JP7428257B2 - image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and particularly to a technique for forming a document image including a plurality of numbers that may indicate personal information.

Techniques for preventing leakage of personal information are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for changing an e-mail transmission route when a credit card number, telephone number, or the like is detected from an e-mail message.

Patent No. 4903386

With the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the sending of messages containing personal information is stopped, so the personal information is used for inappropriate purposes by users who intend to use the personal information inappropriately. This can be prevented. However, this is inconvenient for users who intend to use their personal information appropriately because they are no longer able to use their personal information.

The present invention was created in view of the above circumstances, and is intended to prevent personal information from being used by users who intend to use it inappropriately, and to prevent personal information from being used appropriately by users who intend to use personal information inappropriately. The purpose is to make personal information available to users.

An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an image reading section that reads a document and generates a document image, an image forming section that forms the document image on a recording medium, and a storage section that stores a predetermined password. , an input section into which a user's instruction is input, and a control section. When a plurality of numbers arranged according to a predetermined rule are detected from the document image, the control section accepts a password via the input section, and the input password matches the predetermined password. In this case, the image forming unit forms a document image on a recording medium without making a predetermined change, and a plurality of numbers arranged according to a predetermined rule are detected from the document image. , when a password is not accepted through the input section, and when a password is accepted through the input section and the input password does not match the predetermined password, a predetermined change is made. Then, the image forming section forms the original image on the recording medium. The image forming apparatus further includes an imaging section that captures an image of a subject and generates a captured image, and a communication section that communicates with an external device via a network. The control unit causes the imaging unit to image the user who has entered the password, and causes the communication unit to image the user who has entered the password when the number of times the input password does not match a predetermined password is greater than or equal to the predetermined number of times. The generated captured image is transmitted to a predetermined destination.

According to the present invention, a user who has a predetermined password can obtain an unaltered document image that includes a plurality of numbers that are likely to be personal information. Therefore, users who intend to use their personal information appropriately can use the original image, which improves user convenience compared to a case where acquisition of personal information is restricted to all users. On the other hand, users who do not have a predetermined password can only obtain original images that have undergone predetermined changes. This can prevent it from being used for appropriate purposes.

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of an image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows payment card detection processing. It is a flowchart which shows payment card detection processing. It is a figure which shows an example of a setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a 1st authentication screen. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a list of user information. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a document image. It is a figure which shows an example of a 1st warning screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a 2nd authentication screen. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document image formed without making any changes. It is a figure which shows an example of a 2nd warning screen. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document image formed by making changes. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of a document image formed by making changes. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of a document image formed by making changes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction device having multiple functions such as a copy function, a transmission function, a printer function, and a facsimile function. A housing of the image forming apparatus 1 accommodates a plurality of devices for realizing various functions of the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the housing accommodates an image reading section 11, an image forming section 12, a fixing section 13, a paper feeding section 14, and the like.

Image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 100. The control unit 100 includes a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

The control unit 100 functions as the control section 10 by executing a control program stored in the ROM or HDD 18 by the processor. Note that the control unit 10 may be configured by a logic circuit instead of operating based on the control program described above.

The control unit 10 is in charge of overall control of the image forming apparatus 1 . More specifically, the control section 10 controls the operation of each section of the image forming apparatus 1 and communication with external devices such as a PC (Personal Computer) 24 connected via a network. The control unit 10 also performs a predetermined change in response to a password input when a plurality of numbers arranged in accordance with a predetermined rule are detected from the document image by operating according to a detection program to be described later. For payment for executing the first image forming process for forming the original image on the recording paper without any changes, or the second image forming process for forming the original image on the recording paper after making predetermined changes. Execute card detection processing. The payment card is a card for automatic payment, and is, for example, a credit card or a debit card.

The control unit 100 includes a document transport section 6, an image reading section 11, an image forming section 12, a fixing section 13, a paper feed section 14, a display section 15, an operation section 16, a transport section 17, an HDD 18, an image processing section 19, and an image memory. 20, a facsimile communication section 21, an imaging section 22, a communication section 23, and the like.

The image reading unit 11 includes a document transport unit 6 that transports the original placed on the document table, and a scanner that optically reads the original transported by the original transport unit 6 or the original placed on the platen glass. It is an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) that includes the following. The image reading unit 11 irradiates the original with a light irradiation unit and receives the reflected light with a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) sensor to read the original and generate image data representing an image of the original.

The image forming section 12 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, and a transfer device. The image forming section 12 generates recording paper that is transported along a transport path by the transport section 17 based on image data generated by the image reading section 11 or image data input via the communication section 23 . An image composed of a toner image is formed.

The fixing unit 13 heats and presses the recording paper on which the toner image has been formed by the image forming unit 12, thereby fixing the toner image onto the recording paper. The recording paper on which the toner image has been fixed by the fixing section 13 is discharged onto the discharge tray 8 .

The paper feed section 14 includes a manual feed tray and a plurality of paper feed cassettes. The paper feed unit 14 uses a pickup roller to pull out the recording paper stored in the paper cassette or the recording paper placed on the manual feed tray one by one, and feeds the recording paper to the conveyance path.

The display unit 15 is a display device configured with a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display, or the like. The display unit 15 displays various screens for each function executable by the image forming apparatus 1 under the control of the control unit 10.

The operation unit 16 includes a plurality of hard keys such as a start key 16A for instructing the start of execution of each process. The operation unit 16 also includes a touch panel 16B disposed overlapping the display unit 15. The user inputs various information such as instructions regarding each function executable by the image forming apparatus 1 via the operation unit 16 . The operation unit 16 is an example of an input unit in the claims.

The conveyance unit 17 includes a conveyance roller pair, a discharge roller pair, etc., and a conveyance motor electrically connected to the conveyance roller pair, discharge roller pair, etc. The transport roller pair, the discharge roller pair, and the like are arranged along the transport path. The control unit 10 drives the conveyance motor to rotate the pair of conveyance rollers, the pair of ejection rollers, etc., so that the recording paper fed by the paper feed unit 14 is routed through the conveyance path toward the image forming unit 12 and the ejection tray 8. transport along.

The HDD 18 is a large-capacity storage device for storing various data such as image data generated by the image reading section 11. The HDD 18 stores various control programs for realizing general operations of the image forming apparatus 1. The HDD 18 stores, as one of various control programs, a detection program for executing a payment card detection process according to an embodiment of the present invention. The HDD 18 is an example of a storage unit in the claims.

The HDD 18 stores an OCR program for executing general OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing as one of various control programs. The control unit 10 recognizes characters included in the image indicated by the image data by operating according to an OCR program. Here, characters include numbers.

The HDD 18 stores in advance, as administrator information, an administrator name, an administrator password, and an administrator e-mail address in association with each other. In this case, the HDD 18 associates the administrator name "JOHN", the administrator password "ABCDE", and the administrator e-mail address "JOHN@XYZ.COM" as administrator information. Assume that you remember it.

The HDD 18 stores in advance a user name and a password in association with each other as user information. In this case, it is assumed that the HDD 18 stores a user name "ARIEL" and a password "FGHIJ" in association with each other as user information. It is also assumed that the HDD 18 stores a user name "AMAYA" and a password "KLMNO" in association with each other as user information.

The image processing section 19 performs image processing on the image data generated by the image reading section 11 as necessary. The image memory 20 includes an area for temporarily storing image data generated by the image reading section 11. The facsimile communication unit 21 connects to a public line and sends and receives image data via the public line.

The imaging unit 22 is a digital camera that includes an imaging element, a lens, and the like. The imaging section 22 is provided in the operation section 16. The imaging unit 22 captures an image of a user operating the operation unit 16 as a subject, and generates image data representing the captured image (hereinafter simply referred to as "captured image").

The communication unit 23 includes a communication module such as a LAN (Local Area Network) board. The image forming apparatus 1 performs data communication via the communication unit 23 with an external device such as a PC 24 connected via a network.

A power supply is connected to each part of the image forming apparatus 1, and each part of the image forming apparatus 1 operates by being supplied with power from the power supply.

[motion]
3A and 3B are flowcharts showing the payment card detection process. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the first authentication screen. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a list of user information. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a document image. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the first warning screen. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the second authentication screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a document image formed without making any changes. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the second warning screen. FIGS. 12 and 13 are diagrams showing examples of original images formed by making changes.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 3A to 13 and the like, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 during execution of the payment card detection process and the like will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 1 is powered on.

(1) Operation when setting an authorized user The administrator of the image forming apparatus 1 uses the touch panel 16B to input a display instruction to display a setting screen for enabling the payment card detection function. do. When the control unit 10 receives the above-mentioned display instruction via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display a setting screen 40 shown in FIG. 4. It is assumed that the administrator has touched the check box 41 to enable the payment card detection function.

When the control unit 10 receives a touch operation on the check box 41 via the touch panel 16B, it causes the display unit 15 to display a check mark in the check box 41 and enables the payment card detection function. It is assumed that after touching the check box 41, the administrator touches the key 42. When the control unit 10 receives a touch operation on the key 42 via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display a first authentication screen 50 shown in FIG. 5, superimposed on the setting screen 40.

It is assumed that the administrator touches the column 51 and uses the touch panel 16B to input the character string "JOHN" indicating the administrator's name. When the control unit 10 receives the above input via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the input character string in the column 51. After inputting the administrator's name, the administrator touches the field 52 and uses the touch panel 16B to input the character string "ABCDE" indicating the password. Upon receiving the above input via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the input character string in the column 52.

It is assumed that the administrator checks the input contents displayed in the fields 51 and 52 and touches the key 53. When the control unit 10 receives a touch operation on the key 53 via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 determines whether the input password matches the administrator password stored in the HDD 18 in association with the input administrator name. Determine whether In this case, the control unit 10 determines that the input password matches the administrator password, and displays the screen shown in FIG. A screen 61 including a list 60 of user information shown is displayed.

It is assumed that the administrator touches the check box 62 in order to select a desired authorized user from the list 60. Here, the authorized user refers to a user who is permitted to form a document image without making any predetermined changes. When the control unit 10 receives a touch operation on the check box 62 via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display a check mark in the check box 62. It is assumed that after touching the check box 62, the administrator touches the key 43 on the setting screen 40. When the control unit 10 receives a touch operation on the key 43 via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 associates the selected user name "ARIEL" with the password "FGHIJ" and stores them in the HDD 18 as authorized user information.

On the other hand, if the control unit 10 determines that the input password does not match the administrator password, the control unit 10 displays the first authentication screen 50 overlapping the setting screen 40 without displaying the screen 61 on the display unit 15. maintain the current state. At this time, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display a message on the first authentication screen 50 to prompt the user to re-enter the user name and password, such as “The input contents are incorrect.” Good too.

(2) Operation when executing payment card detection process It is assumed that the user places a credit card as a document on the platen glass and presses the start key 16A. When the control unit 10 detects that the start key 16A is pressed while the payment card detection function is enabled, it starts executing the payment card detection process shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. In the payment card detection process, the control unit 10 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the original placed on the platen glass, and obtains image data representing the original image (hereinafter simply referred to as "original image"). ) is generated (step S10). In this case, it is assumed that the control unit 10 causes the image reading unit 11 to generate a document image 70 shown in FIG.

After the process in step S10, the control unit 10 executes OCR processing to recognize characters included in the original image, and based on the recognized characters, selects a plurality of characters from the original image arranged according to predetermined rules. It is determined whether or not the number is detected (step S11). The predetermined rule is not particularly limited as long as it is a rule that allows the payment card number to be specified, but here, the control unit 10 selects 13 or 16 numbers starting from any one of "4" to "6". 15 numbers starting with "34" or "37", 15 numbers starting with "2131" or "1800", and 16 numbers starting with "35". Rules shall be used.

In this case, since a plurality of numbers 71 consisting of 16 numbers starting from "5" are detected from the document image 70, the control unit 10 detects a plurality of numbers 71 arranged according to a predetermined rule from the document image. is detected (YES in step S11), and the first warning screen 80 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display unit 15 (step S12). After the process in step S12, the control unit 10 selects the key 82 for inputting a continuation instruction to continue forming the original image, or the key 83 for inputting a save instruction for saving the original image. The process of determining that a continuation instruction has not been accepted (NO in step S13) and the process of determining that a save instruction has not been accepted (NO in step S14) are repeated until the touch is made.

It is assumed that the user touches the key 82 after confirming a message 81 included in the first warning screen 80 indicating that the payment card number may have been detected. When the control unit 10 detects a touch operation on the key 82 via the touch panel 16B, it determines that a continuation instruction has been accepted (YES in step S13), and displays the second authentication screen shown in FIG. 9 on the display unit 15. 90 is displayed (step S15). After the process in step S15, the control unit 10 presses the key 93 for inputting a first instruction for user authentication, or inputs a second instruction for forming a document image without user authentication. The process of determining that the first instruction has not been accepted (NO in step S16) and the process of determining that the second instruction has not been accepted (NO in step S17) are performed until the key 94 for is touched. Repeat.

(2-1) When a password is input (2-1-1) When the input password matches the password of the authorized user information The user checks the second authentication screen 90 and touches the field 91. It is assumed that the character string "ARIEL" indicating the user name of the authorized user is input using the touch panel 16B. When the control unit 10 receives the above input via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the input character string in the column 91.

It is assumed that the user then touches field 92 and uses touch panel 16B to input the character string "FGHIJ" indicating a password. When the control unit 10 receives the above input via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the input character string in the column 92. It is assumed that the user checks the input contents displayed in the fields 91 and 92 and touches the key 93.

When the control unit 10 receives a touch operation on the key 93 via the touch panel 16B, it determines that the first instruction has been accepted (YES in step S16), and the input password corresponds to the input user name. It is determined whether the password matches the password of the authorized user information stored in the HDD 18 (step S18). In this case, the control unit 10 determines that the input password matches the password of the authorized user information (YES in step S18), and the control unit 10 generates the original image without making any predetermined changes to the image forming unit 12 or the like. A first image forming process for forming the image on the recording paper is executed (step S19). In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the first image forming process forms the original image 70 on the recording paper P1 without making any predetermined changes. After the process of step S19, the control unit 10 ends the payment card detection process.

(2-1-2) When the entered password and the password in the authorized user information do not match The user touches the field 91 on the second authentication screen 90 and enters the authorized user's user name using the touch panel 16B. Assume that you have input the character string "AMAYA" shown below. When the control unit 10 receives the above input via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the input character string in the column 91.

It is assumed that the user then touches field 92 and uses touch panel 16B to input the character string "KLMNO" indicating a password. When the control unit 10 receives the above input via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the input character string in the column 92. It is assumed that the user checks the input contents displayed in the fields 91 and 92 and touches the key 93.

When the control unit 10 receives a touch operation on the key 93 via the touch panel 16B, it determines that the first instruction has been received (YES in step S16). In this case, since the HDD 18 does not store the input user name and password as authorized user information, the control unit 10 determines that the input password does not match the password of the authorized user information (step S18). (NO), and determines whether the number of times the input password and the password of the authorized user information do not match (hereinafter referred to as the "number of mismatches") is less than a predetermined number of times (step S20).

Although the predetermined number of times is not particularly limited, three times is used here. In this case, since the number of mismatches is one, the control unit 10 determines that the number of mismatches is less than the predetermined number (YES at step S20), and returns to the process of step S16. At this time, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display a message on the second authentication screen 90 to prompt the user to re-enter the user name and password, such as "The input contents are incorrect." You can.

Here, it is assumed that the user further inputs a user name and password that are not stored in the HDD 18 as authorized user information, and then repeatedly performs the operation of touching the key 93 twice. The control unit 10 performs the operations from step S16 to step S20 twice in the same manner as described above, and when the number of mismatches reaches three, it determines that the number of mismatches is not less than three (NO at step S20), The imaging unit 22 is caused to capture an image of the user operating the operating unit 16 to generate a captured image (step S21).

After the process in step S21, the control unit 10 generates an e-mail to which the generated captured image is attached, and sends the generated e-mail to the administrator stored in the HDD 18 via the communication unit 23. It is sent to the e-mail address (step S22). After the processing in step S22, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the second warning screen 110 shown in FIG. 11 (step S23). In this case, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display a message 111 on the second warning screen 110 indicating that the captured image of the user will be sent to the administrator.

After the process in step S23, the control unit 10 causes the image forming unit 12 and the like to perform a second image forming process for forming a document image on recording paper by making a predetermined change (step S24). In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, the second image forming process adds a watermark image 121 as a predetermined change, and the document image 70 is formed on the recording paper P2. The watermark image 121 is not particularly limited, but here, an image showing the character string "CONFIDENTIAL" is used. After the process of step S24, the control unit 10 ends the payment card detection process.

(2-2) When the password is not entered It is assumed that the user checks the second authentication screen 90 and touches the key 94 without entering the user name and password. When the control unit 10 receives a touch operation on the key 94 via the touch panel 16B, the control unit 10 determines that the second instruction has been received (YES in step S17), proceeds to the process of step S24, and performs the same operations as described above. The image forming unit 12 or the like is caused to execute the second image forming process.

Note that if the document image does not include a plurality of numbers arranged according to a predetermined rule, the control unit 10 determines that a plurality of numbers arranged according to a predetermined rule are not detected from the document image (in step S11). (NO), the process proceeds to step S19, and the image forming section 12 or the like is caused to execute the first image forming process. Further, if the user touches the key 83 without touching the key 82 on the first warning screen 80, the control unit 10 determines that the save instruction has been accepted (YES in step S14), and The original image 70 is stored in the HDD 18 without being formed on recording paper (step S25). After the process of step S25, the control unit 10 ends the payment card detection process.

According to the above embodiment, when the control unit 10 detects a plurality of numbers 71 lined up according to a predetermined rule from the document image 70, the control unit 10 accepts the password via the touch panel 16B, and when the password is input. If the password matches the password of the authorized user information stored in the HDD 18, the image forming unit 12 or the like is caused to execute the first image forming process. The control unit 10 also controls when a plurality of numbers 71 arranged according to a predetermined rule are detected from the document image 70, and when the password is not accepted via the touch panel 16B, and when the password is not accepted via the touch panel 16B. If the password is accepted and the input password does not match the password of the authorized user information, the image forming section 12 or the like is caused to execute the second image forming process.

In this way, a user who has a password for authorized user information can obtain the original image 70 including a plurality of numbers 71 that are likely to be personal information without adding the watermark image 121. Therefore, a user who intends to use personal information appropriately can use the original image 70, which improves user convenience compared to a case where acquisition of personal information is restricted to all users. On the other hand, a user who does not have a password for authorized user information can only obtain the original image 70 with the watermark image 121 added, so a user who intends to use personal information inappropriately may This can prevent it from being used for other purposes.

Note that, in step S10, the control unit 10 uses the image reading unit 11 to scan only a plurality of numbers 131 that may correspond to a payment card number, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, instead of the original image 70 indicating a credit card. Even when a document image 130 including . do. In this case, when executing the second image forming process in step S24, the control unit 10 causes the image forming unit 12 and the like to add the watermark image 121 and form the original image 130 on the recording paper P3. In this way, even if the original image does not represent the payment card itself, as long as it includes a plurality of numbers that may correspond to the payment card number, the second image forming process is executed. It is possible to reliably prevent leakage of personal information.

Further, according to the above embodiment, when the number of mismatches exceeds a predetermined number, the control unit 10 causes the imaging unit 22 to image the user who has input the password, and causes the communication unit 23 to generate a password by the imaging. The captured image is sent to a predetermined destination, which is an administrator's e-mail address. This allows the administrator of the predetermined destination to obtain captured images that indicate users who may be intending to use personal information inappropriately, thereby more effectively preventing the leakage of personal information. be able to.

(First modification)
In the embodiment described above, the control unit 10 makes a change in which only the watermark image 121 is added to the document image 70 as a predetermined change, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the control unit 10 adds, as a predetermined change, a fill-in image to the document image 70 to hide at least a portion of the plurality of detected numbers by filling-in, along with the watermark image 121. Good too. The control unit 10 may also perform a change in which only a filled-in image is added to the document image 70 as a predetermined change.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a document image formed by performing predetermined changes. For example, in the second image forming process, the control unit 10 causes the image forming unit 12 etc. to change the watermark image 121 and 12 of the 16 numbers constituting the plurality of numbers 71 as predetermined changes. A fill-in image 141 that hides the numbers is added to form the original image 70 on the recording paper P4. In this way, by adding the fill-in image 141 to the original image 70, a user who does not have the password for authorized user information cannot obtain the multiple numbers 71, so it is possible that inappropriate use of personal information is intended. Users can reliably prevent their personal information from being used for inappropriate purposes.

(Second modification)
Although the control unit 10 also made a change to add only the watermark image 121 to the original image 70 as a predetermined change, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, as a predetermined change, the control unit 10 makes a change to the document image 70 to replace the detected plurality of numbers 71 such as “5587 3540 0123 4567” with a plurality of other predetermined numbers. You can. The other predetermined numbers are not particularly limited, but include, for example, "1111 2222 3333 4444".

In this way, by replacing the multiple numbers 71 with other predetermined numbers, users who do not have the password for authorized user information will not be able to obtain the multiple numbers 71, thereby preventing the loss of personal information. It is possible to reliably prevent personal information from being used for inappropriate purposes by users who intend to use it appropriately. Note that, when at least one of a plurality of characters indicating a name and a plurality of numbers indicating an expiration date is detected from the manuscript image 70, the control unit 10 also determines a predetermined value for the plurality of characters indicating a name. You may also make a change by replacing multiple characters that indicate another name, or replace multiple numbers indicating an expiration date with multiple numbers indicating another predetermined expiration date. good.

(Third modification)
In the above embodiment, the control unit 10 causes the communication unit 23 to send the captured image to the administrator's e-mail address when the number of discrepancies exceeds a predetermined number. The invention is not limited to such embodiments. For example, in addition to transmitting the captured image described above, the control unit 10 may cause the image forming unit 12 or the like to form the captured image on recording paper.

This allows users who may be intending to use their personal information inappropriately to be informed that their images have been captured, thereby further effectively preventing leakage of personal information. can.

(Fourth modification)
In the above embodiment, the control unit 10 determines that the second instruction has been accepted (YES in step S17) and that the number of mismatches is not less than 3 (NO in step S20). Although the second image forming process was executed in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. Here, in the fourth modification of the above embodiment, image formation is performed only when the user name and password input via the touch panel 16B match the user name and password of user information stored in advance in the HDD 18. It is assumed that the device 1 is configured to execute a login process to permit use of the device 1.

In the fourth modification, when the control unit 10 executes the second image forming process, the control unit 10 further acquires the login user name who is currently permitted to log in, and adds the watermark image 121 to the image forming unit 12 etc. 70 may be stored in the HDD 18 in association with the acquired login user name. This makes it possible to track the user who added the watermark image 121 to the original image 70, thereby making it possible to more effectively prevent leakage of personal information.

(Other variations)
In the embodiments described above, the image forming section 12 and the like formed images on recording paper, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. The image forming unit 12 and the like may form images not only on recording paper but also on other recording media. Examples of other recording media include OHP (Overhead Projector) sheets.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, a color multifunction device is used as the image forming device 1, but this is only an example, and other image forming devices such as a monochrome multifunction device, a copy machine, or a facsimile device may be used. good.

Further, the configuration and processing of the embodiment described above using FIGS. 1 to 14 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not intended to be limited to the configuration and processing.

Claims (7)

an image reading unit that reads a document and generates a document image;
an image forming unit that forms the original image on a recording medium;
a storage unit that stores a predetermined password;
an input section into which user instructions are input;
comprising a control unit;
The control unit includes:
In the case where a plurality of numbers arranged according to a predetermined rule are detected from the document image, a password is accepted via the input section, and the input password is the predetermined password. If they match, causing the image forming unit to form the document image on the recording medium without making a predetermined change;
A case in which the plurality of numbers arranged according to the predetermined rule is detected from the document image, and a password is not accepted via the input unit, and a case in which a password is accepted via the input unit, and , when the input password does not match the predetermined password, making the predetermined change and causing the image forming unit to form the document image on the recording medium;
an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject and generates a captured image;
further comprising a communication unit that communicates with an external device via a network,
The control unit causes the imaging unit to image the user who has input the password when the number of times the inputted password does not match the predetermined password is equal to or more than a predetermined number of times, and An image forming apparatus that causes a communication unit to transmit a captured image generated by the imaging to a predetermined destination . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control section further causes the image forming section to form the captured image on the recording medium when the number of times of non-coincidence exceeds the predetermined number of times. . further comprising a display section,
The control unit further causes the display unit to display a message indicating that the captured image is to be transmitted to the predetermined destination when the number of times of disagreement is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of times. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . The control unit performs a change in which at least one of a watermark image and a fill-in image for hiding at least a portion of the plurality of numbers is added to the document image as the predetermined change. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs, as the predetermined change, a change in which the plurality of detected numbers are replaced with another plurality of predetermined numbers on the document image. Image forming device. When the control unit acquires user information for identifying the user who has inputted the password and makes the predetermined change to cause the image forming unit to form the document image on the recording medium, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information indicating that the document image has been formed by performing the predetermined change is stored in the storage unit in association with the user information. When a plurality of characters indicating a name are detected from the document image, the control unit changes the detected plurality of characters to a plurality of predetermined characters indicating another name as the predetermined change. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is changed to replace the image forming apparatus with the image forming apparatus.

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