JP6439247B2 - Image forming apparatus, preview screen display / output method, and display / output control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention includes an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multi Function Perirheral) which is provided with a display unit capable of previewing image data, for example, and a display / display of a preview screen executed by the image forming apparatus. The present invention relates to an output method and a display / output control program for causing a computer of an image forming apparatus to execute the display / output method of the preview screen.

  In this specification, the term image data is used to include document data.

  The screen data displayed on the display unit is recorded as screen log information at a preset storage timing such as when the function of the image forming apparatus is executed, and the screen is reproduced and displayed based on the stored screen log information. There is an operation screen log function that reproduces and confirms the operation at the time of function execution.

  The operation screen log function is used when an unauthorized operation is confirmed by a user administrator, or is used by a maintenance worker for device error analysis or the like in device maintenance.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus previews image data obtained by scanning a document or previews document data stored in a box provided in a storage area of the storage device before copying or scanning transmission. There is a preview display function to display.

  By performing the preview display, the finished image of the document on which the image is formed can be confirmed in advance. Also, when previewing image data stored in a box, it is possible to specify an image that cannot be specified only by the file name.

  However, since the content of the image data displayed by the third party can be confirmed by the preview display, if the image data is confidential, the confidential information is leaked to a third party other than the parties. There is a problem of fear.

  In order to solve the above problem, when previewing image data for which display restrictions on security have been set in the past, the preview display is limited by replacing the image data with other image data (for example, Patent Documents). 1), a technique for restricting preview display by applying image quality degradation processing to image data to be previewed (see, for example, Patent Document 2) and preventing information leakage has been proposed.

JP 2003-32487 A JP 2010-258771 A

  However, as in the techniques described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, image data such as replacement of image data for preview display with other image data or execution of image quality deterioration processing for image data for preview display When the display restriction process for restricting the display of data was performed, the following problems occurred.

  That is, when the preview screen of the image data subjected to the display restriction process is recorded as the screen log information by the operation screen log function described above, the image data after the display restriction process is saved, so Since the original data cannot be reproduced and displayed, the manager or the like cannot reproduce the operation at the time of executing the function or specify the document, thereby causing a new problem that the unauthorized operation cannot be confirmed.

  In addition, when image data for which display restrictions are not set in the company is displayed as a preview and screen data is saved as screen log information, the screen log information is passed to a third party such as an external maintenance worker. There is also a problem that confidential information is leaked.

  In addition, when the screen log information of the preview display screen is saved, the above problem is solved by saving two pieces of image data, that is, image data subjected to display restriction processing and image data not subjected to display restriction processing. However, in this case, two image data are always stored for the preview display screen, and the storage size of the screen log information increases, so that there is a problem that efficient use of the storage medium is not possible. . In addition, in this case, it is necessary to always generate image data subjected to the display restriction process for the image data to be previewed regardless of whether there is a display restriction. .

  The present invention has been made in view of such a technical background, and it is possible to prevent leakage of information due to preview display of highly confidential image data, as well as screen log information on the preview display screen. At the time of saving, it is not necessary to save two pieces of image data, that is, image data that has been subjected to display restriction processing and image data that has not been subjected to display restriction processing, and on the preview display screen of image data that has undergone display restriction processing. An image forming apparatus capable of previewing image data before display restriction processing based on screen log information, and a display / output method of a preview screen executed by the image forming apparatus. Provided display / output control program for causing computer of image forming apparatus to execute display / output method of preview screen It is an object of the present invention Rukoto.

The above problem is solved by the following means.
(1) display means capable of previewing image data, display restriction determination means for determining whether display restriction is set when previewing the image data on the display means, and the display restriction determination means, wherein when the display limit is determined to be set, the display control means for displaying on said display means by performing display restriction processing on the image data of the preview displayed at the saved timing set in advance, the display Log storage means for storing screen log information for reproducing the display screen displayed on the means, wherein the display screen is a preview display screen of image data not subjected to the display restriction process, and image data preview constitute a display screen, a screen log information including the background image data in the display screen save If a preview screen of the image data that has been subjected to the display restriction process, without storing the image data that has been subjected to the display restriction process, images data before the display restriction process is performed A log storage unit that stores screen log information including background image data on the display screen, and a playback unit that outputs playback data for reproducing the display screen based on the screen log information stored in the log storage unit Data output means, and output restriction determination means for determining whether or not output restriction is set when the reproduction data is output by the reproduction data output means, and the output restriction is set by the output restriction determination means. If it is determined that the playback data output means conceals the preview display target image data, the playback data output means When it is determined that the output restriction is not set, the reproduction data output means outputs the reproduction data without performing a concealment process of the image data to be previewed. Image forming apparatus.
(2) The log storage means, as the screen log information of the preview display screen, in addition to the image data to be previewed, the background image data associated with the image data, and the preview in the background image data Display area information indicating a display area of the image data to be displayed is stored, and the reproduction data output means displays the image data to be preview displayed as the display area of the background image data when output restriction is not set. The screen data synthesized in the display area indicated by the information is output as playback data, and when the output restriction is set, the screen data consisting only of the background image data is output as playback data, or the preview display target Image data obtained by subjecting image data to display restriction processing is indicated by the display area information of the background image data. The synthesized screen data to the display area, the image forming apparatus according to item 1 for outputting the reproduced data.
(3) The said output restriction determination means determines whether the said output restriction is set based on at least one of the setting information by a user, the setting information of an own apparatus, and authentication information. Image forming apparatus.
(4) The log storage means performs the operation of enlarging the image data to be displayed on the preview display screen on the preview display screen, and the screen log information on the preview display screen only when the enlargement ratio is a specified value or more. In addition to the preview display target image data, the background image data associated with the image data and the display area information indicating the display area of the preview display target image data in the background image data are stored in the preceding item 2 or 3. The image forming apparatus described in 1.
(5) The display restriction process performed on the preview display target image data is a replacement process of the image data with another image data or image data with degraded image quality. Image forming apparatus.
(6) A preview screen display / output method executed by an image forming apparatus including a display unit capable of previewing image data, wherein display restrictions are set when the image data is displayed on the display unit. If the display restriction determination step determines whether or not the display restriction is set, and the display restriction determination step determines that the display restriction is set, the display restriction processing is performed on the image data to be previewed, and the display is performed. Display control step for displaying on the means, and log storage means for storing screen log information for reproducing the display screen displayed on the display means at a preset storage timing, wherein the display screen is the display If a preview screen of the image data which was not subjected to restriction processing, the preview display constituting the display screen And image data, to save the screen log information including the background image data in the display screen, when a preview display screen of the image data that has been subjected to the display restriction process is undergone the display limit processing without storing the image data are, the previous images data to which the display limit processing is performed, and the log storage step of storing the screen log information including the background image data in the display screen, stored in said log storage step A reproduction data output step for outputting reproduction data for reproducing a display screen based on the screen log information that has been output, and whether or not an output limit is set when the reproduction data is output by the reproduction data output step An output restriction determination step, wherein the output restriction determination step determines that the output restriction is set. In this case, in the reproduction data output step, the image data to be preview-displayed is concealed to output the reproduction data. If it is determined that no output restriction is set, the reproduction data output In the step, a display / output method of a preview screen, wherein the reproduction data is output without performing concealment processing of the image data to be previewed.
(7) In the log saving step, as the screen log information of the preview display screen, in addition to the image data to be previewed, the background image data associated with the image data, and the preview in the background image data Display area information indicating a display area of image data to be displayed is stored, and when output restriction is not set in the reproduction data output step, the preview display target image data is used as the display area of the background image data. The screen data synthesized in the display area indicated by the information is output as playback data, and when the output restriction is set, the screen data consisting only of the background image data is output as playback data, or the preview display target The image data obtained by subjecting the image data to display restriction processing is displayed on the background image data. The synthesized screen data to the display region indicated by the band information, the preview screen display and output method according to item 6 and output as reproduced data.
(8) In the output restriction determination step, whether or not the output restriction is set is determined based on at least one of setting information by a user, setting information of the own device, and authentication information. Display / output method of preview screen.
(9) In the log storage step, only when the enlargement operation of the image data to be displayed on the preview display is performed on the preview display screen and the enlargement ratio is a predetermined value or more, the screen log information on the preview display screen In addition to the image data to be displayed for preview, the background image data associated with the image data and the display area information indicating the display area of the image data to be previewed in the background image data are stored in the preceding item 7 or 8 How to display and output the preview screen described in 1.
(10) The display restriction process performed on the preview display target image data is a process of replacing the image data with another image data or image data with degraded image quality. To display and output the preview screen.
(11) a display restriction determination step for determining whether or not display restriction is set when a preview of the image data is displayed on the display means on the computer of the image forming apparatus provided with a display means capable of previewing the image data; A display control step in which when the display restriction determination step determines that the display restriction is set, a display control step is performed in which display restriction processing is performed on the image data to be previewed and displayed on the display unit; Log storage means for storing screen log information for reproducing the display screen displayed on the display means at a stored timing, wherein the display screen is a preview of image data not subjected to the display restriction process If a display screen, the image data is preview constituting the display screen, the display screen Save the screen log information including the definitive background image data, when a preview display screen of the image data that has been subjected to the display restriction process, without storing the image data that has been subjected to the display restriction process, and previous images data to which the display limit processing is performed, and the log storage step of storing the screen log information including the background image data in the display screen, based on said screen log information saved in the log storage step A reproduction data output step for outputting reproduction data for reproducing the display screen;
An output restriction determination step for determining whether or not an output restriction is set when the reproduction data is output in the reproduction data output step, and it is determined that the output restriction is set by the output restriction determination step. In this case, in the reproduction data output step, the reproduction data is output after concealing the image data to be previewed, and if it is determined that no output restriction is set, the reproduction data In the output step, a preview screen display / output control program for causing the computer to execute a process of outputting the reproduction data without performing a process of concealing the image data to be previewed.
(12) In the log saving step, as the screen log information of the preview display screen, in addition to the image data to be previewed, the background image data associated with the image data, and the preview in the background image data Display area information indicating a display area of image data to be displayed is stored, and when output restriction is not set in the reproduction data output step, the preview display target image data is used as the display area of the background image data. The screen data synthesized in the display area indicated by the information is output as playback data, and when the output restriction is set, the screen data consisting only of the background image data is output as playback data, or the preview display target Image data obtained by subjecting image data to display restriction processing is displayed in the table of the background image data. The synthesized screen data to the display area indicated by the area information, the preview screen display and output control program according to item 11 to execute a process of outputting the reproduced data to the computer.
(13) In the output restriction determination step, the computer executes a process of determining whether the output restriction is set based on at least one of setting information by a user, setting information of the own device, and authentication information. 13. A preview screen display / output control program according to item 11 or 12 above.
(14) In the log storage step, only when the enlargement operation of the image data to be displayed on the preview display is performed on the preview display screen and the enlargement ratio is a predetermined value or more, the screen log information on the preview display screen In addition to the image data to be previewed, the computer stores the background image data associated with the image data and display area information indicating the display area of the image data to be previewed in the background image data. 14. A display / output control program for a preview screen according to the item 12 or 13 described above.
(15) The display restriction process performed on the image data is a process of replacing the image data with another image data or image data with degraded image quality. Display / output control program.

  According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (1), when the display restriction is set from the viewpoint of confidentiality at the time of the preview display on the display means of the image data, the display restriction process is applied to the image data to be previewed. Since it is displayed on the display means, it is possible to prevent the content of the image data from leaking to a third party even if the image data is preview-displayed.

  In addition, when saving the screen log information about the preview display screen on which the image data subjected to the display restriction process is displayed, the screen log information including the image data before the display restriction process is saved is saved. The preview display screen can be reproduced using the image data before the display restriction process is performed. For this reason, the administrator can easily confirm the reproduction of the operation at the time of executing the function, specify the document, and the like, and the image data subjected to the display restriction process and the image data not subjected to the display restriction process. Since it is not necessary to store two pieces of image data, the storage medium can be used efficiently, and an increase in apparatus load can be suppressed.

  Further, when outputting reproduction data for reproducing the display screen based on the stored screen log information, it is determined whether or not output restriction is set, and if output restriction is set, the preview display target Since the playback data that has been subjected to image data concealment processing is output, it is possible to solve the problem of highly confidential image data leaking to a third party after output, and security against leakage of image data during preview display An excellent image forming apparatus can be obtained.

  According to the invention described in (2) above, when output restriction is set, screen data consisting only of background image data is output as reproduction data, or display restriction processing is applied to preview display target image data. Since the screen data obtained by synthesizing the applied image data in the display area indicated by the display area information of the background image data is output as reproduction data, highly confidential image data leaks to a third party after the reproduction data is output. Can be surely prevented.

  According to the invention described in (3) above, it is possible to reliably determine whether or not output restriction is set based on at least one of setting information by the user, setting information of the own device, and authentication information. .

  According to the invention described in item (4) above, since the enlargement operation is performed at an enlargement ratio equal to or higher than the specified value, the user can know the details of the preview image in detail. It is considered important. For this reason, important screens can be reproduced with priority by storing screen log information necessary only when an enlargement operation is performed at an enlargement ratio equal to or greater than a specified value.

  According to the invention described in item (5) above, by replacing the image data to be previewed with another image data or image data with degraded image quality, leakage of the image data can be reliably prevented.

  According to the invention described in item (6) above, it is possible to prevent the content of the image data from leaking to a third party even when the image data is displayed as a preview, and to use the image data before the display restriction process is performed. Since the preview display screen can be reproduced, the administrator or the like can easily confirm the reproduction of the operation at the time of executing the function or specify the document. Furthermore, the problem that highly confidential image data leaks to a third party after output can be solved.

  According to the invention described in item (7) above, it is possible to reliably prevent leaking of highly confidential image data to a third party after the reproduction data is output.

  According to the invention described in (8) above, whether or not output restriction is set can be reliably determined based on at least one of setting information by the user, setting information of the own device, and authentication information. .

  According to the invention described in the preceding item (9), important screens can be reproduced with priority by storing necessary screen log information only when an enlargement operation is performed at an enlargement ratio equal to or greater than a specified value.

  According to the invention described in item (10) above, by replacing the image data to be previewed with another image data or image data with degraded image quality, leakage of the image data can be reliably prevented.

  According to the invention described in the above item (11), it is possible to prevent the content of the image data from leaking to a third party even when the image data is displayed as a preview, and to use the image data before the display restriction process is performed. Thus, it is possible to cause the computer of the image forming apparatus to execute processing capable of reproducing the preview display screen and solving the problem that highly confidential image data leaks to a third party after output.

  According to the invention described in item (12) above, after the screen log is output, a process that can reliably prevent leakage of highly confidential image data to a third party is executed in the computer of the image forming apparatus. Can be made.

  According to the invention described in (13) above, the image forming apparatus determines whether or not output restriction is set based on at least one of setting information by the user, setting information of the own apparatus, and authentication information. Can be run on any computer.

  According to the invention described in item (14) above, the processing for saving the screen log information necessary only when the enlargement operation of the image data to be displayed on the preview display screen is performed and the enlargement ratio is equal to or greater than a specified value, It can be executed by a computer of the image forming apparatus.

  According to the invention described in the above item (15), it is possible to cause the computer of the image forming apparatus to execute the process of replacing the image data to be previewed with another image data or image data with degraded image quality.

1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of a preview display screen. It is a figure for demonstrating the display method of the conventional preview screen, and the preservation | save method of a screen log. It is a figure for demonstrating the formation of the preview display screen which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and the preservation | save and output method of screen log information. It is a figure for performing further detailed explanation about preservation | save of screen log information. 6 is a flowchart showing display screen formation and screen log information storage processing according to the present embodiment described in FIGS. 4 and 5. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the preservation | save process of screen log information about the preview screen in step S204 of FIG. It is explanatory drawing about the output of the reproduction | regeneration data for reproducing a preview display screen based on the screen log information preserve | saved. It is a table | surface which shows an example of the user's authentication information. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus 1 when an output of screen log information described in FIG. 8 is requested. It is a figure which shows the other example of the concealment process of the preview image implemented when output restrictions are set. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus when an output of screen log information is requested in an example in which the display restriction process described with reference to FIG. 11 is performed as a concealment process. It is a flowchart which shows the other preservation | save example of the screen log information of a preview display screen.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the above-described MFP having a copy function, a printer function, a scan function, etc. is used as the image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a CPU 100, a RAM 101, a ROM 102, a device setting storage unit 103, an image processing unit 104, a print processing unit 105, an operation panel 106, a network unit 107, an external storage medium interface (external Storage medium IF) 108, storage device 109, scanner unit 110, and VRAM 111.

  The CPU 100 performs overall control of the entire image forming apparatus 1 and operates by executing an operation program stored in the ROM 102 or the like. Specifically, in addition to executing basic functions of the image forming apparatus 1 such as copying, printing, and scanning, in this embodiment, control is performed regarding a preview display function, a screen log information storage function, and the like. Details of the control will be described later.

  The RAM 101 is a memory that provides a work area when the CPU 100 executes the operation program, and the ROM 102 stores the operation program of the CPU 100 and other data.

  The apparatus setting storage unit 103 stores apparatus setting information, for example, a setting for performing display restriction on a preview display of image data, a setting of a save timing of screen log information, and the like. The setting for performing display restriction may be performed by an administrator user. Further, a display restriction may be set when previewing image data created by a person other than the logged-in user. In addition, a configuration in which display restriction is performed when previewing image data set as a confidential document may be performed, or a configuration in which display restriction is performed according to authentication information such as a user's job title may be employed.

  The image processing unit 104 performs image processing on the image data when printing image data or the like of a document read by the scanner unit 110. The print processing unit 105 prints image data of a document read by the scanner unit 110, print data transmitted from an external terminal device, and the like.

  The operation panel 106 is a user interface for a user to perform an operation or display a message to the user, a state of the apparatus, and the like. The operation panel 106 includes a display unit 106a including a liquid crystal display device provided with a touch panel, And a key portion 106b having hard keys such as a stop key and a numeric keypad.

  The network unit 107 performs network protocol processing with an external device such as a user terminal via the network.

  The external storage medium interface 108 is an interface for writing screen log information or the like to an external storage medium such as a USB memory.

  The storage device 109 is composed of a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk device (HDD), for example, and stores various data and also manages and stores folders of image data and the like. The storage device 109 is formed with a box that is one or a plurality of storage areas, and document data that is image data can be stored in the box.

  The scanner unit 110 reads an image of a document and converts it into image data that is electronic data.

  The VRAM 111 is a memory that stores the contents of the display screen displayed on the display unit 106 a of the operation panel 106.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 can display a preview of the image data generated by the scanner unit 110 or the document data stored in the storage device 109 on the display unit 106 a of the operation panel 106. Yes.

  The configuration of the preview display screen is shown in FIG.

  The preview display screen includes a preview image layer that is a layer of image data (hereinafter also simply referred to as a preview image) 2 and a background image layer that is a layer of background image data (hereinafter also simply referred to as a background image) 3. The preview image 2 is synthesized in the preview image display area 3a of the background image 3 to form a preview display screen, and the data on the screen is copied onto the VRAM 111 and displayed on the display unit 106a.

  Further, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 displays the display screen including the preview display screen at a preset storage timing, for example, when the function of the image forming apparatus 1 is executed or the screen is updated. It has a log storage function for storing screen log information.

  The screen log information on the preview display screen includes the preview image 2, the background image 3 associated with the preview image 2, and the log screen type information indicating the screen type. When the log screen type is the preview display screen Further, display area information indicating the display area 3a of the preview image 2 in the background image 3 is included.

  Next, a preview screen display method, screen log information storage method, and screen log information output method by the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described. First, a conventional preview screen display method and screen log information The saving method will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 3, a display screen (background image 3) is formed by combining necessary display parts in step S011. Display parts for configuring the screen are stored in the storage device 109, for example.

  Next, in step S012, it is determined whether a preview display is instructed by the user. If preview display is not instructed (NO in step S012), the process proceeds to step S017. If instructed (YES in step S012), the process proceeds to step S013.

  In step S013, after the preview image 2 is generated using the designated image data, it is determined in step S014 whether display restrictions are set.

  If display restriction is set (YES in step S014), the display restriction process is performed on the preview image 2 in step S015, and then the process proceeds to step S016. If the display restriction is not set (NO in step S014), the process proceeds to step S016 as it is.

  As an example of the display restriction process, a process for replacing a preview image with another image and a process for degrading the image quality of the preview image can be cited.

  In step S016, the preview image 2 or the preview image subjected to the display restriction process is combined with the background image 3 to form a display screen, and in step S017, the image data of the display screen is copied to the display VRAM 111.

  In step S018, the display screen image data copied to the VRAM 111 is displayed on the display unit 106a. When the predetermined screen log information storage timing is reached, the screen log information including the image data of the display screen is stored in the storage device 109 or the like in step S019.

  In such a conventional method, the preview image is stored as screen log information after being subjected to display restriction processing. Therefore, an administrator or the like reproduces the screen based on the screen log information in order to confirm an unauthorized operation. Even if it is attempted to confirm the reproduction of the operation at the time of executing the function or specify the document, only the preview image subjected to the display restriction process is displayed, and the original preview image 2 before the display restriction process cannot be reproduced and displayed.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, a preview display screen is formed, and screen log information is stored and output by the method shown in FIG.

  First, when the display restriction is not set, as shown in the right part of FIG. 4, the preview image 2 is combined with the display area 3 a of the background image 3 to form a display screen, and the image data of the display screen is stored on the VRAM 111. make a copy. Then, the image data on the VRAM 111 is displayed on the display unit 106a. Further, when the screen log information is stored, the preview image 2 and the background image 3 that are not combined, the log screen type information indicating that the screen is a preview display screen, and the display area information indicating the display area 3a of the preview image in the background image Is stored in the storage device 109.

  On the other hand, when the display restriction is set, as shown in the left part of FIG. 4, after the display restriction process is performed on the preview image 2, the preview image 21 subjected to the display restriction process is displayed on the display area 3 a of the background image 3. Are combined to form a display screen, and image data of the display screen is copied onto the VRAM 111. Then, the image data on the VRAM 111 is displayed on the display unit 106a. Therefore, since the preview image 21 subjected to the display restriction process is displayed on the display unit 106a, the contents of the original preview image are not leaked to a third party.

  Further, when saving the screen log information, the preview image 2 before the display restriction process, the background image 3, the log screen type information indicating the preview display screen, and the display indicating the preview image display area 3a in the background image are displayed. Screen log information including area information is stored in the storage device 109.

  The screen log information stored in the storage device 109 can be output to the external storage medium 5 connected to the external storage medium interface 108 as reproduction data for reproducing the screen when the screen log information is stored, for example. Yes.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the saving of the screen log information in more detail.

  The left part of FIG. 5 shows the display of the preview screen, which is the same as the content described in FIG. That is, when the display restriction is not set, the preview image 2 is directly combined with the background image 3 and displayed on the display unit 106a. On the other hand, when the display restriction is set, the preview image 21 subjected to the display restriction process is combined with the background image 3 and displayed on the display unit 106a.

  When the screen log information is saved, such as when the screen is updated, the original preview image 2 and the background image 3 are saved in the storage device 109 without being combined regardless of whether there is display restriction. Furthermore, screen type information and display area information indicating the display area 3a of the preview image 2 in the background image 3 are also stored. At this time, when both the preview image 2 and the background image 3 are updated on the screen, the preview image 2 and the background image 3 are stored in association with each other. When only the preview image is updated without changing the background image 3, each preview image 2 is stored in association with the previously stored background image 3. Therefore, in this case, the background image 3 is not newly saved.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing display screen formation and screen log information storage processing according to the present embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

  The operations shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 and the flowcharts shown in FIG. 7 and subsequent figures are executed by the CPU 100 operating according to an operation program stored in a storage medium such as the ROM 101.

  In the process shown in FIG. 6, the description will be made assuming that the update time of the display screen is set as the storage timing of the screen log information.

  In step S201, necessary display parts are combined to form a display screen (background image). As described above, the display parts for configuring the screen are stored in the storage device 109, for example.

  Next, in step S202, it is determined whether preview display is instructed by the user. If preview display has been instructed (YES in step S202), a preview display image is generated using the designated image data in step S203, and then screen log information is stored in the preview display screen in step S204. Run. This process will be described later.

  Next, in step S205, it is determined whether preview display restriction is set. If the display restriction is set (YES in step S205), the display restriction process is performed on the preview image 2 in step S206, and then the process proceeds to step S207. If no display restriction is set (NO in step S205), the process proceeds directly to step S207.

  As an example of the display restriction process, as described above, a process for replacing the preview image 2 with another image and a process for degrading the image quality of the preview image 2 can be cited.

  In step S207, the preview image 2 and the background image 3 are combined to form a display screen, and in step S208, the image data of the display screen is copied to the VRAM 111.

  In step S209, the display screen image data copied to the VRAM 111 is displayed on the display unit 106a.

  If preview display is not instructed by the user in step S202 (NO in step S202), the image data of the display screen is saved in the storage device 109 as screen log information in step S210, and the process proceeds to step S208.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of the screen log information storage process for the preview display screen in step S204 of FIG.

  In step S211, it is determined whether only the preview image 2 is updated. If both the preview image 2 and the background image 3 are updated (NO in step S211), the background image 3 is added to the preview image 2 in step S212. Associate. In step S213, the screen log information including the preview image 2 and the background image 3 is stored in the storage device 109, and the process returns.

  If only the preview image is updated in step S211 (YES in step S211), the preview image 2 is associated with the previously stored background image 3 in step S214. In step S215, the screen log information including the preview image 2 and not including the background image 3 is stored in the storage device 109, and then the process returns.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of output of reproduction data (hereinafter also simply referred to as output of screen log information) for reproducing the preview display screen based on the stored screen log information.

  When the output restriction is not set (circled number 1 in FIG. 8), the preview image 2 stored as the screen log information is combined with the background image 3 in the display area 3a indicated by the display area information and output. After the image data (reproduction data) is created, it is output to the external storage medium 5, for example. The output is not limited to the output to the external storage medium 5, and may be an output to the display unit 106a or an output to a network.

  On the other hand, when the output restriction is set (circled number 2 in FIG. 8), the preview image 2 is concealed and output. In this example, as the concealment process, the preview image 2 is not output, and only the background image 3 associated with the preview image 2 is output as reproduction data. In this case, even if the third party displays the output reproduction data on the display device, only the background image 3 is displayed and the preview image 2 is not displayed, so that the content of the preview image 2 is leaked to the third party. Can be surely prevented.

  Whether or not the output is restricted includes whether or not the output restriction is set by the user (output person) at the time of output, whether or not the output restriction is set in advance in the own device, and the logged-in user (output person) The authentication information may be set based on at least one of the authentication information. Authentication information is also stored in the device setting storage unit 103 or the like.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of user authentication information. Along with an ID and a password for logging in to the image forming apparatus 1 for each user, whether or not output is restricted is set in advance according to the job title or the like.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 when the output of the screen log information described in FIG. 8 is requested.

  In step S221, the presence / absence of screen log information to be output is checked. If not (NO in step S221), the process ends. If so (YES in step S221), it is determined in step S222 whether the screen type indicated by the log screen type information included in the screen log information is a preview display screen.

  If it is a preview display screen (YES in step S222), it is determined in step S223 whether an output limit is set. If it is set (YES in step S223), only the background image 2 associated with the preview image 2 is output as a concealment process in step S224. If the output restriction is not set (NO in step S223), in step S225, the preview image 2 is combined with the background image 3 in the display area 3a indicated by the display area information and output.

  If the screen type is not the preview display screen in step S222 (NO in step S222), the screen image data saved as the screen log information is output in step S226.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of the preview image concealment process performed when the output restriction is set.

  In this example, if there is output restriction, display restriction processing is performed on the saved preview image 2, and the preview image 21 after the display restriction processing is combined with the background image 3 as reproduction data, and the external storage medium 5 or the like. Output to.

  Also in this case, even if a third party displays the output reproduction data on the display device, the preview image subjected to the display restriction process is displayed, and the original preview image 2 before the display restriction process is not displayed. It is possible to reliably prevent the content of the image 2 from being leaked to a third party.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 when the output of the screen log information is requested in the example in which the display restriction process described with reference to FIG. 11 is performed as the concealment process.

  In step S231, the presence or absence of the requested screen log information to be output is checked. If not (NO in step S231), the process ends. If there is (YES in step S231), in step S232, it is determined whether or not the screen type indicated by the log screen type information included in the screen log information is a preview display screen.

  If it is a preview display screen (YES in step S232), it is determined in step S233 whether an output limit is set. If it is set (YES in step S233), the display restriction process is performed as a concealment process in step S234, and then the preview image 2 after the display restriction process is displayed in the display area 3a indicated by the display area information in step S235. Are combined with the background image 3 and output.

  If the output restriction is not set (NO in step S233), the preview image 2 is combined with the background image 3 in the display area 3a indicated by the display area information and output in step S236.

  If the screen type is not the preview display screen in step S232 (NO in step S232), the image data of the screen saved as the screen log information is output in step S237.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating another example of saving the screen log information of the preview display screen. In this example, the operation for enlarging the preview image displayed on the preview display screen is performed, and the necessary screen log information including the image data to be displayed for preview is saved only when the enlargement ratio is equal to or greater than the specified value. Has been made.

  Since the user can know the details of the preview image in detail by performing the enlargement operation at an enlargement ratio equal to or higher than the specified value, such an operation is considered important for security. Therefore, only when an enlargement operation is performed at an enlargement ratio that exceeds the specified value, the necessary screen log information including the image data to be previewed is saved, so that important security-relevant screens can be reproduced. It is a thing.

  In step S501, a display screen (background image) is formed by combining necessary display parts.

  In step S502, the user instructs the enlargement operation of the preview image 2, and determines whether or not the enlargement ratio is equal to or greater than a specified value. If an enlargement operation is instructed at an enlargement ratio equal to or greater than the specified value (YES in step S502), after generating the enlarged preview image 2 in step S503, the screen log information is saved for the preview display screen in step S504. Execute the process. Since this process is the same as the process shown in FIG.

  In step S505, it is determined whether preview display restriction is set. If display restriction is set (YES in step S505), the display restriction process is performed on the preview image 2 in step S506, and then the process proceeds to step S507. If no display restriction is set (NO in step S505), the process directly proceeds to step S507.

  In step S507, the preview image 2 and the background image 3 are combined to form a display screen, and in step S508, the image data of the display screen is copied to the VRAM 111.

  In step S509, the display screen image data copied to the VRAM 111 is displayed on the display unit 106a.

  If the preview image enlargement operation is not instructed in step S502 or if the enlargement ratio is not equal to or greater than the specified value (NO in step S502), the image data on the display screen is stored in the storage device 109 as screen log information in step S510. After saving, the process proceeds to step S508. Therefore, in this case, normal screen log information is saved even on the preview display screen.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when display restriction is set from the viewpoint of confidentiality or the like when previewing image data on the display unit 106a, the display unit 106a is subjected to display restriction processing on the preview image 2. Therefore, even if the image data after the display restriction process is displayed as a preview, the contents of the original image data can be prevented from leaking to a third party.

  Further, when saving the screen log information about the preview display screen on which the image data subjected to the display restriction process is displayed, the screen log information including the preview image 2 and the background image 3 before the display restriction process is performed. Is saved, it is possible to reproduce the preview display screen by combining the preview image 2 and the background image 3 before the display restriction processing is performed. Therefore, the administrator or the like can easily confirm the reproduction of the operation at the time of executing the function, specify the document, and the like, and the preview image 21 subjected to the display restriction process and the preview image not subjected to the display restriction process. Therefore, the storage device 109 can be efficiently used, and an increase in the load on the image forming apparatus 1 can be suppressed.

  Further, when outputting reproduction data for reproducing the display screen based on the saved screen log information, it is determined whether or not output restriction is set. If output restriction is set, the preview image 2 is displayed. Since the reproduction data is output after the concealment process is performed, the problem that highly confidential image data leaks to a third party after the output can be solved, and the image forming apparatus 1 having excellent security with respect to the preview display can be obtained. .

1 Image forming apparatus 100 CPU
103 Device Setting Storage Unit 106 Operation Panel 106a Display Unit 109 Storage Device 111 VRAM
2 Image data to be previewed 3 Background image data 3a Display area 21 Image data after display restriction processing

Claims (15)

Display means capable of previewing image data;
Display restriction determination means for determining whether or not display restriction is set when previewing the image data on the display means;
A display control means for performing display restriction processing on the image data to be preview-displayed and displaying the image on the display means when the display restriction determination means determines that the display restriction is set;
Log storage means for storing screen log information for reproducing the display screen displayed on the display means at a preset storage timing, wherein the display screen is not subjected to the display restriction process. In the case of the preview display screen, the image data that has been preview-displayed constituting the display screen and the screen log information including the background image data on the display screen are stored, and the image data subjected to the display restriction process If it is the preview display screen, without storing the image data that has been subjected to the display restriction process, including the previous images data to which the display limit processing is performed, the background image data in the display screen Log storage means for storing screen log information;
Reproduction data output means for outputting reproduction data for reproducing a display screen based on the screen log information stored in the log storage means;
Output restriction determination means for determining whether or not output restriction is set when the reproduction data is output by the reproduction data output means;
With
When it is determined that the output restriction is set by the output restriction determination means, the reproduction data output means performs a concealing process of the image data to be previewed and outputs the reproduction data, and outputs restriction. When it is determined that is not set, the reproduction data output means outputs the reproduction data without performing concealment processing of the image data to be previewed. The log storage means, as the screen log information of the preview display screen, in addition to the image data of the preview display target, the background image data associated with the image data, and the preview display target of the background image data Save the display area information indicating the display area of the image data,
The reproduction data output means outputs, as reproduction data, screen data obtained by combining the preview display target image data with the display area indicated by the display area information of the background image data when output restriction is not set. When the output restriction is set, the screen data consisting only of the background image data is output as the reproduction data, or the image data obtained by subjecting the preview display target image data to the display restriction process is output as the background image data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the screen data combined with the display area indicated by the display area information is output as reproduction data.   The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the output restriction determination unit determines whether the output restriction is set based on at least one of setting information by a user, setting information of the own apparatus, and authentication information. apparatus.   The log storage means performs the operation of enlarging the image data to be displayed on the preview display screen on the preview display screen, and the preview display target as screen log information on the preview display screen only when the enlargement ratio is a specified value or more. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein in addition to the image data, the background image data associated with the image data and display area information indicating a display area of the preview display target image data in the background image data are stored. Image forming apparatus.   The image according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the display restriction process performed on the preview display target image data is a process of replacing the image data with another image data or image data with degraded image quality. Forming equipment. A preview screen display / output method executed by an image forming apparatus having a display unit capable of previewing image data,
A display restriction determination step for determining whether or not a display restriction is set when previewing the image data on the display means;
A display control step in which, when it is determined by the display restriction determination step that the display restriction is set, a display restriction process is performed on the image data to be previewed and displayed on the display means;
Log storage means for storing screen log information for reproducing the display screen displayed on the display means at a preset storage timing, wherein the display screen is not subjected to the display restriction process. In the case of the preview display screen, the image data that has been preview-displayed constituting the display screen and the screen log information including the background image data on the display screen are stored, and the image data subjected to the display restriction process If it is the preview display screen, without storing the image data that has been subjected to the display restriction process, including the previous images data to which the display limit processing is performed, the background image data in the display screen Log saving step to save screen log information;
A reproduction data output step for outputting reproduction data for reproducing a display screen based on the screen log information stored in the log storage step;
An output restriction determination step for determining whether an output restriction is set when outputting the reproduction data in the reproduction data output step;
With
When it is determined in the output restriction determination step that output restriction is set, in the reproduction data output step, the preview data to be previewed is concealed to output the reproduction data, and output restriction is performed. When it is determined that the reproduction data is not set, the reproduction data output step outputs the reproduction data without performing the concealment process of the image data to be previewed. output method. In the log saving step, as the screen log information of the preview display screen, in addition to the image data to be previewed, the background image data associated with the image data, and the preview display target in the background image data Save the display area information indicating the display area of the image data,
In the reproduction data output step, when no output restriction is set, screen data obtained by combining the image data to be previewed with the display area indicated by the display area information of the background image data is output as reproduction data. When the output restriction is set, the screen data consisting only of the background image data is output as the reproduction data, or the image data obtained by subjecting the preview display target image data to the display restriction process is output as the background image data. 7. The preview screen display / output method according to claim 6, wherein the screen data synthesized in the display area indicated by the display area information is output as reproduction data.   The preview screen according to claim 6 or 7, wherein in the output restriction determination step, it is determined whether or not the output restriction is set based on at least one of setting information by a user, setting information of the own device, and authentication information. Display / output method.   In the log saving step, the preview display target image data is enlarged only when a preview display target image data enlargement operation is performed on the preview display screen and the enlargement ratio is equal to or higher than a specified value. 9. The image data according to claim 7, wherein the background image data associated with the image data and display area information indicating a display area of the image data to be previewed in the background image data are stored. To display and output the preview screen.   The preview according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the display restriction process performed on the preview display target image data is a process of replacing the image data with another image data or image data with degraded image quality. Screen display / output method. In a computer of an image forming apparatus provided with display means capable of previewing image data,
A display restriction determination step for determining whether or not a display restriction is set when previewing the image data on the display means;
A display control step in which, when it is determined by the display restriction determination step that the display restriction is set, a display restriction process is performed on the image data to be previewed and displayed on the display means;
Log storage means for storing screen log information for reproducing the display screen displayed on the display means at a preset storage timing, wherein the display screen is not subjected to the display restriction process. In the case of the preview display screen, the image data that has been preview-displayed constituting the display screen and the screen log information including the background image data on the display screen are stored, and the image data subjected to the display restriction process If it is the preview display screen, without storing the image data that has been subjected to the display restriction process, including the previous images data to which the display limit processing is performed, the background image data in the display screen Log saving step to save screen log information;
A reproduction data output step for outputting reproduction data for reproducing a display screen based on the screen log information stored in the log storage step;
An output restriction determination step for determining whether an output restriction is set when outputting the reproduction data in the reproduction data output step;
And execute
When it is determined in the output restriction determination step that output restriction is set, in the reproduction data output step, the preview data to be previewed is concealed to output the reproduction data, and output restriction is performed. Is determined not to be set, in the reproduction data output step, a preview for causing the computer to execute a process of outputting the reproduction data without performing a concealment process of the image data to be previewed Screen display / output control program. In the log saving step, as the screen log information of the preview display screen, in addition to the image data to be previewed, the background image data associated with the image data, and the preview display target in the background image data Save the display area information indicating the display area of the image data,
In the reproduction data output step, when no output restriction is set, screen data obtained by combining the image data to be previewed with the display area indicated by the display area information of the background image data is output as reproduction data. When the output restriction is set, the screen data consisting only of the background image data is output as the reproduction data, or the image data obtained by subjecting the preview display target image data to the display restriction process is output as the background image data. 12. The display / output control program for a preview screen according to claim 11, which causes the computer to execute a process of outputting the screen data synthesized in the display area indicated by the display area information as reproduction data.   12. The output restriction determination step causes the computer to execute a process of determining whether or not the output restriction is set based on at least one of setting information by a user, setting information of the own device, and authentication information. Alternatively, the preview screen display / output control program according to 12.   In the log saving step, the preview display target image data is enlarged only when a preview display target image data enlargement operation is performed on the preview display screen and the enlargement ratio is equal to or higher than a specified value. In addition to the image data, the computer executes processing for storing the background image data associated with the image data and display area information indicating the display area of the image data to be previewed in the background image data. The display / output control program for a preview screen according to claim 12 or 13.   15. The preview screen display / display according to claim 11, wherein the display restriction process performed on the image data is a process of replacing the image data with another image data or image data with degraded image quality. Output control program.

Images