Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To simplify operations in reading document images of confidential documents and document images of general documents and generating separate files.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 comprises: a document reading unit 11 that reads a plurality of documents; a determination unit 101 that, according to whether confidential document information is included in document images obtained through the reading of the plurality of documents performed by the document reading unit 11, determines whether the document images are a confidential document image; and a file generation unit 102 that generates a file of document images not determined as the confidential document image by the determination unit 101 and attaches a name to the file, and generates a file of document images determined as the confidential document image by the determination unit 101, as a confidential document file different from that of the document images not determined as the confidential document image, and attaches a name different from the above-mentioned name to the file.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading device that generates a file of an original image obtained by scanning an original. [Background technology]

[0002] In an image reading device such as a multifunction printer, a user may read confidential documents containing confidential information and general documents not containing confidential information, and store the files of each scanned document image in a storage device. In this case, the user creates files by distinguishing between the confidential document images and the general document images, and assigns names to each file.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a technology that includes an input means for inputting a password and a judgment means for judging whether document data corresponds to a confidential original image or general document data, and if the judgment means judges that the document data is a confidential original image, stores the document data in a confidential document box on condition that the password input by the input means matches a storage-limited password. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-58699 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, it is troublesome for a user to distinguish between confidential document images and general document images, scan them separately, generate separate files for confidential document images and general document images, and give names to each file. The invention described in the above Patent Document 1 only stores confidential documents in a confidential document box if the scanned document is a confidential document, but the user must select confidential documents and scan them, and it does not eliminate the troublesome work.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to simplify the work involved in reading document images of confidential documents and document images of general documents and generating separate files. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An image reading device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a document reading unit that reads a plurality of documents, a determination unit that determines whether each document image obtained by reading the plurality of documents by the document reading unit is a confidential document image or not depending on whether the each document image contains confidential document information, and a file generation unit that generates files of document images that are not determined to be confidential document images by the determination unit with a name assigned thereto, and generates files of document images that are determined to be confidential document images by the determination unit with a different name assigned thereto as a confidential document file separate from the document images that are not determined to be confidential document images. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to simplify the work of reading document images of confidential documents and document images of general documents and generating separate files. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [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]6 is a flowchart showing a process for accepting settings regarding a document reading operation by the image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a setting screen. [Figure 5A] 5 is a flowchart showing an original reading operation, a confidential original image file generation process, and a process for the original image. [Figure 5B] 5 is a flowchart showing an original reading operation, a confidential original image file generation process, and a process for the original image. [Figure 6A] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen including a warning message. [Figure 6B] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a password entry screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a storage state (all deleted) of a document image obtained by scanning. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a storage state of an original image obtained by scanning (confidential original image individually stored). [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a storage state of document images obtained by scanning (confidential document images are stored together). [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the setting screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a storage state of document images obtained by scanning (only general document images are stored). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] 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.

[0011] 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 original reading unit 11, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding 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.

[0012] The document reading unit 11 is an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) including a document transport unit 6 that transports a document placed on a document table, and a scanner that optically reads a document transported by the document transport unit 6 or a document placed on a platen glass 7. The document reading unit 11 reads the document by illuminating the document with a light irradiation unit and receiving the reflected light with a CCD (Charge-Couple device) sensor, thereby generating image data representing the document image. In other words, the document reading unit 11 obtains the document image by reading the document.

[0013] 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 document reading unit 11 or the image data received via the communication unit 22.

[0014] The fixing unit 13 heats and pressurizes 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.

[0015] The paper feed unit 14 includes a manual feed tray and multiple paper feed cassettes. The paper feed unit 14 uses a pickup roller to pull out recording paper P stored in one of the multiple paper feed cassettes or recording paper placed on the manual feed tray one sheet at a time and feeds the paper to the transport path T.

[0016] The display unit 15 is a display device configured with a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display, etc. 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 100.

[0017] The operation unit 16 includes a setting key 16A consisting of a group of keys for receiving various papers and magazines, and a touch panel 16C arranged on top of the display unit 15. The operation unit 16 is an example of the operation unit defined in the claims.

[0018] 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.

[0019] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit. The control unit 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).

[0020] The control unit functions as a control unit 100, a determination unit 101, and a file generation unit 102 by the processor executing a control program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 18. Note that the control unit 100, the determination unit 101, and the file generation unit 102 may be configured by logic circuits, regardless of the operation based on the control program.

[0021] 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.

[0022] The control unit 100 is electrically connected to the document transport unit 6, the document reading unit 11, the image forming unit 12, the fixing unit 13, the paper feeding unit 14, the display unit 15, the operation unit 16, the transport unit 17, the memory unit 18, the image processing unit 19, the image memory 20, the facsimile communication unit 21, and the communication unit 22, etc.

[0023] The determination unit 101 determines whether or not confidential document information is included in each document image obtained by reading a plurality of documents by the document reading unit 11, determines a document image determined to include confidential document information as a confidential document image, and determines a document image determined not to include confidential document information as a general document image. For example, the determination unit 101 converts the document image into a character by OCR (Optical Character Recognition / Reader) technology, and determines that the document image includes confidential document information when the character obtained by the conversion includes a keyword indicating confidential information stored in advance (for example, "confidential", "top secret", "confidential", etc.). Note that instead of the above determination using the OCR technology, the determination unit 101 may determine whether or not a confidential image indicating confidential information stored in advance (for example, an image indicating "confidential", "top secret", "confidential", etc.) is included in the document image by a pattern matching technology, and when it is determined that a confidential image is included in the document image, determines that the document image includes confidential document information.

[0024] The file generating unit 102 generates a file of a general document image that has not been determined to be a confidential document image by the determining unit 101, by assigning a name to the file. Furthermore, the file generating unit 102 generates a file of a document image that has been determined to be a confidential document image by the determining unit 101, as a confidential document file separate from the general document image, by assigning a different name to the file of the general document image.

[0025] The storage unit 18 is a large-capacity storage device including an HDD or the like for storing various data such as image data generated by the document reading unit 11. The storage unit 18 stores various control programs for implementing general operations of the image forming apparatus 1. In the storage area within the storage unit 18, files of document images and confidential document images are stored.

[0026] The image processing unit 19 performs image processing as necessary on the image data generated by the document reading unit 11. The image memory 20 includes an area for temporarily storing the image data generated by the document reading unit 11. The facsimile communication unit 21 connects to a public line and transmits and receives image data via the public line.

[0027] The communication unit 22 includes a communication module such as a LAN (Local Area Network) board, etc. The image forming apparatus 1 performs data communication via the communication unit 22 with an external device such as a PC connected via a network.

[0028] The USB connection unit 29 has a USB connector based on the USB standard, and inputs and outputs data to and from a USB memory connected to the USB connector, for example, or inputs and outputs data to and from an external terminal device via a USB cable connected to the USB connector.

[0029] Next, a process for accepting settings for a confidential document reading operation by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

[0030] 4, the control unit 100 is assumed to have caused the display unit 15 to display a default setting screen G1 (S101). The setting screen G1 displays a group of keys B11 to B14 for receiving instructions regarding confidential document detection settings, a group of keys B21 to B22 for receiving instructions regarding confidential document file creation, and a group of keys B31 to B34 for receiving instructions specifying the process to be performed on a document image obtained by document scanning.

[0031] The group of keys B11 to B14 for receiving instructions regarding confidential document detection settings will be described. The group of keys B11 to B14 includes a key B11 for receiving an instruction to perform normal document reading without detecting a confidential document image from the document image obtained by document reading, a key B12 for receiving an instruction to detect a confidential document image from the document image obtained by document reading and, if a confidential document image is detected, to continue document reading after issuing a warning, a key B13 for receiving an instruction to detect a confidential document image from the document image obtained by document reading and, if a confidential document image is detected, to continue document reading on condition that a valid password is input by the user, and a key B14 for detecting a confidential document image from the document image obtained by document reading and, if a confidential document image is detected, to stop document reading.

[0032] The key groups B21 and B22 for receiving instructions for creating a confidential document file will now be described. The key groups B21 and B22 have a key B21 for receiving an instruction for generating separate files for each confidential document image detected from a plurality of document images obtained by reading a plurality of documents at once, and a key B22 for receiving an instruction for generating a single file for all confidential document images detected from a plurality of document images obtained by reading a plurality of documents at once.

[0033] A group of keys B31 to B34 for receiving instructions to specify processing to be performed on the document image obtained by document reading will be described. The group of keys B31 to B34 includes a key B31 for receiving an instruction to execute an operation to print (copy) the document image obtained by document reading, a key B32 for receiving an instruction to execute an operation to store the document image obtained by document reading in a USB memory, a key B33 for receiving an instruction to execute an operation to store the document image obtained by document reading in a document box as a storage area in storage unit 18, and a key B34 for receiving an instruction to execute an operation to transmit the document image obtained by document reading to a storage unit or the like of a computer connected via a network and store it therein.

[0034] When the user touches any of the above keys on the screen of display unit 15, control unit 100 receives an instruction corresponding to the operated key via touch panel 16C.

[0035] Here, when any of the keys B11 to B14 is touched, the control unit 100 accepts a setting of an operation indicated by an instruction corresponding to the touched key as an operation to be performed when a confidential document is detected (S102). That is, the control unit 100 accepts a setting of any of the following as an operation to be performed when a confidential document is detected: a normal document operation in which a normal document reading is performed without detecting a confidential document image from the document image obtained by document reading, a first detection operation in which a confidential document image is detected from the document image obtained by document reading, and if a confidential document image is detected, a warning is issued and the document reading is continued, a second detection operation in which a confidential document image is detected from the document image obtained by document reading, and if a confidential document image is detected, the document reading is continued on condition that a regular password is input by the user, and a third detection operation in which a confidential document image is detected from the document image obtained by document reading, and the document reading is stopped at the point when a confidential document image is detected.

[0036] Then, when any of the key groups B21, B22 is touched, the control unit 100 accepts the process indicated by the instruction corresponding to the touched key as the process to be performed when creating a confidential document file (S103). That is, the control unit 100 accepts the setting of either the process of creating separate files for each confidential document image detected from multiple document images obtained by reading multiple documents at once, or the process of creating one file in which multiple document images obtained by reading multiple documents at once are collected together, as the process to be performed when creating a confidential document file.

[0037] Furthermore, when any of the key groups B31 to B34 is touched, the control unit 100 accepts the operation indicated by the instruction corresponding to the touched key as a process to be performed on the document image obtained by document reading (S104). That is, the control unit 100 accepts a setting as a process to be performed on the document image obtained by document reading, which is any of the following operations: a process to print the document image obtained by document reading (copying operation), a process to store the document image obtained by document reading in a USB memory, a process to store the document image obtained by document reading in a document box, and an operation to transmit the document image obtained by document reading to a storage unit or the like of a computer connected to a network and store it therein.

[0038] As described above, the control unit 100 executes document reading operations, file generation processing of confidential document images, and processing of document images in accordance with the contents indicated by the combination of confidential document detection settings, confidential document file creation settings, and processing settings for the document images received by the above instructions.

[0039] Next, a document reading operation for a confidential document, a file generation process for a confidential document image, and a process for the document image will be described with reference to Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B, which are flowcharts showing the document reading operation, the file generation process for a confidential document image, and a process for the document image.

[0040] It is assumed that a user places a stack of documents, which is a mixture of confidential documents containing confidential information and general documents containing no confidential information, on the document placement table of the document reading unit 11, and operates the operation unit 16 to input a document reading instruction.

[0041] When the control unit 100 receives the document reading instruction (S201), it judges whether the confidential document detection setting is set to perform normal document reading without detecting confidential document images from the document image obtained by document reading (S202). If the control unit 100 judges that the setting is set to perform normal document reading rather than confidential document reading (NO in S202), it causes the document reading unit 11 to read the document stack on the document placement table (S210). Then, the control unit 100 checks the setting contents of the process to be performed on the document image and performs the set process (S211). In S211, the control unit 100 performs one of the following processes on the original image in accordance with the settings: (a) an operation to print (copy) the original image obtained by scanning the original, (b) an operation to store the original image obtained by scanning the original in a USB memory, (c) an operation to store the original image obtained by scanning the original in a document box, or (d) an operation to transmit and store the original image obtained by scanning the original in a memory unit or the like of a computer connected to the network.

[0042] On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that the setting is for reading confidential document originals (YES in S202), it causes the original reading unit 11 to read the stack of originals on the original placement table (S203). Then, every time an original image is obtained for one original by the original reading unit 11 reading the stack of originals, the determination unit 101 determines whether the original image contains confidential original information (S204). That is, the determination unit 101 determines an original image that contains confidential original information as a confidential original image, and determines an original image that does not contain confidential original information as a general original image. When the setting is for reading confidential document originals, the determination unit 101 performs this determination for all original images obtained by the original reading unit 11 reading the originals.

[0043] When the determination unit 101 determines that the document image contains confidential document information (YES in S204), it further determines whether the confidential document detection setting is set to (i) continue document reading after issuing a warning, (ii) continue document reading on condition that the user inputs a valid password, or (iii) stop document reading when a confidential document image is detected when the confidential document image is detected (S205). If NO in S204, the process proceeds to S211.

[0044] Here, if the determination unit 101 determines that the confidential document detection setting is the setting for continuing document reading after issuing a warning ((i) in S205), the control unit 100 causes the display unit 15 to display a display screen G2 including a warning message indicating that the document to be read contains a confidential document, as shown in FIG. 6A (S213). Even when this warning message is displayed, the control unit 100 causes the document reading unit 11 to continue document reading. After this, the process proceeds to S230.

[0045] Furthermore, when the determination unit 101 determines that the confidential document detection setting is the above-mentioned (ii) setting for continuing document reading on condition that the user inputs a valid password ((ii) in S205), the control unit 100 causes the document reading unit 11 to temporarily suspend document reading (S206). Then, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 15 to display a password entry screen G3 prompting the user to enter a password, as shown in an example in Fig. 6B (S207).

[0046] Here, when a password is input to the operation unit 16 by the user, the control unit 100 judges whether the input password is a predetermined and stored correct password (S208). When the control unit 100 judges that the input password is not a correct password (NO in S208), it deletes all document images obtained by the document reading unit 11 at this time point through reading of each document (S209), and ends the process without restarting document reading by the document reading unit 11. As shown in an example in FIG. 7, all document images obtained by document reading are deleted without being made into a file. After this, the process ends.

[0047] On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that the input password is a valid password (YES in S208), it causes the document reading unit 11 to resume document reading (S220). After that, the process proceeds to S230.

[0048] Furthermore, when the determination unit 101 determines that the confidential document detection setting is the setting (iii) for stopping document reading at the point in time when a confidential document image is detected ((iii) in S205), as shown in Fig. 7 above, all document images obtained by the document reading unit 11 reading each document at this point in time are deleted (S209), and document reading by the document reading unit 11 is terminated. After this, the process ends.

[0049] After S213 and S220, the control unit 100 determines the setting contents of the process to be performed on the document image (S230). In S230, it is determined whether the setting contents of the process to be performed on the document image are (a) an operation to print the document image obtained by document reading (copying operation), (b) an operation to store the document image obtained by document reading in a USB memory, (c) an operation to store the document image obtained by document reading in a document box, or (d) an operation to transmit the document image obtained by document reading to a storage unit or the like of a computer connected to a network and store it there.

[0050] Here, when the control unit 100 determines that the setting content of the process to be performed on the document images is the above-mentioned (a) ((a) in S230), the control unit 100 causes all document images obtained by document reading by the document reading unit 11 to be printed on recording paper (S240). On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that the setting content of the process to be performed on the document images is any of the above-mentioned (b), (c), or (d) ((b), (c), or (d) in S230), the control unit 100 further determines whether the setting of the file creation of the confidential document is a setting of (I) a process of generating separate files for each confidential document image detected from multiple document images obtained by reading multiple documents at once, or (II) a setting of creating one file in which multiple document images obtained by reading multiple documents at once are collected into one file (S231).

[0051] When the control unit 100 determines that the setting for creating a confidential document file is (I) a process for generating separate files for each confidential document image detected from a plurality of document images obtained by reading a plurality of documents at once ((I) in S231), as shown in an example in Fig. 8, after the document reading unit 11 finishes reading all documents, the file generating unit 102 collects general document images that are not determined to be confidential document images by the determination unit 101 to generate one file, and assigns a name based on a first rule determined in advance to the file (S232). Furthermore, for each confidential document image that is determined to be a confidential document image by the determination unit 101, the file generating unit 102 generates a separate file for each confidential document image, and assigns a name to each file that is different from the file name assigned to the general document image and based on a second rule determined in advance (S233).

[0052] The first rule is, for example, a rule that combines a date, a time, and a character group indicating that it is a general document image. In this way, the file generating unit 102 gives a name such as "NORMAL_012262023_0205_.pdf" to a file that includes general document images. Note that "pdf" is a character that indicates an example of an image format used for the file (hereinafter the same).

[0053] The second rule is, for example, a rule that a date, a time, and a character group indicating that the image is a confidential document are combined. In this way, the file generating unit 102 gives a name such as "CONFIDENTIAL_012262023_0205_0001.pdf" to the file of the confidential document image.

[0054] On the other hand, when the control unit 100 judges that the setting for creating a confidential document file is (II) to create one file by collecting multiple document images obtained by reading multiple documents at once ((II) in S231), as shown in the example in Fig. 9, after the document reading unit 11 finishes reading all documents, the file generating unit 102 collects general document images that are not judged as confidential document images by the judgment unit 101 to generate one file and gives the file a name based on the first rule (S234). Furthermore, the file generating unit 102 generates one file by collecting all confidential document images for each confidential document image that is judged as confidential document image by the judgment unit 101, and gives the file a name based on the second rule (S235).

[0055] After the processing of S232 to S235, the control unit 100 performs one of the following file storage processes (S236): (b) storing the general document image file and the confidential document image file from the USB connection unit 29 in a USB memory, (c) storing the general document image file and the confidential document image file in a document box, or (d) transmitting the general document image file and the confidential document image file from the communication unit 22 to a memory unit or the like of a network-connected computer and storing them therein, in accordance with any one of (b), (c), or (d) set as the process to be performed on the document image.

[0056] The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, as shown in Fig. 10, the control unit 100 causes the setting screen G1 shown in the above embodiment to display, in addition to the key group B11 to B14 for receiving instructions regarding confidential document detection settings, a key B15 for receiving two instructions: an instruction to detect a confidential document image from a document image obtained by document reading, and an instruction to continue document reading even when a confidential document image is detected, generate a file only for a general document image among the document images obtained by document reading, and not generate a file for a confidential document image.

[0057] When the key B15 is touched, the control unit 100 accepts a setting for detecting a confidential document, in which a confidential document image is detected from the document image obtained by document reading, and even if a confidential document image is detected, the control unit 100 continues document reading, and generates a file for only the general document image among the document images obtained by document reading, as shown in FIG. 11, and does not generate a file for the confidential document image. In this case, the file generating unit 102 deletes the confidential document image determined by the determining unit 101 among the document images obtained by document reading, and generates a file for only the general document image. In accordance with the contents set as the process to be performed on the document image, the control unit 100 (b) stores the file for only the general document image in a USB memory from the USB connection unit 29, (c) stores the file in a document box, or (d) transmits the file for only the general document image from the communication unit 22 to a storage unit or the like of a computer connected to a network and stores the file. Alternatively, the control unit 100 may cause the image forming unit 12 to print only the general document image instead of generating and storing a file for only the general document image, in accordance with the contents set as the process to be performed on the document image.

[0058] The configuration and processing shown in the above embodiment with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these configurations and processing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1. Image forming device 11 Document reading section 15 Display 16 Control section 16A Setting key 16C Touch Panel 18 Memory section 100 Control section 101 Judgment section 102 File Generation Unit

Claims

1. a document reading unit that reads a plurality of documents; a determination unit that determines whether each document image obtained by reading a plurality of documents by the document reading unit includes confidential document information or not, and and a file generating unit that generates a file of an original image that is not determined to be a confidential original image by the determination unit by assigning a name to it, and that generates a file of an original image that is determined to be a confidential original image by the determination unit by assigning a different name to the file of the original image that is not determined to be a confidential original image, as a confidential original file separate from the original image that is not determined to be a confidential original image, with a different name from the name.

2. A display unit; a control unit that displays a warning message on the display unit when the determination unit determines that each of the document images is a confidential document image, The image reading device according to claim 1 , wherein the file generating section generates the confidential document file after the warning message is displayed on the display section.

3. The image reading device according to claim 2 , wherein the file generating section generates the confidential document file by storing a plurality of document images determined to be confidential document images by the determining section as separate files.

4. Further comprising an operation unit for receiving an input of an instruction, The control unit is displaying, on the display unit, a password input message prompting the user to input a password together with the warning message; 4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein if the password inputted and accepted by the operation unit after the password input message is displayed is a predetermined legitimate password, the confidential document file is generated.

5. Further comprising an operation unit for receiving an input of an instruction, When an input of an instruction to prohibit reading of a confidential document is accepted by the operation unit, the control unit stops reading the document by the document reading unit at a point in time when the determination unit determines that each of the document images is a confidential document image, The image reading device according to claim 1 , wherein the file generating section performs a file non-generation process of not generating files for any of the document images obtained by the document reading section through document reading up to the time point.

6. When the operation unit receives an instruction to generate a file of a general document other than a confidential document in addition to an instruction to prohibit the reading of the confidential document, The control unit causes the document reading unit to read all documents to be read, The image reading device according to claim 5 , wherein the file generation unit performs a partial file generation process that generates files for document images that have not been determined to be confidential document images by the determination unit, and does not generate files for document images that have been determined to be confidential document images by the determination unit.

7. The operation unit includes: further receiving a processing designation instruction for designating processing for a document image obtained by the document reading unit; 7. The image reading apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a setting for determining whether or not to perform the file non-generation process or the partial file generation process for each process indicated by the process designation instruction.

Images