e. However, since it may be performed using a known technique, the description thereof is omitted here.

  The operation control means 3a may switch whether or not all the functions 1a to 1e... Can be used, but at least one of the functions 1a to 1e. Since the image processing functions and other functions are positioned as optional image processing functions, it is assumed that the standard functions are in a usable state without being switched from being used or not. It is also conceivable to switch whether or not to set the usable state by determining the usable / unusable state only for the optional function based on the permission / denial information. In this case, it is assumed that only the standard function operates and the optional function does not operate when the MFP is shipped from the factory.

  The switching result of the usable state by the operation control means 3a is stored and held in the memory 4 as information on the setting result of the use of each function 1a to 1e.

  Further, when the use permission / non-permission information that is the basis for switching the usable state is read from the function control key 5, before the function control key 5 is removed from the card reader 2, the information erasing means of the CPU 3. 3b gives an instruction (erase command, erase command, etc.) to the card reader 2 to delete the use permission / non-permission information from the function control key 5. Upon receiving this instruction, the card reader 2 erases the stored contents in the function control key 5 in the mounted state (S110). Therefore, the function control key 5, that is, the function control key 5 once used for switching the usable state cannot be reused (used as the function control key 5).

  After that, the CPU 3 performs operation control on each function 1a to 1e... In the usable state so as to perform a normal operation as a multifunction peripheral.

  As described above, according to the multifunction device described in the present embodiment and the function control key 5 used in the multifunction device, a plurality of types can be selected based on the use permission / denial information stored in the function control key 5. Since each of the image processing functions 1a to 1e... Is switched to whether or not to enable use, if the multifunction peripheral side reads the use permission / non-permission information, a special hardware operation is performed. It is not necessary to switch the usable state of each of the image processing functions 1a to 1e. Therefore, it is possible to perform software control without requiring maintenance personnel to go to the installation location of the device or to allow a general user to perform special hardware operations, and the function control key 5 can be connected to the card reader 2 of the multifunction device. Therefore, it is possible to easily expand the functions of the multifunction peripheral while ensuring convenience for the user.

  In addition, even in that case, after the setting of the usable state is switched, the use permission / non-permission information that is the basis of the switching is deleted from the function control key 5. Accordingly, since the use permission / non-permission information once used for switching the usable state is deleted, the use permission / non-permission information cannot be used redundantly. In other words, since the function control key 5 used for switching the usable state cannot be reused, illegal use such as duplicate use of the card itself can be effectively prevented. It is possible to avoid releasing restrictions on the image processing functions 1a to 1e.

This is particularly effective when there are those (character data, program modules, etc.) that require a license permission to use the image processing functions 1a to 1e. That is, when switching the license use permission / prohibition state , the fraud can be effectively prevented, so that license protection is appropriately performed.

  Further, according to the multifunction machine described in the present embodiment and the function control key 5 used in the multifunction machine, the function control key 5 stores the machine identification information about the multifunction machine together with the use permission / denial information. The multifunction device switches the usable state based on the use permission / non-permission information in the function control key 5 only when the device identification information matches the device identification information set in advance for the own device. To do. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively prevent unauthorized use such as illegally copying the recorded contents in the function control key 5 and eventually using the function control key 5 in a plurality of multifunction peripherals. In other words, if the identification processing using the machine identification information is performed in conjunction with erasing the used permission / non-permission information, the third party who should not be permitted can perform image processing functions 1a to 1e. It is possible to more reliably avoid the restriction on.

  In the present embodiment, the preferred specific examples of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the contents, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist thereof. For example, as long as the present invention is compatible with a plurality of types of image processing functions, it can be considered that the present invention can be applied in the same manner to other image processing apparatuses as well as multifunction peripherals.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a multifunction machine to which the present invention is applied and a function control key used in the multifunction machine. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing operation in a multifunction machine to which the present invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image processing means, 1a ... Copy function, 1b ... Scan function, 1c ... Print function, 1d ... FAX function, 1e ... E-mail transfer function, 2 ... Card reader, 3 ... CPU, 3a ... Operation control means, 3b ... Information erasing means, 4 ... memory, 5 ... function control key

Claims (5)

An image processing apparatus having a plurality of types of image processing functions,
Image processing means capable of realizing the plurality of types of image processing functions,
Use permission / non-permission from a detachable function control key storing use permission / non-permission information for setting for each image processing apparatus whether to permit use of each of the plurality of types of image processing functions. Information reading means for reading information;
Setting means for setting whether or not to enable each of the plurality of types of image processing functions based on the use permission / non-permission information read by the information reading means;
An information erasing unit for erasing the use permission / non-permission information from the function control key that has read the use permission / non-permission information that is the basis of the setting when the setting unit sets the usable state. A featured image processing apparatus. The information reading unit reads machine identification information about the image processing apparatus together with the use permission / denial information.
The operation control means sets the usable state based on the use permission / non-permission information only when the machine identification information read by the information reading means matches the machine identification information set in advance for the own apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus performs the processing. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the function control key includes a card-like rewritable nonvolatile storage medium. A card-like rewritable non-volatile storage medium which can be attached to and detached from an image processing apparatus provided with image processing means capable of realizing a plurality of types of image processing functions,
Stores use permission / non-permission information for setting for each image processing device whether or not to permit use of each of the plurality of types of image processing functions, and is attached to the image processing device and the image A non-volatile storage medium, wherein the use permission / non-permission information is erased by the image processing apparatus when the processing apparatus reads the use permission / non-permission information. The nonvolatile storage medium according to claim 4, wherein machine identification information about the image processing apparatus is stored in addition to the use permission / denial information.

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