JPH11284819A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the image forming device that has a function of sufficing trade-off requirements as re-output of original information and secrecy of secret to the utmost. SOLUTION: A re-output setting section 11 sets permission of a re-output at start of copying. When a re-output inhibit instruction section 12 is operated by the user after the end of copying, a re-output set by the re-output setting section 11 is forcibly inhibited. A re-output setting information storage section 13 stores the information set by the re-output setting section 11 and the re-output inhibit instruction section 12 and when an operation of a re-output is made, based on the set information, the re-output is permitted inhibited. Or as another example, a timer is provided to the device, by which the user sets a time optionally, and when the timer counts the set time after the end of copying, the re- output is inhibited. Thus, image information satisfied by the user and not desired to be re-outputted is inhibited for re-output surely.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus having an improved copy re-output function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a copied image is stored in an image memory for a while, and when a problem such as an insufficient number of copies occurs, it is troublesome to input original information again. A copy re-output function has been proposed which allows a user to make a copy without having the user make a copy.

One of such proposals is disclosed in, for example,
There is one disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 93406. In this prior art, a copying apparatus is provided with a sensor for detecting whether a person is present or not, and a function for storing the copied image data in an image memory. Until it is determined that no one has left before
Alternatively, the copied image data is left in the image memory until a predetermined time elapses after the determination, and the output can be performed without causing the original to be read again in the event of some trouble.

[0004]

However, in the prior art described above, there is a problem that the setting according to the actual use environment cannot be performed because the fixed time is fixed. For example, if this certain time is set longer, the third
Is re-output to the person and the confidentiality of the original
Conversely, if it is set short, there is a problem that this cannot be performed when re-outputting is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus which eliminates the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and has a function which satisfies conflicting demands for re-outputting document information and maintaining confidentiality as much as possible. It is in.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus having at least a function of copying image data in a re-output for setting permission for re-output of copying. It is characterized in that it comprises permission setting means and re-output prohibition setting means for forcibly prohibiting the setting by the re-output permission setting means. According to this feature, the re-output can be set to be prohibited by the user's intention, so that a re-output function satisfying the user can be provided. Further, it is possible to surely prohibit re-output of image information that is not desired to be re-output.

A timer means for setting a re-output permission time set by the re-output permission setting means, and a time set by the timer means after completion of copying,
Another feature is that a re-output prohibition setting means for forcibly prohibiting the re-output when the time has arrived is provided. According to this feature, the user can arbitrarily set the set time of the timer means, so that a re-output function satisfying the user can be provided.

[0008] Further, means for detecting information for inhibiting re-output expressed in the document, and forcibly prohibiting the re-output based on the detected information for inhibiting re-output. Another feature resides in that re-output prohibition setting means for setting is provided. According to this feature, the user does not have to operate the re-output prohibition instruction means, and the operation is simplified. Further, since an instruction to prohibit re-output is given automatically, even a user who is unfamiliar with the operation can copy without paying attention to secret leakage.

Further, re-output permission setting means for setting re-copy permission, re-output prohibition setting means for setting re-output prohibition, read image data, and re-output permission Another feature resides in that means for storing the information in association with the prohibition information is provided. According to this feature, original information with low secrecy, which is permitted to be re-output among a plurality of original information copied in the past, can be output at any time.

Further, the image forming apparatus is a multifunction peripheral including image reading means and image information input means for inputting image information from an external device, wherein the re-output permission setting means is read by the image reading means. Another feature is that the re-output permission setting is limited to only the images that have been output. According to this feature, the re-output of the image information from the external device is prohibited, so that the external device can transmit the image information without worrying about the secret leakage due to the re-output.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

As shown, the image forming apparatus of the present invention operates as a user interface (UI).
A display unit 1, a control unit 2, a page memory 3 for storing an image to be copied, an internal memory 4 used as a work area,
A document reading device 5 that reads a document and converts it into electrical information;
It comprises an external device 6 such as a host computer, a printing unit 7 for printing image data, a non-volatile storage device 8 such as a backup RAM or a hard disk (HDD), and a copy card reading unit 9.

When copying is performed by the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration, a document is read from the document reading device 5 and the read image data is stored in the page memory 3 or the nonvolatile storage device 8 while the printing section is being read. The image data is transferred to the copying machine 7 and copying is performed. On the other hand, when a print instruction is received from the external device 6 such as a host computer, the data received from the external device 6 is stored in the page memory 3 or the nonvolatile storage device 8, and the amount of received data reaches one page. Then, each time the data is transferred to the printing unit 7, printing is performed.

The re-output processing after copying is performed using image data stored in the page memory 3 or the non-volatile storage device 8 in the above-mentioned copying process based on an instruction from the operation / display unit 1. .

The configuration and operation of an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a re-output setting unit;
Is a re-output prohibition instructing unit, 13 is a re-output setting information storage unit that stores setting information set or prohibited by the re-output setting unit 11 or the re-output prohibition instructing unit 12, 14 is a re-output instructing unit, and 15 is a re-output setting unit. An output processing unit. The re-output setting unit 1
1, a re-output prohibition instruction unit 12 and a re-output instruction unit 14 are functions included in the operation / display unit 1, and a re-output setting information storage unit 13 is a function included in the internal memory 4 or the nonvolatile storage device 8. The re-output processing unit 15 is a function of the page memory 3 or the nonvolatile storage device 8 and the printing unit 7.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11A shows the operation of setting re-output permission and prohibition, and FIG. 10B shows the operation of re-output processing. In step S1, the setting for permitting re-output (rcp = 0) is automatically or artificially made from the re-output setting unit 11 when the copying process is started. Next, in step S2, a series of copying processes is performed. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the copying process has been completed. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step S2 and the copying process is continued.
If the determination in step S3 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S4, where it is determined whether or not the re-output prohibition instruction unit 12 has issued a re-output prohibition instruction. If this determination is negative, rcp = 0 is held in the re-output setting information storage unit 12. On the other hand, when the re-output prohibition instruction is issued, the determination in step S4 becomes affirmative, and the process proceeds to step S5, where re-output prohibition is set (rcp = 1). In addition, as the re-output prohibition instruction unit 12, for example,
It is possible to use a copy setting clear key which is a means for returning various setting information set on the display unit 1 to the initial value.

Next, in step S6, it is determined whether or not a re-output instruction has been issued from the re-output instruction unit 14. If this determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S7,
A determination is made whether rcp = 0. When this determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S8, and the re-output processing unit 15 executes the re-output processing. On the other hand, when the result is negative, the process ends without performing the re-output process.

As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to instruct the prohibition of re-output by the user's intention. Therefore, the prohibition of re-output is arbitrarily set according to, for example, the degree of confidentiality of the document. Can be instructed. As a result, the user can make the re-output permission setting in step S1 with ease.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation. This embodiment is characterized in that a re-output prohibition timer setting unit 16 and a timer 17 are provided.

The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11A shows the operation of setting re-output permission and prohibition, and FIG. 10B shows the operation of re-output processing. Step S1
In steps S1 and S12, when the copying process is started, the setting of the re-output prohibition time T by the re-output prohibition timer setting unit 16 and the setting of permitting the re-output by the re-output setting unit 11 (rcp = 0) are performed. You. Either of these processes may be performed first. In step S13, a series of copying processing is executed. In step S14, it is determined whether or not the copying process has been completed. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step S13, and the copying process is continued. If the determination in step S14 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S15, where the re-output prohibition timer 17 starts counting down. In step S16, it is determined whether or not the re-output prohibition time T has become 0. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S17, where re-output prohibition is set (rcp =
1) is performed.

Next, in the case of re-outputting, the processing of FIG. 3B is performed. However, since this processing is the same as the processing of FIG. 3B, the description is omitted. Note that the timer 1 of the present embodiment
A means for returning various setting information set in the operation / display unit 1 to an initial value when the measurement time exceeds the reference time originally provided by the image forming apparatus, for example, a copy setting clear timer Can be used.

As described above, according to this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the advantage that the re-output prohibition time can be set by the user's intention, and that the re-output prohibition time is automatically set when the re-output prohibition time comes. Since re-output is prohibited in a specific manner, there is an advantage that even if the operation of prohibiting re-output is forgotten, re-output to a third party can be prevented.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the present embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present embodiment. This embodiment is characterized in that a document color determination unit 18 and a re-output prohibition determination unit 19 that determines whether re-output is prohibited based on the document color determined by the document color determination unit 18 are provided. There is.

The operation of this embodiment will be described. In step S21 of FIG. 7, when the copying process is started, the re-output setting unit 11 sets the re-output to be permitted (rcp = 0).
Is made. In step S22, an operation of reading a document from the document reading device 5 is performed. In step S23,
The document color determination unit 18 determines the document color. The determined color information is sent to the re-output prohibition determining unit 19. In the re-output prohibition determining section 19, it is previously determined that re-output is prohibited if the original color is, for example, blue, and re-output is not prohibited if the original color is other colors. If it is determined that there is, the process proceeds to step S24 to set re-output prohibition. On the other hand, if it is not blue, the process proceeds to step S25. In step S25, a series of copying processing is executed. In step S26, a determination is made as to whether or not the copying process has been completed. If this determination is affirmative, the copying is terminated. As described above, according to this embodiment, the document itself is provided with the information of re-output invalidation / validity, so that re-output permission / prohibition is set without performing re-output invalidation / valid operation. become able to. Therefore, the operation can be simplified.

As a modification of this embodiment, information such as a mark for prohibiting re-output is attached in advance to the end of the document or a predetermined position, and when the information is detected, re-output is prohibited. May be set.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the present embodiment, FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram of a re-output management table, and FIG.
5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present embodiment. This embodiment, as shown in FIGS.
The feature is that a re-output management table 20 in which a value and an image address can be registered is provided.

This embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10. In step S31, when the copying process is started, a setting for permitting re-output by the re-output setting unit 11 (rcp =
0) is performed. In step S32, it is determined whether or not the re-output prohibition instruction unit 12 has issued a re-output prohibition instruction. When this determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S33 to set re-output prohibition (rcp = 1). In step S34, a copying process is performed. In step S35, the rcp value and the image address for storing the copied image data in the image data storage unit 21 are registered in the re-output management table 20. In step S36, it is determined whether or not the copying process has been completed. If the determination is affirmative, the process ends.

Next, when re-outputting, it is determined in step S6 whether or not an instruction to re-output has been given. At this time, the document ID is also specified. If this judgment is affirmative,
Proceeding to step S37, the re-output management table 20 is accessed. Next, the process proceeds to step S7, where the original I
It is determined whether D is permitted to be re-output (rcp = 0). When this determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S8 to execute the re-output processing.

As described above, according to this embodiment, re-output permission and prohibition can be registered for a plurality of image data. For example, re-output permission registration is performed for non-secret or low-secret image data. By doing so, re-output can be easily performed, and it is possible to reduce the trouble of the user having to read the original again for these images.

Next, as a modified example of the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, an item for registering the user's personal identification number is provided in the re-output management table 20, and the user is provided with a A password may be input and registered in the re-output management table 20. At the time of re-output, the user is required to input a password again, and it is checked whether or not the password matches the password registered in the re-output management table 20. If not, re-output is prohibited.

According to this modification, re-output can be checked not only with the rcp value but also with the password, so that the confidentiality of the image information can be assured more reliably.

In recent years, image processing apparatuses include a multifunction peripheral having a plurality of functions such as a copying function and a printer function. When the multifunction peripheral is used as a printer, image data is usually sent from an external device 6 such as a host computer. For this reason, if reprinting is permitted even when the multifunction peripheral is used as a printer, reprinting is possible regardless of the intention of the external device 6, and there is a possibility that unexpected secret leakage may occur. The fifth embodiment has been invented as a countermeasure for this.

The fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S41, a setting (rcp = 1) for prohibiting re-output is automatically made. In step S42, it is determined whether the request is a copy request. If the request is for copying, the process proceeds to step S43, where re-output permission is set (rcp = 0). On the other hand, if it is a print request, the determination in step S42 is negative, and the process proceeds to step S44. In step S44, a printing process is performed. In step S45, it is determined whether or not the printing process has been completed. If the determination is affirmative, the process ends.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, reprinting of image data sent from the external device 6 is not permitted, so that the possibility of secret leakage can be completely eliminated.

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of the present embodiment, FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram of a re-output management table,
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, a re-output prohibition setting unit 22, a re-output permission setting unit 23, and a copy card read processing unit 24 are provided. Upon detecting the insertion, the re-output permission setting unit 23 sets the re-output permission (rcp =
0) is set. As the copy card reading processing unit 24, for example, a copy card reading unit that can manage department use status can be assumed. Also, the re-output management table 20 of the present embodiment
Is configured such that a card ID can be registered as shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S51,
Setting to prohibit re-output when starting copy processing (rc
p = 1) is automatically performed by the re-output prohibition setting unit 22. In step S52, it is determined whether or not a copy card has been inserted into the copy card read processing unit 24. If this determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S53, where a copy card is read. Step S5
In step 4, the re-output permission setting section 23 automatically sets re-output permission (rcp = 0). Step S
At 55, a copying process is performed. In step S56,
In the re-output management table 20, an rcp value (= 0), a copy card ID, and an image address are registered. In step S57, it is determined whether or not the copying process has been completed. If the determination is affirmative, the process ends.

Next, the operation of the re-output processing will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to (b). In step S58, it is determined whether a copy card has been inserted. If this determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S59, where the re-output instruction unit 1
4 is used to determine whether a re-output instruction has been issued. If this determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S60, where the copy card is read. In step S61,
The re-output management table 20 is accessed, and in steps S62 and S63, it is determined whether rcp = 0 and whether the card IDs match, respectively. When both steps S62 and S63 are affirmative, the process proceeds to step S64 to execute a re-output process. On the other hand, when one of the determinations in steps S62 and S63 is negative, the process ends without re-outputting. It is also possible to incorporate the re-input prohibition setting described above.

As described above, according to this embodiment, for example, by using the section management copy card information as a condition for permitting re-output, only necessary re-output can be performed, and useless re-output can be prevented. become.

Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present embodiment. Steps S71 to S in FIG.
Step 77 is the same as steps S51 to S57 in FIG. The feature of this embodiment is that in step S78, it is determined whether or not the copy card has been removed from the copy card reading processing unit 24. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S79 to set re-output prohibition. It is in the point which did.

Next, the operation of the re-output processing will be described with reference to FIG. In step S80, it is determined whether a copy card has been inserted. If this determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S81, and if it is negative, the process ends. In step S81, it is determined whether or not a re-output instruction has been issued. If the determination is affirmative, step S82 is performed.
Then the copy card is read. In step S83, the re-output management table is accessed, and in step S84, it is determined whether or not rcp is 0. When the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S85 to perform the re-output process, and when the determination is negative, the process ends.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the copy card is removed, the re-output prohibition is automatically set. Therefore, in addition to the effect of the sixth embodiment, the secrecy of the document information Has the effect of more completely preventing the leakage of water.

[0043]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to determine whether to prohibit re-output or set a time for permitting re-output at will of the user.
A re-output function satisfying the user can be provided. Further, it is possible to surely prohibit re-output of image information that is not desired to be re-output.

In addition, by linking the function of automatically initializing the copy setting with the function of prohibiting re-output, the time can be set in accordance with the user's business form, and the re-output operation is facilitated. By using the copy card information as a condition for permitting re-output, only necessary re-output can be performed, and useless re-output can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram of a re-output management table.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram of a re-output management table according to a modification of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram of a re-output management table according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Operation / display part, 2 ... Control part, 3 ... Page memory, 4
... Internal memory, 5 ... Document reading device, 6 ... External equipment, 7
... Printing unit, 8 Non-volatile storage device, 9 Copy card reading unit, 11 Re-output setting unit, 12 Re-output prohibition instruction unit,
13: re-output setting information storage unit, 14: re-output instruction unit, 1
5: re-output processing unit, 16: re-output prohibition timer setting unit, 1
7: timer, 18: original color judgment unit, 19: re-output prohibition judgment unit, 20: re-output management table, 21: image data storage unit, 22: re-output prohibition setting unit, 23: re-output permission setting unit, 24 ... Copy card reading processing unit.

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having at least a function of copying image data, a re-output permission setting means for setting permission of re-output of copying, and forcibly setting the re-output permission setting means. An image forming apparatus, comprising: re-output prohibition setting means for setting prohibition, so that re-output can be arbitrarily set to be prohibited. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the re-output prohibition setting unit is a unit that returns various setting information that has been set to an initial value. 3. An image forming apparatus having at least a function of copying image data, wherein re-output permission setting means for setting permission for re-output of copying, and re-output set by the re-output permission setting means. Timer means for setting a time for permitting the re-output, and a re-output prohibition setting for setting a setting for measuring the time set by the timer means after the end of copying and forcibly prohibiting the re-output when the time comes. And an image forming apparatus. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the set time of said timer means can be set arbitrarily. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the re-output prohibition setting unit is configured to, when a period of inactivity of the image forming apparatus elapses a certain reference time, delete the set various setting information. An image forming apparatus, which is means for returning to an initial value. 6. An image forming apparatus having at least a function of copying image data, a re-output permission setting means for setting a re-output permission for copying, and a prohibiting re-output expressed in a document. Means for detecting the information of the above, based on the information for inhibiting the detected re-output,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a re-output prohibition setting unit configured to forcibly prohibit the re-output. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the information for inhibiting re-output expressed in the document is a color of the document. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein information for inhibiting re-output expressed in the document is added to a part of the document. apparatus. 9. An image forming apparatus having at least a function of copying image data, a re-output permission setting means for setting re-output permission for copying, and a re-output prohibition for setting re-output prohibition. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a setting unit, a unit for storing the read image data and the re-output permission or prohibition information in association with each other. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a password input unit for inputting a password, wherein the read image data, the password, and the re-output permission or An image forming apparatus in which prohibition information is stored in association with the prohibition information. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein when the means for instructing re-output is operated, image data whose passwords match and for which re-output is permitted are output again. An image forming apparatus comprising: 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a copy card reading unit, wherein the card I read by the copy card reading unit.
An image forming apparatus, wherein D, read image data, and the re-output permission or prohibition information are stored in association with each other. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein when a copy card is removed from said copy card reading means, re-output prohibition setting means sets a setting to prohibit re-output of all read images. An image forming apparatus comprising: 14. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image forming apparatus includes an image reading unit and an image information input unit for inputting image information from an external device. The image forming apparatus, wherein the re-output permission setting means sets re-output permission only for the image read by the image reading means.