Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To ensure improved security for printing being executed by an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 comprises: a display unit 15 that has a backlight 151 and a touch panel 152; a communication unit 22; an image forming unit 12; a proximity sensor 23 that detects a human body present within a predetermined range from the image forming apparatus 1; a timing unit 29; and a control unit 100 that, in a case where an output signal of the proximity sensor 23 becomes a state of not detecting a human body when the image forming apparatus 12 is caused to perform image formation, when a time checked by the timing unit 29 reaches a predetermined value TA from a time point indicating that the output signal does not detect the human body, causes the image forming apparatus 12 to stop the image formation, and stops reception of instructions from the touch panel 152.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] A user may print confidential content using an image forming device such as a printer or multifunction device. While printing the confidential content, the user may leave the image forming device for some reason. The following patent documents describe a technology that ensures security by restricting functions when the user leaves the device. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that releases restrictions on a touch display and allows the user to use the display only when a reading from a proximity sensor indicates that the display is near a mobile communication terminal. Patent Document 2 describes a technology that deactivates the touch screen if no operation is performed on the touch screen for a certain period of time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] US10592652B2 [Patent Document 2] US9807694B2 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the technologies in Patent Documents 1 and 2 merely restrict the operation of the touch screen, and therefore cannot improve security for printing being performed by the image forming device when the user moves away from the operator.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to improve security assurance regarding printing being performed by an image forming apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An image forming device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a display unit having a backlight and a touch panel, a print target data acquisition unit that acquires data to be printed, an image forming unit that forms an image indicated by the print target data acquisition unit on a recording medium, a proximity sensor that detects a human body present within a predetermined range from the image forming device, a timing unit, and a control unit that, when the image forming unit is performing image formation and the output signal of the proximity sensor indicates that a human body is not being detected, stops image formation by the image forming unit and stops accepting instructions via the touch panel when the output signal indicates that a human body is not being detected, and when the time measured by the timing unit from the point in time when the output signal indicates that a human body is not being detected reaches a predetermined first time. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve security for printing being performed by an image forming apparatus. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view showing the structure of the image forming apparatus. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus; [Diagram 3] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for setting secure printing. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a user information input screen displayed on a display unit. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for controlling the operation of an image forming unit and a display unit in accordance with a detection result by a proximity sensor. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for controlling the operation of an image forming unit and a display unit in accordance with a detection result by a proximity sensor. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a passcode input screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 8]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a warning message displayed on a display unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing the structure of an image forming apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction device equipped with multiple functions such as a copy function, a transmission function, a printing function, and a facsimile function.

[0010] Please refer to Fig. 1. The housing of the image forming apparatus 1 contains a plurality of devices for realizing various functions of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading unit 11, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a paper feed unit 14, and a conveying unit 17. A display unit 15 and an operation unit 16 are provided on the front side of the housing of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0011] The image reading unit 11 is an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) including an original transport unit 6 that transports an original placed on an original table, and a scanner that optically reads an original transported by the original transport unit 6 or an original placed on a platen glass 7. The image reading unit 11 illuminates the original with a light irradiation unit and receives the reflected light with a CCD (Charge-Couple device) sensor. The image reading unit 11 obtains an original image by reading the original.

[0012] The image forming unit 12 includes a photoconductor drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, and a transfer device. The image forming unit 12 forms an image composed of a toner image on the recording paper P conveyed along the conveying path T by the conveying unit 17 based on the image data generated by the image reading unit 11 or the image data received via the communication unit 22.

[0013] The fixing unit 13 applies heat and pressure to the recording paper P on which the toner image has been formed by the image forming unit 12, thereby fixing the toner image to the recording paper P. The recording paper P on which the toner image has been fixed by the fixing unit 13 is discharged to the discharge tray 8. The paper feed unit 14 includes a manual feed tray and multiple paper feed cassettes. The paper feed unit 14 pulls out the recording paper P stored in one of the multiple paper feed cassettes or the recording paper placed on the manual feed tray one by one using a pickup roller, and feeds the recording paper to the transport path T.

[0014] The display unit 15 is a display device configured with a liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode (EL) display, or the like. The display unit 15 displays various screens for each job that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1 according to the control of the control unit 10. The display unit 15 includes a backlight 151 that illuminates the display screen of the display unit 15 from inside the display unit 15, and a touch panel 152.

[0015] The operation unit 16 includes a start key 16A for inputting an instruction to start the execution of each job, and a setting key 16B for receiving setting instructions.

[0016] The transport unit 17 includes a transport roller pair 17A, a discharge roller pair 17B, etc., and a transport motor connected to the transport roller pair 17A and the discharge roller pair 17B, etc. The control unit 10 drives the transport motor to rotate the transport roller pair 17A and the discharge roller pair 17B, etc., thereby transporting the recording paper P fed by the paper feed unit 14 along the transport path T toward the image forming unit 12 and the discharge tray 8.

[0017] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10. The control unit 10 includes a processor, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), etc. The processor is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0018] The control unit 10 functions as a control unit 100 by the processor executing a control program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 18. The control unit 100 may be configured by a logic circuit, regardless of the operation based on the control program.

[0019] The control unit 100 is responsible for the overall control of the image forming apparatus 1. More specifically, the control unit 100 controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 and communication with an external device such as a PC (Personal Computer) connected via a network.

[0020] The control unit 100 is electrically connected to the document transport unit 6, image reading unit 11, image forming unit 12, fixing unit 13, paper feeding unit 14, display unit 15, operation unit 16, transport unit 17, memory unit 18, image processing unit 19, image memory 20, facsimile communication unit 21, communication unit 22, proximity sensor 23, timing unit 29, etc.

[0021] The storage unit 18 is composed of a HDD (hard disk drive) or the like, and is a large-capacity storage device for storing various data such as image data generated by the image reading unit 11. The storage unit 18 stores various control programs for realizing general operations of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0022] The image processing unit 19 performs image processing as necessary on the image data generated by the image reading unit 11. The image memory 20 includes an area for temporarily storing the image data generated by the image reading unit 11. The facsimile communication unit 21 connects to a public line and transmits and receives image data via the public line.

[0023] The communication unit 22 includes a communication module such as a LAN (Local Area Network) board. The image forming apparatus 1 performs data communication with an external device such as a PC connected via a network via the communication unit 22. The clock unit 29 is a timer that measures the passage of time.

[0024] Furthermore, a proximity sensor 23 is connected to the control unit 100. The proximity sensor 23 is a sensor that detects that a detection target approaches the image forming apparatus 10 in a non-contact manner, and a known sensor is used.

[0025] Next, a description will be given of the setting of secure printing, which ensures security while printing using the image forming apparatus 1. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing for setting secure printing.

[0026] It is assumed that the control unit 100 is causing the display unit 15 to display a home screen (not shown) where instructions for secure printing can be input. When this home screen is displayed and an instruction to execute secure printing is input by a user to the operation unit 16, the control unit 100 accepts the instruction and causes the display unit 15 to display a user information input screen G1, an example of which is shown in Fig. 4 (S101).

[0027] The user information input screen G1 has a field A1 showing the setting status of secure printing, a login name display field A2 for accepting input of a login name, a password display field A3, and an email address input field A4. When the user inputs a login name by operating the operation unit 16 while the user information input screen G1 is displayed, the control unit 100 displays the input login name in the login name display field A2. When the user inputs an email address by operating the operation unit 16, the control unit 100 displays the input email address in the input field A4. In addition, the control unit 100 displays "ON" indicating that secure printing is set in the field A1 according to the instruction to execute the secure printing. In addition, the control unit 100 displays the password input by the user operating the operation unit 16 in the password display field A3. When a confirmation instruction is input by the user operating the operation unit 16, the control unit 100 accepts each setting corresponding to the fields A1 to A4 that is set at the time of accepting the input of the confirmation instruction (S102).

[0028] Next, the control unit 100 generates a hash value (MD5 hash) as a passcode using an MD5 hash function based on, for example, the input login name, password, and time of receipt of the secure print execution instruction (S103). This passcode is used later to release the print stop and resume the print job.

[0029] Then, the control unit 100 sends the generated passcode to the preset email address of the terminal of the logged-in user and the preset email address of the terminal of the administrator via the communication unit 22 (S104). After that, the process ends.

[0030] Next, a description will be given of the operation control of the image forming unit 12 and the display unit 15 in response to the detection result by the proximity sensor 23 when performing secure printing. Figures 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the process of the operation control of the image forming unit 12 and the display unit 15 in response to the detection result by the proximity sensor 23.

[0031] After the above-mentioned settings for secure printing are accepted, when a print instruction for document data stored in a document box in storage unit 18 is input by the user operating operation unit 16, or when print target data is accepted by communication unit 22 from an external personal computer or the like, control unit 100 causes image forming unit 12 to start printing (image formation) the print target data generated from the document data or the print target data accepted by communication unit 22 (S201). Control unit 100 or communication unit 22 here is an example of a print target data acquisition unit in the claims.

[0032] After printing starts, the control unit 100 constantly acquires the output signal from the proximity sensor 23 and judges whether the output signal is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value (S202). For example, when the output signal is equal to or less than the threshold value, this corresponds to a state in which the object to be detected by the proximity sensor 23 is, for example, more than 1 m away from the image forming apparatus 1, that is, a state in which the proximity sensor 23 no longer detects a human body present within a predetermined range (here, 1 m) from the image forming apparatus 1. In other words, the proximity sensor 23 and the control unit 100 detect whether the user, who is the object to be detected, is more than 1 m away from the image forming apparatus 1.

[0033] Here, when the control unit 100 determines that the output signal from the proximity sensor 23 has become equal to or lower than the threshold value (YES in S202), it causes the timer unit 29 to start timing (S203).

[0034] Furthermore, when the control unit 100 determines that the output signal from the proximity sensor 23 is not equal to or lower than the threshold value (NO in S202), it determines whether the printing started in S201 is completed (S220), and when it determines that the printing is not completed (NO in S220), the process returns to S202. When the control unit 100 determines that the printing started in S201 is completed (YES in S220), the process ends.

[0035] After the start of timing in S203, when the control unit 100 determines that the time T timed by the timing unit 29 has reached a predetermined value TA (a predetermined first time, for example, 10 seconds) (YES in S204), it suspends the printing being performed by the image forming unit 12 (S205) and further stops the acceptance of instructions via the touch panel 152 of the display unit 15 (S206). For example, the control unit 100 stops the operation of the touch panel 152, or does not accept a signal indicating an instruction output from the touch panel 152.

[0036] Then, the control unit 100 darkens the illumination of the display unit 15 by the backlight 151 by a predetermined value (e.g., 10%) from the previous predetermined standard brightness (S207). The control unit 100 sequentially reduces the brightness level of the illumination of the display unit 15 by the predetermined value every time a certain time (e.g., 30 seconds) has elapsed since the dimming, based on the timing of the timing unit 29. However, when the brightness level of the illumination of the display unit 15 reaches a predetermined minimum level (e.g., a brightness 90% darker than the standard brightness), the control unit 100 does not perform the process of darkening by the predetermined value.

[0037] Furthermore, the control unit 100 causes the image forming unit 12 to print a pre-stored dummy image (an image unrelated to the print content) (S208). The control unit 100 causes the conveying unit 17 to eject the recording paper on which the dummy image has been printed. As a result, the recording paper on which the dummy image has been printed is ejected on top of the recording paper on which the printing started in S201 has been performed.

[0038] After S208, the control unit 100 judges whether the output level of the proximity sensor 23 has exceeded the threshold value (S209). That is, the control unit 100 judges whether the proximity sensor 23 has detected a human body within a predetermined range from the image forming apparatus 1. When the control unit 100 judges that the output level of the proximity sensor 23 has exceeded the threshold value (YES in S209), it returns the brightness level of the illumination of the display unit 15 to the standard brightness (S210), and causes the display unit 15 to display a passcode entry screen G2 (FIG. 7) that displays a message prompting the user to enter a passcode (S211).

[0039] When the user inputs a passcode by operating the operation unit 16, the control unit 100 judges whether the input passcode is a valid passcode (S212). When the control unit 100 judges that the input passcode is a valid passcode (YES in S212), it causes the image forming unit 12 to resume the printing that was paused (S213).

[0040] On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that the input passcode is not a legitimate passcode (NO in S212), it determines whether the number of times that the passcode has been determined to be invalid is a predetermined number (e.g., three times) (S214). When the control unit 100 determines that the number of times that the passcode has been determined to be invalid is less than the predetermined number (NO in S214), the process returns to S212.

[0041] Furthermore, when the control unit 100 determines that the number of times that the passcode is not valid reaches a predetermined number (YES in S214), it maintains the paused state of the printing as it is, and displays a warning message, for example, a message indicating that the administrator should be contacted, as shown in FIG. 8, as a pop-up on the passcode input screen G3 (S215). Then, the control unit 100 sends information indicating that an incorrect password has been input continuously to the administrator's email address from the communication unit 22 (S216). After this, the control unit 100 stops accepting instructions from the touch panel 152 of the display unit 15 again while maintaining the paused state of the printing as it is, and returns the brightness of the illumination of the display unit 15 to the brightness set in S207 immediately before the output level of the proximity sensor 23 exceeded the threshold (S217). After this, the process ends.

[0042] Thus, according to the above embodiment, if the output level of the proximity sensor 23 indicates a threshold value or lower while the image forming unit 12 is printing, when the time measured by the timing unit 29 from the point when the output level indicates a threshold value or lower reaches a predetermined first time, the image forming unit 12 stops printing and the acceptance of instructions via the touch panel 152 of the display unit 15 is stopped, so that for printing being performed by the image forming device 1, third parties cannot view printed recording paper after printing has been stopped, and the control unit 100 will not accept an input of an instruction to resume printing by a third party. Therefore, security for printing being performed by the image forming device 1 can be improved.

[0043] Furthermore, since the recording paper with the dummy image printed thereon is discharged on top of the printed recording paper that has already been discharged when printing is stopped, a third party who approaches the image forming device 1 without knowing that the above printing is being performed will first see the recording paper with the dummy image printed thereon, reducing the possibility that the third party will learn the contents of the recording paper on which the above printing has been performed. This also improves security for printing being performed by the image forming device 1.

[0044] The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. Also, the configuration and processing shown in the above embodiment using Figures 1 to 8 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the configuration and processing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1. Image forming device 12 Image forming section 15 Display 151 Backlight 152 Touch Panel 16 Control section 16A Start key 16B Setting key 18 Memory section 100 Control section

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, A display unit having a backlight and a touch panel; a print target data acquisition unit that acquires print target data; an image forming unit that forms an image indicated by the print target data acquired by the print target data acquisition unit on a recording medium; a proximity sensor that detects a human body present within a predetermined range from the image forming apparatus; A timing section; an image forming device comprising: a control unit that, when the output signal of the proximity sensor is not detecting a human body while the image forming unit is performing image formation, stops image formation by the image forming unit and stops accepting instructions via the touch panel when the time measured by the timing unit from the point in time indicating that the output signal is not detecting a human body reaches a predetermined first time.

2. A communication unit that communicates with an external device through a network; An operation unit into which an instruction is input by a user, The control unit is generating a passcode for resuming the image formation, and transmitting the generated passcode to the user terminal via the communication unit; 2. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the output signal of the proximity sensor changes from a state in which no human body is detected to a state in which a human body is detected again, a message prompting the input of the passcode is displayed on the display unit, and when it is determined that the passcode inputted into the operation unit is a legitimate passcode, image formation by the image forming unit is resumed.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit transmits a notification to a predetermined administrator terminal via the communication unit when an incorrect passcode is entered into the operation unit a predetermined number of times.

4. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the output signal of the proximity sensor indicates that no human body has been detected, the control unit further dims the illumination of the display unit by the backlight by a predetermined value from the previous brightness.

5. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit sequentially reduces the brightness level each time a certain period of time measured by the timing unit elapses from the point in time when the output signal of the proximity sensor indicates that no human body has been detected.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit causes the image forming unit to form a predetermined dummy image on the recording medium when the image forming unit stops image formation.

Images