JP2012137818A - Image processing device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for quickly confirming contents of an image file set with a password.SOLUTION: A scanner 10 comprises: a generation unit 50 for generating an image file F1 in which image data is included and a password Pw is set; a memory 32 for storing file information W; a network interface 34 for receiving a request to set a password different from the password Pw; and a setting unit 54 for cancelling password setting of the image file F1 by the password Pw stored in the file information W of the memory 32 to set the password different from the password Pw. The setting unit 54 sets the password different form the password Pw to be a limited password which has limited authority compared to the password Pw and has at least read-out authority of the image data included in the image file F1.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for quickly confirming the contents of an image file in which a password is set when the set password is forgotten.

  For example, as described in Patent Document 1, an image processing apparatus such as a scanner may generate an image file with a password set when generating an image file from scanned image data. The user can open the image file and confirm the contents by inputting the password set in the image file. Further, there is known a technique for displaying contact information for inquiring about the password set in the image file when the password set in the image file is different from the password input by the user. According to this technique, even when the user forgets the password set in the image file, the user can check the content of the image file by inquiring of the displayed contact information.

JP 2009-171174 A

  However, with this technique, when the user forgets the password set in the image file, the user cannot confirm the contents of the image file unless the user makes an inquiry to the contact and returns the result. Therefore, when the period from when the user inquires to when the result is returned is prolonged, the user cannot confirm the contents of the image file over the period.

  An object of the present specification is to provide a technique capable of quickly confirming the contents of an image file in which a forgotten password is set.

  An image processing apparatus disclosed in the present specification includes at least a generation unit that includes image data and generates a first image file in which a first password is set, and the first password that is set in the first image file. A storage unit that stores the file information that is included, a request that specifies the second password and the first image file, the reception unit receiving a request to set the second password, and a second stored in the storage unit A setting unit that cancels the password setting of the first image file with one password and sets the second password. The setting unit is a restricted password whose authority is restricted more than the first password stored in the storage unit, and has at least the authority to read image data included in the first image file. Set as a restricted password provided.

  In the image processing apparatus, the generation unit cancels the password setting of the first image file with the first password stored in the storage unit, and includes the image data included in the first image file. A second image file may be generated, and the setting unit may set the second password in the second image file.

  The image processing apparatus includes a mounting unit for mounting an external memory, and is stored in the storage unit and the first password set in the first image file stored in the external memory. The setting unit may set the second password when the first password matches.

  In the image processing apparatus, the file information stored in the storage unit includes first user information related to a user who has requested generation of the first image file, and the second password is set. An acquisition unit that acquires second user information related to the user who requested the user, and the first user information stored in the storage unit and the second user information acquired by the acquisition unit are predetermined. If there is a relationship, the setting unit may set the second password.

  In the image processing apparatus, the user who has requested the generation of the first image file has predetermined authority given by the second password, and the setting unit assigns the second password to the first image. A configuration may be adopted in which a user who has requested file generation is set as a restricted password having a predetermined authority.

  In the image processing apparatus, the authority given by the second password is predetermined according to the user who has requested the setting of the second password, and the authority relating to the user who has requested the setting of the second password. 2 having an acquisition unit for acquiring user information, wherein the setting unit sets the second password as the restricted password having the predetermined authority based on the second user information acquired by the acquisition unit. It is good also as composition to do.

  In the image processing apparatus, the authority given by the second password is determined in advance according to an elapsed period from when the first image file is generated until the second password is requested to be set. , And a timing unit that counts an elapsed period from the generation of the first image file to the request for setting the second password, the setting unit based on the elapsed period timed by the timing unit, The second password may be set as a restricted password having the predetermined authority.

  Further, in the image processing apparatus, in the first image file and the second image file, a user password having the authority to read the image data included in the image file and an authority given to the user password are changed. The first password is set as a restricted password, and the setting unit may set the second password as a user password.

  In addition to the above-described image processing apparatus, the present invention includes various aspects such as a client apparatus capable of instructing execution to the image processing apparatus, a computer program for realizing the functions of these apparatuses, and a recording medium storing the program. Can be realized.

  According to the present invention, when the user forgets the password of the image file or the like, another password (second password) whose authority is more limited than the password (first password) is newly requested in response to a request from the user. Set to. The second password is at least authorized to read image data included in the image file, and the user can quickly confirm the image data included in the image file by using the second password.

Block diagram of the system according to this embodiment The figure which shows typically the structure of the image file F1 and the replication file F2. The figure which shows typically the structure of user management information Zu and administrator management information Zk Flow chart showing image file generation processing Flow chart showing password reset process Flow chart showing authority setting processing

<Embodiment>
This embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

1. System Configuration FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a system including a scanner (an example of an image processing apparatus) 10 according to the present embodiment. The system includes a scanner 10 and a plurality of personal computers (hereinafter referred to as “PCs”) 12.

The PC 12 includes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as “CPU”) 20, a memory 22 such as a ROM, a RAM, and a hard disk, a network interface (hereinafter referred to as an interface) 24, an operation unit 26, and a display unit 28.
A program P1 is stored in the memory 22, and the CPU 20 controls the PC 10 and the communication with the scanner 10 and the like according to the program P1 read from the memory 22. For example, the CPU 20 receives a request for reading an image from a user or a request for setting a password in an image file, and executes processing for transmitting these requests to the scanner 10 via the interface 24.

  The interface 24 is connected to a communication line 80 in the intranet using, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network). The scanner 10 is connected to the communication line 80, and the PC 12 can perform data communication and processing requests with the scanner 10 via the interface 24. The LAN may be directly connected using a communication line or a dedicated wiring in a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet, or may be connected using wireless communication.

  Further, the PC 12 includes a keyboard and a mouse, and includes an operation unit 26 that receives the request from the user and a liquid crystal display monitor, and a display unit 28 that allows the user to confirm the request content when the request is made.

Next, the scanner 10 will be described. The scanner 10 includes a CPU 30, a memory (an example of a storage unit) 32, a network interface (an example of an acquisition unit, hereinafter referred to as an interface) 34, an operation unit 36, a display unit 38, a reading unit 40, and a mounting unit 42.
The memory 32 stores a program P2. The CPU 30 functions as a generation unit 50, a reception unit 52, a setting unit 54, a timekeeping unit 56, and the like according to the program P2 read from the memory 32, and controls the scanner 10. Control communication with the PC 12. For example, the CPU 30 executes processing for reading an image of a document according to a request from the user received from the PC 12, processing for generating an image file including the read image data, processing for setting a password in the generated image file, and the like. In addition to the program P2, the memory 32 stores file information W, which will be described later, and administrator management information Zk.

  The interface 34 is connected to the same communication line 80 as the LAN to which the PC 12 is connected, and can perform data communication and processing requests with the PC 10. The interface 34 acquires information transmitted from the PC 12, whereby the CPU 30 receives various requests input by the user to the PC 12.

  The reading unit 40 is provided with a document placement table on which a document is placed. The CPU 30 reads an image of the document placed on the document placement table and generates image data D. Further, the CPU 30 generates an image file including the read image data D. Furthermore, the CPU 30 has a function of setting a password for the generated image file, and can generate the image file as an image file with a password. Note that the structure of the reading unit 40 of this embodiment is the same as that used in a general scanner, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  Further, the scanner 10 includes an operation unit 36 that includes various buttons and receives an operation command from the user, a display unit 38 that includes a liquid crystal display that displays the state of the scanner 10, and a mounting unit 42 that mounts the USB memory 44. Is provided. The external memory that can be connected to the mounting unit 42 is not limited to the USB memory 44, and other external memories such as an SD memory may be mounted.

2. File Configuration The USB memory 44 stores an image file (an example of a first image file) F1 and a duplicate file (an example of a second image file) F2. The image file F1 is an image file generated by the CPU 30 of the scanner 10, and is generated as an image file with a password. The duplicate file F2 is a duplicate of the image file F1, and is generated as an image file with a password, like the image file F1. As a format of the image file F1 and the duplicate file F2, for example, a PDF format, a TIFF format, or the like can be considered.

The configuration of the image file F1 and the duplicate file F2 will be described with reference to FIG.
(Image file structure)
The image file F1 includes image data D and attached information Ad, and a file name N and a password Pw are set. The image data D is image data read by the CPU 30 when generating the image file F1. The attached information Ad is attached information related to the image file F1, and is information about a creator who is a user who has requested reading of the image data D (that is, generation of the image file F1) (an example of first user information). ), The time when the image file F1 was generated, and information on the device that generated the image file F1.

  The file name N is set according to a predetermined rule when the image file F1 is generated, or by input from the user. The password Pw is set in response to a request from the user when the image file F1 is generated, and restricts the authority of the user to view, print, edit, and copy the image file F1.

  Two types of passwords Pw with different authority restrictions can be set in the image file F1. The user-powered (an example of the second password) Pu is a password that has at least the authority to view the image file F1, and may have authority to print, edit, etc. in addition to browsing. The authority password (an example of the first password) Pr is a password for changing the authority given to the user password Pu, and has all authorities for the image file F1. That is, the user password Pu can be said to be a password whose authority is more limited than that of the authority password Pr. In the image file F1, “PW1” is set as the authority password Pr, and the user password Pu is not set.

(Replication file configuration)
The duplicate file F2 includes the same image data D and attached information Ad as the image file F1. On the other hand, a file name N and a password Pw different from those of the image file F1 are set in the duplicate file F2. The file name N is set according to a predetermined rule or input by the user when the image file F1 is copied.

  In the duplicate file F2, “PW1” that is the same as the image file F1 is set as the authority password Pr, and “PW2” is set as the user password Pu. When the CPU 30 receives a request for setting the password “PW2” that is different from the authority password Pr “PW1”, the CPU 30 generates a duplicate file F2 by copying the image file F1. “PW2” is set as the user password Pu of the copied file F2. A user who requests setting of a password different from the authority password Pr is called a requester. The requester is not necessarily the same as the creator.

  In the present embodiment, in the following description, a password requested to be set when generating the image file F1 is referred to as an authority password Pr, and a password requested to be set after the authority password Pr is set is referred to as a user password Pu. Call it.

3. Management Information Management information Z for determining the authority of the user password Pu is stored in the memory 32 of the scanner 10. The management information Z includes user management information Zu and administrator management information Zk.
The user management information Zu is set by the creator of the image file F1 and is included in the file information W. The user management information Zu includes permission information K1 and authority information K2. The permission information K1 is information about a user who is permitted to set the user password Pu. Usually, a creator often allows a password to be set for a person who has a certain relationship with the creator, such as a superior or subordinate, an employee of the same company, a family member, or the like. The creator can set the user password Pu when the requester has a predetermined relationship with the creator by setting the permission information K1.

  The authority information K2 is information about the authority given to the user with the user password Pu. For example, even if the creator is an employee of the same company, not only viewing but also printing authority is given to employees belonging to the same affiliation so that the image data contained in the image file can be used as a document. You may want to give only viewing privileges to employees who belong to different affiliations that you do not use. The creator can give a specific authority to a specific user by setting the authority information K2 so that the authority given by the user password Pu is different for each user.

  The administrator management information Zk is set by the administrator of the system including the scanner 10 and the PC 12, or is set in advance based on the security level set in the system, and the first restriction information R1 and the second The restriction information R2 is included. In the first restriction information R1, the authority given to the user with the user password Pu is set based on the requester requesting the setting of the user password Pu. By setting the first restriction information R1, the authority given by the user password Pu can be changed for each requester. The first restriction information R1 is information similar to the authority information K2, but is not set by the creator, and the authority given to each user is not set due to the relationship with the creator. Different from information K2.

  In the second restriction information R2, the authority given to the user with the user password Pu is set based on the elapsed time T from the generation of the image file F1 to the request for setting the user password Pu. Normally, the image file that needs to be protected by a password has its information valid for a certain period from the generation of the image file and needs to be protected thickly, but a certain period or more has passed since the generation of the image file Later, the effectiveness of the information diminishes and it is often unnecessary to protect it thickly. By setting the second restriction information R2, the authority given by the user password Pu can be changed according to the elapsed time T from the generation of the image file F1.

4). Processing in Scanner Various processing executed in the scanner 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. These processes are executed according to the program P1 stored in the memory 22.

(Image file generation processing)
First, generation processing of the image file F1 executed by the scanner 10 will be described.
When the creator wants to read an image of a document and generate image data D, the creator places the document on a document placement table of the reading unit 40 and operates the operation unit 26 of the PC 12 to input a document reading request. . At this time, the creator inputs “GF1” as the file name N of the image file F1 including the image data D, and designates the USB memory 44 as the storage location of the image file F1. In addition, the creator requests to generate the image file F1 as an image file with a password, and inputs “PW1” as the password. When a request for reading a document is input from the user, the PC 12 transmits the content input in accordance with the request to the scanner 10 via the interface 24. Further, the PC 12 identifies the creator from the login information to the PC 12 and transmits the identified creator information to the scanner 10 together with the above contents.

  When the CPU 30 of the scanner 10 receives a document reading request from the user via the interface 34, the CPU 30 starts processing. The CPU 30 switches to the password-added image file generation mode (S2) and receives the password “PW1” to be set (S4).

  Next, the CPU 30 requests the creator to set the user management information Zu (S6). The CPU 30 requests the creator to set the user management information Zu, for example, by displaying the contents of the user management information Zu on the display unit 28 of the PC 12 via the interface 34. When the user management information Zu is set in response to the above request, or when it is indicated that the user setting information Zu is not set, the CPU 30 executes a document reading process using the reading unit 40 (S8). .

  Next, the CPU 30 functions as a generation unit and generates an image file F1 (S10). The CPU 30 sets the image data read in the reading process as the image data D of the image file F1, and sets the received password “PW1” as the authority password Pr of the image file F1. Further, the CPU 30 sets the file name N of the image file F1 and the attached information Ad from the file name “GF1” received in response to the document reading request and the creator information, and generates the image file F1.

  After generating the image file F1, the CPU 30 generates file information W of the image file F1 and stores it in the memory 32 (S12). The file information W includes each information of the file name N, password Pw, and attached information Ad of the image file F1. The file information W includes the set user management information Zu. When generating the file information W, the CPU 30 generates the file information W including the information of the file name N, the password Pw, and the attached information Ad using the information when the image file F1 is generated, and is set by the user. The stored user management information Zu is stored in the memory 32.

  The CPU 30 also designates the USB memory 44 as the storage destination of the image file F1 in accordance with the document reading request. The CPU 30 stores the image file F1 in the USB memory 44 (S14), and performs processing. finish. The memory capable of storing the image file F1 is not limited to the USB memory 42, but may be stored in the memory 32 of the scanner 10 or may be stored in the memory 22 of the PC 12 via the interface 34.

(Password reset processing)
Next, password reset processing executed by the scanner 10 will be described.
If the creator forgets the authority password Pr of the image file F1 stored in the USB memory 44 and wants to view the image file F1 and confirm its contents, or a requester different from the creator When browsing the image file F1 and confirming its contents, it is necessary to set the user password Pu. At this time, the requester attaches the USB memory 44 to the attachment unit 42 of the scanner 10 and operates the operation unit 26 of the PC 12 to input a request for setting the user password Pu. At this time, the requester inputs “GF2” as the file name N of the duplicate file F2 in which the user password Pu is set, and designates the USB memory 44 as the storage location of the duplicate file F2. Further, the requester designates the image file F1 that needs to set the user password Pu, and inputs “PW2” as a newly set password.

  When the request for setting the user password Pu is input from the user, the PC 12 transmits the content input in accordance with the request to the scanner 10 via the interface 24. Further, the PC 12 specifies the requester from the login information to the PC 12 and transmits the specified creator information to the scanner 10 together with the above contents. Note that the scanner 10 to which the USB memory 44 is connected is not limited to the device in which the image file F1 is generated.

  When the CPU 30 of the scanner 10 receives a user password Pu setting request from the user via the interface 34, the CPU 30 starts processing. At this time, the CPU 30 functions as the reception unit 52. When starting the process, the CPU 30 switches to the password reset mode (S22) and receives the password “PW2” to be reset (S24).

  Next, the CPU 30 reads information such as the file name N, the password Pw, and the attached information Ad included in the image file F1 to be reset (S26). Unlike the image data D, these pieces of information can be read by the CPU 30 even when the password Pw is set in the image file F1. On the other hand, the requester cannot view at least the password Pw among these pieces of information.

  The CPU 30 compares the information read from the image file F1 with the file information W stored in the memory 32, and whether the memory 32 includes file information W that matches the information such as the password Pw read from the image file F1. Is confirmed (S28). If the memory 32 does not include the file information W that matches the information read from the image file F1 (S28: NO), the CPU 30 ends the process.

  On the other hand, when the file information W that matches the information read from the image file F1 is included in the memory 32 (S28: YES), the CPU 30 determines whether the requester is permitted to set the user password Pu. Confirm (S30). The interface 34 functions as an acquisition unit when acquiring a request for setting the user password Pu from the PC 12 via the communication line 80, and acquires requester information. The CPU 30 receives the requester information acquired by the interface 34 and collates the received requester information with the user management information Zu included in the file information W in the memory 32.

  If the permission information K1 is set in the user management information Zu and the requester is not permitted to set the user password Pu in the permission information K1 (S30: NO), the CPU 30 ends the process.

  On the other hand, when the permission information K1 is not set in the user management information Zu, or the permission information K1 is set in the user management information Zu, the CPU 30 permits the requester to set the user password Pu in the permission information K1. If the password is set (S30: YES), the password setting of the image file F1 is temporarily canceled with the authority password Pr stored in the file information W of the memory 32 (S32).

  While the password setting of the image file F1 is cancelled, the CPU 30 executes a process of duplicating at least the image file F1 and generating the duplicate file F2 (S34). The CPU 30 duplicates the image data D and the attached information Ad of the image file F1, and sets them as the image data D and the attached information Ad of the duplicate file F2. Further, the CPU 30 sets the file name “GF2” received in response to the request for setting the user password Pu as the file name N of the duplicate file F2.

  The CPU 30 sets the password “PW1” set in the image file F1 as the authority password Pr of the duplicate file F2, and sets the received password “PW2” as the user password Pu of the duplicate file F2. A file F2 is generated.

  Next, the CPU 30 executes an authority setting process (S36) for setting the authority given to the user password Pu. As shown in FIG. 6, in the authority setting process, the CPU 30 checks whether the authority information K2 is set in the user management information Zu of the file information W in the memory 32 (S52). When the authority information K2 is set in the user management information Zu (S52: YES), the CPU 30 sets the authority given to the user password Pu based on the authority information K2 (S54), and ends the authority setting process.

  On the other hand, when the authority information K2 is not set in the user management information Zu (S52: NO), the CPU 30 checks whether the first restriction information R1 is set in the administrator management information Zk of the memory 32. (S56). When the first restriction information R1 is set in the administrator management information Zk (S56: YES), the CPU 30 sets the authority given to the user password Pu based on the first restriction information R1 (S58).

  Next, the CPU 30 confirms whether or not the second restriction information R2 is set in the administrator management information Zk of the management information Z in the memory 32 (S60). When the second restriction information R2 is set in the administrator management information Zk (S60: YES), the CPU 30 sets the authority given to the user password Pu based on the second restriction information R2 (S62), and sets the authority. The process ends.

  The CPU 30 functions as the time measuring unit 56, and measures the elapsed time T from the generation of the image file F1 to the reception of a request for setting the user password Pu specifying the image file F1. When setting the authority given to the user password Pu based on the second restriction information R2, the CPU 30 collates the measured elapsed time T with the second restriction information R2, and sets the authority given to the user password Pu.

  In the process of S62, the CPU 30 sets the authority given to the user password Pu based on the first restriction information R1 and the second restriction information R2. For example, the CPU 30 compares the first restriction information R1 and the second restriction information R2, and sets the authority given to the user password Pu based on information on which the authority is more restricted to the requester. On the other hand, when the second restriction information R2 is not set in the administrator management information Zk (S60: NO), the CPU 30 ends the authority setting process.

  Even when the first restriction information R1 is not set in the administrator management information Zk (S56: NO), the CPU 30 sets the second restriction information R2 in the administrator management information Zk of the management information Z in the memory 32. (S64). When the second restriction information R2 is set in the administrator management information Zk (S64: YES), the CPU 30 sets the authority given to the user password Pu based on the second restriction information R2 (S66), and sets the authority. The process ends. On the other hand, when the second restriction information R2 is not set in the administrator management information Zk (S64: NO), the CPU 30 sets the authority for browsing only in the user password Pu (S68), and ends the authority setting process.

  After executing the authority setting process (S36), the CPU 30 sets the expiration date of the user password Pu (S38). The expiration date of the user password Pu is determined in advance by a creator or an administrator, and the CPU 30 sets a predetermined expiration date in the user password Pu. The CPU 30 also designates the USB memory 44 as the storage destination of the duplicate file F2 in response to the request for setting the user password Pu, and the CPU 30 stores the duplicate file F2 in the USB memory 44 (S40). The process ends.

5. Advantages of the present embodiment (1) In the scanner 10 of the present embodiment, when the creator forgets the authority password Pr of the image file F1, the authority is limited more than the authority password Pr in response to a request from the requester. The newly set user password Pu is set. The user password Pu is at least authorized to view the image file F1, and can read the image data D contained in the image file F1 and confirm the contents thereof.

(2) In the scanner 10 of this embodiment, when the user password Pu is set, a duplicate file F2 different from the image file F1 is generated, and the user password Pu is set in the duplicate file F2. Therefore, for example, the creator who is also a requester can confirm the image data D using the duplicate file F2 and the user password Pu while the authority password Pr cannot be remembered. Processing that is restricted by the user password Pu, such as processing of the image data D, can be performed using the image file F1 and the authority password Pr.

(3) In the scanner 10 of the present embodiment, the image file F1 is stored in the USB memory 44, and the image file F1 is usually stored even if the image file F1 exists away from the scanner 10 that generated the image file F1. It is prohibited to set the user password Pu in an apparatus other than the scanner 10 in which is generated. Normally, the device that generated the image file F1 can be known only by the creator who created the image file F1 and the users who have a specific relationship with the creator. According to the scanner 10 of the present embodiment, a user who can set the user password Pu can be limited to a specific user, and a reduction in the security level of the image file F1 can be suppressed.

(4) In the scanner 10 of this embodiment, the creator of the image file F1 sets the permission information K1, so that the user who can set the user password Pu is a specific relationship with the creator. It can be limited to the user, and it can be suppressed that the security level of the image file is lowered.

(5) In the scanner 10 of this embodiment, the creator of the image file F1 sets the authority information K2, so that the creator can predetermine the authority given by the user password Pu. As a result, it is possible to suppress the user password Pu including the authority not intended by the creator from being given to the requester.

(6) In the scanner 10 of the present embodiment, the authority given by the user password Pu is predetermined according to the requester by setting the first restriction information R1. As a result, it is possible to suppress the user password Pu including inappropriate authority from being given to the requester.

(7) In the scanner 10 of the present embodiment, the second restriction information R2 is set, so that the authority given by the user password Pu is the elapsed time from the generation of the image file F1 to the reception of the request for setting the user password Pu. It is predetermined according to T. For this reason, for example, when a period of time has not passed since the generation of the image file F1 and it is desired to maintain a relatively high security level, a relatively less restrictive user password Pu is set. It is possible to suppress the user password Pu including the authority from being given to the requester.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) In the above embodiment, the description has been given using an example in which a user inputs a request or the like to the scanner 10 via the PC 12, but the user may input a request or the like using the operation unit of the scanner 10. . In this case, the operation unit 36 of the scanner 10 functions as an acquisition unit that acquires requester information and the like. However, the scanner 10 normally has no login information. Therefore, when acquiring a request or the like from the operation unit 36, the CPU 30 requests the display unit 38 of the scanner 10 to set the creator or requester information, and the creator or requester information is input in response to the request. If so, the request is accepted.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the CPU 30 of the scanner 10 functions as the generation unit 50, the reception unit 52, the setting unit 54, the timekeeping unit 56, and the like. It is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 20 of the PC 12 connected to the scanner 10 via the communication line 80 has these functions. The CPU 20 of the PC 12 sends an execution instruction to the scanner 10, and the CPU 30 of the scanner 10 performs each process according to the execution instruction. It may be configured to execute.

(3) In the above embodiment, the description has been given using the example in which the file information W includes information such as the file name N, the password Pw, and the attached information Ad. However, the file information W includes at least the password Pw. It only has to be. Therefore, other information may be included in addition to the file name N, the password Pw, and the attached information Ad.

(4) In the above embodiment, the scanner 10 is used as an apparatus for generating the image file F1, but the apparatus for generating the image file F1 is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to a facsimile machine that stores received image data as an image file, and a PC in which a program for storing image data generated by a user with a password is incorporated.

(5) Furthermore, the data need not be image data, and can be applied even to text data. In that case, the file is not an image file, but a text file or the like can be appropriately changed and called.

10: Scanner, PC: 14, 20: CPU, 22: Memory, 24: Network interface, 26: Operation unit, 28: Display unit, 30: CPU, 32: Memory, 34: Network interface, 36: Operation unit, 38 : Display unit, 40: Reading unit, 42: Mounting unit, 44: USB memory, 50: Generation unit, 52: Reception unit, 54: Setting unit, 56: Timekeeping unit, F1: Image file, F2: Duplicate d file, D: image data, Pw: password, Pr: restricted password, Pu: user password, W: file information, T: elapsed time, Z: management information, Zu: user management information, Zk: administrator management information, K1: permission Information, K2: authority information, R1: first restriction information, R2: second restriction information

Claims (9)

A generation unit for generating a first image file including image data and set with a first password;
A storage unit for storing file information including at least the first password set in the first image file;
A requesting unit for specifying a second password and the first image file, and receiving a request for setting the second password;
A setting unit that cancels the password setting of the first image file with the first password stored in the storage unit and sets the second password,
The setting unit is a restricted password whose authority is restricted more than the first password stored in the storage unit, and has at least the authority to read image data included in the first image file. An image processing apparatus that is set as a provided restricted password. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The generation unit cancels the password setting of the first image file with the first password stored in the storage unit, generates a second image file including image data included in the first image file,
The setting unit is an image processing apparatus that sets the second password in the second image file. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
It has a mounting part for mounting external memory,
When the first password set in the first image file stored in the external memory matches the first password stored in the storage unit, the setting unit sets the second password An image processing apparatus. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The file information stored in the storage unit includes first user information related to a user who has requested the generation of the first image file,
An acquisition unit for acquiring second user information relating to a user who has requested the setting of the second password;
When the first user information stored in the storage unit and the second user information acquired by the acquisition unit have a predetermined relationship, the setting unit sets the second password. . An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The user who requested generation of the first image file has predetermined authority given by the second password,
The image processing apparatus, wherein the setting unit sets the second password as a restricted password having a predetermined authority by a user who has requested generation of the first image file. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The authority given by the second password is predetermined according to the user who requested the setting of the second password,
An acquisition unit for acquiring second user information relating to a user who has requested the setting of the second password;
The image processing apparatus, wherein the setting unit sets the second password as the restricted password having the predetermined authority based on the second user information acquired by the acquisition unit. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The authority given by the second password is determined in advance according to an elapsed period from the generation of the first image file until the setting of the second password is requested,
A timing unit that counts an elapsed period from the generation of the first image file to the request for setting the second password;
The setting unit is an image processing apparatus that sets the second password as the restricted password having the predetermined authority based on the elapsed period timed by the timing unit. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
In the first image file and the second image file, at least a user password having authority to read the image data included in the image file and an authority password for changing authority given to the user password can be set. Yes,
The first password is set as a restricted password,
The image processing apparatus, wherein the setting unit sets the second password as a user password. To the client device that can instruct the image processing device to execute,
Generation processing for generating a first image file including image data and set with a first password;
A request process for specifying a second password and the first image file, and receiving a request to set the second password;
The password setting of the first image file is canceled with the first password stored in the image processing apparatus, and the second password is a restricted password whose authority is restricted as compared with the first password, and at least the image data And a setting process for setting as a restricted password with read authority.

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