JP2004066692A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

An image forming apparatus capable of printing a confidential document with excellent operability is provided.
In an image forming apparatus connected to a network, as a security system for protecting confidential data, a data storage unit for storing data, an encryption unit for encrypting the stored data, An ID recognizing unit 14 that performs ID authentication at the time of output, a decrypting unit 18 that decrypts encrypted data, and an ID that receives RFID tag data, which is a wireless tag attached to a print sheet, when performing ID authentication. A data input unit 13 for printing only the received data as an ID on a specific sheet.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction peripheral having the functions thereof, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus having an output limiting function to protect print data designated as confidential. It concerns the device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An image forming apparatus provided with a security system temporarily holds data to be confidential and limits output by inputting an ID from an operation unit. When confidential data is once stored, data is protected by encrypting the data.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, conventionally, when a confidential document is output, an ID such as a personal identification number is input at an operation unit of the image forming apparatus and then output. However, in order to enhance security, a long personal identification number is required. There is a problem that operability of ID input is poor.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of printing a confidential document with excellent operability.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 provides a data storage unit for storing data as a security system for protecting confidential data in an image forming apparatus connected to a network. An encrypting unit for encrypting data to be encrypted, an ID recognizing unit for performing ID authentication at the time of output, a decrypting unit for decrypting the encrypted data, and a wireless tag attached to printing paper when performing ID authentication. The main feature of the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus that has an ID data input unit that receives RFID tag data, and has a function of printing the received data as an ID only on specific paper.
[0006]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the security system has a function of associating the RFID tag data attached to the output sheet with the output data, and manages the once output data. The main feature of the image forming apparatus is to have the function of reading the printed sheet with the RFID tag and outputting the same data without an output command from the computer that creates the print data when the user wants to output again.
[0007]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, when an output request is issued, if the output data is confidential data, the image forming apparatus performs ID authentication.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printer with a security function according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printer 1 is connected to a computer 2 as a host device.
[0009]
The printer 1 having the security function inputs a data determination unit 11 that determines whether the data is confidential data, an ID storage unit 12 that manages an ID for confidential data, and an ID for an instruction to output confidential data. The system includes an ID input unit 13, an ID identification unit 14 for identifying an ID, a data storage unit 15 for storing data other than confidential data, and an encryption unit 16 for encrypting confidential data.
[0010]
The printer 1 also includes an encrypted data storage unit 17 for storing encrypted confidential data, a decryption unit 18 for decrypting encrypted data, an output control unit 19 for managing output control of all data, A data output unit 20 for forming output data, an operation / display unit 21 for performing operation and display, and an RFID tag reader for receiving information of the RFID tag when a sheet on which the RFID tag is attached is inserted into a tray, and reading. A processing determining unit for identifying data from the information; Although not shown, a CPU for controlling the entire system is also provided.
[0011]
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the ID identification unit. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of ID identification units 1005 (14-1, 14-2, 14-3) are prepared for the ID data storage unit 12 according to the form of each ID.
[0012]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a table relating to IDs. Each user has a user ID, and registers information for authenticating the user ID. Information on the ID includes an ID number, an ID form, and a storage location of ID data.
[0013]
The ID number is a number for distinguishing a plurality of registered IDs. The ID form is, for example, a data format for performing authentication determination such as a personal identification number, handwritten characters, and a fingerprint image. The storage location is an address in the storage device that is a storage location of ID data for authentication. The ID data differs depending on the authentication method, and is image data or a numerical value.
[0014]
FIG. 4 is a processing flowchart of confidential data. Data to be output from the computer 2 is transmitted to the printer 1. When outputting to the RFID tag paper, data to be output, the above-mentioned user No., ID number, and information on the ID form are set as the data configuration. If it is desired to output on a sheet with an RFID tag, the number of the RFID tag is stored in the data address as ID identification data.
[0015]
When the printer 1 receives the output data (Step 1), the data determination unit 11 determines whether the output is confidential data or RFID tag paper output (Step 2). When it is determined that the output is not the RFID tag paper output (Step 2 No), the data is temporarily stored in the data storage unit 15, the data is read out by the output request signal from the output control unit 19, and the data is output by the data output unit 20 ( Step 6).
[0016]
If it is determined that the output is confidential data and RFID tag paper output (Step 2 Yes), the data is encrypted by the encryption unit 16 (Step 3), and the encrypted data is stored in the encrypted data storage unit 17 (Step 4). .
[0017]
The ID data storage unit 12 stores the ID information from the data determination unit 11 and the corresponding encrypted data from the encrypted data storage unit 17 in order to associate the encrypted data accumulated in Step 4 with the ID. The location information is stored in association with the information (Step 5).
[0018]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a table relating to IDs. Regarding the association between confidential data or RFID tag paper output and ID, data No., user No., ID number, and data address are stored in association with each other.
[0019]
Data No. is automatically generated every time confidential data is transferred. The user No. and the ID number are included in the transferred confidential data and the RFID sheet output data, and the data to be output and the user No. and the ID number, which are the ID data, are separated into respective data.
[0020]
For example, the data of data No. “0002” has a user ID of “abc12345” and is secured as an ID of data of the user ID “0005”.
[0021]
In order to authenticate the ID, the data in the ID format of “0005” of the user ID “abc12345” is identified. As shown in FIG. 3, the data is stored in the storage device at the address 1008000 in the ID form of “RFID tag”.
[0022]
FIG. 6 is a processing flowchart showing a first example in the case of outputting to an RFID tag sheet. If the RFID tag paper output data has already been stored, the RFID tag reader 22 determines whether there is a request to output the RFID tag paper output data (Step 1).
[0023]
The output request sets a sheet with an RFID tag as shown in FIG. When the sheet with the RFID tag is not set (Step 1 No), the output of the data is in a waiting state until a request is made. If there is a sheet with an RFID tag (Step 1 Yes), the RFID tag reader 22 reads the information of the RFID tag on the sheet (Step 2).
[0024]
The data obtained by reading the information of the RFID tag is compared and identified by the ID identification unit 14 and the ID data storage unit 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the ID identifying unit 14 has a function for identifying each type of ID or each identification algorithm. Here, a circuit to be determined based on data read from the RFID tag paper is selected, and an identification process is performed.
[0025]
If there is no data corresponding to the information of the RFID tag on the paper (Step 3 No), the process returns to a state of waiting for the setting of the RFID tag paper. If the corresponding data exists (Step 3 Yes), the ID identifying unit 14 outputs a request signal for output to the output control unit 19.
[0026]
The output control unit 19 requests the decryption unit 18 to decrypt the corresponding data. The decryption unit 18 reads the corresponding data from the encrypted data storage unit 17 (Step 4), performs decryption (Step 5), and outputs the decrypted data by the data output unit 20 (Step 6).
[0027]
According to the invention of claims 2 and 3, the printer is provided with a reader capable of reading the RFID tag from the outside, and reads the RFID tag attached to the printed paper. Based on the read information, the printer 1 searches for and outputs data of the RFID tag paper output once output.
[0028]
The data is managed so that the information of the RFID tag and the data storage location correspond to each other, and the data can be read by searching the RFID tag information. At this time, if it is desired to secure the output, an ID authentication process is further performed.
[0029]
FIG. 8 is a processing flowchart showing a second example in the case of outputting to an RFID tag sheet. When there is a re-output request on the sheet with the RFID tag attached thereto (Step 1 Yes), the information of the RFID tag is read. It is determined whether or not the data corresponding to the read information exists in the data managed in the printer 1.
[0030]
If there is no corresponding data (Step 2 No), the process returns to the original. If the corresponding data exists (Step 2 Yes), it is further identified whether ID authentication is required (Step 3). Whether or not ID authentication is required is set in advance by the output person when outputting to RFID tag paper. As a result, it is possible to easily prevent the paper printed on the RFID tag paper from printing out the original equivalent data.
[0031]
If the setting does not require ID authentication (Step 3 No), the process proceeds to Step 6. If ID authentication is required (Step 3 Yes), the user is prompted to input an ID (Step 4). The input ID is identified as to whether it matches the ID of the corresponding data (Step 5), and if the input ID does not match (Step 5). No) returns to the original. If they match (Step 5 Yes), the data stored and managed in the printer 1 is read (Step 6), and the read data is decrypted and output (Steps 7 and 8).
[0032]
In the above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has a function of performing a composite service such as a printer, a copier, and a facsimile, and intervenes between a plurality of applications and hardware resources to execute a service corresponding to each application. There is a platform that performs common processing required at that time, and processing is performed as an application.
[0033]
As described above, when it is desired to output the data output on the sheet with the RFID tag again, equivalent data can be output easily without starting the application from the PC or the like and controlling the output.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, by using paper with an RFID tag for outputting confidential data and by controlling output permission based on information from the RFID tag, there is no need for an ID input operation. Since ID authentication of confidential data or the like can be performed, confidentiality can be maintained and operability can be improved.
[0035]
According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, when data is printed on paper with an RFID tag and the data and information from the RFID tag are managed, the printed data is output again from the computer. The operability can be improved because the output command may be issued based on the information from the RFID tag attached to the sheet without performing the application start-up output command. In addition, since printing is performed from the original data, high-quality data can be obtained without deterioration in image quality due to copying. If the data is confidential data, the data can be protected by recognizing the data as confidential data based on information from the RFID tag and performing control for authenticating the ID.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printer with a security function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an ID identification unit.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a table relating to IDs.
FIG. 4 is a processing flowchart of confidential data.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a table relating to IDs.
FIG. 6 is a processing flow chart showing a first example in the case of outputting to RFID tag paper.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a sheet with an RFID tag.
FIG. 8 is a process flowchart illustrating a second example of outputting to an RFID tag sheet.
[Explanation of symbols]
13 ID data input unit 14 ID identification unit 15 Data storage unit 16 Encryption unit 18 Decryption unit

Claims (3)

In an image forming apparatus connected to a network, as a security system for protecting confidential data, a data storage unit for storing data, an encryption unit for encrypting stored data, and performing ID authentication at the time of output. An ID recognition unit, a decryption unit that decrypts encrypted data, and an ID data input unit that receives RFID tag data, which is a wireless tag attached to a print sheet, when performing ID authentication, An image forming apparatus having a function of printing only specified paper using received data as an ID. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the security system has a function of managing the RFID tag data attached to the output sheet and the output data in association with each other. An image forming apparatus having a function of reading a sheet with an RFID tag and outputting the same data without an output command from a computer that creates print data. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the output is requested, if the data to be output is confidential data, ID authentication is performed.

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