JP4793691B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that creates a log image from an image handled in a job such as copy, print, scan, or fax and transfers the log image to an external apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printing system in which a plurality of clients and printers are connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) and a plurality of users can share the printer is generally known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

In this printing system, print data of a document to be printed by a client can be generated and transmitted to a printer shared on a network for printing. When printing is executed by the printer, the job log of the print job is accumulated in the printer. The job log includes, for example, a job ID, job type, job reception time, job end time, job status (job state), and the like.
JP 2004-192273 A

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that can suppress a decrease in performance and can easily track and specify a leakage source when confidential information is leaked.

To achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an execution unit that executes a job, a job log generation unit that generates a job log of the job, and a log image from an image handled by the job. and log image generation means for generating a part of the generated job log by the job log generating means until the start of execution of the job by the execution unit, of the Ru generated log image by the log imager And a transfer means for transferring two of the log images generated until the start of execution of the job to an external server via a network.

Claim 2 of the present invention is an image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the log image generating unit, when the job is printed, until the first print start, some from an image handled by the job A log image is generated.

Claim 3 of the present invention is an image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the log image generation means, if the job is a scan, part of the log to complete the scan, the images handled by the job It is characterized by generating an image.

Claim 4 of the present invention is an image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the log image generation means, if the job is a fax transmission, before the start of facsimile communication, a part from an image handled by the job A log image is generated.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the image processing apparatus further includes a prediction unit that predicts a time until the execution of the job by the execution unit. A partial log image is generated from the image handled by the job based on the time predicted by the prediction means.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, further comprising transfer capacity measuring means for measuring the transfer capacity of the network, wherein the log image generating means until the execution of the job by the execution means. In addition to the above time, a part of the log image is generated from the image handled in the job based on the transfer capability of the network measured by the transfer capability measuring unit.

According to the present invention, until the start of execution of the job by the execution unit, the transfer unit, a part of the job log generated by the job log generating means, among the log image generated by the log image generation means Since some log images are transferred to an external server via the network, performance degradation can be suppressed, and the leakage source can be easily tracked and identified when there is a leakage of confidential information. The advantage that it can be obtained.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
A. First embodiment A-1. Configuration of First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The image processing system 1 generates a job log by executing a job, and creates a log image from the image handled in the job and transfers it to an external device as a plurality of multifunction devices 2 having an image log function. And a job log management server 4 for storing job logs and log images transferred from each multifunction device 2 via the network 3. A user terminal (not shown) including one or a plurality of personal computers (PCs) can be connected to the network 3.

  In the image log function processed by this image processing system, in addition to the function of generating the above-described job log and log image in the multifunction peripheral and transferring them to the job log management server 4, the log image is converted into a job log. A function that the MFP 2 stores in association with each other, and a function that the job log management server 4 stores in association with the job log and the log image are included.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the multifunction machine 2 according to the present embodiment. The multifunction device 2 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and includes a control unit 20, an operation display unit 21, an image reading unit 22, a printing unit 23, a storage device 24, a job management unit 25, a network communication unit 26, and a factory communication unit. 27. The control unit 20 controls each unit of the multifunction machine 2. The operation display unit 21 includes a touch panel display configured by superimposing a touch panel on the surface of the display, and hard keys such as a start key.

  The image reading unit 22 optically reads an image from a document. The printing unit 23 prints an image on a sheet by an electrophotographic method or the like. The storage device 24 includes an HDD or the like for storing various information such as a setting screen, setting information, and images. The job management unit 25 receives a job, issues a job ID, and generates a job log and the like after the job is executed.

  The network communication unit 26 is connected to the network 3 and performs data communication with devices on the network 3. The facsimile communication unit 27 is connected to a telephone network or the like and transmits / receives a facsimile to / from another facsimile apparatus. The bus 28 connects the above-described units to each other.

  The multifunction device 2 has a plurality of functions such as copying (copying), printing, scanning, faxing, and e-mail. A job processes an image using one or more of these functions. The job is received by the operation display unit 21, but may be received from a user terminal (not shown) composed of a PC or the like connected to the network 3.

  Various programs such as a job execution program and an image processing program as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 to be described later are stored in the ROM and the storage device 24 of the control unit 20, and the CPU of the control unit 20 stores the ROM and storage. Each unit of the multifunction device 2 is controlled according to a program stored in the device 24.

  The job management unit 25 includes a job log generation / storage unit 250 and a log image creation unit 251. The job log generation / accumulation unit 250 generates a job log (start) when a job is received, and generates and stores a job log (completion) after the job is completed. In addition, the log image creation unit 251 creates a part of the log image from the image handled in the job within the real time until the job output can be prepared, and the job is handled by the job after the job output is completed. Create the rest of the log image from the image. The job management unit 25 operates under the control of the CPU of the control unit 20 and accumulates the log image created by the log image creation unit 251 in the storage device 24 together with the MFP ID and the job ID.

  The job log includes, for example, a multifunction machine ID, a job ID, a job type, a user name, a job reception time, a job end time, status information such as job waiting / processing / cancellation / completion.

  The log image creation unit 251 performs processing according to the log image creation method stored in the storage device 24 on the image handled in the job to create a log image. Examples of the log image creation method include a method for reducing the resolution of an image and a method for selecting a page to be a log image.

  In addition to the log image, the storage device 24 stores image log function setting information set by the administrator, a log image creation method, log image transfer timing information, and the like.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the job log management server 4. The job log management server 4 includes a communication unit 40 connected to the network 3, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, a control unit 41 that controls each unit of the server 4, a storage device 42 including an HDD, It has the input part 43 provided with the keyboard, the mouse | mouth, etc., and the display parts 44, such as LCD which displays a setting screen.

  Various programs are stored in the ROM of the control unit 41, and the CPU of the control unit 41 controls each unit of the job log management server 4 according to the program stored in the ROM. The storage device 42 stores a log image, a job log, a setting screen, and the like transferred from each MFP 2, and the log image is stored in association with the job log.

A-2. Operation of the First Embodiment Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. Upon receiving a job, the image processing apparatus first generates and stores a job log (start) by the job log generation / accumulation unit 250 and transmits the job log to the job log management server 4 via the network communication unit 26. (Step S10). The job log (start) includes, for example, a multifunction machine ID, a job ID, a job type, a user name, a job reception time, a file name, a paper size, and the like.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the transfer to the job log management server 4 is OK (step S12). If the transfer to the job log management server 4 is NG due to a network failure or the like, the process is performed. finish. At this time, the user may be notified by an error message or the like.

  On the other hand, if the transfer to the job log management server 4 is OK, the log image creation unit 251 generates a part of the log image from the image handled in the job (step S14), and the part of the log image. Is transmitted to the job log management server 4 via the network communication unit 26 (step S16). Next, it is determined whether or not the transfer to the job log management server 4 is OK (step S18). If the transfer to the job log management server 4 is NG due to a network failure or the like, the process is performed. finish. At this time, the user may be notified by an error message or the like.

  On the other hand, if the transfer to the job log management server 4 is OK, it is determined whether or not the job output preparation is OK (step S20). If the job output preparation is not ready, step S20 is performed. Returning to S14, the generation of a part of the log image and the transmission to the job log management server 4 are repeated within the actual time until the job is output.

The above part of log image generation / transmission processing differs depending on the type of job.
(1) If the job is copy / print, the log image created during the waiting time until the printing of the first page is transferred.
(2) If it is a scan, transfer the log image that was created before all the scans were completed.
(3) If it is a fax, dial the destination and transfer the log image that was created before the response was returned.

  The job log management server 4 stores the job log (start) and a part of the log image in the storage device 42 in association with each other.

  Next, when the job output preparation is OK, the job is output (step S22). When the output of the job is completed, the job log generation / accumulation unit 250 generates and accumulates a job log (completion) and transmits the job log to the job log management server 4 via the network communication unit 26 (step S24). ). The job log (completion) includes, for example, job end time, status information such as job waiting / processing / cancellation / completion.

  Next, the log image creation unit 251 generates the remaining log image from the image handled in the job, and transmits the remaining log image to the job log management server 4 via the network communication unit 26 (step S26). ). Thereafter, the process ends.

  In the job log management server 4, the job log (start), job log (completion), and log image are associated and stored in the storage device 42.

  According to the first embodiment described above, when a job is received, first, a job log (start) is transmitted to the job log management server 4 and then, from the image handled by the job, within the actual time until job output. Since the log image of each copy is generated and transmitted to the job log management server 4 and then the job is output, it is possible to suppress a decrease in performance.

  Also, before the job output, the job log (start) and the log image created until the job output are sent to the job log management server 4 first, and after the job output is completed, the remaining log image is generated and the job log Since it is sent to the management server 4, even if the HDD is stolen immediately after the job is output, the log image and job log (start) remain in the job log management server 4, so the user who was used last Identification and part of the image.

B. Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the second embodiment, the time until each job is output is predicted, and the generation amount of the log image is determined based on the predicted time.

B-1. Configuration of Second Embodiment FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system according to the second embodiment. It should be noted that portions corresponding to those in FIG. In the figure, the storage device 24 stores parameters for predicting the time until output of each job is started.

The parameters for time prediction are as follows.
(A) At the time of copying / printing, fuser preparation time, sorter preparation time, discharge side: The processing time of all pages from the last page such as sorting for each copy (copy: scan input, (Print: Decompose)

(B) Scan time / scan time for all pages

(C) Redial interval time for fax / dial time / redial

  When the job start time prediction unit 252 provided in the job management unit 25 accepts a job, the job start time prediction unit 252 determines each job according to a parameter stored in the storage device 24 to predict the time until each job is output. Estimate the time until output starts.

  The network communication unit 261 has a function of measuring network transfer capability. The network transfer capability is measured by the response time from the job log management server 4 at the time of communication with the job log management server 4 at the time of startup or at the time of job log transmission. Considering the transfer capability of the network, that is, the time required to transfer the log image to the job log management server 4, it is possible to improve the accuracy of prediction of the image generation amount.

B-2. Operation of Second Embodiment Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. Upon receiving a job, the image processing apparatus first generates and stores a job log (start) by the job log generation / accumulation unit 250 and transmits the job log to the job log management server 4 via the network communication unit 26. (Step S40). The job log (start) includes, for example, a multifunction machine ID, a job ID, a job type, a user name, a job reception time, a file name, a paper size, and the like.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the transfer to the job log management server 4 is OK (step S42). If the transfer to the job log management server 4 cannot be performed successfully due to a network failure or the like, the process is performed. finish. At this time, the user may be notified by an error message or the like.

  On the other hand, if the transfer to the job log management server 4 is OK, the network communication unit 261 measures the network transfer capability (step S44), and the job start time prediction unit 252 determines the type of job received. Accordingly, the time until the output of each job is started is predicted according to the parameters stored in the storage device 24 (step S46).

  Next, the log image creation unit 251 generates a log image from the image handled in the job within the estimated time according to the network transfer capability and the job (step S48), and the log image is stored in the network communication unit 26. Is sent to the job log management server 4 (step S50).

  The job log management server 4 stores the job log (start) and a part of the log image in the storage device 42 in association with each other.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the transfer to the job log management server 4 is OK (step S52). If the transfer to the job log management server 4 cannot be performed successfully due to a network failure or the like, the process is performed. finish. At this time, the user may be notified by an error message or the like.

  On the other hand, if the transfer to the job log management server 4 is OK, it is determined whether or not the job output preparation is OK (step S52). If the job output preparation is not possible, the process is performed. finish. At this time, the user may be notified by an error message or the like.

  Next, when the job output preparation is OK, the job is output (step S54). When the output of the job is completed, a job log (completion) is generated and accumulated by the job log generation / accumulation unit 250 and is transmitted to the job log management server 4 via the network communication unit 26 (step S56). ). The job log (completion) includes, for example, job end time, status information such as job waiting / processing / cancellation / completion.

  Next, the log image creation unit 251 generates the remaining log image from the image handled in the job, and transmits the remaining log image to the job log management server 4 via the network communication unit 26 (step S58). ). Thereafter, the process ends. In the job log management server 4, the job log (start), job log (completion), and log image are associated and stored in the storage device 42.

  According to the second embodiment described above, when a job is received, first, a job log (start) is transmitted to the job log management server 4, and then a time until job output is predicted, and within the predicted time, Since the log image is generated from the image handled by the job and transmitted to the job log management server 4 and then the job is output, the time until job output is effectively used without degrading the performance. A log image can be generated and transferred to the job log management server 4.

  Also, before the job output, the job log (start) and the log image created until the job output are sent to the job log management server 4 first, and after the job output is completed, the remaining log image is generated and the job log Since it is sent to the management server 4, even if the HDD is stolen immediately after the job is output, the log image and job log (start) remain in the job log management server 4, so the user who was used last Identification and part of the image.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine 2 according to an embodiment. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a job log management server 4. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the image processing apparatus by this 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image processing system which concerns on this 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the image processing apparatus by this 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing system 2 Multifunction machine 3 Network 4 Job log management server 20 Control part 21 Operation display part 22 Image reading part (execution means)
23 Printing section (execution means)
24 storage device 25 job management unit 26 network communication unit (transfer means, transfer capability measurement means)
27 Facrimiri Communication Department (Execution means)
28 Bus 40 Communication Unit 41 Control Unit 42 Storage Device 43 Input Unit 44 Display Unit 250 Job Log Generation / Storage Unit (Job Log Generation Unit)
251 Log image creation unit (log image generation means)
252 Job start time prediction unit (prediction means)

Claims (6)

An execution means for executing the job;
Job log generation means for generating a job log of the job;
Log image generation means for generating a log image from the image handled in the job;
Generated until the start of execution of the job among the a part of the job log generated by the job log generating means between by the execution means to the start of execution of the job, the log image wherein Ru is generated by the log imager Transfer means for transferring two of the recorded log images to an external server via a network,
Further, after the execution of the job by the execution unit, the transfer unit transfers the remaining log image generated by the log image generation unit after the start of the job to an external server via the network. An image processing apparatus. The log image generating unit, when the job is printed, the first start up printing, the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generating part of the log image from an image handled by the job . The log image generating unit, when the job is scanned, to complete scanning, the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generating part of the log image from an image handled by the job. The log image generation means, if the job is a fax transmission, before the start of facsimile communication, image processing according to claim 1, wherein the generating part of the log image from an image handled by the job apparatus. Comprising prediction means for predicting the time until execution of a job by the execution means,
The log image generation means, on the basis of the time predicted by the prediction means, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that to produce a part of the log image from an image addressed by said job Image processing apparatus. Comprising transfer capability measuring means for measuring the transfer capability of the network;
The log image generation unit is configured to add a part of the image handled in the job based on the transfer capability of the network measured by the transfer capability measurement unit in addition to the time until the execution of the job by the execution unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the log image is generated.

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