JP4737038B2 - Image processing apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

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

  In recent years, in the fields of a copying apparatus, a printer apparatus, a scanner apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, and a multifunction machine that integrates these, in order to prevent leakage of confidential information, image processing records (logs) from image data processed by the functions of the apparatus. An increasing number of devices are capable of generating and storing Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151561 discloses a multifunction machine that generates an image log from image data to be processed and stores the image log in a storage unit or a server device on a network.

By the way, in the above-described apparatus, when a document in which personal information is described is subjected to processing such as copying, if an image log is generated and stored from the image data of the document, it is illegal for the administrator or apparatus of the apparatus. There is a possibility that personal information described in the document may be browsed by a third party who has accessed. For this reason, from the viewpoint of personal information protection, it is required that a portion of the personal information included in the document cannot be viewed by a third party.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-208048

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and program capable of storing a predetermined portion of an image log as invisible.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus that executes predetermined image processing based on image data, and converts the image data used for the image processing into a storage format. Conversion means for obtaining an image processing record, receiving means for accepting a setting of an invisible area in an image represented by the image processing record from a user, and setting the set area to be invisible for the image processing record And processing means for performing processing, and storage means for storing the processed image processing record.

  In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the accepting unit prompts the user to set again when the invisible area is set to be a predetermined value or more.

  Further, in the image processing apparatus of the present invention, when the accepting unit cannot accept the re-setting from the user, the accepting unit deletes the image processing record and stops the execution of the image processing. Features.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention further includes an authentication unit for authenticating a user, and the reception unit and the processing unit do not permit the invisible processing when the user is not authenticated. And

  In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the image processing apparatus executes the image processing after the invisible area is determined.

  Next, a program according to the present invention converts a computer image included in an image processing apparatus that executes predetermined image processing relating to image data into an image processing record by converting the image data used for the image processing into a storage format. Conversion means for obtaining, receiving means for receiving a setting of an invisible area in an image represented by the image processing record from a user, processing means for performing processing for making the set area invisible for the image processing record, And a storage unit that stores the processed image processing record.

  According to the present invention, a predetermined part of an image log can be stored as invisible.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image log storage system 1. In the image log storage system 1, a multifunction device 2, which is an example of an image processing device, and a server device 3 are connected to a network constructed by a communication path, and are configured to be able to communicate with each other.

  The multi-function device 2 has at least two functions of at least printing, copying, scanning, facsimile, etc., and a main body 21 that executes image processing (job) that can be realized by these functions, and a job command And a touch panel display 22 for inputting. When the multifunction device 2 generates an image log from the image data provided for the job, the multifunction device 2 transmits a log including the image log to the server device 3. When the server device 3 receives the log including the image log, the server device 3 stores them. In the present embodiment, a multifunction peripheral is used as an example of the image processing apparatus. However, the image processing apparatus is not limited to this, and may be a copying apparatus, a printer apparatus, a scanner apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, or the like.

  Here, the job executed in the MFP 2 is a process for outputting the acquired image data, such as a print job, a copy job, and a fax job. For example, in the case of a print job, image data acquired from the outside such as another device connected to the network or a portable storage medium such as a memory card is printed on a medium such as paper. In the case of a copy job, the image data acquired by having the scanner read by the scanner is printed on a medium such as paper. In the case of a fax job, image data acquired by reading a document with a scanner included in the fax job is transmitted to the outside via a telephone line or the like. In addition, the job is not limited to these, and may be a job in which image data acquired by reading an original with a scanner included in the apparatus is transmitted to another device connected to the network.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the multifunction machine 2. The multifunction device 2 includes a control unit 41 that controls the entire apparatus, an operation unit 42 that causes the main body unit 21 to execute jobs such as a print job, a copy job, and a fax job under the control of the control unit 41, and the server device 3. A storage unit 46 including a communication unit 43 such as an Ethernet (registered trademark) interface that enables communication with the display unit, a touch panel display 22 in which a display unit 44 and an operation unit 45 are integrated, and a hard disk drive (HDD). And comprising.

  The control unit 41 includes a CPU (central processing unit such as a microprocessor) and a RAM (random access memory) serving as a work area for the CPU. The storage unit 46 stores a program necessary for the operation of the CPU of the control unit 41. This program can be stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the multifunction machine 2. The control unit 41 of the MFP 2 functionally includes an authentication unit 51, an execution control unit 52, a log generation unit 53, a conversion unit 54, a reception unit 55, a processing unit 56, and a storage unit 57. Have. These components are realized by software operations of a CPU included in the control unit 41.

  The authentication unit 51 authenticates a user who uses the multifunction device 2. For example, the authentication unit 51 authenticates the user by causing the user to input a user ID and password registered in advance from the touch panel display 22. Alternatively, an IC card reader (not shown) reads out chip information for identifying a user, which is recorded on an IC card owned by the user or a non-contact type IC chip built in a portable device. Authenticate the user.

  The execution control unit 52 controls the operation unit 42 to execute jobs such as a print job, a copy job, and a fax job.

  The execution control unit 52 displays a screen for allowing the user to input a job command (job parameter) on the touch panel display 22 and accepts the input of the job parameter. When a job parameter is input from the touch panel display 22, the operation unit 42 is controlled based on the content. Further, the execution control unit 52 outputs the contents of the job parameters input from the touch panel display 22 and the user authentication information input from the authentication unit 51 to the log generation unit 53.

  The execution control unit 52 acquires image data used for a job when job parameters of a job such as a print job, a copy job, and a fax job are input. For example, in the case of a print job, image data is acquired from the outside such as another device connected to the network or a portable storage medium such as a memory card. In the case of a copy job or a fax job, image data is acquired by having the scanner included in the job read the original. In addition, the execution control unit 52 outputs the acquired image data to the conversion unit 54.

  The log generation unit (job log generation unit) 53 generates a job log based on the contents of the job parameter input from the execution control unit 52 and user authentication information, and outputs the job log to the storage unit 57. This job log is stored together with an image log described later.

  Here, the job log includes user authentication information, date and time when the job is executed, the device name of the multifunction device 2, the IP address for specifying the location of the multifunction device 2 on the network, the number of pages of image data to be processed, and the like. Is included. When image data is acquired from another device connected to the network, the host name of the device, the file name of the image data, and the like are included.

  The conversion unit (image log generation unit) 54 converts the image data acquired by the execution control unit 52 into a storage format to obtain an image log. Here, the storage format is a format for compressing the size and amount of image data, and examples include formats such as PDF (Portable Document Format) and JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group). The image data provided to the job has a format specialized for each output, such as output from a printer or facsimile, but the conversion unit 54 does not process image data in any format. Apply the same storage format to get an image log.

  The accepting unit 55 displays the image log generated by the converting unit 54 on the touch panel display 22 and accepts the setting of an invisible region in the image represented by the image log from the user. And the reception part 55 will output the information (area | region information) of the set area | region made invisible to the process part 56, if the area | region made invisible in the touch panel display 22 is set. Further, when the area information is determined, the reception unit 55 causes the execution control unit 52 to start executing the job. Here, the area information specifies an invisible area by coordinates.

  Based on the region information acquired by the receiving unit 55, the processing unit 56 performs processing on the image log to make the region specified by the region information invisible. For example, the processing unit 56 can apply a mosaic or inking to the corresponding area of the image log, or erase the corresponding area. Further, since the processing is irreversible, the data amount of the corresponding area of the image log can be reduced or deleted.

  The storage unit 57 associates the image log processed by the processing unit 56 with the job log generated by the log generation unit 53 and transmits these logs to the server device 3 for storage. The storage unit 57 may store these logs in the storage unit 46 included in the multifunction machine 2.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the multifunction machine 2.

  First, the authentication unit 51 authenticates a user who uses the multifunction machine 2 (S11). The authentication unit 51 outputs the authenticated user information to the execution control unit 52. In response to this, the execution control unit 52 starts an operation described below for causing the operation unit 42 to execute jobs such as a print job, a copy job, and a fax job. The execution control unit 52 can start the operation even if the user is not authenticated. In this case, the processing of the image log is prohibited as will be described later.

  Next, the execution control unit 52 displays a screen for allowing the user to input job parameters on the touch panel display 22 and accepts input of job parameters (S12). When the job parameter is input from the touch panel display 22, the execution control unit 52 outputs the content of the job parameter and the user authentication information input from the authentication unit 51 to the log generation unit 53. The generation unit 53 generates a job log based on these (S13).

  Next, the execution control unit 52 acquires the image data used for the job by another device connected to the network, a scanner owned by the device, or the like (S14). Then, the conversion unit 54 converts the image data acquired by the execution control unit 52 into a storage format and obtains an image log (S15).

  Next, when the authentication unit 51 authenticates the user (S16: YES), the reception unit 55 displays the image log generated by the conversion unit 54 on the touch panel display 22, and the image represented by the image log The setting of the invisible area is received from the user (S17).

  FIG. 5 shows a display example on the touch panel display 22 at this time. The touch panel display 22 displays an image represented by an image log and a message prompting the user to set an invisible area. When the user designates an area that is invisible on the image of the image log displayed on the touch panel display 22, the area information is input to the reception unit 55. The designation of the invisible area on the touch panel display 22 is performed by specifying the coordinates on the screen, for example, specifying the coordinates of the start point and the end point of the diagonal line of the rectangular area. Thereby, area | region information is produced | generated including the information of the coordinate of the area | region made invisible.

  Here, the image log may include personal information such as a personal name, a telephone number, and an address, and the user can select such an individual on the image of the image log displayed on the touch panel display 22. A part including information can be designated as an invisible area.

  Next, the reception unit 55 determines whether or not an area that is invisible in the set area information is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (S18). Whether or not it is greater than or equal to a predetermined value is determined based on, for example, whether or not the set area exceeds a predetermined area. This is in order to prevent an unnecessary area in the image log from becoming invisible, and the specific contents of the stored image log from being unreadable. Further, the present invention is not limited to this, and whether or not it is greater than or equal to a predetermined value may be determined, for example, by weighting a predetermined portion such as a central portion of an image log in which the content of the document is often represented. .

  If the area to be made invisible in the set area information is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (S18: YES), the reception unit 55 displays a message on the touch panel display 22 and prompts the user to make another setting ( S23). And when a user performs a setting again (S23: YES), the reception part 55 receives the setting of the area | region made invisible again from a user (S17). This operation is continued until the area to be invisible becomes less than a predetermined value. Further, when the user refuses to perform the setting again or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the message was displayed (S23: NO), the accepting unit 55 deletes the image log (S24), Cancel the job. This is in order to prevent an unnecessary area in the image log from becoming invisible, and the specific contents of the stored image log from being unreadable.

  And the reception part 55 will output area | region information to the process part 56, if the area | region made invisible in the set area | region information is less than predetermined (S18: NO). And the process part 56 performs the process made invisible with respect to the part corresponded to the area | region specified by area | region information in an image log (S19). FIG. 6 shows an example in which inking is applied to a portion corresponding to the region specified by the region information in the image log.

  Further, when the area information is determined, the reception unit 55 causes the execution control unit 52 to start executing the job (S20). The execution control unit 52 controls the operation unit 42 based on the job parameters input from the touch panel display 22 as described above, and executes jobs such as a print job, a copy job, and a fax job. Here, the reason why the job is executed after the region information is determined is to prevent an unnecessary region from becoming invisible or the processing itself being canceled after the job is executed.

  The storage unit 57 associates the image log processed by the processing unit 56 with the job log generated by the log generation unit 53, and transmits these logs to the server device 3 for storage (S21). The storage unit 57 may store these logs in the storage unit 46 included in the multifunction machine 2.

  Note that when the user is not authenticated by the authentication unit 51 (S16: NO), the reception unit 55 does not allow the image log to be processed to be invisible. Specifically, the reception unit 55 displays a message on the touch panel display 22 to save the image log without performing the invisible processing (S22). Then, when an input for accepting it is received from the user (S22: YES), the reception unit 55 causes the execution control unit 52 to start executing the job (S20), and the storage unit 57 is invisible. An image log that has not been processed is stored (S21). On the other hand, if the user does not input to accept it (S22: NO), the reception unit 55 deletes the image log (S24) and cancels the job. This means that if processing that is made invisible to a user without authentication information is permitted, when the information for identifying the user is deleted from the image log, it becomes impossible to identify the user's instruction for the job. This is because there is a fear.

It is a figure showing the example of a structure of the image log preservation | save system containing an image processing apparatus. It is a block diagram showing the example of a structure of an image processing apparatus. It is a block diagram showing the functional structural example of an image processing apparatus. It is a flowchart showing the operation example of an image processing apparatus. It is a figure showing the example of a display on the display part of an image processing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing showing the content of operation | movement of an image processing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image log storage system, 2 MFP, 21 Main body part, 22 Touch panel display, 3 Server apparatus, 41 Control part, 42 Operation part, 43 Communication part, 44 Display part, 45 Operation part, 46 Storage part, 51 Authentication part, 52 execution control unit, 53 log generation unit, 54 conversion unit, 55 reception unit, 56 processing unit, 57 storage unit.

Claims (5)

An image processing apparatus that executes predetermined image processing based on image data,
Conversion means for converting the image data subjected to the image processing into a storage format to obtain an image processing record;
An accepting unit that accepts a setting of an invisible region in an image represented by the image processing record from a user;
Processing means for performing processing for making the set area invisible for the image processing record;
Storage means for storing the processed image processing recorded, only including,
The accepting means prompts the user to set again when the invisible area is set to be a predetermined value or more;
An image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the re-setting is not received from a user, the reception unit deletes the image processing record and stops the execution of the image processing. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
An authentication means for authenticating the user;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the accepting unit and the processing unit do not permit the invisible processing when a user is not authenticated. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The image processing apparatus executes the image processing after the invisible region is determined. A computer included in an image processing apparatus that executes predetermined image processing on image data;
Conversion means for converting the image data used for the image processing into a storage format to obtain an image processing record;
Accepting means for accepting a setting of an invisible area in the image represented by the image processing record from a user;
Processing means for processing the image processing record to make the set area invisible, and
Function as storage means for storing the processed image processing record ,
The accepting means prompts the user to set again when the invisible area is set to be a predetermined value or more;
A program characterized by that.

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