JP2019018528A - Image processing apparatus and image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing device capable of printing according to a printing instruction by an operator when the intention of printing is detected at the time of authentication of the operator. An authentication means of an image processing device authenticates an operator, a detection means detects an intention of printing by the operator at the time of authentication by the authentication means, and a printing means is performed by the detection means. When the intention of printing is detected, printing is performed according to the printing instruction by the operator. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing program.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-133867 has an object to be able to appropriately process a user's print job or its output, and to harmonize the provision of timely service and security, and the face detection processing unit includes a face image in the captured image. If the face is determined, for example, the position of the midpoint, movement, etc. are detected, the face orientation and the face size are determined, and the face recognition processing unit extracts the feature amount from the face image. The user identity (user ID) is output by matching with the feature quantity of each registered user, and the approach determination unit outputs the approach state based on the output from the face detection processing unit and the face recognition processing unit, and the user It is disclosed that, based on the user ID, for example, the printer control unit starts printing for a print job in which the user is the owner. There.

  In Patent Document 2, it is an object to improve the accuracy of personal authentication by face authentication without impairing the convenience of the user. The position information of the face image in the image and the feature information of the face image are stored in the personal authentication device. A personal authentication information storage unit that stores personal authentication information associated with the image, an image input unit that inputs an image for verification, a face image detection unit that detects a face image from the image, and positional information of the face image in the image A position information acquisition unit for acquiring, a feature information acquisition unit for acquiring feature information of a face image, a face authentication unit for comparing the feature information with the feature information included in the personal authentication information, and obtaining a degree of coincidence thereof, and the position information and the individual A position authentication unit that compares the position information included in the authentication information and obtains the degree of coincidence thereof, and the corresponding individual when the degree of coincidence of the feature information is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and the degree of coincidence of the position information is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Identified by authentication information That users and the person of the face image detected from an image for collation to the provision of the determination unit that the same person is disclosed.

JP 2006-088499 A JP 2007-156768 A

If the operator executes a print instruction on the condition that the operator is authenticated, the operator prints even though he or she intends to use it for another purpose other than printing. It will be.
An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing program capable of performing printing in accordance with a printing instruction by an operator when an intention of printing is detected at the time of authentication of the operator. .

The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, an authentication unit that authenticates an operator, a detection unit that detects an intention of printing by the operator at the time of authentication by the authentication unit, and a case where the intention of printing is detected by the detection unit Is an image processing apparatus having printing means for printing in accordance with a printing instruction from the operator.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the authentication unit performs face authentication of the operator, and the detection unit determines the intention of the operator to print according to the position of the operator's face displayed on the display unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein detection is performed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the operator's face is displayed in a predetermined area provided in a display area of the display means, the detection means intends to print to the operator. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image processing apparatus detects that there is an image.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the display unit displays that printing is performed when the detection unit detects that there is an intention to print.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the operator's face is displayed in a region other than a predetermined region, the detection unit detects that the operator does not intend to print, and the printing The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the unit does not perform printing.

  The invention according to claim 6 authenticates the operator, and when authenticated, can accept an instruction for executing image processing from the operator. Device.

  The invention according to claim 7 is that when the display means detects that there is no intention of printing by the detection means, and when there is a print instruction from the operator, printing according to the print instruction is not performed. Is an image processing apparatus according to claim 5.

  The invention of claim 8 further includes second detection means for detecting a position where the operator exists, and the detection means is configured to detect the position of the operator according to the position where the operator exists. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus detects an intention of printing.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the image according to claim 8, wherein the detection means detects that the operator intends to print when the operator exists in a predetermined area. It is a processing device.

  The invention according to claim 10 detects that the operator does not intend to print when the operator is not present in a predetermined area, and the printing unit performs printing. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, which is not performed.

  The invention of claim 11 further includes a first accepting unit that accepts information for authenticating the operator, and a second accepting unit that accepts information for authenticating the operator. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the first receiving unit receives information for authenticating an operator, the image processing apparatus detects that the operator has an intention of printing.

  The invention of claim 12 further includes a first accepting unit that accepts information for authenticating the operator, and a second accepting unit that accepts information for authenticating the operator. 2. When the information for authenticating the operator is received by the second receiving unit, it is detected that the operator does not intend to print, and the printing unit does not perform printing. This is an image processing apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 13 is an authentication means for authenticating an operator, a detection means for detecting an intention of printing by the operator at the time of authentication by the authentication means, and an intention of printing by the detection means. When detected, the image processing program causes the printer to function as a printing unit that performs printing in accordance with a printing instruction from the operator.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the first aspect, when an intention of printing is detected at the time of authentication of the operator, printing can be performed according to a printing instruction by the operator.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the second aspect, according to the position of the operator's face displayed on the display means, the operator's intention to print can be detected.

  According to the image processing apparatus of claim 3, when the operator's face is displayed in a predetermined area provided in the display area of the display means, the operator has an intention of printing. Can be detected.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the fourth aspect, when it is detected that there is an intention of printing, it is possible to display that printing is performed.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the fifth aspect, when the operator's face is displayed in an area other than the predetermined area, it is detected that the operator does not intend to print.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the sixth aspect, after the authentication, it is possible to receive an instruction from the operator for executing the image processing.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the seventh aspect, when it is detected that there is no intention of printing, and there is an operator's print instruction, it can be displayed that printing according to the print instruction is not performed. .

  According to the image processing apparatus of the eighth aspect, it is possible to detect the printing intention of the operator according to the position where the operator exists.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the ninth aspect, when an operator exists in a predetermined area, it is possible to detect that the operator has an intention of printing.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the tenth aspect, when there is no operator in a predetermined area, it can be detected that the operator does not intend to print.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the eleventh aspect, when the first receiving unit receives information for authenticating the operator, it can be detected that the operator has an intention of printing.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the twelfth aspect, when the second receiving means receives information for authenticating the operator, it can be detected that the operator does not intend to print.

  According to the image processing program of the thirteenth aspect, when the intention of printing is detected during the authentication of the operator, the printing can be performed in accordance with the printing instruction by the operator.

It is a conceptual module block diagram about the structural example of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the system configuration example using this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a data structure of a printing instruction | indication table. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process example by 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process example by 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a data structure of a face image authentication table. It is a conceptual module block diagram about the structural example of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by 2nd Embodiment. It is a conceptual module block diagram about the structural example of 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of the computer which implement | achieves this Embodiment.

Hereinafter, examples of various preferred embodiments for realizing the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, before describing the present embodiment, the premise or an image processing apparatus using the present embodiment will be described. This description is intended to facilitate understanding of the present embodiment. The image processing apparatus here is an image processing apparatus having any two or more functions of a printer, a fax machine, or a multifunction machine (scanner, printer, copying machine, fax machine, etc.). Have any function of fax).
In an image forming apparatus, a technique is known in which authentication is performed using a face image obtained by capturing a user, and when the authentication is successful, the user starts printing for a print instruction that is the owner (Patent Document 1). reference).
In this method, if a user issues a print instruction on a PC (Personal Computer) side, a desired document output can be obtained only by performing authentication in front of the image processing apparatus. That is, printing is performed in accordance with the user's print instruction on the condition that the user has been authenticated.
Further, it is described that an attribute indicating whether or not to perform print control based on face recognition is added to the print instruction, and the presence or absence of output at the time of face recognition is controlled according to the amount of the print instruction and the urgency. However, in this method, it is troublesome to assign an appropriate attribute to each print instruction. In addition, a problem occurs when it is desired to receive a document for which printing has been instructed at another timing. When “print output” is added to the print instruction as an attribute, it is output at the time of face authentication even though the output is not desired. On the other hand, when “No output” is added to the print instruction as an attribute, it will not be output at the time of face authentication when output is not desired, but it will not be output even after face authentication at the timing when output is desired. To start printing instructions.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, a print instruction can be started without a complicated operation if necessary according to whether the user intends to output during authentication.

<< First Embodiment >>
FIG. 1 is a conceptual module configuration diagram of a configuration example according to the first embodiment.
The module generally refers to components such as software (computer program) and hardware that can be logically separated. Therefore, the module in the present embodiment indicates not only a module in a computer program but also a module in a hardware configuration. Therefore, the present embodiment is a computer program for causing these modules to function (a program for causing a computer to execute each procedure, a program for causing a computer to function as each means, and a function for each computer. This also serves as an explanation of the program and system and method for realizing the above. However, for the sake of explanation, the words “store”, “store”, and equivalents thereof are used. However, when the embodiment is a computer program, these words are stored in a storage device or stored in memory. This means that control is performed so as to be stored in the apparatus. Modules may correspond to functions one-to-one, but in mounting, one module may be configured by one program, or a plurality of modules may be configured by one program, and conversely, one module May be composed of a plurality of programs. The plurality of modules may be executed by one computer, or one module may be executed by a plurality of computers in a distributed or parallel environment. Note that one module may include other modules. Hereinafter, “connection” is used not only for physical connection but also for logical connection (data exchange, instruction, reference relationship between data, etc.). “Predetermined” means that the process is determined before the target process, and not only before the process according to this embodiment starts but also after the process according to this embodiment starts. Also, if it is before the target processing, it is used in accordance with the situation / status at that time or with the intention to be decided according to the status / status up to that point. When there are a plurality of “predetermined values”, they may be different values, or two or more values (of course, including all values) may be the same. In addition, the description of “do B when A” is used to mean “determine whether or not A and do B when A”. However, the case where it is not necessary to determine whether or not A is excluded. In addition, when enumerating things such as “A, B, C”, etc., it is an enumerated list unless otherwise specified, and includes cases where only one of them is selected (for example, only A).
In addition, the system or device is configured by connecting a plurality of computers, hardware, devices, and the like by communication means such as a network (including one-to-one correspondence communication connection), etc., and one computer, hardware, device. The case where it implement | achieves by etc. is included. “Apparatus” and “system” are used as synonymous terms. Of course, the “system” does not include a social “mechanism” (social system) that is an artificial arrangement.
In addition, when performing a plurality of processes in each module or in each module, the target information is read from the storage device for each process, and the processing result is written to the storage device after performing the processing. is there. Therefore, description of reading from the storage device before processing and writing to the storage device after processing may be omitted. Here, the storage device may include a hard disk, a RAM (Random Access Memory), an external storage medium, a storage device via a communication line, a register in a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the like.

The image processing apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment performs printing in accordance with a print instruction, and includes an authentication apparatus 100, a print module 155, and a control module 160 as illustrated in the example of FIG. Yes. A print instruction is also called a print job or a print job. When a user prints a document, the document (which may have been converted for printing), print attributes, (Paper size, color designation, etc.) and the like are transmitted to the image processing apparatus 200 as contents. Note that fax reception may be included as a print instruction. In the case of receiving a fax, if information indicating a destination is included, the user at the destination may be the user who issued the print instruction.
The image processing apparatus 200 receives a print instruction from a user (print instructor) via a communication line or the like. In order to ensure the security of the printed material (specifically, in order to prevent others from seeing away), the user has been authenticated by the image processing apparatus 200 (so-called login), and the user has an intention of printing. If there is a certain condition, printing is performed according to the print instruction.
The print module 155 is connected to the print instruction extraction module 150 of the authentication device 100. The print module 155 performs printing in accordance with control by the print instruction extraction module 150. It has a function as a so-called printer.
The control module 160 controls each module in the image processing apparatus 200 in order to exhibit the functions of the image processing apparatus 200.

The authentication apparatus 100 includes a print instruction reception module 105, a print instruction storage module 110, an imaging guide presentation module 115, an imaging module 120, a user operation reception module 125, an output intention detection module 130, an authentication module 135, and a print instruction extraction module 150. doing.
The print instruction receiving module 105 is connected to the print instruction storage module 110. The print instruction receiving module 105 receives a print instruction. For example, it receives from a user's PC via a communication line, or receives from another fax via a telephone line (may be a communication line). The received print instruction is stored in the print instruction storage module 110. As described above, the print instruction includes a document (which may be converted for printing), a print attribute (paper size, color designation, etc.), and the like. In addition, information (for example, user ID: IDentification) indicating the print instructor may be included. If the print instruction does not include information indicating the print instruction person, information indicating the print instruction person may be received together with the print instruction. A print instruction in which “information indicating the user authenticated by the authentication module 135” and “information indicating the print instructor in the print instruction” match is a print target at the time of authentication.
The print instruction storage module 110 is connected to the print instruction reception module 105 and the print instruction extraction module 150. The print instruction storage module 110 stores the print instruction received by the print instruction reception module 105.

The imaging guide presentation module 115 is connected to the output intention detection module 130. The imaging guide presentation module 115 presents the user with a face authentication guide (explanation), the processing result of the output intention detection module 130, the authentication module 135, and the like. In addition to the display on a display device such as a liquid crystal display, the presentation may include output as a 3D (Dimensions) video, and may also be combined with audio output, vibration, etc. by an audio output device such as a speaker. Good.
The imaging module 120 is connected to the output intention detection module 130 and the authentication module 135. The imaging module 120 images a user (user's face). Specifically, it is a digital camera. The captured image is transferred to the output intention detection module 130 and the authentication module 135.
The user operation reception module 125 is connected to the output intention detection module 130. The user operation reception module 125 receives a user operation. Specifically, a panel (touch screen) or the like is used. The accepted operation is passed to the output intention detection module 130. As the user operation to be accepted, for example, there is an operation for starting printing by a print instruction stored in the print instruction storage module 110.

The output intention detection module 130 is connected to the imaging guide presentation module 115, the imaging module 120, the user operation reception module 125, and the print instruction extraction module 150. The output intention detection module 130 detects the printing intention of the operator when the authentication module 135 performs authentication.
The output intention detection module 130 may detect the operator's intention to print according to the position of the operator's face displayed on the imaging guide presentation module 115.
Then, when the operator's face is displayed in a predetermined area provided in the display area of the imaging guide presentation module 115, the output intention detection module 130 has an intention to print. May be detected. Here, the “predetermined area” is an area in the direction in which the sheet outlet of the image processing apparatus 200 is located.
Furthermore, the imaging guide presentation module 115 may display that printing is performed when the output intention detection module 130 detects that there is an intention to print. Specifically, if the authentication is successful, printing is automatically performed according to the print instruction stored in the print instruction storage module 110 of the operator (even if there is no operation on the user operation reception module 125). Display to do.

The output intention detection module 130 may detect that the operator does not intend to print when the operator's face is displayed in an area other than the predetermined area. In this case, the printing module 155 does not perform printing. Specifically, even if a print instruction by the operator is stored in the print instruction storage module 110, printing according to the print instruction is not performed. However, the reason why printing is not performed is that printing is not automatically performed immediately after authentication, and the user operation reception module 125 is operated by the operator, and printing stored in the print instruction storage module 110 is performed. Printing is performed when an operation to perform printing in accordance with an instruction (which may include a printing instruction that was originally intended to be performed when printing is intended) may be included. That is, the operator is authenticated, and when authenticated (when authentication is successful), an instruction for executing image processing from the operator can be received. The image processing here includes not only fax transmission, scanning, copying, etc., but also printing in accordance with the printing instructions stored in the printing instruction storage module 110 as described above.
Further, the imaging guide presentation module 115 displays that the output intention detection module 130 detects that there is no intention of printing, and if there is a printing instruction from the operator, the printing instruction is not printed. You may make it do. Here, “when there is an operator's print instruction” means that the operator has already received a print instruction (specifically, the print instruction storage module 110 stores the operator's print instruction). ).

The imaging guide presentation module 115 includes the face of the operator imaged by the imaging module 120, and therefore, the “imaging module position displayed on the imaging guide presentation module 115” is described as “imaging module”. It may be the “position where the operator's face is shown in the image captured by 120”. That is, the output intention detection module 130 may detect the printing intention of the operator according to the position where the operator's face is reflected in the image captured by the imaging module 120. The output intention detection module 130 may detect that the operator has an intention to print when the operator's face is reflected in a predetermined area in the image. Here, the “predetermined area” is an area in the direction in which the sheet outlet of the image processing apparatus 200 is located.
The output intention detection module 130 may detect that the operator does not intend to print when the operator's face is shown in an area other than the predetermined area.

The authentication module 135 includes a collation module 140 and a face image storage module 145, and is connected to the imaging module 120 and the print instruction extraction module 150. The authentication module 135 authenticates the operator.
The authentication module 135 may perform face recognition of the operator. For example, the authentication module 135 performs collation by comparing the face image obtained by photographing the user of the image processing apparatus 200 with the imaging module 120 with the face image of the user stored in the face image storage module 145 in advance. Authenticate with the user who was able to verify if successful.
The collation module 140 is connected to the face image storage module 145. The collation module 140 collates the face image captured by the imaging module 120 and the face image stored in the face image storage module 145. The matching may be performed using a known face image matching technique. Of course, instead of collating the face image itself, features may be extracted from the face image and collation may be performed using the feature amount.
The face image storage module 145 is connected to the collation module 140. The face image storage module 145 stores a face image (or a feature amount of the face image) for each user. For example, the face image authentication table 800 is stored. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the face image authentication table 800. The face image authentication table 800 has a user ID field 810 and a face image field 820. The user ID column 810 stores information (user ID) for uniquely identifying a user in the present embodiment. The face image column 820 stores the face image of the user with the user ID.
The print instruction extraction module 150 is connected to the print instruction storage module 110, the output intention detection module 130, the authentication module 135, and the print module 155. When the output intention detection module 130 detects the print intention, the print instruction extraction module 150 extracts the print instruction corresponding to the user ID of the user authenticated by the authentication module 135 from the authentication apparatus 100 and uses the print instruction as the print instruction. Therefore, the printing module 155 is controlled to print.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a system configuration example using the present embodiment.
The image processing apparatus 200 has an authentication apparatus 100. The image processing apparatus 200, the user terminal 210A, the user terminal 210B, and the user terminal 210C are connected via a communication line 290, respectively. The communication line 290 may be wireless, wired, or a combination thereof, and may be, for example, the Internet or an intranet as a communication infrastructure.
When the user 220 operates the user terminal 210, a print instruction is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 200. Thereafter, the user 220 goes to the image processing apparatus 200 to receive the printed matter. In the image processing apparatus 200, the user 220 is authenticated, and when the authentication of the user 220 is detected at the time of authentication, the print instruction is issued immediately after the authentication (the user 220 does not need to perform a print start operation). Print according to the above. If it is detected that there is no intention of printing, the printing is not performed. For example, the user 220 can indicate the intention of printing by the face position at the time of face image authentication (at the time of imaging). Therefore, the user 220 can specify whether or not to perform printing depending on the face position at the time of authentication.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example (print instruction reception processing example) according to the first embodiment.
In step S302, the print instruction receiving module 105 receives a print instruction.
In step S304, the print instruction receiving module 105 stores the print instruction in the print instruction storage module 110 in association with the user ID. For example, the print instruction table 400 is generated. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the print instruction table 400. The print instruction table 400 has a user ID column 410 and a print instruction ID column 420. The user ID column 410 stores a user ID. The print instruction ID column 420 is a print instruction issued by the user, and stores information (print instruction ID) for uniquely identifying the print instruction in the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example (face authentication processing example) according to the first embodiment.
In step S502, the imaging guide presentation module 115 presents a guide. For example, the screen 600 shown in FIG. 6A is displayed on a display device such as a liquid crystal display included in the image processing apparatus 200. A message area 610 and a captured image display area 620 are displayed on the screen 600, and an output intended area 625 is displayed in the captured image display area 620. In the message area 610, for example, “Registered users should face their faces. If you put your face in the dotted frame (output intention area 625), it will be printed out at the same time as authentication. May be displayed. If there is no intention to print, only authentication is completed and the user can log in to the image processing apparatus 200. After logging in, you can perform services such as sending faxes and scanning. The operator can also select a print job to be printed and give a print instruction. As shown in the example of FIG. 6B, the captured image display area 620 is divided into an output intended area 625 and an output unintended area 630. Note that the output intended area 625 may be an area in the direction in which the paper outlet is located. In other words, if the user is standing at the paper ejection port side, it is determined that there is an intention of printing.

In step S504, the imaging module 120 images the user 220.
In step S506, the imaging module 120 determines whether or not the face detection is successful. If successful, the imaging module 120 proceeds to step S508, and otherwise returns to step S504. The face detection may be performed using a known face image detection technique.

In step S508, the output intention detection module 130 acquires the face position. The position of the face image in the captured image display area 620 (or the position of the face image in the captured image) is detected.
In step S510, the output intention detection module 130 determines whether or not the face position is within the right frame. If it is within the right frame, the process proceeds to step S512. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S514. Here, the face position may be, for example, a predetermined position of the face (for example, a center position, a center of gravity position, an eye position, a nose position, etc.), or the entire face. Also good. That is, in the former case, it is determined whether or not the predetermined position of the face is within the right frame (output intentional area 625). In the latter case, the entire face is It is determined whether or not it is in the area 625).
In step S512, the imaging guide presentation module 115 turns on the frame highlighting. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the face image 710 is in the output intended area 625, the frame of the output intended area 625 is thickened and the output unintended area 630 is darkened. In addition, a guide such as “If authentication is performed as it is, it is printed out at the same time as authentication” may be displayed in the message area 610.
In step S514, the imaging guide presentation module 115 turns off the frame highlighting. For example, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the face image 710 is in the unintended output area 630, the forms of the unintended output area 625 and the unintended output area 630 are left as they are. Note that the display may be changed such that the frame of the output unintended region 630 is thickened. In addition, a guide such as “If the authentication is performed as it is, the printout is not performed” may be displayed in the message area 610.

In step S516, the collation module 140 determines whether or not the face collation is successful. If the collation is successful, the process proceeds to step S518; otherwise, the process returns to step S504.
In step S518, the authentication module 135 performs an authentication process. After the authentication (after the user ID is found), if the print instruction corresponding to the user is in the print instruction storage module 110 and there is a face image in the right frame (output intended area 625), It may be displayed that printing is started by the print instruction. If there is a face image in the left frame (no output intention area 630), a message indicating that printing is not performed according to the print instruction even if there is a print instruction corresponding to the user in the print instruction storage module 110 is displayed. May be. In addition, when there is no print instruction corresponding to the user in the print instruction storage module 110 and there is a face image in the right frame (output intended area 625), it is displayed that the print instruction has not been received. You may make it do.

  In step S520, the output intention detection module 130 determines whether or not a change in the coordinates of the face image has been detected. If detected, the process proceeds to step S522. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S542. It is determined whether or not so-called blur has occurred. For example, it may be determined whether or not the position of the face image 710 in step S508 and the position of the face image 710 in step S520 have changed. If there is no change, it is determined that the intention (intention of whether or not to print) has been determined, and the process proceeds to step S542. If there is a change, there is a possibility that the intention (intention of whether or not to print) may not be determined, so the process proceeds to step S522.

In step S522, the output intention detection module 130 starts timing. Timekeeping is started to make a determination in step S540.
In step S524, the user operation reception module 125 determines whether or not the panel has been operated. If it has been operated, the process is terminated (step S599). Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S526. When an operation is performed on the panel, it is determined that there is no intention of printing, and only the authentication is performed without performing the process of step S546. That is, the image processing apparatus 200 is brought into an operable state. Note that the determination process in step S524 may be performed at any time after step S518. For example, interrupt processing may be used.

The processing from step S526 to step S536 is equivalent to the processing from step S504 to step S514.
In step S526, the imaging module 120 images the user 220.
In step S528, the output intention detection module 130 determines whether or not the face detection is successful. If successful, the process proceeds to step S530. Otherwise, the process returns to step S526.
In step S530, the output intention detection module 130 acquires the face position.
In step S532, the output intention detection module 130 determines whether or not the face position is within the right frame. If it is within the right frame, the process proceeds to step S534. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S536.
In step S534, the imaging guide presentation module 115 turns on frame highlighting.
In step S536, the imaging guide presentation module 115 turns off the frame highlighting.

  In step S538, the output intention detection module 130 determines whether or not a change in the coordinates of the face image has been detected. If detected, the process proceeds to step S540. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S542. For example, it may be determined whether or not the position of the face image 710 in step S530 and the position of the face image 710 in step S538 have changed. If there is no change, it is determined that the intention (intention of whether or not to print) has been determined, and the process proceeds to step S542. If there is a change, there is a possibility that the intention (intention to determine whether or not to print) has not yet been determined, and the process proceeds to step S540.

In step S540, the output intention detection module 130 determines whether or not the time from step S522 has timed out (the time being timed is greater than or greater than a predetermined threshold value). The process proceeds to S542, and otherwise returns to step S526.
In step S542, the output intention detection module 130 determines whether or not the face position is within the right frame. If it is within the right frame, the process proceeds to step S544; otherwise, the process ends (step S542). S599). This is the same processing as step S510.
In step S544, the print instruction extraction module 150 extracts the print instruction of the authenticated user from the print instruction storage module 110.
In step S546, the printing module 155 starts printing.

<< Second Embodiment >>
FIG. 9 is a conceptual module configuration diagram of a configuration example according to the second embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the site | part of the same kind as 1st Embodiment, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted (hereinafter the same).
The image processing apparatus 200 includes an authentication apparatus 900, a printing module 155, and a control module 160.
The authentication apparatus 900 includes a print instruction reception module 105, a print instruction storage module 110, an imaging guide presentation module 115, a human sensor module 920, a user operation reception module 125, an output intention detection module 930, an authentication module 135, and a print instruction extraction module 150. And an authentication information receiving module 940.
The print instruction receiving module 105 is connected to the print instruction storage module 110.
The print instruction storage module 110 is connected to the print instruction reception module 105 and the print instruction extraction module 150.
The imaging guide presentation module 115 is connected to the output intention detection module 930.

The human sensor module 920 is connected to the output intention detection module 930. The human sensor module 920 detects the position where the operator exists. As the “position where the operator exists”, for example, a position where the operator is standing or the like corresponds. For example, there are an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a visible light sensor, and the like. A plurality of human sensor modules 920 may be provided. For example, by attaching the human sensor module 920 in the vicinity of the paper ejection port, it may be detected that the user is standing on the paper ejection port side of the image processing apparatus 200.
The user operation reception module 125 is connected to the output intention detection module 930.
The output intention detection module 930 is connected to the imaging guide presentation module 115, the human sensor module 920, the user operation reception module 125, and the print instruction extraction module 150. The output intention detection module 930 detects the printing intention of the operator according to the position where the operator exists.
The output intention detection module 930 may detect that the operator has an intention to print when the operator is present in a predetermined area. Here, the “predetermined area” may be an area in the direction in which the paper outlet of the image processing apparatus 200 is located. For example, if the human sensor module 920 can detect the position of a human (right side, left side, etc. of the human sensor module 920) and detects that the person is in the paper outlet, the operator has an intention to print. You may make it detect. Further, for example, when a plurality of human sensor modules 920 are attached and the human sensor module 920 attached in the vicinity of the paper take-out port reacts, it is detected that the operator intends to print. May be.
The output intention detection module 930 may detect that the operator does not intend to print when there is no operator in a predetermined area. In this case, the print instruction extraction module 150 does not extract the print instruction of the operator from the print instruction storage module 110 and does not perform control for causing the print module 155 to perform printing.

The authentication information reception module 940 is connected to the authentication module 135. The authentication information receiving module 940 receives authentication information from the operator. For example, the authentication information reception module 940 may be the imaging module 120 according to the first embodiment, an IC card reader, a reading device for biometric information such as a fingerprint, a user ID and a password. It may be a keyboard for inputting. In this case, the authentication information is a face image, information in an IC card, biometric information such as a fingerprint image, a user ID and a password, respectively.
The authentication module 135 includes a verification module 140 and a verification information storage module 945, and is connected to the authentication information reception module 940 and the print instruction extraction module 150. The authentication module 135 authenticates the operator.
The verification module 140 is connected to the verification information storage module 945. The collation module 140 collates the authentication information received by the authentication information reception module 940 with the information in the verification information storage module 945.
The verification information storage module 945 is connected to the verification module 140. The collation information storage module 945 stores a user ID and information for authenticating the user in association with each other. That is, if the authentication information in the verification information storage module 945 matches the authentication information received by the authentication information reception module 940, the operator is authenticated as a user of the user ID. become.

The print instruction extraction module 150 is connected to the print instruction storage module 110, the output intention detection module 930, the authentication module 135, and the print module 155.
The print module 155 is connected to the print instruction extraction module 150 of the authentication device 900.
The control module 160 controls each module in the image processing apparatus 200 in order to exhibit the functions of the image processing apparatus 200.
The second embodiment is used as follows, for example. The user holds the IC card, and authenticates the user by placing the IC card on an authentication information receiving module 940 (IC card reader) in front of the image processing apparatus 200. Output after the human sensor module 920 detects that the user has moved to the paper output port side of the image processing apparatus 200 within a predetermined period (for example, within 5 seconds) after successful verification and authentication. It is determined that there is an intention, and print output of the authenticated user is started. In addition, the intention of output may be detected by the human sensor module 920 until the user operates the panel without being limited to a predetermined period.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example according to the second exemplary embodiment. In this processing example, the authentication information receiving module 940 is equivalent to the imaging module 120 of the first embodiment, and performs face image authentication.
In step S1002, the imaging guide presentation module 115 presents a guide. This is the same processing as step S502.
In step S1004, the authentication information receiving module 940 images the user 220. This is the same processing as step S504.
In step S1006, the authentication information reception module 940 determines whether or not the face detection is successful. If successful, the process proceeds to step S1008, and otherwise returns to step S1004. This is the same processing as step S506.
In step S1008, the collation module 140 determines whether or not the face collation is successful. If the collation is successful, the process proceeds to step S1010; otherwise, the process returns to step S1004. This is the same processing as step S516.
In step S1010, the authentication module 135 performs an authentication process. This is the same processing as step S518.

In step S1012, the human sensor module 920 acquires the position of the user.
In step S <b> 1014, the output intention detection module 930 determines whether or not the user's position is on the paper ejection port side. If the user is on the paper ejection port side, the process proceeds to step S <b> 1016, and otherwise the process ends. (Step S1099).
In step S1016, the print instruction extraction module 150 extracts the user's print instruction from the print instruction storage module 110. This is the same processing as step S544.
In step S1018, the print module 155 starts printing. This is the same processing as step S546.

<< Third Embodiment >>
FIG. 11 is a conceptual module configuration diagram of an exemplary configuration according to the third embodiment.
The authentication device 1100 has two authentication information reception modules (authentication information reception module (A) 1105 and authentication information reception module (B) 1110).
The operator expresses the intention of printing depending on which authentication information receiving module is used. For example, when the authentication information reception module (A) 1105 is used, it is detected that the operator intends to print. Conversely, when the authentication information receiving module (B) 1110 is used, it is detected that the operator does not intend to print.

The image processing apparatus 200 includes an authentication apparatus 1100, a printing module 155, and a control module 160.
The authentication apparatus 1100 includes a print instruction reception module 105, a print instruction storage module 110, an authentication information reception module (A) 1105, an authentication information reception module (B) 1110, an output intention detection module 1115, an authentication module 1120, a guide presentation module 1125, A print instruction extraction module 150 is included.
The print instruction receiving module 105 is connected to the print instruction storage module 110.
The print instruction storage module 110 is connected to the print instruction reception module 105 and the print instruction extraction module 150.

The authentication information reception module (A) 1105 is connected to the output intention detection module 1115 and the authentication module 1120. The authentication information receiving module (A) 1105 receives information (authentication information) for authenticating the operator. The authentication information receiving module (A) 1105 may be, for example, the imaging module 120 according to the first embodiment, an IC card reader, a reading device for biometric information such as a fingerprint, and a user ID. Or a keyboard for inputting a password. In this case, the authentication information is a face image, information in an IC card, biometric information such as a fingerprint image, a user ID and a password, respectively.
The authentication information receiving module (A) 1105 may be installed on the sheet take-out port side of the image processing apparatus 200.
The authentication information reception module (B) 1110 is connected to the output intention detection module 1115 and the authentication module 1120. The authentication information receiving module (B) 1110 receives information (authentication information) for authenticating the operator. The authentication information reception module (B) 1110 may be, for example, the imaging module 120 according to the first embodiment, an IC card reader, a reading device for biometric information such as a fingerprint, and a user ID. Or a keyboard for inputting a password. In this case, the authentication information is a face image, information in an IC card, biometric information such as a fingerprint image, a user ID and a password, respectively.
The authentication information reception module (B) 1110 may be installed at a position farther from the sheet take-out port side of the image processing apparatus 200 than the authentication information reception module (A) 1105.
The authentication information receiving module (A) 1105 and the authentication information receiving module (B) 1110 may receive the same authentication information or different authentication information. For example, both the authentication information reception module (A) 1105 and the authentication information reception module (B) 1110 may be IC card readers, and the authentication information reception module (A) 1105 is an IC card reader, and authentication information reception The module (B) 1110 may be a reading device for biometric information such as a fingerprint.

The output intention detection module 1115 is connected to the authentication information reception module (A) 1105, the authentication information reception module (B) 1110, the guide presentation module 1125, and the print instruction extraction module 150. When the authentication information reception module (A) 1105 receives information for authenticating the operator, the output intention detection module 1115 detects that the operator has an intention to print.
When the authentication information reception module (B) 1110 receives information for authenticating the operator, the output intention detection module 1115 detects that the operator does not intend to print. In this case, the print instruction extraction module 150 does not extract the print instruction of the operator from the print instruction storage module 110 and does not perform control for causing the print module 155 to perform printing.
The authentication module 1120 is connected to an authentication information reception module (A) 1105, an authentication information reception module (B) 1110, and a print instruction extraction module 150. The authentication module 1120 performs authentication processing using authentication information received from either the authentication information reception module (A) 1105 or the authentication information reception module (B) 1110.
The guide presentation module 1125 is connected to the output intention detection module 1115. The guide presentation module 1125 presents an authentication guide or the like.

The print instruction extraction module 150 is connected to the print instruction storage module 110, the output intention detection module 1115, the authentication module 1120, and the print module 155.
The print module 155 is connected to the print instruction extraction module 150 of the authentication device 1100.
The control module 160 controls each module in the image processing apparatus 200 in order to exhibit the functions of the image processing apparatus 200.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example (authentication processing example) according to the third embodiment.
In step S1202, the guide presentation module 1125 presents a guide.
In step S1204, either one of the authentication information reception module (A) 1105 and the authentication information reception module (B) 1110 receives authentication information.
In step S1206, the authentication module 1120 determines whether the verification is successful. If the verification is successful, the process proceeds to step S1208. Otherwise, the process returns to step S1204.
In step S1208, the authentication module 1120 performs authentication processing.
In step S1210, the output intention detection module 1115 determines which authentication information reception module it is, and in the case of the authentication information reception module (A) 1105, the process proceeds to step S1212, and in the case of the authentication information reception module (B) 1110. Ends the process (step S1299).
In step S <b> 1212, the print instruction extraction module 150 extracts the print instruction of the user from the print instruction storage module 110.
In step S1214, the printing module 155 starts printing.

  A hardware configuration example of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration shown in FIG. 13 is configured by a personal computer (PC), for example, and shows a hardware configuration example including a data reading unit 1317 such as a scanner and a data output unit 1318 such as a printer.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1301 includes various modules described in the above-described embodiments, that is, the print instruction reception module 105, the output intention detection module 130, the authentication module 135, the verification module 140, the print instruction extraction module 150, and the control. The control unit executes processing according to a computer program describing an execution sequence of each module such as the module 160, the output intention detection module 930, the output intention detection module 1115, and the authentication module 1120.

  A ROM (Read Only Memory) 1302 stores programs used by the CPU 1301, calculation parameters, and the like. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 1303 stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 1301, parameters that change as appropriate during the execution, and the like. These are connected to each other by a host bus 1304 including a CPU bus or the like.

  The host bus 1304 is connected via a bridge 1305 to an external bus 1306 such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interface) bus.

  A keyboard 1308 and a pointing device 1309 such as a mouse are devices operated by an operator (an example of the user operation reception module 125). The display 1310 includes a liquid crystal display device, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), and the like, and displays various information as text and image information (an example of the imaging guide presentation module 115 and the guide presentation module 1125). Further, a panel (touch screen) or the like having both functions of the pointing device 1309 and the display 1310 may be used. In that case, the keyboard function can be realized by drawing a keyboard (so-called software keyboard, screen keyboard, etc.) on the screen (panel) by software on the screen (panel) without physically connecting like the keyboard 1308. You may make it implement | achieve the function of.

  An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 1311 includes a hard disk (may be a flash memory or the like), drives the hard disk, and records or reproduces a program executed by the CPU 1301 and information. The hard disk realizes functions as the print instruction storage module 110, the face image storage module 145, and the like. Further, various other data, various computer programs, and the like are stored.

  The drive 1312 reads data or a program recorded on a removable recording medium 1313 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and reads the data or program into an interface 1307 and an external bus 1306. , The bridge 1305, and the RAM 1303 connected via the host bus 1304. The removable recording medium 1313 can also be used as a data recording area.

  The connection port 1314 is a port for connecting the external connection device 1315 and has a connection unit such as USB and IEEE1394. The connection port 1314 is connected to the CPU 1301 and the like via the interface 1307, the external bus 1306, the bridge 1305, the host bus 1304, and the like. Examples of the external connection device 1315 include an imaging module 120 such as a digital camera, a human sensor module 920 such as an infrared sensor, an authentication information reception module (A) 1105 such as a card reader, and an authentication information reception module (B) 1110. . A communication unit 1316 is connected to a communication line and executes data communication processing with the outside. The data reading unit 1317 is a scanner, for example, and executes document reading processing. The data output unit 1318 is a printer, for example, and executes document data output processing.

  Note that the hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 13 shows one configuration example, and the present embodiment is not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 13, and the modules described in the present embodiment are executed. Any configuration is possible. For example, some modules may be configured with dedicated hardware (for example, Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), etc.), and some modules are in an external system and connected via a communication line Alternatively, a plurality of systems shown in FIG. 13 may be connected to each other via a communication line so as to cooperate with each other. In particular, it may be incorporated in a fax machine, a printer, a multifunction machine, or the like.

  You may combine several above-mentioned embodiment. For example, when printing intention is detected in a plurality of embodiments, printing may be performed if authenticated. In all the embodiments, when the intention of printing is detected (so-called logical product), printing may be performed if authenticated. If the intention of printing is detected in any one embodiment (so-called logical sum), printing may be performed if authenticated.

The program described above may be provided by being stored in a recording medium, or the program may be provided by communication means. In that case, for example, the above-described program may be regarded as an invention of a “computer-readable recording medium recording the program”.
The “computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded” refers to a computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded, which is used for program installation, execution, program distribution, and the like.
The recording medium is, for example, a digital versatile disc (DVD), which is a standard established by the DVD Forum, such as “DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM,” and DVD + RW. Standard “DVD + R, DVD + RW, etc.”, compact disc (CD), read-only memory (CD-ROM), CD recordable (CD-R), CD rewritable (CD-RW), Blu-ray disc ( Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), magneto-optical disk (MO), flexible disk (FD), magnetic tape, hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable and rewritable read-only memory (EEPROM (registered trademark)) )), Flash memory, Random access memory (RAM) SD (Secure Digital) memory card and the like.
Then, the whole or a part of the program may be recorded on the recording medium for storage or distribution. Also, by communication, for example, a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wired network used for the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, or a wireless communication It may be transmitted using a transmission medium such as a network or a combination of these, or may be carried on a carrier wave.
Furthermore, the program may be a part or all of another program, or may be recorded on a recording medium together with a separate program. Moreover, it may be divided and recorded on a plurality of recording media. Further, it may be recorded in any manner as long as it can be restored, such as compression or encryption.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Authentication apparatus 105 ... Print instruction reception module 110 ... Print instruction storage module 115 ... Imaging guide presentation module 120 ... Imaging module 125 ... User operation reception module 130 ... Output intention detection module 135 ... Authentication module 140 ... Collation module 145 ... Face image Storage module 150 ... Print instruction extraction module 155 ... Print module 160 ... Control module 200 ... Image processing device 210 ... User terminal 220 ... User 290 ... Communication line 900 ... Authentication device 920 ... Human sensor module 930 ... Output intention detection module 940 ... Authentication information reception module 945 ... Information storage module for verification 1100 ... Authentication device 1105 ... Authentication information reception module (A)
1110 ... Authentication information receiving module (B)
1115 ... Output intention detection module 1120 ... Authentication module 1125 ... Guide presentation module

Claims (13)

An authentication means for authenticating the operator;
A detecting means for detecting an intention of printing by the operator at the time of authentication by the authentication means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a printing unit that prints according to a printing instruction from the operator when the detection unit detects a printing intention. The authentication means performs face authentication of the operator,
The detection means detects the operator's intention to print according to the position of the operator's face displayed on the display means.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The detection means detects that the operator has an intention to print when the face of the operator is displayed in a predetermined area provided in a display area of the display means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2. The display means displays that printing is performed when the detection means detects that the printing is intended.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 3. The detection means detects that the operator does not intend to print when the operator's face is displayed in a region other than a predetermined region,
The printing means does not perform printing;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2. When the operator is authenticated and authenticated, an instruction for executing image processing from the operator can be accepted.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 5. The display means displays that the printing means does not perform printing when the detection means detects that there is no intention of printing, and there is a print instruction from the operator;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 5. A second detecting means for detecting a position where the operator exists;
The detection means detects the intention of the operator's printing according to the position where the operator exists.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The detecting means detects that the operator has an intention of printing when the operator exists in a predetermined area;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 8. The detecting means detects that the operator does not intend to print when the operator is not present in a predetermined area;
The printing means does not perform printing;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 8. First accepting means for accepting information for authenticating the operator;
A second receiving means for receiving information for authenticating the operator;
The detection unit detects that the operator has an intention of printing when the first reception unit receives information for authenticating the operator.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. First accepting means for accepting information for authenticating the operator;
A second receiving means for receiving information for authenticating the operator;
When the second receiving unit receives information for authenticating the operator, the detecting unit detects that the operator does not intend to print,
The printing means does not perform printing;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. Computer
An authentication means for authenticating the operator;
A detecting means for detecting an intention of printing by the operator at the time of authentication by the authentication means;
An image processing program for causing a printer to function as a printing unit that performs printing in accordance with a printing instruction from the operator when the detection unit detects a printing intention.

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