JP2013098773A - Image forming device capable of extracting copy prohibition information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem in which, if it is determined whether copying is prohibited in printing, processing related to the determination is required every time printing is performed, so that a processing time increases.SOLUTION: An image forming device comprises: means (S300) for reading a document and generating a document image; means (S302) for detecting a code from the document image; means (S304) for extracting control information from the code; and means (S309) for outputting the document image. When the control information indicates output prohibition, the document image is not output (S306).

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of extracting copy prohibition information.

  In recent years, with the widespread use of copying machines, there is an increasing concern that paper originals (hereinafter referred to as originals) may be illegally copied (hereinafter referred to as copies). As a countermeasure technique, there is a technique that can embed copy-prohibited information in a document by using a bar code and suppress illegal copying by detecting the copy-prohibited information when the document is read.

  Even if a copy-prohibited barcode is embedded in the document, the barcode-added area may not be read because the document is bent or the document is torn, for example. In that case, since a copy-prohibited bar code cannot be detected, even a copy-prohibited document may be copied. In addition, there is a problem that a copy-prohibited document can be copied by the user intentionally hiding the barcode and reading the document.

  Therefore, as in Patent Document 1, a technique related to a copying machine having a mode in which a bar code is not detected from a document and handled as a copy-prohibited document is known. This mode is called a secure mode. A mode other than the secure mode is referred to as a normal mode. When attempting to copy an original in the secure mode, if the bar code prohibiting copying is assigned to the original or the bar code itself is not assigned, the system prohibits the printing process.

  Further, as one of the functions of the copying machine, there is a document storage function (hereinafter referred to as a box). In the box, the scanned original is digitized and stored as a digital document in storage inside or outside the copying machine. The stored digital document can be printed or transmitted to another device or PC.

  A box can be repeatedly printed and transmitted once stored in a digital document, so it is often used for printing or transmitting a large amount or periodically. In the box, when the function of reading a document and storing it as a digital document is combined with the function of printing the stored digital document, the document can be copied in the same manner as copying.

JP 2000-165575 A

  When a box is used, there are cases where the timing for storing and the timing for printing the stored digital document are different, unlike copying. For example, even when the digital document is stored in the box, the normal mode may be selected, but when the digital document is printed from the box, the secure mode may be changed. In this case, since an original without a barcode can be read and stored in the box, it is determined whether or not the stored digital document is a copy-prohibited digital document when the stored digital document is printed.

  Normally, a box is often used for the purpose of repeatedly printing stored digital documents. Therefore, if it is determined whether copying is prohibited during printing, a process related to this determination is required every time printing is performed. There is a problem that time increases.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a reading unit that reads a document, a document image generating unit that generates a document image from a document read by the reading unit, and a storage that stores the document image. Means, detection means for detecting a code from the original image stored by the storage means, extraction means for extracting control information from the code, and output means for outputting the original image stored by the storage means The document image is not output by the output unit when the control information extracted by the extraction unit indicates output prohibition.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to change the timing for determining whether or not copying is prohibited when reading a document or when outputting including printing and transmission. As a result, when the copy control information included in the barcode is changed between reading and outputting, or when the normal mode is changed to the secure mode, the mode is set to determine whether copying is prohibited at the time of outputting. In other cases, it is possible to select a mode in which copying is prohibited at the time of reading, which can be used properly.

2 is a block diagram of an MFP 3001 according to the first exemplary embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the original image containing one barcode. 6 is a flowchart illustrating document reading processing of the MFP 3001. 6 is a flowchart illustrating document image output processing of the MFP 3001. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen for setting copy control information. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen for setting suppression process switching mode. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of copy control executed by the MFP 3001 according to the first exemplary embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of copy control executed by the MFP 3001 according to the first exemplary embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of box control executed by the MFP 3001 according to the second exemplary embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of box control executed by the MFP 3001 according to the second exemplary embodiment. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of copy control executed by the MFP 3001 according to the third exemplary embodiment. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of copy control executed by the MFP 3001 according to the third exemplary embodiment. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of box control executed by the MFP 3001 according to the third embodiment. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of box control executed by the MFP 3001 according to the third embodiment.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Example 1
In the first embodiment of the present invention, an image forming apparatus (MFP 3001) having a copy prohibiting function will be described.

  First, terms used in this embodiment will be described. The manuscript refers to a paper manuscript. The document image indicates data obtained by scanning (scanning) a document and digitizing the document. A bar code is a display code printed on a document by printing and capable of acquiring various types of information by decoding. It is assumed that copy control information is added to the barcode. The copy control information includes copy prohibition information indicating output prohibition and copy permission information indicating output permission. The detailed description thereof will be described later.

  The configuration of the MFP 3001 in the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the MFP 3001 according to this embodiment.

  The control unit 1 is a part that controls the operation of each unit of the MFP 3001. The control unit 1 includes a CPU 10, a LAN 11, a communication unit 12, a RAM 13, an HDD 14, and a ROM 15.

  The CPU 10 controls each unit in the control unit 1 as a whole. The LAN 11 is a communication network that enables data exchange with an external device. The communication unit 12 transmits and receives information via the LAN 11. The RAM 13 is a system work memory used for the CPU 10. The HDD 14 is a recording medium such as a hard disk drive, an optical medium, or a flash memory, and stores various types of information. The HDD 14 can also store document data and setting data. The HDD 14 does not have to exist in the MFP 3001 and can be externally connected. For example, an external server, PC, or the like can be used as storage via the communication unit 12. The ROM 15 is a boot ROM and stores a system boot program. The CPU 10 operates based on a program read via the ROM 15.

  The operation unit 20 includes a display device 21 and a user input device 22. The display device 21 displays various information to the user. Further, the user input device 22 receives input from the user via an interface such as a touch panel, voice input, or a keyboard.

  The image processing unit 30 includes an image analysis device 31, an image generation device 32, and an image output device 33. The image analysis device 31 finds a barcode from the document image and converts it into information. The image generation device 32 reads the original (for example, scans), converts the original into digital data, generates an original image, and stores the original image in the HDD 14. As described above, the original is a paper document such as a printed matter, whereas the original image is digital data. The image output device 33 outputs the document image stored in the HDD 14 to the outside of the MFP 3001. One or more output methods can be selected. As an output method, for example, an original image is printed on an original, an original image is transmitted to an external device or a PC connected via the communication unit 12, or a recording medium connected to the MFP 3001 is stored. To save in the area.

  Next, a procedure performed by the user and a process performed by the MFP 3001 to read a document with a barcode including copy control information added will be described.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a document 1000 to which a barcode 1001 is added. The barcode 1001 may be in the form of a one-dimensional barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, or a background pattern. In the embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that the bar code includes copy control information.

  By analyzing the barcode 1001, it can be converted into the embedded information 1002. The embedded information 1002 is binary information expressed by a bit string. When the embedded information 1002 is decrypted, it can be converted into copy control information 1003. It is assumed that the copy control information 1003 of this embodiment includes either copy permission information or copy prohibition information.

  Next, a process for extracting copy control information from a document to which a barcode including copy control information is added will be described using the flowchart of FIG. The following flowchart is controlled by the control unit 1. As described above, the control unit 1 operates based on the program recorded in the ROM 15.

  The image generation device 32 functions as a document image generation unit that reads a document placed on a scanner, that is, a document table or an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) (S100) and digitizes it to generate a document image (S101).

  Next, the image analysis device 31 detects a barcode from the document image (S102).

  If the barcode can be detected (S103; YES), the detected barcode is analyzed to obtain embedded information (S104).

  Then, the image analysis device 31 decodes the embedded information and obtains copy control information (S105). As a result, the MFP 3001 can obtain the copy control information from the document to which the barcode including the copy control information is added. Of the series of processes, S102 to S105 are referred to as “extraction” processes for copy control information.

  Next, a procedure performed by the user when the original image and the barcode including the copy control information are combined and output, and a process performed by the MFP 3001 according to the procedure will be described with reference to the sequence of FIG. The following flowchart is controlled by the control unit 1.

  The control unit 1 displays a copy control information selection screen 1100 for asking the user whether to add copy control information on the display device 21 (FIG. 5). The user checks the radio button 1101 in the copy control information selection screen 1100 from the user input device 22 to select from the options of “permit copying”, “prohibit copying”, and “do not embed”. One is selected (S201). This is set by checking the radio button 1101 and pressing the OK button 1102. When the cancel button 1103 is pressed, the setting is not updated.

  In S201, when “prohibit copying” is selected, the copy control information is copy prohibition information, and when the selected option is “permit copying”, the copy control information is copy permission information. . If “not to embed” is selected, the processing of S203 to S205 is skipped and the output processing of S206 is performed (S202).

  Next, the image output device 33 obtains embedded information by encoding the copy control information selected by the user (S203).

  Next, the image output device 33 generates a barcode by imaging the embedded information (S204).

  Next, the image output device 33 synthesizes the barcode and the document image stored on the HDD 14 (S205).

  Then, the image output device 33 outputs a document image combined with the barcode (S206). Note that the output method in S206 can be selected from printing, transmission, and the like. In the case of printing, the image output device 33 prints a document to which a barcode including the selected copy control information is added. In the case of transmission, the image output device 33 transmits a document image to which a barcode including the selected copy control information is added to an external device through the communication unit 12.

  A series of processing from S201 to S206 is referred to as “addition” processing of copy control information. The process of encoding the copy control information and converting it into an image (thereby generating a barcode) will be referred to as barcode conversion of the copy control information.

  In S205, the document image stored in the HDD 14 may be, for example, a document scanned by scanning. Further, it may be a document image stored in the HDD 14 of the MFP 3001 from a PC driver or utility. Further, it may be a document image stored in the HDD 14 via FAX or a network.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the copy control information added to one original is either copy prohibition information or copy permission information.

  In the following embodiments including this embodiment, examples of using a barcode (that is, a mode in which a barcode is added and printing, and a mode in which a barcode is extracted from a read document) are given as examples. The processing of each step will be described below.

  Next, a copy function (hereinafter referred to as “copy”) of the MFP 3001 will be described. Here, copying is a function of copying a document and printing it on paper. When copying an original including a barcode, the MFP 3001 suppresses copy processing if the barcode includes copy prohibition information. In the first embodiment, it is possible to switch between suppressing the processing of the image generation device 32 and suppressing the processing of the image output device 33.

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the control unit 1 displays a suppression process switching dialog 1200 specified based on an instruction from the user on the display device 21. The user designates one of the “determination at reading” and “determination at output” options by checking a radio button 1201 in the suppression process switching dialog 1200 from the user input device 22. This is set when the radio button 1201 is checked and the OK button 1202 is pressed. When the cancel button 1203 is pressed, the setting is not updated.

  Further, the switching of the suppression process is not limited to the user selecting via the suppression process switching dialog 1200, and may be automatically switched according to the type of application or the type of job.

  In the first embodiment, copying will be described. Specifically, a process in which the MFP 3001 copies a document with copy control information added will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. This flowchart is controlled by the control unit 1.

  First, the image generating device 32 reads a document with a scanner, digitizes the read image, and generates a document image (S300).

  Next, the control unit 1 confirms the suppression processing switching mode (S301), and when it is in the reading determination mode, the image analysis device 31 extracts the barcode information in the document image and acquires the copy control information. (S302-S304). If the copy control information is copy prohibition information (S305), the image generating device 32 stops the reading process and the process ends (S306).

  On the other hand, when the barcode is not detected (S303; NO), or when the copy control information is copy permission information (S305), the image generating device 32 stores the generated document image in the HDD 14 (S307).

  If all the originals have not been read, the control unit 1 returns to the process of S300 (S308; NO). On the other hand, when all the originals are read (S308; YES), the image output apparatus 33 prints the original image stored in the HDD 14 (S309).

  In S301, if the suppression process switching mode is an output determination, the image generation device 32 reads the remaining document, digitizes the read document, generates a document image, and stores the generated document in the HDD 14. (S310, S311).

  Next, the image analysis apparatus 31 extracts barcode information in the document image and acquires copy control information (S312 to S314). If the copy control information is copy prohibition information (S315), the image output apparatus 33 ends the printing process (S316). If the barcode is not detected (S313; NO), or if the copy control information is copy permission information (S315), the image output device 33 prints the document image stored in the HDD 14 (S317). .

  On the other hand, when the copy prohibition information is included in the document, copying is suppressed at the time of the reading process (S316).

  When the suppression process switching mode is determined at the time of output, it is not determined until all originals are read. Therefore, when the number of read sheets exceeds the specified number in S311, it may be determined whether copying is prohibited during reading even in the output determination mode.

  Further, even when the suppression process switching mode is the determination at the time of output, the determination process may be performed at the time of reading and the suppression process may be performed. Even if the suppression process switching mode is determination at the time of reading, there may be a mode in which the suppression process is performed by determining also at the time of output. Further, as a result of the extraction, even if copy prohibition information is included, there may be a mode in which no suppression process is performed.

  From the above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to change the timing for determining whether or not copying is prohibited when reading a document or when outputting including printing and transmission. If it is determined at the time of reading and copying is prohibited, the subsequent reading process can be skipped. If there is a function to change the copy control information between the reading process and the output process, it should be determined whether copying is prohibited immediately before printing. If the present invention is used, it is possible to determine whether copying is prohibited at the time of reading or at the time of output.

(Example 2)
In the second embodiment, the document storage function (box) in the MFP 3001 of the first embodiment is used.

  The box has a function of reading a document as a document image and storing it in a storage in the MFP 3001, and a function of outputting (printing or transmitting) the stored document image.

  First, a process in which the MFP 3001 reads and stores a document with copy control information added will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The following flowchart is controlled by the control unit 1. As described above, the control unit 1 is controlled by the CPU 10 executing the program recorded in the ROM 15.

  First, the image generation device 32 reads a document with a scanner, digitizes the read image, and generates a document image (S320).

  Next, the control unit 1 confirms the suppression processing switching mode (S321), and if it is in the reading determination mode, the image analysis device 31 extracts the barcode information in the document image and acquires the copy control information. (S322-S324).

  When the copy control information is copy prohibition information (S325), the image generating device 32 ends the reading process (S326). On the other hand, when the barcode is not detected (S323; NO), or when the copy control information is copy permission information (S325), the image generating device 32 stores the generated document image in the HDD 14 (S327). If all the originals have not been read, the control unit 1 returns to the process of S300 (S328).

  In S321, if the suppression process switching mode is output time determination, the control unit 1 does not extract copy control information. The image generation device 32 stores the generated document image in the HDD 14 (S327).

  As described above, the box can scan a document and store it as a document image.

  Next, the process of outputting the document image in the box will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The following flowchart is controlled by the control unit 1. As described above, the control unit 1 is controlled by the CPU 10 executing the program recorded in the ROM 15.

  The control unit 1 confirms the suppression processing switching mode (S331), and if it is the output time determination mode, the image analysis device 31 extracts the barcode information in the document image and acquires the copy control information (S332). -S334). If the copy control information is copy prohibition information (S335), the image output device 33 ends the output process (S336). When the barcode is not detected (S333), or when the copy control information is copy permission information (S335), the image output device 33 outputs a document image (S337).

  In S331, when the suppression process switching mode is the determination at the time of reading, the control unit 1 does not extract the copy control information. The image output device 33 outputs a document image (S337).

  The output in S337 indicates, for example, printing or transmission to another device or PC via a network.

  Further, when the copy prohibition information is included in the document, it can be determined that copying is suppressed at the time of reading. When the suppression process switching mode is the determination at the time of output, it is not determined until all originals are read. Therefore, if the number of read sheets exceeds the specified number in S328, it may be determined whether copying is prohibited during reading even in the output determination mode.

  Since the box has an editing function, it is possible to combine digital documents and delete pages. Even when the suppression process switching mode is determination at the time of reading, when editing is performed, it may be determined whether copying is prohibited at the time of output, and the output process may be suppressed.

(Example 3)
Next, in the third embodiment of the present invention, a method different from that of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described for copying by the MFP 3001 equipped with a function for preventing unauthorized copying.

  Since the barcode is added to only a part of the document, if the malicious user cuts or paints the barcode on the document, the barcode copy control information will be lost and the copy will be prohibited. I can't do that.

  For this reason, it is possible that the bar code cannot be detected from the original at the time of reading, and the operation setting is set to prohibit copying when copy control information is not obtained. In the present embodiment, such an operation setting of the copy prohibition function is referred to as “secure mode”. In this embodiment, the operation setting of the conventional copy prohibiting function in which the secure mode is not validated is referred to as “normal mode”.

  When the MFP 3001 is in the secure mode, copying can be prohibited even if a bar code with copy prohibition information embedded therein cannot be detected.

  In the third embodiment, parts different from the first and second embodiments will be described.

  The control unit 1 displays a radio button (not shown here) for setting whether to enable the secure mode in the MFP 3001 on the display device 21. When the user selects the secure mode via the user input device 22, the control unit 1 causes the MFP 3001 to operate in the secure mode. When the normal mode is selected, the control unit 1 causes the MFP 3001 to operate in the normal mode.

  If the copy control information cannot be detected from the document in the secure mode, the flowcharts of the copy in the first embodiment and the box in the second embodiment are changed as follows in order to handle it in the same manner as the copy prohibition information.

  When the copy in the first embodiment is in the secure mode, the flowchart of FIG. 7 is changed as shown in FIG. That is, when no barcode is detected in S303, the image generating apparatus 32 ends the process without saving the document image (S306).

  Further, the flowchart of FIG. 8 is changed as shown in FIG. That is, when no barcode is detected in S313, the image output device 33 ends the process without outputting the document image (S316).

  Similarly, in the box of the second embodiment, when the secure mode is set, the flowchart of FIG. 9 is changed as shown in FIG. That is, when no barcode is detected in S323, the image generating device 32 ends the process without saving the document image (S326).

  Further, the flowchart of FIG. 10 is changed as shown in FIG. That is, when no barcode is detected in S333, the image output device 33 ends the process without outputting the document image (S336).

  In the box, the process of reading and storing the original and the process of outputting the stored digital document can be performed independently. Therefore, even when the original is read, the normal mode may be set, and when the digital document is output, the secure mode may be set. Therefore, even when the suppression process switching mode is determination at the time of reading, when the secure mode and the normal mode are switched, it may be determined whether or not copying is prohibited at the time of output, and the output process may be suppressed.

Claims (11)

Reading means for reading a document;
Document image generating means for generating a document image from a document read by the reading means;
Storage means for storing the original image;
Detection means for detecting a code from the document image stored by the storage means;
Extraction means for extracting control information from the code;
Output means for outputting the document image stored by the storage means;
With
When the control information extracted by the extraction unit indicates output prohibition, the document image is not output by the output unit.   2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a designation unit that designates whether the extraction by the reading unit is performed every time the reading unit reads a document or after the reading unit has read all the documents. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the designation by the designation unit is based on an instruction from a user. When the designation by the designation means designates that the reading means is executed each time the original is read, when the control information is prohibited to output, the reading means stops reading the original,
When the designation by the designation means designates that the reading means executes after reading all the originals, the output means stops outputting the original image when the control information is prohibited to output. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output by the output unit is to print the document image.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output by the output unit is to transmit a document image via a network.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output by the output unit is to store the original image in a storage area of another apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the code is a one-dimensional barcode.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the code is a two-dimensional barcode.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the code is a background pattern.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the detection unit does not detect the code, the output unit does not output the document image.

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