JP5223981B2 - Image processing apparatus, image processing system, and image processing program - Google Patents

Description

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

  In recent years, with the spread of information equipment and the development of network technology, a network system in which image processing apparatuses such as facsimiles, printers, and copiers are connected to a network has been introduced into offices. Documents necessary for business use are facsimiles, printers, It is output in various forms using a copy machine.

  In addition, with the networking of information equipment in offices, documents can be easily copied and printed, and various methods and devices have been proposed to prevent unauthorized copying and leakage of confidential information. Yes.

  For example, Patent Document 1 proposes an image forming apparatus that can reproduce or transmit image information included in a document under security management while maintaining the security level of the original document. In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, processing is performed by determining whether or not image data of a document read according to a predetermined rule can be output based on document information including security attributes of the read document, and from the read document to the document A technique for maintaining document management security even when information is not acquired is disclosed.

  For example, Patent Document 2 proposes an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a program for the same that can maintain the confidentiality of a document and can help track document duplication. When outputting a hard copy of the original, the information of the image forming apparatus or the information attached to the document is embedded in the hard copy, and the hard copy is copied by the image forming apparatus having an optical reading method. A technique has been disclosed in which confidentiality of a document is maintained and tracking of document replication can be aided by extracting and analyzing the obtained information and performing biometric authentication via a network.

For example, Patent Document 3 proposes a document security management system capable of tracking and maintaining the security state of a document even in a situation where printing, copying, and the like of the document are repeated. When the document is generated, the profile of the generated electronic document is recorded and managed in the first profile management table. When the document is printed, the profile of the print document is associated with the ID of the document from which the print document is derived. 2 discloses a technique for recording and managing in a profile management table 2 and printing with a new print ID embedded in the print document.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-166023 JP 2004-072343 A Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-259108

  By the way, it may be assumed that a document to be subjected to various operations is a document generated as a result of processing a plurality of originals having different security levels.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, in response to an operation on an arbitrary page of a protected electronic document, an image derived from the page is converted to a protection level of the page of the protected document or a parent document of the page. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing program that can be protected at a protection level that inherits the protection level.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of the image processing apparatus according to claim 1 is characterized in that the identification information given to each page of the document, the protection information defining the authority to operate each page, and each page of the original document of each page. And a protection information management means for managing the identification information of the original document in association with each other, and the identification information of the page and the electronic document corresponding to an operation on an arbitrary page of the electronic document to which the identification information is assigned. Identification information acquisition means acquired from the electronic document, and the protection information corresponding to the identification information of the electronic document and the page acquired by the identification information acquisition means and the identification information of the original document are acquired from the protection information management means. Obtaining means for determining, whether the operation is possible based on the protection information corresponding to the identification information of the page obtained by the obtaining means, and the preservation of the page obtained by the obtaining means. Protection information generating means for generating new protection information based on the information and identification information of the original document, and when the determination means determines that the operation is possible, the image information on the page of the electronic document is included in the operation. Image processing means for performing corresponding image processing, identification information generating means for generating identification information of a derivative image generated by image processing by the image processing means, and of the derivative image generated by the identification information generating means Identification information image generating means for generating an identification information image including identification information, identification information of the derived image generated by the identification information generating means, the new protection information generated by the protection information generating means, and the identification The information processing means further comprises registration means for registering with the protection information management means in association with the identification information of the page acquired by the information acquisition means.

  The invention of claim 2 is the invention of claim 1, wherein the protection information generating means determines the presence or absence of the original document from the identification information of the original document of the page acquired by the acquisition means, When there is no determination, the protection information of the page acquired by the acquisition unit is generated as the new protection information.

  Further, the invention of claim 3 is the invention of claim 2, wherein the protection information generating means determines the presence or absence of the original document from the identification information of the original document of the page acquired by the acquisition means, When the determination is made, the protection information corresponding to the identification information of the original document acquired by the acquisition unit is generated as the new protection information.

  The invention of the image processing system according to claim 4 is characterized in that the identification information given to each page of the document, the protection information that defines the authority to operate each page, each page of the original document on each page, and the original document A management device that associates and manages the identification information; and an image processing device that processes image information of the document. The image processing device operates an arbitrary page of the electronic document to which the identification information is assigned. Corresponding to the identification information acquisition means for acquiring the identification information of the page and the electronic document from the electronic document, and the protection information corresponding to the identification information of the electronic document and the page acquired by the identification information acquisition means And an acquisition unit that acquires the identification information of the original document from the protection information management unit, and a determination that determines whether the operation is possible based on the protection information corresponding to the identification information of the page acquired by the acquisition unit. A protection information generating unit that generates new protection information based on the protection information of the page acquired by the acquisition unit and the identification information of the original document, and the determination unit determines that the operation is possible An image processing unit that performs image processing corresponding to the operation on the image information of the page of the electronic document, and an identification information generation unit that generates identification information of a derivative image generated by image processing by the image processing unit Identification information image generating means for generating an identification information image including identification information of the derivative image generated by the identification information generating means, identification information of the derivative image generated by the identification information generating means, and the protection Registration means for associating the new protection information generated by the information generation means with the page identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means in association with the protection information management means; Characterized in that it.

  Further, the invention of the image processing program according to claim 5 provides identification information for assigning a computer to each page of the document, protection information that defines the authority to operate each page, each page of the original document on each page, and each original page. Protected information management means for managing in association with the identification information of the document, and acquiring the identification information of the page and the electronic document from the electronic document in response to an operation on an arbitrary page of the electronic document to which the identification information is assigned Identification information acquisition means, acquisition means for acquiring the protection information corresponding to the identification information of the electronic document and the page acquired by the identification information acquisition means and the identification information of the original document from the protection information management means, Determination means for determining whether or not the operation is possible based on the protection information corresponding to the identification information of the page acquired by the acquisition means; and the protection information of the page acquired by the acquisition means And a protection information generation unit that generates new protection information based on the identification information of the original document, and the determination unit determines that the operation is possible, the image information on the page of the electronic document corresponds to the operation. Image processing means for performing image processing, identification information generating means for generating identification information of a derivative image generated by image processing by the image processing means, and identification information of the derivative image generated by the identification information generating means Identification information image generating means for generating an identification information image, identification information of the derivative image generated by the identification information generation means, the new protection information generated by the protection information generation means, and acquisition by the identification information acquisition means It is made to function as a registering means for associating with the identification information of the page thus registered and registering in the protection information managing means.

  According to the first, fourth, and fifth aspects of the invention, in response to an operation on an arbitrary page of a protected electronic document (protected document), an image derived from the page is generated in the protected document. It can be protected at a protection level that inherits the protection level of the page or the protection level of the parent document of the page.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, a document generated in response to an operation on an arbitrary page of a protected electronic document (protected document) is stored in the protected document registered at the beginning of the operated page. Can be protected at a protection level.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, a document generated in response to an operation on an arbitrary page of a protected electronic document (protected document) is protected at the protection level of the parent document of the operated page. be able to.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of an image processing system, an image processing apparatus, and an image processing program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the main configuration of an image processing system 100 according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in an image processing system 100, a multifunction machine 1, which is an image processing apparatus according to the present invention, a policy server 3, and a client PC 4 are connected via a network 2 such as a LAN (= Local Area Network). The policy server 3 and the client PC 4 include an input device (for example, a keyboard and a mouse), an output device (for example, a display), a central processing unit (for example, a CPU), and a storage device (ROM, RAM, hard disk, external storage device, etc.) ) And the like.

  CPU is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit, ROM is an abbreviation for Read Only Memory, and RAM is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory.

  In addition to the above-described devices, the image processing system 100 is connected to various devices such as a server that manages various devices connected to the network 2, and the network 2 includes the client PC 4 and the multifunction device 1. A plurality of these devices may be connected.

  In addition to a scan processing function for optically scanning a paper document (document printed on paper) to read the image data of the paper document and transmitting the read image data to a designated destination, the multifunction device 1 is instructed to print. It has various functions such as a print processing function for printing print data, a copy processing function for copying a paper document, and a facsimile communication function for performing facsimile communication of a paper document or an electronic document.

  In this embodiment, the paper document is described as a document in which images and print data are formed on paper. However, the paper document is not limited to paper, and various types of paper such as plastic sheets and vinyl sheets can be used. It may be a document in which an image or print data is formed on the medium.

  The client PC 4 has a function of performing various document processing such as document display, editing, and printing. In addition, when printing a document, a paper document on which the document data is printed is added to the document data to be printed. The identification information unique to the document (hereinafter referred to as “document ID”) and the identification information of each page (hereinafter referred to as “page ID”) are referred to as a predetermined dot pattern (hereinafter referred to as “code image”). ) Has a function of instructing printing of the added document.

  The policy server 3 manages information for protecting the document by preventing the document from being illegally operated, and various information such as the target document to be protected.

  Specifically, the document to be protected (hereinafter referred to as “protection”) can be prevented so that various operations such as browsing, copying, printing, scanning, etc. can be prevented by an operator other than the authorized person of the registered document. Document ID and page ID of the document and information for protecting the document (for example, whether or not the document can be operated and attribute information of an operator who permits the operation, hereinafter referred to as “protection information”). It is a server that manages management information associated with information.

  The management information of the protected document is recorded and managed in a later-described protected document management table 31 (see FIG. 2) of the database 30 constructed in the policy server 3.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the management information of the protected document is managed by the policy server 3 has been shown. However, the management information is not limited to the policy server 3, but is connected to the MFP 1, the client PC 4, and the network 2. You may make it manage with the apparatus of.

  The multifunction device 1 includes a control unit 10, an image reading unit 11, an identification information detection unit 12, an identification information generation unit 13, a protection information acquisition unit 14, a protection information determination unit 15, a management information generation unit 16, a document processing unit 17, and a network. Functions of an interface unit (hereinafter referred to as “network I / F unit”) 18, a user interface unit (hereinafter referred to as “user I / F unit”) 19, a storage unit 20, an image processing unit 21, and an image forming unit 22 It is composed of typical blocks.

  The control unit 10 is a CPU of the multifunction machine 1 and controls each part of the multifunction machine 1 to control the entire multifunction machine 1 as a whole.

  The image reading unit 11 optically scans a paper document and reads an image formed on the paper document.

  Specifically, the paper device is provided with a scanner device, and optically scans one paper document set on the ADF (= automatic document feeder) or platen glass provided in the multifunction device 1, and the paper The image of the document is read, and the read image is stored in a predetermined storage area of the storage unit 20.

  Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, an image read from a paper document by the image reading unit 11 is referred to as a scanned image.

  The identification information detection unit 12 detects information such as the document ID and page ID of the paper document or electronic document from the scanned image read from the paper document or the electronic document instructed for various operations.

  Specifically, the scanned image read from the paper document is analyzed to extract the code image included in the scanned image, and information such as the document ID and page ID indicated by the code image is detected.

  Also, the attribute information of the electronic document instructed for various operations is analyzed to detect information such as the document ID and page ID of the electronic document.

  The identification information generation unit 13 newly adds a document ID unique to the derived document and each page to be added to the derived document (paper document and electronic document) generated by various processes such as a printing process and a duplication process by the multifunction device 1. The page ID is generated.

  The protection information acquisition unit 14 acquires protection information of a paper document or electronic document that is protected.

  Specifically, the document based on information such as the document ID and page ID detected from the code image of the scanned image read from the paper document or the document ID and page ID detected from the attribute information of the electronic document instructed to operate. The protection information associated with the ID and page ID is acquired.

  The protection information determination unit 15 generates a newly generated document (hereinafter referred to as “derived document”) by performing various operations such as copying and scanning from a protected document (paper document and electronic document). The protection information of the derived document (hereinafter referred to as “inherited protection information”) is determined from the protection information of the original document so that the protection information of the original document is inherited and protected.

 Specifically, for example, when a single protected original (paper document) is duplicated, the protection information of the original is inherited protection information of the paper document (derived document) generated by duplicating the original. When a plurality of protected originals are scanned and a plurality of scanned images are generated as one electronic document, the information common to the protection information of each of the plurality of originals or for each page The protection information of a different scan source document is determined as inheritance protection information of the one electronic document (derived document).

  The management information generating unit 16 manages the newly generated derived document (paper document and electronic document), the document ID of the derived document, the page ID of each page constituting the derived document, and the protection of the derived document. Information, the document ID (hereinafter referred to as “parent document ID”) of the latest document (hereinafter referred to as “parent document ID”) before derivation of each page constituting the derived document, and the page ID (hereinafter referred to as “parent page ID”). Management information in association with various types of information such as “)” is generated and stored in a predetermined storage location for management.

 The document processing unit 17 performs various processes according to the protection information of the protected document on the protected document (paper document and electronic document) in which various processes such as copying, printing, and scanning are instructed.

  The network I / F unit 18 is connected to a device other than the network 2 or the multifunction device 1 (hereinafter referred to as “external device”), and is connected to the external device or the directly connected external device via the network 2. Controls the exchange of data signals and control signals.

  In addition, the document data and the scanned image are transmitted to the destination designated based on the command of the control unit 10.

  The user I / F unit 19 includes a display device such as an LCD (= Liquid Crystal Display) and operation buttons. The user I / F unit 19 inputs instruction information to the multifunction device 1 by the user's operation and the multifunction device 1 from the multifunction device 1 to the user. Interface processing between the user and the multifunction device 1 such as display of status information and various types of information is performed.

  The storage unit 20 includes a storage device such as a ROM (= Read Only Memory), a RAM (= Random Access Memory), and a hard disk. The storage unit 20 writes data to each storage device, reads data from each storage device, and the like. Control.

  For example, the image processing unit 21 sets scan conditions such as resolution, number of colors, and hue, layout printing (N-up), print surface designation (both sides / Image processing according to printing conditions such as back side), paper size, paper type, number of output copies, etc., and converted into a predetermined image format.

  In addition, the information including the document ID and page ID of the derived document is converted into a pattern image arranged in a predetermined dot pattern based on a predetermined conversion method, and the generated pattern image is processed into an electronic image. Generate the added image.

  The image forming unit 22 forms image processed image data (including a scanned image) on a sheet (not shown) included in the multifunction device 1 when performing processing such as printing, duplication, and scanning in the multifunction device 1. Control for output.

  In the image processing system 100 configured as described above, when the multifunction device 1 processes a protected document, the document generated after processing (derived document) uses the protection information of the document (parent document) before processing. An image of the derived document is formed so as to be protected by the inherited protection information, and the parent document of the derived document and its root document such as the parent document (hereinafter referred to as “derived document”). .) Is configured to perform document processing that can be tracked.

  The operation of processing corresponding to the image processing and document operation according to the present invention by the multifunction machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 shows a protected paper document, protection information of a derived document derived from the paper document, and a protected document management table configured so that the parent document and the derivation source document can be traced from the derived document. It is a figure which shows an example.

  2A and 2B are diagrams showing an example of a protected paper document, and FIG. 2C is a diagram showing an example of a protected document management table.

  As shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, for example, the protected paper document A is composed of paper documents from the first page to the third page, and the protected paper document B is 1 Each paper document includes pages 4 to 4. Each paper document includes an image of each page, a document ID indicating identification information unique to the paper document A or the paper document B, and a page of each paper document. A code image including each information with a page ID indicating the identification information is added.

  Specifically, the paper document A on the first page includes “001” indicating the document ID of the paper document A and “01” indicating the page ID of the paper document in addition to the image of the paper document. A code image is added to each paper document from the second page to the third page, and in the same way as the paper document A for the first page, the paper document A for the second page is added to each paper document A. Is formed by adding the respective code images including the document ID “001” and the page ID “03” to the paper document A of the document ID “001”, the page ID “02”, and the third page. Has been.

  In addition to the image of the paper document, the first page of the paper document B includes a code image including “002” indicating the document ID of the paper document B and “01” indicating the page ID of the paper document B. In addition to the image of each paper document, each paper document B from the second page to the fourth page has a document in addition to the image of each paper document. ID “002”, page ID “02”, the third page paper document B has a document ID “002”, the page ID “03”, and the fourth page paper document B has a document ID. Each code image including “002” and page ID “04” is added and formed.

  In addition, the paper document A and the paper document B are protected by the protection information in which each derived document generated by deriving from each paper document inherits the protection information of each paper document, and the parent document and the original document of the derived document Are managed by a protected document management table 31 as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2C, the protected document management table 31 has a “document ID” for recording information on the document ID of the document, and a “page ID” for recording information on the page ID of each page constituting the document. , “Total number of pages” for recording information on the total number of pages of the document, “protection information” for recording protection information of the document, “parent document ID” for recording the document ID of the parent document of the document, the document The page document A is managed by the management information 310 of the protected document management table 31 and the paper document B is managed. Information 311 is managed.

  Specifically, as shown in the management information 310, the paper document A has “001” that is the document ID of the paper document A in “Document ID”, and “page ID” that corresponds to each page of the paper document A “ “01” to “03”, “total number of pages” is “3” of the total number of each paper document constituting the paper document A, and “protection information” is “operation authority” indicating information indicating that the operation of the paper document A is permitted. The parent document of the paper document A does not exist in the attribute information, “parent document ID” and “parent page ID” of “section manager or higher” or “development department” indicating the person who is permitted the operation, “None” information indicating that the paper document A is a derivation source document is recorded and managed.

  Further, as shown in the management information 311, the paper document B has “002”, which is the document ID of the paper document B in “Document ID”, and “01” to “page ID” corresponding to each page of the paper document B. “04”, “total number of pages” is “4” of the total number of each paper document constituting the paper document B, and “protection information” is “operation authority” indicating information indicating that the operation of the paper document B is permitted. “None” indicates that the parent document of the paper document B does not exist in the attribute information of “section manager or higher” or “sales department”, “parent document ID” and “parent page ID” indicating the target person who is permitted the operation. Are recorded and managed.

  In addition, the target person of “operation authority” recorded in “protection information” of each management information is “section manager or higher”, “development department”, etc. correspond to the document ID and page ID recorded in the management information. This indicates that if the document to be operated is a section manager or higher or a person such as a development department, the operation of the document is permitted.

  This protected document management table 31 is stored and managed in a database constructed in the policy server 3 by the policy server 3.

  Next, an image of the derived document is formed so that the derived document generated by deriving from the protected document is protected by the protection information that inherits the protection information of the parent document of the derived document. The operation until the management information is generated and registered will be described below with some examples.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of generating an image (scanned image) read from a protected paper document as one electronic document (digitalization of the protected paper document).

  In this example, the paper document on the third page of the paper document B (hereinafter referred to as “paper document B (page 3)”) and the paper document on the first page of the paper document A (hereinafter referred to as “paper document”). A (first page) ") is shown as an example in which each scanned image obtained by scanning and reading a paper document composed of two sheets is generated as one electronic document.

  For convenience of explanation, the scan image of the paper document B (page 3) is referred to as “scan image B (page 3)”, and the scan image of the paper document A (page 1) is referred to as “scan image A (page 1)”. "

  As shown in FIG. 3A, a paper document A (first page) is added after the paper document B (third page), and is set in the automatic document feeder of the multifunction machine 1 to instruct scanning processing. Then, the multifunction device 1 reads each image formed on the paper document B (page 3) and the paper document A (page 1), and reads the scanned image B (page 3) and the scanned image A (page 1). Each piece of protection information of each paper document is obtained from the code image included in each of the eyes), and the protection information of the information common to the obtained pieces of protection information is obtained by scanning image B (page 3) and scanning image A (page 1). And the protection information of one electronic document C322 (derived document) (see FIG. 3B) that is newly generated from the first).

  Specifically, the multifunction device 1 extracts a code image included in each scanned image from each scanned image, and the paper document B (third page) and the paper document A (first page) are extracted from each extracted code image. The document ID and page ID of each paper document are specified, the management information associated with the specified document ID and page ID is inquired and acquired from the policy server 3, and each paper document of the acquired management information is obtained. Information recorded in “protection information” corresponding to the page ID is acquired as protection information of each paper document.

  On the other hand, the policy server 3 refers to the protected document management table 31 (see FIG. 3C) in response to an inquiry about management information corresponding to each document ID and page ID from the multi-function peripheral 1, and each document ID. The management information associated with the page ID is specified and notified to the multifunction device 1.

  In this example, the document IDs of the paper document B (third page) and the paper document A (first page) are “002” and “001”, and the page IDs are “03” and “01”. Management information 311 and management information 310 whose information recorded in the “document ID” of the protected document management table 31 shown in FIG. 3C matches the document ID of each paper document are specified and acquired.

  The management information 311 is management information of the paper document B (third page), and the management information 310 is management information of the paper document A (first page).

  When the management information of each paper document is acquired, the “protection information” information corresponding to the information that matches the page ID of each paper document among the information recorded in the “page ID” of each management information is stored in each paper document. It is acquired as protection information.

  For example, since the page ID of the paper document B (page 3) is “03”, the “page ID” of the management information 311 of the paper document B (page 3) is recorded in “protection information” corresponding to “03”. The obtained “operation authority”, “section manager or higher”, and “sales department” are acquired as the protection information of the paper document B (third page).

  Since the page ID of the paper document A (first page) is “01”, the “page ID” of the management information 310 of the paper document A (first page) is “protection information” corresponding to “01”. The recorded “operation authority”, “section manager or higher”, and “development department” are acquired as the protection information of the paper document A (first page).

  Note that the protection information “operating authority”, “section manager and above”, “sales department” and “development department” are documents related to the protection information that are section managers or above or those in the sales department or development department. If there is, it indicates that the operation of the document is permitted.

  When the protection information of the paper document B (page 3) and the paper document A (page 1) is acquired, information common to the protection information (in this example, “operation authority” and “section manager or higher”). ") Is determined as the protection information of one electronic document C322 (derived document) newly generated from the scanned image B (third page) and the scanned image A (first page).

  When the protection information of the electronic document C322 is determined, the document ID of the electronic document C322 and an image obtained by removing each code image from each scanned image constituting the electronic document C322 (referred to as “electronic image” for convenience of explanation). Management information that generates page ID, total number of pages of electronic document C322, protection information of electronic document C322, document ID and page ID of the parent document of each electronic image, and associates these pieces of information. 312 is generated and registered in the protected document management table 31 (see FIG. 3C).

  After the management information 312 is registered in the protected document management table 31, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3D, each of the scanned image B (third page) and the scanned image A (first page) is displayed. An image (electronic image) excluding the code image is generated as data of the data portion 321 of the electronic document C322, and the number of pages, total data length, creation date, electronic document C322 including the document ID of the electronic document C322, electronic document Information such as position information (address information) for storing each electronic image constituting the C322 and page ID of each electronic image is generated as data in the attribute information section 320 of the electronic document C322 to generate one electronic document C322. And save it in a predetermined storage location.

  Next, the processing operation by the MFP 1 for digitizing a protected paper document shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when a plurality of paper documents are set in the automatic document feeder of the multifunction machine 1 and scanning processing is instructed, the first page paper document set in the automatic document feeder is sent by the automatic document feeder. The paper document conveyed to the image reading unit 11 and scanned by the image reading unit 11 is scanned, the image formed on the paper document is read, and the read image (scanned image) is stored in a predetermined part of the storage unit 20. Temporarily store in memory.

  The scan image read from the paper document is subjected to image analysis by the identification information detection unit 12 and a code image included in the scan image is extracted (step S101).

  If the code image is not extracted from the scanned image in step S101 (NO in step S102), the identification information detection unit 12 notifies the control unit 10 that the code image has not been extracted, and the control unit 10 The document is determined to be an unprotected document, and control to stop the scanning process is performed (step S113).

  In step S101, when the code image is extracted from the scanned image of the paper document, the identification information detection unit 12 specifies the document ID and page ID of the paper document included in the extracted code image, and the protection information acquisition unit 14 The policy server 3 is requested to acquire protection information associated with the specified document ID and page ID (step S103).

  In the code image, each information such as the document ID and page ID of the paper document is formed as a two-dimensional dot pattern image based on a predetermined rule. Therefore, conversion from the dot pattern of the code image based on the predetermined rule is performed. Thus, each information such as a document ID and a page ID corresponding to the code image can be specified.

  In addition, the protection information associated with the document ID and the page ID is specifically acquired when the protection information acquisition unit 14 sends the document ID and the page ID together with the protection information acquisition request to the control unit 10 and the network I / F unit. The protection information corresponding to the document ID and the page ID transmitted from the policy server 3 to the policy server 3 and received from the policy server 3 is received and acquired.

  On the other hand, the policy server 3 specifies the management information associated with the document ID and the page ID transmitted from the multifunction device 1 with reference to the protection information management table 31 in response to the protection information acquisition request from the multifunction device 1. Then, the protection information recorded in the specified management information is sent to the multi-function device 1 as the protection information corresponding to the document ID and page ID, and the response is made.

  In step S103, when the protection information of the scanned paper document is acquired, the document processing unit 17 determines whether or not the paper document is protected from the acquired protection information so as to permit this operation (scan operation). If it is determined that it is not permitted (NO in step S104), the control unit 10 is notified to that effect, and the control unit 10 performs control to stop the scanning process based on the notified information (step S113). ).

  If it is determined from the acquired protection information that the paper document is protected to permit this operation (scan operation) (YES in step S104), the control unit 10 is notified of this, The second page paper document set in the automatic document feeder based on the control of the control unit 10, the third page paper document,... N page paper document (N is set in the automatic document feeder. The number of paper documents) is sequentially conveyed to the image reading unit 11, and the processing operations of the above-described steps S101 to S105 are repeated for all the paper documents set in the automatic document feeder (NO in step S105). ).

  When the scanned images, the document IDs and the page IDs, and the protection information of all the paper documents set in the automatic document feeder are acquired (YES in step S105), the protection information determination unit 15 stores all the paper documents. It is determined whether or not the document IDs are the same. If they are the same (YES in step S106), one electronic document that newly generates protection information acquired based on the document ID from all scanned images ( It is determined as inheritance protection information of the derived document (step S108).

  If the document IDs of all the paper documents are not the same (NO in step S106), the protection information of the common information is specified from the protection information corresponding to each document ID acquired based on the document ID of each of the all paper documents. The protection information thus determined is determined as inheritance protection information for an electronic document newly generated from all scanned images (step S107).

  When the inheritance protection information of the electronic document to be generated is determined in step S107 or step S108, the document ID of the electronic document generated by the identification information generation unit 13 and each electronic image (code image from scanned image) constituting the electronic document. Each page ID of the image) is generated and stored in a predetermined storage area of the storage unit 20 (step S109), and the management information generation unit 16 determines the total number of pages of the electronic document and the inheritance protection information (protection information). ), And each information such as the parent document ID and the parent page ID of the parent document of the electronic image of each page, and the generated information and the document ID of the electronic image of each page generated by the identification information generation unit 13 and Management information associated with the page ID is generated (step S110).

  When the management information of the electronic document is generated, the management information generation unit 16 requests the policy server 3 to register the generated management information in the protected document management table 31 (step S111).

  The policy server 3 records and registers the management information transmitted together with the management information registration request from the multifunction device 1 in the protected document management table 31, and notifies the multifunction device 1 of the registration after registration. In step S111, when management information of a newly generated electronic document is registered in the protected document management table 31, the document processing unit 17 adds, to each electronic image, the total data length, creation date, An electronic document to which attribute information including management information and the like is added is generated and stored in a predetermined storage device of the storage unit 20 (step S112).

  FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a case where a protected electronic document is printed out (a paper document of a protected electronic document (part 1)).

  This example shows an example in which the paper document D is generated by printing out the above-described protected electronic document C322.

  As shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5C, the protected electronic document C322 is read from the paper document B (third page) and the paper document A (first page), respectively, as described above. A data portion 321 composed of electronic images from which the code images of the scanned image B (third page) and the scanned image A (first page) are removed, and “003” indicating the document ID of the electronic document C322, The attribute information unit 320 includes information including “01” and “02” indicating the page ID of each electronic image.

  When printing each page of the electronic document C322, the MFP 1 acquires management information of each page from the document ID and page ID of each page of the electronic document C322, and each page is printed based on the acquired management information. The protection information to be inherited by each output paper document D is determined.

  Specifically, the MFP 1 specifies the document ID of the electronic document C322 and the page ID of each page, inquires the management information associated with the specified document ID, acquires the management information, and acquires the acquired management. It is determined from the information of the parent document of each page of the electronic document C322 recorded in the information whether or not there is a page of the electronic image that is the derivation source document in the electronic document C322. The protection information is determined as inheritance protection information of the paper document D of the page.

  Of the pages of the electronic document C322 to be printed, the parent document of the page is a derivation source document, or the parent document of the page is an electronic document consisting of one page, or the parent document of the page is the same. For a page of an electronic image that is one of a plurality of electronic documents derived from a parent, the protection information of the parent document of the page is determined as inheritance protection information of the paper document D of the page.

  Also, the page of the electronic document C322 to be printed is not a derivation source document, the parent document of the page is not an electronic document consisting of one page, and the parent document of the page is derived from the same parent A page of an electronic image that is not a multi-page electronic document is sequentially traced back from the parent document of the page to the derivation source document, and the parent document is a derivation source document or an electronic document consisting of one page or a plurality of pages derived from the same parent. The document is traced to any one of the electronic documents, and the protection information of the document is determined as inheritance protection information of the paper document D of the page.

  In the case of this example, the document ID “003” of the electronic document C322 (see FIG. 5C) and the page IDs of the electronic images constituting the electronic document C322 are “01” and “02” from the protected document management table. The management information 312 of the electronic document C322 managed in 31 (see FIG. 5D) is specified, “01” and “02” recorded in the “page ID” of the specified management information 312 and these pages The first and second pages of the electronic document C322 are both derived from “002” and “03” recorded in the “parent document ID” and “parent page ID” corresponding to the ID, and “001” and “01”. While recognizing that it is not the original document, the management information 311 and the management information 310 of the parent document for each page of the electronic document C322 are specified.

  1 of the electronic document C322 is obtained from information recorded in each “parent document ID” of the management information 311 and management information 310 of the parent document for each page of the specified electronic document C322 (both are “none” in this example). Recognizing that each parent document of the page and the second page is a derivation source document, the inheritance protection information of the paper document D of the first page of the electronic document C322 is “protection” of the management information 311 of the parent document of the page. The decision is made to inherit the “operating authority”, “section manager and above” and “sales department” recorded in the information.

  In addition, the inheritance protection information of the paper document D on the second page of the electronic document C322 includes the “operation authority”, “above section manager” and “development” recorded in the “protection information” of the management information 310 of the parent document of the page. Make a decision to inherit the "part".

  In addition, “operating authority”, “section manager and above”, “sales department” and “development department”, etc. recorded in “protection information” are permitted to be operated if they are section manager or above or sales department or development department. It shows that

  When the inheritance protection information of the paper document D of each page output by printing the electronic document C322 is determined, the multi function device 1 newly generates the document ID and page ID of each paper document D, and generates the generated document ID. And management information 313 in which each information such as the page ID, the total number of pages of the paper document D, the inheritance protection information of each paper document D, and the parent document ID and parent page ID of the parent document of each paper document D are generated. Are registered in the protected document management table 31 (see FIG. 5D).

  In this example, the document ID and page ID of the paper document D are generated as “004”, “01”, and “02”, the total number of pages of the paper document D is “2”, and the first page of the paper document D Inheritance protection information of “operation authority”, “section manager and above” and “sales department”, parent document ID and parent page ID of parent document “003” and “01”, inheritance protection of page 2 of paper document D Management information 313 is created in which information is associated with information such as “operation authority”, “section manager or higher” and “development department”, and the parent document ID and parent page ID of the parent document are “003” and “02”. To the protected document management table 31.

  After the management information 312 is registered in the protected document management table 31, as shown in FIG. 5B, a pattern in which the document ID and page ID of each paper document D are arranged in a predetermined dot pattern by a preset conversion method. Each image is converted into an image to generate a code image, and each generated code image is combined with each electronic image of the electronic document C322 and added to the image. Document D and paper document D on the second page are output.

  The processing operation by the multi-function device 1 for making a protected electronic document into a paper document (part 1) shown in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the multifunction device 1 receives the electronic document C322 instructed to be printed (step S201), the identification information detection unit 12 of the multifunction device 1 sets the document ID of each page of the electronic document C322 and The page ID of each page is detected, and the protection information of each page is inquired and acquired from the policy server 3 based on the detected document ID and page ID (step S202).

  In step S202, when the document ID is not added to the electronic document C322, or when the management information corresponding to the document ID of the electronic document C322 is not acquired (NO in step S203), this is notified to the control unit 10. The control unit 10 determines that the electronic document C322 is an unprotected document, and performs control to stop the printing process (step S217).

  In step S202, when the protection information of each page of the electronic document C322 is acquired, whether or not the electronic document C322 is protected from the acquired protection information so as to permit this operation (printing operation). If it is determined that it is protected so as not to permit (NO in step S204), this is notified to the control unit 10, and the control unit 10 stops the printing process based on the notified information. Control is performed (step S217).

  When the document processing unit 17 determines that the electronic document C322 is protected from the acquired protection information so as to permit this operation (printing operation) (YES in step S204), the document processing unit 17 sets “ It is determined whether or not the electronic image of the derivation source document exists on any page of the electronic document C322 from the information recorded in the “parent document ID” (the document ID of the parent document of each page of the electronic document C322) (step) S205).

  In step S205, if the page of the electronic image of the derivation source document exists in the electronic document C322 (YES in step S206), the protection information of the page is determined as inheritance protection information of the paper document D of the page (step S208). ).

  Specifically, the information recorded in the “protection information” corresponding to the page ID of the page of the management information of the electronic document C322 is determined as inheritance protection information of the paper document D of the page.

  If no electronic image of the derivation source document exists on any page of the electronic document C322 (NO in step S206), the parent document of the page is the derivation source document on any page of the electronic document C322, or It is determined whether or not there is an electronic image in which the parent document of the page is an electronic document consisting of one page, or the parent document of the page is an electronic document consisting of a plurality of pages derived from the same parent (step S207). If it exists (YES in step S209), the protection information of the parent document of the page is determined as inheritance protection information of the paper document D of the page (step S211).

  Specifically, the management information of the parent document of the page is identified from the “parent document ID” and “parent page ID” of the management information of the electronic document C 322 corresponding to the page ID of the page, and “ The information recorded in the “protection information” is determined as inheritance protection information of the paper document D of the page.

  In step S207, the parent document of the page is a derivation source document for any page of the electronic document C322, or the parent document of the page is an electronic document consisting of one page, or the parent document of the page is the same. When there is no electronic image that is an electronic document composed of a plurality of pages derived from the parent (NO in step S209), the parent document is sequentially traced back from the parent document of each page to the derivation source document. The parent is an electronic document consisting of one page, or the electronic document consisting of a plurality of pages derived from the same parent is traced back to any document, and the protection information of the traced document is inherited protection information of the paper document D of the page. Is determined (step S210).

  Specifically, the management information of the parent document is specified from the “parent document ID” and the “parent page ID” of the management information of the electronic document C322 corresponding to the page ID of the page, and the management information of the specified parent document Further specifying the management information of the parent, the parent of the parent document of the electronic document C322 is a derivation source document, or an electronic document consisting of one page, or an electronic consisting of a plurality of pages derived from the same parent. It is determined whether or not the electronic image is a document. If not, the parent of the page, the parent of the page, In addition, the management information of the parent and the like is sequentially specified, and the parent is a derivation source document, the parent is an electronic document consisting of one page, or an electronic document consisting of a plurality of pages derived from the same parent. "Protection information" of the management information of the document that was traced back The recorded information to determine the inheritance protection information of the paper document D of the page.

  When the protection information of the paper document D of each page is determined, the identification information generation unit 13 newly generates a document ID and a page ID of each paper document D and stores them in a predetermined storage area of the storage unit 20 (step S212). The management information generation unit 16 generates each information such as the total number of pages of the paper document D, inheritance protection information (protection information) of the paper document D, and the parent document ID and parent page ID of the parent document of each paper document D. Then, management information that associates the generated information with the document ID and page ID of the paper document D of each page generated by the identification information generation unit 13 is generated (step S213).

  When the management information of the paper document D is generated, the policy server 3 is requested to register the management information generated by the management information generation unit 16 in the protected document management table 31 (step S214).

  After registering the management information of the paper document D, the image processing unit 21 converts the document ID and the page ID of the paper document D of each page into a pattern image arranged in a predetermined dot pattern by a predetermined conversion method, and code An image is generated, and each generated code image is combined with an electronic image of each page and added (step S215), and then the generated image is formed on a sheet of the multifunction device 1 by the image forming unit 22. The paper document D is output (step S216).

  FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a case where a protected electronic document is printed out (a paper document of a protected electronic document (part 2)).

  In this example, a paper document E is generated by printing out only the first page of the protected electronic document C322.

  As described above, the first and second pages of the electronic document C322 are images (electronic images) obtained by removing each code image from the scanned image B (third page) and the scanned image A (first page). It is configured.

  As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8C, when printing only a specific page of the protected electronic document C322, the multi function device 1 determines from the document ID and page ID of the page to be printed of the electronic document C322. The management information of the page is acquired, and based on the acquired management information, the protection information inherited by the paper document E on which the page is printed and output is determined.

  Specifically, the document ID and page ID of the page to be printed of the electronic document C322 are specified, the management information associated with the specified document ID is inquired and acquired, and recorded in the acquired management information. Whether or not the page is a derivation source document is determined from the information of the parent document. If the page is the derivation source document, the protection information of the page is used to protect the inheritance of the paper document E output by printing the page. Determine with information.

  Further, the parent document of the page to be printed from the information of the parent document recorded in the acquired management information is a derivation source document, or the parent document of the page is an electronic document consisting of one page, or the parent document of the page Is an electronic document composed of a plurality of pages derived from the same parent, the protection information of the parent document of the page is determined as inheritance protection information of the paper document E of the page.

  Also, the parent document of the page to be printed from the information of the parent document recorded in the acquired management information is not a derivation source document, and the parent document of the page is not an electronic document consisting of one page, and the parent document of the page Is not an electronic document consisting of multiple pages derived from the same parent, the parent document of the page is traced back to the derivation source document, and the parent is derived from the derivation source document or the electronic document consisting of one page or the same parent. The document is traced to any one of the plurality of pages of electronic document, and the protection information of the traced document is determined as inheritance protection information of the paper document E of the page to be printed.

  In this example, the management information 312 of the electronic document C322 is referred to the protected document management table 31 (see FIG. 8D) from the document ID “003” of the electronic document C322 (see FIG. 8C). The electronic document is identified from the “parent document ID” and “parent page ID” (“002” and “03”) corresponding to the page to be printed (page ID is “01”) of the electronic document C322 of the specified management information 312. It is determined that the first page of C322 is not a derivation source document.

  If it is determined that the first page of the electronic document C322 is not a derivation source document, 1 of the electronic document C322 is determined from the “parent document ID” and “parent page ID” (“002” and “03”) of the management information 312 of the electronic document C322. The management information 311 of the parent document of the page is specified, and “protection information” corresponding to the page ID (“page ID” is “03”) of the first page of the electronic document C322 of the specified management information 311 is specified. The recorded “operation authority”, “section manager or higher” and “sales department” information is determined as inheritance protection information for the paper document E.

  When the inheritance protection information of the paper document E is determined, the multi function device 1 newly generates the document ID and page ID of the paper document E, and the generated document ID and page ID, the total number of pages of the paper document E, and The management information 314 in which the inheritance protection information of the paper document E is associated with each information such as the parent document ID and the parent page ID of the parent document of the paper document E is generated and registered in the protected document management table 31 (FIG. 8 ( d)).

  In this example, the document ID and page ID of the paper document E are generated as “005” and “01”, the total number of pages of the paper document E is “1”, and the inheritance protection information of the paper document E is “operation authority”. Management information 314 in which each information such as “003” and “01” is associated with the parent document ID and the parent page ID of the parent document of the paper document E. Register in the protected document management table 31.

  After the management information 314 of the paper document E is registered in the protected document management table 31, as shown in FIG. 8B, the document ID and page ID of the paper document E are set in a predetermined dot pattern by a preset conversion method. A code image is generated by converting into a pattern image to be arranged, and the generated code image is added to the electronic image of the first page of the electronic document C322, and then formed on the paper provided in the multifunction device 1 to form paper Document E is output.

  The processing operation by the multifunction device 1 for making a protected electronic document into a paper document (part 2) shown in FIG. 8 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when the multifunction device 1 receives the electronic document C322 instructed to be printed and information on the page to be printed (step S301), the identification information detection unit 12 of the multifunction device 1 causes the electronic document C322 to be printed. The document ID and page ID are detected, and the protection information of the page is inquired and acquired from the policy server 3 based on the detected document ID and page ID (step S302).

  In step S302, if the document ID is not added to the electronic document C322, or if the management information corresponding to the document ID of the electronic document C322 is not acquired (NO in step S303), the control unit 10 is notified accordingly. The control unit 10 determines that the electronic document C322 is an unprotected document, and performs control to stop the printing process (step S317).

  In step S302, when the protection information of the page to be printed of the electronic document C322 is acquired, the page to be printed of the electronic document C322 is permitted to perform this operation (printing operation) from the acquired protection information by the document processing unit 17. If it is determined whether or not it is protected so that it is not permitted (NO in step S304), the control unit 10 is notified of this, and the control unit 10 is based on the notified information. Controls to stop the printing process (step S317).

  If the document processing unit 17 determines from the acquired protection information that the page to be printed of the electronic document C322 is protected to permit this operation (printing operation) (YES in step S304), the management It is determined whether or not the electronic image of the page of the electronic document C322 is a derivation source document from the information (document ID of the parent document of the page) recorded in the “parent document ID” of the information (step S305). If it is determined that the document is an original document (YES in step S306), the information recorded in the “protection information” of the management information is determined as inheritance protection information of the paper document E output by printing the page ( Step S308).

  If the identification information detection unit 12 determines in step S305 that the electronic image of the page to be printed of the electronic document C322 is not a derivation source document (NO in step S306), the parent document of the page to be printed of the electronic document C322 is It is determined whether the document is a derivation source document, the parent document of the page is an electronic document consisting of one page, or the parent document of the page is an electronic document consisting of a plurality of pages derived from the same parent ( If not (NO in step S309), the protection information of the parent document of the page to be printed of the electronic document C322 is determined as inheritance protection information of the paper document E (step S311).

  Specifically, the management information of the parent document is identified from the “parent document ID” and “parent page ID” of the management information of the electronic document C322 corresponding to the page ID of the page to be printed of the electronic document C322, and the identified management Information recorded in the “protection information” of the information is determined as inheritance protection information of the paper document E.

  In step S307, the parent document of the page to be printed of the electronic document C322 is not a derivation source document, the parent document of the page is not an electronic document consisting of one page, and the parent document of the page is derived from the same parent. If the document is not an electronic document consisting of a plurality of pages (YES in step S309), the parent document of the page is sequentially traced back to the derivation source document, and the parent is the derivation source document or the parent is the electronic document consisting of one page. Or, it goes back to any document of the electronic document composed of a plurality of pages derived from the same parent, and the protection information of the traced document is determined as inheritance protection information of the paper document E (step S310).

  When the inheritance protection information of the paper document E is determined, the identification information generation unit 13 newly generates a document ID and a page ID of the paper document E and stores them in a predetermined storage area of the storage unit 20 (step S312). The generation unit 16 generates and generates information such as the total number of pages of the paper document E, inheritance protection information (protection information) of the paper document E, and the parent document ID and parent page ID of the parent document of the paper document E. Management information in which these pieces of information are associated with the document ID and page ID generated by the identification information generation unit 13 is generated (step S313).

  When the management information of the paper document E is generated, the policy server 3 is requested to register the management information generated by the management information generation unit 16 in the protected document management table 31 (step S314).

  After registering the management information of the paper document E, the image processing unit 21 generates a code image by converting the document ID and page ID of the paper document E into a pattern image arranged in a predetermined dot pattern by a preset conversion method. After the generated code image is synthesized and added to the electronic image of the page to be printed of the electronic document C322 (step S315), the generated image is formed on the sheet of the multifunction device 1 by the image forming unit 22. The paper document E is output (step S316).

  FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a case where a protected electronic document is printed out (paper conversion of the protected electronic document (part 3)).

  In this example, the first and second pages (for example, the paper size is both A4 size) of the protected electronic document C322 are printed on one paper (for example, the paper size is A3 size) and the paper document F is printed. An example in the case of generating (2-UP printing) is shown.

  As described above, the first and second pages of the electronic document C322 are images (electronic images) obtained by removing each code image from the scanned image B (third page) and the scanned image A (first page). It is configured.

  As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11C, when the protected electronic document C322 is subjected to N-UP printing, that is, in this example, the first and second pages of the electronic document C322 ( For example, when 2-UP printing is performed on one sheet (for example, the sheet size is A3 size) for both the paper sizes of A4 size, the multi-function peripheral 1 may use the document ID and page of each page of the electronic document C322 to be 2-UP printed. The management information of each page is acquired from the ID, and based on the acquired management information, protection information to be inherited by the paper document F that is output by 2-UP printing of each page is determined.

  Specifically, the document ID and page ID of each page of the electronic document C322 to be 2-UP printed are specified, the management information associated with each specified document ID is inquired and acquired respectively. Whether the page of the electronic image as a derivation source document exists on each page of the electronic document C322 to be 2-UP printed from the information of the parent document of each page to be 2-UP printed of the electronic document C322 recorded in each management information If the page of the derivation source document exists, it is specified as the protection information inherited by the page.

  Further, the electronic image of each page of the electronic document C322 to be 2-UP printed is not a derivation source document, the parent document of the page is not an electronic document consisting of one page, and the parent document of the page is from the same parent. If it is not an electronic document consisting of a plurality of derived pages, the parent document is sequentially traced from the parent document of the page to the derivation source document, and the parent consists of the derivation source document, the electronic document consisting of one page, or a plurality of pages derived from the same parent. A document that is one of the electronic documents is traced, and the protection information of the traced document is specified as the protection information inherited by the page of the electronic document C322.

  When the protection information inherited by each page of the electronic document C322 to be 2-UP printed is specified, information common to the protection information inherited by each identified page is determined as the inheritance protection information of the paper document F.

  In the case of this example, the document ID “003” of the electronic document C322 (see FIG. 11C) and the page IDs “01” of the first and second pages of the electronic document C322 to be 2-UP printed, The management information 312 of the electronic document C322 managed in the protected document management table 31 (see FIG. 11D) is identified from “02”, and “01” recorded in the “page ID” of the identified management information 312 and One page of the electronic document C322 from “02”, “002” and “03”, “001”, and “01” recorded in “parent document ID” and “parent page ID” corresponding to these page IDs While recognizing that both the eyes and the second page are not derived documents, the management information 311 and the management information 310 of the parent document for each page of the electronic document C322 are specified.

  1 of the electronic document C322 is obtained from information recorded in each “parent document ID” of the management information 311 and management information 310 of the parent document for each page of the specified electronic document C322 (both are “none” in this example). Recognizing that each parent document on page 1 and page 2 is a derivation source document, the “operating authority”, “over manager” and “sales department” recorded in “protection information” of management information 311 It is specified as the protection information inherited on the first page of the document C322.

  In addition, the “operation authority”, “section manager or higher”, and “development department” recorded in the “protection information” of the management information 311 are specified as the protection information inherited on the second page of the electronic document C322.

  When the protection information inherited by each page to be 2-UP printed of the electronic document C322 is specified, information common to the protection information inherited by each identified page (in this example, “section manager or higher”) is printed on paper. The inheritance protection information of document F is determined.

  When the inheritance protection information of the paper document F is determined, the multi function device 1 newly generates the document ID and page ID of the paper document F, the generated document ID and page ID, the total number of pages of the paper document F, the paper Management information 315 in which the inheritance protection information of the document F is associated with each information such as the parent document ID and the parent page ID of the parent document of the paper document F is generated and registered in the protected document management table 31 (FIG. 11D). reference).

  In this example, the document ID and page ID of the paper document F are generated as “006” and “01”, the total number of pages of the paper document F is “1”, and the inheritance protection information of the paper document F is “operation authority”. Management information 315 in which the parent document ID and the parent page ID of the parent document of the paper document F are associated with information such as “003” and “01”, “003”, and “02”. It is generated and registered in the protected document management table 31.

  After the management information 312 of the paper document F is registered in the protected document management table 31, as shown in FIG. 11B, the document ID and page ID of the paper document F are converted into a predetermined dot pattern by a preset conversion method. A code image is generated by converting it into a pattern image to be arranged, and the generated code image is synthesized and added to any one of the electronic images of each page for 2-UP printing of the electronic document C322, and then the multifunction device 1 The paper document F is formed on the paper provided.

  A processing operation by the multifunction device 1 for forming a protected electronic document into a paper document (part 3) shown in FIG. 11 will be described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, when the multifunction device 1 receives the electronic document C322 instructed to perform N-UP printing (step S401), the identification information detection unit 12 of the multifunction device 1 receives the document ID and the electronic document C322. The page ID of each page to be N-UP printed is detected, and the protection information of each page is inquired and acquired from the policy server 3 based on the detected document ID and page ID of each page (step S402).

  In step S402, when the document ID is not added to the electronic document C322, or when the management information corresponding to the document ID of the electronic document C322 is not acquired (NO in step S403), this is notified to the control unit 10. The control unit 10 determines that the electronic document C322 is an unprotected document, and performs control to stop the printing process (step S418).

  When the protection information of each page of the electronic document C322 to be N-UP printed is acquired in step S402, each page to be N-UP printed of the electronic document C322 is obtained from the protection information of each page acquired by the document processing unit 17. It is determined whether or not the operation is protected so as to permit this operation (printing operation). If it is determined that the operation is not permitted (NO in step S404), the control unit 10 is notified accordingly. Based on the notified information, the control unit 10 performs control to stop the printing process (step S418).

  If the document processing unit 17 determines from the acquired protection information that each page of the electronic document C322 to be N-UP-printed is protected to permit this operation (printing operation) (YES in step S404). ), The electronic image of the derivation source document exists in any one of the pages from the information (document ID of the parent document of each page of the electronic document C322) recorded in the “parent document ID” of the management information of each page. Whether or not (step S405).

  In step S405, if the electronic image of the derivation source document exists on any page of the electronic document C322 that is N-UP printed (YES in step S406), the protection information of the page is used as the protection information inherited by the page. Specify (step S407).

  Specifically, the information recorded in the “protection information” of the management information corresponding to the page ID of the page of the electronic document C322 to be N-UP printed is specified as the protection information inherited by the page.

  If the identification information detection unit 12 determines in step S405 that the derivation source document does not exist on the page to be N-UP printed of the electronic document C322 (NO in step S406), the electronic document C322 is N-UP printed. The page's parent document is the derivation source document, or the page's parent document is an electronic document consisting of one page, or the page's parent document is a multi-page electronic document derived from the same parent. It is determined whether there is any (step S407), and if it exists (YES in step S409), the protection information of the parent document of the page is specified as the protection information inherited by the page (step S411).

  Specifically, the management information of the parent document of the page is identified from the “parent document ID” and “parent page ID” of the management information of the electronic document C 322 corresponding to the page ID of the page, and “ The information recorded in the “protection information” is specified as the protection information inherited by the page.

  In step S407, the parent document of each page to be N-UP printed of the electronic document C322 is not a derivation source document, the parent document of the page is not an electronic document consisting of one page, and the parent document of the page is the same. If the document is not an electronic document consisting of a plurality of pages derived from the parent of the document (NO in step S409), the parent document of the page is sequentially traced back to the derivation source document, and the parent is the derivation source document or the parent is an electronic document consisting of one page. Alternatively, the document is traced to a document which is one of a plurality of pages derived from the same parent, and the protection information of the traced document is specified as the protection information inherited by the page of the electronic document C322 (step S410).

  In step S408, step S410, or step S411, when the protection information inherited by each page to be N-UP printed of the electronic document C322 is specified, the information common to the specified respective inherited protection information is inherited from the paper document F. The protection information is determined (step S412).

  When the inheritance protection information of the paper document F is determined, the identification information generation unit 13 newly generates a document ID and a page ID of the paper document F and stores them in a predetermined storage area of the storage unit 20 (step S413). The generation unit 16 generates information such as the total number of pages of the paper document F, inheritance protection information of the paper document F, and the parent document ID and parent page ID of the parent document of the paper document F, and the generated information. And management information in which the document ID and page ID generated by the identification information generation unit 13 are associated with each other (step S414).

  When the management information of the paper document F is generated, the policy server 3 is requested to register the management information generated by the management information generation unit 16 in the protected document management table 31 (step S415).

  After registering the management information of the paper document F, the image processing unit 21 converts the document ID and page ID of the paper document F into a pattern image arranged in a predetermined dot pattern using a preset conversion method, and generates a code image. Then, the generated code image is synthesized and added to any electronic image of each page of the electronic document C322 that is N-UP printed (step S416), and the generated image is then converted by the image forming unit 22 into the multifunction device 1. A paper document F is formed and output on the provided paper (step S417).

  In the present invention, the program is executed from a recording medium (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc.) storing a program for executing the above-described operation in an image processing system having a communication function or configuring the above-described means. It is also possible to configure an information processing system that executes the above-described processing by installing the program in a computer and executing it.

  The medium for supplying the program may be a communication medium (a medium for temporarily or fluidly holding the program such as a communication line or a communication system). For example, the program may be posted on an electronic bulletin board (BBS: Bulletin Board Service) of a communication network and distributed through a communication line.

  The present invention can be applied to an image processing technique corresponding to various usage forms for protecting a document.

1 is a configuration diagram showing the main configuration of an image processing system 100 according to the present invention. Figure showing an example of a protected paper document, its protection information and a protected document management table Conceptual diagram showing an example of digitization processing of a protected paper document Flow chart showing an example of the flow of processing for digitizing a protected paper document Conceptual diagram showing an example of paper document (part 1) of a protected electronic document Flow chart showing an example of the flow of processing of paper processing of protected electronic documents (part 1) Flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing operation of paper document of protected electronic document (part 1) (continued) Conceptual diagram showing an example of paper document (part 2) of a protected electronic document Flow chart showing an example of the flow of processing of paper processing of protected electronic documents (part 2) Flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing operation of paper document of protected electronic document (part 2) (continued) Conceptual diagram showing an example of paper document (part 3) of a protected electronic document Flow chart showing an example of the flow of processing of paper processing of protected electronic documents (part 3) Flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing operation of paper document of protected electronic document (part 3) (continued)

1 MFP 2 Network 3 Policy Server 4 Client PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Control part 11 Image reading part 12 Identification information detection part 13 Identification information generation part 14 Protection information acquisition part 15 Protection information determination part 16 Management information generation part 17 Document processing part 18 Network I / F part 19 User I / F part 20 Storage Unit 21 Image processing unit 22 Image forming unit 31 Protected document management table 100 Image processing system 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315 Management information 320 Attribute information unit 321 Data unit 322 Electronic document C

Claims (5)

Protection information management means for managing the identification information to be assigned to each page of the document, the protection information defining the authority of operation for each page, the pages of the original document on each page and the identification information of the original document in association with each other When,
Identification information acquisition means for acquiring the identification information of the page and the electronic document from the electronic document in response to an operation on an arbitrary page of the electronic document to which the identification information is provided;
Acquisition means for acquiring the protection information corresponding to the identification information of the electronic document and the page acquired by the identification information acquisition means and the identification information of the original document from the protection information management means;
Determination means for determining whether or not the operation is possible based on the protection information corresponding to the identification information of the page acquired by the acquisition means;
Protection information generation means for generating new protection information based on the protection information of the page acquired by the acquisition means and the identification information of the original document;
Image processing means for performing image processing corresponding to the operation on the image information of the page of the electronic document when the determination means determines that the operation is possible;
Identification information generating means for generating identification information of a derivative image generated by image processing by the image processing means;
Identification information image generating means for generating an identification information image including identification information of the derivative image generated by the identification information generating means;
The identification information of the derived image generated by the identification information generation unit is associated with the new protection information generated by the protection information generation unit and the page identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit An image processing apparatus comprising: registration means for registering with protection information management means. The protection information generating means
The presence / absence of the original document is determined from the identification information of the original document of the page acquired by the acquisition unit, and when the determination is not made, the protection information of the page acquired by the acquisition unit is added to the new information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is generated as protection information. The protection information generating means
The presence / absence of the original document is determined from the identification information of the original document of the page acquired by the acquisition unit, and the determination corresponds to the identification information of the original document acquired by the acquisition unit The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein protection information is generated as the new protection information. A management device that associates and manages identification information to be assigned to each page of the document, protection information that defines the authority to operate each page, each page of the original document of each page, and the identification information of the original document;
An image processing device for processing image information of the document,
The image processing apparatus includes:
Identification information acquisition means for acquiring the identification information of the page and the electronic document from the electronic document in response to an operation on an arbitrary page of the electronic document to which the identification information is provided;
Acquisition means for acquiring the protection information corresponding to the identification information of the electronic document and the page acquired by the identification information acquisition means and the identification information of the original document from the protection information management means;
Determination means for determining whether or not the operation is possible based on the protection information corresponding to the identification information of the page acquired by the acquisition means;
Protection information generation means for generating new protection information based on the protection information of the page acquired by the acquisition means and the identification information of the original document;
Image processing means for performing image processing corresponding to the operation on the image information of the page of the electronic document when the determination means determines that the operation is possible;
Identification information generating means for generating identification information of a derivative image generated by image processing by the image processing means;
Identification information image generating means for generating an identification information image including identification information of the derivative image generated by the identification information generating means;
The identification information of the derived image generated by the identification information generation unit is associated with the new protection information generated by the protection information generation unit and the page identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit An image processing system comprising: registration means for registering with protection information management means. Computer
Protection information management means for managing the identification information to be assigned to each page of the document, the protection information defining the authority of operation for each page, the pages of the original document on each page and the identification information of the original document in association with each other ,
Identification information acquisition means for acquiring the identification information of the page and the electronic document from the electronic document in response to an operation on an arbitrary page of the electronic document to which the identification information is provided;
Acquisition means for acquiring the protection information corresponding to the identification information of the electronic document and the page acquired by the identification information acquisition means and the identification information of the original document from the protection information management means;
Determination means for determining whether or not the operation is possible based on the protection information corresponding to the identification information of the page acquired by the acquisition means;
Protection information generation means for generating new protection information based on the protection information of the page acquired by the acquisition means and the identification information of the original document;
Image processing means for performing image processing corresponding to the operation on the image information of the page of the electronic document when the determination means determines that the operation is possible;
Identification information generating means for generating identification information of a derivative image generated by image processing by the image processing means;
Identification information image generating means for generating an identification information image including identification information of the derivative image generated by the identification information generating means;
The identification information of the derived image generated by the identification information generation unit is associated with the new protection information generated by the protection information generation unit and the page identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit An image processing program that functions as registration means for registering in protection information management means.

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