Image processing device

Abstract

An image processing device comprises an image data input means 2, an image data storage means 12 for storing the image data being input, an image data processing means 6 having multiple processing modes for outputting the stored image data, and a image data erasing means for erasing the image data stored in the storage means 12. The device further comprises erase count control means 8, 14 for controlling the number of times for erasing image data capable of having the number of times of erase set arbitrarily according to the security level required for each mode, and capable of having the set number of times of erase changed in mid-flow. Confidentiality is protected by performing erase operations repeatedly to the region storing the unnecessary image data according to the security level.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to an image processing device such as a digital multifunctional device including a scanner and a printer, and preferably relates to an image processing device connected to a communication path such as a network and having, in addition to the copier function mentioned above, an image communicating function and a printer function, and more specifically, relates to an image processing device that temporarily stores the image data inputted to the multifunctional device in a memory equipped thereto so as to process the input image data, and erases the stored image data from the memory when the processing is completed. DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART [0002] Conventionally, digital multifunctional devices are available in the market for electronically scanning a document image by a scanner and outputting the image data transmitted from the scanner through a printer. Recently, improved digital multifunctional devices have appeared, equi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] As explained, by repeatedly erasing the stored image data to be erased for a set number of times according to the process mode, the stored image data can be erased without fail according to its security level, so the security of the image data can be improved. Furthermore, by enabling the total number of erase operation to be varied in mid-flow during erase of the stored image data, the number of times for erasing the stored image data can be increased or decreased according to its security level, and the security level of the image data can be increased. Moreover, the present invention prevents deterioration of processing efficiency of the device by carrying out erase operations not more than necessary.

[0016] Furthermore, according to the image processing device of the preset invention, in addition to the features mentioned above, the erase count control means is equipped with an erase count setup means for arbitrarily setting up the number of times for erasing the image data by the image data erasing means according to each processing mode, and an erase count changing means for changing in mid-flow the number of times of erase being set. As explained, by allowing the number of times for erasing the image data by the image data erase means to be set arbitrarily, the most suitable number can be set to correspond to the environment of the installation site (various handling levels for various document images at the installation site) by which the security level is increased, and on the other hand, the erase operation is not repeated more than necessary, so the process efficiency of the image data of the image processing device is not deteriorated. Further, while erasing the stored image data to be erased, the number of times of erase operation can be varied in mid-flow, so that the erase count can be increased or decreased according to the security level of the stored image data, thus the security level of the image data can be increased.

[0019] In addition to the features of the image processing device of the present invention mentioned above, the image data storage means is a storage device equipped with a magnetic memory medium. By forming the image data storage means with a magnetic memory medium, the image data stored in the magnetic memory device can be erased without fail and the security level of the image data is further enhanced.

Problems solved by technology

However, the processing of a highly confidential document data by this type of digital multifunctional device may cause security problems.

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