JP4338625B2 - Confidential paper processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a confidential paper processing apparatus suitable for use, for example, when discarding paper on which confidential information is described. Specifically, by extracting the portion of the confidential information on the paper and filling the extracted portion according to the content and arbitrary settings, leakage of confidential information from the discarded paper is well prevented It is intended to be done.

  In a conventional document disposal apparatus and filing system, a document to be discarded is scanned and the image is filed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, there is a technique in which an area including information to be concealed is designated and painted (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

That is, a technique for painting an area including information to be concealed and scanning a document to be discarded and filing the image is known.
JP 2002-245075 A JP 2003-25684 A

  In the invention of Patent Document 2, information leakage is prevented by painting a previously designated area or a designated range of a specified wording. However, in such a method, a predetermined format or a specific wording is filled, and it is not effective for processing of general confidential paper. Further, for example, a method of painting the entire surface of the paper is conceivable, but the consumption of ink, pigment, etc. used for painting becomes enormous.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a confidential paper processing apparatus capable of performing effective painting even in processing of general confidential paper. In particular, information leakage is prevented well, and consumption of energy and resources is minimized.

In order to solve the above problems, the confidential paper processing apparatus of the present invention includes a processing content setting means for setting the level of confidential processing for the confidential processing paper in which the confidential information is described, an acceptance means for accepting the confidential processing paper, Scanning means for scanning the confidential processing paper received by the means, and when the confidential processing level is the first level, the image area of the confidential processing paper corresponding to the image data of the confidential processing paper obtained by scanning by the scanning means Is filled with a mesh pattern, and when the level of confidential processing is at a second level higher than the first level, the painting means for painting the entire surface of the image area and the storage for storing the confidential processing paper painted by the painting means Means.

  In the confidential paper processing apparatus according to the sixteenth aspect of the invention, the storage means is open on the front side, and the processing path of the confidential processing paper is provided on the back side or the side of the open storage means on the front side. Features.

  According to the present invention described above, it is possible to satisfactorily prevent leakage of information by painting all the places where the entry is made, and by performing filling only on the place where the entry is made, energy, resources, etc. Consumption can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 shows an appearance of an embodiment of a confidential paper processing apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, the appearance of the apparatus is substantially a rectangular parallelepiped, and an opening of the receiving means 1 for the confidential paper P and an opening of the storage means 2 for storing the processed confidential paper P are provided on the front side thereof. It is done. Similarly, an opening of the high-quality paper shelf 3 and an opening of the low-quality paper shelf 4 are provided on the front side of the apparatus.

  2A and 2B show the internal structures of the first and second embodiments of the confidential paper processing apparatus according to the present invention. First, the embodiment of FIG. 2A shows the configuration of a system for inserting confidential paper P one by one. Here, a paper detection sensor 11 is provided in the vicinity of the opening of the receiving means 1. When the sensor 11 detects the insertion of the confidential paper P, the paper transport rollers 12a, 12b, and 12c are driven, and the confidential paper P is first scanned by the scanner 13 and then an ink jet printer that serves as a painting means. 14 is passed at a predetermined speed and accumulated in the accumulating means 2 by an arbitrary guide.

  2B shows the configuration of a system for inserting the confidential paper P together. Here, the unprocessed paper storage means 15 for the confidential paper P is located in the opening of the receiving means 1 and the vicinity thereof. A paper detection sensor 11 is provided. When the sensor 11 detects the insertion of the confidential paper P, the confidential paper P is taken out one by one by the paper supply roller 16, and the paper transport rollers 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d are driven, First, it passes through the vicinity of the scanner 13 and then the ink jet printer 14 that is the painting means, and is accumulated in the accumulation means 2 by an arbitrary guide.

  Further, FIGS. 3A and 3B show the external appearances of the third and fourth embodiments of the confidential paper processing apparatus according to the present invention. The embodiment of FIG. 3A is provided with a touch panel 5 as processing content setting means on the upper surface of the apparatus. Using this touch panel 5, the processing method of the confidential processing paper, the level of the confidential processing, the confidential processing paper The image data is saved and settings relating to ID are performed. Further, the touch panel 5 can be used to input a password and ID.

  3B is provided with an ID detection sensor 6 such as a fingerprint or IC card detection together with a touch panel 5 as processing content setting means on the upper surface of the apparatus. In this embodiment, the ID detection sensor 6 can be used to input an ID. In this embodiment, the ID detection sensor 6 can be used.

  In these embodiments, internal functional blocks for performing confidential paper processing according to the present invention are configured as shown in FIG. 4, for example. That is, in the functional block diagram of FIG. 4, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20 serving as a control unit is provided, and the CPU 20 includes a sheet conveyance unit 12 including the above-described sheet detection sensor 11 and the sheet conveyance rollers 12 a to 12 c. The scanner 13 and the ink jet printer 14 are connected. The CPU 20 is also connected with a touch panel 5 as a processing content setting unit, an ID detection sensor 6 and the like, and further connected with a data output unit 7 described later.

  Accordingly, in this functional block, for example, when the confidential paper P as shown in FIG. 5A is read by the scanner 13, the area is set as shown in FIG. 5B. The setting of this area is performed by image processing in the CPU 20, but since the specific processing is a well-known technique, description thereof is omitted here. Further, for each of these areas, the CPU 20 also determines whether the content of the description is a figure or a character. For this determination, for example, a recognizable description can be determined as a character and a non-recognizable description as a figure using print character recognition software.

  In this way, the setting of all areas that have been entered on the confidential paper P and the determination of whether the entry in the area is a figure or a character are performed. Therefore, a process for painting the portion to be concealed on the confidential paper P by the ink jet printer 14 using the setting and determination information will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 shows processing in the scanner 13 and FIG. 7 shows processing in the ink jet printer 14.

  First, FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of processing in the scanner 13. When the processing is started in FIG. 6, first, the confidential paper P is read by the scanner 13 in step S01. Next, in step S02, it is determined whether or not there is an entry in the image data of the read confidential paper P. If there is no entry (No), the process is terminated (stopped). When there is an entry in the image data read in step S02 (Yes), a rectangular range n is set for each entry in step S03. The rectangular range n is set by sequentially assigning numbers, for example, as values n = 0, 1, 2,.

  Further, in step S04, it is determined whether or not the setting of the rectangular range n has been completed over the entire surface of the confidential paper P. If not completed (No), the process returns to step S03 and the setting of the rectangular range n is continued. The When the setting of the rectangular range n is completed over the entire surface of the confidential paper P in step S04 (Yes), the maximum value n is stored in step S05, the value n is set to 0 in step S06, and step S07 is performed. To proceed.

  In step S07, it is determined whether or not the entry of the rectangular range n is a character. In this determination, for example, using a character recognition software, a recognizable description is determined as a character and an unrecognizable description as a figure. If the entry in the rectangular range n is a character (Yes), a character flag is set in the data in the rectangular range n in step S08. If the entry in the rectangular range n is not a character (No), the rectangular range is entered in step S09. The character flag of the n data is reset. Further, in step S10, it is determined whether or not the value n is the maximum stored value. When the value is not the maximum value (No), the value n is returned to step S07 as the value n = n + 1 in step S11.

  In step S10, when the value n reaches the stored maximum value (Yes), the data of all the rectangular ranges n are transmitted to the inkjet printer 14 in step S12. The data transmitted here is, for example, the coordinates of the four corners of each rectangular range n, the character flag, and the maximum value n. When this transmission is finished, the process is finished (stopped).

  On the other hand, FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of processing in the inkjet printer 14. When the processing is started in FIG. 7, first, in step S21, data of all the rectangular ranges n transmitted from the scanner 13 is received. In step S22, the value n is set to 0, and the process proceeds to step S23.

  In step S23, it is determined whether or not the entry in the rectangular range n is a character. This determination is made based on the presence / absence of a character flag set attached to the data in the rectangular range n. If the character flag of the rectangular range n is set (Yes), a fill pattern for characters is set in the rectangular range n in step S24, and if the character flag of the rectangular range n is not set (No), step S25. Thus, a fill pattern for an image is set in the rectangular range n. Further, in step S26, it is determined whether or not the value n is the maximum stored value. When the value is not the maximum value (No), the value n = n + 1 is returned to step S23 in step S27.

  Further, when the value n reaches the stored maximum value in step S26 (Yes), the print pattern of each rectangular range n is set over the entire surface of the confidential paper P in step S28. That is, with respect to the coordinates of the four corners of each rectangular range n described above, a fill pattern for characters or images is set in the range surrounded by the coordinates. In step S29, printing is executed, and the process is terminated (stopped).

  Thus, for example, when the confidential paper P as shown in FIG. 8A is inserted into the confidential paper processing apparatus of the present invention, a rectangular range is set for each entry on the confidential paper P, and It is determined whether the entry of the range is a character or a figure, and thereby, for example, the filling as shown in C of FIG. 8 is performed.

  Here, the filled pattern needs to be filled completely, for example, for the drawing, but it is difficult to read the printed pattern by printing an arbitrary fine geometric pattern for the character. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8C, the rectangular area determined to be a figure on the confidential paper P is completely filled, and a predetermined geometric pattern is printed in the rectangular area determined to be a character. As a result, information leakage can be satisfactorily prevented and consumption of energy and resources can be reduced as much as possible.

  Further, for example, in the touch panel 5 as the processing content setting means described above, when the confidential level is set for each confidential paper P, the painting method can be changed according to the setting. That is, when the security level is low, for example, as shown in FIG. 8B, all rectangular areas are filled with a character filling pattern. On the other hand, when the security level is high, for example, as shown in FIG. 8D, all rectangular areas are filled with an image filling pattern.

  In this way, the painting method can be changed according to the set secret level. According to this, when the confidential level is low, consumption of energy, resources, and the like can be further reduced. According to the confidential paper processing apparatus of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8D, for example, even when the entire rectangular area is filled with the image filling pattern, the entire surface is painted as in the prior art. The consumption of energy, resources, etc. can be reduced compared to the case of crushing.

  Furthermore, in the confidential paper processing apparatus of the present invention, for example, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a scanner 13 and an ink jet printer 14 serving as a painting means are provided on both sides of the confidential paper P. As a result, the processing can be performed on both sides of the confidential paper P without turning the confidential paper P over, and if the security level is higher, the range corresponding to the set rectangular area is filled from both sides. Thus, further leakage of information can be prevented.

  Further, in the above-described confidential paper processing apparatus of the present invention, for example, image data read by the scanner 13 can be stored in a memory or the like. The restriction is performed in accordance with the input of ID, the fingerprint input by the ID detection sensor 6 or the input of ID from the IC card.

  That is, when the process is started in the flowchart of FIG. 9, for example, an ID input by the touch panel 5 or the ID detection sensor 6 is recognized in step S <b> 31. Next, it is determined whether or not the ID recognized in step S32 matches the pre-registered ID. If they match (Yes), the ID is associated with the image data in step S33, and the data output by the data output means 7 is performed. Saving is performed and the processing is terminated (stopped). If the IDs do not match in step S32 (No), the process ends (stops) without saving the image data in step S34.

  In this way, storage of image data is restricted using the ID. Thereby, for example, it is possible to prevent leakage of information in a format in which image data is stored in an external memory or the like and taken out.

  Furthermore, in the confidential paper processing apparatus of the present invention, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the USB memory 101 or the memory card 102 is attached to the confidential paper processing apparatus 100 to store image data. Alternatively, the image data can be stored in the server 300 or an arbitrary personal computer (PC) 400 via the network 200. Therefore, also in these cases, information leakage can be prevented by performing the process using the above-described ID.

  In addition, when the USB memory 101 or the memory card 102 is mounted as described above and image data is stored, or the image data is stored on the server 300 or an arbitrary personal computer (PC) 400 via the network 200. If there is no image data in the main body of the confidential paper processing apparatus 100, information leakage can be prevented even when the main body of the confidential paper processing apparatus 100 is stolen, for example.

  Furthermore, according to the confidential paper processing apparatus of the present invention, an ink jet is used as the painting means, and the ink is not contacted with the ink jet, so that the paper is hardly stained. In addition, if the ink jet is applied with pigment ink, it is possible to prevent the original image and original characters of the paper from being seen through. Furthermore, if there is a drying means for drying the paper after painting, the hand does not become dirty when handling the paper.

  Further, according to the confidential paper processing apparatus of the present invention, the touch panel 5 is provided as an input means on the upper part of the confidential paper processing apparatus. Therefore, a control means (not shown) for changing the scan speed can be controlled using the touch panel 5. Thereby, for example, there is usually no problem with high-speed scanning, but control can be performed when it is necessary to reduce the scanning speed during image storage.

  By the way, when taking out processed paper, it is desirable that the storage means 2 in the confidential paper processing device has a structure in which the front side is opened. That is, it is desirable to have a structure in which the paper can be easily taken out. Further, it is more efficient if there is a confidential paper processing apparatus having the second storage means 3 and 4 for storing not only confidential paper but also general waste paper. And it is also desirable that this is a storage means that is open on the front side.

  Further, even when a large amount of discarded paper is generated, it is possible to deal with it if there are a plurality of second storage means 3 and 4. There is also a method of storing the plurality of storage means 3 and 4 separately according to the paper quality, for example, high-quality paper and low-quality paper. If the front side is open, it is convenient to take out.

  Further, in the embodiment of FIG. 2 described above, the confidential paper processing apparatus is shown in which the processing path of the confidential processing paper is on the back side of the storage means opened on the front side. As a result, the front side of the storage means can be opened so that it is convenient to take out the waste paper. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, it is also possible to open the front side of the storage unit so that it is convenient to take out the waste paper even if the processing path is on the side of the storage unit.

In this way, according to the confidential paper processing apparatus of the present embodiment, it is possible to perform effective filling even in processing of general confidential paper, and particularly , leakage of information is prevented well, and energy and resources are consumed. It can be as small as possible.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of one Embodiment of the confidential paper processing apparatus by this invention. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of 1st and 2nd embodiment of the confidential paper processing apparatus by this invention. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of 3rd and 4th embodiment of the confidential paper processing apparatus by this invention. It is a functional block diagram showing an internal functional block for performing confidential paper processing according to the present invention. It is a figure for the description. It is a flowchart figure for description of the operation. It is a flowchart figure for description of the operation. It is a figure for the description. It is a flowchart figure for description of the operation. It is a system diagram for the explanation. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of other embodiment of the confidential paper processing apparatus by this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Acceptance means, 2 ... Accumulation means, 11 ... Paper detection sensor, 12a, 12b, 12c ... Paper conveyance roller, 13 ... Scanner, 14 ... Inkjet printer used as painting means, P ... Confidential paper

Claims (2)

Processing content setting means for setting the level of confidential processing for confidential processing paper in which confidential information is described ;
A receiving means for receiving the confidential processing paper,
A scanning means for scanning the confidential processing paper accepted by the receiving means,
When the security processing level is the first level, the image area of the security processing paper corresponding to the image data of the security processing paper obtained by scanning with the scanning unit is filled with a mesh pattern, and the security processing is performed. When the processing level is a second level higher than the first level , a painting means for painting the entire surface of the image area ;
Sensitive sheet processing apparatus having a means for storing said confidential processing paper filled with the fill means.   The confidential paper processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the level of the confidential processing is a third level that is higher than the second level, the filling unit also paints the entire surface and the back surface of the image area.

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