JP5295215B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on an image forming medium such as paper.

  Some image forming apparatuses copy an image (original) formed on a sheet by concealing an area to be kept secret in the original. For example, the image forming apparatus, when an area to be kept secret is designated in advance and forms an image of a document read by the document reading unit on a sheet (copying), the secret of the read images The area desired to be replaced is replaced with another image (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP-A-6-98153 JP 2007-251929 A

However, in the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when a document is copied, if an area to be kept secret is not designated, the area to be kept secret is copied as an image of the document. Therefore, the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not replace the area that must be kept secret with another image even when a third party other than the person who created the original copies the original. The document read by is copied as it is. In the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when a third party copies a manuscript, the person who created the manuscript cannot know that the third party has copied the manuscript.
The same applies to the case where the image forming apparatus prints a document based on the document data transmitted from the terminal device to the image forming apparatus.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of increasing confidentiality when forming an image.

  The present invention provides a search unit for searching for a previously registered term from documents based on document data, conversion code information for converting a term searched by the search unit into a predetermined code, and password information. An information adding unit to be added to the document data, and a user who has instructed to form a document image when forming an image of the document based on the document data to which the conversion code information and the password information are added by the information adding unit; A first determination unit for determining whether or not the user who created the document is the same, and password information added to the document data when the first determination unit determines that each user is the same A second determination unit that determines whether or not the same password as the password based on the password is input and the first determination unit determines that each user is different. The term searched by the search unit in the document based on the above is replaced with a predetermined code to form an image of the document on the image forming medium, while the first determination unit determines that each user is the same. And when the second determination unit determines that the same password has been input, an image of the document based on the document data, conversion code information, and password information is formed on the image forming medium, When it is determined that each user is the same by one determination unit and the same password is not input by the second determination unit, the search unit searches for documents based on document data. An engine unit that forms an image of the document in which the term is replaced with a predetermined code, conversion code information, and password information on the image forming medium; and the search unit In the case where the term is present in the retrieved document, and the image of the document data is formed on the image forming medium by the engine unit, the image of the document is generated on the image forming medium by the engine unit. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a notification unit that notifies that the image has been formed.

  The image forming apparatus includes a document reading unit that reads an image formed on the image forming medium, and the search unit includes a document, conversion code information, and password information included in the image read by the document reading unit. When the search unit searches for a pre-registered term from the document, and the search unit searches for the term in the document, the first determination unit searches for an image of the document to copy the image of the document. It is determined whether the user who instructed reading is the same as the user who created the document, and the second determination unit determines that each user is the same by the first determination unit. It is determined whether or not the same password as the password based on the password information included in the image read by the document reading unit has been input, and the engine unit determines whether each user has the first determination unit. When it is determined that the document is different, the term retrieved by the retrieval unit among the documents included in the image read by the document reading unit is replaced with a predetermined code, and the image of the document is formed on the image forming medium. On the other hand, when the first determination unit determines that each user is the same and the second determination unit determines that the same password is input, the image read by the document reading unit is displayed. An image of the included document, conversion code information, and password information is formed on the image forming medium, the first determination unit determines that each user is the same, and the second determination unit When it is determined that a password has not been input, the document searched by the search unit among the documents included in the image read by the document reading unit The document is replaced with a predetermined code and a conversion code information, an image of the password information is formed on an image forming medium, the notification unit, it is preferable to perform the notification.

  The image forming apparatus includes a document reading unit that reads an image formed on an image forming medium, and the first determination unit includes a document including a predetermined code in the image read by the document reading unit, a conversion code, and the like. When the information and the password information are included, it is determined whether the user who instructed reading the image to copy the image is the same as the user who created the document, and the second determination unit Determines whether the same password as the password based on the password information included in the image read by the document reading unit is input, and the engine unit determines that each user is different by the first determination unit. In the case where the same password is not input by the second determination unit, it is included in the image read by the document reading unit. When the second determination unit determines that the same password has been input, a predetermined code is set based on the conversion code information read by the document reading unit. A document converted into terms is formed on an image forming medium, and when the first determination unit determines that each user is the same, the second determination unit determines that the same password has not been input. If the image is read, the document included in the image read by the document reading unit, the conversion code information, and the password information are formed on the image forming medium, and the same password is input by the second determination unit. If it is determined that the document has been converted, a document obtained by converting a predetermined code into a term based on the conversion code information read by the document reading unit, and a conversion code Information, the password information is formed on an image forming medium, the notification unit, it is preferable to perform the notification.

  The present invention can provide an image forming apparatus capable of increasing confidentiality when forming an image.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming system. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a copier according to an embodiment of an image forming apparatus. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a copier. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the multifunction peripheral when forming an image of a document based on document data on a sheet. When an image based on image data is formed on paper, the operation of the MFP when the image contains a document that does not have a hidden part to be kept secret and information necessary to restore the secret part It is a flowchart to explain. When an image based on image data is formed on paper, the operation of the MFP when the image contains a document with the hidden part hidden and information necessary to restore the hidden part It is a flowchart to explain.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the overall configuration of the image forming system 300. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the overall configuration of the multifunction peripheral 1 according to an embodiment of the image forming apparatus.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image forming system 300 includes a multifunction peripheral 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus, a terminal device 200, and a server 210.
The terminal device 200 is configured by a personal computer or the like. The terminal device 200 communicates with the multifunction device 1 and the server 210 via a communication network NW such as a local area network. In the terminal device 200, a document is created based on a user operation. When a document is created, information (user information) of the user who created the document is added to the document data. When the created document is printed on the paper T (image forming medium), the terminal device 200 transmits document data corresponding to the document to the multifunction device 1 via the communication network NW.
The server 210 communicates with the multifunction device 1 and the terminal device 200 via the communication network NW. The server stores various data used in the multifunction device 1 and the terminal device 200.

The multifunction device 1 shown in FIG. 2 includes a document transport unit 10, a document reading unit 20, a paper transport unit 30, an image forming unit 40, a transfer unit 50, and a fixing unit 60.
The document transport unit 10 is an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), and includes a document placement unit 11, a first feed roller 12, a guide 13, a timing roller pair 14, and a document discharge unit 15. The first feed roller 12 supplies the document G placed on the document placement unit 11 to the timing roller pair 14 one by one in order. The timing roller pair 14 is a timing at which the original reading unit 20 reads an image of the original G and a timing at which the original G is supplied to a position where the image of the original G is read by the original reading unit 20 (position where the guide 13 is disposed). In order to match, the conveyance of the original G or the conveyance stop of the original G is performed. The guide 13 guides the conveyed document G to a first reading surface 21a described later. The document discharge unit 15 discharges the document G whose image has been read by the document reading unit 20 (passed through the guide 13) to the outside of the copier body 2.
A document stacking unit 16 is formed outside the copying machine main body 2 in the document discharge unit 15. In the document stacking unit 16, the documents G discharged from the document discharge unit 15 are stacked and stacked.

  The document reading unit 20 reads an image formed on the paper T. That is, the document reading unit 20 includes a first reading surface 21a and a second reading surface 22a. The first reading surface 21 a is formed along the upper surface of the first contact glass 21 disposed to face the guide 13 and serves as a surface for reading an image of the document G. The second reading surface 22a is disposed adjacent to the first reading surface 21a (in the case shown in FIG. 2, over the most right side of the first reading surface 21a). The second reading surface 22 a is used when reading an image of the document G without using the document transport unit 10. The second reading surface 22a is formed along the upper surface of the second contact glass 22 on which the document G is placed, and serves as a surface for reading an image of the document G.

  The document reading unit 20 includes an illumination unit 23, a first mirror 24, a second mirror 25, a third mirror 26, an imaging lens 27, and an imaging unit 28 inside the copier body 2. . The illumination unit 23 and the first mirror 24 move in the sub-scanning direction X, respectively. The second mirror 25 and the third mirror 26 are arranged on the left side of the illumination unit 23 and the first mirror 24 in FIG. Further, the second mirror 25 and the third mirror 26 are the first reading surface 21 a or the second reading surface 22 a through the first mirror 24, the second mirror 25, the third mirror 26, and the imaging lens 27. To the imaging unit 28 while moving in the sub-scanning direction X while keeping the distance (optical path length) constant.

  The illumination unit 23 is a light source that irradiates the original G with light. The first mirror 24, the second mirror 25, and the third mirror 26 are mirrors for guiding the light reflected by the document G to the imaging lens 27 while keeping the optical path length constant. The imaging lens 27 focuses the light incident from the third mirror 26 on the imaging unit 28. The imaging unit 28 is an imaging device for obtaining image data based on an imaged optical image by converting incident light into an electrical signal. For example, the imaging unit 28 is a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary). It is an image sensor such as Metal Oxide Semiconductor).

The paper transport unit 30 includes a second feed roller 31, a third feed roller 32, a registration roller pair 33, and a paper discharge unit 34. The second feed roller 31 supplies the paper T (image forming medium) stored in the paper feed cassette 36 to the transfer unit 50. The third feed roller 32 supplies the paper T (image forming medium) placed on the manual feed tray 37 to the transfer unit 50. The registration roller pair 33 carries the paper T or stops the conveyance of the paper T in order to match the timing at which the toner image is formed on the transfer unit 50 and the timing at which the paper T is supplied to the transfer unit 50. Further, the registration roller pair 33 performs skew (oblique feeding) correction of the paper T. The paper discharge unit 34 discharges the paper T on which the toner image is fixed to the outside of the copier body 2.
A paper discharge stacking unit 35 is formed outside the copier body 2 in the paper discharge unit 34. In the paper discharge stacking unit 35, the paper T discharged from the paper discharge unit 34 is stacked and stacked.

The image forming unit 40 includes a photosensitive drum 41, a charging unit 42, a laser scanner unit 43, a developing device 44, a cleaning unit 45, a toner cartridge 46, a primary transfer roller 47, and an intermediate transfer belt 48. And an opposing roller 49.
The photoconductor drum 41 (41a, 41b, 41c, 41d) functions as a photoconductor or an image carrier in order to form toner images of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively. Around each photosensitive drum 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, in order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 41, a charging unit 42, a laser scanner unit 43, a developing device 44, A cleaning unit 45 is disposed. The charging unit 42 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 41. The laser scanner unit 43 is arranged away from the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 and scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 based on image data relating to the original G read by the original reading unit 20. As a result, the exposed portion of the charge is removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing device 44 forms a toner image by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41. The cleaning unit 45 removes toner and the like remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 after the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 is neutralized by a static eliminator (not shown).
The toner cartridge 46 stores toner of each color supplied to the developing device 44. The toner cartridge 46 and the developing device 44 are connected by a toner supply path (not shown).

  The primary transfer rollers 47 (47a, 47b, 47c, 47d) are arranged on the opposite sides of the intermediate transfer belt 48 from the photosensitive drums 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, respectively. The intermediate transfer belt 48 is a belt that passes through the image forming unit 40 and the transfer unit 50. A part of the intermediate transfer belt 48 is sandwiched between the photosensitive drums 41a, 41b, 41c, and 41d and the primary transfer rollers 47a, 47b, 47c, and 47d, and the photosensitive drums 41a, 41b, 41c, and 41d. The toner image formed on the surface is primarily transferred. The opposing roller 49 is a driving roller that is disposed inside the annular intermediate transfer belt 48 and advances the intermediate transfer belt 48 in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG.

  The transfer unit 50 includes a secondary transfer roller 51. The secondary transfer roller 51 is disposed on the opposite side of the intermediate transfer belt 48 from the counter roller 49, and a part of the intermediate transfer belt 48 is sandwiched between the counter roller 49. Further, the secondary transfer roller 51 secondarily transfers the toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 48 onto the paper T.

  The fixing unit 60 includes a heating rotator 61 and a pressure rotator 62. The heating rotator 61 and the pressure rotator 62 sandwich the paper T on which the toner image is secondarily transferred, melt and pressurize the toner, and fix the toner to the paper T.

Next, the functional configuration of the multifunction device 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the multifunction machine 1.
The multi-function device 1 includes the above-described components (the document conveyance unit 10, the document reading unit 20, the paper conveyance unit 30, the image forming unit 40, the transfer unit 50, and the fixing unit 60). The engine unit 3 is configured by the paper transport unit 30, the image forming unit 40, the transfer unit 50, and the fixing unit 60. Note that description of the components described with reference to FIG. 2 is omitted.
Furthermore, the multifunction device 1 includes an operation unit 70, a storage unit 80, a control unit 90, and an interface unit 100 in addition to the functional configuration described above.

  The operation unit 70 includes a touch panel 71, a numeric keypad (not shown), a start key (not shown), and the like. The touch panel 71 displays a plurality of keys to which various functions (for example, a print magnification setting function and a function for allocating a plurality of pages to one sheet of paper T (such as 2 in 1)) are assigned. The keys displayed on the touch panel 71 are operated to cause the multifunction device 1 to execute any of various functions. The touch panel 71 also functions as a display unit. The numeric keypad is operated to input numbers such as the number of copies to be printed. The start key is operated to execute printing. When any key is operated, the operation unit 70 supplies a signal indicating that this key has been operated to the control unit 90.

The storage unit 80 includes a first storage unit 81 and a second storage unit 82.
The first storage unit 81 is a storage unit capable of holding data even when power is not supplied. An example of the first storage unit 81 is a hard disk or the like. The first storage unit 81 stores a control program used in the multifunction machine 1 and data used by the control program.
The second storage unit 82 is a storage unit that cannot hold data unless power is supplied. An example of the second storage unit 82 is a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or the like. The second storage unit 82 temporarily stores document data transmitted from the terminal device 200, image data based on the original G read by the original reading unit, and the like.

  The interface unit 100 is connected to the communication network NW.

The control unit 90 controls the document conveying unit 10, the document reading unit 20, the engine unit 3, the operation unit 70, and the like.
The control unit 90 also includes a search unit 91, an information addition unit 92, a first determination unit 93, a second determination unit 94, an image formation control unit 95, a notification unit 96, and a login / logout processing unit 97. With.
The search unit 91, the information addition unit 92, the first determination unit 93, the second determination unit 94, the image formation control unit 95, the notification unit 96, and the login / logout processing unit 97 use the document image based on the document data on the paper T. When forming, and when forming an image (document) based on the image data on the paper T, the following processing is performed.

[1. When forming an image of a document based on document data on paper T (printing a document)]
The login / logout processing unit 97 logs into the multifunction device 1 when the identification information input to the multifunction device 1 based on the user's operation matches the identification information stored in the first storage unit 81 in advance. Process. In addition, the login / logout processing unit 97 executes logout processing from the multifunction device 1 based on a user operation. The identification information input to the multifunction device 1 is input, for example, by reading the identification information stored in the IC card by an IC (Integrated Circuit) card reader.

  The search unit 91 searches for previously registered terms from documents based on document data. That is, the search unit 91 refers to the term data stored in the first storage unit 81, so that the term included in the term data is included in the document based on the document data temporarily stored in the second storage unit 82. Search for existence. Here, the term is a term that should be kept secret from a third party excluding the user who created the document.

  The information adding unit 92 adds conversion code information for converting the term searched by the searching unit 91 into a predetermined code and password information to the document data. Conversion code data (conversion code data) for converting the term into a predetermined code is stored in the server 210. A plurality of conversion codes for converting a term into a predetermined code are prepared. Therefore, the server 210 stores a plurality of types of conversion code data. The information adding unit 92 selects one of a plurality of conversion codes when the search unit 91 searches for a term from the document, and information on the selected conversion code (conversion code information) Is added to the document data. Specifically, the conversion code information is information for specifying any one of a plurality of conversion codes. Further, the information adding unit 92 adds password information (password information) input by operating the touch panel 71 and the numeric keypad constituting the operation unit to the document data. The password information is input by the user who created the document. The information adding unit 92 adds notification destination information for notifying the user who created the document that the document has been printed and that the document has been copied to the document data.

  The first determination unit 93, when forming an image of a document based on the document data to which the conversion code information and the password information are added by the information adding unit 92, the user who instructed to form the document image, the document It is determined whether or not the created user is the same. That is, the first determination unit 93 determines whether or not the identification information authenticated when the login / logout processing unit 97 performs the login process is the same as the identification information corresponding to the user information added to the document data. Judging.

  The second determination unit 94 determines whether the same password as the password based on the password information added to the document data has been input when the first determination unit 93 determines that each user is the same. . If the first determination unit 93 determines that each user is the same, the second determination unit 94 requests the user to input a password. Here, the request for inputting the password is displayed on the touch panel 71. Furthermore, when a password is input upon request, the touch panel 71 or the numeric keypad is used. The second determination unit 94 determines whether or not the password input by the user is the same as the password based on the password information added to the document data.

  When a third party gives an instruction to print a document based on document data, the image formation control unit 95 controls the engine unit 3 to perform image formation while hiding a portion of the document that is to be kept secret. That is, when the first determination unit 93 determines that each user is different, the image formation control unit 95 replaces the term searched by the search unit 91 in the document based on the document data with a predetermined code, and The engine unit 3 is controlled to form an image of the document on the paper T. In this case, the image formation control unit 95 performs control so as not to perform image formation of information that can convert a predetermined code into a term (information necessary for restoring a secret portion). The paper T on which an image is formed by the engine unit 3 is discharged from the paper discharge unit 34. On the discharged paper T, a predetermined code is recorded together with letters and numbers constituting the document. As a result, the confidentiality of the document can be ensured because the portion to be kept secret is hidden by the code.

  Also, the image formation control unit 95, when the user who created the document is instructed to print the document and inputs a password, forms the image without hiding the portion of the document that is to be kept secret. Control is performed so as to perform image formation of information that can convert a predetermined code into a term (information necessary for restoring a secret portion). That is, the image formation control unit 95 is based on document data when the first determination unit 93 determines that each user is the same and the second determination unit 94 determines that the same password is input. The engine unit 3 is controlled to form an image of the document, conversion code information, and password information on the paper T. Here, the image formation control unit 95 can form an image of the information (user information) of the user who created the document data on the paper T as information necessary for restoring the secret portion. The user information includes notification destination information for notifying the user (document creator) that the document has been printed or copied.

  Note that the conversion code information and password information (information necessary for restoring the secret portion) are imaged on the paper T in a state that cannot be specified by the user who created the document or a third party. . For example, if the term is converted into a predetermined code by using the second conversion code from among a plurality (for example, three) conversion codes, the second conversion code is used. In other words, an image of the conversion code information is formed in such a state that only the multifunction device 1 can be specified, and neither the user himself nor a third party can specify.

  Further, the image formation control unit 95 performs image formation without hiding a portion of the document that is to be kept secret when the user who created the document is instructed to print the document and no password is input. And control to perform image formation of information necessary for restoring the secret portion. In other words, the image formation control unit 95 determines that the document data is determined when the first determination unit 93 determines that each user is the same and the second determination unit 94 determines that the same password is not input. The engine unit 3 is controlled so as to form an image of the document obtained by replacing the term searched by the search unit 91 with a predetermined code, the conversion code information, and the password information on the paper T.

  In the case where the term exists in the document searched by the search unit 91 and the image of the document data is formed on the paper T by the engine unit 3, the notification unit 96 displays the document image by the engine unit 3. Notification of the formation on the paper T is performed. That is, the notification unit 96 notifies the user who created the document based on the notification destination information added to the document data. Note that the notification unit 96 can specify who issued a print instruction based on the user identification information authenticated during the login process by the login / logout processing unit 97, and can also notify the specified user name. . Further, the notification unit 96 can also notify information specifying the multifunction device 1 that has performed the printing process.

[2. When forming an image based on image data on paper T (copying original G)]
[2-1. If the image contains a document where the part you want to keep secret is not hidden and the information needed to restore the secret part]
When the image read by the document reading unit 20 includes a document, conversion code information, and password information, the search unit 91 searches for a previously registered term from the document. That is, when copying an image formed on the paper T, a portion to be kept secret is a predetermined portion of an image read by the document reading unit 20 (an image based on image data temporarily stored in the second storage unit 82). When a document that is not hidden by the code and information necessary for restoring a part that is desired to be kept secret are included, the search unit 91 refers to the term data stored in the first storage unit 81 to thereby read the document reading unit. Whether or not the term included in the term data exists in the document in the image read by the image 20 is searched. Here, the search unit 91 uses, for example, an optical character recognition (OCR) function to recognize information from an image obtained by reading the document G by the document reading unit 20.

  When the search unit 91 searches for a term in the document, the first determination unit 93 determines whether the user who instructed reading the image to copy the document image is the same as the user who created the document. Judge whether or not. That is, the first determination unit 93 determines whether the identification information authenticated when the login / logout processing unit 97 performs the login process and the identification information corresponding to the user information image-formed on the document G are the same. Judge whether or not.

  When the first determination unit 93 determines that each user is the same, the second determination unit 94 receives the same password as the password based on the password information included in the image read by the document reading unit 20. It is determined whether or not. The second determination unit 94 determines whether or not the password input by the user and the password based on the password information formed on the original G are the same.

  When a copy of a document image formed on the original G is instructed by a third party, the image formation control unit 95 and the search result performed by the search unit 91 and the conversion formed on the original G. Based on the code information, control is performed so as to perform image formation while hiding a secret portion of the document. That is, the image formation control unit 95 determines the term searched by the search unit 91 among the documents included in the image read by the document reading unit 20 when the first determination unit 93 determines that each user is different. The engine unit 3 is controlled so that an image of the document is formed on the paper T instead of the predetermined code. In this case, the image formation control unit 95 performs control so as not to perform image formation of information that can convert a predetermined code into a term (information necessary for restoring a secret portion).

  Further, the image formation control unit 95 instructs the user who created the document to copy the document on which the image is formed on the paper T, and when the password is entered, And control to perform image formation of information necessary for restoring the secret part. That is, the image forming control unit 95 determines that each user is the same by the first determination unit 93 and the second determination unit 94 determines that the same password has been input. The engine unit 3 is controlled to form an image of the document, conversion code information, and password information included in the image read by the above method on the paper T.

  In addition, the image forming control unit 95 instructs the user who created the document to copy the document on which the image is formed on the original G, and if the password is not entered, And control to perform image formation of information necessary for restoring the secret part. That is, the image forming control unit 95 reads the document when the first determination unit 93 determines that each user is the same and the second determination unit 94 determines that the same password is not input. An engine unit configured to form an image of a document in which the term retrieved by the retrieval unit 91 is replaced with a predetermined code among documents included in the image read by the unit 20, conversion code information, and password information on the paper T. 3 is controlled.

  Here, the conversion code information and the password information (information necessary for restoring the secret portion) are image-formed on the paper T in a state that cannot be specified by the user who created the document or a third party. The Further, the image formation control unit 95 can form an image on the paper T with the information (user information) of the user who created the document data as information necessary for restoring the secret portion. The user information includes notification destination information for notifying the user (document creator) that the document has been printed or copied.

  The notification unit 96 performs the same notification as when the document image based on the document data is formed on the paper T. That is, the notification unit 96 notifies the document creator based on the notification destination information formed on the original G. Note that the notification unit 96 can specify who made a copy instruction based on the user identification information authenticated during the login process by the login / logout processing unit 97, and can also notify the specified user name. . The notification unit 96 can also notify information specifying the multifunction device 1 that has performed the copying process.

[2-2. If the image contains a document with a hidden part you want to keep secret and information necessary to restore the secret part]
When the image read by the document reading unit 20 includes a document including a predetermined code, conversion code information, and password information, the first determination unit 93 reads the image to copy the image. It is determined whether or not the user who instructed the user is the same as the user who created the document. That is, when the image formed on the original G is copied, a portion to be kept secret is predetermined in the image read by the original reading unit 20 (the image based on the image data temporarily stored in the second storage unit 82). When the document hidden by the code and the information necessary for restoring the part to be kept secret are included, the first determination unit 93 includes the identification information authenticated when the login / logout processing unit 97 performs the login process, Then, it is determined whether or not the identification information corresponding to the user information formed on the original G is the same.

  The second determination unit 94 determines whether the same password as the password based on the password information included in the image read by the document reading unit 20 is input. The second determination unit 94 determines whether or not the password input by the user and the password based on the password information formed on the original G are the same.

When the first determination unit 93 determines that each user is different, the image formation control unit 95 controls the engine unit 3 as follows.
If the second determination unit 94 determines that the same password has not been input, the image formation control unit 95 forms a document included in the image read by the document reading unit 20 on the paper T. That is, the image formation control unit 95 causes image formation of a document in which a portion to be kept secret is hidden by a predetermined code.
On the other hand, when the second determination unit 94 determines that the same password has been input, the image formation control unit 95 converts a predetermined code into a term based on the conversion code information read by the document reading unit 20. The formed document is formed on the paper T. In other words, the image formation control unit 95 causes image formation of a document in which a portion to be kept secret is not hidden by a predetermined code.
Here, in both cases where the same password is not input and when the same password is input, the image formation control unit 95 forms an image of information necessary for restoring the secret portion. The engine unit 3 is controlled so as not to exist.

In addition, when the first determination unit 93 determines that each user is the same, the image formation control unit 95 controls the engine unit 3 as follows.
When the second determination unit 94 determines that the same password has not been input, the image formation control unit 95, the document included in the image read by the document reading unit 20, the conversion code information, the password Information is formed on the paper T. In other words, the image formation control unit 95 causes image formation of a document in which a part to be kept secret is hidden by a predetermined code and information necessary for restoring the part to be kept secret.
On the other hand, when the second determination unit 94 determines that the same password has been input, the image formation control unit 95 converts a predetermined code into a term based on the conversion code information read by the document reading unit 20. The formed document, conversion code information, and password information are formed on the paper T. In other words, the image formation control unit 95 causes image formation of a document in which a part to be kept secret is not hidden by a predetermined code and information necessary for restoring the part to be kept secret.

  The notification unit 96 performs the same notification as when the document image based on the document data is formed on the paper T. That is, the notification unit 96 notifies the document creator based on the notification destination information formed on the original G. Note that the notification unit 96 can specify who made a copy instruction based on the user identification information authenticated during the login process by the login / logout processing unit 97, and can also notify the specified user name. . The notification unit 96 can also notify information specifying the multifunction device 1 that has performed the copying process.

Next, the operation of the multifunction machine 1 in this embodiment will be described.
First, the operation of the multifunction device 1 when a document image based on the document data is formed (printed) on the paper T will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the multi function device 1 when an image of a document based on the document data is formed on the paper T.

  In step ST101, the interface unit 100 receives document data transmitted from the terminal device 200 via the communication network.

  In step ST102, the login / logout processing unit 97 executes a login process based on authenticating the input user identification information.

  In step ST103, the search unit 91 searches for a previously registered term from documents based on document data. If there is no term in the document, normal printing is performed.

  In step ST104, the information adding unit 92 adds conversion code information for converting the term searched in step ST103 into a predetermined code and password information to the document data.

  In step ST105, the first determination unit 93 determines whether the identification information authenticated during the login process in step ST102 is the same as the identification information corresponding to the user information added to the document data. Based on this, it is determined whether or not the user who instructs image formation of the document based on the document data is the same as the user who created the document. If the users are not the same (No), the process proceeds to step ST106. If the users are the same (Yes), the process proceeds to step ST107.

  In step ST <b> 106, the engine unit 3 forms an image of a document (encrypted document) in which a part to be kept secret with a predetermined code is formed on the paper T based on control by the image formation control unit 95. In this case, the engine unit 3 does not form an image of information necessary for restoring the secret part on the paper T.

  In step ST107, the second determination unit 94 determines whether or not the password input by the user is the same as the password based on the password information added to the document data. If the passwords are the same (Yes), the process proceeds to step ST108. If the passwords are not the same (No), the process proceeds to step ST109.

  In step ST108, the engine unit 3 is necessary for restoring a document that is not hidden by a predetermined code (an unencrypted document) and a secret part based on control by the image forming control unit 95. An image with various information is formed on the paper T.

  In step ST109, based on the control by the image formation control unit 95, the engine unit 3 hides a document (encrypted document) in which a secret part is hidden with a predetermined code and information necessary for restoring the secret part. Are formed on the paper T.

  In step ST110, the notification unit 96 notifies the user who created the document that an image of the document based on the document data has been formed on the paper T.

  Next, when an image based on the image data is formed on the paper T (copying the original G), a document in which the part to be kept secret is not hidden in the image and information necessary for restoring the part to be kept secret The operation of the multi-function device 1 will be described. FIG. 5 shows a case where an image based on the image data is formed on the paper T and the image includes a document in which the part to be kept secret is not hidden and information necessary for restoring the part to be kept secret. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the multifunction machine 1.

  In step ST201, the login / logout processing unit 97 executes login processing based on authenticating the input user identification information.

  In step ST <b> 202, the document reading unit 20 reads an image of the document G conveyed by the document conveyance unit 10 and acquires image data based on the document G.

  In step ST203, the search unit 91 searches for a pre-registered term from the document in the image based on the image data acquired in step ST202.

  In step ST204, the first determination unit 93 determines whether or not the user who has instructed copying of the original G is the same as the user who created the document. That is, first, the first determination unit 93 acquires user information included in an image based on the image data acquired in step ST202. Next, the first determination unit 93 determines whether the users are the same based on the identification information corresponding to the acquired user information and the identification information authenticated during the login process in step ST201. If the users are not the same (No), the process proceeds to step ST205. If the users are the same (Yes), the process proceeds to step ST206.

  In step ST <b> 205, the engine unit 3 forms an image of a document (encrypted document) in which a part to be kept secret is hidden on a sheet T based on control by the image forming control unit 95. In this case, the engine unit 3 does not form an image of information necessary for restoring the secret part on the paper T.

  In step ST206, the second determination unit 94 determines whether or not the password is the same. That is, first, the second determination unit 94 acquires password information included in an image based on the image data acquired in step ST202. Next, the second determination unit 94 determines whether or not the password based on the acquired password information is the same as the password input by the user. If the passwords are the same (Yes), the process proceeds to step ST207. If the passwords are not the same (No), the process proceeds to step ST208.

  In step ST207, the engine unit 3 is necessary for restoring a document that is not hidden by a predetermined code (an unencrypted document) and a secret part based on control by the image formation control unit 95. An image with various information is formed on the paper T.

  In step ST <b> 208, the engine unit 3, based on the control by the image formation control unit 95, documents (encrypted documents) in which a part to be kept secret is hidden with a predetermined code and information necessary for restoring the part to be kept secret Are formed on the paper T.

  In step ST209, the notification unit 96 notifies the user who created the document that the document G based on the document has been copied.

  Next, when an image based on the image data is formed on the paper T (copying the original G), a document in which the portion to be kept secret is hidden in the image and information necessary for restoring the portion to be kept secret The operation of the multi-function device 1 will be described. FIG. 6 shows a case where an image based on the image data is formed on the paper T, and the image includes a document in which a part to be kept secret is hidden and information necessary for restoring the part to be kept secret. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the multifunction machine 1.

  In step ST301, the login / logout processing unit 97 executes login processing based on authenticating the input user identification information.

  In step ST <b> 302, the document reading unit 20 reads an image of the document G conveyed by the document conveyance unit 10 and acquires image data based on the document G.

  In step ST303, the first determination unit 93 determines whether or not the user who instructed to copy the original G is the same as the user who created the document. That is, first, the first determination unit 93 acquires user information included in an image based on the image data acquired in step ST302. Next, the first determination unit 93 determines whether or not the users are the same based on the identification information corresponding to the acquired user information and the identification information authenticated during the login process in step ST301. If the users are the same (Yes), the process proceeds to step ST304. If the users are not the same (No), the process proceeds to step ST307.

  In step ST304, the second determination unit 94 determines whether or not the password is the same. That is, first, the second determination unit 94 acquires password information included in an image based on the image data acquired in step ST302. Next, the second determination unit 94 determines whether or not the password based on the acquired password information is the same as the password input by the user. If the passwords are the same (Yes), the process proceeds to step ST305. If the passwords are not the same (No), the process proceeds to step ST306.

  In step ST <b> 305, the engine unit 3 is necessary for restoring a document that is not hidden by a predetermined code (an unencrypted document) and a secret part based on control by the image formation control unit 95. An image with various information is formed on the paper T.

  In step ST306, based on the control by the image formation control unit 95, the engine unit 3 hides the document to be hidden with a predetermined code (encrypted document) and information necessary for restoring the secret part. Are formed on the paper T.

  On the other hand, when “No” is determined in step ST303, in step ST307, the second determination unit 94 determines whether or not the passwords are the same. If the passwords are the same (Yes), the process proceeds to step ST308. If the passwords are not the same (No), the process proceeds to step ST309.

  In step ST <b> 308, the engine unit 3 forms an image of a document (an unencrypted document) in which a portion to be kept secret is not hidden by a predetermined code based on control by the image formation control unit 95. In this case, the engine unit 3 does not form an image of information necessary for restoring the secret part on the paper T.

  In step ST <b> 309, the engine unit 3 forms an image of a document (encrypted document) in which a part to be kept secret is hidden on a sheet T based on control by the image formation control unit 95. In this case, the engine unit 3 does not form an image of information necessary for restoring the secret part on the paper T.

  In step ST310, the notification unit 96 notifies the user who created the document that the original G based on the document has been copied.

As described above, according to the multifunction machine 1 of the present embodiment, the following effects are achieved.
That is, in the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment, when the first determination unit 93 determines that each user is different, the term searched by the search unit 91 among the documents based on the document data is replaced with a predetermined code. Then, an image of the document is formed on the paper T. On the other hand, when the first determination unit 93 determines that each user is the same and the second determination unit 94 determines that the same password has been input, the multifunction device 1 is a document based on the document data. The images of the conversion code information and the password information are formed on the paper T. Further, the MFP 1 is based on document data when the first determination unit 93 determines that each user is the same and the second determination unit 94 determines that the same password is not input. An image of the document in which the term searched by the search unit 91 in the document is replaced with a predetermined code, the conversion code information, and the password information is formed on the paper T. Therefore, the multifunction device 1 can increase confidentiality when forming an image.

  Further, when printing a document based on the document data or copying an image (original G) based on the image data, the multifunction device 1 temporarily stores the document data and the image data only in the second storage unit 82. The first storage unit 81 and the server 210 are not stored. For this reason, the multifunction device 1 can prevent document data and image data from being read based on an operation by a third party.

  In addition, when the first determination unit 93 determines that each user is different, the multi-function device 1 sets a term searched for by the search unit 91 among documents included in the image read by the document reading unit 20 to a predetermined value. The image of the document is formed on the paper T instead of the code. On the other hand, when the first determination unit 93 determines that each user is the same and the second determination unit 94 determines that the same password has been input, the multifunction device 1 is read by the document reading unit 20. An image of the document included in the received image, conversion code information, and password information is formed on the paper T. Further, when the first determination unit 93 determines that each user is the same and the second determination unit 94 determines that the same password has not been input, the multifunction device 1 is the original reading unit 20. An image of a document in which the term retrieved by the retrieval unit 91 is replaced with a predetermined code, conversion code information, and password information is formed on the paper T. Therefore, the multifunction device 1 can increase confidentiality when forming an image.

In addition, when the first determination unit 93 determines that each user is different, the multifunction device 1 performs the following processing. That is, when the second determination unit 94 determines that the same password has not been input, the multi-function device 1 forms a document included in the image read by the document reading unit 20 on the paper T, while If the second determination unit 94 determines that the same password has been input, a document in which a predetermined code is converted into a term based on the conversion code information read by the document reading unit 20 is formed on the paper T.
In addition, when the first determination unit 93 determines that each user is the same, the multifunction device 1 performs the following processing. That is, when the second determination unit 94 determines that the same password has not been input, the multifunction device 1 includes the document included in the image read by the document reading unit 20, the conversion code information, the password Information is formed on the paper T, and when the second determination unit 94 determines that the same password has been input, a predetermined code is used as a term based on the conversion code information read by the document reading unit 20. The converted document, conversion code information, and password information are formed on the paper T.
Therefore, the multifunction device 1 can increase confidentiality when forming an image.

  In addition, when the image of the document data is formed on the paper T by the engine unit 3, the multi function device 1 performs a predetermined notification. Therefore, the multifunction device 1 can inform the user that the document based on the document data has been printed and that the document has been copied.

In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, It can implement with a various form.
The multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment is a color multifunction device, but is not limited to this form and may be a monochrome multifunction device.
In the multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment, the toner image is transferred to the paper T via the intermediate transfer belt 48 (indirect transfer method). However, the present invention is not limited to this mode, and is formed on the photosensitive drum. The transferred toner image may be directly transferred to the paper T (direct transfer method).
Further, the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to print one side of the paper T, but is not limited thereto, and may be configured to print both sides of the paper.

  The image forming medium on which the toner image is fixed by the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the paper T, and may be a film sheet such as an OHP (overhead projector) sheet.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... MFP (image forming apparatus), 3 ... Engine part, 20 ... Document reading part, 91 ... Search part, 92 ... Information addition part, 93 ... 1st judgment part, 94 ... 2nd judgment part, 95 ... Image formation Control unit, 96 ... notification unit

Claims (3)

A search unit for searching for pre-registered terms from documents based on document data;
An information addition unit for adding conversion code information for converting the term searched by the search unit into a predetermined code, and password information to the document data;
When forming an image of a document based on document data to which conversion code information and password information are added by the information adding unit, the user who instructed to form the document image is the same as the user who created the document A first determination unit for determining whether there is,
A second determination unit that determines whether the same password as the password based on the password information added to the document data is input when the first determination unit determines that each user is the same;
When the first determination unit determines that each user is different, the term searched by the search unit in the document based on the document data is replaced with a predetermined code, and the image of the document is used as the image forming medium. While forming
When the first determination unit determines that each user is the same, and the second determination unit determines that the same password is input, the document based on the document data, conversion code information, and password Forming an image with information on the image forming medium,
When the first determination unit determines that each user is the same and the second determination unit determines that the same password has not been input, the search unit among the documents based on the document data An engine unit that forms an image of a document obtained by replacing a searched term with a predetermined code, conversion code information, and password information on an image forming medium;
In the case where a term exists in the document searched by the search unit, when the image of the document data is formed on the image forming medium by the engine unit, the image of the document is formed by the engine unit. A notification unit for notifying that the medium has been formed;
An image forming apparatus comprising: An original reading unit that reads an image formed on the image forming medium;
When the image read by the original reading unit includes a document, conversion code information, and password information, the search unit searches for a pre-registered term from the document,
In the first determination unit, when a term in the document is searched by the search unit, the user who instructed to read the image to copy the image of the document is the same as the user who created the document. Determine if there is,
When the first determination unit determines that each user is the same, the second determination unit receives the same password as the password based on the password information included in the image read by the document reading unit. Determine whether or not
The engine part is
When the first determination unit determines that each user is different, the term searched by the search unit among the documents included in the image read by the document reading unit is replaced with a predetermined code, and the document On the image forming medium,
A document included in an image read by the original reading unit when the first determination unit determines that each user is the same and the second determination unit determines that the same password is input. And an image of conversion code information and password information is formed on the image forming medium,
Included in the image read by the document reading unit when the first determining unit determines that each user is the same and the second determining unit determines that the same password is not input Forming an image of a document in which a term searched by the search unit is replaced with a predetermined code, conversion code information, and password information on an image forming medium,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit performs the notification. An original reading unit that reads an image formed on the image forming medium;
The first determination unit reads an image to copy the image when the document read by the document reading unit includes a document including a predetermined code, conversion code information, and password information. Determine whether the user who issued the document is the same as the user who created the document,
The second determination unit determines whether the same password as the password based on the password information included in the image read by the document reading unit is input,
The engine part is
In the case where the first determination unit determines that each user is different,
Further, when the second determination unit determines that the same password has not been input, the document included in the image read by the document reading unit is formed on the image forming medium,
When the second determination unit determines that the same password has been input, a document in which a predetermined code is converted into a term based on the conversion code information read by the document reading unit is formed on the image forming medium. And
In the case where each user is determined to be the same by the first determination unit,
Further, when it is determined by the second determination unit that the same password has not been input, a document included in the image read by the document reading unit, conversion code information, and password information are formed. While forming on the medium,
If the second determination unit determines that the same password has been input, a document in which a predetermined code is converted into a term based on the conversion code information read by the document reading unit, conversion code information, Password information on the image forming medium,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit performs the notification.

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