Information processing device and image forming device

Abstract

To enable a user who has a high need for a security function to use the function easily. [Solution] An icon K is displayed on the display screen to display a security settings screen that can enable security functions to prevent information leaks due to frequently used types of operations, and a control unit is provided that transitions the display screen to the security settings screen (operation screen G4) when the operation unit accepts a touch operation on the icon K.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a security function for preventing information leakage due to user operations. [Background technology]

[0002] With the establishment of information security-related laws such as the Personal Information Protection Act, it has become essential to consider the handling of information in office work. Multifunction machines used in offices are used to process, save, and send documents, such as copying, faxing, and scanning. If the documents handled by the machine contain confidential information such as personal information, an incorrect operation or forgetting to pick up the document could lead to an information security incident in which confidential information is leaked to unintended parties.

[0003] Therefore, caution is required when using multifunction devices. Multifunction devices also have various security features to prevent operators from causing information security incidents. For example, to prevent information leaks due to erroneous fax transmissions, some devices require the user to enter the fax number twice when manually entering it from the keyboard. If the numbers entered the first and second time match, the fax will be sent; if they do not match, the fax will not be sent ("Reconfirm Destination When Entering the Fax Directly" feature). Another feature displays the destination number on an easy-to-understand screen before sending, forcing the user to double-check it ("Reconfirm Destination Before Sending" feature). Another feature determines that documents marked "Confidential Information" or "No Duplication" are confidential when scanned, preventing them from being copied or digitized ("Confidential Printing Restriction" feature).

[0004] However, as a general rule, these security features are disabled by default on multifunction devices and cannot be used. This is because, depending on the feature, they can increase the amount of work required and reduce work efficiency. For example, having to reconfirm a fax number can be a hassle for users who send faxes multiple times. For this reason, the feature is disabled by default, and only users who need the feature can switch the setting from off to on and enable it.

[0005] Various techniques have been proposed for recording and analyzing a user's usage history to adapt an operation screen to the user's usage environment and make the operation screen easier for the user. For example, Patent Document 1 above describes adapting an operation screen to the user's usage environment based on the usage history of each user or each user group. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 above describes recording each user's usage history to recommend convenient functions used by other users to people who do not use those functions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-152965 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-049279 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, as mentioned above, if a function cannot be used unless the user switches the setting from off to on, the security function will not be executed unless the user becomes aware of this environment and sets it up themselves, even though the environment is likely to cause an information security incident. It is desirable to enable various security functions in a timely manner according to the user's environment.

[0008] Generally, the operation screens of multifunction devices have a hierarchical structure, but the security settings screen for enabling security features is not at the top level, but is located deep within the hierarchy. Naturally, the deeper the hierarchy, the more touch operations are required to reach the desired operation screen. Therefore, it is not easy to reach the security settings screen. In addition, with the large number of security features available, it is not easy for users to find the features they need to enable.

[0009] The technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above were invented with a focus on improving operability for individual users, but from the perspective of information security, it is necessary to look at usage across the entire office, rather than just at the individual level, and consider whether there are any problems or risks. Furthermore, the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above are not related to technologies that allow users to use security functions easily.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to enable a user to easily use a security function at an appropriate time when the security function is needed by the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a control unit that executes a security function to prevent information leakage due to user operations and sets the security function to be enabled or disabled; a display unit having a touch panel function; an operation unit that receives instructions based on touch operations on the display unit detected by the touch panel function; and a setting unit that determines whether the number or frequency of executions of each of a predetermined number of types of operations that can lead to information leakage has reached a predetermined threshold, sets the type of operation whose number or frequency of execution has reached or exceeded the threshold as a focus target, and, if the security function to prevent information leakage due to that type of operation is enabled, excludes that type of operation from the focus target. If an operation of the type set as the focus target is present, the control unit displays an icon on the screen of the display unit that accepts an instruction to display a security setting screen to accept an instruction to enable the security function to prevent information leakage due to that type of operation. When there is no more operation of the type set as the focus target, the control unit erases the icon from the screen of the display unit. When the operation unit receives a touch operation on the icon, the control unit transitions the screen of the display unit to the security setting screen.

[0012] An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes the information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention and an image forming section that forms an image on a recording medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, when a type of operation that may lead to information leakage is frequently used, that type of operation is set as a focus target, and the activation of a security function that prevents information leakage due to the type of operation set as a focus target can be easily set. This allows the user to easily use the security function at the appropriate time when necessary. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1]1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic main internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 10A is a diagram showing an example of an icon for displaying a security setting screen, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by a control unit of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by a control unit of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an icon for displaying a security setting screen. [Figure 8] 10A to 10D are diagrams showing examples of operation screens displayed on a display unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] An information processing device and an image forming device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the main internal configuration of an image forming device 1, which is an embodiment of an information processing device according to the present invention. The image forming device 1 is a multifunction device that combines multiple functions, such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

[0016] The image forming device 1 is composed of a control unit 10, a document feeding unit 6, a document reading unit 5, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, an operation unit 47, a facsimile communication unit 7, a network interface unit 9, and a storage device 8.

[0017] The document feeder 6 is configured to be openable and closable by a hinge or the like (not shown) on the top surface of the document reading unit 5, and functions as a document pressing cover when reading a document placed on a platen glass (not shown). The document feeder 6 is also an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), and is equipped with a document placement tray (not shown), and supplies documents placed on the document placement tray to the document reading unit 5.

[0018] The following describes the case where a document is read by the image forming apparatus 1. The document reading unit 5 optically reads an image of a document supplied to the document reading unit 5 by the document feeding unit 6 or a document placed on the platen glass, and generates image data. The image data generated by the document reading unit 5 is stored in an image memory (not shown) or the like.

[0019] The following describes an image forming operation performed by the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming unit 12 is equipped with a photosensitive drum, charging device, exposure device, developing device, and primary transfer device for each color, and is a mechanism for forming an image on recording paper as a recording medium by secondary transfer via an intermediate transfer belt. The image forming unit 12 forms a toner image on recording paper fed from the paper feed unit 14 based on image data generated by a document reading operation, image data stored in an image memory, etc., and image data received from a computer connected via a network, to create a printed matter.

[0020] The fixing unit 13 is a fixing device equipped with a heat roller, a pressure roller, and a drive mechanism for rotating these rollers. The fixing unit 13 heats and presses the recording paper on which the toner image has been formed by the image forming unit 12 at the nip between the two rollers, fixing the toner image to the recording paper. The recording paper that has been fixed is then discharged to an output tray (not shown).

[0021] The paper feed unit 14 includes a paper feed cassette (not shown), a pickup roller that picks up recording paper from the paper feed cassette and feeds it to the image forming unit 12, a transport roller, a transport path, and a rotation drive mechanism for each roller.

[0022] The operation unit 47 has various hard keys operated by the user, and in response to the operation of the hard keys, receives instructions from the user, such as an instruction to execute an image forming operation, for various operations and processes that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the operation unit 47 receives a print instruction, a scan instruction, a copy instruction, a fax transmission instruction, and the like.

[0023] The operation unit 47 includes a display unit 473 that displays operation guides and the like to the operator. The operation unit 47 also receives input of instructions from the user based on the user's operation (touch operation) on the screen displayed on the display unit 473 via a touch panel that the display unit 473 has.

[0024] The display unit 473 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like. When the operator touches a button or key displayed on the screen, the touch panel receives an instruction associated with the touched position. In this case, the touch panel functions as an operation unit.

[0025] The facsimile communication unit 7 includes an encoding / decoding unit, a modulation / demodulation unit, and an NCU (Network Control Unit), not shown, and transmits and receives facsimiles using a public telephone line network or the like.

[0026] The network interface unit 9 is a communication interface that transmits and receives various data to and from external devices (for example, servers) within a local area or on the Internet.

[0027] The storage device 8 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores various control programs and the like. The storage device 8 also includes an operation log storage unit 81, a correspondence relationship information storage unit 82, a gaze target storage unit 83, and an explanation information storage unit 84. The operation log storage unit 81 stores operations by the user on the operation unit 47 in association with time. The correspondence relationship information storage unit 82, the gaze target storage unit 83, and the explanation information storage unit 84 will be described later.

[0028] The control unit 10 includes a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a dedicated hardware circuit. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 10 includes a control unit 100 and a setting unit 101.

[0029] The control unit 10 functions as a control unit 100 and a setting unit 101 through operation of the processor in accordance with a control program or the like stored in the storage device 8. However, the control unit 100 and the like can also be configured by hardware circuits, without relying on operation in accordance with a control program or the like by the control unit 10. Unless otherwise stated below, the same applies to each embodiment.

[0030] The control unit 100 is responsible for overall operational control of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 100 is connected to the document feed unit 6, the document reading unit 5, the image forming unit 12, the fixing unit 13, the paper feed unit 14, the operation unit 47, the facsimile communication unit 7, the network interface unit 9, and the storage device 8, and controls the driving of each of these units. For example, the control unit 100 executes various processes required for image formation by the image forming apparatus 1.

[0031] In addition, when the operation unit 47 receives an instruction from a user, the control unit 100 generates an operation log indicating the operation content indicated by the instruction (the setting content set by the instruction), and stores the generated operation log in the operation log memory unit 81 in association with the time.

[0032] The control unit 100 also executes a security function to prevent information leakage due to user operations, and enables and disables the security function.

[0033] As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction device that combines multiple functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function, and performs operations according to settings for multiple setting items. For example, the control unit 100 controls the display of the display unit 473, and displays an operation screen G1, which is a "home screen" as shown in Fig. 2, on the display unit 473. The operation screen G1, which is the "home screen," displays function icons for selecting functions (such as copy and fax) that can be performed by the image forming apparatus 1.

[0034] The setting unit 101 determines whether the number or frequency of execution of each of a plurality of predetermined types of operations (the above-mentioned operation contents) that may lead to information leakage has reached a predetermined threshold, and sets the type of operation whose number or frequency of execution has reached or exceeded the threshold as a target of attention. If a security function that prevents information leakage due to the type of operation is enabled, the setting unit 101 excludes the type of operation from the target of attention.

[0035] Examples of operations that can lead to information leakage include operations that directly input the destination fax number from the keyboard to send a fax (direct input operation), and operations that simultaneously send faxes to multiple destinations (simultaneous transmission operation).

[0036] The correspondence information storage unit 82 stores a security function ("reconfirm destination when direct input" function) that requests the user to input a fax number twice and transmits if the input numbers match the first and second times, but does not transmit if they do not match, in association with the direct input operation. Furthermore, the control unit 100 stores a security function ("reconfirm destination before transmission" function) that displays the destination again on an easy-to-understand screen before sending a fax, forcing the user to reconfirm the destination. Information indicating such correspondences for various operations is stored in the correspondence information storage unit 82. The operation log storage unit 81 stores an operation log for operation instructions input to the operation unit 47 by user operations.

[0037] The setting unit 101 analyzes the operation log stored in the operation log memory unit 81, and when it determines that the above-mentioned direct input operation of directly inputting a destination fax number from a keyboard to send a fax has been performed five times or more per day for five consecutive days, it associates data indicating the type of operation with the time and stores it in the gaze target memory unit 83, thereby setting the type of operation as the gaze target.

[0038] When there is an operation of a type set for the gaze target, the control unit 100 displays an icon K (FIG. 3) on the screen of the display unit 473, which accepts an instruction to display a security setting screen for accepting an instruction to enable a security function that prevents information leakage due to that type of operation. At this time, when there is no longer any operation of the type set for the gaze target, the control unit 100 hides the icon K from the screen of the display unit 473. Furthermore, when the operation unit 47 accepts a touch operation on the icon K via the touch panel, the control unit 100 transitions the screen of the display unit 473 to the security setting screen.

[0039] Fig. 3(A) is a diagram showing an example of icon K, and Fig. 3(B) is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen on which icon K is displayed. Icon K is displayed in the upper right corner of operation screen G1. This allows the user to easily recognize that there is an operation of the type set as the gaze target.

[0040] In addition, when the operation unit 47 receives a touch operation on the icon K, the control unit 100 transitions the screen of the display unit 473 to the security setting screen, and displays an explanatory text on the security setting screen, which explains the contents of the security function that prevents information leakage due to the type of operation set for the gaze target.

[0041] An example of the explanatory text explaining the content of the "reconfirm destination when directly entering" function is "A screen will be displayed to reconfirm whether there are any input errors when directly entering the destination using the keyboard." An example of the explanatory text explaining the content of the "reconfirm destination before sending" function is "A screen will be displayed to reconfirm whether there are any input errors when entering the destination using the keyboard." Information indicating these explanatory texts is stored in the explanatory text information storage unit 84 in association with various security functions.

[0042] Furthermore, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display a message prompting the user to input an instruction as to whether or not to enable the security function described in the explanation. When the operation unit 47 receives an instruction from the user not to enable the security function this time, the setting unit 101 excludes the type of operation corresponding to the security function from the gaze target.

[0043] 4 is a diagram showing an example of a security setting screen displayed on display unit 473 when a touch operation is performed on icon K. Operation screen G2, which is the security setting screen, is a screen on which the above-mentioned "reconfirm destination when directly inputting" function can be enabled, and operation screen G2 displays slide button SB1 in association with the character string "reconfirm destination when directly inputting." Based on a swipe operation on slide button SB1 to the right in FIG. 4, an instruction to enable the above-mentioned function is received by operation unit 47 via the touch panel.

[0044] Also, on the operation screen G2, a window W1 having an explanatory text TX1 explaining the content of the above function is displayed near the slide button SB1. For example, the explanatory text TX1 is a combination of a pre-prepared fixed phrase "When this button is turned ON," and an explanatory text indicated by explanatory text information read from the explanatory text information storage unit 84. The window W1 also has an operation button B1 with the character string "Not now" written on it, for receiving an instruction from the user not to activate the above function at this time.

[0045] When the setting unit 101 receives an instruction from the user via the touch panel and the operation unit 47 based on the user's operation of the operation button B1 to not enable the above-mentioned "reconfirm destination when directly inputting" function this time, the setting unit 101 deletes the data indicating the type of operation corresponding to the security function from the focus target memory unit 83, thereby excluding that type of operation from the focus target.

[0046] Next, an example of the display process of the icon K by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 5. This process is performed when the operation unit 47 receives an operation of a type stored in the correspondence information storage unit 82 (i.e., an operation of a type that can be a target of attention).

[0047] The setting unit 101 determines whether or not an operation of a type that can be a gaze target, which has been received by the operating unit 47, is stored in the gaze target storage unit 83 (S1). When the setting unit 101 determines that the operation of that type is not stored in the gaze target storage unit 83 (the operation of that type has not been set as a gaze target) (NO in S1), the setting unit 101 analyzes the operation log stored in the operation log storage unit 81 and determines whether or not the number or frequency of execution of the operation of that type is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (S2). On the other hand, when the setting unit 101 determines that the operation of that type is stored in the gaze target storage unit 83 (the operation of that type has already been set as a gaze target) (YES in S1), the following processing is not necessary, and so this processing ends.

[0048] When the setting unit 101 determines that the number or frequency of execution of the operation of the type is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (YES in S2), it sets the operation of the type as the gaze target by storing data indicating the type of operation in association with time in the gaze target storage unit 83 (S3). After that, the setting unit 101 adds 1 to a counter C indicating the number of types of operations set as the gaze target (S4), and determines whether the counter C is 1 or not (S5). The initial value of the counter C is 0.

[0049] If the setting unit 101 determines that the counter C is 1 (YES in S5), the control unit 100 controls the display of the display unit 473, and displays the icon K on the screen of the display unit 473 (S6), as shown in the example of Fig. 3(B), and then ends the processing. On the other hand, if the setting unit 101 determines that the counter C is not 1 (is 2 or more) (NO in S5), the icon K is already displayed on the screen of the display unit 473, so S6 is not necessary and the processing ends.

[0050] Also, in S2, if the setting unit 101 determines that the number or frequency of execution of the type of operation is not greater than the predetermined threshold (NO in S2), there is no need to set the type of operation as a focus target, and the processing ends.

[0051] Next, an example of processing executed when a touch operation is performed on icon K will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0052] When the operation unit 47 receives a touch operation on the icon K, the control unit 100 determines whether the counter C is 1 or not (S11). When the control unit 100 determines that the counter C is 1 (the type of operation set for the gaze target is one type) (YES in S11), the control unit 100 reads out data indicating the type of operation stored in the gaze target storage unit 83 (i.e., the type of operation set for the gaze target) (S12), and identifies a security function that prevents information leakage due to that type of operation by referring to the correspondence information storage unit 82 (S13).

[0053] On the other hand, if the control unit 100 determines that the counter C is not 1 (there are two or more types of operations set for the gaze target) (NO in S11), it reads out data indicating the type of operation that was set for the gaze target oldest (earliest) among the types of operations stored in the gaze target memory unit 83 (S14), and refers to the correspondence information memory unit 82 to identify a security function that prevents information leakage due to that type of operation (S13).

[0054] After S12 or S14, the control unit 100 temporarily stores information about the operation screen currently being displayed on the display unit 473 (S15), and then transitions the screen of the display unit 473 to a security setting screen for receiving an instruction to enable the security function identified in S13 (S16), and reads information indicating an explanation explaining the content of the security function from the explanation information storage unit 84 (S17). Then, as shown in the example of Fig. 4, the control unit 100 displays a window W1 having an explanation TX1 and an operation button B1 for receiving an instruction from the user not to enable the security function at this time, superimposed on the security setting screen (operation screen G2) (S18).

[0055] Then, the control unit 100 determines whether the operation unit 47 has received an instruction to enable the security function (for example, based on a swipe operation to the right on the slide button SB1 in Figure 4) (S19), and if it determines that the operation unit 47 has received an instruction to enable the security function (YES in S19), it enables the security function (S20).

[0056] Thereafter, the setting unit 101 deletes data indicating the type of operation associated with the enabled security function from the gaze target storage unit 83, thereby excluding that type of operation from the gaze target (S21). Furthermore, the setting unit 101 subtracts 1 from the counter C (S22), and determines whether the counter C has reached 0 (S23).

[0057] If the setting unit 101 determines that the counter C has reached 0 (the type of operation set for the gaze target has disappeared) (YES in S23), the control unit 100 erases the icon K from the screen of the display unit 473 (S24), returns the screen of the display unit 473 to the operation screen before the transition (S25), and then terminates the processing.

[0058] On the other hand, if the setting unit 101 determines that the counter C is not 0 (the operation of the type set as the gaze target remains) (NO in S23), the control unit 100 returns the screen of the display unit 473 to the operation screen before the transition without hiding the icon K from the screen of the display unit 473 (S25). After this, the processing ends.

[0059] On the other hand, if the control unit 100 determines in S19 that the operation unit 47 has not received the instruction to enable the security function (NO in S19), it determines whether the operation unit 47 has received an instruction from the user not to enable the security function this time (S26). If the control unit 100 determines that the operation unit 47 has received an instruction from the user not to enable the security function this time (YES in S26), the process proceeds to S21, and the setting unit 101 executes a process to exclude the type of operation corresponding to the security function from the gaze target. On the other hand, if the control unit 100 determines that the operation unit 47 has not received the user's intention not to enable the security function this time (NO in S26), the process returns to S19.

[0060] The instruction to enable the function in S19 is received by the operation unit 47 via the touch panel based on a swipe operation on the slide button SB1. The instruction to not enable the function this time in S26 is received by the operation unit 47 via the touch panel based on a swipe operation on the “Not now” operation button B1.

[0061] In another embodiment, if there is no correspondence between the operation target on the operation screen displayed on the display unit 473 immediately before transitioning to the security setting screen and the type of operation corresponding to the security function for which the operation unit 47 has received an instruction from the user not to activate at this time, the setting unit 101 may not exclude that type of operation from the target of attention.

[0062] For example, if the operation screen displayed on the display unit 473 immediately before transitioning to the security setting screen is a "copy screen," the operation target is a copy function, and the type of operation corresponding to the security function for which the user has received an instruction not to activate this time is related to the fax function, then since there is no correspondence between the two, the setting unit 101 does not exclude that type of operation from the target of attention.

[0063] According to the above embodiment, when a type of operation that can lead to information leakage is frequently used, that type of operation is set as the focus target, icon K is displayed on the screen of display unit 473, and by performing a touch operation on icon K, a security setting screen is displayed that can enable a security function that prevents information leakage due to the type of operation that has been set as the focus target.

[0064] This simplifies the operation process up to the display of the security setting screen, shortens the operation time, and makes it easier to activate the security function, making it easier for users who have a high need for security functions to use them.

[0065] Furthermore, as yet another embodiment, the control unit 100 may display the number of types of operations set for the gaze target (the value of the counter C) on the icon K. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the icon K on which the number of types of operations set for the gaze target is displayed.

[0066] 8(A) to 8(D) are diagrams showing an example of changes in the operation screen displayed on the display unit 473. The number "3" is displayed on an icon K displayed on the operation screen G3 shown in Fig. 8(A). When the user performs a touch operation on this icon K, the operation unit 47 receives an instruction for screen transition via the touch panel, and the control unit 100 displays an operation screen G4 on the display unit 473 as shown in the example of Fig. 8(B) in accordance with the instruction.

[0067] Operation screen G4 is a security setting screen for receiving an instruction to enable the "reconfirm destination when directly entering" function, and a window W1 having an explanatory text TX1 explaining the content of the function and an operation button B1 marked "Not now" is displayed on top of it. The instruction to enable the function is received by the operation unit 47 via the touch panel based on a swipe operation on the slide button SB1. The instruction not to enable the function at this time is received by the operation unit 47 via the touch panel based on a swipe operation on the "Not now" operation button B1.

[0068] When the slide button SB1 on the operation screen G4 is swiped to the right in FIG. 8, the control unit 100 changes the display state of the slide button SB1 and changes the number displayed on the icon K from "3" to "2," as shown in FIG. 8(C) as an example. Thereafter, the control unit 100 automatically returns the screen displayed on the display unit 473 to the operation screen G3 before the transition, as shown in FIG. 8(D) as an example. At this time, the number on the icon K on the operation screen G3 shown in FIG. 8(D) has decreased to "2." On the other hand, when a touch operation is performed on the operation button B1 on the operation screen G4, the control unit 100 returns the screen displayed on the display unit 473 to the operation screen G3 shown in FIG. 8(D). In this case, the control unit 100 also decreases the number on the icon K to "2" and displays it on the operation screen G3.

[0069] In the above example, when the setting unit 101 receives an instruction from the user via the touch panel and the operation unit 47 based on the user's operation on the operation button B1 not to activate the "address reconfirmation when direct input" function this time, the setting unit 101 deletes data indicating the type of operation corresponding to the security function from the gaze target storage unit 83, thereby excluding the type of operation from the gaze targets, and therefore the control unit 100 reduces the number of icon K indicating the number of gaze targets to "2" on the operation screen G3 (FIG. 8(D)). However, even when the setting unit 101 receives an instruction from the user not to activate the "address reconfirmation when direct input" function this time, the setting unit 101 may not delete the data indicating the type of operation corresponding to the security function from the gaze target storage unit 83, but may keep the type of operation as the gaze target, and the control unit 100 may display the number of icon K indicating the number of gaze targets as the original "3" on the operation screen G3 (FIG. 8(D)).

[0070] Furthermore, when the setting unit 101 receives an instruction from the user not to activate the security function this time while displaying the operation screen G4 for receiving an instruction to activate the security function, only when the function shown on the operation screen G3 before displaying the operation screen G4 is the same as the function shown on the operation screen G4, the setting unit 101 may delete data indicating the type of operation for the function from the gaze target storage unit 83 and remove the type of operation from the gaze target. When such an operation is performed, it is highly likely that the user does not intend to activate the security function for the functions shown on both operation screens, so that a guidance display that meets the user's intention can be provided.

[0071] On the other hand, if the function shown on operation screen G3 before displaying operation screen G4 is not the same as the function shown on operation screen G4, the data indicating the type of operation for that function is not deleted from gaze target storage unit 83, and that type of operation is maintained as the gaze target. When operated in this manner, while the user is performing an operation on a certain function, a display is displayed suggesting the setting of a security function for a function different from that function, and there is room for interpretation that the user simply wants to postpone the setting of the security function for the function shown on operation screen G4, and is unclear as to whether he or she truly has no intention of enabling the security function for the function shown on operation screen G4.

[0072] The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. In addition, in the above embodiment, the configuration and processing shown in the above embodiment using Figures 1 to 8 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and it is not intended that the present invention be limited to these configurations and processing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1. Image forming device 47 Control section 100 control section 101 Setting section 473 Display section

Claims

1. a control unit that executes a security function to prevent information leakage due to user operations and enables and disables the security function; a display unit having a touch panel function; an operation unit that receives an instruction based on a touch operation on the display unit detected by the touch panel function; a setting unit that determines whether the number or frequency of execution of each of a plurality of predetermined types of operations that may lead to information leakage has reached a predetermined threshold, sets the type of operation whose number or frequency of execution has reached or exceeded the threshold as a target of attention, and excludes the type of operation from the target of attention when a security function that prevents information leakage due to the type of operation is enabled; The control unit, when there is an operation of a type set for the gaze target, displays an icon on the screen of the display unit that accepts an instruction to display a security setting screen for accepting an instruction to enable a security function that prevents information leakage due to that type of operation, and when there is no more operation of the type set for the gaze target, erases the icon from the screen of the display unit, and when the operation unit accepts a touch operation on the icon, transitions the screen of the display unit to the security setting screen.

2. The information processing device described in claim 1, wherein when the operation unit receives a touch operation on the icon, the control unit transitions the screen of the display unit to the security settings screen and displays an explanatory text on the security settings screen explaining the contents of the security function that prevents information leakage due to the type of operation set for the gaze target.

3. the control unit causes the display unit to display a message prompting the user to input an instruction as to whether or not to enable the security feature described in the description; The information processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the setting unit excludes operations of a type corresponding to a security function from the gaze target when the operation unit receives an instruction from the user not to activate the security function at this time.

4. The information processing device described in claim 3, wherein the setting unit does not exclude an operation of a type corresponding to a security function for which the operation unit has received an instruction from the user not to activate it at this time if there is no correspondence between the operation target on the operation screen displayed on the display unit immediately before transitioning to the security setting screen and the operation of that type corresponding to the security function for which the operation unit has received an instruction from the user not to activate it at this time.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit displays, on the icon, the number of types of operations set for the gaze target.

6. 6. The information processing device of claim 5, wherein, when there is no correspondence between the operation target on the operation screen displayed on the display unit immediately before transitioning to the security setting screen and the type of operation corresponding to the security function for which the operation unit has received instructions from the user not to enable it at this time, the setting unit does not exclude the type of operation from the gaze target, and displays the number of types of operations set for the gaze target as it was originally.

7. An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6; and an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium.

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