JP4827938B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to images forming apparatus that to prevent unauthorized copying of a document such as a book by using the wireless tag.

  When copying a document with a wireless tag using RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification), unauthorized copying is prevented by checking the copy authority based on the information read from the wireless tag. A method has been proposed.

  For example, in the copying machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, the copying machine reads the access right recorded on the wireless tag held by the user and the confidentiality level recorded on the wireless tag attached to the confidential document separately. Copying is permitted only when the access right is higher than the confidential level of the document (see Patent Document 1).

  Here, RFID is a mechanism for identifying and managing things with a small wireless chip, storing information in a small tag, and using a non-contact power transmission technology from the antenna side, semi-permanently without radio waves and electromagnetic waves This is a technology that enables communication with a reader.

JP 2001-160117 A

  The copying machine described in the above patent document determines whether or not a job can be executed for each original, but once this is permitted, the wireless tag is not checked thereafter. For this reason, there has been a problem in that it is not possible to suppress an illegal act of replacing a document after the start of a copying operation.

  By the way, recent digital copying machines often have a box storage function as a job for only storing read image data. In this case, even when the copy authority is confirmed at the time of document reading and the use of the box storage function is restricted to only those who have a legitimate authority, another person can later retrieve the stored image data. Becomes meaningless.

  In addition, even if permission to copy a document is granted on the premise of one copy, as long as there is a box storage function, a plurality of copies can be output.

The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, the document to be managed, aims to provide a clothes moth image forming apparatus of being invalidated Input of copy restriction by the use of the box storage function It is said.

The invention according to claim 1 includes reading means for reading an image of a document;
Image storage means for storing image data;
Image forming means for forming an image corresponding to the image data stored in the image storage means on a recording paper;
A job execution unit capable of executing a box saving job whose processing content includes reading operation of a document by the reading unit and storage of the read image data in the image storage unit;
A wireless tag reader for acquiring tag information stored in the wireless tag from the wireless tag attached to the document;
Wherein when the wireless tag information wireless tag reader has acquired indicates a predetermined copy restriction information, possess a box storage inhibition means for inhibiting execution of said box storage job for the document,
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the copy operation is permitted even when the execution of the box storage job is prohibited .

According to images forming device that involved in the present invention, the box is prohibited to execute the stored job, a different person meaningless permission check at the time of reading the document by the output and multi copies output by the post for the copy restricted document Is prevented.

Further, it is possible to prevent the act of outputting duplicate images exceeding the limit number from the stored image data.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram of a wireless tag information writing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the attachment position of the wireless tag reader in the image forming apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the panel operation means of the image forming apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention copies a document. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a copy function basic screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a document monitoring notification screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a document replacement detection screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a document replacement detection screen displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation when the monitoring unit stops due to a predetermined interruption cause when the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention copies a document. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when a grace time is set in a timer when the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention copies a document. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the timer time start notification screen displayed on the display means of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a copy function basic screen with a box preservation | save function displayed on the display means of the image forming apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 10 has a function as a copying machine that reads a document and forms a duplicate image on a recording sheet. The image forming apparatus 10 is further configured as a multifunction machine having a scanner function for reading a document and outputting corresponding image data, a printer function for printing according to received print data, and the like.

  Here, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention repeats information from the wireless tag attached to the document from the start of the document reading operation to the end of the job including the reading operation. It has monitoring means for detecting the replacement of the original by reading.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11, a ROM (read only memory) 12, and a RAM (random access memory) 13 as main parts as a control unit that performs overall control of the operation. It consists of a circuit.

  The ROM 12 stores programs executed by the CPU 11 and various fixed data. The RAM 13 functions as a work memory that temporarily stores various data when the CPU 11 executes a program, and a page memory that stores at least one page of image data for performing a rotation process.

  Further, the CPU 11 includes a display means 20, a panel operation means 21, a timer 22, an image reading means 23, an image storage means 24, an image processing means 25, an image forming means 26, an image output means 27, A wireless control unit 31 is connected.

  The display means 20 is constituted by a liquid crystal display and fulfills a function of displaying various guidance displays and status displays to the user. The display means 20 switches and displays individual operation screens for each function such as a copying function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and a scanner function.

  The panel operation means 21 is composed of various operation switches and a touch panel that covers the surface of the display means 20, and has a function of accepting various operations from the user.

  The image reading unit 23 has a function of reading a document image and taking in corresponding image data. The image reading means 23 includes a light source that irradiates the original, a line image sensor that reads the original for one line in the width direction, a moving means that moves the reading position in units of lines in the length direction of the original, and reflection from the original. And an optical path composed of a lens and a mirror for guiding light to a line image sensor to form an image. The line image sensor is composed of a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). The analog image signal output from the line image sensor is A / D converted and captured as digital image data.

  The image storage means 24 is a large-capacity storage device for storing compressed image data, print data, and the like. Here, a hard disk device (HDD) is used.

  The image processing means 25 has a function of enlarging / reducing image data, a function of rotating the screen, and the like.

  The image forming unit 26 functions to form and output an image corresponding to the image data on a recording sheet by an electrophotographic process. The image forming unit 26 is configured as a so-called laser printer having a recording paper transport device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer separation device, a cleaning device, and a fixing device. ing.

  The image output unit 27 functions to supply the image data stored in the image storage unit 24 to the image forming unit 26 in accordance with the operation timing of the image forming unit 26.

  The wireless tag reader 30 includes an antenna 32 and a wireless control unit 31 for communicating with a wireless tag 41 attached to a document 40 such as a book. The wireless control unit 31 performs communication control for transmitting and receiving data to and from the wireless tag 41 and supplying power to the wireless tag 41 through the antenna 32.

  The wireless tag 41 is an electronic tag having a wireless communication function, and includes an IC chip and an antenna that operate by receiving power supply from the outside electromagnetically. The wireless tag 41 uses RFID. The IC chip of the wireless tag 41 incorporates a nonvolatile memory and has a function of reading data (wireless tag information) stored in the nonvolatile memory and wirelessly transmitting the data.

  A wireless tag 41 attached to a document 40 such as a book is managed by attaching a wireless tag to the document such as an identifier for identifying the document 40, an identification name, and a security level of the document as wireless tag information. In addition, arbitrary information that the administrator determines to be necessary is stored.

  Further, the CPU 11 monitors a document replacement action of a document read by the image reading means 23, a document replacement prevention means 51 for canceling a job being executed when a document replacement action is detected, and an image storage means 24. A function as an image data discarding unit 52 for instructing the discarding of image data stored in the box, and a box storage prohibiting unit 53 for prohibiting execution of a box storage job when the wireless tag 41 indicates predetermined copy restriction information have.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a wireless tag information writing system for writing wireless tag information in advance on a wireless tag 41 attached to a document. This system includes a terminal device 60 and a wireless tag reader / writer 61.
For example, when managing a large number of books (manuscripts) in a library or the like, the system is used to write necessary information on wireless tags of the large number of books.

  The terminal device 60 includes a keyboard and a display screen as an interface for the administrator to input necessary wireless tag information and to read information already written in the wireless tag 41.

  The wireless tag reader / writer 61 writes information input at the terminal device 60 as wireless tag information to the wireless tag 41, or conversely reads the wireless tag information of the wireless tag 41 to output to the terminal device 60.

  FIG. 3 shows the mounting position of the antenna 32 of the wireless tag reader 30. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a document table 33 for placing a document 40 such as a book to be read by the image reading unit 23, and an antenna 32 is connected to the wireless tag 41 of the document 40 placed on the document table 33. It is arranged in the vicinity of the document table 33 so that communication is possible. In this example, the antenna 32 is arranged at a position inside the platen glass of the document table 33 that does not interfere with exposure scanning.

  FIG. 4 shows the operation panel 70 of the image forming apparatus 10. The operation panel 70 includes display means 20 and panel operation means 21. The panel operation unit 21 includes various operation buttons for performing basic operations of the image forming apparatus 10 and a touch panel that covers the screen of the display unit 20. Detailed settings such as copy function can be made from this touch panel.

  FIG. 5 shows an operation flow of the CPU 11 when the image forming apparatus 10 copies a document. 6 to 9 show various display screens displayed on the display unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 10 in each operation of the flow shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 shows a copy function basic screen 100 displayed on the display means 20 as an initial screen. The screen 100 includes a guide display unit 101 that displays various types of guidance for notifying the user of setting contents, and an operation unit 102 on which various operation buttons for changing the setting contents are arranged.

  When the user places the document 40 with the wireless tag 41 on the document table 33 of the image forming apparatus 10 to copy the document, the wireless tag reader 30 that polls the signal from the wireless tag 41 starts from the wireless tag 41. The wireless tag information is acquired, and the CPU 11 recognizes the wireless tag (FIG. 5, step S101; Yes).

  The wireless tag information may include information that is not necessary for direct document replacement monitoring, which is considered necessary for the administrator to manage the document. Therefore, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the acquired wireless tag information includes specific monitoring information indicating that the document needs to be monitored. As a result of the determination, when it is recognized that the wireless tag information includes monitoring information, the CPU 11 stores the monitoring information in an internal register unit (step S102; Yes, S103).

  If the input of a copy job is accepted with the monitoring information recognized as described above, preparations for accepting a copy job are made in a copy function restriction mode that restricts unauthorized copying of the document (step S104).

  When the user inputs job information necessary for copying the original 40 from the operation unit 102 in FIG. 6 and presses the start button installed on the panel operation means 21 of the operation panel 70 shown in FIG. The copy job is accepted (FIG. 5, step S105).

FIG. 7 shows a document monitoring notification screen 110 displayed on the display means 20 when a copy job is executed in the copy function restriction mode.
On this screen 110, a document monitoring message is displayed on the guide display unit 111, and a message that prompts attention not to replace the document 40 with another document during execution of the copy job is displayed.

  Further, in the lower column of the guide display unit 111, for example, a book name or an identifier is displayed as the document information 112, so that the user can know which specific document the user is alerting in the document monitoring message. indicate.

  After receiving the copy job, the monitoring unit 50 receives the RFID tag information continuously or intermittently from the time when the image reading unit 23 starts the document reading operation until the end of the copy job. Is compared with the monitoring information stored in the register unit to monitor the presence or absence of the document replacement action (FIG. 5, steps S106 to S108).

  Here, in step S107, the determination that the monitoring unit 50 detects the document replacement action may be only the fact that the wireless tag information has changed, as the document replacement action. Further, when the identity between the wireless tag information and the monitoring information is lost, this may be determined as a document replacement action. Furthermore, the content of the information change may be determined from the fact that the RFID tag information has changed, and the presence or absence of a document replacement action may be determined from the determination result.

  If the RFID tag information is simply changed, any monitoring information may be used in an example in which this is determined as a document replacement action. Even if the original 40 is removed from the image reading position of the image reading means and the wireless tag information relating to the original 40 cannot be acquired, this is detected as an original replacement action.

  When it is determined that the lack of identity between the wireless tag information and the monitoring information is a document replacement action, for example, an identifier (such as an ISBN code of a book) that can identify each document is employed as the monitoring information. And if the identifier acquired intermittently by the wireless tag reader during job execution is different from the monitoring information stored in the register unit (for example, another identifier), the fact that the identity is lost Detected as a manuscript replacement act.

  For example, when the content of the change in the RFID tag information is determined, there is a case where a document is classified by security level, and only an action of switching to a document that deviates from the security level of the document during execution of a job is monitored. In this case, a security level is adopted for the monitoring information. Then, the security level of the monitoring information stored in the register unit is used as a threshold value for the determination, and even if the security level acquired by the wireless tag reader changes, only the changes that deviate from the threshold value are changed. You may make it detect that it is a substitution act.

  While the copy job is being executed, the above-described determination is repeated for the wireless tag 41 related to the job, and monitoring of the wireless tag 41 is ended when the copy job is completed (step S108; Yes).

  When the monitoring unit 50 detects a document replacement action (step S107; Yes), the document replacement prevention unit 51 cancels the copy job being executed, and the image data discarding unit 52 stores it in the image storage unit 24 during execution of the job. The stored image data is discarded (step S109), and the copy job ends.

FIG. 8 shows a first document replacement detection screen 120 displayed on the display means 20 when a document replacement action is detected.
In this screen 120, a document replacement detection message is displayed on the guide display unit 121. This message displays a message that the job being executed has been canceled because the document being monitored has changed because the document has been removed or replaced with another document.

  Further, a warning display 122 is displayed below the guide display unit 121 to alert the user to the warning content.

  When this screen is displayed, the copy function basic screen 100 is displayed on the display means 20 when the reset button of the panel operation means 21 is pressed automatically after a lapse of a certain time or the operation can be performed again from the beginning.

  In FIG. 5, when the wireless tag reader 30 does not acquire the wireless tag information (step S101; No), or when the monitoring unit 50 determines that the wireless tag information does not include monitoring information (step S102; No), the monitoring is performed. The means 50 stores the state of “no monitoring information” in the register unit (step S109).

  As described above, when accepting a copy job in the state of "No monitoring information", prepare for accepting a copy job in "normal copy mode" that prevents the transfer to a document with a wireless tag during job execution. (Step S110).

  When the user inputs job information necessary for copying the original 40 from the operation unit 102 in FIG. 6 and presses the start button installed on the panel operation means 21 of the operation panel 70 shown in FIG. The copy job is accepted (FIG. 5, step S105).

  After receiving the copy job, the monitoring unit 50 operates the wireless control unit 31 continuously or intermittently from the time when the image reading unit 23 starts the reading operation of the document until the end of the copy job. Attempts to acquire information (FIG. 5, steps S106 to S108).

  If the monitoring information is acquired in the middle of executing the copy job for the document stored in the register unit as “no monitoring information” before the start of the copy job, this is detected as a document replacement action (step S107; Yes).

  While the copy job is being executed, the above-described determination is repeated for the manuscript relating to the job, and the monitoring information acquisition operation from the manuscript is also terminated when the copy job is completed (step S108; Yes).

  When the monitoring unit 50 detects a document replacement action (step S107; Yes), the document replacement prevention unit 51 cancels the copy job being executed, and the image data discarding unit 52 stores it in the image storage unit 24 during execution of the job. The stored image data is discarded (step S109), and the copy job is terminated.

FIG. 9 shows a second document replacement detection screen 130 displayed on the display unit 20 when the image forming apparatus 10 that has received a copy job in the normal mode detects a document with a wireless tag.
On this screen 130, a document replacement detection message is displayed on the guide display unit 131, and a message indicating that the job being executed has been canceled is displayed because a document that cannot be copied in the normal mode is detected.

  Further, a warning display 132 is displayed below the guide display unit 131 to alert the user to the warning content.

  When this screen 130 is displayed, the copy function basic screen 100 is displayed on the display means 20 automatically after a predetermined time has elapsed or when the reset button of the panel operation means 21 is pressed, and the operation can be restarted from the beginning. .

  As described above, it has been described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 that the monitoring unit 50 includes a function capable of detecting when the identity of the wireless tag information is impaired as a document replacement action. This means that the relationship between the document 40 that has executed the copy job and the wireless tag 41 monitored by the monitoring unit 50 can be identified on a one-to-one basis, and also has a function of ensuring that the document is not changed to another document. To do.

  If this effect is used, a wireless tag is attached to each original and information for limiting the number of copies (for example, the number of copies) is stored in the document. It is also possible to use in a system that prohibits copying beyond the restriction information.

  This is because it is possible to prevent an act of replacing a manuscript that makes a copy restriction on the manuscript meaningless so that a result of copying a manuscript is reflected on a wireless tag attached to another manuscript.

  FIG. 10 shows the operation of the CPU 11 inserted between step S106 and step S107 in FIG. 5 when the monitoring by the monitoring means 50 is stopped due to a predetermined cause of interruption.

  As long as the copy job being executed is not interrupted due to a predetermined interrupt cause (step S201; No), the operation of the CPU 11 is the same as that described with reference to FIG.

  Here, when the copy job being executed is interrupted due to a predetermined interruption cause (step S201; Yes), the monitoring unit 50 stops monitoring the document replacement action by stopping the operation of the wireless control unit 31 (step S202). . Then, when the trouble of the image forming apparatus 10 related to the cause of the interruption is resolved and the suspended copy job is resumed (step S203; Yes), monitoring of the document replacement action for the wireless tag 41 is resumed (step S203). S204).

  During this time, the display on the display unit 20 is switched from the document monitoring notification screen 110 in FIG. 7 to a jam information screen (not shown) for restoring the cause of the interruption of the image forming apparatus 10. Then, when the cause of the interruption is recovered and the start button of the panel operation means 21 is pressed, the document monitoring notification screen 110 is displayed again.

  FIG. 11 shows the operation of the CPU 11 when a predetermined grace period is set in the timer 22 in the S ′ portion of the flowchart of FIG. 5. Here, the steps already described in FIG. 5 are displayed as the step numbers in FIG.

  After accepting the copy job, the CPU 11 executes the copy job while monitoring the wireless tag 41 for the action of switching to a document (FIG. 11, step S106).

  If the monitoring unit 50 does not detect an original replacement action (step S107; No), the CPU 11 executes the copy job while continuing the monitoring in the same manner as in FIG. 5 (steps S106 to S108; No).

  Here, when the monitoring unit 50 detects a document replacement action (step S107; Yes), the timer 22 starts measuring a predetermined grace period (step S301).

  If the detection of the original replacement state by the monitoring unit 50 is canceled before the time is up (step S302; Yes), the CPU 11 stops the timer 22, resets the timer 22 (step S304), and continues the copy job. (Step S106).

  If the detection state of the document replacement action by the monitoring unit 50 is not canceled (step S302; No), whether or not the monitoring unit 50 has detected the detection of the document replacement state while continuing the time measurement by the timer 22 until the time is up. These determinations are repeated (step S303; Yes).

  When the timer 22 finishes measuring the grace time and the time is up (step S303; No), the document replacement preventing unit 51 stops the copy job being executed, and the image data discarding unit 52 is executing the job. The image data stored in the image storage unit 24 is discarded (step S109), and the copy job is terminated.

  FIG. 12 is a timer timing start notification screen 140 displayed on the display unit 20 after the monitoring unit 50 detects the document replacement action and the timer 22 starts measuring the grace time.

  In this screen, a timer timing start message 141 is displayed on the guide display unit 101, and a message is displayed that the job being executed will be canceled unless the original is returned to the original position within the display time.

  Further, a timer display 142 is displayed together with the document information in the lower column of the timer timing start message 141, and information indicating which document should be returned to the reading position within what time is displayed.

  Here, an administrator or a user may have means for changing the grace time set in the timer.

  FIG. 13 shows a copy function basic screen 150 with a box storage function when the image forming apparatus 10 has a box storage function.

  Here, the user can save the image data related to the original in the image storage means 24 by pressing the box save button 151 and then the start button of the panel operation means 21 for the original whose image data is to be saved. .

  If the wireless tag information stored in the wireless tag 41 of the document 40 has copy restriction information that prohibits box storage for the document, the box storage prohibiting means 53 of the CPU 11 uses the box storage button 151. Prohibit acceptance of user box storage jobs.

  At this time, a box storage function unavailable message 152 is displayed on the guide display unit 101 to prompt the user to note that a box storage job cannot be executed for the document 40.

  The box save button 151 is grayed out (box save function button (when unavailable) 153), and even if the user presses the button, the box save job is not accepted.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  Among the functions of the image forming apparatus 10, the description has focused on the copying function. In addition, among various functions of the multi-function peripheral, functions including reading of a document and copying operation of the read document, such as a facsimile function, an image, and the like. For the scan-to-email function that reads information and sends it by e-mail, the above-described management means centering on the monitoring of the manuscript replacement action to which the present invention is applied can be applied.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the monitoring unit 50 detects a document replacement action, this is displayed on the display unit 20 provided in the image forming apparatus 10 to notify the user of the fact. This function is not necessarily limited to the display unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 10, and the image forming apparatus 10 has a communication control unit and is connected to a telephone line or various networks, so that the fact of the switching operation can be transferred to other information terminals. You may have the structure to transmit to.

  The document monitored by the monitoring unit 50 can be used even when the job being executed is interrupted when a copy job relating to another document is interrupted by using the interrupt function of the image forming apparatus 10. Good. In this case, during the interrupt copying, the monitoring means 50 monitors the document replacement action for the interrupted new document. Then, monitoring information about the interrupted document is separately stored in the register unit of the monitoring means 50, and interrupt copying is completed, and the interrupted copy job is resumed, and at the same time, monitoring of the document replacement action on the document is resumed. It can also be configured to.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image forming apparatus 11 ... CPU
12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Display means 21 ... Panel operation means 22 ... Timer 23 ... Image reading means 24 ... Image storage means 25 ... Image processing means 26 ... Image forming means 27 ... Image output means 30 ... Wireless tag reader 31 ... Wireless control part 32 ... Antenna 33 Document base 40 ... Document 41 ... Wireless tag 50 ... Monitoring means 51 ... Document replacement prevention means 52 ... Image data discarding means 53 ... Box storage prohibiting means 60 ... Terminal device 61 ... Wireless tag reader / writer 70 ... Operation panel 100 ... Copy function Basic screen 101 ... Guide display unit 102 ... Operation unit 110 ... Document monitoring notification screen 111 ... Guide display unit 112 ... Document information 120 ... First document replacement detection screen 121 ... Guide display unit 122 ... Warning display 130 ... Second document Replacement detection screen 131 ... Guide display part 132 ... Warning display 140 ... Timer At the start notification screen 141 ... timer countdown start message 142 ... timer display 150 ... box storage function with a copy function basic screen 151 ... box save button 152 ... box storage function unavailable message 153 ... box storage function buttons (when not used)

Claims (1)

Reading means for reading an image of a document;
Image storage means for storing image data;
Image forming means for forming an image corresponding to the image data stored in the image storage means on a recording paper;
A job execution unit capable of executing a box saving job whose processing content includes reading operation of a document by the reading unit and storage of the read image data in the image storage unit;
A wireless tag reader for acquiring tag information stored in the wireless tag from the wireless tag attached to the document;
Wherein when the wireless tag information wireless tag reader has acquired indicates a predetermined copy restriction information, possess a box storage inhibition means for inhibiting execution of said box storage job for the document,
An image forming apparatus , wherein a copy operation is permitted even when execution of the box storage job is prohibited .

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