JP6307973B2 - Image forming apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet.

  When the printer receives a print command with image processing, the image data and image processing instruction are transmitted to another device connected via the network, and the image data subjected to image processing is received from the other device. A technique for performing printing based on received image data is known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-199531 A

  However, since image data related to printing executed by the printer is transmitted via the network, there is a possibility that the image data may leak due to interception or the like.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a program that can suppress a reduction in security while reducing processing related to image processing of the image forming apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a communication unit that can communicate with a conversion device that converts data described in a page description language into data in a raster data format, an image forming mechanism that forms an image on a sheet, the communication unit, A control unit that controls the image forming mechanism, the control unit receiving a print command related to data described in a page description language, and data described in a page description language related to the received print command Determines whether or not a predetermined condition indicating that the confidentiality is high, and determines that the data described in the page description language related to the received print command does not satisfy the predetermined condition. Is transmitted to the conversion device by the communication unit, the data converted into the raster data format by the conversion device is received by the communication unit, and the received print When it is determined that the data described in the page description language according to the ordinance satisfies the predetermined condition, the data described in the page description language is converted into the raster data format, and the data converted into the raster data format is used. The image forming mechanism is controlled so that an image is formed on the sheet.

A program according to the present invention includes a communication unit capable of communicating with a conversion device that converts data described in a page description language into data in a raster data format, and an image forming device including an image forming mechanism that forms an image on a sheet. A control program that controls the communication unit to receive a print command related to data described in a page description language, and the data described in the page description language related to the received print command is sensitive. When it is determined whether or not a predetermined condition indicating high is satisfied, and it is determined that the data described in the page description language related to the received print command does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the data described in the page description language Is sent to the conversion device, and then the communication unit is controlled to receive the data converted into the raster data format by the conversion device, and the received print command When it is determined that the data described in the page description language satisfies the predetermined condition, the data described in the page description language is converted into a raster data format, and the paper is based on the data converted into the raster data format. The image forming mechanism is controlled so that an image is formed on the screen.

From another viewpoint, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a communication unit that can communicate with a conversion device that converts data described in a page description language into data in a raster data format, and an image forming mechanism that forms an image on a sheet. And a control unit that controls the communication unit and the image forming mechanism, the control unit receiving a print command related to data described in a page description language, and a page description related to the received print command When it is determined whether or not the data described in the language satisfies a predetermined condition indicating that the confidentiality is high, and it is determined that the data described in the page description language related to the received print command satisfies the predetermined condition The data described in the page description language is encrypted, transmitted to the conversion device by the communication unit, and the data described in the page description language related to the received print command is the predetermined When it is determined that the data is not satisfied, the data is transmitted to the conversion device by the communication unit without being encrypted, and the data converted into the raster data format by the conversion device is received by the communication unit. The image forming mechanism is controlled so that an image is formed on the sheet based on the data in the raster data format.

From another viewpoint, the program of the present invention includes a communication unit that can communicate with a conversion device that converts data described in a page description language into data in a raster data format, and an image forming mechanism that forms an image on a sheet. A program for controlling an image forming apparatus provided, wherein the communication unit is controlled to receive a print command related to data described in a page description language, and is described in a page description language related to the received print command When it is determined whether the data satisfies a predetermined condition indicating that the confidentiality is high, and when it is determined that the data described in the page description language related to the received print command satisfies the predetermined condition, the page description language The communication unit is controlled so as to be transmitted to the conversion apparatus after encrypting the data described in (2), and the data described in the page description language related to the received print command is When it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, after the data is transmitted to the conversion device without being encrypted, the data converted into the raster data format by the conversion device is received, and the obtained raster data format The image forming mechanism is controlled so that an image is formed on a sheet based on the data.

  According to the present invention, data with low confidentiality is rasterized by the conversion device, while data with high confidentiality is not sent to the network. Alternatively, both the data with high confidentiality and the data with low confidentiality are rasterized by the conversion device, and the data with high confidentiality is encrypted and sent to the network. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the security from being lowered while reducing the processing of the image forming apparatus.

1 is a schematic diagram of a network to which a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention is connected. It is the schematic of the conveyance mechanism of the printer shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the printer shown in FIG. 1. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of data reception processing in the printer shown in FIG. 3. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of media reading processing in the printer illustrated in FIG. 3. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of conversion processing in the printer shown in FIG. 3. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of print processing in the printer illustrated in FIG. 3. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the file format search process shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the item search process shown in FIG. It is a structural example of the data described by the page description language. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the character string search process shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the image search process 1 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the image search process 2 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the conversion process performed by the printer which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of conversion processing executed by a printer according to a third embodiment.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a PC 70, a printer 1 having a printing function, and a server 80 functioning as a RIP (conversion device) are connected to a network.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the printer 1 includes a control device 1 p, a head 2 that forms an image on a sheet, a sheet feeding unit 20 that accommodates the sheet, four sheet discharge trays 15, and a transport mechanism 30. The transport mechanism 30 includes five nip rollers 31 that transport the paper, a guide 32 that guides the paper along the transport path, a motor 33 that drives the nip roller 31 via a gear (not shown), and four paper discharge destinations. A switch 35 that switches the tray 15 and a paper feed roller 35 that sequentially feeds the paper stored in the paper feed unit 20 to the transport path from above. The transport mechanism 30 transports the paper from the paper supply unit 20 between the head 2 and the platen 9 to any one of the four paper discharge trays 15.

  The control device 1p includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, and a RAM 53. The control device 1p also includes a flash memory 54, a network interface 55, a touch panel 17, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) host interface 18, a head 2, a motor 33, a switch 35, and a paper feed roller 35. Are electrically connected. The head 2 and the transport mechanism 30 function as an image forming mechanism.

  The touch panel 17 is a user interface having an input function and a display function, and is an input unit that displays an operation status and receives an input operation by a user.

  The ROM 52 stores firmware that is a control program 52a for controlling the printer 1, various settings, initial values, and the like. The RAM 53 and the flash memory 54 are used as a work area from which various control programs are read or as a storage area for temporarily storing data. Further, the flash memory 54 stores an IP (Internet Protocol) address or the like as unique information of the printer 1.

  The CPU 51 controls each component of the printer 1 while storing the processing result in the RAM 53 or the flash memory 54 in accordance with the control program 52a read from the ROM 52 and signals sent from various sensors.

  The network interface 55 transmits and receives data to and from various devices such as a PC (Personal Computer) 70 and a server 80 via the router 90. Data transmission / reception may be performed by wireless communication or wired communication.

  The USB host interface 18 is a USB standard interface. A USB memory 90 is detachably attached to the USB host interface 18. The user can print the data 90 a stored in the USB memory 90 by attaching the USB memory 90 to the USB host interface 18. In addition, if it has a USB standard interface, it can also be used for other recording media such as a hard disk.

  The printer 1 can perform print processing according to a print command received from the PC 70 via the touch panel 17 or the network interface 55 by executing the control program 52a. In the printing process, the printer 1 functions so that an image related to data included in the print command is printed on paper. At this time, it is necessary to perform rasterization for converting data describing the page description language into raster data. The printer 1 rasterizes itself, transmits data to the server 80 via the Internet, and receives raster data after being rasterized by the server 80.

  The operation procedure of the printing process executed by the printer 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. The printer 1 starts print processing when it receives a print command including data described in a page description language. The printer 1 receives data related to the received print command from the data reception process received from the PC 70 via the network interface 55, the media read process read from the USB memory 90 via the USB host interface 18, and the memory read read from the flash memory 54. Get by any of the processing.

  When the data reception process is started, as shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 51 receives print data described in a page description language and a print command related to the print data from the PC 70 via the network interface 55 (S101). ). The CPU 51 determines whether or not there is a space for writing the received data in the work area of the RAM 53 (S102). When the CPU 51 determines that there is no space in the work area of the RAM 53 (S102: NO), after waiting for a predetermined time (S103), the CPU 51 determines again whether there is a space in the work area of the RAM 53 (S102). When the CPU 51 determines that the work area of the RAM 53 is empty (S102: YES), the CPU 51 writes data in the work area of the RAM 53 (S104), and determines whether there is next received data (S105). When the CPU 51 determines that there is the next received data (S105: YES), it returns to S101 and repeats the above processing, and when it is determined that there is no next received data (S105: NO), the flowchart of FIG. Exit.

  When it is detected that the USB memory 90 is attached to the USB host interface 18, the media reading process is started. When the media reading process is started, as shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 51 displays a list of file names stored in the USB memory 90 on the touch panel 17 (S201). The CPU 51 determines whether or not the user has operated the touch panel 17 to accept file selection (S202). If the CPU 51 determines that the file selection is not accepted (S202: NO), the process proceeds to S201. When the CPU 51 determines that the file selection has been accepted (S202: YES), it determines whether or not the user has confirmed the selection of the file by operating the touch panel 17 (touching the fixed icon: corresponding to the print command) ( S203). If the CPU 51 determines that the file selection has not been confirmed (S203: NO), the process proceeds to S201.

  When the CPU 51 determines that the selection of the file is confirmed (S203: YES), it reads data (selected file) from the USB memory 90 via the USB host interface 18 (S204). The CPU 51 determines whether or not there is a space for writing the read data in the work area of the RAM 53 (S205). When the CPU 51 determines that there is no space in the work area of the RAM 53 (S205: NO), after waiting for a predetermined time (S206), the CPU 51 determines again whether there is space in the work area of the RAM 53 (S205). When the CPU 51 determines that the work area of the RAM 53 is empty (S205: YES), the CPU 51 writes data in the work area of the RAM 53 (S207), and determines whether there is next read data (S208). When the CPU 51 determines that there is next read data (S208: YES), the CPU 51 returns to S201 and repeats the above-described processing, and when it is determined that there is no next read data (S208: NO), the flowchart of FIG. Exit.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the data writing to the work area of the RAM 53 is completed, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the sensitivity of the data is high by a file format search process (detailed later) (S401). . If the CPU 51 determines that the confidentiality of the data is high (S401: YES), the CPU 51 indicates that the confidentiality of the data is a content that prompts the user to select whether to transmit the data to the server 80 in file units. It is displayed on the touch panel 17 together with the warning content, and it is determined which selection the user has made by operating the touch panel 17 (S402). When the CPU 51 determines that the user has selected not to transmit the data to the server 80 in file units (S402: NO), the CPU 51 rasterizes the data described in the page description language in file units (S403). The flowchart of FIG. When the CPU 51 determines that the user has selected to transmit the data in units of files to the server 80 (S402: YES), the CPU 51 transmits a command requesting rasterization in units of files to the server 80 together with the data (S404). The flowchart of FIG. 6 is terminated.

  If the CPU 51 determines that the confidentiality of the data is not high in the file format search process (S401: NO), the CPU 51 determines whether the confidentiality of the data is high by the item search process (detailed later) (S405). ). When the CPU 51 determines that the confidentiality of the data is high (S405: YES), the CPU 51 proceeds to S402. If the CPU 51 determines that the confidentiality of the data is not high in the item search process (S405: NO), the character string search process (detailed later) determines whether the data includes a page with a high confidentiality. Judgment is made (S406). If the CPU 51 determines that a page with high confidentiality is included (S406: YES), the content prompting the user to select whether or not to transmit the page with high confidentiality included in the data to the server 80 is displayed. Is displayed on the touch panel 17 together with the warning content indicating that the user is high, and it is determined which selection the user has made by operating the touch panel 17 (S407). When the CPU 51 determines that the user has selected to transmit the data in units of pages to the server 80 (S407: YES), the CPU 51 transmits a command for requesting rasterization to the server 80 in units of pages together with the data (S408). The flowchart of FIG. 6 is terminated. When the CPU 51 determines that the user has selected not to transmit the data to the server 80 in page units (S407: NO), the CPU 51 rasterizes the data described in the page description language in page units (S409). The flowchart of FIG.

  When the CPU 51 determines that the data does not include a page with high confidentiality in the character string search process (S406: NO), the data is changed to a page with high confidentiality by the image search process 1 (detailed later). It is determined whether or not it is included (S410). When the CPU 51 determines that the data includes a page with high confidentiality (S410: YES), the CPU 51 proceeds to S407. If the CPU 51 determines that the data does not include a page with high confidentiality in the image search processing 1 (S410: NO), the image is processed into a page with high confidentiality by the image search processing 2 (detailed later). It is determined whether or not it is included (S411). When the CPU 51 determines that the data includes a page with high confidentiality (S411: YES), the CPU 51 proceeds to S407. If the CPU 51 determines in the image search process 2 that the data does not include a page with high confidentiality (S411: NO), the CPU 51 proceeds to S408.

  When the CPU 51 ends the flowchart of FIG. 6, the CPU 51 starts the printing process so that the image indicated by the raster data obtained by rasterization is printed on the paper. When the printing process is started, as shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the rasterization of one page is completed (S451). If it is determined that rasterization of one page has been completed (S451: YES), raster data is stored in the RAM 53 (S452). If the CPU 51 determines that rasterization of one page has not been completed (S451: NO), it determines whether or not raster data for one page has been received from the server 80 (S453). If the CPU 51 determines that one page of raster data has been received (S453: YES), the CPU 51 stores the raster data in the RAM 53 (S452). If the CPU 51 determines that the raster data for one page has not been received (S453: NO), it determines whether the raster data is stored in the RAM 53 (S454). If the raster data is not stored in the RAM 53 (S454: NO), the CPU 51 proceeds to S451. If the raster data is stored in the RAM 53 (S454: YES), the image indicated by the raster data is printed on the paper. Then, the printing is executed (S455).

  The CPU 51 determines whether the raster data that has been printed has been rasterized by the server 80 (S456). If the raster data that has been printed has not been rasterized by the server 80 (S456: NO), the CPU 51 discharges the printed sheet to the uppermost discharge tray (1) 15 (S457) and performs printing. If the raster data is rasterized by the server 80 (S456: YES), the paper as the printing result is discharged to the second discharge tray (2) 15 from the top (S458). Then, the CPU 51 determines whether or not printing of all pages has been completed (459). If printing of all pages has not been completed (S459: NO), the process proceeds to S451, and printing of this page is completed. If so (S459: YES), the flowchart of FIG. 7 is terminated.

  The file format search process will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 8, when the file format search process is started, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the extension accompanying the written data matches a predetermined extension to be searched (S501). ). When the CPU 51 determines that the extension accompanying the data matches the extension to be searched (S501: YES), the CPU 51 determines that the data has high sensitivity (S502), and ends the flowchart of FIG. When the CPU 51 determines that the extension associated with the data does not match the extension to be searched or the data does not have the extension (S501: NO), the CPU 51 determines whether there is a next extension to be searched. (S503). When the CPU 51 determines that there is a next extension to be searched (S503: YES), after switching the extension to be searched to the next extension (S504), the process proceeds to S501 and repeats the above processing. If the CPU 51 determines that there is no next extension to be searched (S503: NO), the CPU 51 determines that the sensitivity of the data is low (S505) and ends the flowchart of FIG.

  The item search process will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 9, when the item search process is started, the CPU 51 finds a keyword to be searched that has been determined in advance for other items (headers) excluding the drawing command (body) among the items of written data. It is determined whether or not it exists (S601). As shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C, in the page description language, information is arranged for each item according to each standard. In the drawing command item, information indicating an image to be printed on paper is described. Additional information other than the drawing command (for example, a PJL (Printer Job Language) command in FIG. 10A, a comment and parameter in FIG. 10B, a header in FIG. 10C, etc.) describes additional information. ing. In the item search process, it is determined in turn whether or not a predetermined keyword to be searched exists for each of the items other than the drawing command. As the keyword, it is preferable to use a keyword indicating that the confidentiality is high. In this embodiment, the keyword is searched in the order of “confidential”, “confidential”, and “Secret”. However, any keyword may be used as long as it is associated with high sensitivity.

  When the CPU 51 determines that a keyword to be searched exists in the item (S601: YES), the CPU 51 determines that the data has high sensitivity (S602), and ends the flowchart of FIG. When the CPU 51 determines that there is no keyword to be searched for in the item (S601: NO), the CPU 51 determines whether there is a next keyword to be searched (S603). When the CPU 51 determines that there is a next keyword to be searched (S603: YES), after switching the keyword to be searched to the next keyword (S604), the CPU 51 proceeds to S601 and repeats the above-described processing for the item. When determining that there is no next keyword to be searched (S603: NO), the CPU 51 determines whether there is a next item to be searched (S605). If the CPU 51 determines that there is a next item to be searched (S605: YES), it switches the item to be searched to the next item, and further switches the keyword to be searched to the first keyword (S606). ), The process proceeds to S601 and the above-described processing is repeated. If the CPU 51 determines that there is no next item to be searched (S605: NO), the CPU 51 determines that the sensitivity of the data is low (S607) and ends the flowchart of FIG.

  The character string search process will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 11, when the character string search process is started, the CPU 51 predetermines in units of pages from a drawing command for the written data (body: see FIGS. 10A to 10C). It is determined whether or not the character string to be searched exists (S701). It is preferable to use a character string indicating that the confidentiality is high. In this embodiment, the character string is searched in the order of “confidential”, “confidential”, and “Secret”. However, any character string can be used as long as it is a character string reminiscent of high confidentiality. It's okay.

  When the CPU 51 determines that there is a character string to be searched for in the page (S701: YES), the CPU 51 determines that the page has high sensitivity (S702), and proceeds to S707. When the CPU 51 determines that there is no character string to be searched on the page (S701: NO), the CPU 51 determines whether there is a next character string to be searched (S703). If the CPU 51 determines that there is a next character string to be searched (S703: YES), after switching the character string to be searched to the next character string (S704), the process proceeds to S701, and the above-described processing for the page is performed. repeat. When the CPU 51 determines that there is no next character string to be searched (S703: NO), the CPU 51 determines that the page has low sensitivity (S705), and determines whether there is a next page to be searched. (S707). If the CPU 51 determines that there is a next page to be searched (S707: YES), the CPU 51 switches the page to be searched to the next page, and further switches the character string to be searched to the first character string. (S706), the process proceeds to S701, and the above process is repeated. If the CPU 51 determines that there is no next page to be searched (S707: NO), the flowchart of FIG. 11 ends.

  The image search process 1 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 12, when the image search process 1 is started, the CPU 51 performs pre-RIP based on the drawing command (body) of the written data, and the page obtained from the data obtained by the pre-RIP OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing is performed in units (S801). The CPU 51 determines whether or not a predetermined character string to be searched exists in the text data obtained by the OCR process for each page (S802). It is preferable to use a character string indicating that the confidentiality is high. In this embodiment, the character string is searched in the order of “confidential”, “confidential”, and “Secret”. However, any character string can be used as long as it is a character string reminiscent of high confidentiality. It's okay. Note that pre-RIP is processing that excludes processing time, such as rotation processing and image enlargement / reduction, from normal RIP processing.

  When the CPU 51 determines that there is a character string to be searched for on the page (S802: YES), the CPU 51 determines that the page has high sensitivity (S803), and proceeds to S808. When the CPU 51 determines that there is no character string to be searched on the page (S802: NO), the CPU 51 determines whether there is a next character string to be searched (S804). When the CPU 51 determines that there is a next character string to be searched (S804: YES), after switching the character string to be searched to the next character string (S805), the process proceeds to S802, and the above-described processing for the page is performed. repeat. If the CPU 51 determines that there is no next character string to be searched (S804: NO), the CPU 51 determines that the page has low sensitivity (S806), and determines whether there is a next page to be searched. (S808). If the CPU 51 determines that there is a next page to be searched (S808: YES), after switching the page to be searched to the next page and further switching the character string to be searched to the first character string. (S807), the process proceeds to S801, and the above-described processing is repeated. If the CPU 51 determines that there is no next page to be searched (S808: NO), the flowchart of FIG.

  The image search process 2 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 13, when the image search process 2 is started, the CPU 51 performs a pattern matching process with a template image stored in advance for each page on the data obtained by the pre-RIP (S901). ). The CPU 51 determines whether or not the score (matching degree) of the pattern matching process performed for the page and the template is equal to or higher than a reference value (S902). As the template image, it is preferable to use an image indicating that the confidentiality is high. In the present embodiment, an image obtained by extracting feature portions of an image in which character strings of “confidential”, “confidential”, and “Secret” are extracted is a template image, and pattern matching processing is performed in this order. It is only necessary that the template image has an extracted image feature reminiscent of high confidentiality.

  When the CPU 51 determines that the score is equal to or higher than the reference value (S902: YES), the CPU 51 determines that the page has high sensitivity (S903), and proceeds to S908. When the CPU 51 determines that the score is not equal to or higher than the reference value (S902: NO), the CPU 51 determines whether there is a next template image to be searched (S904). When the CPU 51 determines that there is a next template image to be searched (S904: YES), after switching the template image to be searched to the next template image (S905), the process proceeds to S901, and the above-described processing for the page is performed. repeat. If the CPU 51 determines that there is no next template image to be searched (S904: NO), the CPU 51 determines that the page has low sensitivity (S906), and determines whether there is a next page to be searched. (S908). If the CPU 51 determines that there is a next page to be searched (S908: YES), it switches the page to be searched to the next page, and further switches the template image to be searched to the top template image. (S907), the process proceeds to S901, and the above-described processing is repeated. If the CPU 51 determines that there is no next page to be searched (S908: NO), it ends the flowchart of FIG.

  As described above, in the conversion process, the determination as to whether or not the sensitivity of the data is high is performed in the order of the file format search process, the item search process, the character string search process, the image search process 1, and the image search process 2. If it is determined that the confidentiality is high in any of the processes, the other processes are not executed. Processing time increases in the order of file format search processing, item search processing, character string search processing, image search processing 1, and image search processing 2. By changing the contents of the search process in the order of short processing time, it is possible to perform a search efficiently without unnecessarily increasing the processing time.

  As described above in detail, according to the printer 1 of the present embodiment, data with low confidentiality is rasterized by the server 80, while data with high confidentiality is not sent to the network. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the security from being lowered while reducing the processing of the printer 1 as compared with the case of rasterizing all the data by itself.

  Further, even data with high confidentiality can be rasterized by the server 80 according to the user's selection, so that the processing of the printer 1 can be further reduced.

  Since the paper on which the image is printed based on the raster data rasterized by the server 80 and the paper on which the image is printed based on the raster data rasterized by the server 80 are discharged to different discharge trays 15, processing related to rasterization Even when the speeds are different, the page order can be prevented from being disturbed.

  In the above-described file format search process and item search process, the process is simplified because it is determined whether the confidentiality is high in a data unit including a plurality of pages, not in a page unit.

  In the above-described file format search process, it is determined whether the confidentiality is high only by the extension of the file, so that the process is further simplified.

  In the above-described item search process, it is determined whether only the items excluding the data body are sensitive, and thus the process is further simplified.

  In the above-described character string search process, image search process 1, and image search process 2, it is determined whether the confidentiality is high in units of pages, so that the process is subdivided and the processing efficiency is improved. As a result, the printing throughput is improved.

  Further, when the character string search process, the image search process 1, and the image search process 2 are executed in this order, it is determined whether or not each page has a high confidentiality in each process, and the confidentiality is high for any page. Since the next process is executed after it is determined that there is no printing, the printing process can be executed smoothly.

  In the above-described character string search process, the process is simplified because it is determined whether or not the confidentiality is high from the text data described in the drawing command that is the body of the data.

  In the image search processing 1 described above, it is determined whether or not the confidentiality is high from the characters included in the image indicated by the drawing command that is the body of the data.

<Modification>
A modification of this embodiment will be described. The above-described character string search processing, image search processing 1 and image search processing 2 are configured to determine whether or not the confidentiality is high in units of pages. It may be configured to determine whether or not. In this case, as in the case of the file format search process, the rasterization process is performed for each file. According to this, processing can be simplified.

Second Embodiment
A second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that members and processing procedures that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted. In the file format search process and item search process, when it is determined that the sensitivity of the data is high (S401, S405: YES), the CPU 51 encrypts the data in units of files and requests the server 80 to perform rasterization (S1101), and the flowchart of FIG. When it is determined in the character string search process, the image search process 1 and the image search process 2 that the sensitivity of the data is high (S406, S410, S411: YES), the CPU 51 encrypts the data in units of pages. A command for requesting rasterization is transmitted to the server 80 together (S1102), and it is determined whether there is a next page (S1103). If the CPU 51 determines that there is a next page (S1103: YES), the process proceeds to S406, and if it is determined that there is no next page (S1103: NO), the flowchart of FIG. In the character string search process, the image search process 1, and the image search process 2, when it is determined that the sensitivity of the data is low (S411: NO), the CPU 51 requests the server 80 to rasterize the data in units of pages. The command is transmitted together (S1104), and the process proceeds to S1103.

  As described above in detail, according to the printer of the present embodiment, both high-density data and low-density data are rasterized by the server 80, and high-density data is encrypted and sent to the network. As a result, it is possible to prevent the security from being lowered while reducing the processing of the printer.

<Third Embodiment>
A third embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that members and processing procedures that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted. The CPU 51 causes the touch panel 17 to display a content prompting the user to select whether or not to transmit data to the server 80 on a page-by-page basis, as well as a content indicating a warning indicating that the sensitivity of the data is high, and the user operates the touch panel 17. It is then determined which selection has been made (S407). When the CPU 51 determines that the user has selected to transmit the data in units of pages to the server 80 (S407: YES), the CPU 51 transmits a command for requesting rasterization to the server 80 in units of pages together with the data (S408). It is determined whether there is a next page (S1203). When the CPU 51 determines that the user has selected not to transmit the data to the server 80 in units of pages (S407: NO), the CPU 51 rasterizes the data described in the page description language in units of pages (S409), and next It is determined whether there is a page (S1203). If the CPU 51 determines that there is a next page (S1103: YES), the CPU 51 proceeds to S406 and repeats the above-described processing for the next page. If the CPU 51 determines that there is no next page (S1103: NO), it ends the flowchart of FIG.

  As described above in detail, according to the printer of this embodiment, data with low confidentiality is rasterized by the server 80, while data with high confidentiality is not sent to the network. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the security from being lowered while reducing the processing of the printer 1 as compared with the case of rasterizing all the data by itself.

  Further, since it is determined whether the confidentiality is high in units of pages, it is not easy to execute the printing process.

  In addition, this embodiment is only a mere illustration and does not limit this invention at all. Therefore, the present invention can be variously improved and modified without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, even the data with high confidentiality can be rasterized by the server 80 by the user's selection. However, if the data has high confidentiality, the printer is not inquired without inquiring the user. 1 may be configured to perform rasterization.

  In the above-described embodiment, the paper on which the image is printed based on the raster data rasterized by the server 80 and the paper on which the image is printed based on the raster data rasterized by the server 80 are different from each other in the discharge tray 15. The configuration is such that the discharge tray 15 is not switched depending on whether or not the server 80 has been rasterized.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the character string search process, the image search process 1, and the image search process 2 are executed in this order, but the execution order of these processes may be other than this. At this time, in each process, it is determined whether or not the confidentiality is high for each page, and after determining that the confidentiality is not high for any page, the next process is executed. It may be configured to execute the process without fail.

  In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the file format search process, the item search process, the character string search process, the image search process 1, and the image search process 2 are executed in this order, but the file format search process, the item search process, At least one of the character string search process, the image search process 1, and the image search process 2 may be executed. In addition, any process other than the above five processes may be executed as long as it is possible to determine whether the sensitivity of the data described in the page description language is high.

  Further, when at least one of the character string search process, the image search process 1 and the image search process 2 is executed without executing the file format search process and the item search process, the data to be transmitted to the server has high sensitivity. Only the data related to the page determined to be (except for the page determined to be low in confidentiality) or the entire data including pages other than the page determined to be high in confidentiality.

  Further, although an example in which the present invention is applied to a printer has been described, the present invention can be applied to any apparatus capable of executing print processing, for example, a facsimile.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer 1p ... Control apparatus 2 ... Inkjet head 15 ... Paper discharge tray 17 ... Touch panel 30 ... Conveyance mechanism 51 ... CPU
52 ... ROM
52a ... control program 53 ... RAM
54 ... Flash memory 55 ... Network interface 70 ... PC
80 ... Server

Claims (15)

A communication unit capable of communicating with a conversion device that converts data described in a page description language into data in a raster data format;
An image forming mechanism for forming an image on paper;
A control unit that controls the communication unit and the image forming mechanism,
The controller is
Receives a print command related to the data described in the page description language,
Determine whether the data described in the page description language related to the received print command satisfies a predetermined condition indicating that the confidentiality is high,
When it is determined that the data described in the page description language related to the received print command does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the communication unit transmits the data described in the page description language to the conversion device, and the conversion device The data converted into the raster data format is received by the communication unit,
When it is determined that the data described in the page description language related to the received print command satisfies the predetermined condition, the data described in the page description language is converted into a raster data format,
An image forming apparatus for controlling the image forming mechanism so that an image is formed on a sheet based on data converted into a raster data format. An input unit,
The controller is
When it is determined that the data described in the page description language related to the received print command satisfies the predetermined condition,
Whether to transmit the data described in the page description language to the conversion device from the input unit, and when receiving the data described in the page description language to the conversion device, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data described in the page description language is transmitted to the conversion apparatus regardless of the determination that the predetermined condition is satisfied. A transport mechanism for transporting paper, and a plurality of discharge trays on which image formation is performed by the image forming mechanism and the paper transported by the transport mechanism is discharged;
The control unit is configured such that a sheet on which an image is formed based on data converted into a raster data format by the conversion device is different from a sheet on which an image is formed based on data converted into a raster data format. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport mechanism is controlled so as to be discharged to the discharge tray. A communication unit capable of communicating with a conversion device that converts data described in a page description language into data in a raster data format;
An image forming mechanism for forming an image on paper;
A control unit that controls the communication unit and the image forming mechanism,
The controller is
Receives a print command related to the data described in the page description language,
Determine whether the data described in the page description language related to the received print command satisfies a predetermined condition indicating that the confidentiality is high,
When it is determined that the data described in the page description language related to the received print command satisfies the predetermined condition, the data described in the page description language is encrypted and transmitted to the conversion device by the communication unit,
When it is determined that the data described in the page description language related to the received print command does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the data is transmitted to the conversion device by the communication unit without being encrypted,
The data converted into the raster data format by the conversion device is received by the communication unit,
An image forming apparatus that controls the image forming mechanism so that an image is formed on a sheet based on the obtained raster data format data.   When the received print command relates to data described in a page description language including a plurality of pages, the control unit determines whether the data described in the page description language satisfies the predetermined condition. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus performs the entire data described in a page description language including the plurality of pages.   When the received print command relates to data described in a page description language including a plurality of pages, the control unit corresponds to the data described in the page description language including the plurality of pages. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a determination is made as to whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied.   The control unit is described in the page description language when the data described in the page description language related to the print command that has received at least one of a plurality of conditions each indicating high sensitivity is satisfied. When the data described in the page description language does not satisfy the predetermined condition and the data described in the page description language related to the received print command does not satisfy any of the plurality of conditions, the data described in the page description language When determining that the condition is not satisfied, the determination regarding one condition among the plurality of conditions is performed for all of the data corresponding to each page among the data described in the page description language including a plurality of pages. After determining that none of the data corresponding to each page satisfies the condition, the judgment regarding another condition of the plurality of conditions is performed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the performing.   The control unit is described in the page description language when the data described in the page description language related to the print command that has received at least one of a plurality of conditions each indicating high sensitivity is satisfied. When the data described in the page description language is determined not to satisfy the predetermined condition and the data described in the page description language according to the print command that has received all of the plurality of conditions is not satisfied, the data described in the page description language is When it is determined that the condition is not satisfied, among the data described in the page description language including a plurality of pages, the data corresponding to one page is determined with respect to the plurality of conditions and then corresponding to another one page. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein determination regarding the plurality of conditions is performed on data.   When the data described in the page description language satisfies at least one of a plurality of conditions each indicating that the confidentiality is high, the data described in the page description language is the predetermined condition And determining that the data described in the page description language does not satisfy the predetermined condition when the data described in the page description language does not satisfy any of the plurality of conditions. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination regarding the condition is performed in the order of shorter required time.   The control unit determines that the data described in the page description language satisfies the predetermined condition when the extension of the file including the data described in the page description language matches a predetermined extension. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   The control unit determines that the data described in the page description language satisfies the predetermined condition when a text indicating confidentiality is included in a header of the data described in the page description language. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   The control unit determines that the data described in the page description language satisfies the predetermined condition when the body of the data described in the page description language includes text indicating confidentiality. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   The controller determines that the data described in the page description language satisfies the predetermined condition when the image indicated by the data described in the page description language includes a character indicating confidentiality. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. A program for controlling an image forming apparatus including a communication unit capable of communicating with a conversion device that converts data described in a page description language into data in a raster data format, and an image forming mechanism that forms an image on a sheet. ,
Controlling the communication unit to receive a print command related to data described in a page description language;
Determine whether the data described in the page description language related to the received print command satisfies a predetermined condition indicating that the confidentiality is high,
When it is determined that the data described in the page description language related to the received print command does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the data described in the page description language is transmitted to the conversion device, and then the raster data is converted by the conversion device. Controlling the communication unit to receive data converted into a format;
When it is determined that the data described in the page description language related to the received print command satisfies the predetermined condition, the data described in the page description language is converted into a raster data format,
A program for controlling the image forming mechanism so that an image is formed on a sheet based on data converted into a raster data format. A program for controlling an image forming apparatus including a communication unit capable of communicating with a conversion device that converts data described in a page description language into data in a raster data format, and an image forming mechanism that forms an image on a sheet. ,
Controlling the communication unit to receive a print command related to data described in a page description language;
Determine whether the data described in the page description language related to the received print command satisfies a predetermined condition indicating that the confidentiality is high,
When it is determined that the data described in the page description language relating to the received print command satisfies the predetermined condition, the communication unit is configured to encrypt the data described in the page description language and transmit the encrypted data to the conversion device Control
When it is determined that the data described in the page description language relating to the received print command does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the data is transmitted to the conversion device without being encrypted, and then converted into a raster data format by the conversion device. Controlling the communication unit to receive the converted data;
A program for controlling the image forming mechanism so that an image is formed on a sheet based on the obtained raster data format data.