US20100171974A1 - Image forming apparatus and method for erasing image data - Google Patents
Image forming apparatus and method for erasing image data Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20100171974A1 US20100171974A1 US12/726,131 US72613110A US2010171974A1 US 20100171974 A1 US20100171974 A1 US 20100171974A1 US 72613110 A US72613110 A US 72613110A US 2010171974 A1 US2010171974 A1 US 2010171974A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- image data
- data
- erasing
- forming apparatus
- erase
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/32—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device
- H04N1/32358—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device using picture signal storage, e.g. at transmitter
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/44—Secrecy systems
- H04N1/4406—Restricting access, e.g. according to user identity
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/44—Secrecy systems
- H04N1/4406—Restricting access, e.g. according to user identity
- H04N1/444—Restricting access, e.g. according to user identity to a particular document or image or part thereof
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
- H04N2201/32—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device
- H04N2201/3285—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device using picture signal storage, e.g. at transmitter
- H04N2201/3295—Deletion of stored data; Preventing such deletion
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, such as a coping machine, a printer, a scanner, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction peripheral furnished with some of the capabilities of these machines, and to a method for erasing image data to erase image data related to a specific job, such as a print job, from a memory device provided to the image forming apparatus to save the image data after the job is completed.
- an image forming apparatus such as a coping machine, a printer, a scanner, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction peripheral furnished with some of the capabilities of these machines
- a method for erasing image data to erase image data related to a specific job, such as a print job from a memory device provided to the image forming apparatus to save the image data after the job is completed.
- the document is first read by the scanner. Image data of the document is thus obtained.
- the image data is saved in the hard disc drive (HDD) provided as a memory device.
- the image data is then read out from the HDD and restored to an image again, and this image is printed on a sheet of paper.
- HDD hard disc drive
- a print job such assorting, multiple printing, and double face printing, can be executed smoothly. When the print job ends, the image data saved in the HDD is erased so that the document will no longer be reproduced.
- a print job by the printer, a print job of reception data by a facsimile machine, and a data transmission job by a facsimile machine can be executed in the same manner.
- print data written in a page description language is first transmitted to the MFP from a personal computer or the like.
- the print data is then subjected to bit map conversion page by page by a raster image processor (RIP) provided to the MFP.
- Page data is thus generated.
- the page data is temporarily saved in the HDD.
- the page data is then read out from the HDD and restored to an image, and this image is printed on a sheet of paper.
- the page data saved in the HDD is erased so that the page data will no longer be reproduced.
- the HDD includes a data save region and a file management region.
- image data or page data
- information so-called FAT (File Allocation Table) information
- FAT Fe Allocation Table
- One method for erasing image data saved in the HDD is a method for erasing the FAT information related to the image data from the file management region. According to this data erasing method, the image data itself is not erased from the data save region. However, once the FAT information is erased, the location at which the corresponding image data is present becomes unknown, which inhibits an access to the image data. Accordingly, the image data is assumed to have been erased.
- This data erasing method has an advantage that loads on the processor that performs operation control of the image forming apparatus and data processing can be reduced. According to this data erasing method, however, it is not impossible to reproduce image data because the image data itself is not erased. Should an evil-minded third party obtain an HDD in which highly confidential documents or the like are saved in the form of image data, there is a risk that the documents are restored.
- An object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-manipulate image forming apparatus furnished with a high security function against leakage of image data and yet achieving an excellent performance and a method for erasing image data from a memory device provided to this image forming apparatus.
- An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes: an image data input unit configured to take in image data; an image data memory unit configured to save image data inputted from the image data input unit; a data output unit configured to output the image data saved in the image data memory unit in a specific format; and an image data erasing unit configured to erase the image data saved in the image data memory unit after output processing by the data output unit is completed, wherein the image data erasing unit includes: an erasing selection unit configured to request a user to make a selection as to whether or not an erasing manipulation for image data as an erasure object is executed; and a data erasing unit configured to erase the image data by an erasing method at a different security level according to the selection of the user in response to a selection request from the erasing selection unit.
- an image forming apparatus of the invention includes: image data input means for taking in image data according to a specific job specified by a user; memory means for saving taken-in image data; data output means for outputting the image data in a specific format according to the job; erasing selection means for requesting the user to make a selection as to whether or not the image data is erased from the memory means after an output of the image data is completed; and data erasing means for erasing the image data by an erasing method at a different security level according to the selection of the user.
- a method for erasing image data of the present invention is a method for erasing image data related to a specific job from a memory device which is provided to an image forming apparatus to save image data after the job is completed, including the steps of: taking in image data; saving the image data in the memory device; outputting the image data in a specific format; requesting a user to make a selection as to whether or not the image data is erased from the memory device after an output of the image data is completed; and erasing the image data by an erasing method at a different security level according to the selection of the user.
- the image forming apparatus and the method for erasing image data of the present invention it is possible to make it extremely difficult to reproduce image data corresponding to a document or the like that the user judges as being highly confidential; moreover, it is possible to maintain performance and the ease of manipulation in a satisfactory manner.
- FIG. 1 is a view showing the system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of a screen display on a liquid crystal display unit when a copy job is completed;
- FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a relation between a grace time and a job set in an erasing timer set unit
- FIG. 4 is a flowchart detailing a copy job by the image forming apparatus.
- FIG. 1 is a view showing the system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- An image forming apparatus 100 is a multifunction peripheral (MFP) and is furnished with capabilities of a copying machine, a printer, a scanner, and a facsimile machine.
- MFP multifunction peripheral
- the image forming apparatus 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 10 that governs operation control of the image forming apparatus 100 and data processing, a ROM 12 in which program data needed for the operation control of the image forming apparatus 100 and data processing is stored, a RAM 14 that temporarily stores control information or the like while the image forming apparatus 100 is operating, a key input unit 16 having various buttons used to manipulate the image forming apparatus 100 , and a liquid crystal display unit 18 that displays manipulation information responding to manipulations on the key input unit 16 and ongoing job information.
- the liquid crystal display unit 18 is furnished with a touch panel capability.
- the image forming apparatus 100 also includes a scanner unit 20 provided as a document read unit that reads a copy document or a facsimile transmission document, a print unit 22 that prints the copy document or reception data on a sheet of paper, a coding/decoding unit 24 that converts image data into encoded data at the time of facsimile transmission and decodes received encoded data into image data, a line control unit 26 that controls a telephone line for a facsimile communication, a modem 28 that modulates encoded data from the coding/decoding unit 24 to output the resulting signal to the line control unit 26 and demodulates a modulated signal received at the line control unit 26 , a LAN control unit 30 that receives print data transmitted from a personal computer (PC) 38 linked to the image forming apparatus 100 via a LAN, and an image data memory unit 32 that saves image data or the like handled in the image forming apparatus 100 .
- PC personal computer
- a hard disc drive is suitable for the image data memory unit 32 .
- the image data memory unit 32 comprises an HDD, and is therefore denoted as “HDD 32 ”.
- the image forming apparatus 100 further includes an image data erasing unit 34 that erases image data saved in the HDD 32 , and an erasing timer set unit 36 that sets timing to erase data in the HDD 32 by the image data erasing unit 34 .
- the image data erasing unit 34 includes an erasing selection unit 34 a that requests the user to select a single method among plural methods for erasing image data related to a specific job, such as a copy job, from the HDD 32 when this job ends.
- the image data erasing unit 34 also includes a data erasing unit 34 b that erases image data from the HDD 32 according to the single erasing method selected by the user.
- the erasing selection unit 34 a includes a memory device, such as a ROM, having stored a program to exert capabilities specified below, and a CPU that executes such a program.
- the erasing selection unit 34 a causes the liquid crystal display unit 18 to display erasing methods of image data.
- FIG. 2 A signal informing that the copy job is completed is sent from the CPU 10 to the erasing selection unit 34 a.
- the erasing selection unit 34 a then causes the liquid crystal display unit 18 to display a message shown in FIG. 2 .
- the icon of “YES” for an inquiry, “Erase data?”, shown in FIG. 2 “YES” is selected, and when the user touches the icon of “NO”, “NO” is selected.
- FIG. 2 therefore shows two erasing methods.
- the user selects the icon of “NO”.
- the FAT information of the image data related to this copy job is erased from the HDD 32 by the data erasing unit 34 b. This can shorten an operation time of the HDD 32 , which can in turn suppress deterioration in performance. Also, the life of the HDD 32 can be extended by reducing the number of accesses to the HDD 32 .
- the image forming apparatus 100 erases image data saved in the HDD 32 by a single method selected by the user from two methods at different security levels.
- the image data erasing unit 34 causes the liquid crystal display unit 18 to display a message, “Erasing image data” or “Image data is erased” at once for a certain time when either the icon of “YES” or “NO” shown in FIG. 2 is selected.
- a grace time to enable the user to select the icon of either “YES” or “NO” has been previously set in the erasing timer set unit 36 .
- the image data erasing unit 34 erases the FAT information of the image data related to this copy job from the HDD 32 after the grace time has passed. In other words, the data erasing same as that performed when a copy job for less confidential documents and non-confidential documents is executed is performed.
- the grace time that can be set in the erasing timer set unit 36 includes, for example, eight kinds: 0 second, 30 seconds, one minute, two minutes, three minutes, five minutes, 10 minutes, and 30 minutes.
- One grace time selected from these eight kinds is set separately for each of a copy job, a PC print job, a scanner job, a facsimile transmission job, and a facsimile reception job that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 100 .
- the manager of the image forming apparatus 100 is able to perform this setting using the key input unit 16 and the liquid crystal display unit 18 .
- the grace time is not limited to the times specified above.
- the grace time that can be set is not limited to eight kinds, either.
- the image data erasing unit 34 does not cause the liquid crystal display unit 18 to show the display of FIG. 2 .
- the display of FIG. 2 goes off when the pre-set grace time has passed.
- the grace time For a copy job with which the user often awaits near the image forming apparatus 100 , it is preferable to set the grace time shorter. On the contrary, for a job when to receive is uncertain, such as a facsimile reception, it is preferable to set the grace time longer.
- FIG. 4 shows the flowchart of the copy job.
- the document is set in the scanner unit 20 (ST 1 ). Reading of the document is started by a manipulation on the key input unit 16 (ST 2 ). Image data obtained in ST 2 is successively compressed in an appropriate manner and saved in the image data memory unit 32 (ST 3 ). The data saved in the image data memory unit 32 is read out sequentially and restored to data of its original size, after which the data is sent to the printing unit 22 and printed on a sheet of paper therein (ST 4 ).
- a print job is executed for documents or the like created in the PC 38 by specifying the image forming apparatus 100 as the printer.
- the print data generated in the PC 38 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100 and converted into page data therein.
- the page data is compressed appropriately, and is then saved in the image data memory unit 32 .
- the page data saved in the image data memory unit 32 is read out sequentially to be restored to data of its original size, after which the data is sent to the printing unit 22 and printed on a sheet of paper therein.
- the image data erasing unit 34 causes the display of the PC terminal to display “Print out is completed. Erase Print data? “YES”, “NO”” in the same manner as FIG. 2 using the two-way communications between the image forming apparatus 100 and the PC. In this instance, the same display is shown on the liquid crystal display unit 18 of the image forming apparatus 100 . The user is able to erase the image data saved in the HDD 32 by manipulating the PC 38 or the liquid crystal display unit 18 .
- the data processing method in a case where the image forming apparatus 100 is used as the transmitter of a facsimile machine is the same as the case where a copy job is executed.
- the data processing method in a case where the image forming apparatus 100 is used as the receiver of a facsimile machine is the same as the case where a print job is executed.
- the configuration can be the same.
- the image forming apparatus 100 described above erases data saved in the HDD 32 using the image data erasing unit 34 and the erasing timer set unit 36 .
- the functions of these image data erasing unit 34 and the erasing timer set unit 36 are exerted by the CPU 10 , the program stored in the ROM 12 , the grace time stored in the RAM 14 .
- the security level for image data as an erasure object is not limited to two scales. It is therefore possible to configure in such a manner that the user is further able to specify the number of overwriting times of meaningless random data on the image data saved in the HDD 32 .
- the security level becomes higher as the number of overwriting times is increased. The user selects one icon among these plural icons by taking into account the degree of secrecy of the document he is handling. Erasing processing of image data that matches with the selected security level is thus performed.
- the image forming apparatus 100 may be configured in such a manner that no erasing processing is applied to image data as an erasure object in a case where the user selects the icon of “NO” when the display as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 18 .
- the CPU 10 detects an available capacity of the image data memory unit 32 .
- an available capacity of the image data memory unit 32 is insufficient, image data related to jobs in the past is erased appropriately. This ensures an available capacity needed to execute a new job in the image data memory unit 32 .
- the image forming apparatus 100 may be configured in such a manner that in a case where the user selects the erasing method of image data within the grace time set in the erasing timer set unit 36 , the selected data erasing method is performed at once when this grace time has passed.
- the priority is placed on the performance of the job and the data erasing processing comes in a pending state.
- the data erasing processing is performed at once after the job is completed.
- the image data memory unit 32 is not limited to an HDD, and it can be other memory devices capable of reading/writing data, for example, a DVD-RAM or an MO.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Storing Facsimile Image Data (AREA)
- Facsimiles In General (AREA)
- Storage Device Security (AREA)
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes an image data input unit configured to take in image data, an image data memory unit configured to save image data, a data output unit configured to output the image data in a specific format, and an image data erasing unit configured to erase the image data saved in the image memory unit after output processing by the data output unit is completed. The image data erasing unit requests the user to make a selection as to whether or not an erasing manipulation for image data as an erasure object is executed, and erases the image data by an erasing method at a different security level according to the selection in response to a selection request.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, such as a coping machine, a printer, a scanner, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction peripheral furnished with some of the capabilities of these machines, and to a method for erasing image data to erase image data related to a specific job, such as a print job, from a memory device provided to the image forming apparatus to save the image data after the job is completed.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- In a case where a copy of a certain document is made using a multifunction peripheral (MFP) as a copying machine, the document is first read by the scanner. Image data of the document is thus obtained. The image data is saved in the hard disc drive (HDD) provided as a memory device. The image data is then read out from the HDD and restored to an image again, and this image is printed on a sheet of paper. Even when a print job is suspended by a trouble, such as paper jamming, the configuration as above enables printing to be resumed using the image data saved in the HDD and thereby eliminates the need to scan the document again after the trouble is removed. In addition, a print job, such assorting, multiple printing, and double face printing, can be executed smoothly. When the print job ends, the image data saved in the HDD is erased so that the document will no longer be reproduced.
- A print job by the printer, a print job of reception data by a facsimile machine, and a data transmission job by a facsimile machine can be executed in the same manner. For example, for a print job that uses the MFP as a printer, print data written in a page description language is first transmitted to the MFP from a personal computer or the like. The print data is then subjected to bit map conversion page by page by a raster image processor (RIP) provided to the MFP. Page data is thus generated. The page data is temporarily saved in the HDD. The page data is then read out from the HDD and restored to an image, and this image is printed on a sheet of paper. After the print job ends, the page data saved in the HDD is erased so that the page data will no longer be reproduced.
- Generally, the HDD includes a data save region and a file management region. In an HDD provided to the image forming apparatus, image data (or page data) is saved in the data save region. Also, information (so-called FAT (File Allocation Table) information) to know at which address in the data save region the image data is saved is stored in the file management region.
- One method for erasing image data saved in the HDD is a method for erasing the FAT information related to the image data from the file management region. According to this data erasing method, the image data itself is not erased from the data save region. However, once the FAT information is erased, the location at which the corresponding image data is present becomes unknown, which inhibits an access to the image data. Accordingly, the image data is assumed to have been erased.
- This data erasing method has an advantage that loads on the processor that performs operation control of the image forming apparatus and data processing can be reduced. According to this data erasing method, however, it is not impossible to reproduce image data because the image data itself is not erased. Should an evil-minded third party obtain an HDD in which highly confidential documents or the like are saved in the form of image data, there is a risk that the documents are restored.
- Given these circumstances, as another data erasing method, there is a method for erasing image data by writing random data over the image data saved in the HDD several times. According to this method, however, it takes a long time to erase data. Also, the performance is deteriorated because, for example, a new job is limited while the data is being erased. Further, there is a problem that the life of the HDD is shortened as the number of accesses to the HDD increases.
- An object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-manipulate image forming apparatus furnished with a high security function against leakage of image data and yet achieving an excellent performance and a method for erasing image data from a memory device provided to this image forming apparatus.
- An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes: an image data input unit configured to take in image data; an image data memory unit configured to save image data inputted from the image data input unit; a data output unit configured to output the image data saved in the image data memory unit in a specific format; and an image data erasing unit configured to erase the image data saved in the image data memory unit after output processing by the data output unit is completed, wherein the image data erasing unit includes: an erasing selection unit configured to request a user to make a selection as to whether or not an erasing manipulation for image data as an erasure object is executed; and a data erasing unit configured to erase the image data by an erasing method at a different security level according to the selection of the user in response to a selection request from the erasing selection unit.
- Also, an image forming apparatus of the invention includes: image data input means for taking in image data according to a specific job specified by a user; memory means for saving taken-in image data; data output means for outputting the image data in a specific format according to the job; erasing selection means for requesting the user to make a selection as to whether or not the image data is erased from the memory means after an output of the image data is completed; and data erasing means for erasing the image data by an erasing method at a different security level according to the selection of the user.
- A method for erasing image data of the present invention is a method for erasing image data related to a specific job from a memory device which is provided to an image forming apparatus to save image data after the job is completed, including the steps of: taking in image data; saving the image data in the memory device; outputting the image data in a specific format; requesting a user to make a selection as to whether or not the image data is erased from the memory device after an output of the image data is completed; and erasing the image data by an erasing method at a different security level according to the selection of the user.
- According to the image forming apparatus and the method for erasing image data of the present invention, it is possible to make it extremely difficult to reproduce image data corresponding to a document or the like that the user judges as being highly confidential; moreover, it is possible to maintain performance and the ease of manipulation in a satisfactory manner.
-
FIG. 1 is a view showing the system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of a screen display on a liquid crystal display unit when a copy job is completed; -
FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a relation between a grace time and a job set in an erasing timer set unit; and -
FIG. 4 is a flowchart detailing a copy job by the image forming apparatus. - Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail, with reference to the drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a view showing the system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. Animage forming apparatus 100 is a multifunction peripheral (MFP) and is furnished with capabilities of a copying machine, a printer, a scanner, and a facsimile machine. - The
image forming apparatus 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 10 that governs operation control of theimage forming apparatus 100 and data processing, aROM 12 in which program data needed for the operation control of theimage forming apparatus 100 and data processing is stored, aRAM 14 that temporarily stores control information or the like while theimage forming apparatus 100 is operating, akey input unit 16 having various buttons used to manipulate theimage forming apparatus 100, and a liquidcrystal display unit 18 that displays manipulation information responding to manipulations on thekey input unit 16 and ongoing job information. The liquidcrystal display unit 18 is furnished with a touch panel capability. - The
image forming apparatus 100 also includes ascanner unit 20 provided as a document read unit that reads a copy document or a facsimile transmission document, aprint unit 22 that prints the copy document or reception data on a sheet of paper, a coding/decoding unit 24 that converts image data into encoded data at the time of facsimile transmission and decodes received encoded data into image data, aline control unit 26 that controls a telephone line for a facsimile communication, amodem 28 that modulates encoded data from the coding/decoding unit 24 to output the resulting signal to theline control unit 26 and demodulates a modulated signal received at theline control unit 26, aLAN control unit 30 that receives print data transmitted from a personal computer (PC) 38 linked to theimage forming apparatus 100 via a LAN, and an imagedata memory unit 32 that saves image data or the like handled in theimage forming apparatus 100. - A hard disc drive (HDD) is suitable for the image
data memory unit 32. Hereinafter, assume that the imagedata memory unit 32 comprises an HDD, and is therefore denoted as “HDD 32”. - The
image forming apparatus 100 further includes an imagedata erasing unit 34 that erases image data saved in theHDD 32, and an erasing timer setunit 36 that sets timing to erase data in theHDD 32 by the imagedata erasing unit 34. - The image
data erasing unit 34 includes anerasing selection unit 34 a that requests the user to select a single method among plural methods for erasing image data related to a specific job, such as a copy job, from theHDD 32 when this job ends. The imagedata erasing unit 34 also includes adata erasing unit 34 b that erases image data from theHDD 32 according to the single erasing method selected by the user. To be more concrete, theerasing selection unit 34 a includes a memory device, such as a ROM, having stored a program to exert capabilities specified below, and a CPU that executes such a program. - The
erasing selection unit 34 a causes the liquidcrystal display unit 18 to display erasing methods of image data. One example is shown inFIG. 2 . A signal informing that the copy job is completed is sent from theCPU 10 to theerasing selection unit 34 a. Theerasing selection unit 34 a then causes the liquidcrystal display unit 18 to display a message shown inFIG. 2 . When the user touches the icon of “YES” for an inquiry, “Erase data?”, shown inFIG. 2 , “YES” is selected, and when the user touches the icon of “NO”, “NO” is selected. As will be described below, in a case where the icon of “NO” is selected, the image data is erased anyway.FIG. 2 therefore shows two erasing methods. - For example, in a case where a copy job for highly confidential documents is executed, the user selects the icon of “YES”. In this case, meaningless random data, such as “00” and “FF”, is written over the image data related to this copy job by the
data erasing unit 34 b, and further, the FAT information of the image data is erased from theHDD 32. This makes it extremely difficult to restore the image data. - In a case where a copy job for less confidential documents or non-confidential documents is executed, the user selects the icon of “NO”. In this case, the FAT information of the image data related to this copy job is erased from the
HDD 32 by thedata erasing unit 34 b. This can shorten an operation time of theHDD 32, which can in turn suppress deterioration in performance. Also, the life of theHDD 32 can be extended by reducing the number of accesses to theHDD 32. - In this manner, the
image forming apparatus 100 erases image data saved in theHDD 32 by a single method selected by the user from two methods at different security levels. - It may be configured in such a manner that the image
data erasing unit 34 causes the liquidcrystal display unit 18 to display a message, “Erasing image data” or “Image data is erased” at once for a certain time when either the icon of “YES” or “NO” shown inFIG. 2 is selected. - There is a case that the user selects neither the icon of “YES” nor the icon of “NO”. This is a case where either the user ignores the display on the liquid
crystal display unit 18, or he skips a manipulation. When this case is left unresolved, there is a risk that a trouble occurs in a job execution by theimage forming apparatus 100 thereafter. - This being the case, a grace time to enable the user to select the icon of either “YES” or “NO” has been previously set in the erasing timer set
unit 36. In a case where the user selects neither the icon of “YES” nor the icon of “NO” by the time the grace time pre-set in the erasing timer setunit 36 has passed, the imagedata erasing unit 34 erases the FAT information of the image data related to this copy job from theHDD 32 after the grace time has passed. In other words, the data erasing same as that performed when a copy job for less confidential documents and non-confidential documents is executed is performed. - One example of the relation between the grace time and a job set in the erasing timer set
unit 36 is set forth inFIG. 3 . The grace time that can be set in the erasing timer setunit 36 includes, for example, eight kinds: 0 second, 30 seconds, one minute, two minutes, three minutes, five minutes, 10 minutes, and 30 minutes. One grace time selected from these eight kinds is set separately for each of a copy job, a PC print job, a scanner job, a facsimile transmission job, and a facsimile reception job that can be executed by theimage forming apparatus 100. The manager of theimage forming apparatus 100 is able to perform this setting using thekey input unit 16 and the liquidcrystal display unit 18. - It should be noted that the grace time is not limited to the times specified above. The grace time that can be set is not limited to eight kinds, either. In a case where the grace time is 0 second, data in the
HDD 32 is erased as soon as the job is completed. In this case, the imagedata erasing unit 34 does not cause the liquidcrystal display unit 18 to show the display ofFIG. 2 . The display ofFIG. 2 goes off when the pre-set grace time has passed. - For a copy job with which the user often awaits near the
image forming apparatus 100, it is preferable to set the grace time shorter. On the contrary, for a job when to receive is uncertain, such as a facsimile reception, it is preferable to set the grace time longer. - The processing flow of a copy job using the
image forming apparatus 100 will now be described.FIG. 4 shows the flowchart of the copy job. Initially, the document is set in the scanner unit 20 (ST1). Reading of the document is started by a manipulation on the key input unit 16 (ST2). Image data obtained in ST2 is successively compressed in an appropriate manner and saved in the image data memory unit 32 (ST3). The data saved in the imagedata memory unit 32 is read out sequentially and restored to data of its original size, after which the data is sent to theprinting unit 22 and printed on a sheet of paper therein (ST4). - At the same time when ST4 is started, a judgment as to whether printing on a sheet of paper has ended is started (ST5). When the judgment in ST5 is “YES”, the data erasing selection screen shown in
FIG. 2 above is displayed at once on the liquid crystal display unit 18 (ST6). At the same time when the screen display in ST6 is performed, the timer operation for the grace time (that is, count down of the grace time) starts (ST7). - After ST7 started, whether a selection manipulation has been made on the data erasing selection screen is judged (ST8). When it is judged in ST8 that the selection manipulation has been made (in the case of ‘YES’), it is further judged as to whether the selection content is the icon of “YES” or the icon of “NO” (ST9).
- In a case where the judgment in ST9 is the icon of “YES”, meaningless random data is written over the image data saved in the
HDD 32 for the job (ST10). After the processing in ST10, the FAT information is successively erased (ST12). Processing on the image data thus ends. These ST10 and ST12 make it extremely difficult to reproduce the image data. - In a case where the judgment of ST9 is the icon of “NO”, erasing processing for the FAT information (ST12) is performed without performing the data processing in ST10. Processing on the image data thus ends. In this case, a high performance can be maintained because the operation time of the
HDD 32 is short and various jobs can be executed at once thereafter. - In a case where it is judged in ST8 that the selection manipulation has not been made (in the case of ‘NO’), whether the grace time set for the copy job has passed (that is, whether time is up) is judged (ST11). In ST11, when the specific grace time has passed (in the case of YES), the erasing processing of the FAT information (ST12) is performed at once. Processing on the image data thus ends.
- A case where the
image forming apparatus 100 is used as the printer for thePC 38 will now be described briefly. A print job is executed for documents or the like created in thePC 38 by specifying theimage forming apparatus 100 as the printer. The print data generated in thePC 38 is transmitted to theimage forming apparatus 100 and converted into page data therein. The page data is compressed appropriately, and is then saved in the imagedata memory unit 32. The page data saved in the imagedata memory unit 32 is read out sequentially to be restored to data of its original size, after which the data is sent to theprinting unit 22 and printed on a sheet of paper therein. - When the print processing in the
image forming apparatus 100 is completed, the imagedata erasing unit 34 causes the display of the PC terminal to display “Print out is completed. Erase Print data? “YES”, “NO”” in the same manner asFIG. 2 using the two-way communications between theimage forming apparatus 100 and the PC. In this instance, the same display is shown on the liquidcrystal display unit 18 of theimage forming apparatus 100. The user is able to erase the image data saved in theHDD 32 by manipulating thePC 38 or the liquidcrystal display unit 18. - In a case where the specific grace time has passed while neither the icon of “YES” nor the icon of “NO” is selected, the erasing processing of the FAT information is performed at once, and the message that is being displayed on the
PC 38 and the liquidcrystal display unit 18 goes off. - The data processing method in a case where the
image forming apparatus 100 is used as the transmitter of a facsimile machine is the same as the case where a copy job is executed. The data processing method in a case where theimage forming apparatus 100 is used as the receiver of a facsimile machine is the same as the case where a print job is executed. In a case where theimage forming apparatus 100 is used as the scanner, which is a peripheral device of thePC 38, the configuration can be the same. - While the embodiment of the present invention has been described, the invention is not limited to the embodiment above, and various modifications, alternations, and replacements can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the invention set forth in the appended claims. It is therefore understood that such are included in the scope of the invention.
- For example, the
image forming apparatus 100 described above erases data saved in theHDD 32 using the imagedata erasing unit 34 and the erasing timer setunit 36. The functions of these imagedata erasing unit 34 and the erasing timer setunit 36 are exerted by theCPU 10, the program stored in theROM 12, the grace time stored in theRAM 14. - The security level for image data as an erasure object is not limited to two scales. It is therefore possible to configure in such a manner that the user is further able to specify the number of overwriting times of meaningless random data on the image data saved in the
HDD 32. To be more concrete, in a case where the user selects the icon of “YES” when the display as shown inFIG. 2 is displayed on the liquidcrystal display unit 18, plural icons representing the number of overwriting times of random data are then displayed on the liquidcrystal display unit 18. The security level becomes higher as the number of overwriting times is increased. The user selects one icon among these plural icons by taking into account the degree of secrecy of the document he is handling. Erasing processing of image data that matches with the selected security level is thus performed. - The
image forming apparatus 100 may be configured in such a manner that no erasing processing is applied to image data as an erasure object in a case where the user selects the icon of “NO” when the display as shown inFIG. 2 is displayed on the liquidcrystal display unit 18. In this case, when a specific job is executed in theimage forming apparatus 100, theCPU 10 detects an available capacity of the imagedata memory unit 32. When an available capacity of the imagedata memory unit 32 is insufficient, image data related to jobs in the past is erased appropriately. This ensures an available capacity needed to execute a new job in the imagedata memory unit 32. - The
image forming apparatus 100 may be configured in such a manner that in a case where the user selects the erasing method of image data within the grace time set in the erasing timer setunit 36, the selected data erasing method is performed at once when this grace time has passed. When another job is being executed during this time, the priority is placed on the performance of the job and the data erasing processing comes in a pending state. The data erasing processing is performed at once after the job is completed. - The image
data memory unit 32 is not limited to an HDD, and it can be other memory devices capable of reading/writing data, for example, a DVD-RAM or an MO.
Claims (16)
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
an image data input unit configured to take in image data;
an image data memory configured to save image data inputted through the image data input unit;
a data output unit configured to output the image data saved in the image data memory in a specific format;
a display configured to display a selection screen which prompts a user to input a selection as to whether to erase the image data or not after the image data is outputted by the data output unit; and
a controller configured to erase an address where the image data is stored in the image data memory if neither erasing nor rejection to erase the image data is selected within a grace time.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the controller configured to write random data over the image data if erasing the image data is selected.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the controller configured to erase the address alone if rejection to erase the image data is selected.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the controller configured to write random data over the image data and erase the address if erasing the image data is selected.
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , further comprising a timer configured to set the grace time during which the user is able to respond to the selection screen by the display.
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the display configured to display other selection screen which prompts the user to select a number of overwriting times of the random data if overwriting the image data is selected.
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the controller configured to neither write random data over the image data nor erase the address if rejection to erase the image data is selected.
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the image data input unit includes any of:
an optical document read unit configured to read a document as image data;
a facsimile data reception unit configured to receive facsimile data via a telephone line; and
a LAN control unit configured to receive print data via a LAN from a terminal linked to the LAN.
9. A method for erasing image data for erasing image data related to a specific job from a memory device which is provided to an image forming apparatus to save image data after the job is completed, comprising:
saving the image data in the memory device;
outputting the image data saved in the memory device in a specific format;
displaying a selection screen which prompts a user to input a selection as to whether to erase the image data or not after the image data is outputted; and
erasing an address where the image data is stored in the memory device if neither erasing nor rejection to erase the image data is selected within a grace time.
10. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising:
writing random data over the image data if erasing the image data is selected.
11. The method according to claim 10 , further comprising:
erasing the address alone if rejection to erase the image data is selected.
12. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising:
performing to write random data over the image data and erase the address if erasing the image data is selected.
13. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising:
setting the grace time during which the user is able to respond to the selection screen.
14. The method according to claim 10 , further comprising:
displaying other selection screen which prompts the user to select a number of overwriting times of the random data if overwriting the image data is selected.
15. The method according to claim 10 , further comprising:
operating neither to write random data over the image data nor to erase the address if rejection to erase the image data is selected.
16. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the memory device being operable to receive the image data from any of:
an optical document read unit configured to read a document as image data;
a facsimile data reception unit configured to receive facsimile data via a telephone line; and
a LAN control unit configured to receive print data via a LAN from a terminal linked to the LAN.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/726,131 US20100171974A1 (en) | 2006-06-01 | 2010-03-17 | Image forming apparatus and method for erasing image data |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/421,747 US7710591B2 (en) | 2006-06-01 | 2006-06-01 | Image forming apparatus and method for erasing image data |
US12/726,131 US20100171974A1 (en) | 2006-06-01 | 2010-03-17 | Image forming apparatus and method for erasing image data |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/421,747 Continuation US7710591B2 (en) | 2006-06-01 | 2006-06-01 | Image forming apparatus and method for erasing image data |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20100171974A1 true US20100171974A1 (en) | 2010-07-08 |
Family
ID=38876302
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/421,747 Expired - Fee Related US7710591B2 (en) | 2006-06-01 | 2006-06-01 | Image forming apparatus and method for erasing image data |
US12/726,131 Abandoned US20100171974A1 (en) | 2006-06-01 | 2010-03-17 | Image forming apparatus and method for erasing image data |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/421,747 Expired - Fee Related US7710591B2 (en) | 2006-06-01 | 2006-06-01 | Image forming apparatus and method for erasing image data |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US7710591B2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20170262157A1 (en) * | 2016-03-11 | 2017-09-14 | Motorola Solutions, Inc. | Deleting a system resource |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2003103272A1 (en) | 2002-05-30 | 2003-12-11 | シャープ株式会社 | Image processing device |
JP2006231673A (en) * | 2005-02-24 | 2006-09-07 | Oki Data Corp | Image forming apparatus |
JP5057562B2 (en) * | 2007-01-31 | 2012-10-24 | キヤノン株式会社 | Image forming apparatus, image forming apparatus control method, and program |
JP4427804B2 (en) * | 2008-02-06 | 2010-03-10 | コニカミノルタビジネステクノロジーズ株式会社 | Image forming apparatus, security management method, and security processing program |
JP2013103371A (en) * | 2011-11-11 | 2013-05-30 | Riso Kagaku Corp | Image forming device and image forming system |
JP7071132B2 (en) * | 2018-01-19 | 2022-05-18 | キヤノン株式会社 | Printing equipment, printing method, program |
JP7322236B2 (en) * | 2018-01-19 | 2023-08-07 | キヤノン株式会社 | PRINTING DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM |
Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20020089543A1 (en) * | 2000-12-15 | 2002-07-11 | Christian Ostergaard | Recovering managent in a communication unit terminal |
US20020126161A1 (en) * | 1994-07-05 | 2002-09-12 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Information processing system |
US20020171867A1 (en) * | 2001-05-17 | 2002-11-21 | Keiji Nobuhara | Image processing apparatus |
US20030191938A1 (en) * | 2002-04-09 | 2003-10-09 | Solarsoft Ltd. | Computer security system and method |
US20040012812A1 (en) * | 2002-04-26 | 2004-01-22 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Data processing method suitable for system including image processing apparatus, system including image processing apparatus, image processing apparatus, data erasing method, program for implementing the method, and storage medium storing the program |
US20060139680A1 (en) * | 2003-02-25 | 2006-06-29 | Yuji Okamoto | Image processing device |
US20060248560A1 (en) * | 2005-04-28 | 2006-11-02 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Video recording/playback apparatus |
US20070143190A1 (en) * | 2005-12-19 | 2007-06-21 | General Electric Company | Methods and systems to reserve wine from a cellar |
US20070162454A1 (en) * | 2005-12-29 | 2007-07-12 | D Albora Paul A | Method and apparatus for managing a computer-based address book for incident-related work |
US20070174766A1 (en) * | 2006-01-20 | 2007-07-26 | Microsoft Corporation | Hidden document data removal |
US20080189259A1 (en) * | 2005-04-14 | 2008-08-07 | Rajesh Kapur | Method For Preserving Access To Deleted And Overwritten Documents By Means Of A System Recycle Bin |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP4082984B2 (en) | 2002-10-30 | 2008-04-30 | シャープ株式会社 | Image processing device |
JP4272846B2 (en) | 2002-05-30 | 2009-06-03 | シャープ株式会社 | Digital image processing device |
JP4082983B2 (en) | 2002-10-30 | 2008-04-30 | シャープ株式会社 | Image processing device |
-
2006
- 2006-06-01 US US11/421,747 patent/US7710591B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2010
- 2010-03-17 US US12/726,131 patent/US20100171974A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20020126161A1 (en) * | 1994-07-05 | 2002-09-12 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Information processing system |
US20020089543A1 (en) * | 2000-12-15 | 2002-07-11 | Christian Ostergaard | Recovering managent in a communication unit terminal |
US20020171867A1 (en) * | 2001-05-17 | 2002-11-21 | Keiji Nobuhara | Image processing apparatus |
US20030191938A1 (en) * | 2002-04-09 | 2003-10-09 | Solarsoft Ltd. | Computer security system and method |
US20040012812A1 (en) * | 2002-04-26 | 2004-01-22 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Data processing method suitable for system including image processing apparatus, system including image processing apparatus, image processing apparatus, data erasing method, program for implementing the method, and storage medium storing the program |
US20060139680A1 (en) * | 2003-02-25 | 2006-06-29 | Yuji Okamoto | Image processing device |
US20080189259A1 (en) * | 2005-04-14 | 2008-08-07 | Rajesh Kapur | Method For Preserving Access To Deleted And Overwritten Documents By Means Of A System Recycle Bin |
US20060248560A1 (en) * | 2005-04-28 | 2006-11-02 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Video recording/playback apparatus |
US20070143190A1 (en) * | 2005-12-19 | 2007-06-21 | General Electric Company | Methods and systems to reserve wine from a cellar |
US20070162454A1 (en) * | 2005-12-29 | 2007-07-12 | D Albora Paul A | Method and apparatus for managing a computer-based address book for incident-related work |
US20070174766A1 (en) * | 2006-01-20 | 2007-07-26 | Microsoft Corporation | Hidden document data removal |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20170262157A1 (en) * | 2016-03-11 | 2017-09-14 | Motorola Solutions, Inc. | Deleting a system resource |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US7710591B2 (en) | 2010-05-04 |
US20080002231A1 (en) | 2008-01-03 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20100171974A1 (en) | Image forming apparatus and method for erasing image data | |
US7327484B2 (en) | Data processing apparatus for imparting priority to either nullification of processed data or processing of non-processed data | |
US7936467B2 (en) | Data processing method suitable for system including image processing apparatus, system including image processing apparatus, image processing apparatus, data erasing method, program for implementing the method, and storage medium storing the program | |
US8614802B2 (en) | Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer program product configured to execute data processing for plural requests without duplicating common data processing | |
US7502131B2 (en) | Data processing device, facsimile machine having data processing function, data managing device associated with the data processing device and computer program | |
WO2003103272A1 (en) | Image processing device | |
JP4785660B2 (en) | Image processing device | |
US20070296932A1 (en) | Image Forming Apparatus and Image Forming Method | |
JPH10126562A (en) | Data communication system and data communication control method | |
JP2004234195A (en) | Automatic program registration function | |
JP5928505B2 (en) | Image processing apparatus, image processing method and image processing program in the same | |
US8582153B2 (en) | Image forming apparatus and method | |
JP2006352738A (en) | Image forming device | |
US20070127070A1 (en) | Image forming apparatus | |
JP2004153516A (en) | Image processing apparatus | |
US20070070385A1 (en) | Data processing apparatus | |
US10795625B2 (en) | Image forming apparatus, reservation job managing and control performance restoration | |
US11868669B2 (en) | Image processing apparatus and control method for displaying a setting history for which authentication information is required to execute a job | |
JP2005084974A (en) | Information processor | |
JP2004153517A (en) | Image processing apparatus | |
JP2011191432A (en) | Image processing apparatus, operation mode setting method and operation mode setting program | |
JP4159382B2 (en) | Image processing method, image processing system, and image processing apparatus | |
JP2009003658A (en) | Data processor, data processing method, and data processing program | |
JP2007088798A (en) | Data processor | |
JP3109450B2 (en) | Computer-readable recording medium recording a data transfer program to a communication terminal device with a printer function |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |