Image process device and method

Abstract

The subject invention offers data deletion operation with respect to the area storing image data for security purpose, and also offers a function for suspending the deletion operation by a specific condition so as to accept a request of processing new image data. The image processing device includes image data inputting means for inputting image data; image data storing means for storing the image data inputted by the image data inputting means; image data processing (outputting) means for processing (outputting) the image data stored in the image data storing means; image data invalidating (deleting) means for performing invalidation (deletion) of the image data stored in the image data storing means; directing means for directing cutoff of the invalidation performed by the image data invalidating means; and permitting means for permitting the cutoff of the invalidation directed by the directing means.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to an image processing device such as a digital copier including an image data input unit (scanner device) and an image data output unit (printer device), and more particularly to an image processing device and an image processing method that are connected to a communication path such as a network , in addition to having the function as the copying machine, it is also used as a digital compound machine having image communication and a printer function. Specifically, in order to process the image data input to the image processing device, the image data is temporarily The stored image data is stored in an image data storage unit (storage device) mounted on the image processing device, and invalidation processing such as deletion from the image data storage unit (storage device) is performed as the processing of the stored image data is completed. Background technique [0002] In recent years, digital copying machines that e...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0007] Therefore, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-284572 (publication date: October 31, 1997, hereinafter referred to as "Patent Document 1"), etc., at the stage where the processing in the digital multi-function Permanently delete the image data area stored in the hard disk device, and write irregular graphic images generated by random numbers so that they cannot be reproduced as image data

[0008] However, according to the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the area of ​​the image data stored in the hard disk device is forcibly deleted, and at the same time, irregular graphic images generated by random numbers are written. In invalidation as image data, depending on the characteristics of the hard disk device rather than short processing time

In particular, if the entire area of ​​the image data storage area in the hard disk device is invalidated, the processing time will become very long as the storage area expands.

Therefore, during the period before the end of the processing, there is also a problem that the user cannot accept new processing and has to wait.

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