JP2002044329A - Copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a copying machine that uses image data stored in its image storage section to copy the image data again on paper while solving a security problem. SOLUTION: The copying machine identifies a user by using a fingerprint sensor 13 to detect a fingerprint of the user. The image of an original read by a scanner section 11 is stored in an original data memory 12 in cross- reference with the user information. In the case of re-copying, using the fingerprint sensor 13 collates the user to call the image data in cross-reference with the user information of the user from the original data memory 12. Thus, the copying machine can copy the data again without the need for read operation by the scanner section 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying apparatus for storing image data of a document read by a document reading section in an image storage section and forming a copy image of the document based on the image data stored in the image storage section. About the machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A digital copying machine includes a scanner unit for reading an original image, an image memory for storing image data of the original read by the scanner unit, and a digital copying machine based on the image data stored in the image memory. And an image forming unit for forming a copy image. The image data stored in the image memory is deleted after the copying operation is completed. This is mainly for security considerations, and is intended to prevent a person other than the output person from outputting the copied image without permission after the copying operation is completed. Therefore, in the conventional digital copying machine, although the image data of the document image is stored in the image memory, it has not been effectively utilized.

On the other hand, for the purpose of managing the number of copies of the copying machine and managing the users of the copying machine, a magnetic card or a user ID
May be used. When a magnetic card is used, the copier is provided with a card reader. This card reader is connected to a database via a network. On the magnetic card, a user ID such as the user himself or his / her department is recorded. By reading this magnetic card with a card reader, the copying machine can be used. When a copying operation is performed after reading the magnetic card, data such as the date and time of the copying operation and the number of copies are recorded in the database.

When a magnetic card is not used, a user manually inputs a user ID using a numeric keypad or the like when using a copying machine. The user is specified by the input user ID, the copying machine becomes usable, and the date and time of use of the copying machine and the number of copies are recorded in a database via the network.

[0005]

In the method for specifying a user using a magnetic card, if another person other than the user uses the magnetic card, an error occurs in specifying the user. In the method of specifying the user by manually inputting the user ID, if the user ID is known to another person,
The user's specific purpose cannot be achieved. Therefore, in the image memory provided in the digital copying machine,
In the case where image data is left even after the copying operation is completed and re-copying using this image data is to be performed later, a user identification method using a magnetic card or a user ID cannot solve the problem of security. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a copying machine capable of re-copying using image data stored in an image storage unit while solving a security problem.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document reading section (11) for reading a document image and a unique physical characteristic of a user. User recognizing means (13) for recognizing a user by detecting, user registering means (15) for registering user information including physical characteristics detected by the user recognizing means, An image storage unit (1) that stores image data of a document read by the document reading unit in association with user information registered in the user registration unit.
2) an image forming unit (16) for reproducing an image on a sheet based on the image data stored in the image storage unit;
By comparing the physical characteristics of the user detected by the user recognition means with the user information registered in the user registration means, the user is registered in the user registration means. A registration judging means (102) for judging whether or not the user is a user, and, on condition that the registered judging means confirms that the user is a registered user, among the image data stored in the image storage section, An image reading accepting unit (103) for accepting a reading request for image data associated with the registered user; and reading out the image data for which the reading request has been accepted by the image reading accepting unit from the image storage unit and sending the read data to the image forming unit. And an output control means (104) for reproducing the image of the image data. Note that the alphanumeric characters in parentheses represent corresponding components and the like in embodiments described later. Less than,
The same applies in this section.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the image data of a document read by the document reading unit after the registration determination unit has confirmed that the user is a registered user is stored as user information of the user. 2. The copying machine according to claim 1, further comprising means (10, b11b) for writing in association with the image storage unit. According to the present invention, a physical characteristic unique to a user is detected, whereby the user is recognized. The user information of the recognized user is registered in the user registration means.

A user who attempts to read image data corresponding to a document image read by the document reading unit from the image storage unit determines whether or not the user is a user registered in the user registration unit. Certification procedure). That is, the user's own physical characteristics must be recognized by the user recognition means, and the user must be determined as a registered user based on the recognized physical characteristics. In this way, the reading of the image data stored in the image storage unit is accepted on condition that the registered user is confirmed. However, the image data that can be read by the registered user is limited to the image data stored in the image storage unit in association with the user.

The read image data is supplied to an image forming section, whereby a copied image of a document is reproduced. As described above, in the present invention, since the user is specified based on the user's unique physical characteristics, unlike the case of specifying the user by manually inputting the magnetic card or the user ID, the user is identified. It can be specified accurately. Further, the image storage unit stores the user information registered by detecting the physical characteristics by the user recognition unit and the image data of the document read by the document reading unit in association with each other. With these two features,
When recalling by recalling image data stored in the image storage unit during a previous copying operation, a security problem can be solved. As a result, re-copying can be performed without a document reading operation, so that usability of the copying machine can be significantly improved.

The user recognition means includes, for example, a fingerprint,
It may include a sensor means for detecting the retina, iris, face, or voiceprint. In addition to these, finger shapes (such as the length between finger joints), palm prints (features of palm wrinkles), palm shapes (palm width, length, finger length, shape features), hand Blood vessels (patterns on the back of the hand), ear shapes and handwriting,
It may be detected as a physical feature for specifying the user. If the user whose physical feature is detected by the user recognition means is not a registered user registered in the user registration means, a message prompting user registration is displayed on the display means (141), It is preferable that such a message is output to the user by sound output by the sounding means to notify the user.

When it is determined that the user is not a registered user, the copying machine rejects the output of the image data, displays a message to that effect on the display means (141), or sounds such a message. It is preferable to further include a notifying unit for making a sound by the converting unit. In addition, when it is determined that the user is not a registered user, reading of image data from the image storage unit is prohibited, and only a normal copy operation of reading and copying a new document by the document reading unit may be accepted. Good.

Further, the user registering means associates the unique physical feature detected by the user recognizing means as user identification information itself or in association with user identification information (for example, user ID). It is preferable that the information is registered in the registration means. This makes it possible to reliably manage the usage status of the copying machine by each user.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a usage mode of a digital copying machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The digital copying machine 1 is connected to a plurality of personal computers 3 via a local area network 2. That is, the digital copying machine 1 has a function as a network printer that receives image data from the personal computer 3 and records the image data on paper, in addition to the basic function as the copying machine. . further,
The digital copying machine 1 is connected to a database server 4 via a network 2. The database server 4 manages the status of use of the digital copying machine 1.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the digital copying machine 1. The digital copying machine 1 includes a scanner unit 11 for reading an original, and the scanner unit 1.
A document data memory 12 for storing image data of the document read by the document data memory 1;
And a print unit 16 for forming a copy image of a document on a sheet based on the image data stored in the storage unit 2. Scanner unit 11, document data memory 12, and printing unit 16
Are connected to a control unit 10 composed of a microcomputer. The control unit 10 is further connected to a matching memory 15 for registering user information.

The original data memory 12 may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory.
In order to retain the image data even after the power supply to the power supply is turned off, it is preferable to configure the nonvolatile memory. Such a non-volatile memory may be a rewritable one, and may be a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory such as a hard disk device, or a magneto-optical memory such as a magneto-optical disk. The collation memory 15 is preferably formed of a non-volatile memory because of the necessity of holding user information. The non-volatile memory may be a rewritable one, and may be a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, a magneto-optical memory, or the like. Of course,
Different storage areas of the same recording medium may be allocated to the comparison memory 15 and the document data memory 12.

In response to an output request from the personal computer 3 on the network 2, the control section 10 can store original data to be output in the original data memory 12. At the same time, the control unit 10 transmits management data relating to the use state of the digital copier to the network 2.
It can be transmitted to the database server 4 above. As described above, the document data memory 12 stores the scanner unit 11
Document data sent from the personal computer 3 or the like via the network 2 is also stored in addition to the image data of the document read by the computer.

The control unit 10 is connected to a fingerprint sensor 13 for detecting fingerprint data as a unique physical feature of the user. An operation panel 14 that provides an interface with a user is connected to the control unit 10. The operation panel 14 includes a display unit 141 such as a liquid crystal display panel, and ten keys 14 for inputting the number of copies and the like.
2. A print key 143 for instructing the start of printing, a registration button 144 operated at the time of user registration, and a registered user when a user who has completed user registration intends to use the digital copying machine 1. A collation button 145 is provided for performing a collation procedure (authentication procedure) for determining whether or not this is the case. Further, a document button 1 operated when retrieving the image data stored in the document data memory 12
The operation panel 14 is provided with 46 and a selection button 147 for selecting image data to be called.

The control unit 10 has a plurality of processing function units realized by software processing executed by a predetermined operation program. That is, the control unit 10
A user registration function unit 101 for user registration, a registration determination function unit 102 for determining whether the user is a registered user registered in the matching memory 15, An image reading reception function unit 103 that controls reading of image data is provided, and an output control function unit 104 that supplies appropriate image data to the printing unit 16 is provided.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a storage mode of the collation memory 15 and the document data memory 12. The user information U1, U2, U3,... Is registered in the matching memory 15 for each registered user. The user information U1, U2, U3,... Include a user ID as user identification information and fingerprint data of the user, and the user uses the digital copier 1 or the personal computer 3. And the storage address of the image data (original data) stored in the original data memory 12.
Therefore, the control unit 10 can determine whether or not the user is a registered user based on the fingerprint data by referring to the collation memory 15, and grasp the accumulation state of the image data by the user. be able to.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the procedure for registering a user in the collation memory 15. FIG. 4 also shows an example of a display screen displayed on the display unit 141 of the operation panel 14 during the user registration work. While the digital copier 1 is not used, the display unit 141 displays a standby screen D1 as an initial screen. The standby screen D1 indicates that it is necessary to verify whether or not the user is a registered user, and displays a message indicating that copying cannot be performed without such verification work (authentication work). .

From this state, an unregistered user operates the registration button 144 (step a1). This allows
The control unit 10 switches the display screen of the display unit 141 to the user registration screen D2 (step a2). On the user registration screen D2, a message indicating that a finger should be placed on the fingerprint sensor 13 and a message indicating that a user ID should be input are displayed. In response, the unregistered user enters the fingerprint sensor 1
The user's fingerprint is read in step 3 (step a3), and a user ID is input while the user ID input screen D3 is displayed (step a4). If the registration button 144 is pressed in this state (step a5), the user registration is completed, and the display screen of the display unit 141 returns to the standby screen D1 (step a6).

In response to the operation of the registration button 144, the user registration function unit 101 of the control unit 10 stores the fingerprint data detected by the fingerprint sensor 13 in the matching memory 15 in association with the user ID. Thus, the registration of the user information in the matching memory 15 is completed. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing when copying using the digital copying machine 1 or re-copying a past copied document. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a change in the display of the display unit 141 under the control of the control unit 10.

In the initial state of the digital copying machine 1, the display unit 141 displays a standby screen D1 (see FIG. 6). On the standby screen D1, a message indicating that the user authentication operation should be performed by pressing the collation button 145 is displayed. Therefore, the user operates the collation button 145 provided on the operation panel 14 (step b1). Thereby, the collation screen D4 is displayed on the display unit 141 (step b2). On this verification screen D4, a message indicating that the fingerprint should be read by placing the finger on the fingerprint sensor 13 is displayed. When the user places his finger on the fingerprint sensor 13 (step b3), the registration determination function unit 102 of the control unit 10 performs fingerprint matching processing with reference to the fingerprint data registered in the matching memory 15 (step b4). ).

If any of the fingerprint data registered in the matching memory 15 and the fingerprint data detected by the fingerprint sensor 13 do not match, it is determined that the user is not a registered user. In this case, a rejection screen D5 is displayed on the display unit 141 (step b5). The rejection screen D5 displays, for example, a message indicating that the user is not a registered user, and a message indicating that user registration is required for use. Control unit 10
Displays the rejection screen D5 for a certain period of time, for example, and then returns the display screen of the display unit 141 to the standby screen D1. Thus, the process is completed, and the user cannot copy the original using the scanner unit 11 or call out image data from the original data memory 12 to print out the image data.

On the other hand, if the fingerprint data collected by the fingerprint sensor 13 matches any of the fingerprint data registered in the matching memory 15, the user ID corresponding to the fingerprint data is read from the matching memory 15. Then, it is displayed on the display unit 141 (step b6). That is, the display unit 141 displays the user ID confirmation screen D6.
In response to this, after confirming that the user ID is correct, the user presses the collation button 145 again (step b7). As a result, the display screen of the display unit 141 switches to the copy acceptance screen D7 (step b).
8).

In this state, if an original is placed on the scanner section 11 and the print key 143 is operated (NO in step b9 and step b10), the original is read, and image data corresponding to the original is read. Stored in the data memory 12 (steps b11a, b11
b). At this time, the storage address of the image data is added to the user information of the authenticated user, and the user information is associated with the image data. Then, the image data is read out from the document data memory 12, and
Printing is performed by the print unit 16 (step b16). When this is completed, the display screen of the display unit 141 is returned to the standby screen D1 (step b17).

When re-copying a document which has been copied in the past, or when outputting the image data stored in the document data memory 12 from the personal computer 3 via the network 2, the user must While the copy acceptance screen D7 is displayed (step b8),
Operate the manuscript button 146 (YE in step b9)
S). As a result, the display screen of the display unit 141 changes to the document selection screen D8 (step b12). On the document selection screen D8, the user information of the user is read from the collation memory 15, and the storage date and time of the image data and the document image stored in the document data memory 12 in association with the user information. A list of sizes etc. is displayed.

Then, the user selects a document to be printed by using the selection button 147 provided on the operation panel 14 (step b13), and presses the document button 146. Thereby, the image data of the selected document is read from the document data memory 12 (step b14). Accordingly, the display screen of the display unit 141 changes to a document reading completion screen D9. In this state, when the user presses the print key 143 (step b15), the read image data is given to the printing unit 16, and the copied image is reproduced on the paper (step b16). ). After the output of the copy, the display screen of the display unit 141 returns to the standby screen D1 (step b17).

In step b15, the print key 1
If the document button 146 is pressed without pressing the button 43 (step b9), the image data of the document to be output can be selected again (step b12). As described above, according to this embodiment, the user authentication procedure is performed using the fingerprint which is a physical characteristic unique to the user. Therefore, it can be ensured that the user who is using the digital copying machine is the user himself. So, for registered users,
It is possible to provide a re-copying service using the image data stored in the document data memory 12 during the previous copying operation. At the time of this re-copying operation, it is not necessary for the scanner section 11 to perform the original reading operation.

Thus, according to this embodiment,
The recopying function can be added to the digital copying machine 1 by overcoming security problems. by this,
The usability of the digital copying machine can be remarkably improved. As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention can be implemented in another form. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the user is identified by using the fingerprint. However, for example, the digital copying machine 1 is provided with a microphone to detect the voiceprint, and the voiceprint data is used to identify the user. The data may be stored in the matching memory 15 as data representing physical characteristics, and may be used for matching of the user. In addition, the digital copying machine is provided with an imaging device such as a CCD camera, and collects retinal data and image data of the user's appearance and converts the collected data into data representing the user's own physical characteristics. It may be used for confirmation.

In the above-described embodiment, the image data of a plurality of registered users can be stored in the document data memory 12 (see FIG. 3). Only the image data stored at the time of copying may be stored in the document data memory 12. In other words, when a user who has used the digital copying machine immediately before wants to copy the same document again thereafter, a copy can be obtained without having the scanner unit 11 read the document. If another user uses the digital copier in the meantime, the image data in the original data memory 12 is deleted, and the image data of the original read by the scanner unit 11 by the other user is deleted. The data is stored in the document data memory 12.
In any case, unless the fingerprint sensor 13 authenticates the user, the image stored in the document data memory 12 will not be seen by others.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, if it is determined that the user is not a registered user as a result of fingerprint collation, the use of the digital copying machine is not permitted. Only a normal copying operation of reading a document and printing out the document may be possible. Of course, in order to accurately manage the usage status of the digital copier, if the fingerprint collation determines that the user is not a registered user, no image output operation including copying should be performed. Is preferred.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the user information includes the user ID as the user identification information in addition to the fingerprint data, but the fingerprint data itself is used as the user identification information. , The user ID may be abolished. In addition, various design changes can be made within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a usage mode of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining storage modes of a collation memory and a document data memory;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a procedure when registering user information in a matching memory;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of processing when copying using the digital copying machine or re-copying a past copied original.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a change in a display screen of a display unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital copying machine 2 Local area network 3 Personal computer 4 Database server 10 Control part 11 Scanner part 12 Document data memory 13 Fingerprint sensor 14 Operation panel 15 Verification memory 16 Printing part 101 User registration function part 102 Registration judgment function part 103 Image Read reception function unit 104 Output control function unit 141 Display unit 143 Print key 144 Registration button 145 Collation button 146 Original button 147 Selection button D1 Standby screen D2 User registration screen D3 User ID input screen D4 Collation screen D5 Rejection screen D6 User ID confirmation Screen D7 Copy acceptance screen D8 Original selection screen D9 Original reading completion screen U1, U2, U3,... User information

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Eiji Tanmura 1-2-28 Tamatsukuri, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Kyocera Mita Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masahiro Tsutsumi 1-2-2 Tamatsukuri, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka No. 28 Kyocera Mita Corporation F term (reference) 2H027 DA50 DE07 EJ01 EJ08 EJ09 FD08 5C062 AA05 AB22 AB42 AC04 AC21 AC24 AC58 AF00 BA00 5C073 AB01 AB11 CC01

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A document reading section for reading a document image, user recognition means for recognizing a user by detecting a user's unique physical feature, and physical characteristics detected by the user recognition means A user registration unit for registering user information including: an image storage unit for storing image data of a document read by the document reading unit in association with the user information registered in the user registration unit An image forming unit that reproduces an image on a sheet based on the image data stored in the image storage unit; a physical feature of the user detected by the user recognition unit; and a registration in the user registration unit Registration judging means for judging whether or not the user is a registered user registered in the user registration means by collating the registered user information with the registered user information. Image reading accepting means for accepting a read request for image data associated with the registered user among the image data stored in the image storage unit, on condition that the user is confirmed to be a user; An output control unit for reading out the image data for which the read request has been received by the read receiving unit from the image storage unit, supplying the read image data to the image forming unit, and reproducing an image of the image data. 2. The image data of a document read by the document reading unit after the registration determination unit has confirmed that the user is a registered user is written in the image storage unit in association with user information of the user. 2. The copying machine according to claim 1, further comprising means.