JP2005028673A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which outputs data even on a confidential document in a form incapable of being read by others, without the storage of the data therein, and which makes the document readable or copiable as needed. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming apparatus 1 receives printing instructions including printing content information from the outside, so as to form an image on a printing medium by an image forming engine in accordance with the received printing instructions. The apparatus 1 comprises a recording content determination means for determining contents to be recorded on the printing medium in accordance with the received printing instructions, and a confidential discrimination means for determining whether or not the received printing instructions include a password. When it is determined that the received printing instructions include the password, the recording content determination means determines that at least the password and the print content information in the printing instructions are the contents to be recorded into an IC chip of the printing medium. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a function of printing confidential documents.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a printer having a confidential printing function for printing a personal secret document with a printer shared by a plurality of users. Generally, in such a printer, when image data to which a confidential print command is attached is received, the image is stored without being printed immediately. When the corresponding password is input from the printer input key, the stored image data is printed and output. That is, the user may output image data with a confidential print command attached to the printer, and input a password when there is no other person around the printer. Thereby, confidential printing can be obtained without being seen by others.
[0003]
On the other hand, in order to send a secret document to a distant place, for example, a facsimile having a confidential function can be used. In this case, the sender performs facsimile transmission with the confidential ID that has been negotiated with the receiver in advance. The receiving facsimile apparatus stores the received image data in the apparatus without printing it immediately. The received image data is output only after the confidential ID is input from the input key. Furthermore, a facsimile apparatus has also been proposed in which when a recipient moves to another location, image data with the confidential ID of the recipient is automatically transferred by registering the transfer destination. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-135601 A (page 6-7)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional image forming apparatus described above, the image data of the confidential document is not output immediately but is temporarily stored in the image forming apparatus. For this reason, when the number of stored confidential documents increases or when a confidential document with a large amount of data is included, the amount of memory used increases. In some cases, new image data may not be received due to insufficient storage capacity. In addition, if all data is stored in the image forming device, the recipient may not be aware that the facsimile has been received, and it will be necessary to notify the recipient that another confidential document has been sent. There was a problem.
[0006]
The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the conventional image forming apparatus described above. In other words, the problem is that even confidential documents are not stored in the image forming device, output in a format that cannot be read by others, and can be made readable or duplicated as necessary. An object is to provide an image forming apparatus.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image forming apparatus of the present invention, which has been made for the purpose of solving this problem, receives a print instruction including print content information from the outside, and forms an image on a print medium by an image forming engine based on the received print instruction. A recording content determining means for determining a recording content to be printed on a print medium based on the received print instruction; and a confidentiality determining means for determining whether or not the received print instruction includes a password. When it is determined that the received print instruction includes a password, the determining means determines at least the password and the print content information in the print instruction as the content recorded on the IC chip of the print medium.
[0008]
In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the image forming engine forms an image on the print medium based on the received print instruction, the confidentiality determining unit determines whether the received print instruction includes a password. That is, it is determined whether the received print instruction is a confidential document. If the received print instruction is a print instruction of a confidential document including a password, the recording content determination unit determines the password and the print content information as the recording content on the IC chip of the print medium. For this reason, at least contents such as passwords and print content information that are not desired to be seen by others are not visually printed on the printing surface of the print medium. Since the data is recorded on the IC chip and output, there is no need to store data in the image forming apparatus. Therefore, even confidential documents are not stored in the image forming apparatus and are output in a format that cannot be read by others.
[0009]
Further, in the present invention, when the print instruction includes header information, the recording content determination means determines that only the header information in the print instruction is stored in the print medium when it is determined that the received print instruction includes a password. It is desirable to determine it as the contents of visual recording on the printed surface.
In this way, even in a confidential document, only the header information is visibly recorded on the printing surface of the printing medium, so that the printing medium is at least distinguished from blank paper. If the header information is, for example, the owner name of the document or the date and time of reception, it will help the processing for the print medium.
[0010]
Furthermore, in the present invention, it is desirable to have a print medium selection means for selecting a print medium with an IC chip and recording it when it is determined that the received print instruction includes a password.
In this way, when both the print medium with the IC chip and the plain paper can be fed to the image forming apparatus, the print medium with the IC chip is selected for printing the confidential document. . Thereby, the password and print contents of the confidential document can be recorded on the IC chip.
[0011]
Furthermore, in the present invention, when it is determined that the received print instruction includes a password and the print medium with the IC chip is not included, the medium request with the IC chip that prompts the user to insert the print medium with the IC chip. It is desirable to have a means.
In this way, it is possible to cope with a case where a print medium with an IC chip is not prepared in the image forming apparatus.
[0012]
The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that reads an image on a printing surface of an original and forms the image on a print medium by an image forming engine, and reads out information from an IC chip of the original. Means for determining the recording contents on the printing medium based on the information read by the document information reading means, and the printing medium determination for determining whether or not the printing medium to be used for printing has an IC chip. And the recorded content determination means reads information from the IC chip of the original when the information is read from the IC chip of the original and the print medium to be used for printing has an IC chip. May be determined as the contents recorded on the IC chip of the printing medium, and only the image read from the printing surface of the document is determined as the visible recording content on the printing surface of the printing medium.
[0013]
In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, if the document is a print medium with an IC chip, information on the IC chip is read by the document reading means. Further, if the print medium to be used for printing is equipped with an IC chip, the information read from the IC chip of the document is determined as the record content on the IC chip of the print medium by the recording content determination means. That is, what is output in a form that cannot be read by others in the manuscript is also output in a form that cannot be read by others as well. Accordingly, with such an image forming apparatus, if the original is a confidential document, it can be duplicated and created on a print medium with an IC chip as a confidential document. For example, it is convenient when sharing the confidential document with other users.
[0014]
Furthermore, in the present invention, when information including a password is read from the IC chip of the document, the user is requested to input the password, and recording on the print medium is permitted only when the correct password is input by the user. It is desirable to have a password request means.
In this way, it can be confirmed that the user who intends to create a duplicate is a valid owner of the confidential document.
[0015]
Further, in the present invention, it is desirable that the record content determination means adds the copy history information to the content recorded on the IC chip of the print medium.
In this way, it is possible to distinguish between a manuscript and its reproduction even in the same format.
[0016]
The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that reads an image on a printing surface of an original and forms the image on a print medium by an image forming engine, and reads out information from an IC chip of the original. Means for determining the recording contents on the printing medium based on the information read by the document information reading means, and the printing medium determination for determining whether or not the printing medium to be used for printing has an IC chip. And a password request that allows a user to input a password when information including a password is read from the IC chip of the document, and permits recording on a print medium only when the correct password is input by the user And the recorded content determination means is read from the IC chip of the document when the print medium to be used for printing does not have an IC chip. It may be configured to determine the image read from the printing surface of the image and the document based on the distribution and visual contents recorded on the printing surface of the printing medium.
[0017]
In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, if the document is a print medium with an IC chip, information on the IC chip is read by the document reading means. Further, when the print medium to be used for printing is not equipped with an IC chip, the information read from the IC chip of the original by the recording content determination means is visible on the print surface of the print medium together with the image read from the print surface of the original. Determined as recorded contents. At this time, the password request means requests the user to input a password included in the original IC chip. As a result, it is confirmed that the document is a legitimate owner of the confidential document to be printed, so that it cannot be read without permission by others. Therefore, with such an image forming apparatus, a confidential document can be duplicated as necessary. For example, it is convenient when distributing confidential documents to other users who do not share passwords.
[0018]
Further, according to the present invention, the recording content determination means can read the information including the password from the IC chip of the manuscript and is visible on the printing surface of the printing medium when the printing medium to be printed does not have an IC chip. It is desirable to add an image indicating confidentiality to the recorded content.
In this way, the user who received a copy of the confidential document can be alerted to the handling. Furthermore, if information that hinders general copy creation is added as an image indicating that it is confidential, it is possible to prevent a grandchild copy from being created.
[0019]
Furthermore, an image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a print medium by an image forming engine, and includes an original information reading means for reading information from an IC chip of the print medium, and an IC chip of the print medium. A password requesting means for requesting the user to input a password when information including a password is read and permitting recording on the printing surface of the print medium only when the correct password is input by the user; There may be provided recording content determining means for determining an image based on the information read from the IC chip as a formed image on the printing surface of the printing medium.
[0020]
In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, information is read from the IC chip of the print medium by the document reading means. Also, the password request means requests the user to input a password. As a result, when it is confirmed that the confidential document (print medium) is a legitimate owner, an image based on the information read from the IC chip of the print medium becomes an image formed on the print surface of the print medium. It is determined. That is, the contents stored in the IC chip are formed on the print medium as visible recording contents. Therefore, with such an image forming apparatus, the contents of a confidential document can be visually printed as necessary. For example, it is convenient when the owner of a confidential document wants to confirm the contents.
[0021]
Further, in the present invention, when the formed image determined by the recording content determining means does not fit on the print surface of the print medium, it is desirable to form the remaining image on the print surface of another print medium.
In this way, the entire confidential document can be obtained in an easy-to-view state.
[0022]
Furthermore, in the present invention, it is desirable that the recorded content determination means add an image indicating confidentiality to the image formed on the print surface of each print medium.
In this way, the owner of the confidential document can be cautioned about its handling. If information that impedes general copy creation is added as an image indicating that it is a confidential, it can be prevented that a copy is created.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus (multifunctional printer) having functions as a copier, a printer, and a facsimile machine.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a document table 11 at the top, and has a cover 12 and an operation panel 13. A paper discharge tray 14 for discharging printed paper is provided below the document table 11. Further below, a paper feed cassette 15 and an extension cassette 16 are provided, and paper for image output is set in each of them. Here, it is assumed that the paper 31 with IC chip is set in the paper feed cassette 15 and the plain paper 32 is set in the expansion cassette 16. The IC chip-attached paper 31 is obtained by attaching an IC chip 33, which is an electronically readable / writable storage medium, to one corner of the paper (see FIG. 3). As the attachment method, there are a method in which the IC chip 33 is attached to a paper, a method in which the IC chip 33 is inserted in a paper, and the like. Reader / writers 17 and 18 capable of communicating with the IC chip 33 of paper are also provided inside the document table 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 and on the side of the paper discharge tray 14. The reader / writers 17 and 18 correspond to document information reading means or print medium discrimination means.
[0025]
Further, as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a manual feed tray 19 on the right side in the drawing. Further, an imaging unit 21 which is a main part for image formation of the image forming apparatus 1 is provided in the central portion inside. The paper is fed from the paper feed cassette 15 or the extension cassette 16 and the manual feed tray 19, conveyed upward in the figure, and discharged to the paper discharge tray 14. On the way, the toner image is formed on the sheet by passing through the imaging unit 21. Further, a fixing unit 22 is provided downstream from the imaging unit 21 in the sheet conveyance direction (upper in the figure), and a timing roller 23 is provided upstream (lower in the figure). The timing roller 23 is for temporarily stopping the leading edge of the paper and aligning the leading edge of the paper with the image.
[0026]
Further, the image forming apparatus 1 also has a controller 24 for controlling the operation of each part such as an image forming engine such as the imaging unit 21, the reader / writers 17 and 18, and the operation panel 13. As will be described below, the controller 24 determines the recording contents and the recording arrangement on the paper as the printing medium. That is, the controller 24 functions as a recording content determination unit.
[0027]
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. The image forming apparatus 1 has a print function, a facsimile function, a copy function, and the like. However, the operation when image data is received by facsimile is almost the same as the operation when print data is received. The printing operation will be described. The image forming apparatus 1 is characterized in that it operates when receiving and outputting confidential documents. Since printing of general documents and facsimile reception are the same as those of general image forming apparatuses conventionally used, description thereof will be omitted. Also, the facsimile transmission of general documents or confidential documents is the same as the conventional one, and the description thereof is omitted.
[0028]
That is, the printing operation here is an operation when the confidential document data is received from the PC 34 or another facsimile apparatus as shown in FIG. In addition to the image data that is the main text, a command indicating that it is a confidential document and a password for reading are added to the confidential document data. From these data, the controller 24 of the image forming apparatus 1 determines that the received document is a confidential document. At this time, the controller 24 functions as confidentiality determination means. In addition, letterhead image data is attached separately from the text. This letterhead is information that may be seen by others, such as the owner name of the document and the printing date.
[0029]
When this confidential document is received, the image forming apparatus 1 first feeds the paper 31 with IC chip to the timing roller 23. Here, the reader / writer 18 confirms that the paper 31 has an IC chip. Then, the reader / writer 18 writes the text data and information such as the document ID, password, and margin information on the IC chip 33 of the paper 31 with IC chip. The document ID is a number assigned serially by the controller 24. The margin information is information indicating the amount of margin remaining after printing the letterhead. Subsequently, a letterhead toner image is formed by the imaging unit 21 and fixed by the fixing unit 22. Then, the first confidential document 41 is discharged to the discharge tray 14. As a result, the first confidential document 41 as shown on the right side in FIG. 4 is output.
[0030]
Alternatively, when the confidential document is received, if the paper 31 with the IC chip is not set in the paper feed cassette 15 or the extension cassette 16, a warning is displayed on the operation panel 13 to set the paper 31 with the IC chip. . The same applies to the case where the paper fed from the selected cassette is not the paper 31 with the IC chip, or information is already written in the IC chip 33. Furthermore, a warning sound may be emitted to call attention to surrounding users.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 4, the first confidential document 41 has a letterhead printed on the surface thereof, and image data of the text, document ID, password, and margin information are written on the IC chip 33. In other words, only the letterhead is printed in a readable manner in the first confidential document 41, so that it is possible to know who is the output paper and not to know the contents. In the image forming apparatus 1 used by a large number of users, the letterhead is important in order to prevent the output document from missing. The content of the letterhead is created by the document creator. When printing your own document, for example, only the author's name and title may be used. Alternatively, in the case of a facsimile document, it is preferable to attach a letterhead including the recipient name (destination), sender name, date, subject, and the like. Alternatively, in the case of a facsimile document with a cover sheet, the cover sheet portion may be a letterhead.
[0032]
When the image forming apparatus 1 receives confidential document data, the image forming apparatus 1 outputs the confidential document data as the first confidential document 41, so that it is not necessary to store the image data in the image forming apparatus 1. Since the secret body image data is stored in the IC chip 33, it is not likely to be seen by others as it is. In addition, since the first confidential document 41 has a readable letterhead printed thereon, it is useful when the document is delivered to its owner or when the owner classifies and stores the document.
[0033]
Next, the copy operation will be described. Here, the copy operation is an operation of creating a copy using the first confidential document 41 as a document, as shown in FIG. In this operation, the user places the first confidential document 41 on the platen 11 and presses the copy button on the operation panel 13. The controller 24 of the image forming apparatus 1 can recognize that the document is the first confidential document 41 by reading the contents of the IC chip 33 of the first confidential document 41 by the reader / writer 17. Then, the user is requested to input a password. At this time, the controller 24 functions as a password request means. When the password input from the operation panel 13 by the user matches the one stored in the IC chip 33 of the first confidential document 41, the image forming apparatus 1 displays the print image (letter head) of the first confidential document 41. Read with a scanner.
[0034]
Next, the controller 24 determines whether the paper selected as the output paper is the paper 31 with an IC chip. One sheet is fed from the selected cassette or manual feed tray 19 to the timing roller 23, and the reader / writer 18 determines whether the sheet is the sheet 31 with an IC chip. Then, when the paper 31 with IC chip is selected as the output paper, a second confidential document 42 as shown in FIG. 6 is created. The second confidential document 42 is similar in appearance to the first confidential document 41, and the letterhead of the first confidential document 41 is copied and printed on the surface thereof. In addition to the information of the IC chip 33 of the first confidential document 41, information indicating that the document is a duplicate is written in the IC chip 33 of the second confidential document 42. In the example of FIG. 6, a duplication code is added to the original document ID, and the duplication date, duplication No. This data has also been added.
[0035]
Alternatively, when the plain paper 32 is selected as the output paper, a third confidential document 43 as shown in FIG. 7 is created. In this case, the contents of the IC chip 33 of the first confidential document 41 are also printed in a readable manner. Therefore, the contents of the IC chip 33 are printed following the letterhead copy. Further, in order to clearly indicate that this document is a confidential document and is a duplicate of the confidential document, a stamp mark 44 may be printed in an overlapping manner. In this figure, the contents of the stamp mark 44 are “CONFIDENTIAL”, document ID, copy date, copy number. It has become.
[0036]
Another operation is a readable printing operation. In this case, the owner of the first confidential document 41 causes the contents of the IC chip 33 to be printed in a readable manner. Unlike the copy operation, as shown in FIG. 8, the first confidential document 41 itself is printed in the margin. In this case, the user inserts the first confidential document 41 from the manual feed tray 19 and presses the copy button. The image forming apparatus 1 determines that a document is inserted from the manual feed tray 19 when the copy button is pressed when there is no document on the document table 11. Then, the first sheet is fed from the manual feed tray 19 to the timing roller 23.
[0037]
Further, the image forming apparatus 1 reads the contents of the IC chip 33 of the first confidential document 41 temporarily stopped by the timing roller 23 by the reader / writer 18, thereby confirming that this sheet is the first confidential document 41. Can be recognized. Therefore, the user is requested to input a password. If the password entered by the user from the operation panel 13 matches that stored in the IC chip 33 of the first confidential document 41, the contents of the IC chip 33 are printed in the margin of the printed letterhead. In this case, the contents of the IC chip 33 are not rewritten, and the stamp mark 44 need not be printed because it is not a duplicate. When it is desired to clearly indicate that the document is a confidential document, a stamp mark 44 indicating that the confidential document is original may be printed. If printing cannot be performed in the margin, plain paper 32 may be fed from the expansion cassette 16 and the continuation may be printed. Alternatively, the document may be reduced and printed so as to enter the margin from the content of the IC chip 33 and the margin information.
[0038]
Next, processing in the image forming apparatus 1 during these operations will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS. First, when the operation is started, the image forming apparatus 1 waits until print data is received (S101) or the copy button is operated (S103) as shown in FIG. When print data is received by a print instruction from a personal computer or facsimile reception (S101: Yes), print processing is performed (S102). If the user operates the copy button (S103: Yes), copy processing is performed (S104).
[0039]
Next, the printing process executed in S102 of FIG. 9 will be described based on FIG. Upon receiving the print data, the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether the print data is confidential printing (S201). If it is confidential printing (S201: Yes), the paper 31 with the IC chip is fed from the paper feed cassette 15, and the reader / writer 18 writes the text data and the like on the IC chip 33 (S202). Further, the letterhead is printed by the imaging unit 21 or the like (S203). Thereby, the first confidential document 41 is created. Alternatively, if it is not confidential printing (S201: No), plain paper 32 is fed from the expansion cassette 16 and normal printing is performed (S204). In either case, the printed paper is discharged and this process is terminated.
[0040]
Next, the copy process executed in S104 of FIG. 9 will be described with reference to FIG. When the copy button is operated, it is first determined whether or not a document is placed on the document table 11 (S301). If a document is placed (S301: Yes), it is determined whether or not the document is printed on the IC chip-attached paper 31 (S302). If it is not the paper 31 with IC chip (S301: No), a normal copy process is performed (S303), and this process ends.
[0041]
If the document is a paper 31 with an IC chip (S302: Yes), the contents of the IC chip 33 are first read by the reader / writer 17. Then, the user is prompted to enter a password and waits until the correct password is entered (S304). When the password is input (S304: Yes), it is determined whether or not the IC chip paper 31 is selected as the output paper (S305).
[0042]
When the paper 31 with IC chip is selected (S305: Yes), the paper 31 with IC chip is fed from the paper feed cassette 15 to the timing roller 23. At that position, the reader / writer 18 adds a duplicate code to the content of the original IC chip 33 and writes it on the paper IC chip 33 (S306). Further, the letterhead is copied (S307), and the process ends. Thereby, the second confidential document 42 is created.
[0043]
Alternatively, when the plain paper 32 is selected (S305: No), the paper is fed from the extension cassette 16, a copy image with the stamp mark 44 is formed (S308), and the process is terminated. Thereby, the third confidential document 43 is created.
[0044]
Alternatively, if there is no document on the document table 11 (S301: No), it is determined whether there is a manual document on the manual feed tray 19 (S309). If there is no manual feed document (S309: No), the process ends without doing anything. If there is a manual document (S309: Yes), it is determined whether or not the document is printed on the IC chip-attached paper 31 (S310). If it is not printed on the paper 31 with an IC chip (S310: No), it cannot be handled as a document, and the process ends as it is.
[0045]
If the manual document is printed on the IC chip paper 31 (S310: Yes), the contents of the IC chip 33 are read by the reader / writer 18. Then, the user is prompted to enter a password, and waits until the correct password is entered (S311). When the password is input (S311: Yes), the data of the IC chip 33 is printed in the margin of the manual feed document (S312), and the process ends. Thereby, the readable first confidential document 41 is created.
[0046]
As described above in detail, according to the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when the received print instruction is a confidential document, it is output as the first confidential document 41 on the paper 31 with an IC chip. . In the first confidential document 41, only the letterhead is printed in a readable manner, and the password and the print content information are recorded on the IC chip 33, so that the content is not known to others. Then, in order to duplicate the first confidential document 41 and make it readable, input of the password contained in the IC chip 33 is required, so that it is not made readable by others. Further, when the first confidential document 41 is duplicated and created, when it is output to the paper 31 with IC chip, a duplicate code or the like for indicating duplication is added to the data of the IC chip 33. When outputting to plain paper 32, a stamp mark 44 is added to clearly indicate that the copy is a copy. Further, when making the first confidential document 41 readable, the text data is printed in the margin of the first confidential document 41 with the first confidential document 41 as a manual feed. Therefore, the confidential document is not stored in the image forming apparatus 1 and is output in a format that cannot be read by others, and the image forming apparatus 1 can make the document readable or duplicated as necessary. It has become.
[0047]
Note that this embodiment is merely an example, and does not limit the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention can be variously improved and modified without departing from the scope of the invention.
For example, the format of additional data, the configuration of the stamp mark 44, and the like for representing the copy exemplified in the present embodiment are not limited to this.
Further, for example, in the present embodiment, the paper 31 with the IC chip is fed into the paper feed cassette 15 and the paper is separately fed into the extension cassette 16 from the plain paper 32. However, in the image forming apparatus 1 with one cassette, the paper set by the user Replace it. In this case, when the paper is fed to the timing roller 23, the reader / writer 18 determines whether or not the paper 31 has an IC chip.
For example, the arrangement of the reader / writers 17 and 18 is not limited to this. It may be arranged so as to be able to read and write with respect to the IC chip 33 such as the paper 31 with IC chip placed on the document table 11 or the paper 31 with IC chip fed from the paper feed cassette 15 or the like.
Further, for example, if it is determined from the contents of the IC chip 33 that the document is a duplicate, the creation of the duplicate may not be permitted even if the passwords match.
The configuration of the imaging unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 1 may be any configuration, and may be a monochrome machine or a color machine.
[0048]
The specific embodiment includes an invention having the following configuration.
(Supplementary Note 1) In an image forming apparatus that receives a print instruction including print content information from the outside and forms an image on a print medium by an image forming engine based on the received print instruction.
Recording content determining means for determining the recording content on the print medium based on the received print instruction;
Confidential determination means for determining whether or not the received print instruction includes a password;
The recording content determining means determines, when it is determined that the received print instruction includes a password, at least the password and the print content information in the print instruction as the recording content to the IC chip of the print medium. Image forming apparatus.
(Appendix 2) In the image forming apparatus described in Appendix 1,
When header information is included in the print instruction,
The recording content determining means determines only the header information in the printing instruction as the visible recording content on the printing surface of the printing medium when it is determined that the received printing instruction includes a password. Image forming apparatus.
(Appendix 3) In the image forming apparatus described in appendix 1 or appendix 2,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a print medium selecting unit that selects a print medium with an IC chip and uses it for recording when it is determined that the received print instruction includes a password.
(Appendix 4) In the image forming apparatus described in Appendix 3,
Having a medium request unit with an IC chip that prompts the user to insert a print medium with an IC chip when the received print instruction is determined to include a password and does not have a print medium with an IC chip; An image forming apparatus.
(Supplementary Note 5) In an image forming apparatus that reads an image on a printing surface of a document and forms the image on a print medium by an image forming engine.
Document information reading means for reading information from the IC chip of the document;
Recording content determining means for determining the recording content on the print medium based on the information read by the document information reading means;
Print medium determining means for determining whether or not a print medium to be used for printing has an IC chip;
The recording content determination means reads information from the IC chip of the original and if the print medium to be used for printing has an IC chip,
The information read from the IC chip of the document is determined as the content recorded on the IC chip of the print medium,
An image forming apparatus, wherein only an image read from a printing surface of an original is determined as visible recording contents on a printing surface of a printing medium.
(Appendix 6) In the image forming apparatus described in Appendix 5,
Password request means for requesting the user to input a password when information including a password is read from the IC chip of the document and permitting recording on the print medium only when the correct password is input by the user An image forming apparatus.
(Appendix 7) In the image forming apparatus described in Appendix 5 or Appendix 6,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording content determining unit adds information of a copy history to the recording content of the print medium on the IC chip.
(Supplementary Note 8) In an image forming apparatus that reads an image on a printing surface of a document and forms the image on a print medium by an image forming engine.
Document information reading means for reading information from the IC chip of the document;
Recording content determining means for determining the recording content on the print medium based on the information read by the document information reading means;
A print medium discriminating means for discriminating whether or not a print medium to be used for printing has an IC chip;
Password request means for requesting a user to input a password when information including a password is read from an IC chip of an original, and permitting recording on a print medium only when the correct password is input by the user. Have
If the print medium to be used for printing is not equipped with an IC chip, the recorded content determination means displays an image based on information read from the IC chip of the document and an image read from the print surface of the document on the print surface of the print medium. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the content is determined as visible recording content.
(Supplementary note 9) In the image forming apparatus described in supplementary note 8,
The recorded content determination means reads information including a password from the IC chip of the original and the print medium to be used for printing does not have an IC chip.
An image forming apparatus, wherein an image indicating confidentiality is added to visible recording contents on a printing surface of a printing medium.
(Supplementary Note 10) In an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a print medium by an image forming engine,
Document information reading means for reading information from an IC chip of a print medium;
A password that requests the user to input a password when information including a password is read from the IC chip of the print medium, and permits recording on the print surface of the print medium only when the correct password is input by the user Request means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a recording content determining unit that determines an image based on information read from an IC chip of a printing medium as an image formed on a printing surface of the printing medium.
(Supplementary Note 11) In the image forming apparatus described in Supplementary Note 10,
An image forming apparatus comprising: forming a remaining image on a print surface of another print medium when the formed image determined by the recording content determining means does not fit on the print surface of the print medium.
(Supplementary Note 12) In the image forming apparatus described in Supplementary Note 10 or Supplementary Note 11,
The recording content determination unit adds an image indicating confidentiality to a formed image on a printing surface of each printing medium.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, even if a confidential document is stored, the data is not stored in the image forming apparatus, is output in a format that cannot be read by others, and the document can be read as necessary. There is provided an image forming apparatus capable of making a copy and creating a duplicate.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper with an IC chip.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a printing operation of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a copying operation of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a copy result.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a copy result.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a readable printing operation of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating printing processing of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a copy process of the image forming apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Image forming device
17, 18 Reader / writer (original information reading means, print medium discrimination means)
21 Imaging unit (image forming engine)
24 controller (record content determination means, confidentiality determination means, password request means)

Claims (5)

In an image forming apparatus that receives a print instruction including print content information from outside and forms an image on a print medium by an image forming engine based on the received print instruction.
Recording content determining means for determining the recording content on the print medium based on the received print instruction;
Confidential determination means for determining whether or not the received print instruction includes a password;
The recording content determining means determines, when it is determined that the received print instruction includes a password, at least the password and the print content information in the print instruction as the recording content to the IC chip of the print medium. Image forming apparatus. In an image forming apparatus that reads an image on a printing surface of an original and forms the image on a print medium by an image forming engine.
Document information reading means for reading information from the IC chip of the document;
Recording content determining means for determining the recording content on the print medium based on the information read by the document information reading means;
Print medium determining means for determining whether or not a print medium to be used for printing has an IC chip;
The recording content determination means reads information from the IC chip of the original and if the print medium to be used for printing has an IC chip,
The information read from the IC chip of the document is determined as the content recorded on the IC chip of the print medium,
An image forming apparatus, wherein only an image read from a printing surface of an original is determined as visible recording contents on a printing surface of a printing medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
Password request means for requesting the user to input a password when information including a password is read from the IC chip of the document and permitting recording on the print medium only when the correct password is input by the user An image forming apparatus. In an image forming apparatus that reads an image on a printing surface of an original and forms the image on a print medium by an image forming engine.
Document information reading means for reading information from the IC chip of the document;
Recording content determining means for determining the recording content on the print medium based on the information read by the document information reading means;
A print medium discriminating means for discriminating whether or not a print medium to be used for printing has an IC chip;
Password request means for requesting a user to input a password when information including a password is read from an IC chip of an original, and permitting recording on a print medium only when the correct password is input by the user. Have
If the print medium to be used for printing is not equipped with an IC chip, the recorded content determination means displays an image based on information read from the IC chip of the document and an image read from the print surface of the document on the print surface of the print medium. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the content is determined as visible recording content. In an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a print medium by an image forming engine,
Document information reading means for reading information from an IC chip of a print medium;
A password that requests the user to input a password when information including a password is read from the IC chip of the print medium, and permits recording on the print surface of the print medium only when the correct password is input by the user Request means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a recording content determining unit that determines an image based on information read from an IC chip of a printing medium as an image formed on a printing surface of the printing medium.

Images