Image forming device

Abstract

A complex machine includes an image reading section for reading an image from a document. A determining section determines whether the read image includes a predetermined confidential pattern. A breaking pattern inserting section inserts a breaking pattern to the document image to break the document image. A printing section can print an image onto a recording sheet and a transmitting section can transmit the image read by the image reading section to external equipment. A controller controls the printing section to print a document image, to which the breaking pattern is inserted by the breaking pattern inserting section, if the copy function is executed. However, the controller prohibits the transmission section from transmitting the document image to outside if the facsimile function or the scanner function is executed and if the determining section determines that the image read by the image reading section includes the confidential pattern.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having copying function, scanning function and facsimile function, and particularly relates to a technology for preventing leakage of confidential documents. Background technique [0002] Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus having a copying function, a scanning function, and a facsimile function, that is, a so-called multi-function peripheral, technology for preventing leakage of confidential information printed on a document has been required. As in the technology shown in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-274092), it is proposed to preliminarily include a confidential graphic indicating that the image is confidential information in an image on a manuscript, and when reading the manuscript image, the In the case where a confidential pattern is detected in the original image, the output of the original image is prohibited. In addition, in Patent Docum...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0003] However, as in the technology shown in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, if it is necessary to prohibit the output of all document images to be output when a confidential figure is detected, and to output the document image after it is judged that all the document images do not contain a confidential figure, Such a control requires temporarily storing all the original images as output objects in the memory, so when the output is allowed, the output time is delayed, and the output cannot be output in real time, and the work efficiency is reduced.

In addition, in the case of the technology shown in Patent Document 2, since a broken pattern is inserted when executing a scan function or a facsimile function, confusion occurs on the receiving side by sending a document image with a broken pattern inserted, or an increase in the number of unnecessary data is sent. burden on the network

Images