JP7131343B2 - Image processing device, processing control method and processing control program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a processing control method, and a processing control program, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus that can be used by a plurality of users, a processing control method executed by the image processing apparatus, and a computer that executes the processing control method. It relates to a process control program that causes

An image processing apparatus represented by an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) having multiple functions such as facsimile, copy, scanner, etc. can be used by multiple people. It is necessary to specify the user who operates the image processing apparatus when restricting the processing to be executed by the image processing apparatus for each user, or when charging for the processing executed by the image processing apparatus. As a technique for identifying a user who operates an image processing device, a technique for identifying a user using an image obtained by capturing an image of the user's face with a camera is known. Since the position where the camera is arranged and the angle of view are fixed, the range captured by the camera is a predetermined range. For this reason, an image obtained by imaging with a camera may include the faces of multiple users. There is a problem that the image processing apparatus cannot be operated when a plurality of users are specified as the users who operate the image processing apparatus.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-89595 discloses imaging means for capturing and generating image data, identifying means for identifying a plurality of users from the image data, and determining means for determining the priority of the plurality of users. and display means for displaying a user interface image for at least one of the plurality of users according to the priority.

However, when specifying the user who operates the MFP based on the priority, the specified user may not operate the MFP. Therefore, the accuracy of specifying the user operating the information processing device is affected by the priority. For this reason, depending on the priority, the operating user may be erroneously identified, and the image processing apparatus cannot be operated when a plurality of users are identified as operating the apparatus.

JP 2014-89595 A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus which can be operated even when a plurality of operators are specified. is.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a processing control method that can be operated even when a plurality of operators are specified.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a processing control program that can be operated even when a plurality of operators are specified.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. According to one aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus includes user registration means for registering a plurality of registered users and imaging means for imaging a subject. an operator identifying means for identifying an operator from among a plurality of registered users based on a single image data output by an imaging means after capturing an image of a subject; an operation receiving means for receiving an operation; and an operator identifying means. a process execution means that operates according to an operation condition determined by an operation received by an operation reception means while an operator is specified by a method; restriction information associating means for associating the determined restriction information, and the processing execution means, while one of the operators is specified by the operator specifying means, to the one operator specified by the operator specifying means. It operates according to operating conditions not restricted by the associated restriction information, and is specified by the operator specifying means while a plurality of operators are specified based on the single image data output by the imaging means by the operator specifying means. operating conditions that are not restricted by any of the plurality of restriction information associated with each of the plurality of operators.

According to this aspect, while a plurality of registered users are specified as operators from among a plurality of registered users, according to operating conditions that are not restricted by any of the plurality of restriction information respectively associated with the plurality of operators. Operate. Therefore, the image processing apparatus can be operated even when a plurality of persons are identified as the operator. As a result, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus that can be operated even when a plurality of operators are specified.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the image processing apparatus includes user registration means for registering a plurality of registered users, operator identification means for identifying an operator from among the plurality of registered users, and operation reception for receiving an operation. means, process execution means that operates according to operation conditions determined by the operation accepted by the operation reception means while the operator is specified by the operator specification means, and operation of the process execution means for each of a plurality of registered users. Restriction information association means for associating restriction information defining operating conditions under which is prohibited, attribute registration means for associating each of a plurality of registered users with any of a plurality of attribute information, and restrictions on each of the plurality of attribute information and attribute association means for associating information, wherein the processing execution means is restricted associated with one operator identified by the operator identification means while one of the operators is identified by the operator identification means. Operate according to operating conditions not restricted by information, and operate when attribute information associated with each of the plurality of operators identified by the operator identification means is the same while a plurality of operators are identified by the operator identification means Regardless of the restriction information associated with each of the plurality of operators identified by the operator identification means, the restriction information associated with the attribute information associated with any one of the plurality of operators identified by the operator identification means Operates under unrestricted operating conditions.

According to this aspect, when a plurality of operators associated with the same attribute information are specified, the operating conditions for operating the image processing apparatus are not restricted for each of the plurality of operators. operator attribute information. Therefore, when a plurality of operators belonging to the same group are specified, the operation can be performed under the operation conditions determined for that group.

Preferably, the restriction information includes a process selection condition for executing any one of a plurality of processes executable by the process executing means, and a predetermined range of any one of a plurality of processes executable by the process executing means. and a range condition for executing any one of a plurality of processes executable by the process execution means beyond the range of data to be executed as an operating condition.

According to this aspect, it is possible to limit the plurality of processes, the range in which the processes are executed, and the range of data to be processed.

Preferably, the apparatus further includes imaging means for imaging a subject, and the operator identification means identifies the operator based on image data output by the imaging means after imaging the subject.

According to this aspect, a plurality of users included in an image of image data obtained by imaging a subject can be specified as operators.

According to this aspect, the apparatus further includes sound collecting means for collecting sounds, and the operator identifying means identifies the operator based on the information on the sounds collected by the sound collecting means.

According to this aspect, a plurality of users who emit voices can be identified as operators.

Preferably, when a second operator different from the first operator is newly specified by the operator specifying means in a state in which the first operator is specified by the operator specifying means, the process executing means performs the first It operates according to operating conditions that are not restricted by either the restriction information associated with the first operator or the restriction information associated with the second operator.

According to this aspect, the operating conditions can be restricted when the number of identified operators increases.

Preferably, when one of the plurality of operators is no longer specified in a state in which a plurality of operators are specified by the operator specifying means, the process executing means determines the plurality of operators specified by the operator specifying means. It operates according to operating conditions that are not restricted by any of the one or more restriction information associated with the one or more remaining operators, excluding the operator who is no longer specified by the operator specifying means.

According to this aspect, the operating conditions can be restricted when the number of specified operators decreases.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a processing control method is a processing control method executed by an image processing apparatus, comprising: an imaging step of imaging a subject; Based on the image data of the operator identifying step of identifying an operator from among a plurality of registered users, the operation receiving step of receiving an operation, and while the operator is identified in the operator identifying step Restriction information association for associating a process execution step that operates according to an operation condition determined by an operation accepted in the operation reception step with restriction information that defines an operation condition that prohibits the operation in the process execution step for each of a plurality of registered users. and wherein the process execution step is an operating condition that is not restricted by the restriction information associated with the one operator identified in the operator identification step while the one operator is identified in the operator identification step. and while the plurality of operators are specified based on the single image data obtained in the imaging step in the operator specifying step, each operator is associated with the plurality of operators specified in the operator specifying step. operating according to an operating condition that is not restricted by any of the set of restriction information.

According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a process control method that can be operated even when a plurality of operators are specified.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a processing control method is a processing control method executed by an image processing apparatus, comprising: an operator identification step of identifying an operator from among a plurality of registered registered users; an operation accepting step for accepting an operation; a process executing step for operating according to operating conditions determined by the operation accepted in the operation accepting step while the operator is specified in the operator specifying step; an attribute registration step of associating restriction information that defines operating conditions for prohibiting operations in the process execution step; an attribute registration step of associating one of a plurality of pieces of attribute information with each of a plurality of registered users; and an attribute associating step of associating restriction information with each piece of attribute information, and the processing execution step is performed while one of the operators is specified in the operator specifying step. It operates according to operating conditions not restricted by the restriction information associated with the operator, and is associated with each of the plurality of operators identified in the operator identification step while the plurality of operators are identified in the operator identification step. If the attribute information is the same, regardless of the restriction information associated with each of the multiple operators identified in the operator identification step, the attribute information associated with any one of the plurality of operators identified in the operator identification step operating under operating conditions unrestricted by restriction information associated with the .

According to this aspect, when a plurality of operators belonging to the same group are specified, the group can be operated under the operating conditions defined for the group.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a process control program is a process control program executed by a computer that controls an image processing device, the process control program comprising an imaging step of imaging an object, and an imaging step of imaging the object. Based on the obtained single image data, an operator is identified in an operator identifying step of identifying an operator from among a plurality of registered users, an operation receiving step of receiving an operation, and an operator identifying step. A process execution step that operates according to an operation condition determined by an operation received in the operation reception step while the user is in the process execution step is associated with restriction information that defines an operation condition that prohibits the operation in the process execution step for each of a plurality of registered users. and a step of associating restriction information with a computer, and the step of executing processing is associated with the one operator identified in the operator identification step while one of the operators is identified in the operator identification step. A step of operating according to operating conditions not restricted by the restriction information; operating according to operating conditions that are not restricted by any of a plurality of restriction information respectively associated with a plurality of operators.

According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a processing control program that can be operated even when a plurality of operators are specified.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a process control program is a process control program executed by a computer that controls an image processing apparatus, the program comprising: an operation for identifying an operator from among a plurality of registered registered users; an operator identification step, an operation reception step for receiving an operation, a process execution step for operating according to an operation condition determined by an operation received in the operation reception step while the operator is identified in the operator identification step, and a plurality of registrations. A restriction information associating step of associating restriction information defining operating conditions for prohibiting operations in a process execution step for each user, and an attribute registration step of associating one of a plurality of pieces of attribute information with each of a plurality of registered users. and an attribute associating step of associating restriction information with each of a plurality of pieces of attribute information . Operate according to operating conditions not restricted by the restriction information associated with one operator identified in the step, and while a plurality of operators are identified in the operator identification step, the plurality of operators identified in the operator identification step When the attribute information associated with each operator is the same, regardless of the restriction information associated with each of the plurality of operators identified in the operator identification step, which of the plurality of operators identified in the operator identification step operating under operating conditions not restricted by the restriction information associated with the attribute information associated with the

According to this aspect, when a plurality of operators belonging to the same group are specified, the group can be operated under the operating conditions defined for the group.

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an MFP in one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overview of the hardware configuration of the MFP; FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions of a CPU provided in the MFP; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a format of a user record; FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the format of an attribute record. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing control processing; 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of operator table generation processing; FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of restriction table generation processing; FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of restriction determination processing; It is a figure which shows an example of a user table. It is a figure which shows an example of an attribute table.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are given the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. A detailed description thereof will therefore not be repeated.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an MFP in one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overview of the hardware configuration of the MFP. The MFP will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. An MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) 100 is an example of an image processing apparatus, and includes a main circuit 110, a camera 119 for imaging a subject, a document reading section 130 for reading a document, and a document feeding section 130 for conveying the document. an automatic document feeder 120 for printing, an image forming unit 140 for forming an image on paper or the like based on image data, a paper feeding unit 150 for supplying paper to the image forming unit 140, and a user interface for and an operation panel 160 .

Camera 119 is fixedly attached to the main body of MFP 100 above operation panel 160 . The camera 119 includes a lens and a photoelectric conversion element, forms an image on the photoelectric conversion element with light condensed by the lens, and the photoelectric conversion element photoelectrically converts the received light and outputs image data to the CPU 111 . The photoelectric conversion element is a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor, or the like. The lens that camera 119 has is preferably a wide-angle lens. Also, the angle of view of the lens of the camera 119 is fixed. Therefore, the imaging range of the camera 119 is fixed. The angle of view of camera 119 is set so that the imaging range of camera 119 includes the face of the user who operates MFP 100 . Specifically, the angle of view and the position of the camera 119 are set so that the imaging range includes the face of the user operating the operation panel 160 in a standing posture. Since the height of the user varies, the angle of view and the position of the camera 119 may be determined by providing a predetermined range for the height of the user's face.

The automatic document feeder 120 automatically conveys a plurality of documents set on the document tray 125 one by one to the document reading position of the document reading section 130, and the image formed on the document by the document reading section 130 is displayed. The read document is discharged onto the document discharge tray 127 . Automatic document feeder 120 includes a document detection sensor that detects documents placed on document tray 125 .

Document reading unit 130 has a rectangular reading surface for reading a document. The reading surface is formed of platen glass, for example. Automatic document feeder 120 is connected to the main body of MFP 100 so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to one side of the reading surface, and can be opened and closed. A document reading unit 130 is arranged below the automatic document feeder 120, and the reading surface of the document reading unit 130 is exposed when the automatic document feeder 120 is rotated and opened. Therefore, the user can place the document on the reading surface of the document reading unit 130 . The automatic document feeder 120 can change its state between an open state in which the reading surface of the document reading unit 130 is exposed and a closed state in which the reading surface is covered.

Document reading unit 130 includes a light source for emitting light and a photoelectric conversion element for receiving light, and scans an image formed on a document placed on a reading surface. When a document is placed in the reading area, the light emitted from the light source is reflected by the document, and the reflected light forms an image on the photoelectric conversion element. When receiving light reflected by a document, the photoelectric conversion element converts the received light into an electric signal to generate image data. Document reading unit 130 outputs image data to CPU 111 .

The paper feeding section 150 conveys the paper accommodated in the paper feeding tray to the image forming section 140 . The image forming unit 140 is controlled by the CPU 111 and forms an image by a well-known electrophotographic method. Then, the sheet on which the image is formed is discharged to the discharge tray 155 . The image data output by CPU 111 to image forming portion 140 includes image data input from document reading portion 130 as well as image data such as print data received from the outside.

The main circuit 110 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 111 that controls the entire MFP 100, a communication interface (I/F) unit 112, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 113, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 114, It includes a hard disk drive (HDD) 115 as a mass storage device, a facsimile section 116 and an external storage device 117 . CPU 111 is connected to camera 119 , automatic document feeder 120 , document reading portion 130 , image forming portion 140 , paper feeding portion 150 and operation panel 160 , and controls MFP 100 as a whole.

ROM 113 stores a program executed by CPU 111 or data necessary for executing the program. The RAM 114 is used as a work area when the CPU 111 executes programs. RAM 114 also temporarily stores image data continuously sent from document reading unit 130 .

Operation panel 160 is provided on the upper surface of MFP 100 . Operation panel 160 includes a display portion 161 and an operation portion 163 . The display unit 161 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), and displays an instruction menu for the user, information about acquired image data, and the like. Note that an organic EL (electroluminescence) display, for example, can be used instead of the LCD as long as it is a device that displays an image.

Operation portion 163 includes a touch panel 165 and a hard key portion 167 . The touch panel 165 is of a capacitive type. It should be noted that the touch panel 165 is not limited to the capacitive method, and other methods such as a resistive film method, a surface acoustic wave method, an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, and the like can be used.

Touch panel 165 is provided so that its detection surface overlaps display unit 161 on the upper surface or the lower surface of display unit 161 . Here, the size of the detection surface of the touch panel 165 and the size of the display surface of the display unit 161 are the same. Therefore, the coordinate system of the display surface and the coordinate system of the detection surface are the same. Touch panel 165 detects a position where the user points to the display surface of display unit 161 on the detection surface, and outputs the coordinates of the detected position to CPU 111 . Since the coordinate system of the display surface and the coordinate system of the detection surface are the same, the coordinates output by touch panel 165 can be replaced with the coordinates of the display surface.

Hard key portion 167 includes a plurality of hard keys. A hard key is, for example, a contact switch. Touch panel 165 detects the position designated by the user on the display surface of display unit 161 . When the user operates MFP 100, it is often the case that the user is in an upright posture. Therefore, the display surface of display unit 161, the operation surface of touch panel 165, and hard key unit 167 are arranged facing upward. This is so that the user can easily view the display surface of the display unit 161 and can easily instruct the operation unit 163 with his or her finger.

Communication I/F unit 112 is an interface for connecting MFP 100 to a network. Communication I/F unit 112 communicates with other computers or data processing devices connected to a network using a communication protocol such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) or FTP (File Transfer Protocol). The network to which communication I/F unit 112 is connected is a local area network (LAN), and the form of connection may be wired or wireless. The network is not limited to LAN, and may be wide area network (WAN), public switched telephone network (PSTN), Internet, or the like.

Facsimile unit 116 is connected to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and transmits facsimile data to or receives facsimile data from the PSTN. Facsimile unit 116 stores the received facsimile data in HDD 115 , converts it into print data that can be printed by image forming unit 140 , and outputs the print data to image forming unit 140 . Accordingly, image forming section 140 forms an image of the facsimile data received by facsimile section 116 on paper. Further, facsimile section 116 converts data stored in HDD 115 into facsimile data and transmits the facsimile data to a facsimile machine connected to the PSTN.

The external storage device 117 is controlled by the CPU 111 and is equipped with a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) 118 or a semiconductor memory. In this embodiment, an example in which CPU 111 executes a program stored in ROM 113 will be described. , the read program may be stored in the RAM 114 and executed.

The recording medium for storing programs to be executed by the CPU 111 is not limited to the CD-ROM 118, but may be a flexible disk, a cassette tape, an optical disk (MO (Magnetic Optical Disc)/MD (Mini Disc)/DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). )), IC cards, optical cards, mask ROMs, EPROMs (Erasable Programmable ROMs), EEPROMs (Electrically EPROMs), and other semiconductor memories. Furthermore, the CPU 111 downloads a program from a computer connected to the network and stores it in the HDD 115, or the computer connected to the network writes the program to the HDD 115, and loads the program stored in the HDD 115 into the RAM 114. and executed by the CPU 111. The programs here include not only programs directly executable by the CPU 111, but also source programs, compressed programs, encrypted programs, and the like.

A case where MFP 100 in the present embodiment is arranged in a certain company and shared by departments A and B of the company will be described as an example. Furthermore, this company has introduced a billing system that bills each department according to the frequency of using the MFP 100 . The billing system calculates a charge according to the number of processes executed by MFP 100 by multiple users belonging to department A, and calculates a charge according to the number of processes executed by MFP 100 by multiple users belonging to department B. calculate.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of functions of a CPU provided in the MFP. The functions shown in FIG. 3 are formed in CPU 111 of MFP 100 by executing a process control program stored in ROM 113 , HDD 115 or CD-ROM 118 .

3, CPU 111 included in MFP 100 includes user registration portion 51, operator identification portion 53, imaging control portion 55, attribute association portion 57, setting portion 59, operation reception portion 61, and a processing execution unit 63 .

Processing executing portion 63 controls hardware resources to execute processing according to operating conditions set by setting portion 59 . Specifically, the hardware resources include document reading unit 130, automatic document feeder 120, image forming unit 140, paper feeding unit 150, operation panel 160, HDD 115, communication I/F unit 112, facsimile unit 116, and external storage. Includes device 117 . The processing executed by the processing execution unit 63 includes, but is not limited to, document reading processing, image forming processing, data transmission/reception processing, facsimile transmission/reception processing, data management processing, and external service execution processing. The document reading process is a process of outputting image data obtained by reading a document with the document reading unit 130 . The image forming process is a process of forming an image of data on a sheet supplied from the paper feeding section 150 to the image forming section 140 . The data transmission/reception process is a process of receiving data from a computer connected to LAN 3 via communication I/F section 112, or transmitting data stored in HDD 115 or external storage device 117 via communication I/F section 112. This is a process of transmitting to a computer connected to LAN3. The facsimile transmission/reception process is a process of transmitting an image of facsimile data to the facsimile unit 116 or a process of receiving an image of facsimile data from the outside. The data management process includes a process of storing data in HDD 115 or external storage device 117, a process of changing or deleting data stored in HDD 115 or external storage device 117, and data stored in HDD 115 or external storage device 117. This is a process of selecting 1 or more to be processed. The processing for changing data includes image processing for editing data and image processing for changing format. The external service execution process is a process of requesting an external computer to execute a predetermined process. The predetermined process is a process executed by an external computer. The predetermined processing includes, but is not limited to, character recognition processing for image data, processing for translating character information into a different language, and processing for converting data format. The processes executable by process execution unit 63 are not limited to document reading process, image forming process, data transmission/reception process, facsimile transmission/reception process, data management process, and external service execution process, and may include other processes.

Processing execution unit 63 can execute a combination of two or more of document reading processing, image forming processing, data transmission/reception processing, facsimile transmission/reception processing, data management processing, and external service execution processing. For example, process execution unit 63 executes copy processing that combines document reading processing and image forming processing. Processing execution unit 63 also executes print processing in which data reception processing and image formation processing are combined.

Operation accepting portion 61 controls operation panel 160 to accept an operation input to operation portion 163 by the user. For example, an operation screen is displayed on display portion 161 and an operation input by the user to operation portion 163 according to the operation screen is accepted. The operation screen includes a setting screen for setting operating conditions for executing the process. The operating conditions include a condition that defines the process executed by process execution unit 63, a condition that defines the details of the process that process execution unit 63 executes, and a condition that defines data to be processed by process execution unit 63.

The setting screen includes a process selection screen for selecting a process to be executed by MFP 100 from processes executable by MFP 100 . Operation accepting portion 61 accepts a process selection operation for selecting a process when the user inputs an operation to operation portion 163 according to the process selection screen.

The operation screen also includes a setting screen for setting setting values for executing the process. For example, the setting values for the image forming process include a color mode setting value and an input number setting value. The color mode setting value determines whether an image is to be formed in monochrome or color. The number field value defines the number of times the image is formed. Operation accepting portion 61 accepts a setting operation for setting a setting value when the user inputs an operation to operation portion 163 according to a setting screen.

The operation screen also includes a data selection screen for selecting data to be processed. The data selection screen is a screen for accepting a setting value specifying one of a plurality of data stored in HDD 115 . Operation accepting portion 61 accepts a data specifying operation for selecting data when the user inputs an operation to operating portion 163 according to the data selection screen.

User registration unit 51 registers a user who is permitted to use MFP 100 as a registered user. User registration portion 51 registers a user according to an operation input by an administrator who manages MFP 100 . User registration unit 51 registers, for each user, user identification information and authentication information for identifying the user. MFP 100 in the present embodiment uses face authentication as an authentication method. The user registration unit 51 registers information required for face authentication for each user. For example, user registration unit 51 stores an image of a user's face in MFP 100 in association with the user. While logged in to the MFP 100, the administrator makes the user to be registered stand in front of the MFP 100, causes the camera 119 to image the user as a subject, and shows the facial features obtained from the image obtained by imaging. Characteristic information is determined, and the characteristic information is associated with the user as authentication information. The feature information is, for example, values obtained by quantifying the shapes of parts of the face, the relative positional relationships of a plurality of parts, the colors of each of the plurality of parts, and the like. Also, the characteristic portion may be the iris. The authentication information is not limited to feature information, and may be an image itself obtained by imaging the user's face.

User registration portion 51 includes a restriction information association portion 71 and an attribute registration portion 75 . Restriction information association unit 71 associates restriction information for each registered user registered by user registration unit 51 . Restriction information associating portion 71 defines an operating condition under which the operation of process executing portion 63 is prohibited. Specifically, the restriction information includes operating conditions for executing a restricted process among the plurality of processes executable by process execution unit 63 . In addition, the restriction information includes an operating condition to be executed within a limited range of any one of the plurality of processes executable by process execution unit 63 . For example, the range of processes executable by process execution unit 63 includes the number of times the processes are executed. Specifically, the restriction information indicates the upper limit of the cumulative number of image processes that can be executed by the process execution unit 63 . In addition, the restriction information includes an operating condition for performing a process on restricted data among data to be subjected to any one of a plurality of processes executable by process execution unit 63 . For example, the range in which the data to be processed that can be executed by the process execution unit 63 is restricted indicates the storage area in which the data to be processed is stored and the type of data to be processed.

Attribute registration portion 75 associates attribute information with each user permitted to use MFP 100 . Attribute information is information attached to each of a plurality of users in order to classify a plurality of users. Here, the attribute information is information indicating the department to which the user belongs. The attribute information may be the job title of the user, or may be the contents of the work that the user is in charge of.

Here, the user table is stored in HDD 115 . The user table includes user records including user identification information for identifying users, authentication information, restriction information, and attribute information. When a user is registered by an administrator, user registration portion 51 generates a user record including the user identification information and authentication information of the user, and adds the record to the user table stored in HDD 115 . Also, the restriction information associating unit 71 adds the restriction information to the user record in which the user identification information of the user associated with the restriction information is set. The attribute registration unit 75 adds the attribute information to the user record in which the user identification information of the user associated with the attribute information is set.

Attribute association unit 57 associates restriction information with each of a plurality of pieces of attribute information respectively associated with a plurality of registered users registered by user registration unit 51 . The restriction information defines operating conditions under which the operation of the process execution unit 63 is prohibited. While the restriction information association section 71 associates restriction information with an individual user, the attribute association section 57 associates restriction information with attribute information. Restriction information associated with an individual user and restriction information associated with attribute information associated with the user may be the same or different.

Here, the attribute table is stored in HDD 115 . The attribute table includes attribute records that associate attribute information and restriction information. When a set of attribute information and restriction information is registered by the administrator, attribute association unit 57 generates an attribute record including the attribute information and restriction information, and adds it to the attribute table stored in HDD 115 . .

The imaging control unit 55 controls the camera 119 to cause the camera 119 to capture an image. When the camera 119 captures an image of the subject, the camera 119 outputs image data of a still image. The imaging control unit 55 acquires image data of a still image output by the camera 119 . The image capturing control unit 55 causes the camera 119 to capture images at predetermined time intervals, and acquires image data of still images. The imaging control unit 55 outputs the image data output by the camera 119 to the operator identification unit 53 . Note that the imaging control unit 55 may cause the camera 119 to capture a moving image, and output a still image of an arbitrary frame from image data of the moving image output by the camera 119 to the operator identifying unit 53 as image data.

The operator identification unit 53 receives image data from the imaging control unit 55 at predetermined time intervals, and analyzes the image data each time the image data is input to identify the operator. Specifically, the operator identification unit 53 identifies the operator based on the still image indicated by the image data. The operator identification unit 53 identifies the operator by extracting the face portion of the subject included in the still image and comparing it with the user authentication information registered in the user table. A well-known technique can be used as a technique of face authentication processing for authenticating a user based on an image obtained by imaging a subject. For example, the operator identification unit 53 identifies the operator by extracting a characteristic portion from the face extracted from the still image, and comparing the numerical value of the characteristic portion with the authentication information. The operator identifying unit 53 determines whether or not the user table contains a user record containing authentication information that matches or is similar to a numerical value obtained by quantifying the characteristic portion of the face extracted from the still image. The operator identification unit 53 identifies the user of the user identification information set in the user record as the operator when such a user record exists. do not specify

Further, when the authentication information is an image, the operator identification unit 53 compares the face portion extracted from the still image with the image of the authentication information to determine whether the two images match or are similar. to judge whether

The operator identification unit 53 identifies the user each time image data is input from the imaging control unit 55 at predetermined time intervals. If the still image of the image data does not include a face portion, or if the still image includes a face portion but does not match or resemble the authentication information, the operator identification unit 53 identifies the operator. Not specified. The operator identification unit 53 identifies one or more operators when one or more facial parts are included in the still image of the image data, and when the one or more parts match or resemble the authentication information.

The operator identification unit 53 generates an operator list. The operator list includes user identification information of users identified as operators by the operator identification unit 53 . Operator identification unit 53 generates an operator list in response to image data input from imaging control unit 55 . When the operator identification unit 53 does not identify an operator, it generates an operator list that does not include user identification information. When the operator identifying unit 53 identifies one or more operators, it generates an operator list including user identification information for each of the identified one or more operators. Operator identification unit 53 stores the operator list in HDD 115 .

The setting unit 59 refers to the operator list generated by the operator specifying unit 53 and determines the operator specified by the operator specifying unit 53 . Setting portion 59 acquires restriction information and attribute information associated with the operator by user registration portion 51 . Specifically, setting unit 59 refers to the user table stored in HDD 115, acquires the user record in which the user identification information of the operator is set, and obtains the restriction information and attribute information set in the user record. and get.

Setting portion 59 sets operating conditions for process execution portion 63 to execute a process in accordance with an operation received by operation reception portion 61 . When one operator is specified by the operator specifying part 53, the setting part 59 sets operating conditions within a range that can be set by the operator according to the restriction information associated with the operator. When setting the operating conditions according to the operation accepted by operation accepting portion 61, setting portion 59 prohibits setting of the operating conditions defined by the restriction information. In other words, setting portion 59 disables setting of operating conditions defined by the restriction information and enables setting of operating conditions not defined by the restriction information according to the operation received by operation receiving portion 61 .

When user registration portion 51 identifies a plurality of operators, setting portion 59 acquires restriction information and attribute information associated with each of the plurality of operators. When the attribute information of each of the plurality of operators is the same, the setting unit 59 acquires the restriction information associated with the attribute information. Specifically, setting unit 59 refers to the attribute table stored in HDD 115, acquires an attribute record including attribute information, and acquires restriction information set in the attribute record. Even when restriction information is associated with each of a plurality of operators, the setting unit 59 sets the restriction information associated with the attribute information without using the restriction information associated with each of the plurality of operators. Prohibits the setting of operating conditions that In other words, setting portion 59 disables the setting of the operating conditions defined by the restriction information associated with the attribute information, according to the operation received by operation receiving portion 61, and disables the operation conditions defined by the restriction information associated with the attribute information. Allows you to set operating conditions that are not

For example, there may be a charge for using the MFP. The MFP may be charged for individual use, or may be charged for each group such as a department. If the attribute information is the department to which the registered user belongs, even if the MFP is operated while two or more of the multiple registered users belonging to the same department are specified, the billing destination is one, so two or more registered users is specified, the department can still be billed.

The setting unit 59 prohibits the setting of the operation condition defined by any one of the plurality of restriction information associated with each of the plurality of operators when the attribute information of each of the plurality of operators is not the same. In other words, setting portion 59 can set an operation condition that is not defined in any of the plurality of restriction information according to an operation received by operation receiving portion 61 .

When multiple registered users are identified, the operations that each of the identified registered users can execute on the MFP are restricted, and the restrictions differ among the multiple registered users. Even if there is, as long as any of the registered users can cause MFP 100 to perform the operation, it does not exceed the limit of the operation when each of the plurality of registered users causes MFP 100 to operate independently. Therefore, the MFP 100 can be operated within the limits of operation.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the format of a user record. Referring to FIG. 4, the user record includes items in which user identification information is set, items in which authentication information is set, items in which restriction information is set, and items in which attribute information is set. A user record associates a user with authentication information, restriction information, and attribute information.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the format of an attribute record. Referring to FIG. 5, the attribute record includes items for which attribute information is set and items for which restriction information is set. Attribute records associate restriction information with attribute information.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing control processing. The process control process is a process executed by CPU 111 of MFP 100 by executing a process control program stored in ROM 113 , HDD 115 or CD-ROM 118 . Referring to FIG. 6, CPU 111 included in MFP 100 acquires image data output from camera 119 . The camera 119 is controlled to take an image, and the image data output by the camera 119 is acquired.

In step S02, a face portion is extracted from the still image represented by the image data, and it is determined whether or not the face portion has been extracted. When the still image includes face portions of each of a plurality of subjects, a plurality of face portions are extracted. If the facial part can be extracted, the process proceeds to step S03; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S18. In step S18, the operator table is reset and the process returns to step S01. If the operator table is stored in HDD 115, the operation table is deleted.

In step S03, each of the one or more facial parts extracted in step S02 is determined as an authentication target, and the process proceeds to step S04. In step S04, it is determined whether or not there is an operator table. If the operator table is stored in HDD 115, the process proceeds to step S05; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S10.

In step S05, the operator table stored in HDD 115 is set as the old operator table, and the process proceeds to step S06. In step S06, an operator table generation process is executed, and the process proceeds to step S07. The details of the operator table generation process will be described later, but this is a process of identifying an operator based on the face portion determined to be authenticated in step S03 and generating an operator table.

In step S07, it is determined whether or not the operator has been changed. In step S05, the operator table set in the old operator table is compared with the operator table generated in step S06 to determine whether or not the operator has been changed. If the operator registered in the operator table set in the old operator table is different from the operator registered in the operator table generated in step S06, it is determined that the operator has been changed, If the operators registered in both operator tables are the same, it is determined that there is no change in the operators. If it is determined that the operator has changed, the process proceeds to step S08; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S12.

In step S08, restriction table generation processing is executed, and the processing proceeds to step S09. The details of the limit table generation process will be described later, but this is a process of generating a new limit table that defines operating conditions that cannot be executed by the MFP 100 . In the next step S09, if the restriction table is stored in HDD 115, it is updated with the new restriction table generated in step S08. A restriction table is stored in HDD 115 .

When the process proceeds to step S10, the operator is not registered in the operator table stored in HDD 115. FIG. In step S10, an operation table generation process is executed, and the process proceeds to step S11. In step S03, the operator is specified based on the face portion determined as the authentication target, and an operator table is generated. In step S11, restriction table generation processing is executed, and the processing proceeds to step S09.

In step S12, it is determined whether or not an operation by the user has been accepted. If operation unit 163 accepts the user's operation, the process proceeds to step S13; otherwise, the process returns to step S01. In step S13, restriction determination processing is executed, and the processing proceeds to step S14. Although the details of the restriction determination process will be described later, it is a process of determining whether or not the operation condition specified by the operation accepted in step S12 is restricted.

In step S14, it is determined whether or not the operation condition specified by the operation accepted in step S12 is restricted. If the operating conditions are limited, the process proceeds to step S15; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S16. In step S15, an error is notified and the process returns to step S01. For example, CPU 111 displays an error message on display unit 161 . As a result, the operator can be notified that MFP 100 cannot be operated under the operating conditions determined by the input operation. In step S16, it is determined whether or not the operation accepted in step S12 is an execution instruction operation for instructing execution of processing. If it is an execution instructing operation, the process proceeds to step S17; otherwise, the process returns to step S01. In step S17, the process is executed according to the operating conditions, and the process ends.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of operator table generation processing. The operator table generation process is a process executed in steps S06 and S10 of FIG. Before the operator table generation process is executed, the face part extracted from the image data is determined as the authentication target.

Referring to FIG. 7, CPU 111 generates a new operator table (step S21). An operator table that does not include user identification information is generated and stored in HDD 115 . In the next step S22, it is determined whether or not there is a single person to be authenticated. If there is a single authentication target, the process proceeds to step S23, but if there are a plurality of authentication targets, the process proceeds to step S27.

In step S23, the authentication target is selected as the processing target, and the process proceeds to step S24. In step S24, based on the facial part to be authenticated, it is determined whether or not the user whose face is the facial part is a registered user. The CPU 111 refers to the user table stored in the HDD 115 and determines whether or not there is a user record in which authentication information with a feature amount identical or similar to the feature amount of the feature portion included in the face portion exists. . If such a user record exists, CPU 111 identifies the registered user of the user identification information set in that user record, and advances the process to step S25. is returned to process control processing.

In step S25, the user identified as the registered user in step S24 is determined as the operator, and the process proceeds to step S26. In step S26, the operator is added to the operator table, and the process returns to the process control process. CPU 111 adds the user identification information of the operator to the operator table stored in HDD 115 .

When the process proceeds to step S27, there are multiple authentication targets. In step S27, one of the plurality of authentication targets is selected as a processing target, and the process proceeds to step S28. In step S28, based on the face portion to be authenticated, it is determined whether or not the user whose face is the face portion is a registered user. If the user is a registered user, the process proceeds to step S29; otherwise, the process returns to step S27. In step S29, the user specified as the registered user in step S28 is determined as the operator, and the process proceeds to step S30. In step S30, the operator is added to the operator table, and the process returns to the process control process. CPU 111 adds the user identification information of the operator to the operator table stored in HDD 115 . In step S31, it is determined whether or not there is an authentication target that has not been selected as a processing target among the plurality of authentication targets. If there is an unselected authentication target, the process returns to step S27; otherwise, the process returns to the process control process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of restriction table generation processing. The restriction table generation process is a process executed in steps S08 and S11 of FIG. The operator table is stored in HDD 115 before the restriction table generation process is executed. Referring to FIG. 8, CPU 111 generates a new restriction table (step S41). CPU 111 generates a restriction table that does not include restriction information, and stores it in HDD 115 . In the next step S42, an operator to be processed is selected. CPU 111 refers to the operator table stored in HDD 115, selects one or more pieces of user identification information defined in the operator table, and selects the user of the selected user identification information as the operator. .

In step S43, restriction information associated with the operator is acquired, and the process proceeds to step S44. CPU 111 refers to the user table stored in HDD 115 to identify the user record in which the user identification information of the operator is set, and acquires the restriction information set in that user record. In step S44, it is determined whether or not the same restriction information as the restriction information obtained in step S43 exists in the restriction table. If the same restriction information as the restriction information acquired in step S43 does not exist in the new restriction table stored in HDD 115, the process proceeds to step S45. Otherwise, step S45 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S46. proceed to

In step S45, the restriction information obtained in step S43 is added to a new restriction table stored in HDD 115, and the process proceeds to step S46. In step S46, attribute information associated with the operator is obtained, and the process proceeds to step S47. CPU 111 refers to the user table stored in HDD 115 to identify the user record in which the user identification information of the operator is set, and acquires the attribute information set in the user record.

In step S47, it is determined whether or not there is an operator who has not been selected as a processing target in step S42. Specifically, it is determined in step S42 whether or not there is user identification information for an operator not selected as a processing target among the one or more pieces of user identification information defined in the operator table stored in HDD 115. be. If there is an unselected operator, the process returns to step S42; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S48.

In step S48, when a plurality of operators are defined in the operator table, the CPU 111 determines whether or not the attribute information of each of the plurality of operators is the same. If the attribute information of each of the plurality of operators are all the same, the CPU 111 advances the process to step S49, but otherwise returns the process to the process control process. In step S49, the limit table is reset and the process proceeds to step S50. CPU 111 erases the restriction information defined by the restriction table stored in HDD 115 .

In step S50, restriction information associated with the attribute information of each of the plurality of operators is acquired, and the process proceeds to step S51. CPU 111 refers to the attribute table stored in HDD 115 to identify attribute records in which attribute information for each of a plurality of operators is set, and acquires restriction information set in the identified attribute records. In step S51, the restriction information obtained in step S50 is added to a new restriction table stored in HDD 115, and the process returns to the process control process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of restriction determination processing. The restriction determination process is a process executed in step S13 of FIG. An operation input by the user is accepted before the restriction determination process is executed. Referring to FIG. 9, CPU 111 determines whether the operation input by the user is a process selection operation for selecting a process (step S61). If it is a process selection operation, the process proceeds to step S62; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S65. In step S62, CPU 111 determines whether or not the process specified by the process selection operation is restricted. Specifically, if the restriction information defined in the restriction table stored in HDD 115 includes restriction information that defines operating conditions for executing the process specified by the process selection operation, CPU 111 determines that the process selection operation Determine that the specified process is restricted. If the process specified by the process selection operation is restricted, the process proceeds to step S63; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S64.

In step S63, it is set to have restrictions, and the process returns to the process control process. In step S64, an operating condition for executing the process specified by the process selection operation is set, and the process returns to the process control process.

In step S65, CPU 111 determines whether or not the operation input by the user is a setting operation for setting a set value. If it is a setting operation, the process proceeds to step S66; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S69. In step S66, the CPU 111 determines whether or not the operating condition for which the set value specified by the setting operation is set is restricted. Specifically, if the limit information defined by the limit table stored in HDD 115 includes the limit information that defines the operating conditions that include the range of limits for the set values specified by the setting operation, CPU 111 determines that the setting It is determined that the operating condition in which the set value specified by the operation is set is restricted. If the operating condition for which the set value specified by the setting operation is set is restricted, the process proceeds to step S67; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S68.

In step S67, it is set to have restrictions, and the process returns to the process control process. In step S68, an operating condition is set to which the set value specified by the setting operation is set, and the process returns to the process control process.

In step S69, CPU 111 determines whether or not the operation input by the user is a data designation operation for designating data. If it is a data designation operation, the process proceeds to step S70; otherwise, the process returns to the process control process. In step S70, CPU 111 determines whether or not the operating conditions for accessing the data specified by the data specifying operation are restricted. Specifically, if the restriction information defined in the restriction table stored in HDD 115 includes restriction information that defines operating conditions for accessing data specified by the data specification operation, CPU 111 Determine that the operating conditions for accessing the identified data are restricted. If access to the data specified by the data specifying operation is restricted, the process proceeds to step S71; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S72.

In step S71, it is set to have restrictions, and the process returns to the process control process. In step S72, the operating conditions for accessing the data specified by the data specifying operation are set, and the process returns to the process control process.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a user table. Referring to FIG. 10, the user table includes user records of user A, user B, and user C who are registered users. As authentication information, feature data obtained by digitizing feature portions of facial images of users A, user B, and user C are provided to user A, user B, user C, and user B, respectively. This is indicated by feature C and feature D. The upper limit of the number of copies as limit information indicates an operating condition for limiting the cumulative number of image formations exceeding the upper limit, and indicates an operating condition for limiting the range of image forming processing. Color as restriction information indicates an operating condition for restricting image formation in color, and indicates an operating condition for restricting the range of image forming processing. One side as the limitation information indicates an operating condition that limits image formation on only one side of the paper, and indicates an operating condition that limits the range of image forming processing.

Attribute information "Sales" is associated with users with user identification information "User A" and "User B", the upper limit value "999" is associated with the upper limit number of copies information, and color limit information is associated with "OK" is associated with the single-sided restriction information, and "OK" is associated with the single-sided restriction information.

Attribute information "general affairs" is associated with the users with user identification information "user C" and "user D", the upper limit value "100" is associated with the upper limit number of copies information, and color limit information is associated with "impossible" is associated with the restriction information of one side, and "impossible" is associated with the restriction information of one side.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an attribute table. Referring to FIG. 11, the attribute information "Sales" is associated with the upper limit value "999" for the upper limit number of copies information, and "OK" is associated for the color limit information. "Yes" is associated with the restriction information of . The attribute information "general affairs" is associated with the upper limit value "200" for the upper limit number of copies information, "OK" is associated for the color limitation information, and "restricted" for the single-sided limitation information. "Yes" is associated with it.

When specifying only user C or user D as an operator, MFP 100 executes processing under operating conditions that are not restricted by restriction information associated with user C in the user table. The MFP 100 can set the number of images to be formed within a range not exceeding 100, which is the upper limit number of copies for image formation. Further, the MFP 100 prohibits the setting of operating conditions for forming an image in color, and prohibits the setting of operating conditions for forming an image on only one side of a sheet.

Further, when specifying user C and user D as operators at the same time, MFP 100 executes processing under operating conditions that are not restricted by the restriction information associated with the attribute information of "general affairs" in the attribute table. The MFP 100 can set the number of images to be formed within a range not exceeding 200, which is the upper limit number of copies for image formation. In addition, the MFP 100 enables setting of operating conditions for image formation in color, and enables setting of operating conditions for forming an image on only one side of a sheet.

<First modification>
The MFP 100 identifies a user using face authentication technology from image data obtained by imaging a subject with the camera 119 . MFP 100 in the first modification identifies the operator based on the voice uttered by the user. In this case, MFP 100 in the first modification includes a microphone for collecting sound instead of camera 119, and registers the registered user's voiceprint as authentication information. MFP 100 in the first modification identifies the user who uttered the voice by comparing the voice with the voiceprint, and if the identified user is registered as a registered user, identifies that user as the operator. Therefore, it is possible to identify a plurality of users who speak around MFP 100 as operators.

Also, instead of the microphone, a smart speaker connected to MFP 100 directly or via a network may be connected to MFP 100 . MFP 100 acquires the sound picked up by the smart speaker from the smart speaker. Further, MFP 100 may acquire the user identification information of the specified user from the smart speaker by specifying the user who speaks with the smart speaker. This makes it possible to identify, as operators, multiple users who emit sounds around the smart speaker.

<Second modification>
MFP 100 in the second modification identifies the operator based on the user's biological information. The biometric information is a finger print or vein pattern, or an iris. In this case, MFP 100 in the second modification includes a camera for reading fingerprints, vein patterns, or iris instead of camera 119, and registers the fingerprint, vein pattern, or iris shape as authentication information. MFP 100 in the second modification identifies the user by identifying biometric information from image data obtained by imaging with a camera and comparing the specified biometric information with pre-registered fingerprints, vein patterns, or iris shapes. If the identified user is registered as a registered user, that user is identified as the operator.

<Third Modification>
MFP 100 in the third modification identifies the user by communicating with the mobile device carried by the user. A mobile device carried by a user stores user identification information for identifying the user. The portable device is, for example, an IC card, a portable information device, a smart phone, etc., having a short-range wireless communication function. The short-range wireless communication function is, for example, a function of communicating using a communication protocol of NFC (Near Field Communication). MFP 100 in the third modified example has a short-range wireless communication function, communicates with a mobile device when communication with the mobile device becomes possible, and acquires user identification information stored in the mobile device. If the user of the user identification information obtained from the mobile device is registered, that user is identified as the operator.

As described above, MFP 100 in the present embodiment functions as an image processing apparatus, and a plurality of registered users associates restriction information defining operating conditions under which operations are prohibited for each of the plurality of registered users. are registered and operate according to operating conditions that are not restricted by the restriction information associated with that operator while one of the operators is specified, and to multiple operators while multiple operators are specified It operates according to operating conditions that are not restricted by any of the plurality of restriction information associated with each other. Therefore, MFP 100 can be operated even when multiple operators are specified.

Further, MFP 100 associates one of a plurality of pieces of attribute information with each of a plurality of registered users, and operates MFP 100 when a plurality of operators associated with the same attribute information are identified. The operating conditions are restricted to attribute information of multiple operators without being restricted to each of multiple operators. Therefore, when a plurality of operators belonging to the same group are specified, the operation can be performed under the operation conditions determined for that group.

The restriction information includes a process selection condition for executing any one of a plurality of processes executable by the MFP 100, and a process execution means for executing any one of a plurality of processes executable by the process execution means beyond a predetermined range. The operation condition includes at least one of a setting condition and a range condition for executing any one of a plurality of processes executable by the process execution means beyond the range of data to be processed. For this reason, it is possible to limit the execution of any one of a plurality of processes, limit the range in which the process is executed, or limit the range of data to be processed.

MFP 100 identifies the operator based on image data output by camera 119 capturing an image of a subject. Therefore, each of a plurality of users positioned within the imaging range of the camera 119 can be identified as the operator.

When a second operator different from the first operator is newly specified while the first operator is specified, MFP 100 performs the second operation in addition to the restriction information associated with the first operator. operate according to operating conditions that are not restricted by any of the restriction information associated with the person. Therefore, even when the number of operators increases, the operating conditions can be restricted.

When one of the operators is no longer specified, MFP 100 stores any one or more pieces of restriction information associated with each of the remaining one or more operators excluding the unspecified operator from among the plurality of operators. Operate according to operating conditions not limited by Therefore, when the number of operators decreases, the operating conditions can be restricted.

MFP 100 in the first modified example identifies the operator based on information about sound collected by a microphone that collects sound. Therefore, it is possible to identify a plurality of users who speak around MFP 100 as operators.

It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of the claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and range of equivalents of the scope of the claims.

<Appendix>
(1) The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the setting conditions include conditions for forming an image in color.
(2) The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the setting conditions include a condition for image formation of a number equal to or greater than the upper limit of the number of images to be formed.
(3) The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the range condition includes a condition for accessing a storage area to which access is prohibited and a condition for accessing data to which access is prohibited.
(4) further comprising communication means for communicating with an external device storing identification information for identifying a user;
The image according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and (1) to (3), wherein said operator identification means identifies said operator based on said identification information received by said communication means from said external device. processing equipment.
(5) further comprising reading means for reading the user's fingerprint,
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and (1) to (4), wherein said operator identifying means identifies said operator based on a fingerprint read by said reading means.

100 MFP, 51 user registration unit, 53 operator identification unit, 55 imaging control unit, 57 attribute association unit, 59 setting unit, 61 operation reception unit, 63 process execution unit, 71 restriction information association unit, 75 attribute registration unit , 110 main circuit, 111 CPU, 112 communication I/F section, 113 ROM, 114 RAM, 115 HDD, 116 facsimile section, 117 external storage device, 118 CD-ROM, 119 camera, 120 automatic document feeder, 130 document reading 140 image forming unit 150 paper feeding unit 160 operation panel 161 display unit 163 operation unit 165 touch panel 167 hard key unit.

Claims (11)

user registration means for registering a plurality of registered users;
imaging means for imaging a subject;
operator identifying means for identifying an operator from among the plurality of registered users based on a single image data output by the imaging means after capturing an image of a subject ;
an operation receiving means for receiving an operation;
a process execution means that operates according to an operation condition determined by an operation accepted by the operation accepting means while the operator is specified by the operator specifying means;
a restriction information associating means for associating restriction information defining the operating conditions under which the operation of the process execution means is prohibited for each of the plurality of registered users;
The processing executing means is configured to perform the operation that is not restricted by the restriction information associated with the one operator specified by the operator specifying means while one of the operators is specified by the operator specifying means. While the plurality of operators are specified by the operator specifying means based on the single image data output by the imaging means , the plurality of the operations specified by the operator specifying means operate according to the conditions. An image processing device that operates according to the operating conditions that are not restricted by any of the plurality of restriction information associated with each person. user registration means for registering a plurality of registered users;
operator identifying means for identifying an operator from among the plurality of registered users;
an operation receiving means for receiving an operation;
a process execution means that operates according to an operation condition determined by an operation accepted by the operation accepting means while the operator is specified by the operator specifying means;
restriction information associating means for associating restriction information defining the operating conditions under which the operation of the process execution means is prohibited for each of the plurality of registered users;
attribute registration means for associating each of the plurality of registered users with one of a plurality of pieces of attribute information;
an attribute associating means for associating the restriction information with each of the plurality of attribute information ;
The processing executing means is configured to perform the operation that is not restricted by the restriction information associated with the one operator specified by the operator specifying means while one of the operators is specified by the operator specifying means. While the plurality of operators are specified by the operator specifying means, if the attribute information associated with each of the plurality of operators specified by the operator specifying means is the same, the Regardless of the restriction information associated with each of the plurality of operators identified by the operator identification means, the attribute information associated with any one of the plurality of operators identified by the operator identification means 2. The image processing device according to claim 1, which operates under said operating conditions not restricted by said associated restriction information. further comprising imaging means for imaging a subject,
3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein said operator identifying means identifies said operator based on image data output by said imaging means after capturing an image of a subject. further comprising sound collecting means for collecting sound,
3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein said operator identifying means identifies said operator based on information relating to sounds collected by said sound collecting means. The restriction information includes a process selection condition for executing any one of a plurality of processes executable by the process execution means, and a predetermined range for any one of a plurality of processes executable by the process execution means. and at least one of a range condition for executing any one of a plurality of processes executable by the process execution means beyond the range of data to be processed, The image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . When a second operator different from the first operator is newly specified by the operator specifying means in a state in which the first operator is specified by the operator specifying means, 6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, operating according to said operating conditions not restricted by said restriction information associated with said second operator in addition to said restriction information associated with said first operator. image processing device. If any of the plurality of operators is no longer specified while the plurality of operators are specified by the operator specifying means, the process executing means may According to the operating conditions that are not restricted by any of the one or more of the restriction information associated with the remaining one or more of the operators excluding the operator who is no longer specified by the operator specifying means from among the operators The image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is operative. A processing control method executed by an image processing device, comprising:
an imaging step of imaging a subject;
an operator identification step of identifying an operator from among a plurality of registered users based on a single image data obtained by imaging a subject in the imaging step;
an operation reception step for receiving an operation;
a process execution step of operating according to operating conditions determined by the operation accepted in the operation accepting step while the operator is specified in the operator specifying step;
a restriction information associating step of associating restriction information defining the operating conditions under which the operation in the process execution step is prohibited for each of the plurality of registered users;
The process execution step includes the operation that is not restricted by the restriction information associated with the one operator identified in the operator identification step while one of the operators is identified in the operator identification step. acting according to the condition;
While the plurality of operators are specified in the operator specifying step based on the single image data obtained in the imaging step, the operator is associated with the plurality of operators specified in the operator specifying step. operating according to said operating condition not restricted by any of said plurality of said restriction information. A processing control method executed by an image processing device, comprising:
an operator identifying step of identifying an operator from among a plurality of registered registered users;
an operation reception step for receiving an operation;
a process execution step of operating according to operating conditions determined by the operation accepted in the operation accepting step while the operator is specified in the operator specifying step;
a restriction information associating step of associating restriction information defining the operating conditions under which an operation in the process execution step is prohibited for each of the plurality of registered users;
an attribute registration step of associating one of a plurality of pieces of attribute information with each of the plurality of registered users;
an attribute association step of associating the restriction information with each of a plurality of the attribute information ;
The process execution step includes the operation that is not restricted by the restriction information associated with the one operator identified in the operator identification step while one of the operators is identified in the operator identification step. While the plurality of operators are identified in the operator identification step, if the attribute information associated with each of the plurality of operators identified in the operator identification step is the same, the Regardless of the restriction information associated with each of the plurality of operators identified in the operator identification step, the attribute information associated with any one of the plurality of operators identified in the operator identification step A process control method comprising operating at said operating conditions unrestricted by said associated restriction information. A processing control program executed by a computer that controls an image processing device,
an imaging step of imaging a subject;
an operator identification step of identifying an operator from among a plurality of registered users based on a single image data obtained by imaging a subject in the imaging step;
an operation reception step for receiving an operation;
a process execution step of operating according to operating conditions determined by the operation accepted in the operation accepting step while the operator is specified in the operator specifying step;
causing the computer to execute a restriction information associating step of associating restriction information defining the operating conditions under which an operation in the process execution step is prohibited for each of the plurality of registered users;
The process execution step includes the operation that is not restricted by the restriction information associated with the one operator identified in the operator identification step while one of the operators is identified in the operator identification step. acting according to the condition;
While the plurality of operators are specified in the operator specifying step based on the single image data obtained in the imaging step, the operator is associated with the plurality of operators specified in the operator specifying step. operating according to said operating conditions not restricted by any of said plurality of said restriction information. A processing control program executed by a computer that controls an image processing device,
an operator identifying step of identifying an operator from among a plurality of registered registered users;
an operation reception step for receiving an operation;
a process execution step of operating according to operating conditions determined by the operation accepted in the operation accepting step while the operator is specified in the operator specifying step;
a restriction information associating step of associating restriction information defining the operating conditions under which an operation in the process execution step is prohibited for each of the plurality of registered users;
an attribute registration step of associating one of a plurality of pieces of attribute information with each of the plurality of registered users;
causing the computer to execute an attribute association step of associating the restriction information with each of the plurality of attribute information;
The process execution step includes the operation that is not restricted by the restriction information associated with the one operator identified in the operator identification step while one of the operators is identified in the operator identification step. While the plurality of operators are identified in the operator identification step, if the attribute information associated with each of the plurality of operators identified in the operator identification step is the same, the Regardless of the restriction information associated with each of the plurality of operators identified in the operator identification step, the attribute information associated with any one of the plurality of operators identified in the operator identification step A process control program comprising operating at said operating conditions unrestricted by said associated restriction information.

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