JP4992609B2 - Image processing apparatus, image processing system, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and a program.

  Conventionally, a security level of a document obtained from additional information added on a paper document on which an image is formed, and a security level of a user who intends to output image data obtained by reading an image formed on the document, An image forming apparatus that determines whether or not image data can be output by referring to a predetermined rule is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, for example, when the security level of the user is “LOW” and the security level of the document is “HIGH”, image data cannot be output. In order to output data, image data can be output by changing the security level setting of the user from “LOW” to “HIGH”, for example.

Conventionally, a document formed by combining a pattern image and a document image is read, and the confidential level of the document image is detected from the pattern image data of the read image data, and copying is performed according to the detected confidential level. An image processing system that permits or prohibits is known (for example, see Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-166023 JP 2002-305646 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and a program capable of outputting an image that can be traced without changing a user's security level.

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an image forming medium on which additional information including a security level for determining whether or not to copy an image is formed. Read output means for reading the image and the additional information and outputting read data; extraction means for extracting the security level based on the read data; and a security level set by a user who copies the image generating an acquisition unit that acquires the security level extracted by the extracting means is higher if more security level obtained by the obtaining means, the image log based on the read data, and a log containing information of the user and a generating means for outputting the generated the image log and the log has been in the management apparatus, said extracted Security level, if: the obtained security level, the image log and outputs the image data based on the read data without generating said log, security level extracted by the extracting means, said is higher than the security level acquired by the acquisition means, said image log and the log output is generated to the management device by said generating means is normally stored in the storage device of the management device a notification indicating only when received from the management device is configured to include a image data output means for outputting the image data.

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a security level for determining whether an image is formed and whether the image can be copied, and the generated image log and log. And reading output means for reading the image and the additional information from the image forming medium on which additional information including permission information permitting copying is stored on the condition that the information is stored, and outputting the read data. Based on the security level, the extraction means for extracting the permission information, the acquisition means for acquiring the security level set for the user who copies the image, and the security level extracted by the extraction means are the The permission level is higher than the security level acquired by the acquisition unit, and the permission information is extracted by the extraction unit. If, image log of the image data based on the read data, and generates a log that contains information of the user, and generating means for outputting the generated the image log and the log has been in the management device, which is the extracted security level, if: the obtained security level, outputs the image data based on the read data without generating the image log and the log, the extracted security level is the acquisition When the permission level is higher than the security level and the permission information is extracted by the extraction unit, the image log and the log generated by the generation unit and output to the management device are normal in the storage device of the management device only when a notification that the stored received from the management apparatus, the image data Is configured to include a, and image data output means for outputting.

In order to achieve the above object, in the image processing apparatus according to claim 3, the image log generated by the generation unit and the log are not normally stored in the storage device of the management apparatus . Sometimes, a notification means for notifying a warning is further included.

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention comprises the image processing device and the management device connected via a network .

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes an image forming medium on which additional information including prohibition information for prohibiting copying of the image is formed. wherein the image and read the additional information, a reading output means for outputting the read data, based on said read data, and extraction means for extracting the prohibition information, if the prohibition information by the extracting means is extracted, An image log based on the read data and a log including information of a user who outputs the image are generated, and the generated image log and the log are output to a management device; when the prohibition information is not extracted, and output the image data based on the read data without generating the image log and the log, the extraction When the prohibition information is extracted by the stage output when an instruction to allow the copying of the image from the manager terminal to manage the copying of the image is notified, to the management device it is generated by the generating means only when the image log and the log has been received the notification that is normally stored in the storage device of the management device from the management device, include an image data output means for outputting the image data It consists of

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention includes a prohibition information for prohibiting copying of the image, and stores the generated image log and log. Read output means for reading the image and the additional information and outputting read data from an image forming medium on which additional information including permission information permitting copying is formed as necessary under the condition that it is copied, and the reading based on the data, and extracting means for extracting the inhibition information, and the permission information, the prohibition information and if the permission information extracted by the extracting means, the image log and the image based on the read data a generation unit to generate a log that contains information of the user, for outputting the generated the image log and the log has a management device for outputting, by said extracting means If the serial prohibition information is not extracted, and output the image data based on the read data without generating the image log and the log, the prohibition information and the permission information extracted by the extracting means In this case, the image log and the log generated by the generation unit and output to the management apparatus when the instruction for permitting image copying is notified by the administrator terminal that manages image copying only when a notification that is normally stored in the storage device of the management apparatus is received from the management device is configured to include a image data output means for outputting the image data.

In order to achieve the above object, in the image processing apparatus according to claim 7, the image log and the log are generated by the generation unit, and the image log and the log are stored in the management apparatus. When the information is not normally stored in the apparatus , or when an instruction for prohibiting image copying is notified from the manager terminal, a notification means for informing a warning is further included.

An image processing system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes the image processing apparatus and the management apparatus connected via a network, and the management apparatus is generated and output by a generation unit of the image processing apparatus. When the image log and the contents of the log that have been sent are notified to an administrator terminal that manages image copying, and when an instruction to permit image copying is notified from the administrator terminal, the image log and including storage means, the storing the log in said storage device.

Further, in the image processing system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the storage means is notified of an instruction for prohibiting image copying and an instruction for storing the image log and the log from the manager terminal. In the above, the image log and the log are stored in the storage device .

In order to achieve the above object, a program of the invention according to claim 10, computer, an image is formed, image formation additional information including a security level to determine whether the copying the image is formed Extraction means for extracting the security level based on read data obtained by reading the medium, and when the security level extracted by the extraction means is higher than the security level set by the user who copies the image In this case, an image log based on the read data and a log including the user information are generated , the generated image log and the log are output to a management device, and the security extracted by the extraction unit level, wherein when the security level below that set by the user, the The output image data based on the read data without generating Mejirogu and said log, security level extracted by the extracting means, wherein when higher than the set security level to a user, by the generating means The image data is output only when the image log generated and output to the management apparatus and a notification indicating that the log is normally stored in the storage apparatus of the management apparatus are received from the management apparatus. It functions as image data output means.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to an eleventh aspect of the invention includes a computer including a security level for determining whether an image is formed and whether the image can be copied, The security level and the permission information are extracted based on read data obtained by reading an image forming medium on which additional information including permission information that permits copying is stored on condition that the log is stored. extraction means, the security level extracted by the extracting means is higher than the security level set by the user to perform copy of the image, and the extracting unit places said permission information extracted by the case, based on the read data before image log image data, and generates a log that contains information of the user, the generated Image logs and generating means for outputting the log to the management apparatus, and the extracted security level, wherein when the security level below which is set to the user, the reading without generating the image log and the log outputs the image data based on the data, the extracted security level is higher than the security level set to the user, and when the permission information extracted by the extracting means is generated by the generating means The image data that outputs the image data only when the image log output to the management device and a notification indicating that the log has been normally stored in the storage device of the management device are received from the management device. It functions as an output means.

In order to achieve the above object, a program of the invention according to claim 12, the computer, the image is formed, an image forming medium which additional information is formed including a prohibition information for prohibiting copying of the image based on the read data obtained by reading, extracting means for extracting the prohibition information, the extracting unit places the prohibition information is extracted by the case, the image log based on the read data, and an output of the image A log including user information to be generated, and the generated image log and a generation unit that outputs the log to a management device; and if the prohibition information is not extracted by the extraction unit, the image log and outputs the image data based on the read data without generating the log, the prohibition information is extracted by said extracting means Expediently, when an instruction to allow the copying of the image from the manager terminal to manage the copying of the image has been notified, said image log and the log output is generated to the management device by said generating means Only when a notification indicating that the data has been normally stored in the storage device of the management device is received from the management device, it functions as an image data output unit that outputs the image data.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention provides a computer , including prohibition information for prohibiting copying of the image on which the image is formed, and the generated image log and log. Extraction means for extracting the prohibition information and the permission information based on read data obtained by reading an image forming medium on which additional information including permission information for permitting copying is stored on condition that it is stored the prohibition information and the permission information extracted if by said extraction means, wherein to generate a log that contains information of the user for outputting the image log and the image based on the read data, the image log generated and generating means for outputting the log to the management device, and when the prohibition information is not extracted by said extraction means, said Ime The output image data based on the read data without generating Jirogu and the log, when the prohibition information and the permission information extracted by the extraction means, the manager terminal for managing the copying of the image by the time the instruction is notified that permits copying of the image, said image log and the log output is generated to the management device by said generating means is normally stored in the storage device of the management device Only when the notification shown is received from the management apparatus, it functions as image data output means for outputting the image data.

  According to the first, second, fourth, tenth and eleventh aspects of the present invention, it is possible to output an image which can be traced without changing the security level of the user.

  According to the inventions of claims 3 and 7, a warning can be notified to the user when the image is not copied.

  According to the inventions of claims 5, 6, 8, 12, and 13, an image that can be traced can be output by notification from the administrator terminal without changing the security level of the user. The effect is obtained.

  According to the invention of claim 9, it is possible to know which user is trying to copy what image when the administrator terminal is operated, for example, when the administrator does not permit copying.

  Embodiments of an image processing system of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  [First Embodiment]

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image processing system 10 according to the first embodiment includes a copying machine 12 as an image processing apparatus, and a log monitoring server 14 as a management apparatus for managing stored image logs and logs. And. The copying machine 12 and the log monitoring server 14 are connected to each other via a network 16.

  The copying machine 12 includes a user interface (U / I) 18, a user information acquisition device 20, a scanner 22, a printing unit 24, a FAX unit 26, a control device 28, and a network interface ( I / F) 30.

  The U / I 18 includes a display device that includes a touch panel that receives an operation from a user and an LCD that performs display based on input information. A user information acquisition device 20 is connected to the U / I 18.

  The user information acquisition apparatus 20 includes a contactless card reader. For example, a user ID card (for example, an employee ID card) that causes the copying machine 12 to execute a desired process on the copying machine 12 is a contactless card reader. If the user approaches within a predetermined range, the user information is read from the ID card and acquired. In the present embodiment, for example, when a user operates the touch panel of the U / I 18 to input an instruction for copying a document, the user information acquisition device 20 is brought close to the ID card and the user information is read. As a result, a copy instruction including user information is output from the U / I 18.

  In the present embodiment, the user information read from the ID card includes, for example, a user ID for identifying the user and a security level set for the user.

  The scanner 22 reads a document as an image forming medium arranged on a document table glass (not shown), and outputs read data. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, an image (in the example of FIG. 2, “Aiue”) 38 is formed on the original 36 read by the scanner 22, and additional information including predetermined information is included. (For example, a background pattern (pattern image in this embodiment)) 40 is formed as necessary. Accordingly, the scanner 22 reads the image 38 and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 40 formed as necessary from the document 36, and outputs read data. The additional information includes, for example, a security level that determines whether or not the image 38 can be copied, and includes prohibited information that prohibits copying of the image 38 as necessary.

  The printing unit 24 performs printing based on the input image data.

  The FAX unit 26 performs FAX transmission based on the input image data.

  The control device 28 stores a ROM 28a as a storage medium in which a basic program such as an OS is stored, a program for executing a first copy processing routine described in detail below, and a program for executing various processing routines. An HDD (hard disk drive) 28b as a storage medium, a CPU 28c that reads and executes programs from the ROM 28a and the HDD 28b, a RAM 28d that temporarily stores various data, an I / O (input / output) port 28e, and the like. The ROM 28a, HDD 28b, CPU 28c, RAM 28d, and I / O port 28e are connected to each other via a bus 28f. A U / I 18, a scanner 22, a printing unit 24, a FAX unit 26, and an I / F 30 are connected to the I / O port 28e.

  The log monitoring server 14 includes a control device 32 and a network interface (I / F) 34 connected to the network 16.

  The control device 32 stores a ROM 32a as a storage medium storing a basic program such as an OS, a program for executing a first storage processing routine described in detail below, and a program for executing various processing routines. An HDD (hard disk drive) 32b as a storage medium, a CPU 32c that reads and executes programs from the ROM 32a and the HDD 32b, a RAM 32d that temporarily stores various data, an I / O (input / output) port 32e, and the like. The ROM 32a, HDD 32b, CPU 32c, RAM 32d, and I / O port 32e are connected to each other via a bus 32f. An I / F 34 is connected to the I / O port 32e.

  Next, the operation of the control device 28 will be described. A first copy processing routine executed by the CPU 28c of the control device 28 will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the first copy processing routine is executed at predetermined time intervals (for example, several tens of milliseconds) when a switch (not shown) of the control device 28 is turned on.

  First, in step 100, it is determined whether or not a copy instruction is input from the U / I 18. As described above, the copy instruction includes user information.

  If it is determined in step 100 that the input has been made, the security level of the user is extracted from the user information included in the copy instruction in the next step 102.

  In the next step 104, reading data is acquired from the scanner 22 by reading the document 36 placed on the platen glass (not shown) and outputting a control signal to the scanner 22 so as to output the reading data. To do.

  In the next step 106, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 40 formed on the document 36 as necessary is detected by analyzing the read data acquired in step 104.

  In the next step 108, it is determined whether or not the tint block 40 has been detected in step 106.

  If it is determined in step 108 that the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 40 cannot be detected, it is determined that the document 36 read by the scanner 22 is a document that does not require security management, and the next step 118 is step 104. Predetermined image processing is performed on the acquired read data, and in the next step 120, the read data subjected to the predetermined image processing is output as image data, and the first copy processing routine is ended. That is, in step 118 and step 120, image data based on the read data is output.

  In step 120, if the copy instruction determined to have been input in step 100 includes an instruction “execute printing”, the image data is output to the printing unit 24. As a result, a sheet on which an image based on the image data is formed is output from the printing unit 24. In step 120, if the instruction to execute “FAX” is included in the copy instruction determined to have been input in step 100, the image data is output to the FAX unit 26. Thereby, the FAX unit 26 performs FAX transmission of an image based on the image data. In step 120, if the copy instruction determined to have been input in step 100 includes a "file output" instruction, the image data is output to the designated place or a predetermined place.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 108 that the tint block 40 has been detected, in the next step 110, the tint block 40 is analyzed and various types of information are extracted. For example, when the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 40 includes prohibition information for prohibiting copying, the prohibition information for prohibiting copying is extracted, and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 40 determines whether the image 38 can be copied. If the security level is included, the security level is extracted.

  In the next step 112, it is determined whether or not the prohibition information prohibiting copying can be extracted in step 110.

  If it is determined in step 112 that the prohibition information prohibiting copying cannot be extracted, it is determined that copying is not prohibited, and the process proceeds to step 118 described above.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 112 that the prohibition information prohibiting copying has been extracted, the security level set for the user extracted in step 102 and the image 38 extracted in step 110 in the next step 114. It is determined whether or not the security level for determining whether or not the image 38 can be copied is higher than the security level set for the user.

  If it is determined in step 114 that the security level for determining whether or not the image 38 can be copied is equal to or lower than the security level set by the user, it is determined that copying may be performed, and step 118 described above is performed. Proceed to

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 114 that the security level for determining whether or not the image 38 can be copied is higher than the security level set by the user, in the next step 116, the image log and the image log based on the read data and Generate a log containing user information. Specifically, in step 116, the read data acquired in step 104 is subjected to predetermined image processing to generate image data having a resolution (for example, 200 dpi) that can be analyzed by OCR processing, for example. Is generated. In step 116, the user information (for example, the user ID included in the copy instruction received in step 100, the security level set by the user), the machine number for specifying the copying machine 12, and the image 38 are displayed. A log is generated in which the security level for determining whether copying is possible and the type of received instruction (input instruction) (for example, copying instruction) are represented by text data.

  In the next step 122, the image log and log generated in step 116 are output to the log monitoring server 14.

  In the next step 124, details will be described below, but the process waits until a notification from the log monitoring server 14 is received.

  Although details will be described later, when receiving the image log and log from the copying machine 12, the log monitoring server 14 according to the present embodiment performs copying if the image log and log can be normally stored in the HDD 32b. If a copy permission notice is output to the copying machine 12 and cannot be normally stored in the HDD 32b, the copied image cannot be traced and cannot be copied. And a notification prohibiting copying is output to the copying machine 12.

  When the notification from the log monitoring server 14 is received in step 124, it is determined in the next step 126 whether or not the notification received in step 124 is a notification permitting copying.

  If it is determined in step 126 that the notification is to permit copying, the process proceeds to step 118 described above to perform copying.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 126 that the notification does not permit copying, a warning is given to the user in the next step 128. In step 128, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the display control of the U / I 18 is performed so that the U / I 18 displays "The image log and log could not be saved and cannot be copied". By doing so, a warning is notified to the user. Then, the first copy processing routine ends.

  Next, the operation of the control device 32 will be described. A first storage processing routine executed by the CPU 32c of the control device 32 will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the first storage processing routine is executed at predetermined time intervals (for example, several tens of milliseconds) when a switch (not shown) of the control device 32 is turned on.

  First, in step 200, it is determined whether an image log and a log are received from the copying machine 12.

  If it is determined in step 200 that the image has been received, in step 202, the received image log and log are stored in the HDD 32b.

  In the next step 204, it is determined whether the image log and the log are stored in the HDD 32b by determining whether the processing to be stored in step 202 has been normally completed. In addition, as a case where the normal end is not completed, for example, when the size of the image log and log to be stored is large in the remaining capacity of the HDD 32b, all image logs and logs cannot be stored, or the HDD 32b For example, the image log and the log could not be stored due to a failure.

  If it is determined in step 204 that the data has been stored, a notice for permitting copying is output to the copying machine 12 in the next step 206.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 204 that it is not stored, a notification prohibiting copying is output to the copying machine 12.

  As described above, in the copying machine 12 according to the present embodiment, the image 38 is formed, and the additional information (background pattern) 40 including the security level that determines whether the image 38 can be copied is formed as necessary. A scanner 22 that reads an image 38 and a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 40 formed as necessary from a document 36, outputs read data, and a user information acquisition device 20 that acquires a security level set for a user who copies the image 38. I have.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the security level that determines whether or not the image 38 can be copied is extracted based on the read data by the processing in steps 104 to 110 of the first copy processing routine. Further, according to the present embodiment, when it is determined in step 114 of the first copy processing routine that the security level extracted in step 110 is higher than the security level acquired by the user information acquisition device 20. In step 116, an image log based on the read data and a log including user information are generated. When the image log and the log are stored in the HDD 32b of the log monitoring server 14, the log monitoring server 14 outputs a notification permitting copying to the copying machine 12 in step 206 of the first storage processing routine. . The copying machine 12 that has received the notification to permit copying outputs image data based on the read data in steps 118 to 120 of the first copying process routine. In other words, in the present embodiment, when the security level extracted in step 110 is higher than the security level acquired by the user information acquisition apparatus 20, the copying machine 12 uses the image log and log generated in step 116. Is output on the condition that the image data is stored.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the copying machine 12 outputs image data on condition that the copying machine 12 generates an image log and a log and the server 14 stores the image log and log has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and the copying machine 12 generates at least one of an image log and a log, and the copying machine 12 stores image data on the condition that the server 14 stores at least one of the generated image log and log. May be output.

  In this embodiment, the example in which the image log and the log are generated in step 116 of the first copy processing routine has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 6, information indicating the storage location of the original (original data) of the image 38 is further included in the tint block 40. Further, as shown in FIG. If the information indicating the storage location of the original (original data) of the image 38 is extracted and the determination in step 114 is affirmative, the storage location of the original (original data) of the image 38 in step 110 in the next step 115. If it is determined whether or not the information indicating that it has been extracted, and if it is determined that it has not been extracted, the process proceeds to step 116 described above. Only a log including the above information may be generated. If only the log is generated, the log is output to the log monitoring server 14 in step 122. If the log can be stored in the HDD 32b, the log monitoring server 14 notifies the copying machine 12 of permission to copy. If the data cannot be stored and stored, a notification prohibiting copying is output to the copying machine 12.

[Second Embodiment]

  Next, an image processing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, and the same process, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 40 further includes permission information that permits copying on condition that the image log and the log are stored, as shown in FIG. A difference from the first embodiment is that a program for executing the second copy processing routine is stored in the HDD 28b, and the CPU 28c executes the second copy processing routine.

  The operation of the image processing system according to this embodiment will be described.

  A second copying process routine performed by the CPU 28c of the control device 28 of the copying machine 12 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the second copy processing routine, if it is determined in step 108 that the tint block 40 has been detected, in the next step 111, the tint block 40 is analyzed, and various types of information indicated by the tint block 40 are extracted. For example, if the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 40 includes prohibition information that prohibits copying, the copy-prohibiting information that prohibits copying is extracted, and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 40 determines whether the image 38 can be copied. If the security level is included, the security level is extracted, and if the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 40 includes permission information that permits copying on condition that the image log and the log are stored, the permission information. To extract.

  If the determination in step 114 is affirmative, it is determined in next step 130 whether or not permission information permitting copying can be extracted on condition that the image log and log are stored in step 110.

  If it is determined in step 130 that the extraction has been completed, the process proceeds to the next step 116.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 130 that extraction has failed, a warning is notified to the user in the next step 132. In step 132, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the U / I 18 is controlled so that “copying cannot be performed” is displayed on the U / I 18, thereby warning the user. Then, the second copy processing routine ends.

  As described above, the additional information indicated by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 40 according to the present embodiment includes image log and permission information that permits copying on condition that the log is stored. Copying is performed on condition that the security level extracted in step 111 of the second copy processing routine in the form is higher than the security level acquired by the user information acquisition device 20 and the image log and log are stored in step 111. If the permission information permitting the authentication is extracted, in step 116, an image log based on the read data and a log including the user information are generated. Then, on condition that the image log and the log are stored in the server 14, image data based on the read data is output in steps 118 to 120.

  In the present embodiment, when the copying machine 12 extracts permission information permitting copying on condition that the image log and log are stored, the image log and log are generated, and the server 14 stores the image log and log. In the case where the log is stored, the example in which the copying machine 12 outputs the image data has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the copying machine 12 performs copying on the condition that the image log and the log are stored. When permission information to be permitted is extracted, at least one of an image log and a log is generated. When the server 14 stores at least one of the generated image log and log, the copying machine 12 outputs image data. You may do it.

[Third Embodiment]

  Next, an image processing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment and the same process, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, an external device, for example, an administrator terminal 40 for an administrator who manages copying of images in the image processing system is connected to the network 16, and FIG. Is stored in the HDD 28b, the CPU 28c executes the third copy processing routine, and executes the second storage processing routine shown in FIG. The point in which the program is stored in the HDD 32b and the CPU 32c executes the second storage processing routine is different from the first embodiment and the second embodiment. The manager terminal 40 is provided with a display unit 42 that performs display based on the input data.

  The operation of the image processing system according to this embodiment will be described.

  A third copying process routine performed by the CPU 28c of the control device 28 of the copying machine 12 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the third copy processing routine, if it is determined in step 112 that the prohibition information for prohibiting copying has been extracted, the process proceeds to step 116 described above.

  A second storage processing routine performed by the CPU 32c of the control device 32 of the log monitoring server 14 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the second storage processing routine, when it is determined in step 200 that the image log and the log have been received, in the next step 210, the security level set by the user and the image 38 included in the received log are displayed. The security level that determines whether or not copying is possible is extracted.

  In the next step 212, the received image log and the contents of the log are notified to the administrator terminal 40. In step 212, for example, the administrator's terminal 40 is notified of the extracted user security level, the security level for determining whether the image 38 can be copied, and the received image log. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 14, the image log 60, the security level 62 set for the user, and the security level 64 set for the image 38 are displayed on the display unit 42 of the manager terminal 40.

  Then, the administrator confirms the contents displayed on the display unit 42, and when copying of the image 38 is permitted, the administrator selects the radio button 66 for notifying an instruction to permit copying, and notifies the button 70. By pressing, an instruction to permit copying of the image 38 can be notified to the log monitoring server 14. Further, the administrator selects the radio button 68 for notifying an instruction to prohibit copying when the copying of the image 38 is prohibited, and further, when saving the image log and log, the administrator selects the image log and the log. When the radio button 72 for notifying the instruction to save the log is selected and the image log and the log are not saved, the radio button 74 for notifying the instruction not to save the image log and the log is selected and notified. By pressing the button 70, it is possible to notify the log monitoring server 14 of an instruction for prohibiting the copying of the image 38, an instruction for saving the image log and the log, or an instruction for not saving the log.

  In the next step 214, it is determined whether or not an instruction from the manager terminal 40 has been received.

  If it is determined in step 214 that the instruction has been received, it is determined in next step 216 whether or not the received instruction includes an instruction to permit copying of the image 38.

  If it is determined in step 216 that an instruction indicating that copying of the image 38 is permitted is included, the process proceeds to step 202 described above.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 216 that the instruction is not to permit copying of the image 38, in the next step 218, the instruction from the administrator terminal 40 includes an instruction to save the image log and log. It is determined whether or not.

  If it is determined in step 218 that it is not included, the process proceeds to step 208.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 218 that it is included, the image log and log received in the next step 220 are stored in the HDD 32b.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the prohibition information for prohibiting copying is extracted in step 110 of the third copy processing routine, from the administrator terminal 40 that manages copying of the image 38, When an instruction to permit copying of the image 38 is notified, based on the read data in step 120, on condition that the image log and log generated in step 116 of the third copy processing routine are stored in the HDD 32b. The output image data is output.

  In the present embodiment, when the copying machine 12 extracts prohibition information prohibiting copying, an image log and a log are generated, and an instruction to permit copying of the image 38 is notified from the administrator terminal 40. In this case, the example in which the copying machine 12 outputs the image data on the condition that the server 14 stores the image log and the log has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the copying machine 12 extracts permission information permitting copying on condition that at least one of the image log and the log is stored, the copying machine 12 generates at least one of the image log and the log, and the administrator terminal 40 When an instruction to permit copying of the image 38 is notified, the copying machine 12 may output the image data on condition that the server 14 stores at least one of the generated image log and log. .

  Further, when the copying machine 12 extracts prohibition information for prohibiting copying, permission to permit copying on the condition that the copying machine 12 stores the image log and the log as in the second embodiment. When the information is extracted, an image log and a log are generated. When the server 14 stores the image log and the log, the copying machine 12 may output the image data.

  In this embodiment, the example in which the image log and the log are generated in step 116 of the third copy processing routine has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 6, the additional information indicated by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 40 further includes information indicating the storage location of the original (original data) of the image 38. As shown in FIG. Information indicating the storage location of the original (original data) of the image 38 is extracted, and if the determination in step 112 is affirmative, in step 110, information indicating the storage location of the original (original data) of the image 38 in step 110 If it is determined that the information has not been extracted, the process proceeds to step 116 described above. On the other hand, if it is determined that the information has been extracted, the user information is acquired in the next step 117. You may make it produce | generate only the log containing. If only the log is generated, the log is output to the log monitoring server 14 in step 122. If the log can be stored in the HDD 32b, the log monitoring server 14 notifies the copying machine 12 of permission to copy. If the data cannot be stored and stored, a notification prohibiting copying is output to the copying machine 12.

It is the schematic which shows 1st Embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an image and a background pattern formed on a document according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a first copying process routine performed by the CPU of the control device of the copying machine according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the warning content alert | reported to the user in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the 1st memory | storage processing routine which CPU of the control apparatus of the log monitoring server in 1st Embodiment performs. It is a figure which shows the image and tint block which were formed in the document of the other example in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the 1st copying process routine which CPU of the control apparatus of the copying machine of the other example in 1st Embodiment performs. It is a figure which shows the image and tint block which were formed in the original in 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a second copying process routine performed by the CPU of the copying machine control device according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the warning content alert | reported to the user in 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a third copying process routine performed by a CPU of a control device for a copying machine according to a third embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the 2nd memory | storage process routine which CPU of the control apparatus of the log monitoring server in 3rd Embodiment performs. It is a figure which shows an example of the content displayed on the display part of the terminal for managers in 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a third copying process routine performed by a CPU of a copier control apparatus according to another example of the third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 image processing system 12 copier 14 log monitoring server 18 U / I
20 User information acquisition device 22 Scanner 28 Control device 28c CPU
32 control device 32c CPU

Claims (13)

Read output means for reading the image and the additional information and outputting read data from an image forming medium on which additional information including a security level for determining whether or not the image is copied is formed;
Extracting means for extracting the security level based on the read data;
Obtaining means for obtaining a security level set for a user who performs copying of the image;
Security level extracted by the extracting means, security level higher than if acquired by the acquisition means, the reading image log based on the data, and generates a log that contains information of the user, the generated the An image log and generation means for outputting the log to a management device ;
The extracted security level, if: the obtained security level, outputs the image data based on the read data without generating the image log and the log, which is extracted by said extracting means When the security level is higher than the security level acquired by the acquisition unit, the image log generated by the generation unit and output to the management device is normally stored in the storage device of the management device Image data output means for outputting the image data only when a notification indicating that it has been received from the management device ;
An image processing apparatus. An image on which an image is formed and includes a security level for determining whether or not the image can be copied, and an additional information including permission information for permitting copying on condition that the generated image log and log are stored Read output means for reading the image and the additional information from the forming medium and outputting read data;
Extraction means for extracting the security level and the permission information based on the read data;
Obtaining means for obtaining a security level set for a user who performs copying of the image;
The security level extracted by the extracting means is higher than the security level obtained by the obtaining means and the extraction means situ said permission information extracted by the case, the image log of the image data based on the read data, Generating a log including the user information, and generating the image log and the log to a management device ;
The extracted security level, if: the obtained security level, the output image data based on the read data without generating an image log and the log, the extracted security level When the permission level is higher than the acquired security level and the extraction unit extracts the permission information, the image log and the log generated by the generation unit and output to the management device are stored in the management device. Image data output means for outputting the image data only when a notification indicating that the data has been normally stored in the storage device is received from the management device ;
An image processing apparatus. The image according to claim 1, further comprising notification means for notifying a warning when the image log generated by the generation means and the log are not normally stored in the storage device of the management apparatus. Processing equipment. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and the management apparatus are connected via a network.
Image processing system. A read output means for reading the image and the additional information from an image forming medium on which additional information including prohibition information for prohibiting copying of the image is formed and outputting read data;
Extraction means for extracting the prohibition information based on the read data;
The extraction means situ the prohibition information is extracted by the case, the reading image log based on the data, and generates a log that contains information of the user performing the output of the image, the generated the image log and the log has been Generating means for outputting to the management device ;
When the prohibition information is not extracted by said extraction means outputs the image data based on the read data without generating the image log and the log, the prohibition information is extracted by said extracting means In this case, the image log and the log generated by the generation unit and output to the management device when the instruction for permitting the image copy is notified from the administrator terminal that manages the image copy. Image data output means for outputting the image data only when a notification indicating that the storage is normally stored in the storage device of the management device is received from the management device ;
An image processing apparatus. Additional information including permission information for permitting copying is formed if necessary, on condition that the image is formed and includes prohibition information for prohibiting copying of the image and the generated image log and log are stored. Reading output means for reading the image and the additional information from the image forming medium and outputting read data;
Extraction means for extracting the prohibition information and the permission information based on the read data;
The prohibition information and if the permission information extracted by the extracting means, wherein to generate a log that contains information of the user for outputting the image log and the image based on the read data, the image log and are produced Generating means for outputting the log to a management device ;
If the prohibition information is not extracted by the extraction unit, the image data based on the read data is output without generating the image log and the log, and the prohibition information and the permission information are output by the extraction unit. Is extracted, the image log generated by the generating unit and output to the management device when an instruction to permit image copying is notified by the administrator terminal that manages image copying. And image data output means for outputting the image data only when a notification indicating that the log has been normally stored in the storage device of the management device is received from the management device ;
An image processing apparatus. When the image log and the log are generated by the generation unit and the image log and the log are not normally stored in the storage device of the management device , or copying of an image from the administrator terminal is prohibited. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising notification means for notifying a warning when an instruction is notified. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7 and the management apparatus are connected via a network,
The management device notifying means for notifying the image log generated and outputted by the generating means of the image processing device and the contents of the log to a manager terminal for managing image copying;
When an instruction to allow the copying of images from said manager terminal is notified, including a storage means for storing the image log and the log in the storage device
Image processing system. The storage means stores the image log and the log in the storage device when an instruction to prohibit image copying and an instruction to store the image log and the log are notified from the administrator terminal. The image processing system according to claim 8. The computer,
Extracting means for extracting the security level based on read data obtained by reading an image forming medium on which additional information including a security level for determining whether or not to copy the image is formed is formed;
Security level extracted by the extracting means, copying higher if than the security level set by the user to perform the image, the image log based on the read data, and generates a log that contains information of the user, The generated image log and the generating means for outputting the log to a management device; and when the security level extracted by the extracting means is less than or equal to the security level set for the user, the image log and the log outputs the image data based on the read data without generating the security level extracted by the extracting means, wherein when higher than the set security level to a user is generated by the generating means The image log and the log output to the management device are A program for functioning as image data output means for outputting the image data only when a notification indicating that the storage is normally stored in the storage device of the management device is received from the management device . The computer,
An image on which an image is formed and includes a security level for determining whether or not the image can be copied, and an additional information including permission information for permitting copying on condition that the generated image log and log are stored Extraction means for extracting the security level and the permission information based on read data obtained by reading the forming medium;
Image data security level extracted by the extracting means is higher than the security level set by the user to perform copy of the image, and the extracting unit places said permission information extracted by case, based on the read data Generating the image log and the log including the user information, generating means for outputting the generated image log and the log to a management apparatus, and the extracted security level set to the security set for the user If the level below, the image log and outputs the image data based on the read data without generating the log, the extracted security level is higher than the security level set to the user, and wherein When the permission information is extracted by the extraction means, The image data is generated only when the image log generated by the generating unit and output to the management apparatus is received from the management apparatus indicating that the log has been normally stored in the storage apparatus of the management apparatus. A program for functioning as image data output means for outputting. The computer,
An extracting means for extracting the prohibition information based on read data obtained by reading an image forming medium on which additional information including prohibition information for prohibiting copying of the image is formed and an image is formed;
The extraction means situ the prohibition information is extracted by the case, the reading image log based on the data, and generates a log that contains information of the user performing the output of the image, the generated the image log and the log has been generating means for outputting to the management device, and when the prohibition information is not extracted by said extraction means outputs the image data based on the read data without generating the image log and the log, the extraction When the prohibition information is extracted by the means, when the instruction for permitting the image copy is notified from the administrator terminal that manages the image copy, the prohibition information is generated and output to the management device. The received image log and a notification indicating that the log has been normally stored in the storage device of the management device are received from the management device A program for functioning as image data output means for outputting the image data only in the case. The computer,
An image forming medium on which an image is formed, including prohibition information for prohibiting copying of the image, and additional information including permission information for permitting copying on condition that the generated image log and log are stored Extraction means for extracting the prohibition information and the permission information based on read data obtained by reading
The prohibition information and if the permission information extracted by the extracting means, wherein to generate a log that contains information of the user for outputting the image log and the image based on the read data, the image log and are produced generating means for outputting the log to the management device, and when the prohibition information is not extracted by said extraction means outputs the image data based on the read data without generating the image log and the log When the prohibition information and the permission information are extracted by the extraction means, generated by the generation means when an instruction to permit image copying is notified by an administrator terminal that manages image copying that is the image log and the log is output to the management device is normally stored in a storage device of the management device A program for functioning as image data output means for outputting the image data only when a notification is received from the management apparatus .

Images