JPH07129049A - Copying machine provided with department control function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the illicit usage of a copying machine by limiting a person who is permitted to use the copying machine in the case of sharing one copying machine with plural departments. CONSTITUTION:A fingerprint read unit 45 is provided in a copying button, and the fingerprint of the person who is permitted to use the machine (registered person) is previously stored in a hard disk 47. When the copying button is depressed, the fingerprint of an operator is read and compared with that of the registered person. Only in the case the equal fingerprint is found, the usage of the copying machine is permitted. The use states such as the number of sheets of copy, etc., are recorded in the hard disk 47 together with a date and the number of sheets of copy every registered person.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying machine having a department management function for counting the number of copies for each department and preventing illegal use when the copiers are jointly used by a plurality of departments. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some copying machines are provided with a department management function for limiting users and managing usage status. A general department management function assigns a personal identification number to each department that is permitted to use, and the user inputs the personal identification number to permit the use of the copying machine, or a magnetic card or a personal computer instead of the personal identification number. Since an IC card is used, if copying is permitted by inputting a personal identification number or inserting a magnetic card or an IC card, the number of copies is counted and stored for each department, and it is possible to settle each department later. .

Further, the department management function as described above is provided,
In the case of a copier used by multiple departments jointly,
Normally, a service person regularly performs maintenance, but at the time of this maintenance, it is necessary to operate a simulation mode dedicated to the service person. The simulation mode is operated by a combination of complicated key operations so as not to be accidentally operated during normal copying.

[0004]

However, in the department management function of the conventional personal identification number registration method, if the personal identification number is forgotten, it cannot be copied, and conversely, anyone can copy it by entering the personal identification number. Unauthorized use may occur. Similarly, in the department management function of the magnetic card or IC card system, if the card is lost, copying cannot be performed, and conversely, if the card is illegally obtained, it can be illegally used. That is, in the case of the conventional department management function, not only special operations such as memorizing a personal identification number and bringing a magnetic card or an IC card are required, but also illegal use is relatively easy.

Recent copying machines include full-color copying machines having very high reproducibility. In such a copier,
For example, it is not impossible to forge bills and securities, and in this case, if illegal use is possible as described above, a crime of taking a copy of bills may occur. On the other hand, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-83571, a pattern of a copy-inhibited document such as a banknote is stored, and when the pattern of the document to be copied falls into the pattern, the copy operation is invalidated and the copy machine is Disabling is inoperable. However, with this configuration, although illegal copying of banknotes and the like can be prevented, it is only at the stage of preventing a crime on the spot, and it is impossible to specify the person who tried to copy the banknote or the like. Further, in this configuration, the operation of the copying machine is disabled, which causes a problem for ordinary users. In order to cancel the inoperable state of the copying machine and enable normal operation, it is necessary to insert an IC card specially or specially input a personal identification number, fingerprint, voiceprint, handwriting, etc. Only a specific person could release it.

Further, in the case of the conventional copying machine, when the service person performs maintenance, the simulation mode must be operated by a combination of complicated key operations, which increases the burden on the service person. There is a problem that it takes time because the key operation is not obvious at a glance.

One of the objects of the present invention is to prevent unauthorized use of the copying machine, and for another purpose to provide a copying machine having a department management function capable of reducing the burden on the service person. It is in.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in a copying machine operating in a plurality of modes such as a copy mode and a simulation mode, a fingerprint of a registrant who is permitted to use, and a registrant. A registration unit that stores the mode to be permitted, a unit that reads the fingerprint of the operator, a unit that compares the read fingerprint with the fingerprint stored by the registration unit, and the fingerprint of the operator matches any one of the fingerprints of the registrant. In this case, a means for permitting the registrant to operate in the mode permitted and a means for storing the usage status such as the date and the number of copies when the mode is permitted are provided. Characterize.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the copying machine having the department management function according to the first aspect, means for printing out the stored usage status is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the copying machine having the department management function according to the first aspect, a means for storing the number of copy permitted sheets for each registrant or a predetermined group of registrants, and the reading. When the copy mode is permitted by the matching of the registered fingerprint and the registered fingerprint,
Means for comparing the number of copies for each registrant or group of registrants with the number of copies permitted, and for inhibiting the operation in the print mode when the number of copies exceeds the number of copies permitted. And

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the copying machine having the department management function according to the first aspect, as the registration means, a fingerprint of a service person is stored separately from other registrants, and the service person is stored. A copying machine having a department management device, characterized in that a means for storing the simulation mode only for the above is provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a copy mode,
In a copying machine that operates in a plurality of modes such as a simulation mode, a registration unit that stores a fingerprint of a registrant who is permitted to use and a mode that is permitted to the registrant, and a copy-inhibited document in which copying of banknotes is prohibited. The means for storing the pattern, the means for reading the fingerprint of the operator, the means for comparing the read fingerprint with the fingerprint stored by the registration means, and the case where the fingerprint of the operator matches one of the fingerprints of the registrant. A means for permitting the registrant to operate in a mode permitted, and a means for reading a pattern of a document placed on a document table and comparing the read pattern of the document with the pattern of the copy-inhibited document, When the two match, an external security system such as a crime prevention processing system or a home security system is operated, and the read operator's Characterized by providing means for storing the fingerprint and.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a copy mode,
In a copying machine that operates in a plurality of modes such as a simulation mode, a registration unit that stores a fingerprint of a registrant who is permitted to use and a mode that is permitted to the registrant, and a copy-inhibited document in which copying of banknotes is prohibited. The means for storing the pattern, the means for reading the fingerprint of the operator, the means for comparing the read fingerprint with the fingerprint stored by the registration means, and the case where the fingerprint of the operator matches one of the fingerprints of the registrant. A means for permitting the registrant to operate in a mode permitted, and a means for reading a pattern of a document placed on a document table and comparing the read pattern of the document with the pattern of the copy-inhibited document, When they match, a pattern showing a copy image is added to the pattern of the read document and printed, and the read operator's finger And means for storing, characterized in that the provided.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the copying machine having the department management function according to any of the first to sixth aspects, the means for reading the fingerprint of the operator inputs a command to start the print processing. It is characterized by being provided on the print button for.

[0015]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the use of the copying machine is permitted only to the person whose fingerprint is registered in advance. That is, in the conventional case, anyone who knows the personal identification number or anyone who has a card could easily make a copy, but according to the present invention, only a person who has a fingerprint registered can make a copy. This makes it impossible for an outsider to illegally use the copying machine. Further, when the operation in the registered mode such as the copy mode is permitted, the date and the usage status such as the number of copies are stored, so that the unauthorized use is also recorded.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to print out the stored usage status.
By printing out the usage status such as the stored number of copies and maintenance status, it is possible to confirm abnormal usage (unauthorized usage).

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the copy permitted number of sheets for each registrant or registrant group (department) is stored, and the copy operation is prohibited when the number of copy permitted sheets is equal to or larger than the number of copy permitted sheets. Therefore, for example, when the copy budget is determined, if the copy permission number is stored in advance, copying is permitted only within the budget.

In the invention according to claim 4, the fingerprint of the service person is registered separately from other registrants, and the simulation mode is registered as a mode in which only the service person can use the simulation mode. That is, a registrant other than a service person cannot operate the simulation mode. For example, even if an ordinary user mistakenly operates a key for operating the simulation, the simulation mode does not operate.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a copy-inhibited original document, for example, a pattern such as a banknote is stored in advance as a copy-inhibited original pattern, and when the copy-inhibited original document is about to be copied. External security system works. Specifically, for example, it is possible to perform processing such as recording a user of the copying machine or contacting a monitoring room with an external security system. At the same time, the operator's fingerprint is stored, which is used as evidence that a copy-protected document has been copied.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, even if a copy-inhibited document such as a banknote is copied, the copy is used as a real product because the copy image has a pattern indicating that it is a copy. I can't. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the unauthorized use of the copy prohibited document. Also in this case, the fingerprint of the operator who copied the copy-protected document is stored and used as evidence.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the print button is provided with a reading means for reading the fingerprint of the operator. The print button is a switch that is always pressed during copying, and if the fingerprint is read when this switch is pressed, the operator does not need to perform any special operation during copying.

[0022]

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

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a sectional structure of a main body of a full-color digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The digital copying machine of this embodiment has a scanner section 1, a laser printer section 2, and a sheet conveying section 3. The scanner unit 1 includes a document table 1a made of transparent glass.
And a scanner unit 1b. The scanner unit 1b includes copy lamps 11, 11, a mirror 12, ...
., Lens 13, and CCD 14. The scanner unit 1b irradiates a document set on the document table 1a with light, and reflects the reflected light on the mirror 12 and the lens 1.
An image is formed on the CCD 14 via 3 and the image data of the original is read. This image data is sent to an image processing unit described later and processed into a printable state.

The laser printer unit 2 includes a laser output unit 2
a, a toner image forming section 2b, and an intermediate transfer section 2c. The laser printer unit 2 converts the image data sent from the image processing unit into laser light at the laser output unit 2a and outputs the laser light. The laser light is applied to the photoconductor 21 of the toner image forming unit 2b. The toner image forming unit 2b is a well-known electrophotographic toner image forming unit. The intermediate transfer portion 2c is a portion that synthesizes toner images. The configurations of the toner image forming unit 2b and the intermediate transfer unit 2c will be described.

A charger 2 is provided around the drum-shaped photoreceptor 1.
2. The developing devices 23b, 23y, 23m, 23c, etc. are arranged. The charger 22 uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor 21. B, Y, M, and C (black, yellow, magenta, and cyan) toners are individually stored in the developing units 23b, 23y, 23m, and 23c. On the other hand, the intermediate transfer portion 2b includes an intermediate transfer member 24 made of a dielectric material and configured in a belt shape, a primary transfer roller 25, and a secondary transfer roller 26. The intermediate transfer member 24 includes the developing devices 23b to 23b.
It is disposed in contact with the photoconductor 21 behind 23c, and the primary transfer roller 25 is provided in this portion.
The primary transfer roller 25 transfers the toner image formed on the photoconductor 21 to the transfer intermediate end 24. Further, the secondary transfer roller 26 transfers the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 24 onto a transfer paper (which is fed from the paper feed unit 3a).

The operation during full-color copying will be briefly described. The image data of the document placed on the document table 1a is read by the scanner unit 1b. This image data is processed by an image processing unit, which will be described later, converted into laser light by the laser output unit 2a, and output. The image data at this time is data that has been color-separated into three primary colors of B, G, and R (blue, green, and red). First, the laser beam carrying the image data of B is output to the photoconductor 21. To form an image. Prior to this, the photoconductor 21 is uniformly charged by the charger 22, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by the B image data carrying light. Toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image by the developing device 23y that accommodates Y toner, which is a complementary color of B, to form a toner image. Then, this toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 24. Similarly, a laser beam carrying G image data is output, and the toner of M is attached to the electrostatic latent image formed by this to form a toner image. Then, the M toner image is transferred so as to be superimposed on the Y toner image previously transferred to the intermediate transfer member 24. Further, a laser beam carrying R image data is output, and a C toner image is formed based on the laser beam.
This toner image is transferred so as to be superimposed on the Y and M toner images on the intermediate transfer member 24. The toner images thus superposed are transferred to the transfer paper.

The paper transport unit 3 has a paper feed unit 3a, a paper feed unit 3b, a fixing unit 3c, and a paper discharge unit 3d. Paper feeder 3
The reference numeral a includes a paper cassette 31 for storing transfer paper and a manual feed tray 32, and feeds the transfer paper between the secondary transfer roller 26 and the intermediate transfer body 24. The paper feeding unit 3b feeds the transfer paper, which has passed between the secondary transfer roller 26 and the intermediate transfer body 24, to the fixing unit 3c. The fixing unit 3c fixes the toner image formed on the transferred transfer paper by heating and pressing. The paper discharge unit 3d discharges the fixed transfer paper to the outside of the copying machine main body.

An automatic document feeder (not shown) is provided in the upper portion of the copying machine body, and a sorter (not shown) is provided in the side portion on the paper discharge portion side. These may be of known constructions and will not be described.

Next, the structure of the control unit of this digital copying machine will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the entire control unit, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an image data processing portion thereof.

A central control unit (PC
U) 41. The PCU 41 includes an operation board unit (OPU) 42 and an image processing unit (ICU).
43, the automatic document feeder, the sorter, the scanner 1b, the laser printer 2, and other operating units are connected.

The OPU 42 is a control unit of an operation panel provided on the upper surface of the main body of the copying machine. An example of the configuration of the operation panel is shown in FIG. 3A is a plan view of the operation panel, and FIG. 3B is a partial perspective view of the operation panel.
The operation panel includes a liquid crystal display panel 71, a numeric keypad 72, a copy button 73, and a clear button 74.

On the liquid crystal display panel 51, different screens are displayed at different times. The liquid crystal display panel 51 is composed of a touch panel, and key input is performed by touching on the image according to the display content. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a hierarchical structure of display examples displayed on the liquid crystal panel, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams showing a display example of a part thereof.

In FIG. 5, the numbers on the upper right indicate the drawing numbers of the display examples, and for example, the basic screen indicates that the display as shown in FIG. 6 (A) is performed.

The copy button 73 also serves as a fingerprint reading unit. Therefore, when the copy button 73 is pressed, the fingerprint is read. For this configuration,
A CCD sensor may be provided inside, and the image data read as surface information may be converted into serial data and transferred.

The ICU 43 has a unit CCU 44 for preprocessing image data input from the CCD 14.
Also, a fingerprint reading unit 45, a laser control unit 46, a hard disk 47, etc. are connected.
The ICU 43 processes the image data input from the CCU 44 and the image data of the fingerprint input from the fingerprint reading unit 45 and stores the processed image data in a hard disk or a PC.
It is sent to U41 or output to the laser control unit 46.

The fingerprint reading unit 45 is the ICU 43.
The fingerprint is read under the control of the control signal from the. The read fingerprint data is temporarily stored in the memory 52.

After that, the data is sent to an image processing unit 53, which will be described later, and stored in the hard disk 47 via the image processing unit 53f in a state of being converted into multi-valued data. As a result, the fingerprint data is retained even when the power is off.

This copying machine also includes a modem 49 and an NC.
It is equipped with U50 and is connected to the outside through a public line. When the received information is received from the external calling side device, P
An incoming signal is sent to CU41, PCU41 is ICU43
To the memory 52 for storing the image data (data from the modem 49). Then, the received information is read out later and image formation is performed according to the read information. On the contrary, in the case of transmitting, the image data stored in the memory 52 is converted into binary data that can be transmitted by the binarization processing unit 48, and the NCU 50 automatically transmits the image data to transmit the image data.

The structure of the image data processing portion will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The ICU 43 includes an image processing CPU 51, RA
Memory 52 composed of M and the like, and image processing unit 53
Is equipped with. C to ICU43 via data line
Image data is input from the CU 44 or the fingerprint reading unit 45. Image data to be printed is output to the laser control unit 46.

The CCU 44 includes a CCD section 44a, a histogram processing section 44b, and an error diffusion processing section 44c. The CCU 44 is configured to binarize and convert the image data of the original read from the CCD 14 and process the image data by the error diffusion method while taking a histogram as a binary digital amount, and temporarily store it in the memory 52. Has been done. That is, in the CCD unit 44a, MTF correction, black-and-white correction, or gamma correction is performed after A / D conversion of the analog signal corresponding to each pixel density of the image data.
Histogram processing unit 4 as a digital signal of 256 gradations
It is output to 4b.

In the histogram processing unit 44b, the pixel densities of 256 gradations output from the CCD unit 44a are added to obtain the upper density (histogram data), and the histogram data obtained as necessary is stored in the CPU.
51 or as pixel data to the error diffusion processing unit 44c.

In the error diffusion processing section 44c, the error diffusion method which is a kind of pseudo intermediate processing, that is, the method of reflecting the binarization error in the binarization judgment of the adjacent pixel, is output from the CCD section 44a. A bit / pixel digital signal is converted into 1 bit (binary), and a redistribution operation is performed to faithfully reproduce the local area density in the original.

The image processing unit 53 includes multi-value processing units 53a and 53b, a synthesis processing unit 53c, a density conversion processing unit 53d,
It includes a scaling processing unit 53e, an image processing unit 53f, an error diffusion processing unit 53g, and a compression processing unit 53h.

The image processing section 53 is a processing section for finally converting the input image data into image data desired by the operator, and until the image data is finally stored in the memory 52 as the converted output image data. The processing unit is configured to process. However, each of the above-described processing units included in the image processing unit 53 functions as necessary and may not function. That is, the multi-value quantization processing unit 5
In 3a and 53b, the binarized data in the error diffusion processing unit 44a is converted into 256 gradations again.

In the synthesizing section 53c, a logical operation for each pixel, that is, a logical sum, a logical product, or an exclusive logical sum is selectively performed. The data that is the target of this operation is
It is the pixel data stored in the memory 52 and the bit data from the pattern generator (PG).

The density conversion processing section 53d arbitrarily sets the relationship between the input density and the output density for the 256 gradation digital signal based on a predetermined gradation conversion table.

In the scaling processing section 53e, pixel data (density value) for the scaled target pixel is obtained by performing interpolation processing with the known data that is input according to the instructed scaling ratio. After the scanning is scaled, the main scanning is scaled.

The image processing section 53f can perform various image processings on the input pixel data, and can also collect information on a data string such as feature extraction.

The error diffusion processor 53g performs the same processing as the error diffusion processor 44c of the CCU 44.

In the compression processing section 53h, the binary data is compressed by the encoding called run length. Regarding the compression of the image data, the compression functions in the final processing loop when the final output image data is completed.

The laser control unit 46 includes a restoration section 46a, a multilevel halftoning processing section 46b, an error diffusion processing section 46c,
And a laser output section 46d.

The laser control unit 46 restores the image data stored in the memory 52 in a compressed state, converts it into the original 256 gradations again, and converts the binary data into a smooth halftone representation of four-valued data. Error diffusion,
It is configured to transfer data to the laser output unit 46d.

That is, the decompression section 46a decompresses the image data compressed by the compression processing section 53h. The multilevel halftoning processing unit 46b performs the same processing as the multilevel halftoning processing units 53a and 53b of the image processing unit 53. The error diffusion processing unit 46c includes an error diffusion processing unit 44c of the CCU 44.
Processing similar to is performed.

In the laser output section 46d, the digital pixel data is converted into a laser on / off signal based on the control signal from the PCU 41, and the laser is turned on / off.

The data handled by the CCU 44 and the laser control unit 46 is stored in the memory 52.
The memory 52 is basically stored in the memory 52 in the form of binary data in order to reduce its capacity, but it may be processed in the form of four-valued data in consideration of deterioration of image data.

The operation of the copying machine configured as described above will be described. 8 to 12 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of this copying machine.

First, the procedure of fingerprint registration will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure.

As is clear from the hierarchical structure shown in FIG.
When performing fingerprint registration, first touch the initial setting key on the basic screen (FIG. 6A), and then touch the fingerprint registration key 60a on the initial setting screen shown in FIG. 7A (n1).
→ n2 → n3 → n4). Then, the fingerprint registration mode is entered, and the fingerprint registration screen as shown in FIG. 7B is displayed (n31). On the fingerprint registration screen, the department code display section 61
a, name display section 61b, alphabet input key 61
A c key, a numeric keypad 61d, and a setting end key 61e are provided. After operating the alphabet input keys 61c and numeric keys 61d (or the numeric keypad 72 on the operation panel) to input the department code and name, press the copy button on the operation panel to read the fingerprint and the fingerprint will be displayed. Hard disk 47 with code and name
(N32 → n33 → n34). The storage operation at this time will be described with reference to FIG. The data input from the operation panel is transmitted to the PCU 41 by communication between the OPU 42 and the PCU 41. Data is similarly transmitted from the PCU 41 to the ICU 43 and stored in the hard disk 47. After that, if the setting end key 61e is pressed, the fingerprint registration is completed (n35).

It should be noted that it is possible to prevent unauthorized fingerprint registration by making the fingerprint registration impossible unless a predetermined personal identification number is input before the fingerprint registration.

The fingerprint registration of the service person can be performed in the same manner as the above-mentioned fingerprint registration of the user. However, in the case of a serviceman, the serviceman is distinguished from other general users by inputting data for identifying the serviceman. For example, a service person is represented by “SERV”, and data for recognizing each service person is added after “SERV”. For example,
Register as "SERV1", "SERV2" ... This allows the service person to recognize that he is a service person when he / she inputs a fingerprint. Then, as will be described later, the service person is permitted to operate in the simulation mode. In this embodiment, since it is determined in advance that the normal operator is permitted the copy mode and the service person is permitted the simulation mode, mode input is not performed. You may set the permitted mode for each registrant.

Next, the procedure for setting the department management mode state will be described.

When the department management key on the initial setting screen shown in FIG. 7A is touched, the department management setting screen shown in FIG. 7C is displayed (n5). The department management setting screen is provided with a display area 62g for setting the number of registered users for each department, the total number of copies, and the number of limiters.
An ON / OFF key 62a / 62b, an output key 62c, a limiter setting key 62d, a next page selection key 62e, and a setting end key 62f are provided. ON / OFF key 62a
In / 62b, ON / OFF of the department management mode is selected (n41 → n46). With the department management mode turned on, processing such as user registration for each department and counting of the number of copies for each department is executed. As described above, the department code or the like is displayed in the display area 62g, and the data of the department of the next block is displayed by operating the next page selection key 62e (n43 → n53).

When the limiter setting key 62d is touched, the limiter setting screen shown in FIG. 7D is displayed (n4).
2 → n47). On the limiter setting screen, use the cursor key 63
a, 63b, a ten key 63c, an end key 63d, and a limiter display portion 63e. Cursor keys 63a, 6
By the operation of 3b, the department for which the limiter is set is selected (n48 → n51). When the ten key 63c is touched, the limit value of the number of copies of the department is changed (n49 → n52). If the limiter value is unlimited, pressing the “∞” key sets the limiter value to unlimited.

When the end key 63d is pressed, the limit setting screen is closed and the screen returns to the department management setting screen (n50).

The output key 62c of the department management setting screen is a key for printing out the counted number of copies for each department. When this key is touched, the usage status such as the number of copies for each department stored in the hard disk 47 is output and printed (n4).
4 → n54).

When the setting end key 62f is touched, the state input so far is stored in the hard disk 47,
After that, the screen returns to the initial setting screen (n45 → n55). The operation of storing the department management setting state in the hard disk 47 is executed in the same manner as the above-mentioned fingerprint storing operation.

Further, in the initial setting screen display, the simulation key 60c is blinking in the normal state (see FIG. 7 (A)), and when the simulation key 60c is touched in this state, "Please press the copy button. Is displayed (n61 → n62). When the copy button is pressed here, the operator's fingerprint is read. The read fingerprint is collated with the fingerprint of the service person stored in the hard disk 47. When it is determined that the fingerprint is a serviceman's fingerprint, a simulation screen (FIG. 7E) is displayed.

On the other hand, if the fingerprint is not input or if the fingerprint is different from the fingerprint of the service person, a message saying "Cannot enter simulation mode" is displayed and the screen returns to the initial setting screen (n65 → n3). ). When it is determined that the user is a service person by reading the fingerprint before touching the simulation key 60c (n11 → n12).
→ n13 → n14 → n16), simulation key 6
0c is turned on (n17). With such a configuration, the simulation can be executed only when the fingerprint of the service person is discriminated. Therefore, there is no fear that the simulation will be executed no matter how wrong the user may be. Therefore, there is no need to use a method of complicating the key operation to prevent erroneous operation, and there is an advantage that the operation at the time of simulation can be simplified.

Basic screen key 60d on the initial setting screen
When is pressed, the screen returns to the basic screen display (n7 → n
1).

On the other hand, in the basic screen, the keys other than the initial setting, that is, the function setting key, the image quality setting key, and the post-processing setting key are used for inputting the copy conditions at the time of the copying process, and those keys are not pressed. Also in this case, the function setting screen, the image quality setting screen, the post-processing setting screen, etc. are expanded from the high-layer screen display to the low-layer screen display, and the image quality setting, the post-processing setting, etc. are performed.

At the time of copy processing, after the copy conditions are appropriately set by operating those keys, the copy button 73
When is pressed, the fingerprint of the operator is read (n1
1 → n12). This fingerprint is collated with the fingerprint stored in the hard disk 47, and as a result, if it is determined that it is the fingerprint of the registered user, copy processing is permitted (n13 → n14 → n16 → n18 ...). . Also,
When it is the fingerprint of the registered service person, the simulation key is turned on as described above. However, if the fingerprint is not registered, the process is cleared and the process returns to the initial state (n15).

When the copy process is permitted, first, the document placed on the document table 1a is read, the read image data is processed by the image processing system shown in FIG. 3, and the image data is stored in the memory 52. (N18). Then, the read image data is compared with the copy prohibition data such as banknotes stored in advance in the hard disk 47, and if they match, the forgery prevention processing shown in FIG. 12 is entered.

First, the fingerprint of the copy instructor is stored in the hard disk 47 (n71). Although the copy process is continued, specific data stored in advance in the hard disk 47, for example, data that makes it obvious that the image is counterfeit, such as a scattering pattern of toner, is added to the image data for printing ( n72). On the other hand, in the case of forgery of banknotes, the modem 49 and the NCR 5 are used together with the above processing.
The fingerprint data and the fact that the banknotes have been forged are reported to the police etc. via 0 (n73).

Further, as a security system at the place where the copying machine is installed, a monitoring video capable of recording the peripheral portion of the copying machine is provided, and an internal line capable of making a notification from the copying machine to the monitoring room is provided. Forgery can be reported to nearby security guards (n74 → n7)
5 → n76).

If the read image data does not match the prohibited data such as banknote data, the copy limit of the department in which the operator's fingerprint is registered is verified and the limit value is set. If it exceeds the limit, the fact is displayed and the copy process is prohibited (n20 → n).
21).

If there is a margin in the number of copies, the actual print processing is started, and after the copy processing, the number of prints is incremented (n22 → n23). When all the set copy processes are completed, the number of copies, the date of execution of the copy, the department code of the operator, and the name are stored in the hard disk, and the initial state is restored (n24 → n2).
5).

[0079]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is no problem that an outsider illegally obtains a personal identification number or a card and illegally uses a copying machine, and an unauthorized use by an outsider does not occur. Can be prevented. Further, even for insiders, only a person who has registered a fingerprint can use the copying machine, and since the usage status is stored, illegal use becomes almost impossible.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the stored usage status is printed out and the content can be confirmed.

According to the invention described in claim 3, for example,
When the budget for copying has been decided, if the number of sheets permitted for use is stored in advance, copying is permitted only within the budget, so that it is possible to prevent the cost of copying from exceeding the budget.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, if the simulation mode is operated by a simple key operation, a normal user may erroneously operate the key. In that case But the simulation mode does not work. Therefore, the key for operating the simulation mode can be configured to be a simple key operation, and the labor of the service person can be reduced.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when a copy-prohibited document is about to be copied, an external security system can be operated to prevent the copy, and the copy-prohibited document is copied. Since the fingerprint of the operator who has done this is stored, it can be used for the arrest of the criminal.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, when a copy-inhibited document such as a banknote is copied, the copy image is added with a pattern indicating that it is a copy. No, you can prevent the actual crime. Further, similarly to the above, since the fingerprint of the operator is stored, it is useful for the criminal arrest.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the fingerprint is read by operating the print button that is operated during normal copying, the operator feels uncomfortable that the fingerprint is being read. Little to give. Also,
Unlike the input of a personal identification number and the insertion of a card, there is no need to perform any special operation, which has the advantage of simplifying the operation.

[0086]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a copying machine.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a control unit of the copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an operation panel of the copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an image data processing unit of the copying machine.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a hierarchical structure of a display state displayed on an operation panel of the copying machine.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display state on an operation panel of the copying machine.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display state on an operation panel of the copying machine.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the copying machine.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the copying machine, showing a fingerprint registration procedure.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the copying machine, showing a procedure in a department management mode.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the copying machine, showing a procedure in a simulation mode.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the copying machine, showing a procedure when it is determined that a copy processing of a copy-inhibited document is executed.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A copying machine that operates in a plurality of modes such as a copy mode and a simulation mode. A means for reading the fingerprint, a means for comparing the read fingerprint with the fingerprint stored by the registration means, and an operation in a mode permitted by the registrant when the operator's fingerprint matches any one of the registrant's fingerprints. A copying machine having a department management function, which is provided with a means for permitting the use of any mode and a means for storing the usage status such as the date and the number of copies when the mode is permitted. 2. A copying machine having a department management function according to claim 1, wherein the copying machine has a department management function provided with means for printing out the stored usage status. 3. A copying machine having a department management function according to claim 1, which stores a copy permitted number for each registrant or a predetermined group of registrants, the fingerprint read, and the registered fingerprint. When the copy mode is permitted due to matching with the fingerprint, the number of copies for each registrant or group of registrants is compared with the number of copies permitted, and when the number of copies exceeds the number of permitted copies, print A department management device characterized by being provided with means for prohibiting mode operation. 4. A copying machine having a department management function according to claim 1, wherein as the registration means, a fingerprint of a service person is stored separately from other registrants, and a simulation mode is set only for the service person. A copying machine equipped with a department management device, characterized in that a means for storing as a permission mode is provided. 5. In a copying machine operating in a plurality of modes such as a copy mode and a simulation mode, a registration means for storing a fingerprint of a registrant who is permitted to use and a mode permitted to the registrant, and a bill or the like. Means for storing the pattern of the copy-inhibited original whose copying is prohibited, means for reading the fingerprint of the operator, means for comparing the read fingerprint with the fingerprint stored by the registration means, and the fingerprint of the operator being the registered person When any of the fingerprints of the above is matched, the means for permitting the operation of the mode permitted by the registrant and the pattern of the document placed on the platen are read, and the pattern of the read document is read as the copy prohibited document. When the means for comparing the pattern and the two match, if an external security system such as a crime prevention processing system or a home security system is activated, A copying machine having a department management function, which is provided with a means for storing the read fingerprint of the operator. 6. A copying machine operating in a plurality of modes such as a copy mode and a simulation mode, a registration means for storing a fingerprint of a registrant who is permitted to use and a mode permitted to the registrant, and a bill or the like. Means for storing the pattern of the copy-inhibited original whose copying is prohibited, means for reading the fingerprint of the operator, means for comparing the read fingerprint with the fingerprint stored by the registration means, and the fingerprint of the operator being the registered person When any of the fingerprints of the above is matched, the means for permitting the operation of the mode permitted by the registrant and the pattern of the document placed on the platen are read, and the pattern of the read document is read as the copy prohibited document. A means for comparing with a pattern, and when both match, a pattern showing a copy image is added to the pattern of the read document and printed. A copying machine having a department management function, which is provided with a means for storing the read fingerprint of the operator. 7. A copying machine having a department management function according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a means for reading the fingerprint of the operator is provided on a print button for inputting a command to start print processing. A copying machine with a department management function.