JP4286014B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that stores image data and can use the image data by itself or an external apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as an image processing apparatus, an image recorded on paper is scanned and captured as image data, an image is formed and output based on the captured image data, and an image is transmitted to an external facsimile apparatus using facsimile communication. Digital multifunction peripherals having a plurality of functions such as a facsimile function for transmitting data and a transmission function for transmitting captured image data to an external apparatus have been commercialized. Other functions installed in the digital multi-function peripheral include a facsimile communication receiving function and a printer function for receiving and outputting image data transmitted from an external device. 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.
[0003]
As a new function of the digital multi-function peripheral as described above, image data is stored and stored in a storage means, and the stored image data is output as an image recorded on paper as necessary, or connected to the outside. A function has been proposed in which image data can be transmitted to a device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC), and the digital multi-function peripheral can be used as a server device for image data. 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, the user can smoothly output a sentence or an image when necessary.
[0004]
On the other hand, image data handled by the image processing apparatus may include confidential image data such as texts describing trade secrets, which enables unlimited storage and output of image data in the image processing apparatus. Sometimes security problems such as information 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 pre-registered user, and Patent Document 3 discloses specific information in an output image. There has been disclosed a copying apparatus in which an embedded image can be pursued when an output image flows out to the outside.
[0005]
As a security measure for image data stored in the image processing apparatus, Patent Document 4 discloses a technique for encrypting image data and storing it in a storage unit, and Patent Document 5 discloses a stored image. A technique for erasing data when it becomes unnecessary is disclosed. Such a security function for encrypting and erasing image data is a function that is contrary to the original function of the image processing apparatus that stores and uses the image data. Offered as. In an image processing apparatus in which the security function is operating, the original function of the image processing apparatus is limited, and security is improved.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-178041
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-7-28365
[Patent Document 3]
JP 2000-187419 A
[Patent Document 4]
JP-A-1-256068
[Patent Document 5]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-223061
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Recent image processing apparatuses are connected to a communication network, and many external apparatuses can be connected through the communication network. When confidential image data is transmitted from an image processing apparatus to an external apparatus, the image data may leak out over a wide range via a communication network such as the Internet to which the apparatus is connected. The range and speed of image data that flows out via a communication network is a large scale that is not compared to the case where an image output by recording on paper is outflowed. More than security measures for images, security measures for image data transmitted from an image processing apparatus to an external device are required.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide confidential information as a security function by providing means for restricting the extraction of image data to the outside of the image processing apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus to be protected.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes:It comprises an output means for recording and outputting an image on a record carrier, and a first storage section and a second storage section for storing image data, and the first storage section stores image data of an image output by the output means. Storage means, transmission means for transmitting image data to the outside, and means for operating image data devalue means for erasing image data stored in the first storage section after the output means outputs an image In the image processing apparatus comprising: a means for storing information indicating whether or not the devalue means is operating; a reference means for referring to the stored information; and the information referred to by the reference means Means for prohibiting transmission of the image data stored in the storage means by the transmitting means when the value-less means is operating.It is characterized by providing.
[0016]
  BookIn the invention,Output means for recording and outputting an image on a record carrier;Means for storing image data and means for transmitting stored image data to the outsideAnd after outputting the imageImage dataBy erasingOperate the devalued means to devalueMeans forIn the image processing apparatus, when storing information indicating whether or not the value-less means is operating, and the stored information indicates that the value-less means is operating,Rememberimage dataTheOutsideToTrustTo doBy prohibiting, the leakage of confidential image data is prevented.
  In the present invention, image data that is restricted from being taken out can be output as an image.
[0017]
  An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes:To the image data stored in the storage meansFrom an external deviceNoThe means for enabling access and the information referred to by the reference means indicate that the value-less means is operating.AboveAnd a means for prohibiting access to the image data.
[0018]
In the present invention, in the image processing apparatus further comprising means for enabling access to the image data stored in the image processing apparatus from an external apparatus, the stored information is made non-valued. Indicates that the image processing device is operating and prohibits the image processing device from taking out the image data stored in the image processing device by prohibiting access to the image data from the external device. Thus, leakage of confidential image data is prevented.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. The image processing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 11 including a CPU that performs calculation and a RAM that stores temporary information associated with the calculation. The control unit 11 includes a control program for controlling the image processing apparatus 1. A stored ROM 15 is connected, and the control unit 11 controls the entire image processing apparatus 1 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 11. The control unit 11 is connected to a management unit 14 that is a memory that stores information indicating the state of the image processing apparatus 1. The control unit 11 refers to the information stored in the management unit 14. The image processing apparatus 1 is controlled based on the referenced information. Further, the control unit 11 scans and reads an image recorded on a sheet, generates an electronic image data based on the read image, and an image memory that temporarily stores the image data. 18 is connected to an image forming unit 19 that forms an image from image data stored in the image memory 18, records the formed image on a recording sheet (recording carrier), and outputs the recording image. Functions as a copying apparatus for copying an image read by the image reading unit 17. The control unit 11 is connected to a storage unit 16 including a hard disk or a nonvolatile memory, and the storage unit 16 stores image data. The control unit 11 is connected to an operation unit 12 that receives an operation from a user. The operation unit 12 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel that displays information necessary for the operation, and a user's operation. It consists of an input unit such as a touch panel or a numeric keypad for inputting information such as control commands by operation.
[0022]
Further, a communication unit 13 connected to an external communication network N1 such as a LAN is connected to the control unit 11, and the communication unit 13 exchanges information with the outside via the communication network N1. . A plurality of PCs 2, 2,... Are connected to the communication network N1, the communication unit 13 receives the image data transmitted from the PC 2 via the communication network N1, and the image forming unit 19 includes the communication unit 13. Can form and output an image from the received image data, and the image processing apparatus 1 functions as a network printer. In addition, the image processing apparatus 1 can transmit image data generated by the image reading unit 17 by reading an image from the communication unit 13 to the PC 2 via the communication network N1, and functions as a network scanner. Further, the communication unit 13 can perform facsimile communication, and the image data generated by the image reading unit 17 reading the image via the public network N2 connected to the communication network N1 is used as the communication unit 13. Can be transmitted by facsimile communication to another facsimile apparatus 3 connected to the public line network N2, and the communication unit 13 transmits image data transmitted from the facsimile apparatus 3 by facsimile communication to the public line network N2. The image forming unit 19 can form and output an image from the image data received by the communication unit 13, and the image processing apparatus 1 functions as a facsimile machine.
[0023]
The storage unit 16 includes storage areas of a first storage unit 161 and a second storage unit 162. The first storage unit 161 stores the image data of the image output by the image forming unit 19 as an output history, and it is necessary to output the image once output due to an output failure or an insufficient number of output units. If there is, the control unit 11 extracts necessary image data from the first storage unit 161 according to the instruction received by the operation unit 12 or the instruction transmitted from the PC 2 and received by the communication unit 13, and image formation is performed. The unit 19 outputs an image. The second storage unit 162 stores the image data organized by file format of the image data, by processing mode such as copying, facsimile transmission, and printer output, or by a folder created by the user. The user selects the image data stored in the second storage unit 162 by operating the operation unit 12 or transmitting a processing command from the PC 2, and outputs an image in the image forming unit 19, or The image data stored in the second storage unit 162 can be used by transmitting image data from the communication unit 13 to the outside, and the image processing device 1 functions as a server device for image data. The storage capacity of the first storage unit 161 is smaller than the storage capacity of the second storage unit 162. When the storage capacity of the first storage unit 161 is insufficient, old image data is erased or stored. For example, the image data stored in the first storage unit 161 is deleted by erasing after a predetermined time has elapsed. The image data stored in the second storage unit 162 is stored until the control unit 11 receives an erasure instruction. When the storage capacity is insufficient in the second storage unit 162, the control unit 11 indicates that the capacity is insufficient. Information is displayed on the operation unit 12, and an instruction to delete unnecessary image data is received by the operation unit 12, and the image data is deleted.
[0024]
Various functions of the image processing apparatus 1 as described above are controlled by the control unit 11 according to a control program stored in the ROM 15, and the image processing apparatus 1 of the present invention improves security in addition to the control program. The control unit 11 can also be controlled in accordance with a security program. By exchanging the ROM that does not store the security program with the ROM 15 that stores the security program, or by receiving an instruction to operate the security program stored in the ROM 15 in the operation unit 12, the control unit 11 can control the image processing apparatus 1 according to the security program stored in the ROM 15. The control unit 11 operates as a value-less means according to the present invention by following the security program stored in the ROM 15, and encrypts, deletes, or stores image data stored in the storage unit 16. The image data stored in the storage unit 16 is rendered valueless so that it cannot be used. Further, it is possible to set so that the image data stored in the storage unit 16 is deleted when the image processing apparatus 1 is activated. Further, even if the image data is erased, the image data may be restored due to the magnetism remaining in the storage unit 16, so that the random data is overwritten, for example, so that the image data is erased a plurality of times. It is also possible to set.
[0025]
Furthermore, in the present invention, when the control unit 11 controls the image processing apparatus 1 according to the security program, the control unit 11 transmits the image data stored in the storage unit 16 to the outside according to the control program. The image processing apparatus 1 is controlled to limit the function.
[0026]
Next, processing performed by the image processing apparatus 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed when the image processing apparatus 1 of the present invention is activated. After the image processing apparatus 1 is powered on (S101), the control unit 11 checks various devices and programs that make up the image processing apparatus 1 (S102). If any abnormality is confirmed by the check (S103: YES), the control unit 11 outputs an error at the operation unit 12 (S104) and ends the process. If no abnormality is confirmed by the check (S103: NO), the control unit 11 starts warm-up of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the control program stored in the ROM 15 (S105). The control unit 11 determines whether or not the security program is in an operating state at the time of the internal check (S106). If the security program is not in an operating state (S106: NO), the security program is operated. Management information indicating that it is not in the state is stored in the management unit 14 (S107), and the process proceeds to step S112. If the security program is operating (S106: YES), the control unit 11 stores management information indicating that the security program is operating in the management unit 14 (S108), and then starts up. It is determined whether or not the image data is set to be deleted occasionally (S109). If it is not set to delete image data (S109: NO), the control unit 11 advances the process to step S112. If it is set to delete image data (S109: YES), the control unit 11 11 erases the image data stored in the storage unit 16 in accordance with the security program stored in the ROM 15 (S110). At this time, the control unit 11 displays information indicating that the image data has been deleted on the operation unit 12. Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the set number of image data has been erased according to the security program stored in the ROM 15 (S111). (S111: NO), the process returns to step S110 to repeat the deletion of the image data. When the set number of times is erased (S111: YES), the control unit 11 then completes the warm-up of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the security program stored in the ROM 15 (S112), Waiting for the start (S113), and the process at the time of starting is terminated.
[0027]
3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the procedure of image output processing performed by the image processing apparatus 1 of the present invention. The image processing apparatus 1 accepts a copy instruction by the operation unit 12, receives image data transmitted from the PC 2 by the communication unit 13 via the communication network N1, or communicates image data by facsimile communication When an instruction to output an image is received, such as received by the communication unit 13 via the network N1 (S201), the control unit 11 checks the management information stored in the management unit 14 ( In step S202, it is determined whether or not the content of the management information indicates that the security program is operating (S203).
[0028]
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing processing of the image processing apparatus when the security program is not operating, and arrows in the figure indicate the flow of image data. If the content of the management information does not indicate that the security program is operating in step S203 (S203: NO), the control unit 11 reads the image according to the control program stored in the ROM 15. The image data generated by the unit 17 or the image data received by the communication unit 13 is stored in page units in the image memory 18 (S204), and the image data stored in the image memory 18 is stored in the first storage unit 161. (S205). Next, the control unit 11 determines whether all the image data is stored in the first storage unit 161 according to the control program stored in the ROM 15 (S206), and if not all stored (S206: NO). Then, the process returns to step S204, and the image data is stored in the image memory 18. When all the image data is stored in the first storage unit 161 (S206: YES), the control unit 11 adds information indicating that the image data is stored in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM 15. Then, the management information stored in the management unit 14 is updated (S207). Next, the control unit 11 reads the image data stored in the first storage unit 161 into the image memory 18 in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM 15 (S208), and transfers the read image data to the image forming unit 19. The image forming unit 19 forms an image from the image data and outputs it (S209). Next, the control unit 11 determines whether all the images to be output are output according to the control program stored in the ROM 15 (S210). Is returned to step S208, and image data not yet output as an image is read out to the image memory 18. When all the images to be output have been output (S210: YES), information indicating that the images have been output is added, the management information stored in the management unit 14 is updated (S211), and the processing is terminated. To do.
[0029]
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing processing of the image processing apparatus when the security program is operating, and arrows in the figure indicate the flow of image data. In step S203, when the content of the management information indicates that the security program is in an operating state (S203: YES), the control unit 11 follows the control program and the security program stored in the ROM 15. The image data generated by the image reading unit 17 or the image data received by the communication unit 13 is encrypted (S212), and the encrypted image data is stored in page units in the image memory 18 (S213). The encrypted image data stored in 18 is stored in the first storage unit 161 (S214). Next, the control unit 11 determines whether all the image data is stored in the first storage unit 161 according to the control program stored in the ROM 15 (S215), and if not all stored (S215: NO). Then, the process returns to step S212, and the image data not yet stored is encrypted. When all the image data is stored in the first storage unit 161 (S215: YES), the control unit 11 adds information indicating that the image data is stored in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM 15. Then, the management information stored in the management unit 14 is updated (S216). Next, the control unit 11 reads the encrypted image data stored in the first storage unit 161 into the image memory 18 according to the control program and the security program stored in the ROM 15 (S217), and the read image data is read out. Decoding (S218), the decoded image data is transferred to the image forming unit 19, and the image forming unit 19 forms and outputs an image from the image data (S219). Next, the control unit 11 determines whether all the images to be output have been output according to the control program stored in the ROM 15 (S220). If all the images have not been output (S220: NO), the processing is performed. Is returned to step S217, and image data not yet output as an image is read out to the image memory 18. When all the images to be output have been output (S220: YES), the control unit 11 adds information indicating that the image has been output according to the control program stored in the ROM 15, and the management unit 14 stores the information. The management information is updated (S221), the image data stored in the first storage unit 161 is deleted (S222), and the process is terminated. Note that it is also possible to output the image data stored in the first storage unit 162 as an image by the image forming unit 19 using the same processing.
[0030]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed by the image processing apparatus 1 of the present invention when image data is transmitted to the outside. FIG. 8 is a display screen of the operation unit 12 when image data is transmitted to the outside. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example. When the image processing apparatus 1 receives an instruction for operating the image data stored in the storage unit 16 at the operation unit 12 (S31), the control unit 11 stores a control program stored in the ROM 15 Accordingly, a selection screen for selecting the image data stored in the storage unit 16 is displayed on the operation unit 12 (S32). FIG. 8A shows an example of a selection screen, in which a list of image data stored in the storage unit 16 is displayed, and the user can select arbitrary image data on the touch panel. When the selection of image data is accepted by the operation unit 12 (S33), the control unit 11 checks the management information stored in the management unit 14 according to the control program stored in the ROM 15 (S34). Then, it is determined whether or not the content of the management information indicates that the security program is operating (S35). If the content of the management information does not indicate that the security program is operating (S35: NO), the control unit 11 operates the image data in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM 15. As the menu screen, a menu screen including a “transmission” menu that allows the user to transmit image data selected by designating “transmission” on the touch panel to the outside is displayed on the operation unit 12 (S36). The process is terminated. FIG. 8B shows an example of a menu screen for manipulating image data. Output of an image, movement to another folder, deletion, whether data to be protected, etc. A “Send” menu is displayed alongside menus for changing attributes and displaying detailed information of image data. The user can input an instruction for transmitting the selected image data to the PC 2 via the communication network N1 by designating “transmission” on the touch panel. When the operation unit 12 accepts the instruction, the image data is transmitted from the communication unit 13 to the PC 2 via the communication network N1.
[0031]
If it is determined in step S35 that the content of the management information indicates that the security program is operating (S35: YES), the control unit 11 next stores the control program and security stored in the ROM 15. In accordance with the program, a menu screen that does not include the “Send” menu is displayed on the operation unit 12 as a menu screen for operating the image data (S37), and the process ends. FIG. 8C shows an example of a menu screen when the security program is operating. The “Send” menu is hidden and cannot be selected. For this reason, the user cannot instruct transmission of image data. Therefore, when the security program is operating, the image processing apparatus 1 does not transmit image data to the outside, and confidential image data does not leak to the outside, so that security is improved.
[0032]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed by the image processing apparatus 1 of the present invention when accepting access to image data from the external PC 2. The PC 2 transmits an access request to the image data stored in the storage unit 16 by the image processing apparatus 1 to the image processing apparatus 1 via the communication network N1, and the image processing apparatus 1 receives the request from the PC 2 through the communication unit 13. When the access request to the image data is received (S41), the control unit 11 checks the management information stored in the management unit 14 according to the control program stored in the ROM 15 (S42). It is determined whether or not the content of the file indicates that the security program is operating (S43). When the content of the management information does not indicate that the security program is in an operating state (S43: NO), the control unit 11 is stored in the storage unit 16 in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM 15. Information relating to the image data such as the file name of the image data and the date and time when the image data was created is transmitted from the communication unit 13 to the PC 2 via the communication network N1 (S44), and the process ends. The PC 2 receives the information transmitted from the image processing apparatus 1, selects image data using the received information, transmits a transmission request for the selected image data to the image processing apparatus 1, and the image processing apparatus 1 The image data is transmitted to the PC 2 according to the transmission request transmitted from the PC 2, and the image data stored in the storage unit 16 is transmitted to the outside of the image processing apparatus 1.
[0033]
If the content of the management information indicates that the security program is in operation at step S43 (S43: YES), the control unit 11 next stores the control program and security stored in the ROM 15. According to the program, information indicating that the image data cannot be accessed is transmitted from the communication unit 13 to the PC 2 via the communication network N1, and access to the image data from the PC 2 is rejected (S45), and the process is terminated. To do. Since the image data cannot be accessed from the PC 2, when the security program is operating, the image processing apparatus 1 may transmit the image data stored in the storage unit 16 to the outside according to the transmission request from the PC 2. Therefore, confidential image data does not leak to the outside, and security is improved.
[0034]
As described in detail above, in the image processing of the present invention, when the security program is operating, transmission of image data to the outside is prohibited, and access to the image data from the external PC 2 is prohibited. Therefore, confidential image data does not leak to the outside, and the security of the image processing apparatus 1 can be improved using a security program. Further, even image data that is prohibited from being taken out to the outside can be output as a relatively safe image for security purposes, and convenience is not impaired.
[0035]
In the present embodiment, as a method for restricting the transmission of image data and the access to the image data from the outside, a method for prohibiting all is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this method. The external device is selected based on the information related to the external device, and for a specific device, transmission of image data or access to the image data is permitted, and a device other than the specific device is prohibited. May be. Alternatively, a method of requesting input of authentication information such as a password and permitting transmission of image data or access to image data only when the authentication information is valid may be used.
[0036]
In the present embodiment, as a method for restricting the retrieval of image data, a method for restricting transmission of image data and access to image data from the outside has been described. However, retrieval to the outside of the storage unit 16, Alternatively, a method of restricting the operation of other extraction means such as transfer of image data to a portable recording medium may be used.
[0037]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the valueless means according to the present invention is the control unit 11 that controls the image processing apparatus 1 in accordance with the security program stored in the ROM 15, but other than the control unit 11 and the ROM 15. In addition, it may be configured to include value-free means comprising hardware.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
In the present invention, the image processing apparatus restricts taking out stored image data to the outside, thereby preventing leakage of confidential image data and improving security.
[0039]
According to the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus comprising means for storing image data and means for transmitting the stored image data to the outside, and capable of operating a value-less means for making the image data valueless. Thus, when the value-less means is operating, by restricting the transmission of the image data to the outside, leakage of confidential image data is prevented and security is improved.
[0040]
In the present invention, when the value-less means is operating in the image processing apparatus further comprising means for enabling the image data stored in the image processing apparatus to be accessed from an external device. By restricting access to the image data from the external device, it is possible to restrict the extraction of the image data stored in the image processing device using the external device, and to release confidential image data. Prevent and improve security.
[0041]
According to the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus comprising means for storing image data and means for transmitting the stored image data to the outside, and capable of operating a value-less means for making the image data valueless. Information indicating whether or not the valueless means is operating, and when the stored information indicates that the valueless means is operating, the image data is transferred to the outside. Prohibiting transmission prevents leakage of confidential image data and improves security.
[0042]
In the present invention, in the image processing apparatus further comprising means for enabling access to the image data stored in the image processing apparatus from an external apparatus, the stored information is made non-valued. Indicates that the image processing device is operating and prohibits the image processing device from taking out the image data stored in the image processing device by prohibiting access to the image data from the external device. Thus, the leakage of confidential image data is prevented, and security is improved.
[0043]
Furthermore, in the present invention, image data that is restricted from being taken out to the outside can be output as an image, so that the present invention is superior in that convenience is not impaired while maintaining security. There is an effect.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed when the image processing apparatus of the present invention is activated.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of image output processing performed by the image processing apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of image output processing performed by the image processing apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing processing of the image processing apparatus when a security program is not operating.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing processing of the image processing apparatus when a security program is operating.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed by the image processing apparatus of the present invention when image data is transmitted to the outside.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of an operation unit when image data is transmitted to the outside.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing performed by the image processing apparatus of the present invention when accepting access to image data from an external PC.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Image processing device
11 Control unit
13 Communication Department
14 Management Department
15 ROM
16 Memory unit
19 Image forming section
2 PC

Claims (2)

It comprises an output means for recording and outputting an image on a record carrier, and a first storage section and a second storage section for storing image data, and the first storage section stores image data of an image output by the output means. storage means, transmitting means for transmitting the images data to the outside, operation of worthlessness means of the image data to be erased image data to which the first storage unit is stored after outputting the image by said output means an image processing apparatus comprising means for Ru is,
Means for storing information indicating whether or not the valueless means is operating;
A reference means for referring to the stored information;
The information which the reference means is referenced, means for inhibiting said when naught means indicates that it is working, transmits the image data stored in the storage means in the transmitting means An image processing apparatus comprising: And means for enabling access from the external apparatus to the image data stored in the storage means,
The information which the reference means is referenced, wherein when said naught means indicates that it is working, further comprising a means for inhibiting access to said image data from an external device The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 .

Images