JP3349567B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a complex digital copying machine having, for example, a facsimile function for transmitting / receiving image data, a scanner function for reading image data, and a printer function for printing out image data from an external device. And the like .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image processing apparatus such as a complex digital copier having a facsimile function for transmitting and receiving image data, a scanner function for reading image data, and a printer function for printing out image data from an external device. Has been put to practical use.

Further, by connecting a terminal device such as a personal computer having an instruction function and a display function (screen) to the digital copying machine, image data stored in the digital copying machine can be displayed or the terminal device side can display the image data. The created image data can be printed out or registered. In this case, a plurality of file data can be stored in the memory in the digital copying machine.

In such a device, the confidential file stored in the memory is protected by a password, and the confidential file can be called by inputting the password.

[0005] However, in the conventional compound digital copying machine, since a password is set for each device, when a network or the like is connected to the copying machine and more users share the password, the password accesses the copying machine. When a password is shared to eliminate the obstacle, it becomes difficult to keep a confidential file.

[0006]

According to the present invention, as described above, in a device in which a confidential file is stored in a memory and the confidential file is output by a password, a failure at the time of access by a password occurs, This removes the drawback that confidential files may be difficult to keep by removing obstacles.If a confidential file is stored in memory and the confidential file is output with a password, It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus capable of eliminating obstacles and keeping confidential files safely.

[0007]

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention.
Receives confidential image data and password
And confidential image data received by this receiving means.
A storage means for storing the password and the secret image
Receiving means for receiving an image data output instruction and a password
And the password received by the receiving means, and
Password of confidential image data corresponding to the output instruction
Determining means for determining the match of
When a word match is determined, respond to the above output instruction
Reading means for reading confidential image data to be read from the storage means
Output the image data read by the reading means
Output means, and read-out of each confidential image data.
Date and time storing means for storing the date and time that is hand the date storage
After a predetermined period has elapsed since the last access date stored in the column
And deletion execution means for deleting confidential image data.
You.

[0008]

[0009]

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

[Action] This invention, in the above configuration, the confidential
Received the image data and password of the
Record the dense image data with the password
Received the instruction to output confidential image data and the password.
The received password and the above output instructions
Determine whether the password matches the password of the corresponding confidential image data
When the password is determined to match,
Confidential image data corresponding to the instruction of
Read out, output the read out image data, and
For each image data, storing the read date and time, the
After a predetermined period has elapsed since the last access date stored
This is to delete dense image data .

[0013]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing system according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, an image processing system 1 includes a compound digital copying machine 2 as an image processing device and a personal computer (personal computer) 3 as a terminal device.

The digital copying machine 2 is provided with a facsimile function for transmitting and receiving image data, a scanner function for reading image data, and image data, a scanner function and a facsimile function for developing print data (code) from the personal computer 3. It has a printer function of printing out the obtained image data. PC 3 above
Is connected to the digital copying machine 2 and has a keyboard 3a
(Or a mouse not shown), a display function such as the display device 3b, and a communication function such as the communication interface 3c.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the digital copying machine 2. The digital copying machine 2
A scanner unit (reading means) 10 for optically reading the image information of the original, and an image signal read through the scanner unit 10 or supplied in accordance with an image signal supplied from an external device (not shown). It includes an image forming unit 20 for outputting image information on a recording material, that is, a copy sheet.

The scanner section 10 includes a document table (document table) 12 on which a document O to be copied is placed, and the document table 12.
A light source 14 for illuminating the original O placed on the CCD, and a CCD sensor 16 for converting the reflected light into an image information signal by photoelectrically converting the reflected light from the original O illuminated via the light source 14. Have.

Note that a reflector 15a for efficiently converging the illumination light from the light source 14 onto the original O is disposed beside the light source 14. Further, between the light source 14 and the CCD sensor 16, the original O
A plurality of mirrors 15b, 15c, 1 for bending the optical path through which the light directed to the sensor 16, that is, the reflected light from the original O, passes.
5d, and a lens 15e for converging the reflected light on the condensing surface of the CCD sensor 16 and the like.

On the upper portion of the document table 12, the document O
A document press 17 for closely contacting the mounting table 12 is disposed. The original presser can be replaced with, for example, an SDF, that is, a semi-auto original feeder, or an ADF, that is, an automatic original feeder, depending on the size or the copying ability of the image forming apparatus 2.

The image forming section 20 has a cylindrical shape, is formed to be rotatable in a desired direction via a motor (not shown), is charged to a desired potential, and is irradiated with a light beam. The photosensitive drum 22 has a photoelectric conversion element that changes the potential of the area irradiated with the light beam.

Around the photosensitive drum 22, a drum 22
Charging device 24 for applying a desired potential to the photosensitive drum 22
A laser unit 26 for outputting an image signal or a print signal from an image processing unit to be described later, that is, a laser beam turned on / off in accordance with image information to be copied or output, and a laser beam from the laser unit 26. A developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 22 by supplying a visualizing agent, that is, a toner;
And a transfer for transferring the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 22 via the developing device 28 onto a recording material, that is, a copy sheet fed from a recording material feeding unit 34 described later. The devices 30 and the like are arranged in order.

In the vicinity of the photosensitive drum 22 and downstream of the transfer device 30, the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 22 is removed, and the photosensitive drum 22 is moved by the laser beam. A cleaner unit 32 for erasing the change in potential generated above for the next image formation is provided.

Between the developing device 28 and the transfer device 30, the copy paper for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 22 is fed toward the transfer device 30. A recording material feeding section 34 is arranged.

Further, in a direction subsequent to the transfer device 30 and in a direction in which the copy paper on which the toner image has been transferred via the transfer device 30 is separated from the photosensitive drum 22, the copy paper is Fixing device for fixing toner image
38, and a transport device 36 disposed between the fixing device 38 and the transfer device 30 for transporting the copy sheet toward the fixing device 38.

The digital copying machine 2 further includes
, And a main control unit 49 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. FIG. 3 shows an example of the operation panel 40 incorporated in the digital copying machine 2 in FIG. The operation panel 40 is disposed at the digital copying machine 2, that is, at either the scanner section 10 or the image forming section 20.

The operation panel 40 includes a print key 41 for instructing the start of copying, a condition for image output in the digital copying machine 2, for example, the number of copies or the number of prints and a magnification, or a designation of a partial copy and the designation of the area. It includes an input device 42 for inputting coordinates, for example, a plurality of push button switches or a transparent touch sensor panel provided on a screen of a color cathode ray tube.

The operation panel 40 is provided with a display unit 44 for displaying a trouble in the digital copying machine 2, for example, a clogging of copy paper in the digital copying machine 2.

The input device 42 is used by the main control unit 49 to input user operations, for example, input of a partial copy mode or input of coordinates for partial copy, and input conditions, that is, numbers, operation modes, and the like. Output to

The input device 42 is arranged in accordance with an operation procedure relating to the digital copying machine 2 or conditions to be input, and includes, for example, a plurality of input keys displaying pictorial symbols, numbers, characters, character strings, and the like. Are provided as touch sensors 42a, 42b,. In addition, the input device 42
Has a display section 43 on which operation guidance and the like and input contents are displayed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a signal flow for electrical connection and control of digital copier 2 in FIG. According to FIG. 1, the main CPU 50 in the main control section 49 of the digital copying machine 2 controls the scanner section 10, the image forming section 20, and the operation panel section 40 independently or independently of the main CPU 50. Scanner CP operated in conjunction
U52, printer CPU54, and panel CPU56 are mutually connected.

In FIG. 4, a main CPU 50 in the main control unit 49 has a main ROM 50 storing a predetermined operation program for the main CPU 50.
a, and the main ROM 50a and the main CP
A main RAM 50b for storing data specified by U50 and the like is connected.

The main RAM 50b has a data memory
Image attribute data such as a file name, a password, a storage period (or a deletion execution date corresponding to the period), a notification destination (output destination), a storage address of the data memory 62, an image size, etc. There is provided a management table 51 in which the last access date and time, the number of accesses, and the like are stored in correspondence with the file number.

If a storage period is not set, a deletion execution date is a predetermined period (3 months) after the last access date. The storage content of each file data unit in the management table 51 is checked for its storage period by a timer (for month and day) 50c in the main CPU 50, and those whose storage period has elapsed are deleted from the management table 51. Has become.

A data switching / buffer memory circuit 60, a data memory 62 as a memory for storing image data, an interface controller 70, and the like are connected to the main CPU 50. Data switching
The buffer memory circuit 60 transfers the image data read via the scanner unit 10 or the printer unit 20.
It is used for data transfer (switching) such as extraction of image data to be output to the CPU, and is used for buffering for temporarily storing the respective data.

The interface controller 70 comprises an interface for connecting to the personal computer 3 and an interface for transmitting and receiving image data to and from another facsimile via a public line.

The data memory 62 has an area capable of storing image data for a plurality of pages. The image data is read by the scanner unit 10 and processed by the image processing circuit 64. The data memory 62 is interfaced with a public line (not shown). Image data from another facsimile supplied via the controller 70 is expanded by a compression / expansion circuit 66 using a compression memory 68, and is supplied from the personal computer 3 to the interface controller 70. The image data developed by using the printer controller 78 is stored.

When the image data is stored (registered) in the data memory 62, the file name, password (only for a confidential file),
Image attribute data such as storage period, notification destination, image size,
Management data is generated based on the storage address of the data memory 62 and stored in the management table 51.

The file name, password, and the like are given in a command supplied at the same time in the case of print data from the personal computer 3, and in the case of image data from a facsimile, they are included in the transmission data transmitted together with the image data. In the case of image data read from the scanner unit 10 and given, the setting is performed by the operation panel 40.

If a confidential file is supplied from a facsimile, the main CPU 50
a Alternatively, send (return) the reception notification (command) prepared in the internal memory or the like to the facsimile of the transmission source, and when it is confirmed that the confidential file is stored in the data memory 62, prepare in advance the ROM 50a or the internal memory or the like. The received notification (image data) is transmitted (returned) to the transmission source facsimile.

The above-mentioned interface controller
Reference numeral 70 denotes a memory 72 used when developing print data from the personal computer 3, and print data used when developing the print data stored in the memory 72 into image data that can be printed (output) by the printer unit 20. A font ROM 76, a printer controller 78, and the like are connected.

Next, an example of the operation of the digital copying machine 2 will be described in detail. An object to be copied, such as an original O (or a document), is placed on the original placing table 12 in the scanner unit 10, and copy conditions are input via the operation panel 40. For example, the number of copies N = 5 and the copy magnification 10 through the numeric keys 42a of the operation panel 40 controlled by the panel CPU 56.
When 0% is set and the print key 41 is turned on,
The image information recorded on the document O is read.

That is, the light source 14 is turned on via the lamp driver 52d, and the light source 14 and the mirror are rotated at a speed corresponding to a copy magnification of 100% with the rotation of the motor energized by the mechanical controller 52e. The reflected light (that is, image information) from the document O is sequentially guided to the CCD sensor 16.

The reflected light guided to the CCD sensor 16 is
The signal is converted into an analog signal in pixel units corresponding to the resolution of the CCD sensor 16 via the CCD sensor 16 in a state of being energized by a CCD driver (not shown). This C
An analog signal from the CD sensor 16 is an A / D conversion circuit (not shown) for converting the analog signal into a digital signal.
Is converted into a digital signal.

The digitally converted signal is represented by CC
Shading correction is performed via a shading correction circuit (not shown) for correcting a threshold level fluctuation with respect to an output signal from the CCD sensor 16 due to a variation in the D sensor 16 or a change in ambient temperature.

The digital signal subjected to the shading correction is arranged following the shading correction circuit (not shown), and the digital signal itself is transferred to the buffer memory circuit (not shown) and the data memory 62 at the same timing. It is temporarily stored in a specified line memory 19.

The digital signal, that is, image data stored in the line memory 19 is transferred to the data switching / buffer memory circuit 60 after the timing is adjusted according to the control of the main CPU 50, and is transferred to one page of information. Each time, the data is stored in the data memory 62 in pixel units defined according to the resolution of the CCD sensor 16.

The image information signal stored in the data memory 62 is read out to the image processing circuit 64 under the control of the main CPU 50. For example, filtering, trimming, masking, mirror image, italic, enlargement, reduction, edge enhancement Alternatively, after a process such as character identification is added, it is converted into a print signal. This print signal is output to a laser modulation circuit (not shown) via the printer CPU 54 in units of the pixels. The image signal output to the laser modulation circuit (not shown) is supplied to the image forming section 20 which is energized under the control of both the main CPU 50 and the printer CPU 54, and is supplied via a laser driver (not shown). The laser beam output from the energized laser unit 26 is turned on / off. It goes without saying that the on / off operation of the laser beam can be performed in units of the pixels.

On the other hand, in the image forming section 20, when the start key 41 is turned on, a motor (not shown) is energized under the control of the main CPU 50, and the photosensitive drum 22 is rotated. At the same time, a desired charge is supplied to the photosensitive drum 22 from a charging device 24 which is energized via an output circuit (not shown). Further, a recording material, that is, a copy sheet is fed from the feeding section 34 via a solenoid or a clutch which is energized via a mechanism control circuit (not shown).

The photosensitive drum to which the desired charge has been supplied.
By irradiating the laser beam turned on / off via the laser modulation circuit (not shown) on the surface of the photosensitive drum 22, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 22. This electrostatic latent image is visualized by toner supplied via the developing device 28, and is transferred as a toner image to the copy sheet via the transfer device 30.

The toner image transferred to the copy sheet is conveyed to a fixing device 38 via a conveying device 36, and is fixed to the sheet via the fixing device 38. The copy sheet to which the toner image is fixed is discharged to a discharge tray or a sorter disposed outside the digital copying machine 2.

Next, the operation of outputting file data in accordance with an instruction from the personal computer 3 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. That is, while instructing the output of file data by inputting a file name using the keyboard 3a of the personal computer 3, the display device 3b of the personal computer 3 is instructed as an output destination. Further, when the file data to be output is a confidential file, a password is also input using the keyboard 3a. Then, an instruction to read file data, a file name, and an output destination (and a password) are supplied to the main CPU 50 via the interface controller 70.

The main CPU 50 receives the file data reading instruction, the file name and the output destination (and the password) from the personal computer 3, and receives the file name and the file name for each file data stored in the management table 51. And a search is performed by comparing the file numbers, and a matching file number is stored in an internal memory (not shown). The main CPU 50
Corresponds to the management table 51 corresponding to the matching file data.
It is determined whether or not the file is a confidential file based on whether or not the password is stored in the file. If the result of this determination is that the file is not a confidential file,
The main CPU 50 reads a storage address corresponding to the file data from the management table 51, reads file data from the data memory 62 corresponding to the storage address, and outputs the file data to the personal computer 3 via the interface controller 70. Thus, in the personal computer 3, the file data is displayed on the display device 3b.

When the image forming unit 20 is designated as the output destination, the file data is printed out by the image forming unit 20. When another facsimile is designated as the output destination, the file data is transmitted to the facsimile. May be.

When the above file data is output,
The main CPU 50 stores update data of the access date and time and the number of accesses corresponding to the file data in the management table 51.

If it is determined that the file is a confidential file, the main CPU 50 checks whether the password is supplied from the personal computer 3 and supplies the password. It is checked whether or not the password matches the password stored in the management table 51 corresponding to the file data. If the password is not supplied or the password does not match, the output of the confidential file is not performed. The permission is output to the personal computer 3.

If the passwords match, the main C
The PU 50 reads the storage address corresponding to the file data from the management table 51, reads the file data from the data memory 62 corresponding to the storage address, and outputs the read data to the personal computer 3 via the interface controller 70. Thus, in the personal computer 3, the file data is displayed on the display device 3b.

When the image forming unit 20 is instructed as the output destination, the file data is printed out by the image forming unit 20. When another facsimile is instructed as the output destination, the file data is transmitted to the facsimile. May be.

When the above file data is output,
The main CPU 50 stores update data of the access date and time and the number of accesses corresponding to the file data in the management table 51.

When the administrator of the confidential file wants to know the access status of the confidential file, the administrator of the file may be notified that the confidential file has been accessed.

For example, the notification destination is also stored in the management table 51 for the confidential file, and when the confidential file is accessed, the corresponding notification destination is notified of the access of the confidential file. Notification destinations are facsimile, L
There are terminals, pagers, etc. connected by the AN.
The contents of the notification include the access time and the number of accesses.

As described above, by setting a password for each confidential file, obstacles due to the password are reduced and confidentiality is maintained. Also, by managing the time and the number of times the confidential file is called when the confidential file is called from the data memory, a complex digital type that allows many users to call the file in the data memory in various ways. The confidential file can also be reliably managed by the copying machine.

In other words, by setting a password for each confidential file, use can be limited to users who need the confidential file, and the confidential file can be reliably maintained. Although the personal computer instructs the output of the confidential file, the instruction may be issued from the operation panel of the digital copying machine. In this case, a print output is obtained.

The file data in the data memory may be compressed and stored. in this case,
Decompression processing may be performed at the time of reading, or decompression processing may be performed at the destination.

[0063]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
An image processing apparatus can be provided in which, when a confidential file is stored in a memory and the confidential file is output by a password, an obstacle at the time of access by the password can be eliminated and the confidential file can be held safely.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an overall control system of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the overall configuration of the digital copying machine.

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

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a main control unit of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when outputting file data.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation when outputting file data.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image processing system 2 ... Digital copying machine 3 ... PC 3a ... Keyboard 3b ... Display device 3c ... Communication interface 10 ... Scanner unit 20 ... Image forming unit 40 ... Operation panel 49 ... Main control unit 50 ... Main CPU 51 ... Management table 62… Data memory

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-5-75818 (JP, A) JP-A-2-19062 (JP, A) JP-A-63-146556 (JP, A) JP-A-3- 262272 (JP, A) JP-A-1-246956 (JP, A) JP-A-2-291766 (JP, A) JP-A-3-35659 (JP, A) JP-A-4-167767 (JP, A) JP-A-4-196671 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108 H04N 1/32-1/36 H04N 1/42-1 / 44 H04N 1/21

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. Receiving confidential image data and a password
Receiving means and confidential image data received by the receiving means.
Storage means for storing together with the password, and receiving an instruction to output confidential image data and a password
Receiving means, a password received by the receiving means, and the output
Password of the confidential image data corresponding to the instruction of
Determining means for determining a match , and when the determination means determines that the passwords match.
The confidential image data corresponding to the output instruction
Reading means for reading from the storage means; and an output means for outputting image data read by the reading means.
And the date and time when the data was read for each confidential image data
Date and time storage means, and the last access date stored in the date and time storage means
Deletion to delete confidential image data after a predetermined period has elapsed
The image processing apparatus characterized by equipped with means. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined period is three months.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein