Information processing device and document management method

Abstract

To allow restrictions on a job related to a document and allow a provider of the document to check that the job related to the document has been executed.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 10 comprises: an image reading unit 11 that reads a manuscript; a network communication unit 24 that communicates with another electronic apparatus; and a control unit 31 that detects, from a manuscript image obtained through manuscript reading performed by the image reading unit 11, a code indicating permission or inhibition of a job related to the manuscript and a provider of the document, determines the permission or inhibition of the job related to the manuscript and the provider of the manuscript on the basis of the detected code, executes the job related to the manuscript when determining the permission of the job related to the manuscript, and causes the network communication unit 24 to notify the provider that the job related to the manuscript has been executed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a document management method for managing the copying of documents, and more particularly to a technique for notifying a provider of a document that a copy has been made. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in an image forming device, a document is read by an image reading unit, and the document image obtained by the reading is printed on recording paper by an image forming unit, which is what is called copying, but it is desirable to restrict copying depending on the contents of the document image. The image forming device described in Patent Document 1 reads a document to generate a document image, detects a code from this document image, extracts control information from this code, and does not output the document image if the control information indicates that output is not possible, and outputs the document if the control information indicates that output is possible. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-098773 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the output of the document image is prohibited based on the control information extracted from the code, so copying of the document image can be restricted by previously adding the code to the document image. However, simply restricting the copying of the document image does not allow the user who provided the document image to know that the document image has been copied. In addition, for document images for which confidentiality must be maintained, it is necessary to manage usage not only of copying but also of storing the document image in memory and transmitting the document image over a network.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to make it possible to restrict jobs performed on a document, and to enable a provider of the document to confirm that a job has been executed on the document. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Moreover, an information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes an input unit into which an image represented by a document is input, a communication unit which communicates with other electronic devices, and a control unit which detects from the input image a code indicating whether a job related to the document is permitted or prohibited and the source of the document, and determines whether the job related to the document is permitted or prohibited and the source of the document based on the detected code, and if it determines that the job related to the document is permitted, executes the job related to the document and causes the communication unit to notify the source that the job related to the document has been executed.

[0007] A document management method according to one aspect of the present invention includes an input step of inputting an image represented by a document; a detection step of detecting a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code from the image input in the input step that indicates whether a job related to the document is permitted or prohibited and the source of the document; a determination step of determining whether the job related to the document is permitted or prohibited and the source of the document based on the one-dimensional or two-dimensional code detected in the detection step; a processing step of executing the job related to the document if it is determined in the determination step that the job related to the document is permitted; and a notification step of notifying the source determined in the determination step that the job related to the document has been executed when the job related to the document is executed in the processing step that the job related to the document has been executed. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to limit jobs performed on a document, and it is also possible for the provider of the document to confirm that a job has been performed on the document. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus which is an embodiment of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a functional block diagram showing a main internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 13 is a flowchart showing a process for adding a QR code (registered trademark) to a document image. [Figure 4] 13 is a diagram showing a setting screen for a document management mode displayed on a display unit. [Diagram 5] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of a recording sheet on which an original image, a QR code, and a watermark are formed. [Figure 6] 6 is a diagram illustrating information indicated by the QR code in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing a process for detecting a QR code from an original image, restricting a job related to the original based on the QR code, and notifying the provider of the original by email that the job has been executed. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of a recording sheet on which an original image, a QR code, and a watermark are formed. [Figure 9] 9 is a diagram illustrating information indicated by the QR code in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an email sent to the provider of a document when a job related to the document is permitted and executed. FIG. [Figure 11] 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an email sent to the provider of a document when a job related to the document is prohibited. FIG. 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 cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus which is an embodiment of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 is an MFP (multi-function peripheral) having multiple functions such as a copy function and a printer function. The image forming apparatus 10 includes an image reading unit 11 and an image forming unit 12.

[0011] The image reading unit 11 has an imaging element that optically reads an original document, and an analog output of this imaging element is converted into a digital signal to generate image data indicative of an original document image (hereinafter simply referred to as an original document image).

[0012] The image forming section 12 forms the document image on a recording sheet, and includes an image forming unit 3M for magenta, an image forming unit 3C for cyan, an image forming unit 3Y for yellow, and an image forming unit 3Bk for black. In each of the image forming units 3M, 3C, 3Y, and 3Bk, the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is uniformly charged, the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is exposed to light, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4, the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is developed into a toner image, and the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 5. As a result, a color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5. This color toner image is secondarily transferred to the recording sheet P transported from the paper feed section 14 through the transport path 8 in the nip area N between the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the secondary transfer roller 6.

[0013] Thereafter, the recording paper P is heated and pressed by the fixing device 15, the toner image on the recording paper P is fixed by thermocompression, and the recording paper P is then discharged onto a discharge tray 19 via discharge rollers 7.

[0014] Next, a configuration relating to the control of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image reading section 11 (an example of an input section in the claims), an image forming section 12, a display section 21, an operation section 22, a touch panel 23, a network communication section (NW communication section) 24, a facsimile communication section (FAX communication section) 25, an image memory 26, a storage section 28, and a control unit 29. These components are capable of transmitting and receiving data or signals to and from each other via a bus.

[0015] The display unit 21 is configured with a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display.

[0016] The operation unit 22 includes physical keys such as a numeric keypad, a decision key, and a start key.

[0017] A touch panel 23 is disposed on the screen of the display unit 21. The touch panel 23 is a so-called resistive film type or capacitive type touch panel, which detects contact (touch) of a user's finger or the like with the touch panel 23 together with the contact position, and outputs a detection signal indicating the coordinates of the contact position to a control unit 31 (to be described later) of the control unit 29. This makes it possible to operate a GUI (Graphical User Interface) and the like displayed on the screen of the display unit 21 through the touch panel 23.

[0018] The network communication unit (NW communication unit) 24 is a communication interface including a communication module such as a LAN chip (not shown), and is connected to other terminal devices via a wired or wireless LAN to transmit and receive data to and from the other terminal devices.

[0019] A facsimile communication section (FAX communication section) 25 transmits and receives document images, which indicate the contents of documents showing images, between other image forming apparatuses, facsimile machines, and the like via a network.

[0020] In the image memory 26, an original image indicating the contents of the original read by the image reading unit 11 is stored.

[0021] The storage unit 28 is a large-capacity storage device such as a solid state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD), and stores various application programs and various data.

[0022] The control unit 29 is composed of a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), etc. The control unit 29 functions as a control unit 31 by the processor executing a control program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 28.

[0023] The control unit 31 comprehensively controls the image forming apparatus 10. The control unit 29 is connected to the image reading unit 11, the image forming unit 12, the display unit 21, the operation unit 22, the touch panel 23, the network communication unit 24, the facsimile communication unit 25, the image memory 26, and the storage unit 28. The control unit 31 controls the operation of these components and transmits and receives signals or data between these components.

[0024] The control unit 31 serves as a processing unit that executes various processes necessary for image formation by the image forming apparatus 10. The control unit 31 also receives detection signals output from the touch panel 23, or instructions input by the user based on the operation of the physical keys of the operation unit 22. The control unit 31 also has a function of controlling the display operation of the display unit 21, and a function of controlling the communication operations of the network communication unit 24 and the facsimile communication unit 25.

[0025] In image forming apparatus 10 configured as above, for example, a user operates the GUI displayed on the screen of display unit 21 via touch panel 23 to input a selection instruction to select a copy job, places an original in image reading unit 11, and operates the start key of operation unit 22 to input a copy execution instruction. At this time, control unit 31 causes image reading unit 11 to read the original in accordance with the above-mentioned selection instruction and copy execution instruction that have been input, and temporarily stores the original image obtained by this reading in image memory 26. Furthermore, control unit 31 causes image forming unit 12 to form this original image on recording paper, and causes this recording paper to be discharged to discharge tray 19.

[0026] It is also assumed that the user operates the GUI on the screen of the display unit 21 via the touch panel 23 to input a selection instruction to select a scan job, places an original on the image reading unit 11, and operates the start key of the operation unit 22 to input a scan instruction. At this time, the control unit 31 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the original in accordance with the above-mentioned input selection instruction and scan instruction, and temporarily stores the original image obtained by this reading in the image memory 26. Furthermore, the control unit 31 stores this original image in a USB memory or main body memory (storage unit 28) connected to the image forming apparatus 10, or causes the original image to be transmitted from the network communication unit 24 to another terminal device.

[0027] Furthermore, when the user operates the GUI on the screen of the display unit 21 via the touch panel 23 to input a selection instruction to select a facsimile job, places an original in the image reading unit 11, and operates the start key of the operation unit 22 to input a facsimile instruction, the control unit 31 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the original in accordance with the above-mentioned selection instruction and facsimile instruction that have been input, and temporarily stores the original image obtained by this original reading in the image memory 26. Furthermore, the control unit 31 causes the original image to be transmitted from the facsimile communication unit 25 to another image forming device or a facsimile device.

[0028] Here, it is desirable to restrict copy jobs depending on the contents of the document image, such as when the document or the contents written on the document are highly confidential. However, simply restricting copy jobs of the document does not allow the provider of the document to know that the document has been copied. From the viewpoint of confidentiality, it is also desirable to be able to restrict not only copy jobs but also scan jobs (storage in a USB memory or the storage unit 28, transmission to another terminal device) and facsimile jobs (facsimile transmission to another image forming device or facsimile device).

[0029] Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 has a document management mode in which a two-dimensional code (e.g., QR code (registered trademark), an example of "code" in the claims) for managing the document and the document image obtained by scanning the document with the image reading unit 11 is added. The image forming apparatus 10 uses this QR code to restrict copy jobs, scan jobs, and facsimile jobs for the document, and notifies the provider of the document that these jobs have been executed.

[0030] When the document management mode is set in the image forming apparatus 10, the control unit 31 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the document (an example of the "document" in the claims) and stores the document image obtained by reading the document (an example of the "image shown by the document" in the claims) in the image memory 26. If the document is an original (original), the document does not have a QR code. The user operates the GUI on the screen of the display unit 21, and inputs such as permission or prohibition of a job related to the document, the limit number of times of the job, and the email address of the provider who provided the document are accepted by the control unit 31 through the touch panel 23. The control unit 31 generates a QR code including information indicating permission or prohibition of the job, the limit number of times of the job, and the email address that have been accepted. The control unit 31 combines and adds the QR code to the document image in the image memory 26, and causes the image forming unit 12 to form the document image including the QR code on a recording sheet, and causes the recording sheet to be discharged to the discharge tray 19.

[0031] Furthermore, the control unit 31 determines whether or not a QR code is included in the document image by analyzing the document image obtained by document reading by the image reading unit 11, using a known QR code detection technique such as pattern matching. If the control unit 31 determines that a QR code is already included in the document image, the control unit 31 detects the QR code in the document image, and by analyzing the QR code, determines whether a job indicated by the QR code is permitted or prohibited, the limit on the number of times a job can be performed, an email address, and the like.

[0032] Then, when the control unit 31 determines that the job is permitted, it executes the instructed copy job, scan job, or facsimile job for the document image, and further limits the number of times the job is executed to a limited number of times. Furthermore, the control unit 31 creates an email indicating that the job has been executed, sets the destination of this email to the determined email address, and causes the network communication unit 24 to send this email to a server on the network.

[0033] Furthermore, if the control unit 31 determines that the job should be prohibited by analyzing the QR code, it erases the original image in the image memory 26, does not perform the requested copy job, scan job, or facsimile job, and further creates an e-mail indicating that the job has been prohibited, sets the destination of this e-mail to the determined e-mail address, and has this e-mail sent to a server on the network via the network communication unit 24.

[0034] The email is received by the server and then sent from the server to the terminal device of the document provider according to the set email address. The content of the email is displayed on the display device of the terminal device. Therefore, the document provider can know the execution status of the copy job, scan job, and facsimile job related to the document by looking at the email.

[0035] Next, the process of adding such a QR code to a document image will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0036] The user inputs an instruction to set the document management mode by touching a GUI (such as an initial setting screen) displayed on the screen of the display unit 21. In accordance with the input instruction, the control unit 31 causes a setting window PW (an example of a GUI) for setting the document management mode, such as that shown in Fig. 4, to be displayed on the screen of the display unit 21 (S101).

[0037] The setting window PW shown in Figure 4 displays a check box CB1 for accepting an instruction to switch the document management mode on and off, a text box TB1 for accepting input of the email address AD of the document provider, a check box CB2 for accepting an instruction to allow or prohibit copy jobs, scan jobs, and facsimile jobs, and a text box TB2 for accepting input of the limit number of times SN for copy jobs, scan jobs, and facsimile jobs.

[0038] The user operates the check box CB1 to input an instruction to turn on the document management mode, or does not operate the check box CB1 to input an instruction to turn off the document management mode. The user also operates a soft keyboard (not shown) or the like displayed on the screen of the display unit 21 to input his / her email address AD in the text box TB1. The user also operates the check box CB2 to input an instruction to permit a job, or does not operate the check box CB2 to input an instruction to prohibit a job. The user also operates the text box TB2 to input the job count limit SN. The control unit 31 accepts the input contents of each of the above items when the touch panel 23 accepts an input confirmation instruction by the user's operation of the OK button B1.

[0039] The control unit 31 determines the contents indicated by the instruction to turn the document management mode on or off, the email address in the text box TB1, the instruction to permit or prohibit the job, and the job count limit SN in the text box TB2 (S102).

[0040] For example, when the control unit 31 determines in S102 that an instruction to turn off the document management mode has been received (S103 "OFF"), the document management mode is not set. In this case, when the user operates the GUI on the screen of the display unit 21 via the touch panel 23 to input an instruction to select a copy job, a scan job, or a facsimile job, sets an original on the image reading unit 11, and operates the start key of the operation unit 22 to input an instruction to execute the job, the control unit 31 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the original, temporarily stores the original image obtained by this original reading in the image memory 26, and executes the copy job, scan job, or facsimile job selected by the user for this original image. After this, the process shown in FIG. 3 ends.

[0041] Furthermore, when it is determined in S102 that an instruction to turn on the document management mode has been received (S103 "ON"), the control unit 31 sets the image forming apparatus 10 to the document management mode (S105).

[0042] With this document management mode set, it is assumed that the user operates the GUI on the screen of the display unit 21 via the touch panel 23 to input an instruction to select a copy job, a scan job, or a facsimile job, sets an original on the image reading unit 11, and operates the start key of the operation unit 22 to input an instruction to execute copying. At this time, the control unit 31 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the original, and temporarily stores the original image obtained by this original reading in the image memory 26 (S106). Then, the control unit 31 analyzes the original image in the image memory 26, and performs a process of detecting the QR code included in the original image (S107).

[0043] Here, it is assumed that the manuscript is an original (original copy) provided by the user and does not have a QR code attached.

[0044] In this case, the control unit 31 does not detect a QR code from the document image (S107 "No"), and generates a QR code including information indicating that the document is an original, together with information indicating the email address AD, whether the job is permitted or prohibited, and the job count limit SN determined in S102 (S108). The control unit 31 then superimposes the QR code onto the document image (a blank area (an area where no pixels exist) in the document image), and further superimposes a preset watermark onto the document image (S109). As a result, the document image is given a QR code and a watermark.

[0045] The control unit 31 causes the image forming unit 12 to form the document image with the QR code and watermark on a recording sheet, and causes the recording sheet to be discharged onto the discharge tray 19 (S110). After this, the process shown in FIG. 3 ends.

[0046] In addition, when the control unit 31 receives an instruction from the user to select a scan job or a facsimile job, it forms an original image with a QR code and a watermark on recording paper (S110), and executes a scan job or a facsimile job for the original image with the QR code and the watermark.

[0047] Here, the original image stored in a USB memory or memory unit 28 by a scan job, or transmitted to another terminal device, and the original image transmitted by a facsimile job may be formed on recording paper and used, as in S110.

[0048] When the original image is formed on recording paper P, for example, as shown in Fig. 5, an original image 41, a QR code 42 composited in a margin area within the original image 41, and a watermark 43 composited and overlaid on the original image 41 are formed on the recording paper P. As shown in Fig. 6, the QR code 42 thus formed on the recording paper P contains information indicating an email address AD, whether the job is permitted or prohibited, the job count limit SN, and whether the original is an original.

[0049] On the other hand, in S107, when the control unit 31 detects a QR code superimposed on the document image (S107 "Yes"), that is, when the document is not an original, the control unit 31 does not perform the processes of S108 to S110, and causes an image indicating an error to be displayed on the screen of the display unit 21 (S112). After this, the process shown in FIG. 3 ends.

[0050] With the document management mode set in this way, when a document provider causes the image forming apparatus 10 to execute a copy job, scan job, or facsimile job for an original document, a QR code and a watermark are added to the document image obtained by reading the document, and the document image with the QR code and watermark added is formed on recording paper, and the recording paper is discharged to the discharge tray 19. Note that in this embodiment, in S109, the control unit 31 combines both the QR code and the watermark with the document image, but the control unit 31 may combine only the QR code with the document image without combining the watermark. However, in this embodiment, the explanation will be given taking as an example a case where both the QR code and the watermark are combined with the document image.

[0051] Next, the process of detecting a QR code from a document image obtained by scanning the document, restricting a job for the document based on the QR code, and notifying the document provider by email that the job has been executed or prohibited will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0052] Assume that a user other than the provider of the original document operates the GUI on the screen of the display unit 21 to input an instruction to select a copy job, a scan job, or a facsimile job, places the document in the image reading unit 11, and inputs an instruction to execute the job by operating the operation unit 22. In this case, the control unit 31 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the document in accordance with both of the input instructions (S201), and temporarily stores the document image obtained by reading the document in the image memory 26. Furthermore, the control unit 31 analyzes the document image in the image memory 26, and performs a process of detecting a QR code from the document image (S202).

[0053] For example, if the control unit 31 does not detect a QR code (S202 “No”), it does not perform the processes in S204 and thereafter, and ends the process shown in Fig. 7. In this case, the control unit 31 executes a copy job, a scan job, or a facsimile job selected by the user for the document image in the image memory 26.

[0054] Furthermore, when the control unit 31 detects a QR code (S202 "Yes"), it analyzes the QR code and determines the email address AD, permission or prohibition of the job, the limit number of times the job is executed, and the like, indicated by the QR code (S204).

[0055] At this time, when the control unit 31 determines that the job is permitted (S205 "Permitted"), it deletes the detected QR code from the document image (S206). For example, the control unit 31 performs a process on the document image to replace all pixels in the QR code area in the document image with white. Then, the control unit 31 generates an identification number ID for the document image, generates a new QR code including information indicating the identification number ID together with information indicating the email address AD determined in S204, whether the job is permitted or prohibited, and the job limit number SN, and combines this new QR code with the document image (the blank area in the document image) (S207). Note that the control unit 31 does not delete the watermark included in the document image, but leaves it as it is. Therefore, the document image in the image memory 26 is given a new QR code, and the previous watermark remains.

[0056] Next, the control unit 31 executes a copy job, scan job, or facsimile job selected by another user for the original image in the image memory 26, limiting the number of jobs to the job limit number SN determined in S204 or less (S208). For example, in the case of a copy job, the number of copies of recording paper on which the original image is recorded is limited to the limit number SN or less. Also, in the case of a scan job, the number of storage destinations in which the original image is stored is limited to the limit number SN or less. Also, in the case of a facsimile job, the number of destinations to which the original image is sent is limited to the limit number SN or less.

[0057] For example, when a copy job is executed, a new QR code 44 and an original image 41 having the previous watermark 43 are formed on the recording paper P as shown in Fig. 8. As shown in Fig. 9, the QR code 44 includes information indicating an email address AD, permission or prohibition of the job, the limited number of times the job is performed SN, and the above-mentioned identification number ID.

[0058] Furthermore, the control unit 31 creates an email indicating that the job has been executed for the document that was the target of reading in S201, the number of times the job has been executed JN, the type of the job, etc., sets the destination of this email to the email address AD determined in S111, and causes this email to be sent to the email address AD via the network communication unit 24 (S209). After this, the process shown in FIG. 7 ends.

[0059] For example, when a copy job is executed, an email EM1 as shown in Fig. 10 is sent under the control of the control unit 31. The email EM1 shown in Fig. 10 includes information indicating the execution of the job, the number of times the job has been executed JN, that the executed job is a copy job, that the document on which the job was executed is an original, the identification number ID of the document image, and the IP address of the image forming apparatus 10. The IP address of the image forming apparatus 10 is stored in the storage unit 28, and the control unit 31 reads it out from the storage unit 28 and uses it.

[0060] On the other hand, when the control unit 31 executes a job for an original image to which a QR code including information indicating that the original is a copy is added, the control unit 31 includes information indicating that the original is a copy in the email EM1. The control unit 31 may also obtain the address of another terminal device used when the original image is transmitted from the network communication unit 24 to the other terminal device by executing a scan job, and include the address of the other terminal device in the email EM1, or obtain the facsimile number of the facsimile device used when the original image is transmitted from the facsimile communication unit 25 to the facsimile device by executing a facsimile job, and include the facsimile number in the email EM1.

[0061] Furthermore, when the control unit 31 determines in S205 that the job is prohibited (S205 "prohibited"), the control unit 31 erases the document image in the image memory 26 and does not execute a copy job, a scan job, or a facsimile job for the document image (S210). The control unit 31 further creates an e-mail indicating that the job has been prohibited, sets the destination of this e-mail to the e-mail address determined in S204, and causes this e-mail to be sent to the recipient indicated by the e-mail address via the network communication unit 24 (S211). After this, the process shown in FIG. 7 ends.

[0062] For example, when a copy job is prohibited, the control unit 31 creates and sends an email EM2 as shown in Fig. 11. The email EM2 shown in Fig. 11 includes information indicating that the job is prohibited, that the job type is a copy job, and that the document is an original.

[0063] In this manner, in this embodiment, a QR code is generated that indicates whether a job related to the manuscript is permitted or prohibited, the limited number of times a job is allowed, and the email address of the provider who provided the manuscript. This QR code is then attached to the manuscript image obtained by scanning the manuscript. The QR code is also detected from the manuscript image, and the job related to the manuscript is executed or prohibited based on this QR code. The provider of the manuscript is then notified by email that the job has been executed or prohibited, so that the provider of the manuscript can check the email and know the execution status of the job related to the manuscript he or she provided.

[0064] Incidentally, in the above embodiment, a QR code is exemplified, but instead of the QR code, other types of two-dimensional codes or one-dimensional codes such as a barcode may be applied.

[0065] In the above embodiment, copy jobs, scan jobs, and facsimile jobs are permitted or prohibited collectively, but jobs may be permitted or prohibited by job type. In this case, the control unit 31 generates a QR code indicating whether the job is permitted or prohibited for each copy job, scan job, and facsimile job, and attaches this QR code to the document image. When the control unit 31 detects a QR code from the document image, it analyzes the detected QR code, determines whether the job is permitted or prohibited for each copy job, scan job, and facsimile job, and executes or prohibits the job.

[0066] In the above embodiment, a QR code is added to the document image obtained by scanning the document using the image reading unit 11, but when a document is transmitted from another terminal device and received by the network communication unit 24 or the facsimile communication unit 25 and a job is performed on this document, the control unit 31 may add the generated QR code to the image indicated by the document. Alternatively, when a document created on a PC is transmitted from the PC and received by the network communication unit 24 and a job is performed on this document, the control unit 31 may add the generated QR code to the image indicated by the document.

[0067] In the above embodiment, an image forming apparatus is used as an example of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention, but the information processing apparatus according to the present invention may be other types of apparatus, such as a copy machine or a facsimile machine.

[0068] Moreover, the configurations and processes of the above-described embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11 are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these configurations and processes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 10 Image forming device 11 Image reading unit 12 Image forming section 21 Display section 22 Control section 23 Touch Panel 24 Network Communication Department 25 Facsimile Communication Department 26 Image Memory 28 Memory section 29 Control Unit 31 Control Unit

Claims

1. an input section for inputting an image represented by a document; A communication unit for communicating with other electronic devices; Detecting a code indicating permission or prohibition of a job related to the document and a provider of the document from the input image, and determining permission or prohibition of a job related to the document and a provider of the document based on the detected code; a control unit that, when it is determined that the job related to the document is permitted, executes the job related to the document and notifies the provider via the communication unit that the job related to the document has been executed; The code further includes a limit on the number of jobs related to the document, The control unit is determining a limit on the number of jobs associated with the document from the code; When it is determined that the job related to the document is permitted based on the code, the job related to the document is executed within the determined limited number of times; The information processing apparatus notifies the determined provider of the number of times a job related to the document has been executed, via the communication unit.

2. The control unit is The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a process of setting the code indicating permission or prohibition of a job related to the document and a source of the document, and adding the set code to the image indicated by the document.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the code further includes information indicating that the document is an original.

4. The control unit is 3. The information processing device of claim 2, wherein when the job related to the document is executed, the code is erased from the document, and a new code indicating an identifier of the document, permission or prohibition of the job related to the document, and the source of the document is set, and the new code is assigned to the image represented by the document.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein, when the control unit determines that the job related to the document is prohibited, the control unit notifies the determined provider that the job related to the document is prohibited via the communication unit.

6. The code further includes an email address of the provider, The control unit is Further determining an email address of the provider from the code; The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein when the job relating to the document is executed, the communication unit notifies the determined email address of information indicating that the job relating to the document has been executed.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit further adds a watermark to the document when the code is added to the image indicated by the document.

8. an input step of inputting an image represented by a document; a detection step of detecting, from the image inputted in the input step, a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code indicating permission or prohibition of a job related to the document and indicating a source of the document; a determination step of determining permission or prohibition of a job related to the document and a source of the document based on the one-dimensional or two-dimensional code detected in the detection step; a limit number determination step of further determining a limit number of jobs related to the document from the code; a processing step of executing the job related to the document the limited number of times determined in the limit number determination step when the permission of the job related to the document is determined in the determination step; a notification step of notifying the provider determined in the determination step of the number of times a job related to the document has been executed when the job related to the document has been executed in the processing step.

Images