JP2008160342A - Image forming apparatus and program for executing transmission processing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prohibit transmission of a file to which a compulsory device signature cannot be assigned when it is set to give a compulsory device signature.
The settings are registered, and the contents of transmission are checked at the time of execution to determine whether transmission is possible.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that restricts transmission processing of a file in a format that cannot be attached with an electronic signature, and a program that executes transmission processing.

A conventional image forming apparatus assigns an electronic signature when an instruction for permitting an electronic signature for a file in a format that can be attached with an electronic signature is input (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-101218 A

  In the above-described conventional technology, when a file in a format that can be attached with an electronic signature is transmitted, the file can be transmitted with an electronic signature.

  However, this makes it possible to send a file without giving an electronic signature, or to send a file in a format that cannot be given an electronic signature.

In order to solve these problems, an image forming apparatus of the present invention and a program for executing transmission processing are:
Restriction registration means for registering whether or not to restrict transmission processing of a file in a format in which an electronic signature cannot be assigned when compulsorily granting the electronic signature;
Limit determination means for determining whether or not the transmission processing is limited by the limit registration means during transmission processing;
A process restriction unit for restricting the transmission process when the transmission process is determined to be restricted by the restriction determination unit;
It is characterized by being.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus and the program for executing the transmission process according to the present invention can restrict the transmission of a file to which an electronic signature has not been added, so that security management can be enhanced.

(Example 1)
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is a principle diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen for registering transmission restriction settings of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

  The operation unit 102 includes a liquid crystal display unit, a touch panel input device attached on the liquid crystal display unit, and a plurality of hard keys, and provides a user interface for a user to perform various operations. The operation unit 102 is used to input / output predetermined information.

  According to Eiji Okamoto's introduction to cryptography (Kyoritsu Shuppan Co., Ltd.), an electronic signature is "shows that the creator of the message or information has created them". That is, it is electronic data used as evidence indicating the fact when a user or a computer or other entity (referred to as an entity) that performs communication or calculation processing recognizes the electronic data. The electronic signature unique to the device used in the present invention includes information necessary for specifying the device. Specifically, the model name of the device, the serial number assigned to the device, the date of manufacture, the installation location, the owner, etc. can be considered. By giving a device-specific signature to the electronic data, the receiver of the data can know which device has created the data.

  The multifunction machine 101 of this embodiment has a file transmission function. The types of files that can be transmitted by the multifunction machine 101 include a PDF that can be given an electronic signature, JPEG and TIFF that cannot be given an electronic signature.

  Furthermore, the MFP can be set so that an electronic signature is forcibly given to the PDF. If the setting is made by a person with administrator authority, the PDF file to be transmitted is forcibly assigned with an electronic signature and transmitted. This forcing takes precedence over the transmission settings made by the user.

  The restriction registration unit 104 is a unit that can be set to prohibit transmission of JPEG or TIFF, which is a format to which an electronic signature cannot be attached, when the above setting is made.

  This setting for prohibiting transmission other than PDF can be set from the operation unit 102 of the multi-function peripheral 101. On the compulsory electronic signature setting screen 601 that can be set for the transmission function, an ON button 603 for setting forcibly giving an electronic signature at the time of PDF transmission or an OFF button 604 for setting not forcibly giving is selected. When the ON button 603 is selected, a transmission restriction setting screen 602 for selecting an ON button 603 set to prohibit transmission other than PDF or an OFF button 604 set not to prohibit is opened. On the transmission restriction setting screen 602, it is possible to register the MFP main body to prohibit transmissions other than PDF.

  The restriction determination unit 105 is a unit that determines whether the file is set to be transmittable or transmission prohibited when the file is transmitted.

  When the multi-function peripheral 101 transmits a file, it compares the format of the file to be transmitted with the settings registered by the restriction registration means 104 and determines whether to permit transmission of the file.

  The determination is also made based on the file transmission destination. The MFP 101 according to the present embodiment can be selected as a transmission destination by transmitting by e-mail, IFAX, FAX, transmitting to a file server, or transmitting to a box which is an in-device memory. Also, different types of transmission destinations such as IFAX and box can be transmitted simultaneously to these transmission destinations. Furthermore, a plurality of items can be simultaneously transmitted to the same type of transmission destination.

  For example, when FAX is the transmission destination, only the format to which an electronic signature cannot be assigned can be selected as the file format to be transmitted. At this time, if it is registered that transmission other than PDF is prohibited, it is determined that transmission is prohibited.

  For example, if FAX, IFAX, or a group that includes FAX as a destination, or a group that includes IFAX as a destination is set as a transmission destination, and it is registered that transmission other than PDF is prohibited, it is determined that transmission is prohibited. To do.

  The process restricting means 106 is a means for prohibiting transmission execution processing of a file when the restriction determining means 105 determines that the file to be transmitted is prohibited from being transmitted.

  When the MFP 101 determines that the transmission start button has been pressed by the user, the MFP 101 starts transmission execution processing. When the restriction determination unit 105 determines that transmission is prohibited, it indicates that the file transmission has not been completed. The message is displayed on the operation unit 102, and the transmission execution process is stopped.

  As described above, the file that the administrator wants to restrict transmission is not transmitted, so that the policy desired by the administrator can be applied.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a procedure for registering a transmission restriction by a user having administrator authority according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and S201 to S205 indicate each step.

  In step S <b> 201, the multifunction peripheral 101 detects a button press on the compulsory digital signature setting screen 601.

  If it is determined in S202 that the button with which the multifunction machine 101 is pressed is the ON button 603, the process proceeds to S203.

  In S202, when it is determined that the button with which the multifunction machine 101 is pressed is the OFF button 604, the process ends.

  In step S <b> 203, the multi-function peripheral 101 displays a transmission limit setting screen 602 on the operation unit 102 and detects a button press.

  If it is determined in S204 that the button on which the multifunction machine 101 is pressed is the ON button 603, the process proceeds to S205.

  In S204, if it is determined that the button with which the multifunction machine 101 is pressed is the OFF button 604, the process ends.

  In step S <b> 205, the multifunction peripheral 101 registers settings for restricting transmission other than PDF in the storage device 103, and ends the process.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a procedure for performing processing by determining whether or not a file can be transmitted at the time of file transmission execution according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and S301 to S306 indicate each step. .

  In step S <b> 301, the multifunction peripheral 101 receives a file transmission execution instruction.

  In step S <b> 302, the multifunction peripheral 101 acquires restriction information registered in the storage device 103.

  In S303, when the MFP 101 determines that the transmission is restricted, the process proceeds to S304.

  If the MFP 101 determines in step S303 that transmission is not restricted, the MFP 101 transmits a file and ends the process.

  In S304, when the multi-function peripheral 101 determines that the file transmission execution instruction is subject to transmission restriction, the process proceeds to S305.

  In S304, when the multi-function peripheral 101 determines that the file transmission execution instruction is not subject to transmission restriction, it transmits the file and ends the process.

  In step S <b> 305, the multifunction machine 101 stops the file transmission.

  In step S <b> 306, the multifunction machine 101 displays a pop-up message on the operation unit 102 indicating that the transmission of the file has been stopped, and ends the process.

(Example 2)
Next, a file setting operation according to the second embodiment to which the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to FIG.

  The multifunction machine 101 has a function of performing various settings for a file to be transmitted before transmitting the file. For example, it is possible to set a method for reading a file to be transmitted, a file format, a file transmission destination, a file density and resolution, and a text at the time of transmission, a transmission file name, and the like when the destination is an e-mail.

  The restriction registration unit 104 is omitted because it is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  When setting the file, it is determined whether the setting by the restriction registration unit 104 is restricted.

  When it is determined that the setting is restricted, the processing restriction unit 106 restricts the setting.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a procedure for determining and restricting setting of a file when a file setting screen is rendered on the operation unit 102 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. S401 to S405 indicate each step.

  In step S <b> 401, the multifunction machine 101 receives a file setting start instruction.

  In step S <b> 402, the multifunction peripheral 101 acquires restriction information registered in the storage device 103.

  If the multi-function peripheral 101 determines in S403 that the file setting is restricted, the process proceeds to S404.

  If the MFP 101 determines in S403 that the setting of the file is not restricted, the process ends.

  In step S <b> 404, the multi-function peripheral 101 sets a state in which it is not possible to select a transmission destination in which only a file in a format that cannot be attached with an electronic signature and a file in a format that cannot be attached with an electronic signature.

  In step S <b> 405, the multifunction machine 101 draws a screen reflecting the restriction on the operation unit 102, and ends the process.

  The restriction determination unit 105 determines whether the setting of each element to be drawn is restricted by the restriction registration unit 104 at the time of screen drawing for setting a file.

  When it is determined that the setting is restricted, the processing restriction unit 106 can select only a PDF that is a format to which an electronic signature can be added as a file format to be transmitted. At the same time, the selection of the transmission destination is limited. As in the first embodiment, for example, the transmission destination is FAX, IFAX, or a group including FAX as a destination, or a group including IFAX as a destination cannot be selected.

  For items that are set to restrict selection, buttons are shaded to complete screen drawing.

  As described above, since it becomes impossible to select a file format to which an electronic signature cannot be assigned at the time of setting, or a transmission destination having only that file format, the possibility that the user makes a mistake in setting decreases.

(Example 3)
Next, an operation of transmitting to the inside of the multifunction machine 101 as the third embodiment to which the present invention can be applied will be described.

  The multi-function peripheral 101 according to the present exemplary embodiment has a function capable of selecting e-mail, FAX, IFAX, e-mail, file, and box as a transmission destination.

  Among these, for example, when the storage device 103 in the multifunction peripheral 101 such as a box is selected as a transmission destination, transmission is possible even in a file format other than PDF.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure when transmission is set to the storage device 103 in the multi-function peripheral 101 as a non-external destination according to the third embodiment of the present invention. , S501, and S301 ′ to S306 ′ indicate each step.

  In step S <b> 301 ′, the multifunction peripheral 101 receives a file transmission execution instruction.

  In S <b> 302 ′, the multi-function peripheral 101 acquires restriction information registered in the storage device 103.

  If the MFP 101 determines in S303 'that transmission is restricted, the process proceeds to S501.

  If it is determined in S303 'that the transmission is not restricted, the MFP 101 transmits a file and ends the process.

  In S501, if the multifunction peripheral 101 determines that the set transmission destination is a box, it transmits the file and ends the process.

  In S501, if the multi-function peripheral 101 determines that the set transmission destination is other than the box, the process proceeds to S304 '.

  In S304 ', if the multi-function peripheral 101 determines that the file transmission execution instruction is subject to transmission restriction, the process proceeds to S305'.

  In S <b> 304 ′, when the multifunction peripheral 101 determines that the file transmission execution instruction is not a target subject to transmission restriction, the MFP 101 transmits the file and ends the process.

  In step S <b> 305 ′, the multifunction peripheral 101 stops the file transmission.

  In step S <b> 306 ′, the multi-function peripheral 101 displays a pop-up message on the operation unit 102 indicating that the file transmission has been stopped, and ends the process.

  As described above, when the transmission destination is not external, since transmission restriction is not performed, an application that temporarily uses the storage device 103 of the multifunction peripheral 101 can execute processing without being restricted in use.

Example 4
In the first to third embodiments, a method for performing restriction registration from the multifunction machine 101 has been described. However, the restriction is registered not only in the multifunction machine 101 but also through a registration from the outside via a LAN or the like, and the mechanism in which the multifunction machine 101 refers to a restriction registered in the outside in advance. There may be. Of course, the restriction may be a mechanism that can be registered for each MFP 101 or for each user.

1 is a principle diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the procedure which registers the transmission restriction by the user who has administrator authority based on Example 1 of this invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a procedure for performing processing by determining whether or not a file can be transmitted when executing file transmission according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a procedure for determining a file setting restriction and performing processing when a file setting screen is rendered on the operation unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure when transmission is set to the storage device 103 in the multi-function peripheral 101 as a non-external destination according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing the screen for registering the transmission restriction setting

Explanation of symbols

101 MFP 102 Operation Unit 103 Storage Device 104 Restriction Registration Unit 105 Restriction Determination Unit 106 Processing Restriction Unit 601 Forced Digital Signature Setting Screen 602 Transmission Restriction Setting Screen 603 ON Button 604 OFF Button

Claims (5)

In an image forming apparatus capable of forcibly giving an electronic signature when sending a file,
Restriction registration means for registering whether or not to restrict transmission processing of a file in a format in which an electronic signature cannot be assigned when compulsorily granting the electronic signature;
Limit determination means for determining whether or not the transmission processing is limited by the limit registration means during transmission processing;
A process restriction unit for restricting the transmission process when the transmission process is determined to be restricted by the restriction determination unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: In claim 1, when the transmission processing is limited,
An image forming apparatus that displays on the screen that the transmission process is restricted during the transmission process. In Claim 1, when the transmission destination of the file is in the image forming apparatus,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that a file can be transmitted in a format in which an electronic signature cannot be given even if the restriction registration unit restricts the electronic signature.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the restriction registration unit can perform registration in advance for each image forming apparatus or for each user.   A control program for realizing the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, or claim 4.

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