JP5383532B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that gives management authority to document data read by a scanner.

  An image forming apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus and including a scanner unit is configured to transmit the document data to a connection destination information processing apparatus when the scanner unit reads the document. Depending on the contents of the document data, there is a case where a part of the document data is desired to be kept secret. In this case, after masking processing is performed on a specific area to be concealed in the document data, the masked document data is transmitted to the information processing apparatus.

  In addition, there is a case where it is not necessary to conceal the specific area subjected to the masking process in the document data after a predetermined period. However, once the masking process is performed in the conventional image forming apparatus, the masked part cannot be viewed in the information processing apparatus, which causes inconvenience for the user.

  Therefore, an image forming apparatus that performs a masking process with an expiration date on a specific area in document data has been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-074295 A

  Furthermore, there is a case where it is desired to give management authority capable of reading the specific area to the original data including the specific area subjected to the masking process, and to transmit the original data to a specific information processing apparatus. However, the conventional image forming apparatus such as Patent Document 1 cannot solve this problem.

  Therefore, in view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to give management authority to read the specific area to the original data including the specific area subjected to the masking process, and transmit the original data to the specific information processing apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of doing so.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is connected to one or more information processing apparatuses, and includes a scanner unit, a touch panel unit, a masking processing unit, a management authority assigning unit, a transmission destination selection unit, and a transmission unit.

The scanner unit is configured to be able to read a document. The touch panel unit can display the first document data read by the scanner unit, and can select a specific area of the first document data. The masking processing unit generates second document data that is masked so that the specific area of the first document data selected on the touch panel unit can be read . Management authorization unit is imparted to the second document data produced by the masking process section, a management authority to the readable area was masked process in the second document data. The transmission destination selection unit selects the information processing apparatus that is the transmission destination of the second document data to which the management authority is given by the management authority giving unit. The transmission unit transmits the second document data to which the management authority is given to the information processing apparatus selected by the transmission destination selection unit.

In this configuration, it transmits the second document data granted administrative privileges that allow reading the realm masked processed only to a specific information processing apparatus. Therefore, the transmission destination of the second document data to which the management authority is given can be determined as desired by the user who has read the document with the scanner unit.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention can grant management authority to read the specific area to the original data including the specific area subjected to the masking process, and can transmit the original data to the specific information processing apparatus. .

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration related to the present invention of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and an information processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating control contents of a control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a screen for determining whether to give management authority to document data read by a scanner unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a part of the control content of a control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a screen for determining an area where masking is performed on document data read by a scanner unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a screen for determining an area where masking is performed on document data read by a scanner unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a part of the control content of a control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a screen for selecting an information processing apparatus as a transmission destination of document data read by a scanner unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a screen for selecting an information processing apparatus as a transmission destination of document data read by a scanner unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a screen for selecting an information processing apparatus as a transmission destination of document data read by a scanner unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a confirmation screen before transmitting document data read by a scanner unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, a transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 100 forms a multi-color or single-color image on a predetermined sheet (recording paper) in accordance with image data transmitted from the outside. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a document processing device 120, a paper feeding unit 80, an image forming unit 110, and a paper discharge unit 90.

  The document processing device 120 includes a document placement table 121, a document transport device 122, and a scanner unit 123. The document placing table 121 is made of transparent glass and is configured to be able to place a document. The document transport device 122 transports the documents stacked on the document tray one by one. Further, the document conveying device 122 is configured to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow 124, and the document can be placed on the document placing table 121 by opening the document placing table 121. The scanner unit 123 reads a document being transported by the document transport device 121 or a document placed on the document placing table 122.

  The paper feed unit 80 is provided with a paper feed cassette 81, a manual paper feed cassette 82, a pickup roller 83, and a pickup roller 84. The paper feed cassette 81 is a tray for storing regular sheets. The manual paper feed cassette 82 is a tray on which an irregular sheet can be placed. The pickup roller 83 is provided near the end of the paper feed cassette 81, picks up sheets one by one from the paper feed cassette 81, and supplies them to the paper transport path 101. Similarly, the pickup roller 84 is provided in the vicinity of the end of the manual paper feed cassette 82, picks up sheets one by one from the manual paper feed cassette 82, and supplies them to the paper transport path 101.

  The image forming unit 110 includes image forming stations 31, 32, 33, 34, an exposure unit 30, an intermediate transfer belt unit 50, and a fixing unit 70. Each of the image forming stations 31, 32, 33, and 34 is provided with a photosensitive drum 10, a charger 20, a developing device 40, and a cleaner unit 60. Black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and magenta (M) are provided. This corresponds to a color image using each color of yellow (Y). In the present embodiment, the image forming station 31 will be described.

  The photoconductor drum 10 is rotated when an image is formed and carries a developer image. Around the photosensitive drum 10, the charger 20, the exposure unit 30, the developing device 40, the intermediate transfer belt unit 50, and the cleaner unit 60 are arranged in this order from the upstream in the rotation direction. The fixing unit 70 is positioned on the most downstream side of the image forming unit 110 on the conveyance path 101.

  The charger 20 is a charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 to a predetermined potential. In addition to the charger type as shown in FIG. 1, a contact type roller type or brush type charger is used. Sometimes used.

  The exposure unit 30 has a function of forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data on the surface thereof by exposing the charged photosensitive drum 10 according to the input image data. The exposure unit 30 is configured as a laser scanning unit (LSU) provided with a laser emitting portion, a reflection mirror, and the like. The exposure unit 30 includes a polygon mirror that scans the laser beam and optical elements such as a lens and a mirror that guide the laser beam reflected by the polygon mirror to the photosensitive drum 10. As the exposure unit 30, for example, a method using an EL or LED writing head in which other light emitting elements are arranged in an array can be employed.

  The developing device 40 visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 with toner.

  The intermediate transfer belt unit 50 includes an intermediate transfer belt 51, an intermediate transfer belt drive roller 52, an intermediate transfer belt driven roller 53, an intermediate transfer roller 54, and an intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 55.

  The intermediate transfer belt driving roller 52, the intermediate transfer belt driven roller 53, and the intermediate transfer roller 54 are driven to rotate while the intermediate transfer belt 51 is stretched. Further, the intermediate transfer roller 54 gives a transfer bias for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 10 onto the intermediate transfer belt 51.

  The intermediate transfer belt 51 is provided in contact with the photosensitive drum 10. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 51, thereby forming a toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 51. The intermediate transfer belt 51 is formed in an endless shape using, for example, a film having a thickness of about 100 μm to 150 μm.

  Transfer of the toner image from the photosensitive drum 10 to the intermediate transfer belt 51 is performed by an intermediate transfer roller 54 that is in contact with the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 51. A high voltage transfer bias (a high voltage having a polarity (+) opposite to the toner charging polarity (−)) is applied to the intermediate transfer roller 54 in order to transfer the toner image. The intermediate transfer roller 54 is a roller whose base is a metal (for example, stainless steel) shaft having a diameter of 8 mm to 10 mm, and whose surface is covered with a conductive elastic material (for example, EPDM, urethane foam, or the like). With this conductive elastic material, a high voltage can be uniformly applied to the intermediate transfer belt 51. In this embodiment, a roller shape is used as the transfer electrode, but a brush or the like can also be used.

  The electrostatic images visualized on the photosensitive drum 10 as described above are stacked on the intermediate transfer belt 51. The image information stacked in this way is transferred onto the sheet by the transfer roller 56 disposed at the contact position between the sheet and the intermediate transfer belt 51 as the intermediate transfer belt 51 rotates.

  At this time, the intermediate transfer belt 51 and the transfer roller 56 are pressed against each other at a predetermined nip, and a voltage for transferring the toner onto the paper is applied to the transfer roller 56 (the polarity opposite to the toner charging polarity (−)). (+) High voltage). Further, in order to obtain the nip constantly, the transfer roller 56 uses either the transfer roller 56 or the intermediate transfer belt drive roller 52 as a hard material (metal or the like) and the other as a soft material such as an elastic roller (elastic rubber roller). Or a foaming resin roller or the like.

  Further, as described above, the toner adhered to the intermediate transfer belt 51 by contacting the photosensitive drum 10 or the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 51 without being transferred onto the sheet by the transfer roller 56 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 51. It is set to be removed and collected by the cleaning unit 55. The intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 55 is provided with, for example, a cleaning blade that contacts the intermediate transfer belt 51 as a cleaning member. The intermediate transfer belt 51 that contacts the cleaning blade is supported by an intermediate transfer belt driven roller 53 from the back side. ing.

  The cleaner unit 60 removes and collects toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 after development and image transfer.

  The fixing unit 70 includes a heating roller 71 and a pressure roller 72, and the heating roller 71 and the pressure roller 72 rotate with the sheet interposed therebetween. The heating roller 71 is set so as to reach a predetermined fixing temperature by a control unit based on a signal from a temperature detector (not shown), and the toner is thermocompression bonded to the sheet together with the pressure roller 72. It has a function of fusing, mixing, and pressing the transferred toner image and thermally fixing the sheet. An external heating belt 73 for heating the heating roller 71 from the outside is provided.

  The paper discharge unit 90 includes a paper discharge tray 91 and a paper discharge roller 92. The sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 70 is discharged to a discharge tray 91 via a discharge roller 92. The paper discharge tray 91 is a tray for collecting printed sheets.

  When a double-sided printing request is made, when the single-sided printing is completed and the trailing edge of the sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 70 is gripped by the paper discharging roller 92 as described above, the paper discharging roller 92 rotates in the reverse direction. The sheet is guided to the conveyance rollers 102 and 103. Then, after printing is performed on the back side of the sheet through the registration roller 104, the sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 91.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration according to the present invention of the image forming apparatus 100 and a state in which the image forming apparatus 100 and the information processing apparatuses 200A to 200C are connected.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a scanner unit 123, a touch panel unit 130, a network interface 140, and a control unit 150. As described above, the scanner unit 123 is configured to be able to read a document. The touch panel unit 130 is configured to display document data read by the scanner unit 123 (hereinafter referred to as first document data).

The network interface 140 is used when connecting the image forming apparatus 100 and the information processing apparatuses 200A to 200C according to standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, and FDDI.

  The control unit 150 includes a CPU 151, ROM 152, RAM 153, masking processing unit 154, management authority giving unit 155, transmission destination selection unit 156, and transmission unit 157. The CPU 151 reads out a control program from the ROM 152 and controls each unit collectively. The RAM 153 is used as a working area for the CPU 151.

  The masking processing unit 154 generates document data (hereinafter referred to as second document data) obtained by masking the specific area selected on the touch panel unit 130. The management authority giving unit 155 gives the management authority that can read the specific area in the second document data to the second document data generated by the masking processing unit 154. The transmission destination selection unit 156 selects an information processing apparatus that is a transmission destination of the second document data to which the management authority is given by the management authority giving unit 155 (hereinafter referred to as second document data with management authority). The transmission unit 157 transmits the second document data with management authority to the information processing apparatus selected by the transmission destination selection unit 156.

  In FIG. 2, information processing apparatuses 200 </ b> A to 200 </ b> C are connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via the network interface 140, but the number of information processing apparatuses connected is arbitrary.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the control unit 150. Hereinafter, the control content of the control unit 150 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to other drawings.

  The control unit 150 stands by until the document is read by the scanner unit 123 (N in S100). When the control unit 150 determines that the document is read by the scanner unit 123 (Y in S100), the control unit 150 determines whether to give management authority to the first document data (S200).

  At this time, a display screen 310 as shown in FIG. If the user selects the Yes button 311 here, the process proceeds to S300. On the other hand, when the user selects the NO button 312, the process proceeds to S210.

  Hereinafter, the control content of the control unit 150 when the Yes button 311 is selected in S200 will be described.

  When the control unit 150 determines that an instruction to grant management authority is given in S200 (Y in S200), the control unit 150 waits until a masking area is selected (N in S300).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the processing content of S300 will be described in detail. The controller 150 waits until a page to be masked is selected (N in S310).

  At this time, a display screen 320 as shown in FIG. On the display screen 320, a page selection field 321, a preview display field 322, a masking page list field 323, a Yes button 324, a No button 325, a return button 326, a setting reset button 327, and a setting completion button 328 are displayed.

  When the control unit 150 determines that the page to be masked is selected in the page selection field 321 (Y in S310), the selected page is displayed in the preview display field 322 (S320). Then, the control unit 150 waits until a masking area is selected for the selected page of the first document data displayed in the preview display field 322 (N in S330). When the control unit 150 determines that a masking area has been selected for the page (Y in S330), the control unit 150 determines whether the selection of the masking area is to add or delete the masking area. (S340).

  When determining that the masking area is to be added to the page (Y in S340), the control unit 150 adds the masking area to the page (S350). On the other hand, when determining that the masking area is to be deleted from the page (N in S340), the control unit 150 deletes the masking area from the page (S360). Then, when editing of the masking area is selected (Y in S370), the control unit 150 returns to the process in S310. When it is selected not to edit the masking area (N in S370), the control unit 150 proceeds to the process of S400.

  The processes from S310 to S370 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the user inputs a page of the first document data to be masked in the page selection field 321, the contents of the page are previewed in the preview display field 322. Then, the user selects an area in which the masking process is to be edited with the finger on the preview display displayed in the preview display field 322.

  In this state, when the user selects the Yes button 324, a masking process is performed on the area selected with the finger. Then, the page subjected to the masking process is displayed in the masking page list field 323. When the user selects the No button 325, the masking process in the area selected with the finger is deleted. Then, the page from which the masking process has been deleted is deleted from the masking page list column 323. Note that when masking processing is performed on a plurality of areas for the same page, even if masking processing is deleted for some of the plurality of areas, the page is not deleted from the masking page list column 323. When editing the masking area, the page may be directly input in the page selection field 321 or the page displayed in the masking page list field 323 may be selected.

  The return button 326 is a button for returning only one operation performed on the display screen 320. The setting reset button 327 is a button for initializing the work performed on the display screen 320 and returning to the state of FIG. The setting completion button 328 is a button indicating completion of work performed on the display screen 320, and selection of this button corresponds to N in S370 in the control flow.

  When determining that the masking area has been selected (Y in S300), the control unit 150 performs a masking process on the selected area (S400). Thereafter, the control unit 150 grants management authority to the second document data (S500). Then, the control unit 150 waits until the transmission destination of the second document data with management authority is selected (S600).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the processing content of S600 will be described in detail. The control unit 150 displays the information processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus 100 (S610).

  At this time, a display screen 330 as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the touch panel unit 130. The display screen 330 includes an information processing device list column 331, a search box 332, a search execution button 333, a full control box 334A, a selection area unchangeable box 334B, a trash can icon 335, a return button 336, a setting reset button 337, and a setting completion button. 338 is displayed. To the information processing apparatus displayed in the full control box 334A, the second document data to which the management authority capable of reading and editing the specific area subjected to the masking process is given is transmitted. Further, the second document data to which the management authority that allows reading and editing of the specific area subjected to the masking process is transmitted to the information processing apparatus displayed in the selection area unchangeable box 334B. .

  In addition, although the case where the display unit 330 as illustrated in FIG. 9 is displayed on the touch panel unit 130 at the stage of S610 has been described as an example, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a selection area unreadable box 334C may be displayed in addition to the display unit 330 of FIG.

  In FIG. 9, the second document data to which the corresponding management authority is assigned is transmitted to the information processing apparatus displayed in the full control box 334A or the selection area unchangeable box 334B and displayed in both boxes. The second document data to which the management authority is not given is transmitted to the information processing apparatus that is not.

  In FIG. 10, the second document data to which the corresponding management authority is assigned is transmitted to the information processing apparatus displayed in the full control box 334A or the selection area unchangeable box 334B. Similarly, the second document data to which the management authority is not given is transmitted only to the information processing apparatus displayed in the selection area unreadable box 334C, and the information processing apparatus is not displayed in any box. Does not transmit the second document data.

  In the following, description will be given according to the display shown in FIG.

  The control unit 150 selects the information processing apparatus as the transmission destination of the second document data with management authority from the information processing apparatus list column 331, the full control box 334A, the selection area unchangeable box 334B, or the selection area unreadable box 334C. Wait (N in S620). When the control unit 150 determines that the information processing apparatus as the transmission destination of the second document data with management authority has been selected (Y in S620), the information processing apparatus is added as the transmission destination of the second document data with management authority. It is determined whether the information is to be deleted from the transmission destination (S630).

  When the control unit 150 determines that the information processing apparatus is to be added as the transmission destination (Y in S630), the control unit 150 adds the information processing apparatus as the transmission destination (S640). On the other hand, when determining that the information processing apparatus is to be deleted from the transmission destination (N in S630), the control unit 150 deletes the information processing apparatus from the transmission destination (S650). Thereafter, the control unit 150 further determines whether or not to edit the transmission destination (S660). When determining that the transmission destination is to be edited (Y of S660), the control unit 150 returns to the process of S620. When the control unit 150 determines to finish editing the transmission destination (N of S660), the control unit 150 proceeds to the processing of S700.

  The processes from S610 to S660 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S <b> 610, the control unit 150 displays the information processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus 100 in the information processing apparatus list column 331. Then, the user selects an information processing apparatus to which the second document data is to be transmitted, and drags and drops it on the full control box 334A, the selection area unchangeable box 334B, or the selection area unreadable box 334C. Then, the selected information processing apparatus is displayed in the box that has been dragged and dropped.

  Note that information processing devices that can be dragged and dropped from the information processing device list column 331 can also be in group units (for example, section C in FIG. 11).

  In addition, the information processing apparatus can display the information in only one of the full control box 334A, the selection area unchangeable box 334B, and the selection area unreadable box 334C. This is to prevent duplication of management authority. When an information processing device already displayed in any one box is dragged and dropped from the information processing device list column 331 to another box, the information processing device is displayed in the newly dragged and dropped box. Then, the information processing apparatus already displayed in the box is deleted.

  If there are many information processing apparatuses connected to the image forming apparatus 100 and it is difficult to search for an information processing apparatus to which the second document data is to be transmitted from the information processing apparatus list column 331, the information is transmitted to the search box 332. The information processing apparatus can be displayed in the information processing apparatus list column 331 by inputting the name of the information processing apparatus to be desired (user name) and selecting the search execution button 333.

  If the information processing apparatus that transmits the second document data is erroneously selected, the information processing apparatus is selected from the box in which the information processing apparatus is displayed and dragged and dropped to the trash can icon 335. In this case, the information processing apparatus is deleted from the box.

  The return button 336 is a button for returning only one operation performed on the display screen 330. The setting reset button 337 is a button for initializing the work performed on the display screen 330 and returning to the state of FIG. The setting completion button 338 is a button indicating completion of work performed on the display screen 330, and selection of this button corresponds to N in S660 in the control flow.

  When determining that the second document data with management authority and the information processing apparatus as the transmission destination of the second document data have been selected (Y in S600), the control unit 150 determines whether or not to edit the settings made so far. Judgment is made (S700). When the control unit 150 determines that an instruction to edit the settings made so far has been issued (Y in S700), the control unit 150 returns to the process in S300. If the control unit 150 determines that an instruction not to perform the editing is given (N in S700), the control unit 150 sends the second document data with management authority or the second document data to each information processing apparatus based on the settings made so far. Transmit (S800).

  FIG. 12 corresponds to S700. The contents of S700 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In S <b> 700, a setting confirmation screen 340 is displayed on the touch panel unit 130. On the setting confirmation screen 340, a setting list field 341, a setting edit button 342, a setting deletion button 343, and a setting completion button 344 are displayed. The setting list column 341 is a column for displaying the setting contents made so far. The setting edit button 342 is a button for shifting from the setting confirmation screen to the display screen 320 of FIG. 7 when selected by the user. When the setting deletion button 343 is selected by the user after selecting the information processing apparatus displayed in the setting list field 341, the setting content for the information processing apparatus is deleted. When the setting completion button 344 is selected by the user, the control unit 150 performs transmission processing based on the setting content displayed in the setting list field 341.

  With the above control flow, the second document data with management authority can be transmitted only to a specific information processing apparatus. Therefore, the destination of the second document data with management authority can be determined as desired by the user who has read the document with the scanner unit 123.

  Hereinafter, the control content of the control unit 150 when the No button 312 is selected in S200 will be described.

  If the control unit 150 determines in S200 that it is instructed not to grant management authority (N in S200), it determines whether or not to perform masking processing on the first document data (S210). If the control unit 150 determines in S210 that the first document data is instructed not to be masked (N in S210), the process proceeds to S240. If the control unit 150 determines in S210 that the first document data has been instructed to be masked (Y in S210), it waits until a masking area is selected (N in S220). The processing content of S220 is as shown in FIG.

  When determining that the selection of the masking area is completed (Y in S220), the control unit 150 performs a masking process on the selected area (S230). Then, control unit 150 waits until an information processing apparatus that is the transmission destination of the first document data or the second document data is selected (N in S240). When the control unit 150 determines that the selection of the information processing apparatus has been completed (Y in S240), the control unit 150 proceeds to the process of S800.

  Finally, the description of the above-described embodiment is to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above embodiments but by the claims. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100- Image forming apparatus 123- Scanner part 130- Touch panel part 154- Masking process part 155- Management authority provision part 156- Transmission destination selection part 157- Transmission part 200A- Information processing apparatus 200B- Information processing apparatus 200C- Information processing apparatus

Claims (3)

An image forming apparatus connected to one or more information processing apparatuses,
A scanner unit capable of reading an original;
A touch panel unit capable of displaying first document data read by the scanner unit and capable of selecting a specific area of the first document data;
A masking processing unit that generates second document data that is masked so that the specific area of the first document data selected on the touch panel unit can be read ;
With respect to the second document data generated by the masking processing unit, a management authorization unit to grant administrative privileges that allow reading a region masked process in the second document data,
A transmission destination selection unit for selecting an information processing apparatus as a transmission destination of the second document data to which the management authority is granted by the management authority granting unit;
A transmission unit for transmitting the second document data to which the management authority is given to the information processing apparatus selected by the transmission destination selection unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The masking processing unit generates second document data that is masked so that the specific area of the first document data can be read and edited,
The administrative privileges granted by the managing authorization unit, the relative said second original data produced by the masking process section, and the masking processed readable regions and uneditable in the second document data A first management authority and a second management authority that enables the masked area in the second document data to be readable and editable,
The transmission destination selection unit selects an information processing apparatus that is a transmission destination of the second document data to which the first management authority or the second management authority is granted by the management authority grant unit,
2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the second document data to which the first management authority or the second management authority is granted to an information processing apparatus selected by the transmission destination selection unit. Forming equipment.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the touch panel unit can select a specific area for each page of the first document data.