JP4995014B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, computer program, and information recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a computer program, and an information recording medium.

  Conventionally, there is a system in which image data processed by an image processing apparatus or the like is stored in a database as an image log. For example, in an image forming system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-334874 (Patent Document 1), in a system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected, an image forming apparatus having the highest security level has a data file. The transmitted image forming apparatus accumulates the data file of the image. Patent Document 1 describes that this image forming system can prevent leakage of a data file and ensure safety.

Incidentally, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-227707 (Patent Document 2) describes that display / non-display of thumbnails of image data is determined based on security attributes of the image data.
JP 2006-334877 A JP 2006-227707 A

  However, in the technologies such as the image forming systems described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the capacity for storing image data is not taken into consideration. If all the image data to be processed is stored in one image forming apparatus as an image log, the capacity becomes enormous. Furthermore, as described in Patent 2, the case where there is a different security attribute for each image data is not considered in Patent Document 1.

  The present invention has been invented in order to solve these problems in view of the above points, and is an information processing apparatus and information that suitably determines the storage location of image data in accordance with the security attribute of the image data. It is an object to provide a processing method, a computer program, and an information recording medium.

  In order to achieve the above object, the information processing apparatus of the present invention employs the following configuration.

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus that processes document data including image data and information related to security of the image data, and obtains security information from the document data. Means, image data storage means for storing the image data at a storage destination address corresponding to the security information, and a corresponding storage period for each of a plurality of security levels corresponding to the security information. For each storage period acquired by the storage period acquisition means, storage period holding means for holding the security level and the storage period acquired by the storage period acquisition means in association with each other, A period-corresponding address holding means for associating and holding the storage address of the document data; It can be configured to have.

  Accordingly, an information processing apparatus that suitably determines the storage location according to the security attribute of the image data can be provided.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention further provides an information processing method for executing the functions of the respective units included in the information processing apparatus, a computer program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method, or the computer. An information recording medium storing a program may be used.

  According to the information processing apparatus, the information processing method, the computer program, or the information recording medium of the present invention, the information processing apparatus, the information processing method, and the information processing apparatus suitably determine the storage location of the image data according to the security attribute of the image data. A computer program and an information recording medium can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, “document data” including image data and security-related information is processed, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this example. The image data and the security information may be associated with each other. The image data and the security information may be configured as one file, or may be configured as separate files. Further, the security-related information included in the document data may be included in any part of the document data in addition to the “bibliographic information” part.

In the following embodiments, “storage destination”, “storage destination”, and “storage location” are “storage destination” of the present invention, and “storage period” and “storage period” are “storage period” of the present invention. ".
[First embodiment]
(Example of information processing system configuration)
FIG. 1 is an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the information processing system in FIG. 1, an MFP 200 that is an image forming apparatus is connected to PCs 100 a to 100 c and further connected to a server 300. These connections may be via a network, or devices may be directly connected via a USB interface or the like.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, for example, after image data of document data transmitted from the PC 100 a or the like to the MFP 200 is processed by the MFP 200, the document data is transmitted to the server 300. The document data includes information related to security in addition to the image data. Based on the security-related information, the server 300 stores the image data in a storage location corresponding to the security-related information.

  The document data may be input from an input unit (not shown) included in the MFP, in addition to being transmitted from the PC 100a or the like. The input unit may be, for example, an image input unit, or may be a document data input unit, for example. The image input means is configured as a scanner, for example. When image data is input by the image input unit, the MFP 200 may generate document data including information related to security based on the image data.

  The security-related information is, for example, security attribute information. For example, when there are a plurality of security levels, information representing the level may be used. In the following embodiment, a case where there are a plurality of security levels will be described, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the information relating to security may be information indicating whether protection by means for realizing predetermined security is “necessary” or “no”.

  The location where the image data is stored by the server 300 may be, for example, a folder in the storage of the server 300, an external storage, or a recording medium that can be inserted into and removed from the drive, or may be “destroyed”. .

(Example of configuration of information processing apparatus)
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. 2A is an example of the configuration of any one of the PCs 100a to 100c in FIG. 1, for example. FIG. 2B is an example of the configuration of the MFP 200 in FIG. 1, and FIG. ) Is an example of the configuration of the server 300 of FIG. An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured, for example, as an MFP 200 and, for example, is configured as a server 300.

  A PC 100 in FIG. 2A includes a CPU 25, a RAM 35, a hard disk device 30, a display device 10, and an input device 15. The hard disk device 30, the display device 10, or the input device 15 may be configured to be connected to the outside of the PC 100.

  The CPU 25 implements the control of the PC 100 and the functions of the PC 100 by executing a computer program. The RAM 35 is, for example, a work memory when the CPU 25 performs processing, and for example, a computer program executed by the CPU 25 may be developed.

  The hard disk device 30 is a storage means for storing a large amount of data. The hard disk device 30 may store, for example, a computer program, document data, or image data.

  The display device 10 displays the state of the PC 100 or image data, document data, and the like processed by the PC 100, and includes, for example, a display device and its control means. The input device 15 is configured by an operator who inputs an instruction or the like to the PC 100, for example, a keyboard or a mouse and its control means.

  2B has a configuration similar to that of the PC 100 in FIG. 2A, and includes a CPU 50, a RAM 60, a hard disk device 55, an input unit 40, and an output unit 450. The functions and configurations of the CPU 50, the RAM 60, and the hard disk device 55 can be easily understood from the description of the PC 100 in FIG.

  The input unit 40 is configured as an operation panel for inputting an instruction to the MFP 200 by an operator, and may be configured as a scanner for inputting image data, or means for receiving image data such as a facsimile or a network communication unit. It may be configured as. The output unit 450 may be configured as a plotter that outputs the image data or document data to be processed in addition to displaying the state of the MFP 200 to the operator, and transmits image data such as a facsimile or network communication means. It may be configured as a means.

  A server 300 in FIG. 2C has a configuration similar to that of the PC 100 in FIG. 2A, and includes a CPU 80, a RAM 90, a hard disk device 85, a display device 70, and an input device 75. The function of each device constituting the server 300 can be easily understood from the function of each device having the same name included in the PC 100 in FIG.

(Example of functional configuration of information processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention (part 1))
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. For example, the information processing apparatus is configured as the server 300. The server 300 in FIG. 3 stores the image data in the corresponding storage unit 400a or 400b based on the information related to security corresponding to the image data included in the input document data.

  The server 300 in FIG. 3 includes, for example, a security information acquisition unit 311, an address acquisition unit 321, and an image data storage unit 331. The server 300 further includes text data acquisition means 313, keyword extraction means 315, storage period acquisition means 323, keyword management means 325, storage period management means 333, input screen generation means 341, display screen generation means 343, communication means 350, Or you may have the message notification means 352. FIG.

  The server 300 may be further connected to an address holding unit 361, a storage period holding unit 363, and a keyword holding unit 365, and may be connected to an input unit 371 and an output unit 372.

  For example, the security information acquisition unit 311 acquires information related to security from document data. The security-related information is, for example, information included in the document data as a security attribute. When there are a plurality of security levels, information representing the level may be used.

  The security information acquisition unit 311 may also acquire predetermined security information as information corresponding to the image of the document data, for example, when the document data does not include security information. Good.

  The address acquisition unit 321 acquires, for example, a storage destination address corresponding to security-related information that is input based on a screen that prompts input of an address that is generated by the input screen generation unit 341 described later. For example, when the input address is not a valid address, the address acquisition unit 321 may acquire a predetermined address. The valid address is an address for which a corresponding storage destination is determined, for example.

  The address acquired by the address acquisition unit 321 may be, for example, a folder name on a storage unit connected to the server 300, or may be a folder name on a storage unit connected to another PC or the like. The address acquisition unit 321 may acquire information indicating that the image data is to be discarded, for example. That is, when the acquired address is “trash box” or the like, the image data storage unit 331 described later performs processing for discarding the image data.

  The image data storage unit 331 stores the image data at the address held by the address holding unit 361. Based on the address, the image data storage unit 331 may store the image data in a storage unit connected to the server 300 or may be stored in a storage unit connected to another PC. When the acquired address is, for example, “trash box”, the image data storage unit 331 deletes the image data.

  The storage period acquisition unit 323 acquires, for example, a storage period corresponding to each security level that is input based on a screen that is generated by the input screen generation unit 341 described later and that prompts input of the storage period. For example, the storage period acquisition unit 323 may acquire a predetermined storage period that is set in advance if the input storage period value is not a valid value.

  The storage period management unit 333 controls the storage period of the image data stored in the storage unit 400 or the like based on the storage period held by the storage period holding unit 363. The storage period management unit 333 may store the image data and the storage period information in association with each other in the storage unit 400, for example. Also, the storage period management unit 333 may store the image data identification information, the image data storage destination address, and The storage period may be managed by associating the information of the storage period with the other storage means.

  The text data acquisition unit 313 acquires text data, for example, by performing OCR processing on the image data. The keyword extraction unit 315 extracts a predetermined keyword from the text data acquired by the text data acquisition unit 313. The predetermined keyword is, for example, a keyword held by the keyword holding unit 365, read from the keyword holding unit 365 by the keyword management unit 325, and may be provided to the keyword extraction unit 315.

  The keyword management unit 325 acquires the keyword stored in the keyword holding unit 365 and outputs it to the keyword extraction unit 315. Further, when a predetermined keyword is acquired by the keyword extraction unit 315, the keyword management unit 325 may acquire a security level corresponding to the keyword from the keyword holding unit 365. Thereby, the security level of the image data can be determined based on the keyword included in the text data obtained by performing the OCR process on the image data. Further, the keyword management unit 325 may acquire a security level value corresponding to each keyword and store it in the keyword holding unit 365.

  The input screen generation unit 341 generates a screen that prompts the server 300 for a predetermined input. For example, when the document data does not include information related to security, the input screen generation unit 341 generates a screen that prompts input of information related to security.

  The display screen generation unit 343 generates a screen displayed by the display unit 373, for example. The display screen generated by the display screen generating unit 343 may be a screen that displays information related to security acquired by the security information acquiring unit 311, for example. When there is no security-related information acquired by the security information acquisition unit 311, the display screen generation unit 343 may generate a screen that displays that there is no security-related information.

  Note that the screen generated by these screen generation means may be displayed by a display device controlled by the MFP 200 or the PC 100 connected to the server 300 in addition to being displayed by the display means 373.

  The communication unit 350 is a unit that communicates with an externally connected device or the like. The communication unit 350 can receive document data transmitted from the MFP 200. The message notification unit 352 is a unit that transmits a message when the security level acquired by the security information acquisition unit 311 is a predetermined level. The message notification unit 352 notifies an administrator or the like that image data of a predetermined security level or higher has been processed, for example, by sending an email.

  Note that the security information acquisition unit 311, the text data acquisition unit 313, and the keyword extraction unit 315 may be configured as one document data processing unit 310, for example. The address acquisition unit 321, the storage period acquisition unit 323, and the keyword management unit 325 may be configured as a single database control unit 320. Furthermore, the image data storage unit 331 and the storage period management unit 333 may be configured as one image data storage control unit 330. Furthermore, the input screen generation unit 341 and the display screen generation unit 343 may be configured as one screen generation unit 340.

  The address holding unit 361 holds an address of a storage destination of image data corresponding to information related to security. The address held by the address holding unit 361 may be different for each security level, for example.

  Thus, image data that requires a high security level and image data that requires a low security level can be stored in different storage locations. In other words, security can be maintained by storing image data requiring a high security level in a storage means having a function for realizing a high security level. On the other hand, by storing image data that requires a low security level in a storage unit that realizes a function corresponding to that level, the storage unit can be used efficiently and suitably.

  The storage period holding unit 363 holds information related to security and the storage period of the image data in association with each other. For example, the storage period holding unit 363 may hold the period in which image data is stored in the storage unit in association with each security level. Accordingly, a storage period corresponding to the security level acquired by the security information acquisition unit 311 can be given to the image data.

  The keyword holding unit 365 holds a predetermined keyword and a security level corresponding to the keyword in association with each other. Accordingly, a corresponding security level can be assigned to text data having a predetermined keyword.

  Of the address holding means 361, the storage period holding means 363, and the keyword holding means 365, two or more holding means may be configured as one holding means. In addition, any two or more of the storage destination address, the storage period, and the keyword of the image data may be configured as one table that is associated with the information related to security.

  The input unit 371 is a unit by which an operator inputs an instruction or the like to the server 300, and information related to security may be input in response to a screen that prompts input of information related to security. The display unit 373 displays the state of the server 300 and displays a screen generated by, for example, a screen generation unit.

(Example of functional configuration of information processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention (part 2))
FIG. 4 is an example of a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Image data or document data including image data is acquired, and the image data is processed and transmitted. The information processing apparatus in FIG. 4 is configured as an MFP 200 that transmits to the server 300, for example. The information processing apparatus in FIG. 4 may be, for example, the PC 100 that transmits to the MFP 200, but will be described as the MFP 200 here. 4 includes a document data input unit 210, a security information setting unit 211, and a security information recording unit 212, and further includes an input screen generation unit 241, a display screen generation unit 243, or a communication unit 250. May be.

  The document data input unit 210 is a unit for inputting document data, and may be configured as a scanner, for example, or may be a unit that receives the document data via the communication unit 250, for example.

  The security information setting unit 211 sets information related to security for the document data. For example, the security information setting unit 211 acquires the security level input by the operator based on the screen prompting the input of the security level generated by the input screen generation unit 241 and sets this as the security level of the document data. . For example, the security information setting unit 211 may acquire a predetermined security level.

  The security information recording unit 212 edits the document data so that the security information set by the security information setting unit 211 is included in the document data. For example, the security information recorded in the document data by the security information recording unit 212 may be configured as a part of “bibliographic information” of the image data included in the document data. May be. Information related to security is associated with the image data and included in the document data, so that the server 300 can perform processing.

  The input screen generation unit 241 generates a screen that prompts an input when security information is not included in the document data. The display screen generation unit 243 generates a screen for displaying the state of the MFP 200 and the like, for example, and generates a screen for displaying document data or image data to be processed. The display screen generation unit 243 generates a screen for displaying information related to security acquired by the security information setting unit 211.

  The input screen generation unit 241 and the display screen generation unit 243 may be configured as one screen generation unit 240. The screen generated by these screen generation means may be displayed by the display means 273, for example, or may be displayed by display means controlled by the PC 100 or the like connected to the MFP 200, for example. For example, the display can be suitably performed for an operator who gives an instruction to process the document data by being displayed by the display unit controlled by the PC 100 that has transmitted the document data.

  The communication unit 250 communicates with other devices and transmits, for example, document data input and processed by the document data input unit 210.

  The input unit 271 is a unit for inputting an instruction to execute processing to the MFP 200, and the display unit 273 displays the state of the MFP 200 and the document data or image data to be processed.

  The storage unit 260 stores a computer program executed by the MFP 200, and may further store document data, image data, and the like. The storage unit 260 also stores information related to security acquired by the security information setting unit 211. May be held. Further, for example, the security information setting unit 211 may acquire information relating to predetermined security held by the storage unit 260.

(Process in which server 300 stores image data as an image log)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example of processing in which the server 300 stores image data as an image log. In FIG. 5, based on the input of document data to the server 300, the image data of the document data is stored at a location specified by a predetermined address. In step S <b> 101 of FIG. 5, the document data is received by the communication unit 350 of the server 300. The document data includes image data and bibliographic information.

  Progressing to step S102 following step S101, the security information acquisition unit 311 acquires security level information from the bibliographic information portion of the document data. Progressing to step S103 following step S102, information on the storage destination of the image data corresponding to the security level acquired in step S102 is acquired from the address holding means. The storage location information is, for example, storage location address information.

  Progressing to step S104 following step S103, the image data storage unit 331 stores the image data in the storage destination corresponding to the information based on the storage destination information acquired in step S103. Thereby, the image data is stored as an image log.

(Processing in which security level is set for image data in MFP 200)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example of processing for setting a security level for image data in the MFP 200. In FIG. 6, for example, based on the operator instructing the storage of the document data, information on the security level is included in the document data. 6 may be executed in the PC 100 in addition to being executed in the MFP 200.

  In step S201 in FIG. 6, the operator inputs an instruction to save the document data that has been edited so far, from the input unit 271. Proceeding to step S202 following step S201, the security information setting unit 211 determines whether or not a security level has already been set for the document data. If it has already been set, the process ends. On the other hand, if it has not been set, the process proceeds to step S203.

  The security level is set for the document data, for example, in a state where the level is held by an application executed in the MFP 200. For example, the security level is already set at a predetermined position of the document data. It may be in a state where a security level value is included.

  In step S203 following step S202, the input screen generation unit 241 generates a screen that prompts the user to input a security level, and the screen is displayed on the display unit 273. Proceeding to step S204 following step S203, the operator inputs a security level value from the input means 271.

  Progressing to step S205 following step S204, the security information setting unit 211 determines whether or not the value of the security level input in step S204 is a valid value. If the value is valid, the process proceeds to step S206. If the value is not valid, the process returns to step S202 to repeat the process. Note that the step returned here may be step S203 in addition to step S202.

  In step S206 following step S205, the security information setting unit 211 stores the security level value input in step S204 and acquired by the security information setting unit 211 in a temporary storage unit (not shown) of the server 300 for editing. Correspond with document data. Thus, a security level value is set for the document data being edited.

  FIG. 7 is an example of a screen generated by the input screen generation unit 241 in step S203. In FIG. 7, any one of the six levels of security levels 0 to 5 can be selected and set.

(Process to display the security level value)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example of processing for displaying a security level value in the PC 100 or the MFP 200. In FIG. 8, the value of the security level is displayed on the print setting screen based on the input of the print instruction for the document data by the operator. Here, the process of FIG. 8 will be described as the process in the MFP 200, but it can be easily understood that the process is performed by the PC 100 and the server 300 in the same steps.

  In step S <b> 301 of FIG. 8, an instruction to print document data is input from the input unit 271 by the operator. In step S301, in addition to a print instruction for the document data currently being edited, a print instruction for the document data stored in the storage unit or the like may be used.

  Progressing to step S301 following step S301, the security information setting unit 211 determines whether a security level has already been set for the document data. This determination may be made, for example, by confirming whether a security level value is stored at a predetermined position of the document data. This determination may be a state in which the security level is held by the editing tool when the document data is being edited. If the security level has already been set, the process proceeds to step S303. If the security level has not been set yet, the process proceeds to step S305.

  In step S303 following step S302, the security information setting unit 211 acquires a security level value from a predetermined area of the document data or an area held by the editing tool. Proceeding to step S304 following step S303, the display screen generating means 243 generates a display screen including a security level value. The display screen generated here is a detailed print setting screen, that is, a print setting screen. On the other hand, in step S305 following step S302, the display screen generation unit 243 generates a print setting screen in which the security level value is “unset”.

  Progressing to step S306 following step S304 or step S305, the display unit 273 displays the print setting screen generated in step S304 or step S305. Progressing to step S307 following step S306, the operator inputs a print instruction from the input means 271. Progressing to step S308 following step S307, the image data portion of the document data is printed and output by printing means (not shown) of the MFP 200.

  9 and 10 are examples of print setting screens. FIG. 9 is an example of a print setting screen generated in step S304 of FIG. In FIG. 9, a security level value “5” is displayed at a location denoted by a. On the other hand, FIG. 10 is an example of a print setting screen generated in step S305 of FIG. In FIG. 10, it is displayed that the security level is “unset” at the part denoted by the symbol b. Note that “Windows” in the figure is a registered trademark.

(Process that saves image log with print job)
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an example of processing for storing an image log accompanying a print job. In FIG. 11, the security level is set for the document data based on the input of the printing instruction by the operator, and the document data is further transmitted to the server 300. The processing in FIG. 11 is described as being executed by the MFP 200. However, after a print instruction is input and the security level is set in the PC 100, document data is printed by the MFP 200 and further transmitted to the server 300. It may be configured.

  In step S401 in FIG. 11, an instruction to print document data is input from the input unit 271 by the operator. Progressing to step S402 following step S401, the security information setting unit 211 determines whether a security level is set for the document data. If it has already been set, the process proceeds to step S403. If it has not been set, the process proceeds to step S405.

  Here, “the security level is set” means, for example, a state where the security level is held by the editing tool when document data is being edited.

  In step S403 following step S402, the security information setting unit 211 acquires the value of the security level that has already been set. For example, a value stored in a predetermined area such as the storage unit 260 by an editing tool or the like may be acquired.

  In step S404 following step S403, the security information recording unit 212 writes the security level value acquired in step S403 in a predetermined position of print data, which is document data to be printed. On the other hand, in step S405 following step S402, the security information recording unit 212 writes “3”, which is the default security level value, in a predetermined position of the print data.

  In step S406 following step S404 or step S405, the PC 100 transmits print data to the MFP 200. Progressing to step S407 following step S406, the communication unit 250 transmits print data to the MFP 200. The print data transmitted here includes the image data output in step S406 and bibliographic information including a security level value.

(Process to set storage location of image log corresponding to each security level)
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an example of processing for setting a storage location of an image log corresponding to each security level in the server 300. In step S 501 of FIG. 12, a screen for setting a storage destination for storing the image log is generated by the input screen generating unit 341 and displayed on the display unit 373. Progressing to step S502 following step S501, the storage destination corresponding to each security level is input by the operator.

  13 and 14 are examples of screens displayed here. FIG. 13 is an example of a screen for selecting a storage destination for each security level. FIG. 14 is an example of a screen when an input operation for selecting a storage destination corresponding to the security level 5 is performed in the example of FIG. It is. The “storage destination” and “storage destination” correspond to the “storage destination” of the present invention.

  Returning to FIG. 12, the process proceeds to step S503 following step S502, and the address acquisition unit 321 acquires the total number of security levels. Here, the value of the total number is Y. Progressing to step S504 following step S503, the address acquisition unit 321 initializes the value of X as a counter to 1.

  Subsequent to step S504, steps S505 to S510 are loop processes that are repeated for the total number of security levels. In step S505, the address acquisition unit 321 determines whether the value of the counter X is equal to or less than the total value Y of the security levels.

  Progressing to step S506 following step S505, the address acquisition unit 321 acquires an address, which is the storage destination identification information corresponding to the Xth security level, input based on the screen of FIG. Progressing to step S507 following step S506, the address acquisition unit 321 determines the validity of the value acquired in step S506. That is, if the value acquired in step S506 is the storage destination identification information, the process proceeds to step S508, and if not, the process proceeds to step S509.

  In step S508 following step S507, the address acquisition unit 321 associates the address acquired in step S506 with the security level corresponding to the value of the counter X, and stores the address in the address holding unit 361. On the other hand, in step S509 subsequent to step S507, the address acquisition unit 321 associates a predetermined address with a security level corresponding to the value of X in the counter, and stores it in the address holding unit 361. In step S510 following step S508 or step S509, the address acquisition unit 321 increments the value of the counter X by 1, and proceeds to step S505.

  By repeating the processing from step S505 to step S510 for the total number Y of security levels, the addresses are associated with all the security levels and held in the address holding unit 361.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of information held by the address holding unit 361. In FIG. 15, the leftmost column is the security level value, the next column is the folder name, and the next column is the name of the device in which the folder is provided. (-1) in the figure indicates that the field is blank. For example, in the case of security level 2, the folder name corresponding to the address is “directory C”, and the column of the device in which the folder is provided is blank. In this case, the device is a predetermined device, for example, the server 300 itself.

(Process to set image log storage period corresponding to each security level)
FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an example of processing for setting an image log storage period corresponding to each security level in the server 300. In step S 601 of FIG. 16, a screen for setting a storage period for storing the image log is generated by the input screen generation unit 341 and displayed on the display unit 373. In step S602 following step S601, a storage period corresponding to each security level is input by the operator. The “storage period” and “storage period” in the figure correspond to the “storage period” of the present invention.

  17 and 18 are examples of screens displayed here. FIG. 17 is an example of a screen for selecting a storage period for each security level, and FIG. 18 is an example of a screen when an input operation for selecting a storage period corresponding to the security level 5 is performed in the example of FIG. It is.

  Returning to FIG. 16, the process proceeds to step S <b> 603 following step S <b> 602, and the storage period acquisition unit 323 acquires the total number of security levels. Here, the value of the total number is Y. Progressing to step S604 following step S503, the storage period acquisition means 323 initializes the value of X as a counter to 1.

  Subsequent to step S604, steps S605 to S610 are a loop process repeated for the total number of security levels. In step S605, the storage period acquisition unit 323 determines whether or not the value of the counter X is equal to or less than the value Y of the total number of security levels.

  Progressing to step S606 following step S605, the storage period acquisition unit 323 acquires the storage period information corresponding to the Xth security level, which is input based on the screen of FIG. Progressing to step S607 following step S606, the storage period acquisition unit 323 determines the validity of the value acquired in step S606. That is, for example, if the value acquired in step S606 is information indicating the storage period, the process proceeds to step S608, and if not, the process proceeds to step S609. The determination of validity may also be made based on, for example, whether the acquired storage period is shorter or longer than a predetermined period.

  In step S608 following step S607, the storage period acquisition unit 323 causes the storage period holding unit 363 to store the storage period acquired in step S606 and the security level corresponding to the value of the counter X. On the other hand, in step S609 following step S607, the storage period acquisition unit 323 associates a predetermined storage period with a security level corresponding to the value of X in the counter, and causes the storage period holding unit 363 to store it. . In step S610 following step S608 or step S609, the storage period acquisition unit 323 adds 1 to the value of the counter X, and the process proceeds to step S605.

  By repeating the processes from step S605 to step S610 for the total number Y of security levels, the storage periods are associated with all the security levels, and are stored in the storage period holding unit 363.

  FIG. 19 is an example of information held by the storage period holding unit 363. In FIG. 19, the security level and the storage period are associated with each other.

(Process to set the image log storage destination for each storage period)
20 to 23 are diagrams for explaining an example of processing for setting the storage destination of the image log corresponding to each storage period, and FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the processing example. The process of FIG. 20 is executed in the server 300.

  In step S <b> 701 of FIG. 20, a screen for setting a storage destination for storing an image log is generated by the input screen generation unit 341 and displayed on the display unit 373. Progressing to step S702 following step S701, the operator inputs a storage destination corresponding to each storage period.

  21 and 22 are examples of screens displayed here. FIG. 21 is an example of a screen for selecting a storage destination for each storage period, and FIG. 22 is an example of a screen when an input operation for selecting a “reference” button in the example of FIG. 21 is performed. . In the example of FIG. 22, a directory or the like on storage means controlled by the server 300 or another device is displayed, and a storage destination corresponding to the storage period is selected by selecting the directory. The “storage destination” and “storage destination” correspond to the “storage destination” of the present invention. The “storage period” and “storage period” correspond to the “storage period” of the present invention.

  Returning to FIG. 20, the process proceeds to step S <b> 703 following step S <b> 702, and the address acquisition unit 321 acquires the total number of types of storage periods. Here, the value of the total number is Y. Progressing to step S704 following step S703, the address acquisition unit 321 initializes the value of X as a counter to 1.

  Steps S705 to S710 subsequent to step S704 are a loop process repeated for the total number of types of storage periods. In step S705, the address acquisition unit 321 determines whether the value of the counter X is equal to or less than the total value Y of the storage period types.

  Proceeding to step S706 following step S705, the address acquisition unit 321 acquires an address which is identification information of a storage destination corresponding to the information of the Xth storage period input based on the screen of FIG. Progressing to step S707 following step S706, the address acquisition unit 321 determines the validity of the value acquired in step S706. That is, if the value acquired in step S706 is the storage destination identification information, the process proceeds to step S708, and if not, the process proceeds to step S709.

  In step S708 following step S707, the address acquisition unit 321 associates the address acquired in step S706 with the storage period information corresponding to the value of the counter X, and stores the information in the address holding unit 361. On the other hand, in step S709 following step S707, the address acquisition unit 321 associates a predetermined address and information on the storage period corresponding to the value of X in the counter, and stores them in the address holding unit 361. In step S710 following step S708 or step S709, the address acquisition unit 321 increments the value of the counter X by 1, and proceeds to step S505.

  By repeating the processing from step S705 to step S710 for the total number Y of types of storage periods, addresses are associated with all the storage periods and stored in the address storage unit 361. In this example, the associated information is stored in the address holding unit 361, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this example. It may be configured to be held by the storage period holding unit 363.

  FIG. 23 shows an example of information held by the address holding unit 361. In FIG. 23, the storage period and the storage destination are stored in association with each other.

(Example of processing to determine the security level based on the extracted keywords)
FIG. 24 is a flowchart of an example of processing for determining a security level based on a keyword extracted from image data. The process of FIG. 24 may be executed by either the MFP 200 or the server 300, but here, a case where it is executed by the server 300 will be described.

  In step S <b> 801 of FIG. 24, the communication unit 350 receives document data from the MFP 200. This document data includes image data and its bibliographic information. Progressing to step S802 following step S801, the text data acquisition unit 313 performs OCR processing on the received image data to acquire text data. When the document data includes text data, the text data may be acquired without performing OCR processing.

  Progressing to step S803 following step S802, the keyword extraction unit 315 acquires the total number of keywords held by the keyword holding unit 365. Here, the value of the total number is Y.

  In step S804 following step S803, the keyword extraction unit 315 initializes X, which is the value of the keyword counter, as 1. Progressing to step S805 following step S804, the security information acquisition unit 311 sets S0 as the initial value of the security level.

  The processing from step S806 to step S813 following step S805 is a loop processing that is repeated by the total number Y of keywords. In step S806, the security information acquisition unit 311 determines whether the value of the counter X is equal to or less than the total number Y of keywords. If it is equal to or less than the total number, the process proceeds to step S807, and if not, the process ends.

  In step S807 following step S806, the keyword management unit 325 acquires the Xth keyword among the keywords held by the keyword holding unit 365. Progressing to step S808 following step S807, the keyword extraction unit 315 determines whether or not the keyword acquired in step S807 is included in the text data acquired in step S802. If it is included, the process proceeds to step S809. If it is not included, the process proceeds to step S812.

  In step S809 following step S808, the security information acquisition unit 311 acquires the security level value S1 corresponding to the keyword held in the keyword holding unit 365 and acquired in step S807 via the keyword management unit 325.

  Progressing to step S810 following step S809, the security information acquisition unit 311 determines whether the value of the security level S1 acquired in step S809 is greater than the value S0 of the security level. Note that a large value indicates that the security level is high, and that a more secure security environment is required than a security level having a small value. If the value is large, the process proceeds to step S811, and if not, the process proceeds to step S812.

  In step S811 following step S810, the security information acquisition unit 311 updates the value of the security level S0 with the value of the security level S1 acquired in step S809. In step S812 following step S810 or step S811, the value of the security information counter X is incremented by 1, and the process proceeds to step S806.

  After the above loop processing is repeated for the total number of keywords, the process proceeds to step S813 following step S806, and the security information acquisition unit 311 finally uses the security level value S0 stored in the security of the document data. Get as level value.

  FIG. 25 is an example of information held by the keyword holding unit 361 and associated with keywords and security levels. In the example of FIG. 25, for example, the keyword “confidential” has the highest security level value “5”, and the “profit” keyword has the security level value “3”.

(Process to set security level corresponding to each keyword)
FIG. 26 is a flowchart of an example of processing for setting a security level corresponding to each keyword in the server 300. In step S 901 of FIG. 26, a screen for inputting a keyword and a security level corresponding to the keyword is generated by the input screen generating unit 341 and displayed on the display unit 373. In step S902 following step S901, the operator inputs a security level corresponding to each keyword.

  27 and 28 are examples of screens displayed here. The screen of FIG. 27 has a column for inputting a keyword and a pull-down menu for selecting a security level corresponding to each keyword input column. FIG. 28 is an example of a screen when an input operation for selecting a security level corresponding to the keyword “confidential” is performed in the example of FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 26, the process proceeds to step S <b> 903 following step S <b> 902, and the keyword management unit 325 acquires the total number of input keywords. Here, the value of the total number is Y. Progressing to step S904 following step S903, the keyword management means 325 initializes the value of X as a counter to 1.

  Subsequent to step S904, steps S905 to S912 are loop processing that is repeated for the total number of input keywords. In step S905, the keyword management unit 325 determines whether the value of the counter X is equal to or less than the total value Y of the input keywords.

  Progressing to step S906 following step S905, the keyword management means 325 acquires the character string of the Xth keyword input based on the screen of FIG. Progressing to step S907 following step S906, the keyword management unit 325 causes the keyword holding unit 365 to store the keyword character string acquired in step S906.

  In step S908 following step S907, the keyword management unit 325 acquires the value of the security level input in association with the keyword character string acquired in step S906. Progressing to step S909 following step S908, the keyword management unit 325 determines whether or not the security level is set based on the value acquired in step S908. That is, if the value acquired in step S908 is a valid value as a security level value, the process proceeds to step S910, and if not, the process proceeds to step S911.

  In step S911 following step S909, the keyword management unit 325 stores the security level acquired in step S908 in the keyword holding unit 365 in association with the keyword stored in step S907. On the other hand, in step S911 following step S909, the keyword management unit 325 stores the predetermined security level in the keyword management unit 325 in association with the keyword stored in step S907. In step S912 following step S910 or step S911, the keyword management unit 325 increments the value of the counter X by 1, and proceeds to step S905.

  By repeating the processing from step S905 to step S912 as many times as the total number Y of input keywords, security levels are associated with these keywords and are stored in the keyword management unit 325.

(Process to notify according to the security level of the processed image data)
FIG. 29 to FIG. 33 are diagrams for explaining the process of performing notification according to the security level of the image data to be processed. FIG. 29 is a flowchart of an example of processing. The processing in FIG. 29 is executed in the server 300, but may be executed in the MFP 200.

  In step S1001 of FIG. 29, the document data is received by the communication means 350. The document data includes image data and bibliographic information. Progressing to step S1002 following step S1001, the security information acquisition unit 311 acquires the security level from the bibliographic information portion of the document data.

  Progressing to step S1003 following step S1002, the message notification unit 352 acquires the content of the notification process corresponding to each security level acquired from the address holding unit 361 in step S1002. Progressing to step S1004 following step S1003, the message notification unit 352 notifies the message based on the content of the notification processing acquired in step S1003.

  FIG. 30 shows information on the contents of notification processing corresponding to each security level held in the address holding means 361. In FIG. 30, the leftmost column is the security level, and the subsequent columns are the contents of the notification process. For example, the notification process corresponding to the security level “5” corresponds to three processes of “sound warning sound”, “emergency level email transmission to administrator”, and “output to log file”. . On the other hand, the notification process corresponding to the security level “0” is only one process “output to log file”. That is, one or more notification processes corresponding to one security level are sufficient.

(Process to set the contents of notification process corresponding to each security level)
FIG. 31 to FIG. 33 are diagrams for describing processing for setting the content of notification processing corresponding to each security level. FIG. 31 is a flowchart of an example of processing. 31 is executed in the server 300 and realized by the address acquisition unit 321, but may be realized by other units (not shown).

  In step S <b> 1101 of FIG. 31, a screen for inputting the contents of the notification process is generated by the input screen generating unit 341 and displayed on the display unit 373. Progressing to step S1102 following step S1101, the content of notification processing corresponding to each security level is input by the operator.

  32 and 33 are examples of screens displayed here. FIG. 32 is an example of a screen for selecting the contents of notification processing for each security level, and FIG. 33 is a screen when an input operation for selecting a storage destination corresponding to security level 5 is performed in the example of FIG. It is an example.

  Returning to FIG. 31, the process proceeds to step S1103 following step S1102, and the address acquisition unit 321 acquires the total number of security levels. Here, the value of the total number is Y. Progressing to step S1104 following step S1103, the address acquisition unit 321 initializes the value of X as a counter as 1.

  Subsequent to step S1104, steps S1105 to S1110 are a loop process repeated for the total number of security levels. In step S1105, the address acquisition unit 321 determines whether the value of the counter X is equal to or smaller than the total value Y of the security levels.

  Progressing to step S1106 following step S1105, the address acquisition unit 321 acquires information on the content of the notification process corresponding to the Xth security level, which is input based on the screen of FIG. Progressing to step S1107 following step S1106, the address acquisition unit 321 determines whether or not the information acquired in step S1106 is the content of the notification process. That is, the validity of the content input by the operator is determined. If the acquired information is the content of the notification process, the process proceeds to step S1108. If not, the process proceeds to step S1109.

  In step S1108 following step S1107, the address acquisition unit 321 associates the content information of the notification process acquired in step S1106 with the security level corresponding to the value of the counter X and causes the address holding unit 361 to store the information. . On the other hand, in step S1109 following step S1107, the address acquisition unit 321 associates the predetermined notification processing content with the security level corresponding to the value of X in the counter, and causes the address holding unit 361 to store it. . In step S1110 following step S1108 or step S1109, the address acquisition unit 321 increments the value of the counter X by 1, and proceeds to step S1105.

  By repeating the processes from step S1105 to step S1110 for the total number Y of security levels, the contents of the notification process are associated with all the security levels and are held in the address holding unit 361.

  Although the best mode for carrying out the invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in the best mode. Modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The example of a structure of the information processing system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 2 shows an example of the configuration of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention. 2 is a first example of a functional configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The example (2) of the function structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. An example of processing for storing image data as an image log. An example of processing in which a security level is set for image data. An example of a screen for setting the security level. An example of processing for displaying a security level value. An example of a print setting screen that displays the security level. An example of the print setting screen when the security level is not set. An example of processing in which an image log is saved with a print job. An example of processing for setting a storage location of an image log corresponding to each security level. An example of a screen for selecting a storage destination for each security level (part 1). An example of a screen for selecting a storage destination for each security level (part 2). An example of information in which a security level is associated with a storage location. An example of processing for setting a storage period of an image log corresponding to each security level. An example of a screen for selecting a storage period for each security level (part 1). An example of a screen for selecting a storage period for each security level (part 2). An example of information in which a security level is associated with a storage period. An example of processing for setting a storage destination of an image log corresponding to each storage period. An example of a screen for selecting a storage destination for each storage period (part 1). An example of a screen for selecting a storage destination for each storage period (part 2). An example of information in which a storage period is associated with a storage location. The example of the process which determines a security level based on the extracted keyword. An example of information in which a keyword is associated with a security level. An example of processing for setting a security level corresponding to each keyword. An example of a screen for inputting a keyword and a security level corresponding to the keyword (part 1). The example of the screen which inputs a keyword and the security level corresponding to the keyword (the 2). An example of processing for performing notification according to the security level of image data to be processed. An example of information of contents of notification processing corresponding to each security level. An example of processing for setting the content of notification processing corresponding to each security level. An example of a screen for selecting the content of notification processing for each security level (part 1). The example of the screen which selects the content of notification processing for every security level (the 2).

Explanation of symbols

10, 70 Display device 15, 70 Input device 30, 55, 85 Hard disk device 25, 50, 80 CPU
35, 60, 90 RAM
40 Input unit 100, 100a, 100b, 100c PC
200 MFP
210 Document data input unit 211 Security information setting unit 212 Security information recording unit 241 Input screen generation unit 243 Display screen generation unit 250 Communication unit 260 Storage unit 271 Input unit 273 Display unit 300 Server 310 Data processing unit 311 Security information acquisition unit 313 Text Data acquisition means 315 Keyword extraction means 320 Database control means 321 Address acquisition means 323 Storage period acquisition means 325 Keyword management means 330 Image data storage control means 331 Image data storage means 333 Storage period management means 340 Screen generation means 341 Input screen generation means 343 Display screen generation means 350 Communication means 352 Message notification means 361 Address holding means 363 Storage period holding means 365 Keyword holding means 371 Input hand 373 display unit 400a, 400b storage unit 450 output unit

Claims (14)

An information processing apparatus for processing document data including image data and information related to security of the image data,
Security information acquisition means for acquiring information related to the security from the document data;
Image data storage means for storing the image data at an address of a storage destination corresponding to the information relating to the security;
Storage period acquisition means for acquiring a corresponding storage period for each of a plurality of security levels corresponding to the security- related information ;
Storage period holding means for holding the security level and the storage period acquired by the storage period acquisition means in association with each other;
For each storage period acquired by the storage period acquisition means, a period corresponding address holding means for holding the storage destination address of the document data in association with each other,
An information processing apparatus. A keyword management means for associating a predetermined keyword with the security level;
Text data acquisition means for acquiring text data represented by the image data;
Keyword extracting means for extracting a predetermined keyword from the text data;
Have
The security information acquisition unit acquires, as the security level of the image data, a security level corresponding to the keyword extracted by the keyword extraction unit when the document data does not include the security information. Item 6. The information processing apparatus according to Item 1 . When the document data does not contain information related to the security,
An input screen generating means for generating an input screen for prompting input of information relating to the security;
The security information obtaining means, according to claim 1 Symbol placement of the information processing apparatus acquires information relating to the security input based on the input screen. When the document data does not contain information related to the security,
The security information obtaining means obtains information related to a given security is predetermined according to claim 1 Symbol placement of the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 having a display screen generating means for generating a display screen for displaying information according to the obtained security by the security information acquiring unit. An information processing apparatus that processes document data including image data and information related to security of the image data and transmits the processed document data to the information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
Document data input means for receiving input of the document data;
When the document data does not contain information related to the security,
Security information setting means for setting information related to the security;
Security information recording means for recording information related to security set by the security information setting means in the document data;
An information processing apparatus. An input screen generating means for generating an input screen for prompting input of information relating to the security;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the security information setting unit sets information related to security input based on the input screen. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the security information setting unit sets predetermined information related to security. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising a display screen generation unit configured to generate a display screen that displays information related to security set by the security information setting unit. An information processing system comprising: a first information processing apparatus that acquires document data including image data and information related to security of the image data; and a second information processing apparatus that stores the document data at a predetermined address There,
The first information processing apparatus includes:
Document data input means for receiving input of the document data;
When the document data does not contain information related to the security,
Security information setting means for setting information related to the security;
Security information recording means for recording information related to security acquired by the first security information acquisition means in the document data;
Have
The second information processing apparatus
From the document data, and security information acquiring unit that acquires the security level,
Image data storage means for storing the image data at an address of a storage destination corresponding to the information relating to the security;
Storage period acquisition means for acquiring a corresponding storage period for each of a plurality of security levels corresponding to the security-related information;
Storage period holding means for holding the security level and the storage period acquired by the storage period acquisition means in association with each other;
For each storage period acquired by the storage period acquisition means, a period corresponding address holding means for holding the storage destination address of the document data in association with each other,
An information processing system having An information processing method for processing document data including image data and information related to security of the image data,
A security information acquisition step of acquiring information related to the security from the document data;
A storage period acquisition step for acquiring a corresponding storage period for each of a plurality of security levels corresponding to the information related to the security;
A storage period holding step of associating the security level with the storage period acquired by the storage period acquisition unit and holding it in a storage period holding unit;
A period-corresponding address holding step in which, for each of the storage periods acquired in the storage period acquiring step, the address of the storage destination of the document data is associated and held in the period corresponding address holding unit;
A security information acquisition step of acquiring a storage destination address corresponding to the security-related information;
An image data storage step of storing the image data at the address;
An information processing method comprising: An information processing method for processing document data including image data and information related to security of the image data and transmitting the processed document data to the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 ,
A document data input step for receiving input of the document data;
When the document data does not contain information related to the security,
A security information acquisition step of acquiring information related to the security;
A security information recording step for recording information related to security acquired in the security information acquisition step in the document data;
A transmission step of transmitting the document data;
An information processing method comprising: A computer program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method according to claim 11 . A computer-readable information recording medium storing the computer program according to claim 13 .

Images