JP4760885B2 - Image reading system and image reading apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading system that reads an image from a paper medium or the like, generates image data based on the read image, and displays an image based on the image data.

A system for transferring scan image data and the like between a PC and an MFP (multifunctional peripheral device) connected to a LAN is known. Patent Document 1 describes a push scan function in which a user directly instructs an MFP to scan, and scan image data generated by the MFP is transmitted to a PC on the LAN.
JP 2005-192022 A

  By the way, when performing the push scan, the user needs to set a paper medium or the like to be scanned in the MFP and perform an operation for starting the push scan on the MFP. For this reason, when performing a push scan, it is predicted that the user is not in the vicinity of the PC that receives the scanned image data. However, in the conventional push scan, a PC that has received a push scan preparation command from the MFP starts an application and waits for reception of scan image data generated by the MFP. When the PC receives the scanned image data, the PC displays the scanned image as it is, regardless of whether the user is in the vicinity of the device. For this reason, when scanning an image on a paper medium or the like with the push scan function, there is a possibility that the scan image is stolen by a third party through a PC just by looking into the display, and information may be leaked. .

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can prevent an image read from a paper medium or the like by a push scan function from being stolen by a third party and leaking information. The purpose is to provide a system.

The image reading system according to claim 1, which has been made to solve the above problem, reads an image based on an instruction directly received from a user, generates image data based on the read image, and the image reading system. And an information processing apparatus that displays an image based on the image data generated by the apparatus. The image reading device is generated based on the first output means for outputting the image data generated based on the read image to the first information processing device connected via the network, and the read image. Second output means for outputting the received image data to a second information processing apparatus locally connected to the own apparatus. In addition, when image data is transmitted by the first output unit, the first information processing apparatus is prohibited from displaying an image based on a preparation instruction for starting an application and the image data output by the first output unit. There rows inhibition instruction is the instruction to send the image data by the second output means includes an instruction unit not to perform inhibition instruction to prepare instruction to the second information processing device. And the image data produced | generated based on the read image is output after the instruction | indication by an instruction | indication means.
The information processing apparatus also includes an acquisition unit that acquires image data output from the image reading device, a display unit that displays various images, and an image based on the image data acquired by the acquisition unit after receiving a preparation instruction. Control means to be displayed on the display means, and instruction receiving means for receiving a prohibition instruction. The control unit prohibits display of an image based on the image data acquired by the acquisition unit after the instruction reception unit receives the prohibition instruction.

By doing so, the image reading system, when a prohibition instruction is given to the information processing apparatus, the image read from the paper medium or the like by the instruction directly received from the user by the image reading apparatus, that is, the paper by the push scan function. It is possible to prevent an image read from a medium or the like from being displayed on the information processing apparatus. Therefore, this image reading system can prevent an image read from a paper medium or the like by a push scan function from being seen by a third party and information leaking.
Further, for example, when the information processing apparatus and the image reading apparatus are connected via a network such as a LAN, it is assumed that the information processing apparatus and the image reading apparatus are installed at locations separated from each other. be able to. On the other hand, for example, when the information processing apparatus and the image reading apparatus are directly connected locally by a cable corresponding to a standard such as USB or IEEE 1394, it is predicted that they are installed in places adjacent to each other. Note that the fact that the image processing apparatus and the image reading apparatus are directly connected by, for example, a cable conforming to a standard such as USB or IEEE 1394 or a serial cable is referred to as local connection. When the information processing apparatus and the image reading apparatus are installed in places adjacent to each other, it is conceivable that the user performs an operation for reading an image by the image reading apparatus in the vicinity of the information processing apparatus.
For this reason, if the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 acquires image data from an image reading apparatus directly connected to the information processing apparatus, the user who instructed the image reading is in the vicinity of the information processing apparatus. It is possible to display an image based on the acquired image data. In addition, when there is a high possibility of peeping at the display, image display is prohibited. Therefore, it is possible to improve the usability of the image reading system while preventing an image read from a paper medium or the like from being stolen by a third party and leaking information.

Further, the image reading apparatus may output image data based on the read image to the information processing apparatus at the following timing.
That is, as described in claim 2, the information processing apparatus notifies the image reading apparatus that the control unit has prohibited display of an image based on the image data acquired by the acquiring unit. The image reading apparatus may further include a first notification receiving unit that receives a notification that the control unit has prohibited display of an image based on the image data. When the first notification receiving unit receives a notification that the control unit prohibits display of an image based on the image data, the first output unit outputs an image to the information processing apparatus that has performed the notification. Data may be output.

  By doing so, the image reading system can more reliably prevent an image read from a paper medium or the like by the push scan function from being seen by a third party and information leaking.

Further, the information processing apparatus may prohibit display of an image read by the image reading apparatus as follows.
That is, as described in claim 3, when the accepting unit accepts the prohibition instruction, the control unit displays the image based on the image data obtained by the obtaining unit by setting the own apparatus in a logged-off state. May be prohibited.

  Note that the state where the own apparatus (information processing apparatus) is logged off is, for example, an OS for controlling the information processing apparatus, in order to display an image read from a paper medium or the like by the image reading apparatus. It is also possible to log off a user who has logged in to the information processing apparatus using an OS capable of operating the application.

  By doing so, the image reading system can prevent display of an image read from a paper medium or the like by the push scan function. Further, by setting the information processing apparatus in a logged-off state, it is impossible to determine whether or not an application corresponding to the image reading apparatus is operating only by looking at the information processing apparatus. That is, the information processing apparatus can conceal that a third party is reading an image with the push scan function in the image reading apparatus. Therefore, the image reading system according to claim 3 can more reliably prevent an image read from a paper medium or the like from being seen by a third party, and can also be applied to an image read from a paper medium or the like. Based on this, it is possible to prevent theft of image data, and it is possible to more reliably prevent leakage of an image read by the push scan function.

The information processing apparatus may cancel the prohibition as follows after prohibiting the display of the image read by the image reading apparatus.
That is, as described in claim 4, the control unit prohibits the display of the image based on the image data acquired by the acquisition unit, and then the image data acquired by the acquisition unit when a predetermined time has elapsed. The prohibition of image display based on the above may be lifted.

  By doing this, for example, even when the user is performing an operation for reading an image by the image reading device at a location away from the information processing device, the image reading system can Until the user returns to the vicinity of the information processing apparatus, display of the read image can be prohibited. Therefore, the image reading system can prevent an image read from a paper medium or the like from being seen by a third party and information leaking.

The information processing apparatus may cancel the prohibition as follows after prohibiting the display of the image read by the image reading apparatus.
That is, as described in claim 5, the information processing apparatus may further include an input receiving unit that receives a password input from the user. The control unit prohibits the display of the image based on the image data acquired by the acquisition unit, and then receives the input of a predetermined password via the input reception unit, and displays the image based on the image data acquired by the acquisition unit. You may lift the prohibition.

  By doing so, only a limited user who knows the predetermined password can view the image read by the image reading device via the information processing device. Therefore, the image reading system can more reliably prevent an image read from a paper medium or the like from being seen by a third party and leaking information.

Further, it can be assumed that the information processing apparatus fails to prohibit the display of the image read by the image reading apparatus.
Therefore, in the image reading system according to the sixth aspect , the information processing apparatus notifies the image reading apparatus that the control unit has failed to prohibit the display of the image based on the image data acquired by the acquiring unit. The image reading apparatus further includes a second notification receiving unit that receives a notification that the control unit has failed to prohibit the display of the image based on the image data. The first output means, when the second notice accepting means accepts the notice that the control means has failed to prohibit the display of the image based on the image data, to the information processing apparatus that made the notice Output the encrypted image data.

  By doing so, the image reading system allows the information processing device to be seen by a third party even if the information processing device fails to prohibit the display of the image read by the image reading device, and information leaks. Can be prevented.

By the way, the image reading apparatus of the image reading system described above may be configured as a single unit and distributed in the market. Even if the image reading apparatus is configured as a single unit, the above-described effects can be obtained by combining with the corresponding information processing apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the following embodiments, and various forms can be adopted as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[Description of configuration]
(1) Image Reading System FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image reading system 1 of the present embodiment. The image reading system 1 includes an MFP 10 having functions such as a printer, a scanner, a copier, and a FAX, and PCs 20a, 20b, and 20c that are personal computers. The MFP 10 and the PC 20a are connected by a USB 40, and the MFP 10, the PC 20b, and the PC 20c are connected by a LAN 30. In the present embodiment, the image reading system 1 includes one MFP, but may include two or more MFPs. Further, although the image reading system 1 has three PCs, the image reading system 1 may have two or less PCs, or may have four or more PCs. good. Hereinafter, PC 20a, PC 20b, and PC 20c are collectively referred to as PC 20.

(2) MFP Next, the detailed configuration of the MFP 10 constituting the image reading system 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. The MFP 10 includes a control unit 11, a liquid crystal display panel 12, an input unit 13, a scan engine 14, a USB I / F 15, a storage unit 16, a network I / F 17, and a print engine 18. These components are connected via a bus.

  The control unit 11 is configured around a well-known microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O and a bus line connecting these components, and the above-described units are based on programs stored in the ROM or the like. Various processes are executed under overall control.

The liquid crystal display panel 12 includes a liquid crystal display and the like, and is a part that visually transmits information to the user.
The input unit 13 includes a mechanical switch, a touch panel, and the like, and is a part that receives an operation input from a user.

  The scan engine 14 is a part that reads an image of a document set at a predetermined document reading position based on a command from the control unit 11 and generates scan image data representing the image.

The USB I / F 15 is a part that performs communication processing for realizing communication based on the USB standard with a USB compatible device (PC 20a in the present embodiment).
The storage unit 16 is composed of a nonvolatile storage medium such as a hard disk or a flash memory, and is a part used as a storage area for data used when the MFP 10 realizes various functions.

The network I / F 17 is a part that performs communication based on the Ethernet (registered trademark) standard with devices on the LAN 30 (PC 20b and PC 20c in this embodiment).
The print engine 18 is a part that prints an image on a print medium such as paper based on a command from the control unit 11. Examples of the image printed by the print engine 18 include an image read by the scan engine 14, an image received by a facsimile function, and a printing image received from an external device such as the PC 20.

(3) PC Next, a detailed configuration of the PC 20 constituting the image reading system 1 will be described with reference to a block diagram shown in FIG. The PC 20 includes a control unit 21, a display 22, a keyboard 23, a mouse 24, a network I / F 25, a storage unit 26, and a USB I / F 27. These components are connected via a bus.

  The control unit 21 is configured around a well-known microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O and a bus line connecting these components, and is loaded into a program stored in the ROM or the RAM. Based on the OS, various applications, and the like, the above-described units are comprehensively controlled to execute various processes.

The display 22 includes a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, and the like, and is a part that visually transmits information to the user.
The keyboard 23 is a well-known keyboard and is a part that receives an operation input from the user.

The mouse 24 is a well-known mouse and is a part that receives an operation input from a user.
The network I / F 25 is a part that performs communication based on the Ethernet (registered trademark) standard with other devices on the LAN 30 (MFP 10 in this embodiment).

The storage unit 26 includes a nonvolatile storage medium such as a hard disk or a flash memory, and stores various programs, data, and the like.
The USB I / F 27 is a part that performs communication processing for realizing communication based on the USB standard with a USB compatible device (MFP 10 in this embodiment).

[Description of operation]
Next, the operation of the image reading system 1 when performing a push scan in which the MFP 10 performs a scan and the generated scan image data is transmitted to any of the PCs 20 will be described. Note that when the push scan is started, the PC 20 is in a state where the user has logged in by the OS. FIG. 4 shows an example of the operation panel of the MFP 10, and FIG. 5 shows the contents of messages exchanged between the MFP 10 and the PC 20. Hereinafter, the operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 as appropriate.

(1) Outline of processing when executing push scan (1-1) Push scan via LAN First, push scan via the LAN 30, that is, scan image data generated by the MFP 10 is converted into the MFP 10. The push scan transmitted to the PC 20b or the PC 20c connected via the LAN 30 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG.

  When the user sets a document on the MFP 10 and instructs the start of push scan via the operation panel (S105), the push scan is started. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the operation panel of the MFP 10 includes a liquid crystal display panel 12 and an input unit 13. The input unit 13 has up / down / left / right buttons, a scan button, and a cancel button. The liquid crystal display panel 12 displays a screen for selecting a PC to which scan image data is to be transmitted, and displays “PC — 00001 (NETWORK)”, “PC — 00002 (NETWORK)”, and “USB”. These displays correspond to PC 20b, PC 20c, and PC 20a in order. The user can select one of the above displays using the up and down buttons of the input unit 13, and when the scan button is pressed while “PC — 00001 (NETWORK)” or “PC — 00002 (NETWORK)” is selected, The push scan via the LAN 30 is started with the PC as the transmission destination of the scan image data.

  Upon receiving an instruction to start push scan, the MFP 10 starts scanning, and a push scan preparation command for instructing the selected PC 20 to prepare for push scan via the LAN 30, and a scan image by push scan. And a lock command for prohibiting display of (S110). In (a-1) of FIG. 5, a command message 200 which is a message indicating a push scan preparation command and a lock command is described. The command message 200 includes a COMMAND 201 for instructing preparation for a push scan, a SUBCOMMAND 202 for instructing prohibition of display of a scan image, an MFP IP 203 indicating an IP address of the MFP 10 that generates scan image data, and a push scan. The MFP PORT 204 indicates the port number of the MFP 10 used for communication. In S <b> 110, the command message 200 is transmitted via the LAN 30 to the PC selected from the MFP 10.

  The PC 20b or PC 20c that has received the push scan preparation command and the lock command from the MFP 10 activates an application for performing the push scan, and further locks the display of the scan image according to the lock command (S115). Specifically, the PC 20b or the like may leave the activated OS in a logoff state while the application is running, or may prohibit display of a scanned image by the application. When the PC 20b or the like succeeds in locking the scanned image, the PC 20b notifies the MFP 10 of the lock success (S120). Note that (a-2) in FIG. 5 describes a notification message 210 transmitted from the PC 20b or the like to the MFP 10 when the lock success notification is performed.

  When the scan is completed and the lock success notification is received from the PC 20b or PC 20c, the MFP 10 starts transmitting scan image data to the PC 20b or the like via the LAN 30 (S125, S130).

  When the unlock condition is satisfied after starting the reception of the scan image data, the PC 20b and the like unlock the display of the scan image (S135). Then, the scan image generated based on the received scan image data is displayed on the display 22. The unlock condition may be, for example, a condition that the user who has logged in at the start of push scan logs in again if the OS is in a logoff state for locking the display of the scanned image. . Further, if the display of the scan image is locked by an application for performing push scan, for example, a condition that a predetermined time elapses from the lock of the display of the scan image may be satisfied, or a predetermined time may be set by the user. The condition of accepting the input of the password may be acceptable.

(1-2) Push Scan via USB Next, push scan via the USB 40, that is, scanned image data generated by the MFP 10 is transferred to the PC 20a connected to the MFP 10 via the USB 40. A push scan to be transmitted will be described.

  As described above, when the user sets a document on the MFP 10 and instructs the start of push scan via the operation panel, the push scan is started. As shown in FIG. 4, a screen for selecting a PC to which scan image data is to be transmitted is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 12, and “PC — 00001 (NETWORK)”, “PC — 00002 (NETWORK)”, “USB”. "Is displayed. These displays correspond to PC20b, PC20c, and PC20a, respectively. The user can select one of the above displays using the up and down buttons of the input unit 13, and when the scan button is pressed while “USB” is selected, the PC 20a connected by the USB 40 is scanned image data. Push scan is started as the transmission destination of.

  Upon receiving an instruction to start a push scan, the MFP 10 starts a scan and issues a push scan preparation command that instructs the PC 20a to prepare for a push scan via the USB 40. At this time, the command message 220 described in FIG. 5B is transmitted from the MFP 10 to the PC 20a via the USB 40. Then, the MFP 10 generates scan image data and starts transmitting the generated scan image data to the PC 20a.

  The PC 20a that has received the push scan preparation command from the MFP 10 activates an application for performing the push scan. When reception of scan image data from the MFP 10 is started, a scan image is generated based on the received scan image data and displayed on the display 22.

(2) Processing Performed by PC at the Time of Push Scan Execution Next, processing performed at the PC 20 at the time of push scan execution will be described in more detail using the flowchart shown in FIG. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is a process that is started when the PC 20 is activated. Further, this process ends when an operation for stopping the PC 20 is performed.

  In step S <b> 305, the control unit 21 of the PC 20 determines whether a push scan preparation command is received from the MFP 10 via the LAN 30 or the USB 40. When the push scan preparation command is not received (S305: No), the control unit 21 shifts the process to S370. When the push scan preparation command is received (S305: Yes), the control unit 21 activates an application for performing the push scan, and shifts the processing to S310.

  In S310, the control unit 21 determines whether a lock command is received together with the push scan preparation command. When the lock command is received together with the push scan preparation command, that is, when the push scan preparation command is received from the MFP 10 via the LAN 30, the control unit 21 shifts the processing to S315. When the lock command is not received together with the push scan preparation command, that is, when the push scan preparation command is received from the MFP 10 via the USB 40, the control unit 21 shifts the process to S335.

  In S315, the control unit 21 locks the display of the scanned image. Specifically, the control unit 21 may set the running OS in the logoff state while the application for performing the push scan is activated. In addition, the control unit 21 may prohibit the display of the entire scan image from the application for performing the push scan, and a large part of the scan image is difficult to grasp the entire image of the scan image. Alternatively, partial display may be prohibited. If the lock is successful (S320: Yes), the control unit 21 notifies the MFP 10 of the lock success via the LAN 30 (S325), and the process proceeds to S335. If the lock has failed, the control unit 21 notifies the MFP 10 of the lock failure via the LAN 30 (S330), and the process proceeds to S335.

In S335, the control unit 21 starts receiving scan image data from the MFP 10 via the LAN 30 or the USB 40, and the process proceeds to S340.
In S340, the control unit 21 generates a scan image based on the already received scan image data. The MFP 10 may transmit the scanned image data in an encrypted state to the PC 20. In such a case, the control unit 21 displays an image based on the scanned image data in the encrypted state. An image different from the original scan image (for example, a scrambled scan image) is generated as a scan image. Then, the control unit 21 determines whether or not the display of the scan image is locked (S345). If the display of the scan image is not locked (S345: No), the generated scan image is displayed on the display 22. And the process proceeds to S360. If the display of the scanned image is locked (S345: Yes), the control unit 21 moves the process to S350.

  In S350, the control unit 21 determines whether or not a lock release condition is satisfied. Specifically, if the display of the scan image is prohibited by an application that performs push scan, the control unit 21 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed after the scan image display is locked, or the keyboard 23 from the user. When an input of a predetermined password is accepted via the key, it may be considered that the unlocking condition is satisfied. If the display of the scanned image is locked by setting the OS to log off, the control unit 21 determines that the unlock condition is satisfied when the user who has logged on at the start of push scan logs on again. You may consider it. When the unlocking condition is satisfied (S350: Yes), the control unit 21 shifts the process to S355. When the unlock condition is not satisfied (S350: No), the control unit 21 shifts the process to S360.

In S355, the control unit 21 unlocks the display of the scanned image, and the process proceeds to S340.
In S <b> 360, the control unit 21 determines whether reception of scan image data from the MFP 10 has been completed. If reception of the scan image data has not ended (S360: No), the control unit 21 shifts the process to S340. When the reception of the scan image data is finished (S360: Yes), the control unit 21 shifts the process to S365.

  In S365, if the display of the scan image is prohibited by an application that performs push scan and the display of the scan image is locked, the control unit 21 releases the lock, and the process proceeds to S305. .

  In S370, which is shifted when the push scan preparation command is not received, the control unit 21 executes processes other than the processes related to push scan, and when these processes are completed, the process shifts to S305 again.

(3) Processing Performed by MFP at Push Scan Next, the processing performed by MFP 10 at the time of push scan execution will be described in more detail using the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is a process that is started when the MFP 10 is activated. This process ends when an operation to stop the MFP 10 is performed on the input unit 13.

  In step S <b> 405, the control unit 11 of the MFP 10 determines whether or not a push scan start instruction using the PC 20 b or the PC 20 c connected via the LAN 30 as a scan image data transmission destination is received from the user via the input unit 13. judge. When the push scan start instruction is received (S405: Yes), the control unit 11 causes the scan engine 14 to start scanning, and the process proceeds to S410. When the push scan start instruction is not received (S405: No), the control unit 11 shifts the process to S430.

In S410, the control unit 11 issues a push scan preparation command and a lock command to the PC 20b or PC 20c via the LAN 30, and the process proceeds to S415.
In S415, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the display of the scanned image has been successfully locked by the PC that has issued the push scan preparation command or the like. Specifically, when the lock success notification is received from the PC (S415: Yes), the control unit 11 determines that the scan image display has been successfully locked, and the process proceeds to S420. If the notification of the lock failure is received from the PC (S415: No), the control unit 11 determines that the scan image display has failed to be locked, and the process proceeds to S425.

  In S420 that is shifted when the display lock of the scan image is successful, the control unit 11 transmits the scan image data generated by the scan engine 14 to the PC, and when the transmission is completed, the process proceeds to S405. To do.

  On the other hand, in S425, which is shifted when the lock of the display of the scan image fails, the control unit 11 encrypts the scan image data generated by the scan engine 14 and transmits it to the PC. When the transmission is completed, the control unit 11 shifts the process to S405.

  In S430 to which the process proceeds when the push scan start instruction via the LAN 30 is not received, the control unit 11 performs a push scan start instruction with the PC 20a connected via the USB 40 as the scan image data transmission destination. It is determined whether it has been received from the user via the input unit 13. When the push scan start instruction is received (S430: Yes), the control unit 11 causes the scan engine 14 to start scanning, and the process proceeds to S435. When the push scan start instruction has not been received (S430: No), the control unit 11 shifts the process to S445.

  In S435, the control unit 11 issues a push scan preparation command to the PC 20a via the USB 40, and transmits the scan image data generated by the scan engine 14 to the PC 20a (S440). And when transmission is complete | finished, the control part 11 transfers a process to S405 again.

  In S445 to which the process proceeds when the instruction for starting the push scan via the USB 40 has not been received, the control unit 11 performs processes other than the processes related to the push scan, and when these processes are completed, the process again proceeds to S405. Transition.

[effect]
In the image reading system 1 of the present embodiment, when performing a push scan via the LAN 30, the MFP 10 issues a lock command to the PC 20b or the PC 20c (S110). The PC 20b or the like that has received the lock command prohibits the display of the scanned image until the unlock condition is satisfied (S115). Therefore, when performing a push scan via the LAN 30, it is possible to prevent the scanned image from being displayed as it is on the PC 20b or the like regardless of whether or not there is a user near the PC 20b or the like. Therefore, the image reading system 1 can prevent a scan image read from a paper medium or the like by push scanning from being seen by a third party and information leaking.

  When the PC 20b or the like that has received the lock command succeeds in locking the display of the scanned image, the PC 20b or the like notifies the MFP 10 of the lock success (S120). Upon receiving the lock success notification, the MFP 10 transmits the generated scan image data to the PC 20b or the like (S130). For this reason, the image reading system 1 can more reliably prevent the scan image from being seen by a third party and information leaking.

  When the PC 20b or the like that has received the lock command fails to lock the display of the scanned image, the PC 20b or the like issues a lock failure notification to the MFP 10 (S330). Upon receiving the lock failure notification, the MFP 10 encrypts the generated scan image data and transmits it to the PC 20b or the like (S425). Then, the PC 20b or the like that has received the encrypted scan image data displays the scrambled scan image or the like. Therefore, even when the PC 20b or the like fails to lock the display of the scanned image, the image reading system 1 can prevent this image from being seen by a third party and information leaking. Become.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as an example of processing when the PC 20b or the like locks the display of the scan image, a process of prohibiting the display of the scan image by setting the running OS to a logoff state is described. Yes. By doing so, the PC 20b or the like can conceal that a push scan is being performed to a third party. Therefore, the image reading system 1 can more reliably prevent the scan image from being stolen by a third party, can prevent the scan image data from being stolen, and can more reliably prevent the scan image from leaking. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, as an example of the unlocking condition, when the PC 20b or the like prohibits the display of the scan image by an application that performs push scan, a predetermined time elapses after the scan image display is locked. Conditions are listed. By using such a condition as the unlocking condition, for example, even when the user is performing a push scan operation at a location away from the PC 20b, the scanned image is displayed until the user returns to the vicinity of the PC 20b. Can be prohibited. Therefore, the image reading system 1 can prevent the scanned image from being seen by a third party and information leaking.

  In the present embodiment, as an example of the unlock condition, a condition that the PC 20b or the like accepts an input of a predetermined password when the PC 20b or the like prohibits display of a scanned image by an application that performs push scanning is described. ing. By using such a condition as the unlocking condition, only a limited user who knows the predetermined password can view the scanned image from the PC 20b or the like. Therefore, the image reading system 1 can more reliably prevent the scan image from being seen by a third party and information leaking.

  Further, for example, when the MFP 10 and the PC 20 are connected via a LAN or the like, it can be assumed that these devices are installed at locations separated from each other. On the other hand, for example, when the MFP 10 and the PC 20 are directly connected by USB or the like, it is predicted that these apparatuses are installed in locations adjacent to each other. When the MFP 10 and the PC 20 are installed at locations adjacent to each other, the user may perform a push scan operation in the vicinity of the PC 20.

  Therefore, when performing a push scan via the USB, the MFP 10 does not issue a lock command to the PC 20a connected via the USB, but only issues a scan command (S435) and is read by the push scan. The scanned image is displayed as it is on the PC 20a.

  As described above, in the image reading system 1, when performing a push scan via the LAN 30, it is considered that the user is not near the PC 20 and is likely to look into the display, and the scan image is displayed on the PC 20. Prohibit display. On the other hand, when the push scan is performed via the USB 40, the image reading system 1 considers that the user who has instructed the push scan is in the vicinity of the PC 20a, and displays the scan image on the PC 20a. For this reason, the usability of the image reading system 1 can be improved while preventing a scan image from being seen by a third party and leaking information.

[Other Embodiments]
(1) In the present embodiment, when the PC 20b or PC 20c receives the scanned image data in the encrypted state from the MFP 10 via the LAN 30, the PC 20b or the PC 20c differs from the original scanned image based on the scanned image data in the encrypted state. An image is generated and displayed on the display 22. However, when receiving the encrypted scan image data, the PC 20b or the like may display a specific image such as a black image on the display 22 instead of the image. Even when such an image is displayed, the same effect can be obtained.

  (2) When the PC 20b or the like receives encrypted scan image data from the MFP 10 and displays an image different from the scan image, the PC 20b or the like, for example, receives a predetermined value from the user via the keyboard 23. When the password input is accepted, the encrypted scan image data may be decoded. Then, the PC 20b or the like may display the original scan image on the display 22. In this way, only a user who knows the predetermined password can display the scanned image, and the scanned image can be prevented from being stolen by a third party.

  (3) In this embodiment, the MFP 10 and the PC 20a are connected by USB, but it goes without saying that these devices may be connected by a bus of another standard such as IEEE 1394, for example. good. Even in such a case, the same effect can be obtained.

  (4) In this embodiment, the push scan by the MFP 10 (multifunctional peripheral device) has been described. However, for example, the same effect can be obtained even when a scanner device capable of performing only a scan is used instead of the MFP. Obtainable.

[Correspondence with Claims]
The correspondence between the terms used in the description of the above embodiment and the terms used in the description of the claims is shown.

  The MFP 10 corresponds to an image reading device. Further, the USB I / F 15 and the network I / F 17 included in the MFP 10 correspond to output means, the control unit 11 and the network I / F 17 correspond to instruction means, the network I / F 17 as first notification receiving means, and the second notification receiving means. Correspond to the notification receiving means. Further, the lock command that the MFP 10 issues to the PC 20b or PC 20c corresponds to a prohibition instruction.

  The PC 20 corresponds to the information processing apparatus. Further, the control unit 21 included in the PC 20 corresponds to the control unit, the network I / F 25 corresponds to the instruction receiving unit, the display 22 corresponds to the display unit, and the network I / F 25 and the USB I / F 27 correspond to the acquisition unit. The keyboard 23 corresponds to an input receiving unit, and the control unit 21 and the network I / F 25 correspond to a first notification unit and a second notification unit, respectively.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image reading system 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating configurations of an MFP 10 and a PC 20. FIG. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram between the MFP 10 and the PC 20 when a push scan is executed. 2 is an operation panel of the MFP 10. This is a message exchanged between the MFP 10 and the PC 20. It is a flowchart which shows the process of PC20 at the time of push scan execution. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the MFP 10 when a push scan is executed.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image reading system, 10 ... MFP, 11 ... Control part, 12 ... Liquid crystal display panel, 13 ... Input part, 14 ... Scan engine, 15 ... USB I / F, 16 ... Memory | storage part, 17 ... Network I / F, 18 ... Print engine, 20 ... PC, 20a ... PC, 20b ... PC, 20c ... PC, 21 ... Control unit, 22 ... Display, 23 ... Keyboard, 24 ... Mouse, 25 ... Network I / F, 26 ... Storage unit, 27 ... USB I / F, 30 ... LAN, 40 ... USB, 200 ... command message, 201 ... COMMAND, 202 ... SUBCOMMAND, 203 ... MFP IP, 204 ... MFP PORT, 210 ... notification message, 220 ... command message.

Claims (8)

Image reading having an image reading device that reads an image based on an instruction received directly from a user, generates image data based on the read image, and an information processing device that displays an image based on the image data generated by the image reading device A system,
The image reading device includes:
First output means for outputting image data generated based on the read image to a first information processing apparatus connected via a network ;
Second output means for outputting image data generated based on the read image to a second information processing apparatus locally connected to the apparatus;
When the image data is transmitted by the first output means, the first information processing apparatus is prohibited from displaying an image based on a preparation instruction for starting an application and the image data output by the first output means. to have rows inhibition instruction is an instruction to the effect, when transmitting the image data by said second output means, and a pointing means is not performed inhibition instruction to prepare instruction to the second information processing apparatus ,
Image data generated based on the read image is output after an instruction by the instruction means,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Obtaining means for obtaining image data output from the image reading device;
Display means for displaying various images;
Control means for causing the display means to display an image based on the image data obtained by the obtaining means after receiving the preparation instruction ;
Instruction receiving means for receiving the prohibition instruction;
With
The control unit prohibits display of an image based on the image data acquired by the acquisition unit after the instruction reception unit receives the prohibition instruction;
An image reading system characterized by the above. The image reading system according to claim 1,
The information processing apparatus further includes first notification means for notifying the image reading apparatus that the control means prohibits display of an image based on the image data acquired by the acquisition means,
The image reading apparatus further includes a first notification receiving unit that receives a notification that the control unit prohibits display of an image based on image data,
The first output unit, when the first notification reception unit receives a notification that the control unit prohibits display of an image based on image data, to the information processing apparatus that has performed the notification Output image data
An image reading system characterized by the above. The image reading system according to claim 1 or 2,
The control unit prohibits display of an image based on the image data acquired by the acquisition unit by setting the own device in a logged-off state when the reception unit receives the prohibition instruction;
An image reading system characterized by the above. The image reading system according to claim 1 or 2,
The control unit cancels the prohibition of displaying the image based on the image data when a predetermined time has elapsed after prohibiting the display of the image based on the image data acquired by the acquiring unit;
An image reading system characterized by the above. The image reading system according to claim 1 or 2,
The information processing apparatus further includes an input receiving unit that receives a password input from a user,
When the control unit receives an input of a predetermined password via the input receiving unit after prohibiting the display of the image based on the image data acquired by the acquiring unit, the control unit cancels the prohibition of the display of the image based on the image data. To do,
An image reading system characterized by the above. The image reading system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The information processing apparatus further includes second notification means for notifying the image reading apparatus that the control means has failed to prohibit image display based on the image data acquired by the acquisition means,
The image reading apparatus further includes a second notification receiving unit that receives a notification that the control unit has failed to prohibit display of an image based on image data,
When the second notification receiving unit receives a notification that the control unit has failed to prohibit the display of an image based on image data, the first output unit sends the information to the information processing apparatus that has performed the notification. Output encrypted image data for
An image reading system characterized by the above. An image reading apparatus that reads an image based on an instruction received directly from a user and generates image data based on the read image,
First output means for outputting image data generated based on the read image to a first information processing apparatus connected via a network ;
Second output means for outputting image data generated based on the read image to a second information processing apparatus locally connected to the apparatus;
When the image data is transmitted by the first output means, the first information processing apparatus is prohibited from displaying an image based on a preparation instruction for starting an application and the image data output by the first output means. There rows inhibition instruction is an instruction to the effect that, said when transmitting the image data by the second output means, instruction means does not perform the inhibition instruction to prepare instruction to the second information processing apparatus,
With
The image reading apparatus , wherein the image data generated based on the read image is output after an instruction by the instruction means . The image reading apparatus according to claim 7.
Notification receiving means for receiving a notification from the first information processing apparatus that an operation for prohibiting image display has been executed in response to a prohibition instruction from the instruction means;
The first output means outputs image data to the first information processing apparatus when the notice is received by the notice accepting means;
An image reading apparatus.