JP4059873B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing equipment to output the data to be processed in the image processing, together with the information related to the image processing performed on the data to the external device as the history information.

  Conventionally, as an image processing apparatus, an image recorded on a sheet is scanned and captured as image data, and an image based on the captured image data is formed on a sheet and output. Multiple functions such as a facsimile function for sending and receiving image data, a transmission function for sending captured image data to an external device, and a printer function for receiving image data sent from an external device and outputting it to paper Digital multifunction devices have been commercialized. In particular, recent digital multi-function peripherals are provided with storage means such as a hard disk for storing image data so that processing of each function can be performed in parallel.

  As a new function of the digital multifunction peripheral as described above, captured image data, data acquired from an external device, etc. are stored in a storage means, and the stored data is recorded on a sheet as necessary. A function that enables output as an image or transmission to an externally connected device such as a personal computer and the use of the digital multi-function peripheral as a server device for image data is realized.

  As an example, Patent Document 1 stores image data captured using a scanner or image data received by facsimile communication, and issues an instruction to read the image data and output an image as necessary. An image data output control device having an electronic filing function is disclosed. By using such an image processing apparatus, it is possible to reuse image data once used, and the user can smoothly output a document or an image when necessary.

  On the other hand, the image data handled by the image processing device includes confidential image data such as a document describing a trade secret. When the image processing device enables unlimited storage and output of image data, Security problems such as leakage or unauthorized use of information occur. Therefore, Patent Document 2 discloses a copying apparatus that performs personal authentication before use and permits use only by a registered user.

Further, as a security measure for image data stored in the image processing apparatus, Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for encrypting image data and storing it in a storage means. Patent Document 4 discloses a technique for erasing stored image data from storage means when it becomes unnecessary. As described above, the image processing apparatus encrypts the image data, so that it is difficult to illegally use the image data taken out from the image processing apparatus, and the image processing apparatus erases the image data. It becomes impossible to extract image data from the processing apparatus, and the security of the image processing apparatus is improved.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-178041 JP-A-7-28365 JP-A-1-256068 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-223061

  However, in the electronic filing function for storing the image data in the storage unit as described above, the image processing apparatus performs processing for encrypting and storing the image data or processing for erasing image data that is no longer needed. Security can be improved, but it is not possible to grasp how each stored image data is used, even if each image data is used improperly There is a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to output data received for performing image processing to a predetermined external device as history information together with information related to the image processing. Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of managing history information of each data with an external apparatus.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a data storage unit that stores image data to be processed, an instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to execute image processing based on the image data, and an execution received by the instruction receiving unit In an image processing apparatus comprising processing means for executing image processing based on image data stored in the data storage means according to an instruction, erasure for invalidating the image data stored in the data storage means so that it cannot be used means and the image data to be processed in the image processing which the processing unit executes, the history information including the information relating to the processing conditions of the image processing that will be performed, output means for outputting to a predetermined external device having a memory means An acquisition means for acquiring a signal indicating completion of storage of the history information in the storage means from the external device, and the acquisition means acquires the signal , Said processing means when it is completed to image processing, characterized in that it comprises a control means for disabling the image data to be processed included in the history information to the erase unit.

According to the present invention, image data to be processed is stored in the data storage unit, and when an execution instruction for image processing based on the image data is received, the image data is stored in the data storage unit in accordance with the received execution instruction. An image processing device that executes image processing based on certain image data outputs history information including image data to be processed and information related to processing conditions for image processing based on the image data to a predetermined external device To do. Further, when a signal indicating completion of storage of the history information in the storage unit of the history information is acquired from the external device to which the history information is output, if the image processing according to the execution instruction is completed, the signal is stored in the data storage unit. The image data to be processed is invalidated so that it cannot be used. Accordingly, each image data can be managed by the external device as history information together with information related to the processing conditions of the image processing based on each image data. Also, the history information can be managed reliably and the data storage means can be effectively used only by invalidating the image data of its own data storage means only when it is securely stored in the storage means of the external device. Is possible.

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the processing unit, when the acquisition unit has acquired the signal, characterized in that is arranged to start the image processing in which the history information indicates.

According to the present invention, when a signal indicating completion of storage of the history information in the storage unit of the external device is acquired from the external device, the image processing in which the execution instruction is accepted is started before the image processing is started. The history information can be reliably stored in the external device. In addition, by invalidating image data that has become unnecessary after the image processing is completed from the data storage unit, it is possible to effectively use the data storage unit and prevent leakage of the image data.

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a user authentication unit, and the processing unit stores the data storage unit according to an execution instruction received by the instruction receiving unit when the user authentication unit authenticates that the user is a valid user. Yes it configured to perform image processing based on the image data stored in said history information, according to the user where the processing means thus being acquired in the row of the Hare user authentication when executing the image processing It is characterized by including information.

According to the present invention, the user authentication image processing apparatus that performs image processing in accordance with only the accepted execution instruction when it is to be a valid user by performing user authentication is required when performing the image processing Thus by the information relating to the user that is acquired included in the history information for transmission to an external device, for example, when the user information by the information relating to the user included in the history information can be obtained, along with the image data, the It is possible to manage user information instructing execution of image processing by an external device.

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the instruction in accordance receiving unit executing the instruction received, and the plurality of processing means for executing different types of image processing, respectively, image processing for each type of each of said processing means to perform Means for accepting an instruction as to whether or not to output history information to the external device, and according to the accepted instruction, sets whether or not to output history information of each image processing to the external device for each type of image processing Setting means, and the output means is configured to output the history information of the image processing of the type set by the setting means to the external device.

According to the present invention, for each of a plurality of types of image processing, an instruction as to whether or not to output history information to an external device is received, and whether or not to output history information of each image processing to an external device according to the received instruction. When this is set and output, only the history information of the set type of image processing is output to the external device. Therefore, it is possible to set the type of image processing for managing history information in the external device according to an instruction from the user.

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises means for determining whether or not predetermined information is included in the image data stored in the data storage means, and the output means is determined to include the predetermined information. The image processing history information based on the image data is configured to be output to the external device.

According to the present invention, it is determined whether contain predetermined information to the image data stored in the data storage means, to the external device the history information of the image processing based on the image data including the predetermined information by outputting, for example, as in the image data read from the original mark indicating the confidential document is attached, it can be managed by an external device only history information of the image processing based on the image data including the predetermined information Become.

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes means for interrupting the storage in the data storage means of the image data, when the storage of the image data to the data storage means is interrupted, the output means is interrupted The history information of the image data stored in the data storage means until now is output to the external device.

According to the present invention, when the process of storing the image data in the data storage unit is interrupted, by outputting the history information of the image data stored in the data storage unit to the external device until it is interrupted, Even when image processing based on image data is not executed, it is possible to manage the acquired image data as history information by an external device.

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a stop authentication unit that performs administrator authentication when stopping output processing of history information to the external device, and a case where the stop authentication unit authenticates that the stop authentication unit is a valid administrator. And means for stopping the output processing of the history information.

According to the present invention, the administrator authentication is performed when the output process of the history information to the external device is stopped, and the output process of the history information is stopped only when it is determined to be a valid administrator , It is possible to prohibit the output processing of the history information to the external device from being stopped by an unauthorized person, thereby preventing an inadvertent deterioration in security.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a data storage unit that stores image data to be processed, an instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to execute image processing based on the image data, and an execution received by the instruction receiving unit an image processing apparatus comprising a processing unit for executing image processing based on the image data stored in the data storage means in accordance with the instructions, the image data to be processed in the image processing in which the processing means executes, Ru runs image History storage means for storing history information including information relating to the processing conditions of the process, erasure means for invalidating the history information stored in the history storage means so that it cannot be used, and stored in the history storage means Output means for outputting the history information to a predetermined external device having storage means, and completion of storage of the history information from the external device to the storage means. Obtaining means for obtaining a signal, said obtaining means obtains said signal, when said processing means has completed the image processing, disable the history information stored in the history storage means to said erasing means And a means for causing it.

According to the present invention, image data to be processed is stored in the data storage unit, and when an execution instruction for image processing based on the image data is received, the image data is stored in the data storage unit in accordance with the received execution instruction. An image processing apparatus that executes image processing based on certain image data stores history information including the image data and information relating to processing conditions for image processing based on the image data in a history storage unit. In addition, when the history information stored in the history storage unit is output to a predetermined external device and a signal indicating completion of storage of the history information in the storage unit is acquired from the external device, the image according to the execution instruction If the processing is completed, the history information stored in the history storage means is invalidated so that it cannot be used. Therefore, each image data can be managed by the history storage means as history information together with information related to the image processing conditions based on each image data, and the history information stored in the history storage means can be output to an external device. It can also be managed in an external device. Further, by invalidating the history information stored in the history storage means when it is securely stored in the storage means of the external device, unnecessary history information is not stored in the image processing apparatus, and history storage is performed. Effective use of the means can be achieved.

In the present invention, by outputting history information including image data stored in the data storage means and information relating to processing conditions for image processing based on the image data for which an execution instruction has been received, to a predetermined external device, Each image data can be managed by an external device as history information together with various processing conditions in image processing based on each image data, information such as the execution date and time of the image processing. Therefore, for image processing performed on each image data, for example, the number of sheets on which an image is formed, the number of copies, the formation density, the reduction rate or enlargement rate, the execution date and time, and the like can be managed together with the image data to be processed. This information can be confirmed at a later date. Further, when each image data is illegally used, the usage state of each image data can be traced based on such information, so that the security can be improved. Further, when a signal indicating completion of storage of the history information in the storage unit of the history information is acquired from an external device to which the history information is output, if the image processing according to the received execution instruction is completed, the image processing By invalidating the target image data from the data storage means, the corresponding image data can be invalidated only when it is securely stored in the external device, so that history information can be reliably obtained, Effective use of the data storage means can be achieved.

In the present invention, when a signal indicating the completion of storage of history information in the storage unit is acquired from an external device, image processing that has received an execution instruction is started, and image data that is no longer required when image processing is completed Disable it . Thereby, even if the image processing is interrupted in the middle, the history information can be reliably managed by the external device before starting the image processing, and the data storage means can be used effectively, Leakage of image data from the data storage means can be prevented.

In the present invention, an image processing apparatus that performs image processing in accordance with only the accepted execution instruction when it is to be a valid user by performing user authentication, thus the user authentication is required when performing the image processing by transmitting to the external apparatus includes information relating to the user that is acquired in the history information, for example, when the user information by the information relating to the user is the user authentication result acquisition can be obtained, along with the data, the image User information instructing execution of processing can be managed by an external device, and not only image processing performed on each image data but also a user instructing execution of each image processing can be grasped. For example, when image data is used without authentication by hacking, it can be detected.

  In the present invention, whether or not history information is output to an external device for each of a plurality of types of image processing is set by an instruction from the user, whereby the type of image processing in which history information is stored in the external device is arbitrarily set by the user. Can be changed.

In the present invention, for example, as in the image data read from the original mark indicating the confidential document is attached, by managing the external device only history information of the image processing based on the image data including the predetermined information, accepted Based on each image data stored in the data storage means, it is possible to set whether or not history information is output to an external device, and select important documents that are preferably managed as history information and accumulate history information. can do.

In the present invention, when the process of storing the image data in the data storage means is interrupted, even if the image processing based on the image data is not executed, the data is stored in the data storage means until the interruption. by outputting to an external device image data as the history information, the history information of all the image data attempts to execute the image processing can be managed by an external device.

In the present invention, when the output process of history information to the external device is stopped, the administrator authentication is performed, and the output process of the history information can be stopped only by a person who is regarded as a valid administrator. As a result, it is prohibited to stop the output process of the history information to the external device by an unauthorized person, and an inadvertent deterioration of security can be prevented.

According to the present invention, history information including image data stored in the data storage means and information relating to processing conditions of image processing based on the image data for which the execution instruction has been received is stored in the history storage means. Image data can be managed by the history storage means as history information together with information related to the processing conditions of image processing based on each image data. Also, when the history information stored in the history storage means is output to a predetermined external device and a signal indicating completion of storage of the history information in the storage means is obtained from the external device, the received execution instruction is followed. If the image processing is completed, the history information is invalidated from the history storage means, so that the history information accumulated in the history storage means can be output to the external device and managed in the external device, Effective use of the history storage means can be achieved.

  Hereinafter, an image processing system according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof. The image processing system according to the embodiment described below is configured by connecting the image processing apparatus of the present invention and a server apparatus as a predetermined external apparatus via a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). Is done.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of an image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. The image processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment includes a control unit 10, a ROM 11, a RAM 12, an NCU (Network Control Unit) 13, a modem 14, an image reading unit 15, an image memory 16, an image forming unit 17, an operation panel 18, and a hard disk device. (Hereinafter referred to as an HDD) 19, a communication unit 20, a management unit 21, a data invalidation unit 22, and the like are connected to each other via a bus 1a.

  The control unit 10 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) having a timer (not shown), an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), or the like, and controls each of the above-described hardware units connected via the bus 1a. At the same time, the control program stored in advance in the ROM 11 is appropriately read out to the RAM 12 and executed. The ROM 11 stores in advance various control programs, authentication processing programs, and the like necessary for operating the image processing apparatus 1 as the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. The RAM 12 is configured by SRAM, flash memory, or the like, and temporarily stores data generated when the control unit 10 executes the control program.

  The modem 14 is a fax modem capable of facsimile communication, and is directly connected to the NCU 13. The NCU 13 is connected to the public telephone line network 101, connects the modem 14 to the public telephone line network 101 as necessary, and performs facsimile communication with the external facsimile apparatus 4 via the public telephone line network 101. It operates as a processing means for performing processing.

  The communication unit 20 is an interface for connecting to the communication network 100, receives print jobs from the server device 3 and the computers 2 and 2 connected to the communication network 100, and receives the server device 3, the computer 2, and the like. 2 to send information to be notified. The communication unit 20 operates, for example, as a processing unit that transmits image data read from a document by the image reading unit 15 to the external computers 2 and 2.

  The operation panel 18 includes an operation unit that receives user operation instructions and a display unit that displays information to be notified to the user. The operation unit is provided with various operation buttons for receiving operation instructions from the user. From the user such as setting values for each function such as the number of prints and copy density, switching operation of each function, execution instruction for each process, etc. This is an instruction receiving means for receiving the instruction. The display unit includes a liquid crystal display, and displays the operation status of the image processing apparatus 1, various setting values input through the operation unit, information to be notified to the user, and the like.

  The image reading unit 15 is a scanner device including a light source that irradiates light to a document to be read, an image sensor using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), an A / D converter, and the like, and is set at a predetermined reading position. The image of the original document is formed on the image sensor and converted into an analog electric signal, and the obtained analog electric signal is A / D converted by an A / D converter. The image reading unit 15 corrects the light distribution characteristics of the light source at the time of reading the document, the sensitivity unevenness of the image sensor, and the like on the digital signal obtained by the A / D conversion, thereby obtaining digital image data. Is generated and stored in the image memory 16.

  The image memory 16 is composed of, for example, a DRAM, image data generated by the image reading unit 15 reading an image of a document, image data received from an external facsimile apparatus 4 via the public telephone line network 101, and a communication network The image data acquired by developing the print job received from the external computers 2 and 2 via 100 is temporarily stored. The image data stored in the image memory 16 is transferred page by page to the HDD 19 and stored in the HDD 19.

  The image forming unit 17 includes, for example, a charger that charges the photosensitive drum to a predetermined potential, a laser writing device that generates an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum by emitting laser light according to image data, and a photosensitive member. A developer that supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the drum surface to make it visible, a transfer device that transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum onto a sheet such as paper or an OHP film, etc. (Not shown), and operates as processing means for performing processing for forming an image desired by the user on a sheet by electrophotography. Note that the image forming unit 17 is not limited to a configuration in which image formation is performed by an electrophotographic method using a laser writing device, but may be a configuration in which image formation is performed by an inkjet method, a thermal transfer method, or a sublimation method. It is.

  The management unit 21 is composed of, for example, a flash memory, stores information related to the hardware configuring the image processing apparatus 1 and information related to the internal state of the apparatus, and communicates with each hardware when the power is turned on. While acquiring these information, it is comprised so that the content of the information currently managed may be updated at any time by regularly monitoring the state of the hardware in operation.

  Further, the management unit 21 stores authentication information used for authentication processing appropriately performed during the operation of the image processing apparatus 1. As the authentication information, for example, an authentication number consisting of a plurality of digits is stored in the management unit 21 in advance. When the authentication data is input from the operation panel 18, the control unit 10 stores an authentication processing program stored in the ROM 11. By reading the data into the RAM 12 and executing it, it is determined whether or not the input authentication data matches the management information stored in advance in the management unit 21, and if they match, the user or the administrator is a valid user. It operates as an authentication means for authenticating.

  The HDD 19 is a large-capacity storage device that develops and acquires image data read from the original by the image reading unit 15, image data received from the external facsimile device 4, and print jobs received from the external computers 2 and 2. Data storage means for storing the processed image data and the like. When the image data stored in the HDD 19 needs to be output once again due to output failure or insufficient number of output copies, or the like, an instruction from the user, transmitted from the computers 2 and 2, and the communication unit According to the instruction received at 20, it can be read out and reused as necessary.

  Thus, by storing image data in the HDD 19, the image processing apparatus 1 functions as a file server apparatus for image data. When image data is stored in the HDD 19, convenience by reusing the image data can be improved. However, when image data is not stored in the HDD 19, leakage of image data from the image processing apparatus 1 is possible. Therefore, security can be improved.

  Therefore, the user and the administrator of the image processing apparatus 1 may set whether to store image data in the HDD 19 according to the priority order of improvement in convenience and security in the image processing apparatus 1. The image data stored in the HDD 19 is transferred to a transfer destination corresponding to the purpose of use. Specifically, the image data is transferred to the image forming unit 17 when an image is formed on a sheet, and is transferred to the communication unit 20 when transmitted as image data to the computers 2 and 2, and is transmitted by facsimile. If it is, it is transferred to the modem 14.

  The data invalidation unit (erase unit) 22 deletes the image data stored in the HDD 19 or overwrites predetermined data in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 10, thereby deleting the image data stored in the HDD 19. Executes the data erasure function that disables it so that it cannot be used. Note that even if the data in the HDD 19 is erased, the data may be restored due to the magnetism remaining in the HDD 19, so that the data cannot be restored by overwriting the random data a plurality of times. It is also possible to set so as to.

  With the configuration described above, the image processing apparatus 1 allows the image reading unit 15 to read a document placed by a user on a predetermined document placing table (not shown), and obtains the obtained image data via a public telephone line via the modem 14 and the NCU 13. It functions as a facsimile apparatus that receives image data transmitted to the facsimile apparatus 4 connected to the network 101 and transmitted from the external facsimile apparatus 4 by facsimile communication via the public telephone line network 101.

  The image processing apparatus 1 also functions as a copying apparatus that copies an image based on the obtained image data onto a recording sheet by the image forming unit 17 while the image reading unit 15 reads a document. The image processing apparatus 1 also functions as a network scanner that transmits image data read from the original by the image reading unit 15 from the communication unit 20 to the computers 2 and 2 connected to the communication network 100. Further, the image processing apparatus 1 also functions as a network printer that records an image based on data received from the outside by the communication unit 20 via the communication network 100 on a recording sheet by the image forming unit 17.

  Here, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment relates to the image processing indicated by the received execution instruction when the user receives the execution instruction of various image processes as described above by operating the operation panel 18. The information and the image data to be processed by the image processing are output as history data (history information) from the communication unit (output means) 20 to the server device 3 connected to the communication network 100 and stored in the server device 3. .

  Specifically, for example, when a copy processing execution instruction is received from the user via the operation panel 18, the control unit 10 reads a document placed on a predetermined document placement table with the image reading unit 15, and the HDD 19. To remember once. Then, the control unit 10 transmits the processing information related to the copying process indicated by the execution instruction input from the operation panel 18 and the image data stored in the HDD 19 to the server device 3 as one history data.

  Further, for example, when an instruction to execute a facsimile transmission process is received from the user via the operation panel 18, the control unit 10 reads a document placed on a predetermined document placement table by the image reading unit 15, and temporarily stores it in the HDD 19. Remember me. Then, the control unit 10 transmits the processing information related to the facsimile transmission processing indicated by the execution instruction input from the operation panel 18 and the image data stored in the HDD 19 to the server device 3 as history data.

  The above processing information includes, for example, image processing execution date and time, information related to acquisition processing when image data is acquired, information related to image processing when the acquired image data is output on paper, and acquired image data Includes information related to transmission processing when the message is transmitted to the outside. More specifically, the information related to the acquisition process includes the acquisition route of the image data, the facsimile number of the facsimile apparatus 4 that transmitted the image data, or the IP addresses of the computers 2 and 2. Information relating to image processing includes the number of sheets, number of copies, density, reduction rate or enlargement rate, and information relating to transmission processing includes the facsimile number of the facsimile apparatus 4 to which image data is transmitted or the computers 2 and 2. IP address, etc.

  When user authentication is required when the user uses the image processing apparatus 1, user information that can be acquired when authentication is performed is included in the processing information and transmitted to the server apparatus 3. In this case, since the user who performed the image processing indicated by each history data managed by the server device 3 can be grasped, the criminal can be reliably traced when the image data is illegally used. .

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of the server apparatus 3 according to the first embodiment. The server device 3 is connected to the control unit 30, the ROM 31, the RAM 32, the HDD 33, the operation unit 34 including a keyboard and a mouse, the display unit 35 including a liquid crystal display or a CRT display, the management unit 36, and the communication network 100. A communication unit 37, a data invalidation unit 38, and the like are provided, and they are connected to each other via a bus 3a. The control unit 30 is configured by a CPU or MPU having a timer (not shown), and controls the above-described hardware units connected via the bus 3a and is stored in the ROM 31 in advance. The control program is appropriately read into the RAM 32 and executed.

  The ROM 31 stores in advance various control programs, authentication processing programs, and the like necessary for operating the server device 3 as an external device constituting the image processing system according to the present invention. The RAM 32 is configured by SRAM, flash memory, or the like, and temporarily stores data generated when the control unit 30 executes the control program.

  The management unit 36 is configured by, for example, a flash memory, stores information related to the hardware configuring the server device 3 and information related to the internal state of the device, and communicates with each hardware when the power is turned on. And the contents of information managed by periodically monitoring the status of the operating hardware are updated as needed.

  Further, the management unit 36 stores authentication information used for authentication processing that is appropriately performed during the operation of the server device 3. As the authentication information, for example, an authentication number composed of a plurality of digits is stored in the management unit 36 in advance, and when the authentication data is input from the operation unit 34, the control unit 30 stores an authentication processing program stored in the ROM 31. By reading the data into the RAM 32 and executing it, it is determined whether or not the input authentication data matches the management information stored in advance in the management unit 36. If they match, the user or the administrator is a valid user. And authenticate.

  The HDD 33 is a large-capacity storage device and is an external history storage unit that stores history data output from the image processing apparatus 1 as described above. The history data is organized and stored in the HDD 33 for each file format of each image data, for each image processing such as copying, facsimile transmission, and printer output, or for each folder created by the user. Further, when the server device 3 is operating normally, the control unit 30 restricts access to the HDD 33.

  Specifically, when an instruction to read or delete the history data stored in the HDD 33 is given, the control unit 30 (access authentication means) performs authentication, for example, a valid one of the server device 3 or the image processing device 1. Reading or erasing history data from the HDD 33 is permitted only when the administrator is authenticated. When reading of history data stored in the HDD 33 is permitted, that is, when the server device 3 is operated by a legitimate administrator, the connection is made via the display unit 35 of the server device 3 or the communication network 100. The history data can be displayed and confirmed on the display units of the computers 2 and 2.

  The data invalidation unit 38 deletes the image data stored in the HDD 33 or overwrites predetermined data in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 30 so that the image data stored in the HDD 33 cannot be used. Execute the data erase function to be invalidated.

  In the image processing system of the first embodiment, when the image processing apparatus 1 receives an image processing execution instruction via the operation panel 18 and transmits history data to the server apparatus 3 as described above, The control unit 30 acquires history data transmitted from the image processing apparatus 1 and sequentially stores it in the HDD 33. When the storage of the history data acquired from the image processing apparatus 1 in the HDD 33 is completed, the control unit 30 transmits an acquisition completion signal indicating that the acquisition of history data is completed from the communication unit 37 to the image processing apparatus 1.

  When the acquisition completion signal transmitted from the server device 3 is acquired by the communication unit (acquisition unit) 20, the control unit 10 of the image processing apparatus 1 stores the acquisition completion signal in the HDD 19 according to the execution instruction received via the operation panel 18. The image processing corresponding to the existing image data is started. Further, when the image processing according to the received execution instruction is completed, the control unit 10 deletes the image data to be processed from the HDD 19 by the data invalidation unit 22. The image data stored in the HDD 19 may be invalidated by overwriting predetermined data in addition to being erased by the data invalidation unit 22.

  As described above, when the image processing apparatus 1 performs image processing on the image data once stored in the HDD 19, the image data itself to be processed and the processing information related to the image processing are stored in the server apparatus 3 as history data. Management processing of history data to be executed. In the present embodiment, the start and end of the management processing of the history data in the server device 3 and the confirmation and deletion of the history data stored in the server device 3 are performed by the image processing device 1 and the server device 3. This is possible only when authentication by the administrator is made and it is justified.

  The start and end of the management process of the history data in the server apparatus 3 and the confirmation and deletion of the history data can be performed by operating the operation panel 18 of the image processing apparatus 1 and the operation unit 34 of the server apparatus 3. it can. In the following description, the history data management process is started and ended by operating the operation panel 18 of the image processing apparatus 1, and the history data is confirmed and erased by operating the operation unit 34 of the server apparatus 3. Take the case as an example.

  Hereinafter, a process performed by the control unit 10 when the administrator of the image processing apparatus 1 performs an operation for instructing the start or end of the history data management process will be described. When the administrator operates a predetermined operation button on the operation panel 18 in order to perform an operation permitted only by the administrator, the control unit 10 of the image processing apparatus 1 is as shown in FIG. An administrator authentication screen is displayed on the operation panel 18. Various screen information displayed on the operation panel 18 is stored in the ROM 11 in advance.

  In accordance with the administrator authentication screen shown in FIG. 3A, the administrator inputs authentication data assigned to the administrator using the numeric keypad of the operation panel 18 and operates the “authentication” button. When the “authentication” button is operated, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the administrator authentication authentication information stored in the management unit 21 matches the input authentication data, and does not match. In this case, a message indicating that the user is not authenticated as an administrator is displayed on the operation panel 18 to notify the user.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 10 authenticates that the user is an administrator, the controller 10 causes the operation panel 18 to display an administrator operation screen as shown in FIG. The administrator operation screen is a screen for selecting the “start history data management process” and “end history data management process” operations that are permitted only to the administrator. select.

  Here, when the administrator selects “start history data management process”, the control unit 10 causes the operation panel 18 to display a management condition setting screen as shown in FIG. The management condition setting screen is a screen for setting whether or not history data corresponding to an instruction to execute various processes is transmitted to the server device 3. The administrator can select “Copy” or “Fax”. , Select the type of processing for which history data is to be managed from “Printers” and operate the “Setting” button. In this management condition setting screen, not only one of “Copy”, “Fax”, and “Printer” but also two or all of the processes can be selected, and history data is managed for each process. It is possible to select whether or not to perform.

  In the management condition setting screen shown in FIG. 3C, when the administrator operates the “set” button, the control unit (setting unit) 10 sets each selected processing type as a target of management processing of history data. Set. Thus, when the execution instruction for the set type of process is received, the control unit 10 receives the image data read from the document as the process target or the image data received from the outside as the process target, and each of the received execution instructions Processing information related to the processing is transmitted as history data to the server device 3.

  Specifically, when an instruction to execute a copying process (copying) or a facsimile transmission process is received from the user, the control unit 10 of the image processing apparatus 1 temporarily stores the image data read from the document by the image reading unit 15 in the HDD 19. After being stored, it is transmitted to the server device 3 as history data together with various processing conditions in the copying process or facsimile transmission process and date / time information indicated by the timer of the control unit 10. In the image processing apparatus 1 that has transmitted the history data to the server device 3, the control unit 10 waits until an acquisition completion signal indicating completion of acquisition of the history data is returned from the server device 3, and is acquired by the communication unit 20. When the completion signal is acquired, the image data stored in the HDD 19 is transferred to the image forming unit 17 or the modem 14 in accordance with the received execution instruction, and image forming processing or facsimile transmission processing on paper is executed. Further, when the image forming process or the facsimile transmission process is completed, the control unit 10 causes the data invalidation unit 22 to delete the image data to be processed from the HDD 19.

  When the image processing apparatus 1 performs a facsimile reception process or an image formation process based on data received from the external computers 2 and 2, the control unit 10 receives an image received via the NCU 13 and the modem 14 or the communication unit 20. After the data is temporarily stored in the HDD 19, it is transmitted to the server device 3 as history data together with various processing conditions in the facsimile reception process or the data reception process from the computers 2 and 2, date / time information indicated by the timer of the control unit 10. In the image processing apparatus 1 that has transmitted the history data to the server device 3, the control unit 10 stands by until an acquisition completion signal indicating completion of acquisition of the history data is returned from the server device 3, and the communication unit 20 When the signal is acquired, the image data stored in the HDD 19 is transferred to the image forming unit 17 according to the received execution instruction, and the image forming process on the paper is executed. Further, when the image forming process is completed, the control unit 10 causes the data invalidation unit 22 to delete the image data to be processed from the HDD 19.

  As described above, when the image processing apparatus 1 performs various types of image processing, the server apparatus 3 stores history data in the image processing performed by the image processing apparatus 1 by storing the image data to be processed in the server apparatus 3. Can be managed. Further, by accumulating processing information relating to each process together with the image data to be processed as history data, it is possible to grasp which image data is used for what process and when. Furthermore, by transmitting the history data to the server device 3 before performing image processing, the image data taken into the image processing device 1 for executing image processing can be reliably managed as history data.

  On the other hand, when the administrator selects “Finish history data management processing” on the administrator operation screen shown in FIG. 3B, the control unit 10 causes the image processing apparatus 1 to execute various processes as described above. When the instruction is accepted, the process of storing the history data in the server device 3 is terminated. Even when the history data management process ends, as shown in FIG. 3A, the control unit (stop authentication unit) 10 performs administrator authentication and is authenticated as a valid administrator. Therefore, the history data management process can be terminated only in the case of an unauthorized person, so that the security data is not inadvertently lowered by the termination of the history data management process by an unauthorized person.

  Hereinafter, a process performed by the control unit 30 of the server device 3 when the administrator of the server device 3 confirms or deletes the history data stored in the HDD 33 will be described. When the administrator appropriately operates the operation unit 34 in order to confirm or delete the history data, the control unit 30 causes the display unit 35 to display an administrator authentication screen as shown in FIG. . Various screen information displayed on the display unit 35 is stored in the ROM 31 in advance.

  In accordance with the administrator authentication screen shown in FIG. 4A, the administrator inputs authentication data assigned to the administrator using the numeric keypad of the operation unit 34, and operates the “authentication” button using, for example, a mouse. When the “authentication” button is operated, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the authentication information for administrator authentication stored in the management unit 36 matches the input authentication data. In this case, the display unit 35 is displayed to notify the user that the administrator has not been authenticated.

  On the other hand, when authenticating as an administrator, the control unit 30 causes the display unit 35 to display an administrator operation screen as shown in FIG. The administrator operation screen is a screen for selecting “confirm history data” and “erase history data” processing that is permitted only to the administrator, and the administrator selects one of them.

  Here, when the administrator selects “confirm history data”, the control unit 30 causes the display unit 35 to display a history data display screen as shown in FIG. In the first embodiment, when desired history data is selected from the history data stored in the HDD 33, the processing information of each process indicated by each history data is used, and the history shown in FIG. The data display screen is a screen for selecting whether to display each processing information in order of date or time or to display in order of date according to the type of processing.

  In this history data display screen, when the administrator selects “order by date / time”, the control unit 30 displays a list of processing information corresponding to each of all history data stored in the HDD 33 on the display unit 35 in order of date / time. Let Further, when the administrator selects “by processing type”, the control unit 30 displays the history data display screen shown in FIG. 5B on the display unit 35, and the process for which the administrator wants to display the processing information. Encourage selection of types.

  When the administrator selects the type of process for which the process information is to be displayed, the control unit 30 reads out the process information corresponding to the selected type of process from the HDD 33 and causes the display unit 35 to display the process information in order of date. For example, when the administrator selects “Fax”, the control unit 30 causes the display unit 35 to display processing information indicating history data in the facsimile transmission process and the facsimile reception process, as shown in FIG.

  From this list of processing information, the administrator specifies processing information indicating history data to be displayed and confirmed on the display unit 35, selects the specified processing information, and operates the OK button. When the administrator operates the OK button, the control unit 30 reads out history data corresponding to the selected processing information from the HDD 33 and causes the display unit 35 to display the history data. As described above, even when the history data stored in the HDD 33 is displayed, by performing administrator authentication according to the administrator authentication screen shown in FIG. 4A, reading of history data by an unauthorized person is prohibited. be able to.

  On the history data display screen shown in FIG. 5D, processing information and image data in the read history data, and a “print” button for outputting the displayed history data on paper are displayed. The administrator operates the “print” button to output the displayed history data as an image, and when the “print” button is operated, the control unit 30 displays the history data read from the HDD 33 as a print job. Is output from the communication unit 37 to the image processing apparatus 1.

  On the other hand, when the administrator selects “delete history data” on the administrator operation screen shown in FIG. 4B, the control unit 30 displays a history data deletion screen as shown in FIG. 35. The history data erasure screen is a screen for selecting an erasing method of “erasing all history data”, “erasing every processing type”, and “erasing every date” for the history data stored in the HDD 33.

  Here, when the administrator selects “delete all history data”, the control unit 30 displays a confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 6B on the display unit 35, and further, an “delete” button is displayed by the administrator. Is operated, all the history data stored in the HDD 33 is erased by the data invalidation unit 38. The history data stored in the HDD 33 may be invalidated by overwriting predetermined data in addition to being erased by the data invalidation unit 38.

  When the administrator selects “Erase for each processing type”, the control unit 30 displays a screen for selecting the type of processing for deleting the history data from the HDD 33 as shown in FIG. This is displayed on the unit 35. In the history data deletion screen shown in FIG. 6C, when the administrator selects the type of processing for which history data is to be deleted and operates the “delete” button, the control unit 30 stores the history stored in the HDD 33. The history data corresponding to the selected process in the data is deleted by the data invalidation unit 38.

  Further, when the administrator selects “delete every date”, the control unit 30 displays a screen for inputting the date and time in the history data to be deleted from the HDD 33 on the display unit 35 as shown in FIG. Display. In the history data deletion screen shown in FIG. 6D, when the administrator inputs a desired date and time using the numeric keypad and operates the “delete” button, the control unit 30 displays the history data stored in the HDD 33. The history data corresponding to the input date and time range is deleted by the data invalidation unit 38.

  As described above, even when the history data stored in the HDD 33 is erased, the history data is stored only by an authorized administrator by performing the administrator authentication in accordance with the administrator authentication screen shown in FIG. By enabling erasure, it is possible to prohibit erasure of history data by an unauthorized person, and the history data of image processing performed by the image processing apparatus 1 can be reliably managed in the server apparatus 3 and is no longer necessary. Since the history data can be deleted by the administrator, the HDD 33 can be effectively used.

  Further, when the user information is included in the processing information in the history data stored in the HDD 33, as described above, the history data is deleted not only for each processing type or each date but also for each user. For example, it is possible to select and delete history data relating to processing performed by a user who no longer uses the image processing apparatus 1 due to transfer or the like.

  The operation of the image processing apparatus 1 when the administrator sets the start of history data management processing as described above will be described below. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of history data management processing by the image processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. The following processing is executed by the control unit 10 in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 11.

  In the image processing apparatus 1 in a normal operation, when an instruction to execute a copying process or a facsimile transmission process is received by a user operating the operation panel 18, the NCU 13 and the modem 14 receive facsimile data, or the communication unit 20 performs printing. When the job is received, the control unit 10 receives the image data to be processed along with various image processing execution instructions (S1). The control unit 10 displays the received image data, specifically, the image data read from the original by the image reading unit 15, the image data obtained by developing the facsimile data received via the modem 14, or the communication unit 20. The image data obtained by developing the print job received via the terminal is temporarily stored in the HDD 19 (S2).

  Here, the control unit 10 stores the image data stored in the HDD 19 in step S2 based on whether or not history data management processing is set for the image processing for which the execution instruction has been received in step S1. It is determined whether or not it is necessary to manage the history data related to (S3). When the control unit 10 determines that the history data needs to be managed (S3: YES), the history data includes the image data stored in the HDD 33 and the processing information related to the image processing for which the execution instruction has been received in step S1. Is transmitted from the communication unit 20 to the server device 3 (S4). Note that if the control unit 10 determines that management of history data is not necessary (S3: NO), the process proceeds to step S6.

  The control unit 10 determines whether or not an acquisition completion signal indicating that acquisition of history data has been completed is received from the server device 3 that has transmitted the history data (S5), and has received the acquisition completion signal. If it is determined that there is no acquisition (S5: NO), transmission of history data to the server device 3 is continued until an acquisition completion signal is received (S4). If it is determined that an acquisition completion signal is received (S5: YES), The image data stored in the HDD 19 in step S2 is subjected to image processing in accordance with the execution instruction received in step S1 (S6).

  Specifically, when image output processing to a sheet is instructed, the image data stored in the HDD 19 is transferred to the image forming unit 17, and when facsimile transmission processing is instructed, the HDD 19 When the network transmission process is instructed, the image data stored in the HDD 19 is transferred to the communication unit 20.

  The control unit 10 determines whether or not the executed image processing has been completed (S7). If it is determined that it has not been completed (S7: NO), the control unit 10 continues the image processing until completion (S6), If it is determined that the processing has been completed (S7: YES), it is determined whether or not the image data that is the target of the executed image processing is stored in the HDD 19 based on the setting from the user or the administrator (S8). . When it is determined that the image is stored in the HDD 19 (S8: YES), the control unit 10 ends the processing as it is, and when it is determined that the image is not stored in the HDD 19 (S8: NO), the image data stored in the HDD 19 in step S2 is data. Erasing is performed by the invalidating unit 22 (S9), and the process is terminated.

  As described above, when the image processing apparatus 1 receives an instruction to execute the copying process, the facsimile communication process, and the network communication process, the image data to be processed is sent to the server apparatus 3 as history data together with processing information related to each process. By transmitting the data and storing it in the HDD 33 of the server device 3, it is possible to grasp when and for what processing each image data is used. In addition, when the image processing apparatus 1 is configured to require user authentication when used by each user, the user information can be managed together with the processing information for each processed image data. Can be prevented from being illegally used. In addition, it is possible to track when and who has used what kind of processing for illegally used image data.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. The image processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. Moreover, since the server apparatus 3 of the second embodiment is the same as the server apparatus 3 of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the image processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, the HDD 19 develops image data read from the original by the image reading unit 15, image data received from the external facsimile apparatus 4, and print job received from the external computers 2 and 2. When the image storage unit (data storage unit) 19a that stores the image data and the like acquired for reuse is received and the user operates the operation panel 18 to receive various image processing execution instructions, It has a process management unit (history storage means) 19b that stores information relating to image processing indicated by the received execution instruction and image data to be processed by the image processing as history data.

  The image data stored in the image accumulating unit 19a is transmitted from the computer 2 or 2 when an image output once needs to be output again due to an output failure or an insufficient number of output units, or an instruction from the user. In accordance with the instruction received by the communication unit 20, it can be read and reused as necessary. Accordingly, the image processing apparatus 1 functions as a data file server apparatus. When image data is stored in the image storage unit 19a, the convenience of data reuse can be improved. However, when image data is not stored in the image storage unit 19a, the image storage unit 19a Therefore, the security of the image processing apparatus 1 can be improved.

  Therefore, the user and the administrator of the image processing apparatus 1 set whether to store the image data in the image storage unit 19a according to the priority order of improvement in convenience and security in the image processing apparatus 1. That's fine. The image data stored in the image storage unit 19a is transferred to a transfer destination corresponding to the purpose of use. Specifically, the image data is transferred to the image forming unit 17 when an image is formed on a sheet, and is transferred to the communication unit 20 when transmitted as image data to the computers 2 and 2, and is transmitted by facsimile. If it is, it is transferred to the modem 14.

  On the other hand, the history data is organized and stored in the process management unit 19b for each file format of each image data, for each image process such as copying, facsimile transmission, printer output, etc., or for each folder created by the user. . Further, when the image processing apparatus 1 is operating normally, the control unit 10 restricts access to the process management unit 19b, and is legitimate by authentication by the manager of the image processing apparatus 1 and the server apparatus 3, for example. The history data stored in the process management unit 19b is allowed to be read only when it is authenticated.

  When the image processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment receives various image processing execution instructions by operating the operation panel 18, the image processing apparatus 1 includes information related to the image processing indicated by the received execution instructions, and Image data acquired as a processing target and stored in the image storage unit 19a of the HDD 19 is stored as history data in the process management unit 19b.

  Specifically, for example, when an instruction to execute a copying process or a facsimile transmission process is received from the user via the operation panel 18, the control unit 10 reads the document placed on a predetermined document placing table as the image reading unit 15. And is temporarily stored in the image storage unit 19a of the HDD 19. Then, the control unit 10 stores the processing information in the copy process or facsimile transmission process indicated by the execution instruction input from the operation panel 18 and the image data stored in the image storage unit 19a in the process management unit 19b as history data. (Copy). Further, the control unit 10 transfers the image data stored in the image storage unit 19a to the image forming unit 17 or the modem 14 in accordance with the received execution instruction, and executes image forming processing or facsimile transmission processing on a sheet.

  When the image processing apparatus 1 performs a facsimile reception process or an image formation process based on data received from the external computers 2 and 2, the control unit 10 receives an image received via the NCU 13 and the modem 14 or the communication unit 20. Data is temporarily stored in the image storage unit 19 a of the HDD 19. Then, the control unit 10 stores the processing information in the facsimile reception process or the data reception process from the computers 2 and 2 and the image data stored in the image storage unit 19a in the process management unit 19b as history data. In addition, the control unit 10 transfers the image data stored in the image storage unit 19a to the image forming unit 17, and executes an image forming process on a sheet.

  Also in the second embodiment, the above-described processing information includes the execution date and time of image processing, such as the number of sheets, the number of copies, the density, the reduction rate or the enlargement rate when an image based on image data is output on the paper. When image processing based on data received from the outside is performed, the facsimile number of the destination facsimile apparatus 4 includes the IP addresses of the destination computers 2 and 2. If user authentication is required when the user uses the image processing apparatus 1, user information that can be acquired when authentication is performed is included in the process information and stored in the process management unit 19 b.

  As described above, when the image processing apparatus 1 performs various types of image processing, the image data to be processed is stored in the process management unit 19b different from the image storage unit 19a of the HDD 19 so that the image processing apparatus 1 It can be managed as historical data. Further, by accumulating processing information related to each process as history data together with the image data to be processed, it is possible to grasp which image data is used for what process and when.

  In the image processing system according to the second embodiment, the image processing apparatus 1 periodically transmits the history data stored in the process management unit 19b of the HDD 19 from the communication unit 20 to the server apparatus 3 as described above. The control unit 30 of the server apparatus 3 to which the history data is periodically transmitted from the image processing apparatus 1 acquires the history data transmitted from the image processing apparatus 1, sequentially stores it in the HDD 33, and acquires the history data from the image processing apparatus 1. When the storage of the history data in the HDD 33 is completed, an acquisition completion signal indicating that the acquisition of the history data is completed is transmitted from the communication unit 37 to the image processing apparatus 1.

  When the communication unit 20 acquires the acquisition completion signal transmitted from the server device 3, the control unit 10 of the image processing device 1 deletes the history data stored in the processing management unit 19 b of the HDD 19 by the data invalidation unit 22. The history data of the process management unit 19b may be invalidated by overwriting predetermined data in addition to being erased by the data invalidation unit 22.

  As described above, when the image processing apparatus 1 performs image processing on the image data once stored in the image storage unit 19a of the HDD 19, the image data itself to be processed and the processing information related to the image processing are used as history data. The data is stored in the process management unit 19b. In addition, the history data accumulated in the process management unit 19b is periodically transmitted to the server device 3 and stored in the HDD 33 of the server device 3, whereby each history data can be managed more reliably.

  In the second embodiment, the start and end of the management process in the history data process management unit 19b, the confirmation and deletion of the history data stored in the process management unit 19b, and the history data stored in the server device 3 Confirmation and erasure are possible only when authentication by the administrator of the image processing apparatus 1 and the server apparatus 3 is made valid.

  The start and end of the management process in the history data process management unit 19b, the confirmation and deletion of the history data stored in the process management unit 19b, the confirmation and deletion of the history data stored in the server device 3, The operation can be performed by operating the operation panel 18 of the image processing apparatus 1 and the operation unit 34 of the server apparatus 3, and can be realized by the same process as the process described in the first embodiment.

  The operation of the image processing apparatus 1 when the administrator sets the start of history data management processing as described above will be described below. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a storage process of history data in the process management unit 19b by the image processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment. The following processing is executed by the control unit 10 in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 11.

  In the image processing apparatus 1 in a normal operation, when an instruction to execute a copying process or a facsimile transmission process is received by a user operating the operation panel 18, the NCU 13 and the modem 14 receive facsimile data, or the communication unit 20 performs printing. When the job is received, the control unit 10 receives image data to be processed along with various image processing execution instructions (S11). The control unit 10 displays the received image data, specifically, the image data read from the original by the image reading unit 15, the image data obtained by developing the facsimile data received via the modem 14, or the communication unit 20. The image data obtained by developing the print job received via the terminal is temporarily stored in the image storage unit 19a of the HDD 19 (S12).

  Here, the control unit 10 stores the history data in the image storage unit 19a in step S12 based on whether or not the history data management processing is set to the image processing for which the execution instruction has been received in step S11. It is determined whether or not the history data related to the image data needs to be managed (S13). When the control unit 10 determines that management of history data is necessary (S13: YES), the image data stored in the image storage unit 19a and the processing information related to the image processing for which the execution instruction has been received in step S11 Is stored in the process management unit 19b of the HDD 19 as history data (S14). If the control unit 10 determines that management as history data is not necessary (S13: NO), the control unit 10 proceeds to step S15.

  When the history data is stored in the process management unit 19b, the control unit 10 performs image processing according to the execution instruction received in step S11 on the image data stored in the image storage unit 19a in step S12 (S15). ). Specifically, when image output processing to a sheet is instructed, image data stored in the image storage unit 19a is transferred to the image forming unit 17, and when facsimile transmission processing is instructed. Transfers the image data stored in the image storage unit 19a to the modem 14, and when the network transmission processing is instructed, transfers the image data stored in the image storage unit 19a to the communication unit 20. .

  The control unit 10 determines whether or not the executed image processing has been completed (S16). If it is determined that the image processing has not been completed (S16: NO), the control unit 10 continues the image processing until completion (S15). If it is determined that the processing has been completed (S16: YES), it is determined whether or not the image storage unit 19a of the HDD 19 stores the image data that is the target of the executed image processing based on the setting from the user or the administrator. Judgment is made (S17). When it is determined that the image storage unit 19a stores the image (S17: YES), the control unit 10 ends the process, and when the image storage unit 19a determines that the image storage unit 19a does not store the image (S17: NO), the image stored in the HDD 19 in step S12. The image data stored in the storage unit 19a is erased by the data invalidation unit 22 (S18), and the process ends.

  As described above, when the image processing apparatus 1 performs the copying process, the facsimile communication process, and the network communication process, the image data to be processed is stored in the process management unit 19b of the HDD 19 as history data together with the process information related to each process. By storing the information, it is possible to grasp when and in what processing each image data is used. When the image processing apparatus 1 is configured to require user authentication when used by each user, the user information can be managed together with the processing information for each processed image data. Use can be prevented. In addition, it is possible to track when and who has used what kind of processing for illegally used image data.

  Hereinafter, a process in which the image processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment periodically transfers history data accumulated in the process management unit 19b as described above to the server apparatus 3 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of transfer processing of history data to the server apparatus 3 by the image processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment. The following processing is executed by the control unit 10 in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 11.

  The control unit 10 of the image processing apparatus 1 has passed a predetermined time according to the time indicated by its own timer, apart from various processes such as execution of image processing as described above and storage of history data in the process management unit 19b. If it is determined whether or not the predetermined time has elapsed (S21: NO), the process waits while performing processes other than the history data transfer process until the predetermined time elapses.

  When it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (S21: YES), the control unit 10 reads the history data accumulated up to this point from the processing management unit 19b of the HDD 19 and transmits it to the server device 3 (S22). The control unit 10 determines whether or not an acquisition completion signal indicating that acquisition of history data has been completed is received from the server device 3 that has transmitted the history data (S23), and has received the acquisition completion signal. If it is determined that there is not (S23: NO), transmission of the history data to the server device 3 is continued until the acquisition completion signal is received (S22). If it is determined that the acquisition completion signal is received (S23: YES), The history data transmitted to the server device 3 is deleted from the process management unit 19b by the data invalidation unit 22 (S24), and the process ends.

  As described above, when the image processing apparatus 1 performs the copying process, the facsimile communication process, and the network communication process, the history data sequentially stored in the process management unit 19b of the HDD 19 is periodically transmitted to the server apparatus 3. By managing with the server device 3, history data in the image processing performed by the image processing device 1 can be reliably managed, and the communication network 100 by transfer processing of history data from the image processing device 1 to the server device 3. Can reduce the load.

  In the image processing apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the image data is acquired by the document image reading process by the image reading unit 15 and the image data receiving process by the modem 14 or the communication unit 20 has been described. When the apparatus 1 includes a card-type recording medium reading mechanism such as an IC card or a memory card, the image data read from the card-type recording medium may be acquired.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which authentication data for performing administrator authentication and user authentication is performed by operating the operation panel 18 has been described. For example, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) card is contactlessly provided. A reader that can be read may be provided, and the authentication data stored in the RFID card may be read by the reader.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the description has been given of the configuration in which the image data that is the processing target of the copying process, the facsimile communication process, or the network communication process is stored in the process management unit 19b of the HDD 19 as the history data. When predetermined information is included in data or image data received from the outside, the corresponding history data can be stored in the process management unit 19b. In this case, for example, only image data read from a document with a mark indicating that it is an important document such as “confidential” can be selected and stored in the process management unit 19b.

  Further, the operation panel 18 is provided with a clear all button or a clear button, and when the clear all button or the clear button is operated during the document reading process by the image reading unit 15 or receiving image data from the outside. Even if the acquisition of data is interrupted, such as when the all clear button or the clear button is operated, the image data acquired until the data is interrupted is stored in the process management unit 19b as history data. It can also be set as a structure. In this case, even if the image processing is not completed, all data for which the image processing apparatus 1 is to execute the image processing can be managed as history data.

  Further, for example, an encryption key used for encryption processing is stored in the management unit (key storage unit) 21, and the history data is encrypted by the control unit 10 when the history data is transmitted from the image processing apparatus 1 to the server apparatus 3. The server device 3 may store the encrypted history data. In addition, when the encryption key is not transmitted to the server device 3 and only the encrypted history data is transmitted, the history data is leaked from the server device 3 even if the history data is leaked. Unauthorized use becomes difficult, and the security of the image processing apparatus 1 can be improved. Further, in this case, the encrypted history data stored in the server device 3 is acquired by using the image processing device 1 and decrypted by the image processing device 1 so that the encryption managed by the server device 3 is performed. History data can be confirmed.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of a server apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. (A) is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an administrator authentication screen, (b) is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an administrator operation screen, and (c) is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a management condition setting screen. (A) is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of an administrator authentication screen, (b) is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of an administrator operation screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of a log | history data display screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of a log | history data deletion screen. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the management process of historical data. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the memory | storage process of log | history data. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the transfer process of history data.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing apparatus 10 Control part (authentication means, setting means)
13 NCU (processing means)
17 Image forming unit (processing means)
18 Operation panel (instruction receiving means)
19 HDD (data storage means)
19a Image storage unit (data storage means)
19b Process management unit (history storage means)
20 Communication unit (processing means, acquisition means, output means)
22 Data invalidation part (erase means)
3 Server device (external device)
33 HDD (external history storage means)

Claims (8)

Data storage means for storing image data subject to image processing, instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction to execute image processing based on the image data, and storing in the data storage means in accordance with the execution instruction received by the instruction receiving means In an image processing apparatus comprising processing means for executing image processing based on certain image data,
Erasing means for invalidating the image data stored in the data storage means so that it cannot be used;
And image data to be processed in the image processing in which the processing means executes, the history information including the information relating to the processing conditions of the image processing that will be performed, and output means for outputting to a predetermined external device having a memory means,
Obtaining means for obtaining a signal indicating completion of storage of the history information in the storage means from the external device;
Control means for causing the erasing means to invalidate the image data to be processed included in the history information when the obtaining means obtains the signal and the processing means finishes image processing. An image processing apparatus. The processing means, the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the obtaining means when acquiring the signal, characterized in that is arranged to start the image processing in which the history information indicates. With user authentication means,
The processing means executes image processing based on the image data stored in the data storage means according to the execution instruction received by the instruction receiving means when the user authentication means authenticates as a valid user. Configured
The history information, the image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises information in which the processing means according to the user thus acquired to the row of the Hare user authentication when executing the image processing. In accordance with the execution instruction the instruction receiving unit receives a plurality of said processing means for executing different types of image processing, respectively,
Means for accepting instruction whether to output the log information to the external device for each type of image processing that each execution of said processing means,
Setting means for setting for each type of image processing whether to output history information of each image processing to the external device according to the received instruction;
4. The output unit according to claim 1, wherein the output unit is configured to output history information of a type of image processing set by the setting unit to the external device. Image processing apparatus. Means for determining whether or not predetermined information is included in the image data stored in the data storage means;
And the output means, any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that have configured the image processing history information based on the image data that has been determined that the predetermined information is contained so as to output to the external device the image processing device according to one. Means for interrupting storage of image data in the data storage means;
When the storage of the image data in the data storage means is interrupted, the output means is configured to output the history information of the image data stored in the data storage means to the external device until the interruption. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus. Stop authentication means for performing administrator authentication when stopping output processing of history information to the external device;
7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit configured to stop the output process of the history information when the stop authentication unit authenticates that the administrator is a valid administrator. . Data storage means for storing image data subject to image processing, instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction to execute image processing based on the image data, and storing in the data storage means in accordance with the execution instruction received by the instruction receiving means In an image processing apparatus comprising processing means for executing image processing based on certain image data,
A history storage means for storing history information including the image data to be processed in the image processing in which the processing means to perform, and information relating to the processing conditions of the image processing that will be performed,
Erasure means for invalidating history information stored in the history storage means so that it cannot be used;
Output means for outputting history information stored in the history storage means to a predetermined external device having storage means;
Obtaining means for obtaining a signal indicating completion of storage of the history information in the storage means from the external device;
And means for invalidating the history information stored in the history storage means when the acquisition means acquires the signal and the processing means finishes image processing. An image processing apparatus.

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