This application is based on an application No. 2008-001520 filed in Japan, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming device, and particularly relates to the image forming device in which an input of a password is requested to a user when executing a processing, and according to the inputted password, prescribed processing is executed.
2. Description of the Related Art
Along with a development of a network technology in recent years, an image forming device, for example, a digital multifunction peripheral has been utilized in such a manner as being shared by a plurality of users connected by a network in many cases. Here, the digital multifunction peripheral (MultiFunction Peripheral (MFP), Scan Print Copy (SPC), or All In one (AIO)) indicate the image forming device having at least two or more functions of a copier, a printer, a scanner, facsimile equipment, and so forth.
When an instruction of image forming processing is given to the digital multifunction peripheral (called simply multifunction peripheral hereafter), the user inputs the instruction to the multifunction peripheral body first hand and gives the instruction of processing for executing the multifunction peripheral by using an apparatus connected to the multifunction peripheral via the network and located away from the multifunction peripheral body.
Therefore, when a document is printed on a paper medium, etc, by the multifunction peripheral based on the instruction received from the user, a following problem may arise. That is, an outputted printed matter is left on a paper eject tray of the multifunction peripheral and exposed to human eyes. In such a case, there is a possibility that the printed matter is unexpectedly handed to an outsider. Such an event is a problem from a viewpoint of ensuring security of information.
JP 2005-51796 A discloses an image forming device capable of solving the aforementioned problem of ensuring security. By this image forming device, it is possible to realize a security management against leakage and storage of the information accumulated in a storage device.
This image forming device includes a section that sets a password for created image information, and a section that requests an input of the password when the instruction of printing and deleting the image information is inputted.
With this structure, the image forming device prevents the leakage and unintended erasing of the accumulated image information.
JP 2003-145889 A also discloses an image forming device. Even when a printout instruction is given by inputting a true password, this image forming device requests the input of the password for starting printout to the user again, in consideration of a waiting time until a resultant matter of this print processing is outputted from the printer. Therefore, when the image information for printout is inputted in the image forming device, this image forming device inhibits the printout of this information, until the password for starting printout is inputted.
This image forming device can be set so that the printout is not started until the password for starting the printout is inputted by the user, thus making it possible to recover a printed matter without allowing an outsider to peek at this printed matter.
Thus, it is a generally performed event to set the password to ensure the security of the printed matter.
However, in the aforementioned prior art image forming device, in order to make this apparatus execute a job such as copying and printing, a user must input a password to the image forming device after giving instruction of executing the job to the image forming device. Further, when a plurality of passwords are set in each page of the document, for example, to execute the job, the image forming device temporarily suspends the execution of the job every time the setting of the password is recognized until this job is completed, and requests input of the password to the user. Then, the user inputs the password every time the request is received. Accordingly, in the aforementioned image forming device, when at least one password is set for the job, the execution of the job is temporarily suspended at least once, and the input of the password by the user is awaited. This suspension duration prolongs from giving instruction of executing the job up to completion of this job, compared with a case in which the password is not set at all.
In addition, in the aforementioned conventional image forming device, for example, when the password is set in each page of the printout document having plural pages, or when the password is set in each one of the printout plural documents, the user must input the corresponding password in the image forming device, every time the setting of the password is recognized and the input of the password is requested to the user by the image forming device. This is extremely troublesome for the user, thus undermining the operability of the image forming device. In order to cope with such a circumstance, from the viewpoint of the user, it is desired to improve the operability of the image forming device when plural passwords are set in one job.
An object of the present invention is to provide the image forming device capable of improving the operability of the image forming device, thereby improving productivity of the image forming work, while ensuring security equivalent to that of the conventional image forming device.
First aspect of the present invention is an image forming device that executes a job, being prescribed processing for image data of a document having page divisions, with execution of this job limited by a password set in an arbitrary page of the document. The image forming device includes: an image data input unit that receives the image data of the document; a set password acquisition unit that acquires set password information, being information regarding the set password, from the image data received by the image data input unit; an image data input completion determination unit that determines whether or not the image data input unit receives all image data of the document; an input password receiving unit that starts reception of an input of the password for canceling execution limitation of the job by the set password information acquired by the password acquisition unit, when the image data input completion determination unit so determines that all image data of the document is received by the image data input unit; a password verification unit that performs verification between the password received by the input password receiving unit and the set password acquired by the set password acquisition unit; and a job execution unit that executes the job by canceling the execution limitation of the job limited by the set password information and using the image data, based on a verification result of the password verification unit.
Second aspect of the present invention is an image forming method in an image forming device that executes a job, being prescribed processing for image data of a document having page divisions, with execution of this job limited by a password set in an arbitrary page of the document. The image forming method includes: receiving the image data of the document; acquiring set password information, being information regarding the set password, from the image data received in the receiving; determining whether or not the receiving the image data is completed; starting reception of input of the password for canceling execution limitation of the job by set password information acquired in the acquiring, when the determining determines that the receiving the image data is completed; performing verification between the password received in the reception of the input of the password, and a set password acquired in the acquiring; and executing the job by canceling the execution limitation of the job limited by the set password information and using the image data, based on a verification result in the performing verification.
Third aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable medium storing a program for making a computer execute image formation, the computer constituting an image forming device that executes a job, being prescribed processing for image data of a document having page divisions, with execution of this job limited by a password set in an arbitrary page of the document. The program includes: code that makes an image data input unit receive the image data of the document; code that makes a set password acquisition unit acquire set password information, being information regarding a set password, from the image data received by the image data input unit; code that makes an image data input completion determination unit determine whether or not all image data of the document is received by the image data input unit; code that makes an input password receiving unit start reception of an input of a password for canceling execution limitation of the job by set password information acquired by the password acquisition unit, when the image data input completion determination unit so determines that all image data of the document is received by the image data input unit; code that makes a password verification unit perform verification between the password received by the input password receiving unit and the set password acquired by the password acquisition unit; and code that makes a job execution unit execute the job by canceling the execution limitation of the job limited by the set password information and using the image data, based on a verification result of the password verification unit.
In order to ensure security, the image forming device of the present invention is capable of setting the password in the job such as printout, and is capable of starting the printout, etc, after the input of this password is confirmed. Therefore, the image forming device of the present invention is suitable from the viewpoint of ensuring the security. Further, even when plural passwords are set, for example, in each page of an original for one job, the image forming device of the present invention is capable of collectively inputting the passwords corresponding to the plural passwords set in one job, thus exhibiting an advantage of improving the operability of the image forming device. In addition, the image forming device is capable of completing the reception of the image data necessary for executing one job without suspending this job to wait for the input of the password, even when the plural passwords are set in the received image data in one job. Therefore, the time required for receiving the image data can be set to be almost the same as a case of not setting the password in the image data.
The image forming device of the present invention exhibits the advantage of improving the productivity of the image forming work of the user more than the conventional image forming device, while ensuring the security equivalent to that of the image forming device having a conventional information protecting function by a password.
The above and further objects and novel features of the invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description when the same is read in connection with the accompanying drawings, and in which:
It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended as definitions of the limits of the invention.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained hereunder, with reference to the appended drawings.
<Structure>
The image forming system has one or more multifunction peripherals (MFP) 1, 2, one or more personal computers (PC) 31, 32, 33, one or more facsimile terminals (FAX) 34, 35, and a network 4 mutually communicatively connecting the MFP (1, 2), PC (31, 32, 33), and FAX (34, 35). Each one of the MFP 1 and 2 constitutes the image forming device of the present invention. The network 4 is constituted of a network such as a local area network (LAN) or the Internet, or the network 4 may be constituted of a private communication line or a public communication line.
The MFP 1, 2, and PC 31, 32, 33 have apparatus identifying information within the network 4. The apparatus identifying information may be information specific to each apparatus and capable of specifying an exclusive apparatus based on the apparatus identifying information. The apparatus identifying information may have the names such as “PC001”, “PC002, “PC003” for each one of the PC 31, 32, 33. The same thing can be applied for the MFP 1, 2. Also, instead of the aforementioned names, it is also possible to use an Internet protocol address (IP address) as the apparatus identifying information. In addition, telephone numbers for a telephone network such as a so-called fixed-line phone and an Internet protocol phone (IP phone) are given to each one of the FAX 34, 35.
The MFP 1 serves as the image forming device intensively provided with a copy function, a printer function (including network printing), a scanner function, a facsimile function, and a document server function, etc. It may be possible to set the MFP 1 so as to inhibit the user from using the MFP 1 when the user does not succeed in user authentication based on user information registered in an authentication server, etc, located in the MFP 1 or outside the MFP 1 and connected by the network 4, this user can not use the MFP 1.
The MFP 1 includes:
an operation unit 11 used in an input of an instruction, etc, by a user;
a display 12 that presents information to the user, etc;
a scanner unit 13 that photoelectrically reads image information of a paper medium, etc;
a printer unit 14 that prints the image information on the paper medium, etc;
a finisher unit 15 that ejects a printed paper medium;
a communication interface 16 that performs transmission/reception of the information to/from an external device via the network 4;
a document feeder 17 that sequentially feeds the paper medium, etc, to the scanner unit 13;
a sheet feeder (not shown) that feeds the paper medium to the printer unit 14;
a central processing unit (CPU) (not shown) that controls an operation of the MFP 1; and
a random access memory (RAM) (not shown), read only memory (ROM) (not shown), a data storage unit 23, etc, that hold a program or data, etc.
The operation unit 11 includes:
key buttons for inputting numbers, characters, and symbols, etc, into the MFP 1;
a sensor for recognizing press-down of each key button; and
a transmission circuit that transmits to the CPU a signal indicated by the key button whose press-down is recognized by the sensor.
The display 12 displays:
a screen for providing a message and an instruction to the user;
a screen for inputting contents of the setting and processing by the user; and
a screen for displaying an image formed by the MFP 1 or a result of the image forming processing, etc.
In the MFP 1 according to this embodiment, the display 12 serves as a touch panel. The display 12 has a function of detecting a location touched by the user on the display 12, and sending a detection result to the CPU, and constitutes a part of the operation unit 11.
The operation unit 11 and the display 12 constitute a user interface for directly operating the MFP 1. Meanwhile, an application program or a driver program for inputting the instruction to the MFP 1 are installed in the PC 31, 32, or 33 (
The scanner unit 13 can generate the image data by photoelectrically reading the image information such as photographs, characters, pictures. The image data here is the data regarding density of the image. This image data is sent to an image processing unit (not shown), converted to digital data in the image processing unit, then subjected to each kind of known image processing and sent to the printer unit 14 and the communication interface 16, and is used for a print of the image or data transmission. Also, the digital data is sometimes stored in the data storage unit 23 for utilization thereafter.
The printer unit 14 prints the image data scanned by the scanner unit 13, the image data received from the external device by the communication interface 16 via the network 4 (
The finisher unit 15 includes a stapler that performs staple processing to the paper medium, or a puncture that performs puncture processing to the paper medium, and so forth. The recording medium after executing print processing by the printer unit 14, namely a printed matter is subjected to the staple processing and puncture processing according to a print mode setting in the finisher unit 15, and is ejected to a tray 24.
The communication interface 16 includes a transmitting unit that transmits data to the external device and a receiving unit that receives the data from the external device. The MFP 1 can transmit/receive the data to/from the PC 31, 32, 33 (
The data storage unit 23 holds the program and data, etc. The data storage unit 23 includes a hard disk 23H and a card reader/writer 23R.
The card reader/writer 23R can read data or write data from/into a memory card 91 such as a compact flash (registered trademark), smart media (registered trademark) (SmartMedia (SM) or Solid State Floppy Disk Card (SSFDC)). By using the memory card 91, transmission/reception of data to/from the external device (such as PC 31, 32, 33) is possible not through the network 4. Also, by using the memory card 91, backup of the data in the MFP 1 is possible.
The hard disk 23H has an area for storing the digital data obtained by reading by means of the scanner unit 13, the digital data received from outside through the communication interface 16, and the data regarding the history of executed image processing (job) (job mode history). Also, the external device can refer to the digital data stored in the hard disk 23H through the communication interface 16.
<Functional structure>
The MFP 1 executes a job, being prescribed processing (such as print processing) to the image data. At that time, the execution of this job can be restricted by the password directly set in this image data or the password stored in the MFP 1 or an external server in association with this image data. This password can be set in each page of the document including this image data or in an entire body of the document. Upon executing the job, the MFP 1 can interrupt the execution of the job protected by the password as described above, until the password is inputted from the outside. In addition, when a false password is inputted, the MFP 1 can execute prescribed processing such as automatically discarding this job.
As functional blocks, the MFP 1 includes a controller 51, an image data input unit 52, an image data input completion determination unit 53, a set password acquisition unit 54, a password verification unit 55, a job execution unit 56, a password receiving unit 57, a job execution instruction receiving unit 59, a password re-input instruction unit 61, and a timer unit 63.
The controller 51 controls the operation of the MFP 1.
The image data input unit 52 receives the image data from the scanner unit 13, the data storage unit 23, or the communication interface 16. This image data may be the content of the document. In addition, the document may have page divisions. In such a case, the image data may be the image data of one page constituting the document, or the information of the image of plural pages may be included in one image data.
The image data input completion determination unit 53 determines whether or not the reception of the image data necessary for executing the job is completed by the image data input unit 52, and outputs the result of determination to the controller 51. Here, the determination of completion of receiving the image data is determined, for example, by whether or not the scanner unit 13 reads all pages of the document placed on a document feeder 17 (
The set password acquisition unit 54 receives the image data of the document from the image data input unit 52, and acquires the password set in the page of the document expressed by the image data.
The password verification unit 55 performs verification between the set password acquired by the set password acquisition unit 54, and the input password received by the password receiving unit 57 as will be described later, then determines true/false of the password inputted by the user, and sends a verification result (determination result) to the controller 51.
When the password verification unit 55 so determines that the password inputted by the user is “true”, based on this result, the controller 51 sends a prescribed instruction to the job execution unit 56. When the password verification unit 55 so determines that the password inputted by the user is “false”, based on this result, the controller 51 can send a prescribed instruction to the password re-input instruction unit 61 and the job execution unit 56.
Based on the result of verification performed by the password verification unit 55, the job execution unit 56 executes the job for the image data.
The password receiving unit 57 receives the input of the password from the operation unit 11 or the communication interface 16, and sends the received password to the password verification unit 55 as an input password. The password receiving unit 57 does not receive the input of the password, until the image data input completion determination unit 53 so determines that the reception of the image data is completed, even when the page with the password set is included in the image data received by the image data input unit 52 and this set password is acquired by the set password acquisition unit 54. The password receiving unit 57 starts the reception of the input of one or plural passwords set in the image data received by the image data input unit 52, when the image data input completion determination unit 53 so determines that the reception of the image data is completed. In this reception of the input of one or plural passwords, the password receiving unit 57 is constituted, so that the user can collectively input the passwords corresponding to the passwords set in the image data.
The job execution instruction receiving unit 59 receives a job execution instruction from the operation unit 11 or the communication interface 16, and notifies the controller 51, etc, of the reception of this executing instruction. The job execution instruction is sent to the job execution instruction receiving unit 59 based on the input by the user such as press-down of “OK” button, or the like, displayed on the PC 31.
Note that, for example, in a case of the job of receiving the image data via the communication interface 16 and print-processing this image data, like a network printing, the image data used in executing the job is sent together with the executing instruction of the job. In such a case, the job execution instruction receiving unit 59 notifies the controller 51, etc, of the reception of the executing instruction of the job, and sends the received image data to the image data input unit 52 and the job execution unit 56.
The job execution instruction receiving unit 59 can also receive the executing instruction of the next job. Here, the executing instruction of the next job indicates the executing instruction of another job given by the MFP 1 during executing a certain job, so as to be executed after completion of the job that is being executed at present.
When the result of the verification between the set password and the input password in the password verification unit 55 indicates disagreement, the password re-input instruction unit 61 outputs the information for prompting the re-input of the password. The display unit 12, for example, is set as an output destination of this information. In addition, an external information processing apparatus can also be utilized as the output destination of this information, via the communication interface 16.
The timer unit 63 can measure elapsed time, with a prescribed timing set as a starting point. A measurement result is sent to the controller 51. Here, the prescribed timing to be the starting point can be set to be the timing when the password receiving unit 57 starts reception of the input of the password. In this case, the controller 51 can recognize the time from starting the reception of the input of the password by the password receiving unit 57, up to the time when the input of the password is actually received. Then, when a prescribed time is elapsed from starting the reception of the input of the password, the MFP 1 can perform processing such as discarding all image data necessary for executing the job, for example all image data received by the image data input unit.
When the execution instruction of the job such as duplication of a paper medium original having plural pages is received, the MFP 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention starts capturing of the image data of the page constituting this original. This capturing is performed, for example, by photoelectrically reading each page of the original by the scanner unit 13 and by generating the image data. When the capturing operation of the image data of each page is completed, the MFP 1 performs the operation of acquiring the password (set password) set in the image data of each page. In the MFP 1, generation of the image data is awaited, and thereafter the operation of acquiring the set password is executed based on the image data thus generated. However, both operations may be simultaneously and independently executed without influenced by a mutual progress state. In addition, when the completion of capturing operation of the image data is suggested by the image data input completion determination unit 53, the reception of the input password and the operation of the password verification are executed based on the acquired set password. In this MFP 1, it is possible to complete capturing of all pages of the original constituting a confidential document printed matter, irrespective of acquisition of the set password. Accordingly, the MFP 1 can capture original pages and complete the generation of the all original page image data, without suspending the capturing of the original and the operation of generating the image data, irrespective of presence/absence of setup of the password. In this embodiment, the capturing of the image data is described, such as photoelectrical reading of the paper medium by the scanner unit 13, for example. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In this MFP 1, the reception of the input password corresponding to the acquired set password is started after capturing of the image data is completed.
With this structure, in the MFP 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, even when the job is executed with the security ensured by plural passwords, the capturing of the image data is completed without being suspended, and after capturing of the image data is completed, the passwords corresponding to the plural passwords set in the job can be collectively inputted after capturing of the image data is completed. Therefore, in the MFP 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, even in a case of executing the job with plural passwords set, the time required for capturing the image data is almost the same as a case of executing the job with no password set at all. After capturing of the image data is completed, the user can collectively input the plural passwords. The MFP 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention realizes a short image data capturing time and a simple password input method, while ensuring the security. Whereby, improvement of operability and productivity of the MFP 1 is provided to the user.
The processing for executing the job by the MFP 1 will be explained hereafter.
Hereafter, explanation will be given for a flow of the processing (so-called copy job) of the MFP 1, such as reading the confidential document printed matter protected by the password by the scanner unit 13, then generating the image data and outputting this image data from the printer unit 14. In this explanation, the copy job performed to the document of plural pages collectively placed on a document feeder 17 is regarded as one copy job. Namely, the image of the original having plural pages collectively placed on the document feeder 17 is the image necessary for executing this one copy job.
First, the confidential document printed matter will be explained. The confidential document printed matter is the document having the form of the printed matter printed on the paper medium, and is the printed matter to which at least one page of the plural pages constituting the document is added (embedded) with the information (confidential document information) for ensuring the security, as additional data.
Note that the confidential document information itself may be embedded in the printed matter of the confidential document in a method shown in
Next, the confidential document information will be explained.
The information (confidential document information) regarding the document can include:
created date indicating the date and time when the document is created;
document creator information indicating who creates the document;
administrator information indicating who manages the MFP 1;
password information indicating the password (set password) set in the document;
original location information indicating a location (storage location) of an original data file of the document;
restriction information indicating a limit such as processing applied to the document; and
disagreement processing information indicating the processing in a case of the password disagreement, and so forth.
The document creator information includes the name and E-mail address of the document creator. Also, the document creator information may include the information regarding other notifying means.
The administrator information includes the name and the E-mail address of a administrator of the MFP 1. Also, the administrator information may be held in the MFP 1, separately from the information regarding the document.
The restriction information is correlated with the password information, and includes the information regarding setting of the password in each page, or setting of the password in each job, and setting of the password in each kind of job. In the example of
Disagreement processing information includes the information for designating the processing in a case where the password inputted by the user (input password) is not matched with the password indicated by the password information (set password). This processing can include processing contents such as prompting the re-input of the password, notifying the documents creator or the administrator by the e-mail or log, discarding the job concerning the password disagreement, discarding the page concerning the password disagreement, and performing output of blank paper/solid paper/repression characters.
Note that it is also possible that the restriction information and the disagreement processing information are not embedded in the confidential document printed matter but held in the MFP 1.
Next, explanation will be given for a program executed in a computer of the MFP 1 according to the present invention. An image forming program according to the present invention is held, for example, in a RAM 21 (or ROM 22 (both of them are shown in
The original reading routine has a function of capturing the image of the original (such as the confidential document printed matter) having one page or plural pages from outside of the MFP 1, to generate the image data. This function includes a function of photoelectrically reading the original having plural pages placed on the document feeder 17 by the scanner unit 13, and thereby generating the image data of plural pages.
The set password acquisition routine can receive the image data generated by the original reading routine. Then, the set password acquisition routine has a function of acquiring the confidential document information embedded in the image data of arbitrary one page, and acquiring the password (set password) from the confidential document information.
The password input and verifying routines can receive the confidential document information acquired by the set password acquisition routine and the set password included therein. Then, the password input and verifying routines have a function of receiving the password (input password) inputted by the user, for example, and a function of performing verification between the received input password and the set password, and outputting the verification result.
As a matter of course, the image forming program according to the present invention includes a code to provide a function not included in the aforementioned three routines. In addition, the image forming program according to the present invention needs not necessarily be divided into the aforementioned three routines. The image forming program according to the present invention may only have a function of reading the original having plural pages to generate the image data, a function of acquiring the set password, and a function of performing verification between the input password and the set password.
In connection with step S101, the user places the confidential document printed matter on the document feeder 17 (
The inputted job execution instruction is processed in the job execution instruction receiving unit 59, and original pages constituting the confidential document printed matter are sent to the scanner unit 13 from the document feeder 17 one by one.
In step S101, the scanner unit 13 photoelectrically reads the original pages one by one.
In step S103, the image data is generated from the scanned original pages, and is sent to the image data input unit 52 (
In step S105, the MFP 1 determines whether or not all pages of the document placed on the document feeder 17 are sent to the scanner unit 13 and scanned by the scanner unit 13. When it is so determined that all original pages are scanned (“YES” in step S105), the processing is ended. When it is so determined that there exist the original pages not scanned yet (“NO” in step S105), the processing is returned to step S101, and unprocessed original pages are scanned.
Alternatively, the processing shown in
In step S201, the set password acquisition unit 54 of the MFP 1 tries to acquire the information such as the set password by extracting the confidential document information from the image data of one page of the original pages.
In step S203, it is determined whether or not acquisition of the information such as the set password succeeds in step S201. When the acquisition of the information such as the set password succeeds (“YES” in step S203), the processing is advanced to step S205. When the acquisition of the information such as the set password fails (“NO” in step S203), the processing is advanced to step S215.
Note that when the set password acquired in step S203 is identical to the set password already acquired from the image data of the preceding original pages in the confidential document printed matter in the job that is being executed at present, it is possible to omit the reception of the input password with respect to the set password acquired from the image data of the original page that is being processed at present. In such a case, the program may be constituted, so that the determination in step S203 is “NO”.
In step S205, the MFP 1 determines whether or not the reception of a reservation for the next job at present is set to be more prioritized than the reception of the input of the password. When it is so determined that the priority of the reception of the reservation for the next job is set to be more prioritized than the reception of the input of the password (“YES” in step S205), the processing is advanced to step S207. When it is so determined that the priority of the reception of the input of the password is more prioritized than the reception of the reservation for the next job (“NO” in step S205), the processing is advanced to step S211.
Here, the determination in step S205 is performed based on a priority flag previously set in the MFP 1. The priority flag is a flag that can be previously set by the user, and used for deciding whether or not the display for inputting the reservation for the next job is more preferentially displayed than the display for input of the password, as a display form of the display unit 12. When the setup is made so that the reception of the reservation for the next job is more prioritized, a next job reservation screen is displayed on the display unit 12 (
In step S207, the MFP 1 displays a password input waiting key in the next job reservation screen displayed on the display unit 12.
When the reservation for the next job is inputted before completion of the input of the password, the MFP 1 can start execution of the next job, before the execution of the job that is being executed at present is completed. Thus, it is possible to have the effect that an influence on other job due to delay of the password input can be suppressed to minimum.
In
Note that a thumbnail image of the original page, with password set, is displayed in the password input screen, and a preview image of the original page may be provided to the user. In this case, the MFP 1 may be constituted, so that the user touches the thumbnail image to select the original page for inputting the password, and then inputs the password in the selected original page. In addition, the thumbnail image of all original pages concerning the job may be displayed in the password input screen. In this case, the display form of the thumbnail image of the original page with password set is made different from the display form of the thumbnail image with no password set, thus notifying the user of the original page with password set. As an example of the different display form, in only the original page with password set, a specific mark may be added to the thumbnail image.
In
When the processing is moved from step S203 to step S215, in step S215, the MFP 1 determines whether or not there exists the original page waiting for the input of the password. When it is so determined that there exists the original page waiting for the input of the password (“YES” in step S215), the processing is advanced to step S221. When it is so determined that there exists no original page waiting for the input of the password (“NO” in step S215), the processing is advanced to step S217.
In step S217, the MFP 1 determines whether or not the job that is being executed at present is the batch processing job. Here, the batch processing job means the job including the processing of, for example, collectively putting together all original pages into one data file (PDF file, etc.). When it is so determined that the job that is being executed at present is the batch processing job (“YES” in step S217), the job is advanced to step S221. When it is so determined that the job that is being executed at present is not the batch processing job (“NO” in step S217), the job is advanced to step S219.
In step S219, the MFP 1 executes the job for the image data of the original page concerning the present processing.
In step S221, the MFP 1 holds the image data of the original page concerning the present job, as job execution waiting image data.
Thus, the set password acquisition routine is operated after the original reading routine is completed, and the processing shown in
In connection with step S301, the password is inputted from the operation unit 11 or an external information processing apparatus connected via the network 4.
In step S301, the password verification unit 55 of the MFP 1 performs verification between the password set in the original page (set password) and the password inputted by the user (input password).
In step S303, the MFP 1 determines the verification result in step S301. When this determination result shows “true” (“TRUE” in step S303), the processing is advanced to step S311. When the determination result shows “false” (“FALSE” in step S303), the processing is advanced to step S305.
In step S305, the MFP 1 determines whether or not the occurrence of the “password disagreement” is notified to the creator or the administrator by E-mail or log based on the restriction information or the disagreement processing information of the confidential document information. When the MFP 1 so determines that the occurrence of the password disagreement should be notified (“YES” in step S305), the processing is advanced to step S307. When the MFP 1 so determines that the occurrence of the password disagreement should not be notified (“NO” in step S305), the processing is advanced to step S309.
In step S307, the MFP 1 performs the processing of notifying a set person (creator or administrator) of the occurrence of the event “password disagreement” by set means (E-mail or log).
In step S309, the MFP 1 performs the processing for the job that is being executed at present in a case of the occurrence of the password disagreement. The content of the processing here complies with the disagreement processing information of the confidential document information.
For example, when the re-input of the password is set as the processing in the case of the occurrence of the password disagreement, the password re-input instruction unit 61 of the MFP 1 displays a message of prompting the re-input of the password on at least one of: the display unit 12 of the MFP 1; an application (such as web and browser) that can be executed by the display unit 12 of the MFP 1 or an apparatus connected to the MFP 1 through the network 4, such as the PC 31 and mobile terminal 41 (
As another example of the processing in step S309, for example, the job concerning the disagreement of the password and the image data of the original page are deleted from a working memory of the MFP 1, and it may be possible to perform the processing of stopping the job concerning the disagreement of the password and the job concerning the original page, or it may be possible to output blank paper/solid paper/repression characters, instead of the printout of the original page of the confidential document printed matter. A message of suppressing output is notified to the user by the repression characters, for protecting the printed matter by password. Here, to perform the processing of deleting the data from the working memory is advantageous from the viewpoint of efficient use of the hardware resource, because an occupied area of the memory is partially opened from this time point.
In addition, when executing the job set as the job not requiring the input of the password (such as a job only for storing its data file into the MFP 1, explained in details of the aforementioned restriction information as described above), the job may be executed in step S311 instead of step S305, even in the case where the password disagreement occurs.
When the processing is moved from step S303 to step S311, in step S311, the MFP 1 determines whether or not the job that is being executed at present is the batch processing job. When it is so determined that the job that is being executed at present is the batch processing job (“YES” in step S311), the job is advanced to step S319. When it is so determined that the job that is being executed at present is not the batch processing job (“NO” in step S311), the job is advanced to step S313.
In step S313, the MFP 1 determines whether or not the job execution waiting image data exists at present, other than the image data of the original page concerning the password verification. When it is so determined that the data exists (“YES” in step S313), the processing is moved to step S315. When it is so determined that the data does not exists (“NO” in step S313), the processing is moved to step S317.
In step S315, the MFP 1 executes the job for the job execution waiting image data other than the image data of the original page concerning the password verification.
In step S317, the MFP 1 executes the job for the image data of the original page concerning the password verification.
In step S319, the MFP 1 holds the image data of the original page concerning the password verification as the job execution waiting image data.
Note that in step S303, when the already verified password is set in the original page to be verified, the processing may skip step S301 and step S303 and may be advanced to step S311.
The horizontal axis in this figure indicates the time axis. As shown in
Meanwhile, in the prior art image forming device, as shown in
Thus, in the prior art image forming device, an original reading operation suspension time (password waiting duration 83) is generated every time the set password is detected, and the input of the password corresponding to the detected password is requested. As a matter of course, even in this duration, at least a part of the hardware resource (such as a working memory) is occupied by the data (such as the image data) for this job. Therefore, the duration in which the hardware resource is occupied by this job corresponds to the sum of the duration 83 and the reading duration (job execution duration) 81 of the original pages. Meanwhile, in the MFP 1 according to this embodiment of the present invention, the duration in which the hardware resource is occupied by this job can be set to be only the reading duration (job execution duration 81) of the original pages. This is because in the MFP 1 according to the present invention, the user can input one or plural passwords necessary for executing the job, after the reading operation of the original pages is completed by the MFP 1. In duration from the completion of the reading of the original pages up to input of a true password by the user, the image data is held as the job execution waiting image data as described above. However, this job execution waiting image data can be deleted from the working memory and can be held in the data storage unit 23 constituted of the hard disk drive, etc. When the user inputs the true password, the MFP 1 re-reads the job execution waiting image data to the working memory from the data storage unit 23, thus making it possible to execute the job. Thus, according to the present invention, occupied duration of the hardware resource is shortened. In addition, the user can collectively input the passwords, and therefore complication concerning the input of the passwords is reduced. In addition, generally the job execution completion time of the present invention is shorter than that of the prior art image forming device, when the input of the job execution instruction is set as a base point. These points are advantages specific to the present invention and contribute to the improvement of the usability.
Thus, explanation will be given for the processing in a case of giving an instruction of executing a scan job to the MFP 1 from the PC 31, by using an application programming interface (API) based on the TWAIN technical standard implemented on the PC 31 (
When the instruction of executing the scan job is given to the MFP 1 from the PC 31 and the mobile terminal 41 (both of them are shown in
The MFP 1 executes the set password acquisition routine after the aforementioned original reading routine is completed
The processing in this figure is approximately the same as the processing flow explained with reference to
In step S203, when it is so determined that the MFP 1 acquires the password from the image data of the original page, the processing is moved to step S405.
In step S405, the MFP 1 requests the display of the password input screen to the PC 31 or the mobile terminal 41.
In
The processing in this figure is approximately the same as the processing flow explained with reference to
In step S303, when the verification result of the password is “true” (“TRUE” in step S303), the MFP 1 executes the processing flow similar to that after step S215 of the flowchart shown in
Thus, in the scan job based on TWAIN, the processing flow is constituted, so that at a point when password verification is completed for the image data of all the original pages, the processing limited by the password is executed.
Finally, an example of executing the job is described, in which the MFP 1 reads the confidential document printed matter protected by the password in the scanner unit 13; then generates the image data; acquires the confidential document information from the image data; acquires original location information in addition to the information of the set password from the confidential document information; searches an original data file of the confidential document stored in the data storage unit 23 of the MFP 1; and executes the job by using the original data file of the confidential document.
The original data file of the confidential document printed matter can include the data representing a document body and the information regarding the document. The information regarding the document includes the information regarding the created date, the password, and the processing in the case of the password disagreement. Note that the information regarding this document may be stored in this data storage unit 23 by the MFP 1, separately from the original data file. In this case, the information regarding the document can be omitted from the original data file of the confidential document. The MFP 1 can read the information regarding the corresponding document from the data storage unit 23, based on the file name, etc, of the original data file.
In this job execution example, the original reading routine and the set password acquisition routine are the same as the processing previously explained, with reference to
Note that the set password may be not only the password for limiting prescribed processing for the confidential document printed matter but also the password for limiting access to the data storage unit 23 (called “box”) in which the original data file of the confidential document is stored.
The processing in this figure includes the same step as the processing explained with reference to
In step S303, the MFP 1 determines the verification result in step S301. When this determination result is “true” (“TRUE” in step S303), the processing is advanced to step S511.
In step S511, the MFP 1 determines whether or not the original location information included in the confidential document information is extracted from the original page image data obtained by scanning. When the original location information is extracted (“YES” in step S511), the processing is advanced to step S513. When it is not extracted (“NO” in step S511), the processing is advanced to step S519.
In step S513, the MFP 1 displays the original location information on the display unit 12.
Then, in step S515, the MFP 1 preview-displays the original data file of the confidential document printed matter on the display unit 12.
Then, in step S517, the MFP 1 executes the execution-instructed job, for the original data of the confidential document printed matter.
Note that when the corresponding original data file does not exists in the storage area suggested by the original location information, even if the original location information exists in the original page of the scanned confidential document printed matter, the processing flow may be constituted, so that the message indicating non-existence of the original data file in a prescribed box is displayed on the display unit 12, to discard this job.
In step S519, the MFP 1 executes image peripheral search.
In step S521, by using the result of an image peripheral search executed in step S519, the MFP 1 displays a candidate of an original document.
In step S523, the MFP 1 receives the selection of the original document by the user, and based on this selection, executes prescribed job in step S517.
Thus, in the MFP 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the set password acquisition routine and the password input and verification routines are respectively executed, after the original reading routine is completed. The job execution waiting image data may be moved to the data storage unit 23 once from the working memory, the data storage unit 23 being constituted of the hard disk drive, etc until the user collectively inputs the plural passwords in practice. Therefore, in comparison with the prior art image forming device, an advantage is exhibited, such that the duration in which the hardware resource is occupied by this job is shortened, by the duration in which image reading is suspended to wait for the input of the password in the conventional image forming device. Also, the user can collectively input the passwords necessary for executing the job. This contributes to improving the operability.
In addition, the set password acquisition routine, and the password input and verification routines may be mutually independently and simultaneously executed respectively.
Note that the present invention can also be implemented by constituting the scanner unit, the printer unit, and the controller of the present invention, by using a general-purpose information processing apparatus such as a scanner, a printer, a personal computer which are separately independently disposed, and the mobile terminal, and so forth.
Note that the program realizing the present invention may be stored in the storage device in the image processing apparatus. In addition, the aforementioned program can be circulated in a state of being held in the storage medium such as a flexible disc, an optical disc, a nonvolatile memory including USB memory. Further, the aforementioned program can be distributed via the network.
The present invention has an advantage of shortening the occupancy time of the hardware resource in the image forming device, and an advantage of improving the usability. The present invention is effective in a field of the image forming device.
As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of essential characteristic thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds thereof are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2008-001520 | Jan 2008 | JP | national |