JP4797882B2 - Image processing apparatus and image processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus applied to an MFP (Multi Function Peripherals) capable of managing a copy of a confidential document or the like.

  For example, when handling a document that requires confidentiality, the document creator or administrator may add a security code such as a background pattern to the document image to prevent copying by others. Has been done.

  When a legitimate user such as a manuscript creator uses an image processing apparatus such as an MFP to copy a copy-prohibited manuscript, if the legitimate user inputs a password and authentication is successful, the manuscript is copied. It can be done.

Conventionally, a technique has been disclosed in which attribute information of a page of a document is detected, and when there is a prohibited document from the attribute information, a blank image (blank paper) or printing is performed (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-151149 A

  However, conventionally, when copy-prohibited originals are mixed in a plurality of originals, after all the originals have been copied, the authorized user searches for the target originals that could not be copied, Since it is necessary to input the password again after setting it on the platen and to perform the copying operation, there is a problem that it is very time-consuming.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, when there is a prohibited document, a blank image (blank paper) is used to maintain confidentiality of the document image. If you want to print, you will have to search for the prohibited document and check the image as before, set the document on the platen again, enter the password, and copy the operation. Become.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an image processing apparatus capable of efficiently printing a document to which a security code is added while eliminating the trouble of a legitimate user searching for the document while ensuring confidentiality. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image processing method.

The above problem is solved by the following means.
(1) A scanner unit that reads an image of one or a plurality of documents including a document to which a security code is added, a storage unit that stores image data of a document read by the scanner unit, and a document that is added to the document. A detection means for detecting the security code, a display means for displaying a thumbnail of the image data of the document and a password input instruction when the security code is detected, and a password input by the user is appropriate. An image processing apparatus comprising: output means for printing the thumbnail-displayed image data.
(2) The output means starts printing image data when the original includes a plurality of originals with a security code and the input password is appropriate for all the originals for which the security code is detected. 2. The image processing apparatus according to item 1.
(3) Scanner means for reading images of a plurality of originals in which originals with security codes added and originals not added are mixed, and storage means for storing image data of each original read by the scanner means Detecting means for detecting the security code added to the original read by the scanner means for each original; and when sequentially printing the image data of the plurality of originals, The output page includes an output unit that outputs a blank sheet, and a display unit that displays a thumbnail of the image data and a password input instruction for a document in which the security code is detected after printing by the output unit. If the password entered by the user is correct, the thumbnail is displayed. The image processing apparatus characterized by printing the image data.
(4) a step of reading an image of one or a plurality of documents including a document to which a security code is added, a step of storing image data of the read document, and a security code added to the document is detected. A step of displaying a thumbnail of the image data of the document and a password input instruction when the security code is detected; and if the password input by the user is appropriate, the thumbnail-displayed image And a step of printing data.
(5) When the original includes a plurality of originals with a security code and the input password is appropriate for all the originals for which the security code is detected, printing of image data is started in the printing step. 5. The image processing method according to item 4 above.
(6) a step of reading an image of a plurality of originals in which a document to which a security code is added and a document to which a security code is not added are mixed, a step of storing image data of each of the read originals, and the read A step of detecting a security code added to a document for each document; and a step of outputting a blank page of an output page of image data of a document to which a security code is added when sequentially printing image data of the plurality of documents. A step of displaying a thumbnail of the image data and a password input instruction for the document in which the security code is detected after the printing; and if the password input by the user is appropriate, the thumbnail-displayed image An image processing method comprising: a step of printing data.
(7) a step of reading an image of one or a plurality of documents including a document to which a security code is added, a step of storing image data of the read document, and a security code added to the document are detected. A step of displaying a thumbnail of the image data of the document and a password input instruction when the security code is detected; and if the password input by the user is appropriate, the thumbnail-displayed image An image processing program for causing a computer of the image processing apparatus to execute a step of printing data.
(8) When the original includes a plurality of originals with a security code and the input password is appropriate for all the originals for which the security code is detected, printing of image data is started in the printing step. The program according to item 7 above.
(9) a step of reading an image of a plurality of originals in which a document to which a security code is added and a document to which a security code is not added are mixed; a step of storing image data of each of the read originals; A step of detecting a security code added to a document for each document; and a step of outputting a blank page of an output page of image data of a document to which a security code is added when sequentially printing image data of the plurality of documents. A step of displaying a thumbnail of the image data and a password input instruction for the document in which the security code is detected after the printing; and if the password input by the user is appropriate, the thumbnail-displayed image Printing the data and causing the computer of the image processing apparatus to execute Image processing program.

  According to the invention described in (1) above, when a security code added to a document read by the scanner unit is detected, a thumbnail of the image data of the document and a password input instruction are displayed on the display unit. Therefore, even if a document with a security code and a document with a different security code are mixed, the authorized user searches for a document with a security code again or scans the found document again after printing is completed, as in the past. Even if it is not, the user can confirm his / her image data immediately from the thumbnail on the screen, and can copy the original by simply inputting the password. In addition, if the input password is not appropriate, the thumbnail-displayed image data is not printed, so the confidentiality of the document with the security code can be ensured.

  According to the invention described in item (2) above, since printing of image data is started for all of a plurality of documents in which a security code is detected when the input password is appropriate, a document with a security code About the confidentiality can be further increased.

  According to the invention described in item (3) above, with respect to a plurality of documents in which a document with a security code added and a document with no security code mixed, the image data of a document with a security code added is blank. In this state, first, printing is performed, and then a thumbnail of the image data and a password input instruction are displayed for the document for which the security code is detected. If the password input by the user is appropriate, the thumbnail display is performed. Printed image data is printed. For this reason, even if a document with a security code and a document with a different security code are mixed, as in the past, after printing is completed, the authorized user searches for a document with his / her security code again or scans the found document again. Even if it is not, the user can confirm his / her image data immediately from the thumbnail, and can copy the manuscript simply by inputting the password as it is.

  Moreover, since a document without a security code is copied before printing a document with a security code, it is convenient for users who need to copy a document without a security code, and with a security code. Since the manuscript is output as blank paper, confidentiality can be ensured.

  According to the invention described in item (4) above, even if a document with a security code and a document with a different security code are mixed, the authorized user searches for a document with a security code again after printing is completed, as in the past. The user can confirm his / her image data immediately from the thumbnail on the screen without copying the found document again, and can copy the document by simply inputting the password.

  According to the invention described in the above item (5), the confidentiality of the document with the security code can be further enhanced.

  According to the invention described in item (6) above, even if a document with a security code and a document with a different security code are mixed, the authorized user searches for a document with a security code again after printing is completed, as in the past. Even if the found document is not read again, the user can confirm his / her image data immediately from the thumbnail, and can copy the document simply by inputting the password. In addition, since a document without a security code is copied before printing a document with a security code, it is convenient for users who need to copy a document without a security code.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an MFP to which an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

  In FIG. 1, the MFP includes a CPU 1, a ROM 2, a RAM 3, a scanner unit 4, an operation panel unit 5, a storage unit 6, a printing unit 7, and a security code detection unit 15.

  In addition to the overall control of the entire apparatus, the CPU 1 controls the screen of the display unit 52 (shown in FIG. 4) in the operation panel unit 5 when the security code detection unit 15 detects the security code of the document. When the thumbnail of the image data of the original and a password input instruction are displayed on the top, or when the password input by the user based on the password input instruction is appropriate, the thumbnail-displayed image data is printed 7 is also controlled.

  The ROM 2 is a memory that stores an operation program for the CPU 1, and the RAM 3 is a memory that provides an operation area for the CPU 1.

  The scanner unit 4 reads an image P of a document M (shown in FIG. 3) set on a document table (not shown), and outputs image data obtained by the reading.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the operation panel 5 includes a key unit 51 used for various input operations and a display unit 52 including an LCD. The display unit 52 may be configured with a touch panel or the like.

  On the screen D1 of the display unit 52, when a security code N (shown in FIG. 3) added to the document M is detected, a thumbnail 81 of image data is displayed to the user as shown in FIG. And a password input instruction 82 are displayed.

  The storage unit 6 stores various data and programs, and for example, a hard disk is used. The storage unit 6 also stores image data of a document read by the scanner unit 4.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printing unit 7 includes image processing units 11, 12, and 14 that perform predetermined processing on the read image data, and prints the image data according to predetermined job conditions.

  The security code detection unit 15 detects the security code N added to the document M.

  The security code N is composed of, for example, a background pattern as an image background. Of course, the security code may be embedded in, for example, a wireless IC chip other than the background pattern. Therefore, the configuration of the security code detection unit 15 is also adapted to the form of the security code N.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the MFP based on the flow of image data.

  In FIG. 2, the RGB image data read by the scanner unit 4 is input to the first scanner image processing unit 11. The first scanner image processing unit 1 performs shading correction, line-to-line correction, chromatic aberration correction, and the like on the input image data.

  The image data processed by the first scanner image processing unit 11 is input to the second scanner image processing unit 12. The second scanner image processing unit 12 performs resolution conversion, background removal processing, area discrimination, RGB to YMCK conversion processing, character edge correction, error diffusion, and the like on the image data.

  The image data processed by the second scanner image processing unit 2 is input to the controller unit 13. The controller unit 13 performs compression / decompression processing on the image data.

  The image data that has passed through the controller unit 13 is input to the printer image processing unit 14. The printer image processing unit 14 performs processes such as image correction, image composition (security pattern printing process), and screen processing on the image data to be printed. The image data (R, G, B) is output with the attribute information added.

  The image composition process is a process for adding a background pattern indicating a security code, and the background pattern N generated by the security background pattern generating unit 16 is added to the image data read by the scanner unit 4. Specifically, as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, the image data processed by the first scanner image processing unit 1 is also input to the security background pattern detection unit which is the security code detection unit 15. The security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern detection unit 15 detects a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern N for image data that has passed through the first scanner image processing unit 1, and includes resolution conversion, preprocessing, code detection, code analysis, and the like. These processes are executed under the control of the CPU 1, and a security code (background pattern) N is detected.

  Next, the operation of the printing process by the MFP having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 4, the security code N is added to the second page (No 2) and the fifth page (No 5) of the original M of a plurality of pages, for example, a total of 6 pages (No 1 to No 6). To do.

  These No. 1 to No. 6 originals M are sequentially read by the scanner unit 4 and the image data of the read originals are stored in the storage unit 6, but the second and fifth pages with the security code N added thereto. For each of the originals M, the operation is temporarily stopped after being read, and enters a standby state.

  Then, regarding the image data of the original M of the second page and the fifth page, a password input instruction 82 and a thumbnail 81 of the target image are displayed on the screen D1 of the display unit 52 of the operation panel 5, Wait for password by user.

  When the password is input by the user and it is determined that the password is appropriate, printing is permitted and the image data is stored in the storage unit 6.

  Further, the image data of the first page, the third page, the fourth page, and the sixth page of the document M to which the security code N is not added is allowed to be printed as it is, and the read image data is directly stored in the storage unit 6. Remembered.

  Thus, for the document M with the security code N, the thumbnail 81 of the image data and the password input instruction 82 are displayed on the screen D1 of the display unit 52. Again, it is possible to save the user from searching for a document with his / her security code or causing the scanner unit 4 to read the found document again. That is, the user can confirm his / her own image data immediately from the thumbnail on the screen D1, and can simply print the image data by simply inputting the password.

  Next, the printing process by the MFP described with reference to FIG. 4 will be further described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 5, in step S1, the main switch of the MFP is turned on, and then in step S2, initialization is performed.

  In step S3, it is determined whether or not the document M is set on the document feeder (document table). If the document M is not set (NO in step S3), the process waits for the document M to be set. When the document M is set (YES in step S3), in step S4, it is determined whether or not the start key is turned on.

  If the start key is not turned on (NO in step S4), it waits for it to be turned on. If the start key is turned on (YES in step S4), the image of the original M is read by the scanner unit 4 in step S5. It is done.

  In step S6, the security code N is detected for the read original. In step S7, it is determined whether or not the security code N is detected. If the security code N is not detected (NO in step S7), the read image data is stored in the storage unit (memory) 6 in step S8. To step S9.

  When the security code N is detected (YES in step S7), in step S11, a screen D1 displaying a thumbnail 81 of the image of the document and a password input instruction 82 for the user is displayed on the display unit 52.

  In step S12, it is determined whether or not a password has been input by the user. If no password is input (NO in step S12), the process waits until it is input. When the password is input (YES in step S12), in step S13, it is determined whether or not the input password matches the password attached to the document image, that is, whether or not the password is appropriate. .

  If the input password is not appropriate (NO in step S13), the process returns to step S12 to wait for re-input of the password. If the input password is appropriate (YES in step S13), printing is permitted and step In step S8, the read image data is stored in the memory 6.

  Next, in step S9, it is determined whether or not there is a next original M. If there is a next original M (YES in step S9), the process returns to step S5 and the original image is read again. If there is no next original M (NO in step S9), in step S10, the image data of the original M is sequentially printed, and then the process ends.

  As can be understood from the flowchart of FIG. 5, if the password is not appropriate for one of the documents with the security code added (YES in step S13), the process does not proceed to step S8, and the security code is detected. Only when the input password is appropriate for all the originals, the process can proceed to step S8, and the printing of the image data can be started. For this reason, the confidentiality of the document with a security code can be further enhanced.

  Note that this is not a configuration in which printing is performed only when the password is appropriate for all documents with a security code, and if the entered password is correct for the document for which the security code is detected, the image data is printed. Of course, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which printing is permitted and printing is not permitted if it is not appropriate.

  FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 6, among a plurality of pages, for example, a total of 6 pages (No1 to No6) of the original M, for example, the second page (No2) and the fifth page (No5) of the original M are added with the security code N. And

  In this embodiment, the image of each original is read by the scanner unit 4 and, after reading, is printed by the printing unit 7 in order. At this time, for the second and fifth page originals M to which the security code N is added, blank pages are output, and the other first, third, fourth, and sixth page originals are output. The M image data performs a normal printing operation.

  After all the printing is completed, the thumbnail 81 of the image data of the second and fifth pages of the document M to which the security code N is added and the password input instruction 82 for the user are displayed on the display unit 52, and the password is The target image is printed only when input correctly.

  As described above, since all the originals are first printed, it is convenient for a user who needs to copy an original without a security code, and an original with a security code is output as blank paper. Sex can be secured.

  For the second and fifth pages of the document M to which the security code is added, the thumbnail 81 of the image data and the password input instruction 82 are displayed on the screen. The image data can be confirmed, and the original can be copied by simply inputting the password.

  Next, the printing process shown in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 7, the main switch is turned on in step S21, and then initialization is performed in step S22.

  In step S23, it is determined whether or not the document M is set on the document feeder (document table). If the document M is not set (NO in step S23), the process waits for the document M to be set.

  When the document M is set (YES in step S23), in step S24, it is determined whether or not the start key is turned on.

  If the start key is not turned on (NO in step S24), the process waits until it is turned on. If the start key is turned on (YES in step S24), the image of the document M is read in step S25.

  In step S26, the security code N is detected for the read original. In step S27, it is determined whether or not the security code N is detected. If the security code N is not detected (NO in step S27), the read image data is stored in the storage unit 6 in step S28 as it is. Proceed to step S29.

  If the security code N is detected (YES in step S27), the security flag “1” is set in step S39, and then the process proceeds to step S28 where the read image data is stored in the memory 6 and the process proceeds to step S29.

  In step S29, it is determined whether or not there is a next document M. If there is a next document M (YES in step S29), the process returns to step S25 and image reading is started again.

  If there is no next document M (NO in step S29), in step S30, image data is read from the storage unit 6, and in step S31, whether or not the security flag is “1”, that is, an image with a security code added. It is determined whether or not is read out.

  If the image to which the security code is added has not been read (NO in step S31), the image data read in step S32 is printed, and then the process proceeds to step S33. If the security flag is “1”, that is, an image with a security code added is read (YES in step S31), blank paper is output in step S40, and the process proceeds to step S33.

  In step S33, it is determined whether or not there is next image data. If there is next image data (YES in step S33), the process returns to step S30 to read and print the image data from the storage unit 6. Repeat.

  If there is no next image data (NO in step S33), the process proceeds to step S34, and a screen D1 displaying a thumbnail 81 of an image with a security flag and a password input instruction 82 for the user is displayed on the display unit 52. .

  In step S35, it is determined whether or not a password has been input by the user. If no password is input (NO in step S35), the process waits for the password to be input, and if a password is input (YES in step S35). In step S36, it is determined whether or not the password is appropriate.

  If the input password is not appropriate (NO in step S36), the process returns to step S35 to wait for the password to be input again. If the input password is appropriate (YES in step S36), the corresponding image data is printed in step S37.

  Thereafter, in step S38, it is determined whether or not there is next image data to be entered as a password (that is, whether there is still image data to be entered as a password). YES in step S38), the process returns to step S34, and the thumbnail 81 of the target image and the password input instruction 82 are displayed again. If there is no password input target image data (NO in step S38), the process ends.

1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an MFP to which an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of an MFP based on a flow of image data. FIG. It is a figure which shows the original document to which the security code was added. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a printing process status of a document to which a security code is added. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of a read image. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the present invention, and is an explanatory diagram of a print processing situation of a document to which a security code is added. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process of the read image in other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 CPU
4 Scanner unit 6 Storage unit 15 Security code detection unit 52 Display unit D1 Display screen M Document N Security code P Image

Claims (9)

Scanner means for reading an image of one or a plurality of documents including a document to which a security code is added;
Storage means for storing image data of a document read by the scanner means;
Detecting means for detecting a security code added to the document;
Display means for displaying a thumbnail of the document image data and a password input instruction when the security code is detected;
If the password input by the user is appropriate, output means for printing the thumbnail-displayed image data;
An image processing apparatus comprising: The manuscript includes a plurality of manuscripts with security codes,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit starts printing image data when the input password is appropriate for all the documents in which the security code is detected. Scanner means for reading images of a plurality of originals in which a document with a security code is added and a document without a security code;
Storage means for storing image data of each document read by the scanner means;
Detecting means for detecting for each original a security code added to the original read by the scanner means;
An output means for outputting an output page of the image data of the document to which the security code is added when printing the image data of the plurality of documents sequentially;
Display means for displaying a thumbnail of the image data and a password input instruction for the document in which the security code is detected after printing by the output means;
With
The image processing apparatus is characterized in that the output means prints the thumbnail-displayed image data when a password input by a user is appropriate. Reading an image of one or more documents including a document with a security code added thereto;
Storing image data of the read original;
Detecting a security code added to the document;
If the security code is detected, displaying a thumbnail of the image data of the document and a password input instruction;
If the password entered by the user is appropriate, printing the thumbnail-displayed image data; and
An image processing method comprising: The manuscript includes a plurality of manuscripts with security codes,
The image processing method according to claim 4, wherein printing of image data is started in the printing step for all originals for which a security code has been detected when the input password is appropriate. A step of reading images of a plurality of documents including a document with a security code added and a document without a security code;
Storing image data of each read original;
Detecting a security code added to the read document for each document;
When printing the image data of the plurality of documents sequentially, outputting an output page of the image data of the document to which the security code is added as blank paper;
A step of displaying a thumbnail of the image data and a password input instruction for the document in which the security code is detected after the printing;
If the password entered by the user is appropriate, printing the thumbnail-displayed image data; and
An image processing method comprising: Reading an image of one or more documents including a document with a security code added thereto;
Storing image data of the read original;
Detecting a security code added to the document;
If the security code is detected, displaying a thumbnail of the image data of the document and a password input instruction;
If the password entered by the user is appropriate, printing the thumbnail-displayed image data; and
Is an image processing program for causing a computer of the image processing apparatus to execute the program. The manuscript includes a plurality of manuscripts with security codes,
8. The program according to claim 7, wherein printing of the image data is started in the printing step when the input password is appropriate for all the documents for which the security code is detected. A step of reading images of a plurality of documents including a document with a security code added and a document without a security code;
Storing image data of each read original;
Detecting a security code added to the read document for each document;
When printing the image data of the plurality of documents sequentially, outputting an output page of the image data of the document to which the security code is added as blank paper;
A step of displaying a thumbnail of the image data and a password input instruction for the document in which the security code is detected after the printing;
If the password entered by the user is appropriate, printing the thumbnail-displayed image data; and
Is an image processing program for causing a computer of the image processing apparatus to execute the program.

Images