JP2011004028A - Image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation apparatus which suppresses the leakage of confidential information by performing image formation which suggests to a user that confidential information is described when the confidential information is included in acquired image data.SOLUTION: An image reading unit 2 reads an image from an original placed by the user. A data conversion function unit 151 extracts a character series by collating an image acquired by the image reading unit 2 with a character recognition pattern stored in a character recognition pattern memory unit 141. An information comparison unit 152 discriminates whether or not there is confidential information by comparing the extracted character series with a keyword stored in a keyword memory unit 142. When the information comparison unit 152 discriminates that the confidential information is included, an image forming unit 1 changes a color of a part of the acquired image, and performs image forming.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. More specifically, when confidential information is included in the acquired image data, an attempt is made to suppress leakage of confidential information by forming an image that suggests to the user that the confidential information is described. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  In recent years, backing paper has been increasingly used for image forming apparatuses from the viewpoint of increasing environmental problems and reducing costs. Thus, by printing on both sides as well as on one side, resource reuse has been promoted and costs have been reduced.

  However, when paper with confidential information is used as the backing paper, the confidential information may be leaked by passing the paper to a third party. In order to prevent this, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that prevents the confidential information on the back paper from being read. According to Patent Document 1, the confidential information described on the back paper is made unreadable by bringing an image erasing unit in which sandpaper is wound around a roller into contact with the confidential information description surface of the back paper.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an image forming apparatus that includes one or more special color image forming units in addition to yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) image forming units. Is disclosed. According to Patent Document 2, it is possible to improve image quality or to add security information by appropriately changing a special color. The security information is added by forming an image by adding an invisible image.

JP 2006-154055 A JP 2006-267706 A

  However, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, there is no guarantee that confidential information will be reliably unreadable. This is because when the image erasing unit is brought into light contact with the paper, at least a part of the image remains without being erased (see FIG. 4B of Patent Document 1). On the other hand, if the image erasing unit is strongly pressed against the paper in order to securely erase the confidential information, the paper may be torn.

  Further, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2 describes security information as an invisible image. For this reason, it is difficult for the user to determine at a glance that the paper is a backing paper on which confidential information is described. Therefore, there is a possibility that confidential information may be leaked if the user mistakenly uses a paper on which confidential information is described as a backing paper.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art. In other words, the problem is that if confidential information is included in the acquired image data, leakage of confidential information can be achieved by forming an image that suggests to the user that the confidential information is described. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which is intended to be suppressed.

  An image forming apparatus of the present invention made for the purpose of solving this problem includes an image acquisition unit that acquires image data, and an image that forms a color image on a printing member based on the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit In an image forming apparatus having a forming unit, a registration information storage unit that stores registration information is compared with registration information that is stored in the registration information storage unit, and image data is stored in the registration information storage unit. An image comparison unit that determines whether or not the image data is included, and the image forming unit is acquired by the image acquisition unit when the information comparison unit determines that the image data includes any of the registration information. The image data is formed by changing the color of at least a part of the image data (hereinafter referred to as “color-change image formation”), and the information comparison unit compares the image data with any of the registered information. If it is determined that Manai, and performs image formation without changing the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit. Such an image forming apparatus can perform color-change image formation when registration information suggesting confidential information is included in the image data. Thereby, it can be suggested to the user that confidential information is described on the member to be printed.

  In the image forming apparatus described above, the character recognition pattern storage unit that stores the character recognition pattern and the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit are collated with the character recognition pattern stored in the character recognition pattern storage unit. A data conversion function unit for converting to character data, the registration information storage unit stores a keyword as registration information, and the image forming unit is a character extracted by the data conversion function unit by the information comparison unit. When it is determined that the data includes any of the keywords stored in the registration information storage unit, the color-change image formation may be performed. This is because color-change image formation can be performed when confidential information is included in the image data.

  In the image forming apparatus described above, the image forming unit performs image formation by changing the color of the image portion corresponding to the keyword in the image data acquired by the image acquiring unit when performing the color change image formation. It may be a thing. This is because, by changing the color of the image portion corresponding to the keyword and printing, it can be suggested to the user that the confidential information is described on the member to be printed.

  In the image forming apparatus described above, the image forming unit may perform image formation by changing the color of the entire image acquired by the image acquisition unit when performing color-change image formation. This is because, by changing the color of the entire image and printing, it is possible to suggest to the user that confidential information is described on the member to be printed.

  In the image forming apparatus described above, a color arrangement pattern storage unit that stores a plurality of color arrangement patterns applied when color-changed image formation is performed, and each registration information and color arrangement pattern storage unit stored in the registration information storage unit It is good to have a correspondence storage part which memorizes correspondence with one color arrangement pattern among a plurality of memorized color arrangement patterns. This is because a color change image can be formed by applying a different color arrangement pattern for each registered information.

  The image forming apparatus described above includes a setting display input unit that displays various setting information and accepts input by the user of the various setting information. The setting display input unit uses the information comparison unit to store the image data as registration information. If it is determined that the image data includes any one of the image data, the registration information included in the image data is displayed and the color-changed image based on the image data is displayed prior to the start of image formation based on the image data. An instruction screen for accepting an instruction from the user as to whether or not to execute the formation may be displayed. This is because the user's intention is more reflected in the execution of the color change image formation.

  In the image forming apparatus described above, the setting display input unit performs the color change image formation prior to the start of the color change image formation when the instruction screen is instructed to execute the color change image formation. A color scheme that displays a color pattern change screen that accepts an instruction from the user as to whether or not to change the color scheme to be applied, and that accepts a color scheme selection by the user when an instruction to change the color scheme is given on the color pattern change screen Displays the pattern selection screen, and when the color formation pattern is selected on the color arrangement pattern selection screen, the image forming unit applies the selected color arrangement pattern to form a color change image, and changes the color arrangement pattern. When an instruction to change the color scheme is given on the screen, the original color scheme is applied to form a color-changed image. May that. This is because the user's intention is more reflected in the selection of the color arrangement pattern.

  According to the present invention, when confidential information is included in the acquired image data, leakage of confidential information is suppressed by performing image formation that suggests to the user that the confidential information is described. There is provided an image forming apparatus for achieving this.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sheet on which printing is performed when confidential information is described in a document read by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 4 is a block diagram for explaining an instruction system in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an operation unit display panel of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of image formation performed by the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining a case of adding a keyword in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining a case of adding a keyword in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a case where a keyword is deleted in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a first diagram for explaining a color arrangement pattern in the image forming apparatus of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a second diagram for explaining a color arrangement pattern in the image forming apparatus of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a diagram (No. 1) for describing a case where a color arrangement pattern is changed in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram (No. 2) for describing a case where a color arrangement pattern is changed in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram (No. 3) for describing a case where a color arrangement pattern is changed in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining another flow of image formation performed by the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram (No. 1) for illustrating another example of a sheet on which printing is performed when confidential information is described in a document read by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram (No. 2) for illustrating another example of a sheet on which printing is performed when confidential information is described in a document read by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, the present invention is embodied in an image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus according to this embodiment performs the following image formation when confidential information is described in a document placed by a user. That is, image formation is performed by changing the color of a part of the image while keeping the shape of the image read from the document.

  Here, as a specific example, a case where a document is copied by the image forming apparatus of this embodiment will be described. The original manuscript is printed with characters of "Top Secret Information" suggesting confidential information and other characters. The original document has a monochrome image formed with black characters. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, it is assumed that the original document is printed only in black.

  FIG. 1 shows a sheet after such a document is copied by the image forming apparatus of this embodiment. FIG. 1 shows that the image portion corresponding to the character “confidential information” is printed in red, and the other image portions are printed in black, which is the same as the color of the original document. For this reason, the “confidential information” part stands out compared to the other parts. Therefore, the user can easily recognize that the confidential information is described on the paper shown in FIG.

  Whether or not confidential information is described in the manuscript is determined as follows. That is, image data obtained by reading an image is converted into character data, and whether or not a keyword registered in advance is included in the character data is used as a criterion. Details thereof will be described later.

1. Image Forming Apparatus The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is a so-called tandem type color copier having an intermediate transfer belt 101 as schematically shown in FIG. The intermediate transfer belt 101 is an endless belt member. Both ends of the intermediate transfer belt 101 are supported by rollers 102 and 103 and rotate in the direction of arrow A in the drawing. Along the lower portion of the intermediate transfer belt 101 in the drawing, image forming portions 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K for each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are arranged.

  The image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K for the respective colors have the same configuration. Each has a photoreceptor unit 20, an exposure device 30, and a developing unit 10. The photoreceptor unit 20 has a photoreceptor drum 21 that carries an electrostatic latent image. The exposure device 30 is for drawing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 21. The developing unit 10 is for applying toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 21 for development. Further, a primary transfer roller 111 is disposed at a position facing the photosensitive drum 21 with the intermediate transfer belt 101 interposed therebetween. In FIG. 2, the reference numerals of these devices are shown as representatives by the image forming unit 1Y.

  2 is a paper feeding device 112 that accommodates the paper P. A paper feed roller 113 that feeds the paper P is provided above the paper feed device 112. The sheet P is sent upward from the sheet feeding device 112 along the sheet conveyance path 114. A secondary transfer roller 115 is disposed at a position facing the roller 103 with the sheet conveyance path 114 interposed therebetween. Further, a fixing device 130 is disposed on the downstream side (upper side in the drawing). The fixing device 130 has a roller pair of a pressure roller 131 and a heating roller 132.

  A paper discharge roller 116 and a paper discharge tray 117 are arranged further downstream of the sheet conveying path 114 from the fixing device 130. A folding roller 119 and a folding tray 120 are disposed further above the paper discharge roller 116. The folding roller 119 is connected to the paper transport path 118 in addition to the paper transport path 114. The paper transport path 118 is a transport path used when performing duplex printing.

  The image reading unit 2 is arranged above the folding tray 120. The image reading unit 2 is an image acquisition unit for reading image data of a document placed by a user. In addition, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an operation unit display panel 3. The operation unit display panel 3 is for displaying various setting information and receiving instructions from the user.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 150 and a memory 140 in addition to those described above. As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3, the control unit 150 includes a data conversion function unit 151, an information comparison unit 152, and a normal control unit 153. The memory 140 has a character recognition pattern storage unit 141, a keyword storage unit 142, a color arrangement pattern storage unit 143, and other storage units 144.

  The data conversion function unit 151 has an OCR (Optical Character Reader) function that compares the image data read by the image reading unit 2 with character recognition patterns stored in advance in the character recognition pattern storage unit 141 and converts them into character data. It is to be prepared. The information comparison unit 152 compares the character data extracted by the data conversion function unit 151 with the keyword recorded in advance in the keyword storage unit 142, and determines whether the read image data includes the keyword. It is. The normal control unit 153 is for performing image formation and other controls.

  The character recognition pattern storage unit 141 is an image recognition pattern storage unit for recording in advance a character recognition pattern used for collation when a character string is extracted by the data conversion function unit 151. The keyword storage unit 142 is a registered information storage unit for storing a keyword that is a criterion for determining whether confidential information is described in an image. In the keyword storage unit 142, standard keywords suggesting confidential information are stored in advance at the time of factory shipment. As will be described later, when a keyword is appropriately added or deleted by the user, the keyword storage unit 142 reflects the contents.

  The color arrangement pattern storage unit 143 is for storing a plurality of color arrangement patterns. The color arrangement pattern storage unit 143 also serves as a correspondence storage unit for storing the correspondence between each keyword and the color arrangement pattern selected by the user. The correspondence relationship storage unit may exist independently. Another storage unit may also serve as the correspondence storage unit. The other storage unit 144 is used to store information necessary for other processes in addition to performing image formation.

  The operation unit display panel 3 includes an operation unit 4 and a touch panel 5 as shown in FIG. The operation unit 4 is a setting input unit having a numeric keypad and other hard keys. The touch panel 5 displays various setting information in color. The touch panel 5 also displays a soft key that accepts input when touched by the user in color, and accepts input when touched by the user. That is, the touch panel 5 is a setting display input unit. The operation unit display panel 3 is used for accepting a keyword update and a change in the color scheme pattern setting as well as other setting changes in response to an input by the user.

  Next, a basic operation of the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment will be briefly described. The image forming apparatus 100 reads a document placed by a user with the image reading unit 2. Then, as will be described later, it is determined whether or not confidential information is described in the document. As a result, when an image formation instruction is received, image data of each color is generated from the image signal. The generated image data of each color is sent to the corresponding image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. The image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K for each color form an electrostatic latent image based on the image data. Further, the formed electrostatic latent image is developed to form a toner image.

  The formed toner images are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 101 by the primary transfer roller 111 and superimposed. The toner image superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 101 is transferred onto the paper P by the secondary transfer roller 115. The sheet P carrying the toner image is further conveyed and reaches the fixing device 130, and is heated and pressurized by the fixing device 130. As a result, the toner image is fixed on the paper P. The paper P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to a paper discharge tray 117 by a paper discharge roller 116. The above is the basic operation of the image forming apparatus 100.

2. Method for Determining Presence / Absence of Confidential Information As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment performs image formation by determining the presence / absence of confidential information in a read original. This determination is made based on whether or not a keyword suggesting confidential information exists in the read original. Therefore, a specific method for determining whether or not a keyword is described in the read original will be described below with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

  First, the image reading unit 2 reads an image of a document placed by a user and acquires image data. Then, the data conversion function unit 151 collates the image data read by the image reading unit 2 with the character recognition pattern stored in the character recognition pattern storage unit 141. As a result, characters that match the character recognition pattern are extracted as character data.

  Then, the control unit 150 reads the registered keyword from the keyword storage unit 142. The information comparison unit 152 compares the character data extracted from the image with the keyword. At that time, all registered keywords are compared. If any one of the keywords is included in the extracted character data, the information comparison unit 152 determines that the read document includes confidential information. If any keyword is not included in the extracted character data, the information comparison unit 152 determines that confidential information is not included in the read document.

  When the information comparison unit 152 determines that confidential information is included in the read document, the control unit 150 displays the keyword included in the character data on the touch panel 5 of the operation unit display panel 3. If there are a plurality of relevant keywords, all of them are displayed on the touch panel 5. FIG. 4 shows a state when they are displayed on the touch panel 5. Of course, if it cannot be displayed all at once, it may be displayed divided into a plurality of pages.

3. Flow in Image Formation A case where a document read by the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is copied will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of changing the image forming color in accordance with the presence or absence of confidential information.

  First, the image reading unit 2 reads an image from a document placed by the user and acquires image data (S101). Next, the data conversion function unit 151 extracts character data from the acquired image data (S102). As described above, the character string is extracted by collating the image data with the character recognition pattern stored in the character recognition pattern storage unit 141 by the data conversion function unit 151. Next, the information comparison unit 152 collates the extracted character data with a keyword (S103). Then, the process proceeds to S104.

  In S104, when any keyword is included in the extracted character string (S104: Yes), the process proceeds to S105. If none of the keywords are included in the extracted character string (S104: No), the process proceeds to S106.

  In S105, image formation is performed by changing the color of the image portion corresponding to the keyword. That is, image formation is performed by changing the color of at least a part of the acquired image data.

  In S106, normal image formation is performed. Image formation is performed while maintaining the shape and color of the read image. That is, image formation is performed so as to reproduce the read original.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 performs image formation by automatically changing a part of the color of an image when copying a document including a registered keyword. On the other hand, when copying a document that does not contain a registered keyword, image formation is performed so as to reproduce the read document.

4). Addition and deletion of keywords The keywords stored in the keyword storage unit 142 as default settings at the time of factory shipment are standard. The image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment can appropriately update the keyword according to a user instruction. This is to cope with the case where the notation that suggests confidential information differs depending on the company.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, a keyword can be newly added by the user. In addition, keywords can be deleted. The addition or deletion of these keywords is reflected in the contents of the keyword storage unit 142. The keyword updating method will be described below.

  A case where a new keyword is added to the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. First, the “menu selection” soft key is pressed by the user from the display screen of the touch panel 5 shown in FIG. Then, after several menu selections by the user, the display shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, soft keys on which character strings “add keyword”, “delete keyword”, and “color scheme” are displayed are displayed on the touch panel 5 side by side. The user can change various settings by touching a soft key on which each character string is displayed.

  Next, when the “add keyword” soft key is pressed by the user, a display as shown in FIG. An input screen showing soft keys corresponding to 50 sounds is displayed on the touch panel 5. This is to allow the user to input a keyword. The user inputs 50 sounds from the soft key. When one soft key is pressed, the corresponding character is displayed at the position of “input keyword display section” on the touch panel 5. The user inputs a keyword while performing kanji conversion or the like while confirming the display. When the “determine” panel is pressed by the user, a new keyword is stored in the keyword storage unit 142. At this time, a confirmation screen for confirming the input content may be displayed.

  Next, a case where a registered keyword is deleted will be described. FIG. 8 shows a display on the touch panel 5 when the “keyword deletion” soft key in FIG. 6 is pressed. On the touch panel 5 of the operation unit display panel 3, soft keys of registered keywords are displayed in order. If all the keywords cannot be displayed, they can be displayed in multiple pages. FIG. 8 shows a case where a part of the keyword is displayed. Each time the “next page” soft key in FIG. 8 is pressed, a list of keywords for the next page is displayed. On the other hand, each time the “previous page” soft key is pressed, a list of keywords for the previous page is displayed.

  The user then presses one or more soft keys from the displayed keyword soft keys. The soft key of the pressed keyword is in a state surrounded by a thick frame as shown in FIG. This is to make the user visually recognize that the selection has been completed. The selected keyword may be displayed in reverse video instead of being surrounded by a thick frame. It is only necessary that the keyword selected by the user as the keyword to be deleted can be distinguished from the keyword not selected.

  After selecting the keyword to be deleted, the user presses the “Delete” soft key. As a result, the control unit 150 deletes information related to the keyword selected from the keyword storage unit 142. At that time, a confirmation screen should be displayed. This is to prevent the user from deleting the keyword by mistake.

5. Variation of Coloration Pattern and its Change As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment changes the color of at least a part of the read image when a keyword is included in the extracted character string. Thus, image formation is performed. That is, the image is formed by changing the color of the image portion corresponding to the keyword. The image portion corresponding to the keyword is an image formed with a preset color.

  In FIG. 1, the “confidential information” characters formed in red are shown. However, image formation may be performed by applying a color arrangement pattern using other single colors or a plurality of colors. In this way, variations of the color scheme applied when forming an image portion corresponding to the keyword will be described. The color scheme shown in FIG. 1 is also one of the color scheme patterns. Further, the color scheme printed in black and white monochrome in the original document is also included in one of the color scheme patterns here.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of the color arrangement pattern. Here, it is assumed that the word “Top Secret Material” is a registered keyword. On the touch panel 5 of the operation unit display panel 3, characters of “top secret material” are displayed. The character “Pole” is displayed in red. In addition, the characters “secret”, “resource”, and “fee” are displayed in blue, green, and yellow, respectively. The color arrangement pattern is a color arrangement pattern that is repeatedly printed in order of red, blue, green, and yellow in the following for the fifth and subsequent characters.

  In FIG. 9, the characters “red”, “blue”, “green”, and “yellow” are written to distinguish these colors. However, such a display is not actually necessary. However, in an image forming apparatus having a monochrome touch panel, characters such as “red” may be added as shown in FIG.

  Here, another example of the color arrangement pattern will be described with reference to FIG. On the touch panel 5 of the operation unit display panel 3 shown in FIG. However, the characters “above” are for illustrating an example of the color arrangement pattern, and are not registered as “keywords”.

  In FIG. 10, the characters “upper” are configured as small block-shaped aggregates arranged in an inclined manner in the drawing. The filled blocks in FIG. 10 are actually displayed in red. The white blocks are actually displayed in blue. That is, the color arrangement pattern shown in FIG. 10 is a pattern in which these blocks are arranged by alternately coloring red and blue. As a result, the image portion corresponding to the character corresponding to the keyword in the extracted character string is printed in stripes. It is not necessary to limit to red and blue. Further, a color arrangement pattern using three or more colors may be used.

  As described above, the image portion corresponding to the keyword is image-formed based on a color arrangement pattern different from that of the document placed by the user. However, if the color scheme that has been set and the color scheme of the image part that corresponds to the keyword of the document placed by the user are accidentally the same from the beginning, they are based on the same color scheme. Image formation is performed. For this reason, it is preferable to set a color arrangement pattern that is not normally used.

  Here, the change direction of the color arrangement pattern will be described. The “color setting pattern” is set to “default setting” at the time of shipment from the factory. For example, the “default setting” shown in FIG. 1 is set. In the image forming apparatus 100, the user can set a “color arrangement pattern” for each keyword. In addition, it is possible to return to “default setting” for all keywords.

  First, from the state of the operation unit display panel 3 shown in FIG. 6, the user presses the “color scheme” soft key. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 11, soft keys including character strings of “default setting”, “setting for each keyword”, and “uniform setting” are displayed on the touch panel 5. Then, the user presses one of the “default setting”, “keyword setting”, or “uniform setting” soft keys.

  A case where the user presses “set for each keyword” in FIG. 11 will be described. In that case, the control unit 150 displays a list of registered keywords on the touch panel 5, as shown in FIG. This is to allow the user to select a keyword for changing the setting of the color arrangement pattern. At that time, one keyword may be selected, or a plurality of keywords may be selected.

  Assume that the user presses the “confidential” and “confidential” soft keys. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the pressed “confidential” and “top secret” soft keys are displayed surrounded by a thick frame. Instead of enclosing with a thick frame, it may be displayed in reverse video or using a different color.

  When these keywords are selected and the “determine” soft key is pressed by the user, a list of color arrangement patterns as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. On the touch panel 5 of the operation unit display panel 3 shown in FIG. 13, color patterns of “red”, “four colors”, and “stripes” are displayed side by side. “Red”, “four colors”, and “stripes” are the color arrangement patterns shown in FIGS. 1, 9, and 10, respectively.

  When all of the color arrangement patterns cannot be displayed, the display is divided into a plurality of pages in the same manner as when a keyword is selected. Here, it is assumed that after the “stripe” soft key is pressed by the user, the “decision” soft key is pressed. Then, the “stripe” color scheme shown in FIG. 10 is set for the keywords “confidential” and “confidential”. The contents set here are reflected in the contents of the color arrangement pattern storage unit 143.

  A case where the user presses the “uniform setting” soft key in FIG. 11 will be described. In this case, a list of color arrangement patterns shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the “decision” soft key is pressed after the user presses the “four colors” soft key. Then, among the keywords, the “four colors” color arrangement pattern shown in FIG. 9 is set for the keywords whose corresponding color arrangement patterns remain the default settings.

  For example, it is assumed that the “stripe” color scheme shown in FIG. 10 is set by “setting for each keyword” for the keywords “confidential” and “top secret”. Then, by performing the above-described “uniform setting”, keywords other than the “confidential” and “confidential” keywords (for example, “expense”, “sales”, “secret”, etc. shown in FIG. 12) The “4-color” color arrangement pattern shown in FIG. 9 is set.

  On the other hand, when the user presses the “default setting” soft key in the state of FIG. 11, the control unit 150 returns the color arrangement pattern for all keywords to the initial setting set at the time of factory shipment. In other words, even for a keyword for which a color arrangement pattern has already been set by “setting for each keyword” or “uniform setting”, the color arrangement pattern set at the time of factory shipment is set again.

6). Modification A modification of the present embodiment will be described. The image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment performs image formation by automatically changing the color of an image portion corresponding to a keyword when it is determined that confidential information is described in a document placed by a user. It is. However, a change of the color arrangement pattern by the user may be accepted before or during image formation. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of accepting a change of a color arrangement pattern by the user when the read original has confidential information.

  First, the image reading unit 2 reads an image from a document placed on the image forming apparatus 100 to acquire image data (S201). Next, the data conversion function unit 151 extracts character data from the acquired image data (S202). As described above, this extraction is performed by the data conversion function unit 151 collating the image data with the character recognition pattern stored in the character recognition pattern storage unit 141. Next, the information comparison unit 152 collates the extracted character data with a keyword (S203). Then, the process proceeds to S204.

  In S204, if any keyword is included in the extracted character data (S204: Yes), the process proceeds to S205. If no keyword is included in the extracted character data (S204: No), the process proceeds to S212.

  In S205, if the extracted character data includes any of the keywords, the keyword is displayed on the touch panel 5 of the operation unit display panel 3. If multiple keywords are included, all those keywords are displayed. Then, the process proceeds to S206.

  In step S206, the user's determination as to whether or not to cancel the setting for changing the color arrangement pattern is accepted. At that time, an instruction screen for accepting an instruction from the user as to whether or not to execute image formation by changing the color arrangement pattern is displayed on the touch panel 5. When the user gives an instruction to cancel the setting for changing the color arrangement pattern (S206: Yes), the process proceeds to S212. If the user gives an instruction not to cancel the setting for changing the color arrangement pattern (S206: No), the process proceeds to S207.

  In S207, one test pattern is printed out with the color scheme changed. Therefore, the test pattern should be visually recognized by the user. In S208, it is assumed that the test pattern has been confirmed by the user, and a determination by the user as to whether or not to cancel the setting for changing the color arrangement pattern is accepted. At that time, an instruction screen for accepting an instruction from the user as to whether or not to execute image formation by changing the color arrangement pattern is displayed on the touch panel 5. When the user gives an instruction to cancel the setting for changing the color arrangement pattern (S208: Yes), the process proceeds to S212. If the user gives an instruction not to cancel the setting for changing the color arrangement pattern (S208: No), the process proceeds to S209.

  In step S209, an instruction from the user as to whether or not to change to a color scheme different from the color scheme that has been subjected to the test print is received. At this time, a color pattern change screen for accepting an instruction from the user as to whether or not to change the color pattern is displayed on the touch panel 5. When the user gives an instruction to change the color arrangement pattern (S209: Yes), the process proceeds to S210. If the user gives an instruction not to change the color arrangement pattern (S209: No), the process proceeds to S211. In S210, the user selects a color arrangement pattern. At this time, a color pattern selection screen for accepting an instruction from the user for selection of the color pattern is displayed on the touch panel 5. Then, the color arrangement pattern selected by the user is reflected in the color arrangement pattern storage unit 143, and the process proceeds to S211.

  In S211, image formation is performed by changing the color of the image portion corresponding to the keyword. That is, image formation is performed by changing the color of at least a part of the acquired image data.

  As described above, image formation is performed on the image portion corresponding to the keyword based on a color arrangement pattern different from that of the document placed by the user. However, if the set color pattern and the color pattern of the original document placed by the user are accidentally the same from the beginning, image formation is performed based on the same color pattern. It will be.

  In S212, normal image formation is performed. Image formation is performed while maintaining the shape and color of the read image. That is, image formation is performed so as to reproduce the read original.

  Here, another modification will be described. In this embodiment, the case where the read image is copied has been described as an example. However, it may be applied when printing out a document created on a personal computer or the like. That is, when a keyword suggesting confidential information exists in the created document or the like, printing may be performed with a part of the color changed. In that case, a receiving unit in the printer, a plug-in port of an external memory, a FAX modem, and the like serve as an image acquisition unit.

  Another modification will be described. In the present embodiment, image formation is performed on an image portion corresponding to a keyword using a predetermined color arrangement pattern. However, image formation other than the keyword may be performed by applying a predetermined color arrangement pattern.

  FIG. 15 shows a case where an image is formed by changing the color arrangement pattern for only a part of the image when the image is formed. In this case, the image may be formed by changing the color of the image area including the keyword. Further, the image formation may be performed by applying a color arrangement pattern to a predetermined region regardless of the image portion corresponding to the keyword. Further, the color arrangement pattern may be applied to the entire page on which an image is formed. A specific example in that case is shown in FIG. For all the image areas, the image is formed by changing the color in a stripe shape.

  Another modification will be described. In this embodiment, the presence / absence of confidential information is determined by comparing character data obtained by converting acquired image data with registered keywords. However, the presence / absence of confidential information may be determined by a mark (for example, a circle of “secret” characters) instead of characters. In that case, the memory 140 may have a mark storage unit instead of the keyword storage unit 142. That is, it is not converted into character data, but the presence or absence of confidential information is determined with the image data as it is. The mark storage unit is a registration information storage unit that stores marks as registration information.

  In the mark storage unit, image information of a mark to be registered is stored as dot information or information obtained by compressing the dot information. The data conversion function unit 151 performs matching between the acquired image and an image recognition pattern registered in the mark storage unit, and extracts a mark included in the image. The registration of a new mark by the user may be performed by reading from the image reading unit 2.

  Note that the presence or absence of confidential information may be determined by both characters and marks. In that case, the memory 140 has a keyword storage unit 142 and a mark storage unit.

  Another modification will be described. In S206, the user's judgment is accepted as to whether or not to cancel the setting for changing the color scheme. However, it is also possible to accept the judgment by the user as to whether or not to perform copying itself. In this case, when copying a document including confidential information, image formation is performed only after confirmation by the user. In other words, there are cases where the copy itself is stopped by a user instruction.

7). Summary As described above in detail, when copying a document including a keyword registered in advance, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment prints an image portion corresponding to the keyword with a predetermined color arrangement pattern. To do. As a result, the user can easily recognize that the paper contains confidential information. As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 that prevents the user from erroneously using the paper on which the confidential information is described as the backing paper and prevents the leakage of the confidential information is realized.

  Note that this embodiment is merely an example, and does not limit the present invention. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof. For example, it is not limited to a copy machine. The present invention can be applied to a printer, a FAX, and other apparatuses that form images. It does not depend on the type of developer. Furthermore, a system using ink instead of toner may be used.

1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K ... Image forming unit 2 ... Image reading unit 3 ... Operation unit display panel 4 ... Input unit 5 ... Touch panel 10 ... Developing unit 20 ... Photoconductor unit 21 ... Photoconductor drum 30 ... Exposure device 100 ... Image Forming device 140 ... Memory 141 ... Character recognition pattern storage unit 142 ... Keyword storage unit 143 ... Color arrangement pattern storage unit 144 ... Other storage unit 150 ... Control unit 151 ... Data conversion function unit 152 ... Information comparison unit 153 ... Normal control unit P ... paper

Claims (7)

An image acquisition unit for acquiring image data;
In an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit that forms a color image on a printing member based on image data acquired by the image acquiring unit,
A registration information storage unit for storing registration information;
An information comparison unit that compares the image data with the registration information stored in the registration information storage unit to determine whether the image data includes any of the registration information;
The image forming unit includes:
When the information comparison unit determines that the image data includes any of registered information, the image formation is performed by changing the color of at least a part of the image portion of the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit. (Hereinafter referred to as “color-change image formation”),
When the information comparison unit determines that the image data does not include any of the registration information, the image formation is performed without changing the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
A character recognition pattern storage unit for storing character recognition patterns;
A data conversion function unit that converts the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit into character data by collating with the character recognition pattern stored in the character recognition pattern storage unit;
The registration information storage unit
It stores keywords as registration information,
The image forming unit includes:
When the information comparison unit determines that the character data extracted by the data conversion function unit includes any of the keywords stored in the registration information storage unit, the color change image formation is performed. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
The image forming unit includes:
An image forming apparatus for performing image formation by changing the color of an image portion corresponding to a keyword in the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit when performing the color-change image formation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The image forming unit includes:
An image forming apparatus for performing image formation by changing the color of the entire image acquired by the image acquisition unit when performing the color change image formation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
A color pattern storage unit that stores a plurality of color patterns applied when the color-change image is formed;
A correspondence relationship storage unit that stores a correspondence relationship between each registration information stored in the registration information storage unit and one color arrangement pattern among a plurality of color arrangement patterns stored in the color arrangement pattern storage unit; An image forming apparatus, comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 5,
In addition to displaying various setting information, it has a setting display input unit that accepts user input of various setting information.
The setting display input section
When the information comparison unit determines that the image data includes any of the registration information, prior to the start of image formation based on the image data,
In addition to displaying the registration information included in the image data,
An image forming apparatus for displaying an instruction screen for accepting an instruction from a user as to whether or not to execute the color-change image formation based on the image data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6,
The setting display input section
Whether or not to change the color arrangement pattern applied when the color change image formation is performed prior to the start of the color change image formation when the instruction screen is instructed to execute the color change image formation. Display a color pattern change screen that accepts user instructions,
When an instruction to change the color arrangement pattern is given on the color arrangement pattern change screen, a color arrangement pattern selection screen for accepting selection of the color arrangement pattern by the user is displayed.
The image forming unit includes:
When a color pattern is selected on the color pattern selection screen, the color change image is formed by applying the selected color pattern,
An image forming apparatus, wherein when an instruction not to change a color arrangement pattern is given on the color arrangement pattern change screen, the color change image is formed by applying an original color arrangement pattern.

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