JPH10124645A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reader in which the reading of an image through a network can be attained without cumbersome an operation while secrecy is held. SOLUTION: An image reader connected with a network which reads an image from a placed original is provided with a cover 4 which covers the placed original, cover fixing part 5 which can turn the cover 4 into a closed fixed state and an opened state, lock part 6 which locks the cover fixing part 5 to the fixed state, password input operating part which inputs password, password storage part which stores the inputted password, and lock controlling part which controls the lock part 6 so that the cover fixing part 4 can be locked to the fixed state at the time of the first password input after the cover fixing part 5 is turned into the fixed state, and the lock can be released when the above password stored in the password storage part is inputted the next.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has a function of reading an image in response to a request from a plurality of terminal devices connected to a network such as a LAN, and transmitting the read image information to the requesting terminal device. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, and more particularly to an image reading apparatus capable of keeping a document placed on the reading apparatus confidential.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of networks, an image reading device can be connected to a network (for example, a LAN), and image information read by the image reading device can be obtained from a plurality of terminal devices on the network. Became. The user first goes to the installation location of the image reading device, places the document on the reading unit of the image reading device, then returns to his / her own terminal device and operates the terminal device, and the image reading device via the network. , The read image information is acquired via the network. Further, the user operates the image reading device to read the original, stores the read image information in the file server via the network, and then operates his / her own terminal device to transfer the image information stored in the file server. Attempts have been made to obtain the information via a network.

[0003]

However, in the prior art in which the reading operation of the image reading device is started from the terminal device, the third person mounts the image reading device while the user is away from the image reading device. There is a problem of confidentiality that the placed document is read. Further, in the conventional technology via a file server, the operation is 2
Because it occurs twice, it is troublesome. An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus which solves the above-mentioned problems of the related art and which can read an image via a network while maintaining confidentiality and without troublesome operation.

[0004]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus for reading an image of a document placed on a contact glass, the apparatus being connected to a network. A cover that covers the original placed by opening and closing the contact glass, a cover fixing portion that can be fixed or opened with the cover closed, and the cover fixing portion in a fixed state. A lock section for locking, a password input operation section for inputting a password, a password storage section for storing the entered password, and the cover fixed by the first password input after the cover fixing section is fixed. The password is locked in a fixed state, and the lock is released when the password stored in the password storage unit is next input. Characterized by comprising a lock control means for controlling the lock portion. According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the image reading request is received via the network while the cover fixing unit is locked in the fixed state by the lock unit, the request source is requested to transfer the password. When the password is sent from the request source, the network control unit is provided with an access control unit that compares the password with the password stored in the password storage unit and accepts the image reading request only when the password matches. It is characterized by. According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the above, a timer is provided for measuring an elapsed time from the start of the lock state by the lock unit, and the lock is released such that the lock is released when a predetermined elapsed time is measured by the timer. It is characterized in that it is configured to control the unit.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the operator leaves the image reading apparatus with the original placed on the contact glass of the image reading apparatus, the operator inputs a password. Thus, the opening of the cover covering the contact glass can be locked, so that the situation in which a third person who does not know the password opens the cover covering the document can be prevented. According to the second aspect of the invention, even if a third party who does not know the password sends a read request via the network, the request is rejected, so that confidentiality can be ensured. According to the third aspect of the present invention, if the cover is locked in a state in which the cover cannot be opened and remains locked even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the locked state is automatically released. Even if the lock is forgotten, the situation in which the cover cannot be opened can be prevented.

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 illustrates a LAN to which the image reading device 1 and a plurality of terminal devices 2 are connected as an example of a network system to which the image reading device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is connected. In a system having such a configuration, when an image is input, an operator first places a document on the reading unit of the image reading device 1 and then operates his / her own terminal device 2 to perform a reading operation by the image reading device 1. Is activated to read an image from the placed document, and capture the image information read via the LAN into the terminal device 2 of the user.
1A is a schematic side view of an image reading apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1B is a perspective view, and FIG. 1C is an enlarged view of a main part.
As shown in the figure, the image reading apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a housing 3, a cover 4 for opening and closing a document S placed on a contact glass 7 on the upper surface of the housing 3, and opening the cover 4. A cover fixing part 5 which can be set in a fixed state or an open state, a lock part 6 for locking the cover fixing part 5 in a fixed state, and a contact glass 7
And so on. FIG. 1C is an enlarged sectional view of a portion A in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 1 in more detail, groove-shaped rails 3a are formed at symmetrical positions on both opposing side surfaces of the housing 3, respectively. The located guided portion 5a is fitted and supported so as to be able to advance and retreat in a direction along the rail 3a. Cover fixing part 5
When the cover 4 is closed to cover the contact glass 7 on the upper surface of the housing 3, the cover is prohibited from moving by moving along the rail 3a onto the cover 4 (see the chain line). If the cover is allowed to open, it is retracted to the position shown by the solid line. The movement of the cover fixing portion 5 may be performed by a manual operation or may be configured to be performed automatically. The cover fixed state shown by the dashed line in FIG.
As shown in the enlarged view of (c), the projecting lock portion 6 supported in the rail 3a so as to be able to advance and retreat in the direction of the arrow is guided by the guided portion 5.
This is realized by fitting into the hole 5b provided in the opposing portion of FIG. The lock portion 6 is configured to be able to advance and retreat so as to protrude and lock the cover fixing portion 5 on the condition that a certain operation is performed as described later, and to retract the lock to release the lock. Various mechanisms such as a mechanism using a spring as a projecting means and an electromagnet as a retracting means, a mechanism using a solenoid, etc. can be used as a mechanism for projecting the lock portion 6.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system according to this embodiment. As shown, the control system includes an operation panel 9 having a password input operation unit 8 for inputting a password,
Password storage unit that stores the entered password
A storage unit 11 having a lock control unit 12 for controlling the lock unit 6; and an image reading unit 14 for reading an image from a document S placed on a contact glass.
And a network control unit 15 for controlling the LAN, a control unit 16 for controlling and managing the entire image reading apparatus, and the like. The control section 16 has a ROM having a CPU and a program. The storage unit 11
Is a writable nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory.

FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of the first embodiment. The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, first, the user sets the document S on the contact glass 7 of the image reading device 1 (S1).
When the user closes the cover 4, the controller 16 detects that a document has been set and that the cover 4 has been closed (the sensor is not shown), and the control unit 16 displays "Cover the cover" as shown in FIG. A message such as "Lock. Please enter your password." Is displayed on the display unit in the operation panel 9 (S2). When the user inputs a password using the password input operation unit 8 in response to the message (Yes in S3), the control unit 16 acquires it and stores it in the password storage unit 10 (S4).
A lock instruction is issued to the lock control unit 12. Thus, the lock control unit 12 controls the lock unit 6 to lock the cover fixing unit 5 in a fixed state. That is, the cover 4 is fixed so as not to open (S5).

Thereafter, the user goes to the place where his / her own terminal device 2 is installed, and operates the terminal device 2 to read the image of the document set on the image reading device 1 and to read the LA.
The image information read via N is acquired. When the operation of transmitting the read image information to the terminal device 2 is completed, the control unit 16 displays a message such as “Unlock the cover. Enter a password” as shown in FIG. (S6). When the user returns to the installation location of the image reading apparatus and inputs a password by the password input operation unit 8 in response to a message as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 16 acquires this password and stores this password in the password. The password is compared with the password stored in the unit 10 (S7). If the password entered at that time is correct (Yes in S7)
s) The lock control unit 12 instructs the lock control unit 12 to release the lock, and the lock control unit 12 that has received the instruction controls the lock unit 6 to release the lock (S8), and makes the cover openable. If the entered password is incorrect (N in S7)
o), and return to step S6.

If a password is not input within a predetermined time in step S3 (No in S3), the control section 16 displays "Cannot lock cover without inputting password. Are you sure?", As shown in FIG. Is displayed (S
9). Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the user presses the OK button or the reset button in the operation panel 9 (S10). However, when the OK button is pressed and the control unit 16 recognizes it (S10). Yes), the operation flow ends without locking the cover 4 (S11).
On the other hand, when the “reset button” in FIG. 6 is pressed (No in S10), the execution is repeated from step S2.
In step S6, while the user who sets the document is away from the installation location of the image reading device 1, the third
Even if a third person tries to view the set document, the cover 4 cannot be opened because of the locked state, and the third person does not know the correct password, so that the locked state of the cover 4 cannot be released. Further, when the power supply is cut off while the cover is locked, the program is configured so that the lock portion 6 of the cover fixing portion 5 remains in the locked state, so that the cover 4 cannot be opened. The lock is released only when the correct password is entered after the restart. According to this embodiment, the confidentiality of the document set on the image reading device 1 is maintained.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an image reading apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the image reading device of this embodiment is in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment,
The configuration is characterized in that an access control unit 17 is added to the network control unit 15. The access control unit 17 stores a ROM containing a CPU and a program in a network control unit.
When the image reading request is received via the LAN while the cover fixing unit 5 is locked in the fixed state, the requesting terminal device 2 is requested to transfer the password, and the password is transmitted from the terminal device 2. When sent, the password is compared with the password stored in the password storage unit 10, and the image reading request is accepted only when they match. When the terminal device 2 receives the password transfer request from the image reading device 1, a message as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display unit, the password is input, and the input password is transferred to the image reading device 1. I do.
According to this embodiment, since it is possible to prevent a third party from issuing an image reading request from another terminal device 2 and obtaining image information read from a set document, confidentiality is improved.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an image reading apparatus showing a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the image reading apparatus 1 of this embodiment has a timer 18 added to the configuration of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7 (the timer 18 is added to the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1). Is also possible). The timer 18 measures the elapsed time from the start of the locked state by the lock unit 6. With such a configuration, the control section
16 is a timer that periodically counts the elapsed time
Acquired from 18, comparing the acquired elapsed time with a predetermined time previously set in the storage unit 11, when it is determined that the elapsed time has reached the predetermined time, instructs the lock control unit 12,
Release the locked state. According to this embodiment, even if the user who has input the password forgets the password or the user forgets to release the lock, the cover is unlocked and can be opened after a predetermined time. An image reader can be used.

[0014]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the user leaves the image reading apparatus with the document placed thereon, the third person who does not know the password by entering the password covers the document. Since the opening of the cover can be prohibited, confidentiality of the document can be maintained. According to the second aspect of the invention, even if a third party who does not know the password sends a read request via the network, the request is rejected, so that it is possible to prevent the third party from reading the original document. From this point of view, it is possible to keep the original document confidential. According to the third aspect of the present invention, if the lock is kept open for a predetermined period of time after the cover is locked so that the cover cannot be opened, the locked state is automatically released. Even if the user forgets the password or unlocks, the image reading device can be used after a predetermined time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C are a side view, a perspective view, and a main part enlarged view of an image reading apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a screen view of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is another screen view of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is another screen view of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control system of the image reading apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a screen view of a terminal device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a control system of the image reading apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram of a system including an image reading device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 image reading device, 2 terminal device, 4 cover, 5
Cover fixing section, 6 lock section, 8 password input operation section, 10 password storage section, 12 lock control section, 14 image reading section, 15 network control section, 16 control section, 17 access control section, 18 timer

Claims (3)

[Claims] An image reading apparatus for reading an image of an original placed on a contact glass and connected to a network, wherein the image reading apparatus is supported to open and close the contact glass and covers the placed original. A cover and a cover fixing portion that can be fixed or opened while the cover is closed,
A lock part for locking the cover fixing part in a fixed state,
A password input operation unit for inputting a password, a password storage unit for storing the entered password, and the cover fixing unit is locked in the fixed state by the first password input after the cover fixing unit is fixed. And a lock control means for controlling the lock unit so as to release the lock when the password stored in the password storage unit is next inputted. 2. When an image reading request is received via the network while the cover fixing unit locks the cover in the closed state by the lock unit, a request source is requested to transfer a password. Is transmitted, the password is compared with the password stored in the password storage unit, and the network control unit is provided with an access control unit that accepts the image reading request only when the password matches. Claim 1
An image reading device according to claim 1. 3. A timer for measuring an elapsed time from the start of the locked state by the lock unit, wherein the lock unit is controlled to release the lock when a predetermined elapsed time is measured by the timer. The image reading device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein