Patent Publication Number: US-2006007471-A1

Title: Image forming apparatus and image scanner

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This nonprovisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No. 2004-202312, No. 2004-202313, and No. 2004-202314 filed in Japan on Jul. 8, 2004, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for adding an image including information limiting a copy when a confidential document is outputted, and an image scanner capable of performing copy limitation at reading a manuscript to which the fore-mentioned image was added.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      There have been commercially available many appratuses having a function (hereinafter, referred to as a watermark function) copying a specified letter string and a mark in each of pages printed or an arbitrary page, as the function of a printer driver which controls image forming apparatuses such as a printer and a cmposite machine from an information processor such as a personal computer. The watermark function is used for promoting awareness of the handling of documents printed, by copying character patterns such as “confidential”, “important”, “circular”, “urgent” and “a copy is strictly prohibited” in documents which a user prints (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-77600 (hereinafter, abbreviated as JP-A-2002-77600)).  
      Thus, although it is possible to promote awareness of the handling of documents for a user by adding the watermark in a document outputted, it has a problem that there is a fear of leaking information because there is a case that a copy is prepared by unawareness of a user or a case that a copy is illegally prepared by a malicious third party.  
      Accordingly, there have been conventionally proposed copy machines terminating copy motion by adding a specific image such as a bar code in a manuscript and judging it as a confidential document when the fore-mentioned bar code is optically detected at copying the manuscript (for example, refer to JP-A-54-32322, JP-A-63-163866, JP-A-4-227365, JP-A-5-12422 and JP-A-6-20027). Similarly, there is proposed a copy machine terminating copy motion by adding a specific pattern in a manuscript and judging it as a confidential document when the fore-mentioned pattern is optically detected at copying the manuscript (for example, refer to JP-A-7-38747). Further, there are proposed copy machines terminating copy motion by forming a portion or a whole of an image using an ink having a predetermined optical property such as infrared rays reflection, infrared rays absorption or ultraviolet rays absorption, or an ink having a predetermined magnetic property in a manuscript and detecting the fore-mentioned inks using an optical procedure or a magnetic procedure during scanning the manuscript (for example, refer to JP-A-58-224362, JP-A-59-9681, JP-A-60-8880, JP-A-60-8878 and JP-A-56-126844).  
      However, when a apparatus has a constitution that a bar code and a specific pattern are added on the frontside of a manuscript in order to indicate a confidential document as described above, nonsensical information is added to the image of the manuscript; therefore a desired image is not always obtained by a user and the user feels occasionally unsatisfaction. Further, there is a problem that they cannot be occasionally added depending on the content of a document prepared.  
      Further, since such a apparatus is a constitution that a bar code and a specific pattern are added on the frontside of a manuscript, possibility is enhanced that meaning included in the bar code and specific pattern comes to be acquainted by a third party and there is a problem that a function restricting copy can be prevented by erasing the bar code and specific pattern using correction fluid or the like. Consequently, the copying of a manuscript is occasionally carried out illegally and there is a problem that information is possibly leaked even if an image was added on the frontside of a manuscript for restricting a copy.  
      Further, when an ink having an optical or magnetic property is used, a separate detection procedure different from the scanning procedure of a manuscript is required and there is a problem that the cost of the whole apparatus is pushed up. Since a specific ink is used, there are a problem from the viewpoint of management of the apparatus that the ink is not easily available and a problem that the maintenance cost of the ink is increased.  
      Further, when a apparatus is a constitution that copy motion is terminated when a specific pattern such as a bar code and an ink having a fixed property are detected, even a person having proper authority such as a preparer of a confidential document cannot copy the confidential document; therefore when the copy of the confidential document is required, the output of an image by a printer is required to be carried out again and there is a problem that the handling of a confidential document is very troublesome.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention was carried out considering such circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which can prepare a printed article to which information of copy limitation and the like are added, without changing the image of a manuscript, at low cost, by making a constitution wherein when it is judged that received image data have the confidentiality, an image based on the fore-mentioned image data is formed on the frontside of a sheet and a fixed image preliminarily prepared is formed on the backside of the sheet.  
      The other purpose of the present invention is to provide an image scanner which scans an image from the frontside and backside of a sheet and can limit the performance of processing based on the image data scanned from the frontside of the sheet when it is detected that a fixed image is formed at the backside of the sheet.  
      The other purpose of the present invention is to provide an image scanner which can approve the performance of processing based on the image data scanned from the frontside of the sheet when the indication of performance by a person having proper authority is received, even if a fixed image is detected from the backside of the sheet.  
      The image forming apparatus related to the present invention is an image forming apparatus receiving image data and forming an image on a sheet based on the received image data, equipped with a memory means for storing image data related to a fixed image, a judgment means for judging the presence or absence of the confidentiality of the received image data, and a means for forming an image based on the image data and the fixed image, on one side and another side of a sheet respectively when it is judged that the fore-mentioned image data have confidentiality.  
      In the present invention, when it is judged that the image data received have confidentiality, an image based on the image data is designed to be formed on the frontside (one side) of a sheet and an image based on the predetermined image data is designed to be formed on the backside (another side) of the sheet; therefore the image including specific information is provided for the backside of the sheet, and control of performing copy limitation by the image can be carried out. Further, since it is added on the backside of a sheet, it is not required to change the image which a user himself has prepared, and a chance for obtaining the technical meaning of the added image by a third party is decreased to enhance effect for preventing information leak.  
      The image forming apparatus related to the present invention is an image forming apparatus equipped with a detection means for detecting an image included in the received image data, wherein the judgment means judges the presence or absence of the confidentiality of the image data based on the image detected by the detection means.  
      In the present invention, when the fixed image is included in the received image data, it is judged that a printed article has confidentiality, and the fixed image is designed to be added on the backside of a sheet; therefore when marks such as confidential, internal use only and a copy is strictly prohibited and a letter string are detected, for example, an image for performing copy limitation is automatically added on the backside of a sheet. Accordingly, the improvement of confidentiality can be attained even if a user himself does not set confidential processing utilizing a printer driver and the like.  
      The image forming apparatus related to the present invention is an image forming apparatus equipped with a means for receiving identification information identifying a user at reception of the image data and a certification means for certifying the user based on the received identification information, wherein the judgment means judges the presence or absence of the confidentiality of the image data based on the certification result according to the certification means.  
      In the present invention, identification information identifying a user is received at reception of the image data, the certification of the user is carried out based on the received identification information, and the presence or absence of the confidentiality of a printed article is designed to be judged based on the certification result. Consequently, the image data received from a user who treats a confidential document can set so that an image for performing copy limitation is added on the backside of a sheet, and the improvement of confidentiality can be attained even if a user himself does not set confidential processing utilizing a printer driver and the like.  
      The image forming apparatus related to the present invention is an image forming apparatus wherein when an image is formed on one side of each of a plural number of sheets based on the received image data, the fixed image is formed on another side of the fixed number of a sheet when the judgment means judges that the simage data has confidentiality.  
      In the present invention, when an image is formed on one side of each of a plural number of sheets, the fixed image is designed to be formed on another side of the fixed number of a sheet when the image data received has confidentiality; therefore the fixed image is added on the backside of either of a plural number of sheets.  
      The image forming apparatus related to the present invention is an image forming apparatus wherein the fixed image includes information that the copy of the image formed on one side of the sheet is prohibited.  
      In the present invention, since the image added on the backside of a sheet includes information that the copy of the image formed on the frontside of the sheet is prohibited, a control prohibiting copy can be carried out when the information added on the backside of the sheet is detected at scanning a printed article prepared; therefore the printed article enhancing effect for preventing information leak is prepared.  
      The image forming apparatus related to the present invention is an image forming apparatus wherein the fixed image includes information related to the advisability of the copy of the image formed on one side of the sheet.  
      In the present invention, since the image added on the backside of a sheet includes information related to the advisability of the copy of the image formed on the frontside of a sheet, a control limiting copy can be carried out when the information added on the backside of the sheet is detected at scanning a printed article prepared, or when the fore-mentioned information is not detected; therefore the printed article enhancing effect for preventing information leak is prepared.  
      The image forming apparatus related to the present invention is an image forming apparatus wherein the fixed image includes information requiring the certification of a user.  
      In the present invention, since the image added on the backside of a sheet includes information requiring the certification of a user, a control limiting the use of a third party out of registration can be carried out; therefore the printed article enhancing effect for preventing information leak is prepared.  
      The image scanner related to the present invention is an image scanner for scanning an image from a manuscript, equipped with a scan means for obtaining image data by scanning an image formed on one side of a manuscript, a detection means for detecting a fixed image formed on another side of the manuscript; and a judgment means for judging whether the performance of processing based on the image data which the scan means obtained is approved or not based on the fixed image which said detection means detects.  
      In the present invention, when the image scanner for scanning an image formed on one side of a manuscript and obtaining image data detects the image data which was formed on another side of the manuscript, it judges whether the performance of processing based on the obtained image data is approved or not based on the fixed image detected. Consequently, for example, the performance of processing based on the image data which are obtained from the frontside of the manuscript can be limited based on the fixed image formed on the backside of the manuscript. Further, it can be prevented to deteriorate the image quality of the image data scanned from the frontside of the manuscript.  
      The image scanner related to the present invention is characterized in being constituted so that the image formed on one side of each of a plural number of manuscripts is continuously scanned.  
      In the present invention, the image scanner for continuously scanning an image formed on one side of each of a plural number of manuscripts and obtaining image data judges whether the performance of processing based on the image data scanned is approved or not based on whether the fixed image is detected from another side of a plural number of manuscripts or not. Consequently, for example, the performance of processing based on the image data which are obtained from the frontside of each of a plural number of the manuscripts can be limited based on whether the fixed image is formed or not, for example, on the backside of the manuscript. Further, it can be prevented to deteriorate the image quality of the image data scanned from the frontside of the manuscript, because the manuscript in which the fixed image was formed on the backside is scanned.  
      The image scanner related to the present invention is characterized in that the detection means detects the fixed image from another side of a fixed number of manuscript among the plural number of manuscripts.  
      In the present invention, it is judged whether the performance of processing based on the image data which are scanned from a plural number of the manuscripts is approved or not, based on whether the fixed image was detected or not from another side of a fixed number of manuscript among a plural number of manuscripts. Consequently, the performance of processing based on the image data which were scanned from the frontside of each of the manuscripts can be limited based on whether the fixed image is formed or not, for example, on the backside of a fixed number of the manuscript.  
      The image scanner related to the present invention is characterized in that the detection means detects the fixed image from another side of each of the plural number of manuscripts.  
      In the present invention, the processing based on the manuscripts can be limited based on whether a plural number of the fixed images were detected or not from another side of the manuscript.  
      The image scanner related to the present invention is characterized in that the judgment means is designed to judge that the performance of processing based on the image data obtained by the scan means is approved when the detection means detected the fixed image.  
      In the present invention, the performance of processing based on the image data scanned from one side of the manuscript is judged as approved when the fixed image is detected from another side of the manuscript. Accordingly, since the fixed image is not formed on another side of the manuscript which has confidentiality, it is possible to prohibit the processing based on the manuscript.  
      The image scanner related to the present invention is characterized in that when the detection means detects the fixed image from the even number of manuscripts, the judgment means judges that the performance of processing based on the image data scanned from one side of each of the manuscripts from the odd number of manuscript among manuscripts in which the fixed image is detected, to a manuscript in which the fixed image is detected, is approved.  
      In the present invention, since the fixed image is detected from another side of the even number of the manuscripts, it is judged that there is approved the performance of processing based on the image data scanned from one side of each of the manuscripts from the odd number of manuscript among manuscripts in which the fixed image was detected, to a manuscript in which the fixed image was detected. Accordingly, when the performance of processing based on the image data scanned from a plural number of the continuous manuscripts is approved, it is enough to form the fixed image on the first manuscript and the last manuscript among continuous manuscripts.  
      The image scanner related to the present invention is equipped with a certification means for carrying out certification when the detection means detects the fixed image, wherein the judgment means judges that when it is certified as legal by the certification means, there is approved the performance of processing based on the image data obtained by the scan means.  
      In the present invention, certification is carried out when the fore-mentioned fixed image is detected from the another side of a manuscript, and when it is certified as legal, it is judged that the performance of processing based on the image data which was scanned from the one side of a manuscript was approved. Accordingly, the processing based on said manuscript can be limited by forming the fixed image on another side of a manuscript having confidentiality.  
      The image scanner related to the present invention is equipped with the certification means for carrying out certification when the detection means detects a fixed image from either of manuscripts, wherein the judgment means judges that there is approved the performance of processing based on the image data obtained by the scan means one side of the manuscript in which the fixed image is not detected, and judges that there is approved the performance of processing based on the image data obtained by the scan means from one side of the manuscript in which the fixed image is detected, when it is certified as legal by the certification means.  
      In the present invention, since the fixed image is detected from another side of each of a plural number of manuscripts, it is judged that there is approved the performance of processing based on the image data scanned from one side of the manuscript in which the fixed image is not detected. On the other hand, certification is carried out when the fixed image is detected from either of manuscripts and it is certified as legal, it is judged that there is approved the performance of processing based on the image data scanned from one side of the manuscript in which the fixed image is detected. Accordingly, in the bundle of manuscripts comprising a plural number of manuscripts, the processing based on the image data scanned from one side of the manuscript in which the fixed image is formed can be limited.  
      The image scanner related to the present invention is equipped with the certification means for carrying out certification when the detection means detects a fixed image from a plural number of manuscripts, wherein the judgment means judges that when the detection means detects a fixed image from even number of manuscripts, there is approved the performance of processing based on the image data which the scan means obtained from one side of each of the manuscripts which do not exist from the odd number of manuscript among manuscripts in which the fixed image is detected, to a manuscript in which the fixed image is then detected, and judges that there is approved the performance of processing based on the image data which the scan means obtained from one side of each of the manuscripts from the odd number of manuscript to a manuscript in which the fixed image is detected, when it is certified as legal by the certification means.  
      In the present invention, the fixed image is detected from another side of each of a plural number of manuscripts and when the fixed image is detected from the even number of manuscripts, it is judged that there is approved the performance of processing based on the image data which the scan means obtained from one side of each of the manuscripts which do not exist from the odd number of manuscript among manuscripts in which the fixed image is detected, to a manuscript in which the fixed image is then detected. On the other hand, when certification is carried out when the fixed image is detected from the even number of manuscripts and it is certified as legal, it is judged that there is approved the performance of processing based on the image data scanned from one side of each of the manuscripts from the odd number of manuscript to a manuscript in which the fixed image is then detected. Accordingly, when the performance of processing based on the image data scanned from a plural number of the continuous manuscripts is limited, it is enough to form the fixed image on the first manuscript and the last manuscript among continuous manuscripts.  
      The image scanner related to the present invention is characterized in being equipped with a means for interrupting the scanning of an image by the scan means when the detection means detects the fixed image, and a means for resuming by the scan means the scanning of an image interrupted, when it is certified as legal by the certification means.  
      In the present invention, for example, when the fixed image formed on the backside of a manuscript is detected, the scanning of the manuscript is interrupted, and the scanning of an image is resumed when the result of certification is legal. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce processing load in the scanning processing of a manuscript which becomes in vain when the result of certification is not legal.  
      The image scanner related to the present invention is characterized in being equipped with a means for informing that the processing cannot be performed when the judgment means judges that there is not approved the performance of processing based on the image data which the scan means obtained.  
      In the present invention, when it is judged that the performance of processing based on the image data scanned from one side of the manuscript is not approved, it is possible to inform that copy is prohibited to a user going to copy the manuscript because he has no legal authority, by informing that the processing cannot be carried out.  
      The image scanner related to the present invention is characterized in being equipped with a memory means for storing the image data which the scan means obtained, and a means for deleting the image data stored in the memory means when the judgment means judges that there is not approved the performance of processing based on the image data which the scan means stored.  
      The present invention is equipped with a memory means for temporarily storing the image data obtained by scanning the manuscript, and the image data stored in the memory means is deleted when it is judged that the performance of processing based on the image data scanned is not approved. Accordingly, when the processing indicated by a user cannot be performed, the image data scanned from the manuscript hitherto are not stored in the apparatus itself.  
      The image scanner related to the present invention is equipped with another side scan means for scanning an image which is formed on another side of the manuscript, wherein the detection means detects a fixed image from the image which the another side scan means scans.  
      In the present invention, since a scan means for scanning an image which is formed on one side of the manuscript and an another side scan means for scanning an image which is formed on another side of the manuscript are separately formed, images respectively formed on the frontside and backside of the manuscript can be simultaneously scanned.  
      The image scanner related to the present invention is characterized in that the scan means is constituted so as to scan an image which is formed on another side of the manuscript, and the detection means detects a fixed image from the image which is formed on another side of the manuscript which the scan means scans.  
      In the present invention, since the scan means scanning an image formed on one side of the manuscript scans an image which is formed on another side of the manuscript, the images respectively formed on the frontside and backside of the manuscript can be scanned by the same scan means.  
      The image scanner related to the present invention is characterized in that the fixed image is an image not affecting image data which the scan means scans from one side of the manuscript.  
      In the present invention, for example, since the fixed image formed on the backside of the manuscript is an image not affecting the image data scanned on the frontside of the manuscript, a printed article preventing the deterioration of image quality can be prepared when the image formed on the frontside of the manuscript is copied.  
      According to the present invention, when it is judged that the image data received have confidentiality, image formation based on the fore-mentioned image data is carried out on the frontside of a sheet, and image formation based on the image data predetermined is designed to be carried out on the backside of a sheet. Accordingly, an image including specific information is imparted on the backside of a sheet, and copy limitation can be carried out by the image. Further, since it is added on the backside of a sheet, variation is not required for the image which a user himself prepared. Further, a chance that a third party knows the performance of copy limitation by the added image is decreased to enhance effect for preventing information leak.  
      According to the present invention, when the fixed image is included in the image data received, it is judged that a printed article outputted has confidentiality, and the fixed image is designed to be added on the backside of a sheet; therefore when marks such as confidential, internal use only and a copy is strictly prohibited and a letter string are detected, an image for performing copy limitation is automatically added on the backside of a sheet. Accordingly, the improvement of confidentiality can be attained even if a user himself does not set confidential processing utilizing a printer driver and the like.  
      According to the present invention, identification information identifying a user is received at reception of the image data, the certification of the user is carried out based on the identification information received, and the presence or absence of the confidentiality of a printed article outputted is designed to be judged based on the certification result. Consequently, the image data received from a user who treats a confidential document can set so that an image for performing copy limitation is added on the backside of a sheet, and the improvement of confidentiality can be attained even if a user himself does not set confidential processing utilizing a printer driver and the like.  
      According to the present invention, when an image is formed on one side of each of a plural number of sheets, the fixed image is designed to be formed on another side of the fixed number of a sheet when the image data received has confidentiality; therefore the fixed image is added on the backside of either of a plural number of sheets, and copy limitation can be carried out by the fixed image added.  
      According to the present invention, the image added on the backside of a sheet includes information that the copy of the image formed on the frontside of the sheet is prohibited. Consequently, a control prohibiting copy can be carried out when the information added on the backside of the sheet is detected at scanning a printed article prepared; therefore information leak by incorrect copy can be prevented.  
      According to the present invention, the image added on the backside of a sheet includes information related to the advisability of the copy of the image formed on the frontside of a sheet. Consequently, a control limiting copy can be carried out when the information added on the backside of the sheet is detected at scanning a printed article prepared, or when the information is not detected; therefore information leak by incorrect copy can be prevented.  
      According to the present invention, the image added on the backside of a sheet includes information requiring the certification of a user. Consequently, the certification of a user can be carried out when the fore-mentioned image is detected at scanning a printed article prepared, and information leak can be prevented by carrying out a control limiting the use of a third party out of registration.  
      According to the present invention, the image scanner for scanning an image formed on one side of a manuscript and gobbling down image data can limit the performance of processing based on the image data scanned, based on the image data detected from the backside of the manuscript. Further, since the fore-mentioned fixed image scans the manuscript which was formed on the backside, unnecessary information is not included in the image data scanned and it can be prevented to deteriorate image quality.  
      According to the present invention, the image scanner for continuously scanning an image formed, for example, on the frontside of each of a plural number of manuscripts and gobbling down the image data can limit the performance of processing based on the image data scanned from the frontside. Further, the performance of processing based on the image data which are scanned from the frontside of each of the manuscripts can be limited based on whether the fixed image is detected or not, for example, from the backside of a fixed number of manuscript among a plural number of the manuscripts. Further, since the manuscript in which the fixed image was formed on the backside is scanned, unnecessary information is not included in the image data scanned and it can be prevented to deteriorate image quality.  
      According to the present invention, when the fixed image was detected, it can be judged that the performance of processing based on the image data scanned from one side of each of all the manuscripts is approved. Accordingly, since the performance of processing based on the image data scanned is not approved in the bundle of manuscripts in which the fixed image is not formed on another side of either of the manuscripts, the performance of processing based on the image data scanned is prohibited. Consequently, the processing based on said bundle of manuscripts can be prohibited by not forming the fixed image on another side of either of the manuscripts in the bundle of manuscripts having confidentiality, and the load of a manager controlling confidential documents can be reduced.  
      According to the present invention, when it is judged that the performance of processing based on the image data scanned from one side of the manuscript is not approved, it is informed that the fore-mentioned processing cannot be performed; therefore it can be informed, for example, to a user going to copy the manuscript that he cannot copy it because he has no legal authority.  
      According to the present invention, since the fixed image is detected from another side of each of a plural number of manuscripts, it is judged that there is approved the performance of processing based on the image data scanned from one side of the manuscript in which the fore-mentioned fixed image is detected. Thus, the performance of processing based on the image data scanned from one side of the manuscript on which the fore-mentioned fixed image is formed can be carried out in the bundle of manuscripts consisting of a plural number of the manuscripts, and the processing based on the image data scanned from one side of the manuscript on which the fore-mentioned fixed image is not formed can be prohibited.  
      According to the present invention, when the fixed image is detected from another side of each of a plural number of manuscripts and the fixed image is detected from even number of manuscripts, it is judged that there is approved the performance of processing based on the image data from one side of each of the manuscripts from the odd number of manuscript among manuscripts in which the fixed image is detected, to a manuscript in which the fixed image is then detected; therefore the processing based on a plural number of the continuous manuscripts can be performed.  
      According to the present invention, certification is carried out when the fixed image is detected from another side of manuscripts, and when it is certified as legal, it can be judged that the performance of processing based on the image data scanned from one side of each of all the manuscripts is approved. Accordingly, the processing based on the bundle of manuscripts can be limited by forming the fixed image on another side of either of the manuscripts in the bundle of manuscripts consisting of a plural number of the manuscripts having confidentiality, and the load of a manager controlling confidential documents can be reduced.  
      According to the present invention, the fixed image is detected from another side of each of a plural number of manuscripts, it is judged that there is approved the performance of processing based on the image data from one side of the manuscript on which the fixed image was not detected, and when the fixed image is detected from either of the manuscripts, certification is carried out. Consequently, the processing based on the manuscript on which the fore-mentioned fixed image was detected can be limited. Further, when it is certified as legal, it is judged that the processing based on the manuscript on which the fore-mentioned fixed image was detected is approved; therefore the performance of processing based on the image data scanned from one side of the manuscript on which the fore-mentioned fixed image was formed can be also carried out in the bundle of manuscripts consisting of a plural number of the manuscripts, if the result of certification is legal.  
      According to the present invention, when the fixed images are detected from another side of each of a plural number of manuscripts and the fixed images are detected from even number of manuscripts, it is judged that there is approved the performance of processing based on the image data scanned from one side of each of the manuscripts which do not exist from the odd number of manuscripts among manuscripts in which the fixed image is detected, to a manuscript in which the fixed image is then detected, and then certification is carried out. Accordingly, when it is certified as legal, it is judged that there is approved the performance of processing based on the image data scanned from one side of each of the manuscripts from the odd number of manuscripts to a manuscript in which the fixed image is then detected. Accordingly, when the result of certification is legal, the performance of processing based on the image data scanned from a plural number of the continuous manuscripts can be carried out.  
      According to the present invention, when the fixed image formed on another side of a manuscript is detected, the scanning of the fore-mentioned manuscript is interrupted, and the scanning of an image interrupted is resumed when the result of certification is legal. Thereby, it is possible to reduce processing load in the scanning processing of a manuscript which becomes in vain when the result of certification is not legal and the processing based on the image data scanned from manuscripts is prohibited.  
      According to the present invention, when it is judged that the performance of processing based on the image data scanned from the manuscript is not approved, it is informed that the fore-mentioned processing cannot be performed; therefore it can be informed, for example, to a user going to copy the manuscript that he cannot copy it because he has no legal authority.  
      According to the present invention, when it is judged that the performance of processing based on the image data scanned from the manuscript is not approved, the image data which are scanned from the manuscript and temporarily memorized are deleted. Consequently, when the image data scanned from the manuscript for copy has confidentiality, or when the processing indicated by a user cannot be performed because the user who indicated copy processing has no confidentiality, the image data scanned from the manuscript hitherto are not retained in a apparatus itself, therefore the leak of the image data scanned from the manuscript having confidentiality and incorrect use can be surely prevented.  
      According to the present invention, since a scan means of scanning an image which is formed on one side of the manuscript and an another side scan means of scanning an image which is formed on another side of the manuscript are separately provided, images respectively formed on the frontside and backside of the manuscript can be simultaneously scanned. Further, even if an image which is formed on one side of the manuscript and an image which is formed on another side of the manuscript are separately formed with different inks, images respectively formed on the frontside and backside of the manuscript can be surely scanned. On the other hand, when it is constituted that an image which is formed on one side of the manuscript and an image which is formed on another side of the manuscript are scanned by the same scan means, the scan means can be shared.  
      According to the present invention, for example, when the fixed image formed on the backside of the manuscript is an image which does not affect the image data scanned from the image which was formed on the frontside of the manuscript, unnecessary information is not included in the image data scanned from the frontside of the manuscript; therefore when the manuscript is copied, a printed article prevented the deterioration of image quality can be prepared.  
      The above and further objects and features of the invention will more fully be apparent from the following detailed description with accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a block chart illustrating the composition of the image forming system related to the embodiment;  
       FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view showing the internal composition of a composite machine;  
       FIG. 3  is a schematic view showing aspect of adding specific information;  
       FIG. 4  is a schematic view showing one example of print setting screen prepared by a printer driver;  
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of processing performed in the image forming system related to the embodiment;  
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of processing performed in the image forming system related to the embodiment;  
       FIGS. 7A  to  7 C are schematic views illustrating the recording spot of specific information;  
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of processing performed in the image forming system related to the embodiment;  
       FIG. 9  is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of processing performed in the image forming system related to the embodiment;  
       FIG. 10  is a schematic view showing aspect at scanning a printed article to which specific information is imparted;  
       FIG. 11  is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of processing at copy processing by a composite machine related to the embodiment 4;  
       FIG. 12  is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of processing at copy processing by a composite machine related to the embodiment 5;  
       FIG. 13  is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of processing at copy processing by a composite machine related to the embodiment 6;  
       FIGS. 14A  to  14 D are schematic views illustrating the recording spot of specific information;  
       FIG. 15  is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of processing at copy processing by a composite machine;  
       FIG. 16  is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of processing at copy processing by a composite machine;  
       FIG. 17  is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of processing at copy processing by a composite machine related to the embodiment 7;  
       FIGS. 18A and 18B  are schematic views illustrating the recording spot of specific information;  
       FIG. 19  is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of processing at copy processing by a composite machine;  
       FIG. 20  is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of processing at copy processing by a composite machine; and  
       FIG. 21  is a longitudinal cross sectional view showing the variation example of the composition of a manuscript scanning portion provided on a composite machine. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is specifically illustrated based on the drawings showing Embodiments.  
     Embodiment 1  
       FIG. 1  is a block chart illustrating the composition of the image forming system related to the embodiment.  
      In the drawing,  100  is a composite machine having a scanner function of scanning the image of a manuscript, a copy function of forming an image on a sheet such as a copy paper or an OHP film (hereinafter, referred to merely as a sheet) based on the image scanned, a print function of forming the image on the sheet by receiving print data transmitted from outside, a filing function of temporarily preserving an image data inputted, an image transmission function of transmitting the image data to outside, and the like. Information processing apparatuses  200  and  200  such as a personal computer are connected with the composite machine  100  through a local area network LN, and an information processing apparatus  300 . Further, a facsimile device  400  at outside is connected through a public phone line network PN.  
      In the information processing apparatuses  200 , an application program for preparing graphics and the like and a driver program (printer driver) for utilizing the composite machine  100  through the local area network LN are preliminarily installed, and it is a composition that the printer driver is called out from an arbitrary application program and print data prepared by said printer driver are transmitted to the composite machine  100 , thereby a document, a graphics and the like can be outputted.  
      The facsimile device  400  has a function of coding and decoding the image data by a fixed system, and the facsimile data obtained by coding are designed to be transmitted and received through the public phone line network PN.  
      When the image data are scanned from a manuscript for copy, or when print data transmitted from the information processing apparatuses  200  and  200  are received, the composite machine  100  carries out image formation on a sheet based on those data. At this time, when the image data gobbled down and the print data received are required to keep confidentiality, it is composed so that images are formed on the frontside (one side) of the sheet based on the image data gobbled down and the print data received, and a fixed image is formed on the backside (another side) of the sheet based on the image data which the composite machine  100  has preliminarily prepared. Further, the fixed image which is added on the backside of the sheet is referred to as specific information.  
      The composition of the control system of the composite machine  100  is illustrated below.  
      The composite machine  100  is equipped with CPU for performing various arithmetic processings, ROM for storing a control program and a control portion  101  composed by RAM and the like which retains temporarily data prepared during the arithmetic processing of CPU. The CPU of the control portion  101  controls the motion of a manuscript scanning potion  10 , an image formation portion  20  and the like by loading and performing the fore-mentioned control program and functions the whole apparatus as the image forming apparatus related to the present invention.  
      A management portion  102  is a non volatile semiconductor memory which memorizes various data required during operation of the composite machine  100 . Data memorized in the management portion  102  includes data for carrying out the certification of a user, data required for detecting the fore-mentioned specific information and the like.  
      A communication IF  106  is equipped with a network terminal circuit in accordance with the communication specification of a local area network LN, receives print data from the information processing apparatuses  200  and  200  which are connected with the local area network LN and transmits to the information processing apparatuses  200  and  200  information which should be informed. The communication IF  106  carries out the control of the transmitting and receiving of various data.  
      A facsimile modem  107  is equipped with the network terminal circuit for connection with the public phone line network PN and transmits and receives facsimile data through the public phone line network PN. Accordingly, the facsimile modem  107  is equipped with a decoding circuit for decoding the facsimile data received, and transfers the image data obtained by decoding to the image forming portion  20  to perform printing processing. Further, the facsimile modem  107  is equipped with a coding circuit for coding the facsimile data which should be transmitted, and transmits the facsimile data which are coded at said coding circuit to the objective facsimile device  400 . The facsimile modem  107  performs the transmitting and receiving of the facsimile data and the coding processing and decoding processing of the facsimile data.  
      The manuscript scanning potion  10  is composed of an operating panel  103 , an ADF  104 , an optical scanning unit  105  and the like. The operating panel  103  comprises an operation portion receiving operation indication by a user and a display portion displaying information which should be informed to a user. The operation portion is equipped with various operation keys which receive operation indication by a user, and receives the switching operation of functions, the input of setting values, the initiation indication of performance of processing. The display portion is equipped with a liquid crystal display, and displays the operation situation of the composite machine  100 , various setting values inputted through the operation portion, information which should be informed to a user, and the like. Further, touch panel type soft ware buttons which were composed so as to receive various selective operations are arranged at the portion of the display portion.  
      The ADF (Automatic Document Feeder)  104  is equipped with a manuscript tray  11   a , a bring-in roller  13   a  and the like (refer to  FIG. 2 ), and is a composition of taking in manuscripts laminated on the manuscript tray  11   a  in face-down condition, one by one with the bring-in roller  13   a.    
      The optical scanning unit  105  is equipped with a CIS (Contact Image Sensor)  14 , a light source unit  15 , a mirror unit  17 , an imaging lens  18 , a CCD line sensor  19  and the like (refer to  FIG. 2 ), and is composed so that the light source unit  15  irradiates light for scanning on the frontside of a manuscript which is taken in by ADF  104 , an optical image from the manuscript is provided on the CCD line sensor  19  using the mirror unit  17  and the imaging lens  18 . Further, it is composed so that the CUS  14  scans simultaneously the image recorded on the backside of the manuscript.  
      An image forming portion  20  is composed of an image memory  108 , a coding and decoding portion  109 , a detection portion  112 , a printing portion  113 , a specific information imparting portion  114  and the like. The image memory  108  is a page memory for temporarily memorizing image data gobbled down with the manuscript scanning portion  10 , image data which are extracted from print data which are received at the communication IF  106 , and the like. The image data memorized in said image memory  108  are transferred to a transferred address in accordance with objective by indication from the control portion  101 . Namely, when the image data are preserved by the filing function, they are transferred to HDD  111  through the coding and decoding portion  109  and a HDD interface  110 , and transferred to the printing portion  113  when printing processing is carried out.  
      The coding and decoding portion  109  is equipped with a coding circuit and a decoding circuit for coding the image data which should be stored in the HDD  111  and decoding the image data scanned from the HDD  111 . Consequently, the decoding circuit is composed of a buffer for input of inputting data which should be coded, a computing unit of carrying out arithmetic processing which comprises fixed coding algorism, against data set in the input buffer, a buffer for output for retaining the calculation result by the computing unit, and the like. The data which should be coded are inputted in the buffer for input, take out the input data which are set at the buffer for input to carry out the arithmetic processing with the computing unit, and the computing result is written in the buffer for output at a stage of completing the arithmetic processing. Data coded by the coding and decoding portion  109  are gobbled down by taking out data completing computation from the buffer for output. The decoding circuit is also similar and the computing unit carries out the arithmetic processing for data inputted to decode the data.  
      The HDD  111  having a disc type magnetic recording medium is connected with the coding and decoding portion  109  through the HDD interface  110 . The HDD interface  110  issues a command in accordance with the interface specification of the HDD  111  to perform the command and performs the writing processing of data which should be stored, the scanning processing of the data preserved and the deleting processing of the data being unnecessary. The portion of the memory region of the HDD  111  is utilized as a data area for memorizing image data and the like. When a request is received through the operating panel  103 , or when a request from the information processing apparatus  200  through the communication IF  106 , the image data memorized in the fore-mentioned data area are designed to be read out. Accordingly, when printing processing is required to perform the printing processing again because of the fault of printing processing, the shortage of output copies and the like, the image data memorized in the data area are arbitrarily read out to be able to perform the printing processing.  
      The detection portion  112  is an image processing circuit for detecting whether a fixed letter string or a fixed image is included or not in the image data temporarily retained in the image memory  108 . Namely, the composite machine  100  is composed so as to carry out character identification or pattern matching in order to detect whether the image data gobbled down with the CCD line sensor  19  and the print data received have confidentiality or not and detect whether the fixed letter string or fixed image is included or not. Further, the detection portion  112  is composed so as to carry out character identification or pattern matching for the image data which the CIS  14  gobbled down and detect whether specific information is added or not to the backside of a sheet.  
      The printing portion  113  is equipped with a charger  25  charging a photoreceptor drum  23  at a fixed potential, a laser recording device  21  emitting laser beam in correspondence with the image data which were received from outside and preparing a static latent image on the photoreceptor drum  23 , a developer  22  feeding a toner to the latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum  23  to develop an image, a transcriber  26  transcribing the toner image which was formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum  23 , on a sheet, and the like (refer to  FIG. 2 ), and an image which a user desires is formed on the sheet by an electrophotographic system.  
      The specific information imparting portion  114  memorizes the image data related to the fixed image and a position of forming an image in order to impart specific information at the fixed position of backside of the sheet. When it is judged that the image data gobbled down at the manuscript scanning potion  10  or the print data received at the communication IF  106  has confidentiality, it is composed so as to carry out image formation on the backside of the sheet, based on the image data read out from the specific information imparting portion  114 .  
       FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view showing the internal composition of a composite machine  100 . The manuscript scanning potion  10  is provided on the uppermost stage of the composite machine  100 , and the image forming portion  20  and a paper feeding portion  50  are provided in parallel at its lower portion and the paper feeding portion  50  is arranged at a lower side thereof.  
      The ADF  104  mounted on the manuscript scanning potion  10  is composed of the manuscript tray  11   a  for laminating manuscripts for scanning in face down condition, a manuscript regulating board  12   a  regulating the position to a width direction of the manuscripts mounted, manuscript detecting sensors  12   b  and  12   c  detecting the presence or absence of manuscripts on the manuscript tray  11   a , a bring-in roller  13   a  for taking in the manuscripts laminated on the manuscript tray  11   a  one by one from the lowest layer, conveyance rollers  13   b  and  13   c  conveying the manuscript which was taken in by the bring-in roller  13   a  to a fixed scanning position, and a paper discharge roller  13   d  discharging the manuscript to the paper discharge tray  16  after scanning the image. The ADF  104  starts to scan using the indication of a user utilizing the operating panel  103  as a trigger and is composed so as to take in the manuscripts laminated on the manuscript tray  11   a  one by one and to scan images recorded on the frontside and backside of the manuscripts in order.  
      The optical scanning unit  105  mounted on the manuscript scanning potion  10  is equipped with the CIS  14  for scanning the image recorded on the backside of the manuscript, the light source unit  15  for scanning the image recorded on the frontside of the manuscript, the mirror unit  17 , the imaging lens  18 , the CCD line sensor  19  and the like.  
      The CIS  14  is equipped with, for example, image sensors which are arranged in an array and light conducting procedure (lens array such as SELFOC® lenses) and light sources (LED array or fluorescent lamp) and the like, and they are arranged at appropriate scanning positions.  
      It is composed so that the light source unit  15  focuses luminescent light for scanning which is irradiated from an exposure lamp, on an appropriate scanning position of the manuscript stand  11   b  by a concave reflector, changes the optical path of reflected light from the manuscript by 90°, with a mirror in which a reflection plane was set at 45° for the plane of the manuscript stand  11   b , and leads it to the mirror unit  17 . The mirror unit  17  is equipped with a pair of mirrors whose reflection planes are arranged so as to be mutually orthogonalized, in order to further change the optical path of light which was changed to 90° by the mirror of the light source unit  15 , to 180°. It is composed so that when the manuscript fed from the ADF  104  is scanned, the light source unit  15  scans the image in a condition in which it is retained at a fixed scanning position (the facing position of CIS  14 ), and when the manuscript set at the manuscript stand  11   b  is scanned, the light source unit  15  is scanned in parallel with the plane of the manuscript stand  11   b.    
      Light led by the mirror unit  17  is imaged on the CCD line sensor  19  by action of the imaging lens  18 . The CCD line sensor  19  converts light inputted, to analog electric signals in accordance with light intensity. The analog electric signals outputted from the CCD line sensor  19  are converted to digital signals by an AD converter which is not illustrated, the rectification of the light distribution property of a light source at scanning the manuscript, the sensitivity unevenness of the CCD line sensor  19  and the like are carried out, and then they are prepared as the image data. The image data prepared are outputted to the image memory  108  of the image forming portion  20 .  
      The image forming portion  20  is equipped with an electrophotographic process portion comprising a photoreceptor drum  23 , a charger  25  charging a photoreceptor drum  23 , a laser recording device  21  preparing a static latent image on the photoreceptor drum  23  charged, a developer  22  developing the latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum  23 , a cleaning unit  24  removing a residual developing agent on the photoreceptor drum  23  and regenerating the photoreceptor drum  23 , and the like, and the image formation is carried out by conveying sheets to the process portion.  
      Further, the image forming portion  20  is equipped with a paper feeding cassette  30  for storing sheets on the lower portion (at upstream side) of the process portion, and separates the sheets which were stored by a pick up roller  30   a  provided at the vicinity of a sheet conveying path S 1 , one by one to feed them. When the sheets separately fed from the paper feeding cassette  30  are conveyed to the process portion, the sheets are retained once by a resist roller  31 . The resist roller  31  controls the edge of the toner image on the photoreceptor drum  23 , at a timing matched with the edge of the image forming area of the sheets, and conveys the sheets to the process portion in matching with the rotation of the photoreceptor drum  23 .  
      Further, the paper feeding portion  50  is provided at the lower side of the image forming portion  20  and paper feeding cassettes  51 ,  52  and  53  are provided for storing plurality kinds of papers. As described above, the paper feeding portion  50  separates the sheets which were stored by pick up rollers  51   a ,  52   a  and  53   a  which are provided at the paper feeding cassettes  51 ,  52  and  53 , one by one to feed them, and conveys them to the process portion of the image forming portion  20  through the sheet conveying path S 1 .  
      The sheet on which a toner image was transcribed is conveyed to a fixation unit  27  which is provided at the downstream side of the process portion. The fixation unit  27  is provided with a heat roller and a pressuring roller, and these two rollers sandwich the sheet on which the toner image was transcribed, to be rotated to fix the toner image on the sheet by heating.  
      The sheets on which the toner image was fixed by heating by the fixation unit  27  are discharged on either of several discharge trays which the composite machine  100  provides. According to the setting of default, a conveyance roller  32  and a switching gate  33  are controlled so that the sheets to be discharged are led to the discharge tray  34 , and the sheets are discharged on the discharge tray  34  through a paper discharging roller  34   a  in face down condition. On the other hand, when a user indicates discharge to paper discharging trays  41 ,  42  and  43  which are mounted on the paper discharging portion  40 , the sheets are led to the paper discharging portion  40  by a conveyance roller  35  by switching the switching gate  33  and discharged to either of the paper discharging trays  41 ,  42  and  43 .  
      Further, when the sheets are discharged in face up condition, or when image formation is carried out at both sides of the sheet, the sheet is once retained with the conveyance rollers  32  and  35 , and then the conveyance rollers  32  and  35  are driven by rotation to a reverse direction to lead the sheet to a both side manuscript conveyance path S 2  by the conveyance roller  36 . When the sheets are discharged in face up condition, they are discharged to the paper discharging tray  37  through the paper discharging roller  37   a . Further, when image formation is carried out at both sides of the sheet, the sheets are led again to the resist roller  31  of the image forming portion  20  through the both side manuscript conveyance path S 2 , and the toner image is formed on the backside of the sheet at the process portion of the image forming portion  20 . Further, a manual tray  38  is provided at the lower end side of the both side manuscript conveyance path S 2 , and sheets which are not stored in the paper feeding cassettes  30 ,  51 ,  52  and  53  are designed to be brought in the pick up roller  38   a.    
      In the present Embodiment, when a printed article outputted has confidentiality, specific information is designed to be added on the backside of a predetermined page.  FIG. 3  is a schematic view showing aspect of adding specific information. Information related to an image which should be imparted as the specific information and an image forming position is memorized in the specific information imparting portion  114 , and the printing portion  113  is designed to impart the specific information in accordance with information memorized in the specific information imparting portion  114 . In an example shown in  FIG. 3 , aspect in which the specific information is imparted at about the center of the backside of a page one among images for 5 pages.  
      Further, any of an image which is imparted as the specific information may be good, but its size, color, intensity and the like which are indistinctive are desirable. Further, the specific information is not always an image, but for example, a composition using a letter string, a graphic or a combination thereof may be good.  
      The confidentiality of a printed article outputted is set, for example, at preparing print data with the information processing apparatus  200 .  FIG. 4  is a schematic view showing one example of print setting screen prepared by a printer driver. The print setting screen  210  shown in  FIG. 4  is designed to switch a tag provided on the upper portion of the screen to carry out various settings. A main setting receives settings such as output copies and a range of pages. A paper setting receives the setting of kind of sheets used for output. A high grade setting receives various settings such as a page layout and the allocation number of an image per a sheet. The setting of a water mark receives the setting of kind of a water mark added on a sheet.  
      A screen receiving the job setting is equipped with a check box  211  receiving a setting of whether a document filing function is used or not as shown in  FIG. 4 , a filing setting column  212  setting the use condition of the document filing function, a retention setting column  213  receiving the setting of hold print and the like, and a confidential document setting column  214  receiving the setting of a confidential document. Further, when a performance button  215  provided at the lower portion of the screen is operated by pushing down, print data are prepared at condition set and the print data prepared are transmitted to the composite machine  100 . On the other hand, when a cancel button  216  is pushed down, the print data are not prepared and the print setting screen  210  is composed so as to be return to an application called out.  
      The procedure of processing performed in the image forming system related to the present Embodiment is illustrated below.  FIGS. 5 and 6  are flow charts illustrating the procedure of processing performed in the image forming system related to Embodiment. A printer driver runs from an arbitrary application program in the information processing apparatus  200 , and when print data which are going to be transmitted are fixed (Step S 11 ), the information processing apparatus  200  confirms a setting content in the print setting screen  210  described above and judges whether the print data to be transmitted is a confidential document or not (Step S 12 ). Namely, when a check box provided in a confidential document setting column  214  of the print setting screen  210  is checked, it is judged that the print data which are going to be transmitted are a confidential document.  
      When it is judged that the print data which are going to be transmitted are a confidential document (S 12 : YES), a flag related to a confidential document is made ON (Step S 13 ). In the present Embodiment, the flag related to a confidential document is as information included in the print data, and when the flag related to a confidential document is ON, the composite machine  100  outputs the print data as a confidential document, and when flag related to a confidential document is OFF, it outputs as a usual document. When the flag related to a confidential document is ON, or when it is judged that it is not a confidential document (S 12 : NO), it is judged whether the transmission of the print data should be started or not, by judging whether the performance button  215  of the print setting screen  210  is pushed down or not (Step S 14 ).  
      When the transmission of the print data should not be started (S 14 : NO), it is judged whether the transmission of the print data should be cancelled or not by judging whether the cancel button  216  of the print setting screen  210  is pushed down or not (Step S 15 ). When it is judged that it should not be cancelled (S 15 : NO), the processing is returned to Step S 14 , and when it is judged that it should be cancelled (S 15 : YES), cancel processing is carried out (Step S 16 ). The processing of terminating the printer driver which run at the information processing apparatus  200  and the processing to the application program bring-in out the printer driver are carried out in cancel processing.  
      When it is judged that the print data should be transmitted in Step S 14  (S 14 : YES), the print data are transmitted to the composite machine  100  (Step S 17 ).  
      When the composite machine  100  receives the print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus  200  (Step S 18 ), the control portion  101  of the composite machine  100  extracts the print data received (Step S 19 ) and judges whether the print data going to be outputted are a confidential document or not (Step S 20 ). The judgment whether they are a confidential document or not is carried out based on the ON/OFF of the flag related to a confidential document. When it is judged that they are a confidential document (S 20 : YES), paper feeding is started (Step S 21 ), and an image based on the fore-mentioned print data is formed on the surface of a sheet fed to carry out the printing processing (Step S 22 ).  
      Then, the control portion  101  of the composite machine  100  judges whether the page is a page to which specific information is added or not (Step S 23 ). When it judges that it is a page to which specific information is added (S 23 : YES), the specific information is added on the backside of the fore-mentioned sheet (Step S 24 ). Specifically, the printing plane is reversed by leading a sheet to the both side manuscript conveyance path S 2 , and the printing processing is carried out on a side (backside) different from a side recorded, based on the image data scanned from the specific information imparting portion  114 , in Step S 22 .  
      When the specific information is added on the backside of the sheet, or when it judges in Step S 23  that it is not a page to which the specific information is added (S 23 : NO), it judges whether there are continuous pages or not (Step S 25 ). When it judges that there are continuous pages (S 25 : YES), the processing is returned to Step S 21 , and when it is judged that there are no continuous pages (S 25 : NO), the processing according to the present routine is terminated.  
      Further, when it is judged that it is not a confidential document in Step S 20  (S 20 : NO), paper feeding is started (Step S 26 ), and the printing processing based on the fore-mentioned print data is carried out on a sheet fed (Step S 27 ). Hereat, when both side printing is assigned by the print data, the sheet is led to the both side manuscript conveyance path S 2  and the both side printing is carried out by being conveyed to the printing portion  113  again. Then, the control portion  101  of the composite machine  100  judged whether there are continuous pages or not (Step S 28 ), and when it is judged that there are continuous pages (S 28 : YES), the processing is returned to Step S 26  and when it is judged that there are no continuous pages (S 28 : NO), the processing according to the present routine is terminated.  
      Further, in the present flow chart, when it is assigned that it is a confidential document by the confidential document setting column  214  of the print setting screen  210 , it is composed so that the specific information is added on the backside of the sheet printed. However, when “hold without printing” or “hold after printing” is similarly set by the retention setting column  213  of the print setting screen  210 , it is also composed so that the specific information is added on the backside of the sheet printed.  
      Further, in the present Embodiment, the recording plane on which the specific information is added was set as the backside of the first page, but it may be a composition that it is added to other spot.  FIGS. 7A  to  7 C are schematic views illustrating the recording spot of specific information. The specific information is recorded on the backside of the second page in  FIG. 7A . In this case, the management portion  102  memorizes that the specific information is recorded on the second page, and it is detected whether the specific information is imparted or not based on the fore-mentioned information, when the image of a manuscript is scanned through the manuscript scanning portion  10 . Further, the specific information is recorded on the backsides of the first page and the second page in  FIG. 7B . In this case, the management portion  102  memorizes that the specific information is recorded on the first and the second pages, and it is detected whether the specific information is imparted or not based on the fore-mentioned information, when the images of manuscripts are scanned through the manuscript scanning portion  10 . Further, a region imparting the specific information can be determined, and the specific information can be also recorded on the backsides of the starting page and terminating page as shown in  FIG. 7C . In this case, the management portion  102  memorizes that the specific information is recorded on the backsides of the starting page and terminating page, and it is detected whether the specific information is imparted or not based on the fore-mentioned information, when the image of a manuscript is scanned through the manuscript scanning portion  10 .  
      Further, it may be a composition that plural kinds of the specific information are used. For example, the first specific information may be recorded on the backside of a sheet by a way of imparting specific information as shown in  FIG. 7A , and the second specific information may be recorded on the backside of a sheet by a way of imparting specific information as shown in  FIG. 7B .  
     Embodiment 2  
      Embodiment 1 is a composition in which the composite machine  100  imparts specific information when a user himself assigns a confidential document through a printer driver, but when it is judged that the print data received are transmitted by a specific user, it may be a composition that the specific information is imparted. Further, since the composition of the image forming system and the internal composition of the composite machine  100  in the present Embodiment are similar as in Embodiment 1, their illustration is abbreviated.  
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of processing performed in the image forming system related to the embodiment. The control portion  101  of the composite machine  100  judges whether the print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus  200  are received or not by watching the communication IF  106  (Step S 61 ). When it judges that the print data are not received (S 61 : NO), it waits until the print data are received. When it judges that the print data are received (S 61 : YES), it extracts the print data received (Step S 62 ), and the image data obtained by the evolution are retained in the image memory  108 .  
      Then, the control portion  101  judges whether the print data received is the print data of a specified user or not (Step S 63 ). Whether the print data received is the print data of a specified user or not can be judged, for example, by whether the communication address or MAC address of the originating host of the print data corresponds to those registered in the management portion  102  as the apparatus of a specific user or not.  
      When it judges that they are the print data of a specific user, (S 63 : YES), paper feeding is started (Step S 64 ) and the image data retained in the image data memory  108  are transferred to the printing portion  113 . Then, an image based on the fore-mentioned image data is formed on the surface of a sheet to perform the printing processing (Step S 65 ). Then, the control portion  101  of the composite machine  100  judges whether the page is a page to which specific information is added or not (Step S 66 ). When it judges that it is a page to which specific information is added (S 66 : YES), the specific information is added on the backside of the fore-mentioned sheet (Step S 67 ).  
      When the specific information is added on the backside of the sheet, or when it judges in Step S 66  that it is not a page to which the specific information is added (S 66 : NO), it judges whether there are continuous pages or not (Step S 68 ). When it judges that there are continuous pages (S 68 : YES), the processing is returned to Step S 64 , and when it judges that there are no continuous pages (S 68 : NO), the processing according to the present routine is terminated.  
      Further, when it judges in Step  63  that it is not the print data of a specific user (S 63 : NO), paper feeding is started (Step S 69 ), and the printing processing based on the fore-mentioned print data is carried out on a sheet fed (Step S 70 ). Then, the control portion  101  of the composite machine  100  judges whether there are continuous pages or not (Step S 71 ), and when it judges that there are continuous pages (S 71 : YES), the processing is returned to Step S 69  and when it judges that there are no continuous pages (S 71 : NO), the processing according to the present routine is terminated.  
     Embodiment 3  
      Embodiment 2 is a composition in which the specific information is imparted on the backside of a sheet when it is judged the print data received are those transmitted from a specific user, but when a specific image is included in an image which is extacted from the print data received, it may be a composition that the specific information is imparted.  
       FIG. 9  is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of processing performed in the image forming system related to the embodiment. The control portion  101  of the composite machine  100  judges whether the print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus  200  are received or not by watching the communication IF  106  (Step S 81 ). When it judges that the print data are not received (S 81 : NO), it waits until the print data are received. When it judges that the print data are received (S 81 : YES), it extracts the print data received (Step S 82 ), and the image data obtained by the evolution are retained in the image memory  108 .  
      Then, the control portion  101  judges whether a specific image is included or not based on the image data which are obtained by evolution (Step S 83 ). For example, it judges whether water marks such as “copy is strictly prohibited” and “for internal use only” are included or not in an image going to be outputted, using, for example, a pattern matching procedure.  
      When it judges that a specific image is included, (S 83 : YES), paper feeding is started (Step S 84 ) and the image data retained in the image data memory  108  are transferred to the printing portion  113 . Then, an image based on the fore-mentioned image data is formed on the surface of a sheet to perform the printing processing (Step S 85 ). Then, the control portion  101  of the composite machine  100  judges whether the page is a page to which specific information is added or not (Step S 86 ). When it judges that it is a page to which specific information is added (S 86 : YES), the specific information is added on the backside of the fore-mentioned sheet (Step S 87 ).  
      When the specific information is added on the backside of the sheet, or when it judges in Step S 86  that it is not a page to which the specific information is added (S 86 : NO), it judges whether there are continuous pages or not (Step S 88 ). When it judges that there are continuous pages (S 88 : YES), the processing is returned to Step S 84 , and when it judges that there are no continuous pages (S 88 : NO), the processing according to the present routine is terminated.  
      When it judges in Step  83  that a specific image is not included (S 83 : NO), paper feeding is started (Step S 89 ), and the printing processing based on the fore-mentioned print data is carried out on a sheet fed (Step S 90 ). Then, the control portion  101  of the composite machine  100  judges whether there are continuous pages or not (Step S 91 ), and when it judges that there are continuous pages (S 91 : YES), the processing is returned to Step S 89  and when it judges that there are no continuous pages (S 91 : NO), the processing according to the present routine is terminated.  
      In Embodiment above, it is composed that the presence or absence of the confidentiality of the print data received through the communication IF  106  is mainly judged, and it is defined whether specific information is imparted or not in accordance with the result of judgment, but the specific information can be also imparted by similar processing for the image data inputted through the manuscript scanning portion  10 , when the image data has confidentiality.  
     Embodiment 4  
      In the present Embodiment, the operation of copying a printed article (manuscript) using the composite machine  100  is illustrated. The composite machine  100  is equipped with the detection portion  112  for detecting specific information from the image data gobbled down in the manuscript scanning portion  10 , and carries out copy limitation based on the detection result of the detection portion  112 . In the present Embodiment, when the specific information is detected from the backside of the first manuscript, the copy of the manuscript is approved and the copy limitation is carried out for a case other than this.  
       FIG. 10  is a schematic view showing aspect at scanning a printed article to which specific information is imparted, and shows condition in which the manuscript scanning portion  10  shown in  FIG. 2  is viewed from an upper side. CIS  14  is continuously fed from ADF  104  of the manuscript scanning portion  10 , scans the backside of a manuscript conveyed to a direction which is shown by an outline arrow mark, and is composed so as to gobble down the image data of the backside of a manuscript by gobbling down data at an appropriate sampling cycle when the manuscript for scanning passes the front side of CIS  14 . In  FIG. 10 , an area to which hunting was imparted at the central position of the backside of a manuscript shows the area to which the fore-mentioned specific information was imparted. Further, since the image of the whole face of the manuscript can be scanned in CIS  14 , the area to which the specific information is imparted is not always positioned at the center of the manuscript.  
       FIG. 11  is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of processing at copy processing by a composite machine  100  related to Embodiment 4. Further, the CPU of the control portion  101  performs the processing below in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM of the control portion  101 .  
      When the manuscript is mounted on the manuscript tray  11   a  of the composite machine  100  and the copy of the manuscript was indicated through the operating panel  103 , the control portion  101  drives the bring-in roller  13   a  of ADF  104  to start the feed of the manuscript (Step S 101 ). When the first manuscript which was fed by separation one by one by the bring-in roller  13   a  passes the facing position of CIS  14 , the image of the backside of a manuscript is scanned by CIS  14  and the image recorded on the surface of the manuscript is scanned by the CCD line sensor  19  (Step S 102 ).  
      The images scanned by CIS  14  and the CCD line sensor  19  are outputted as the image data, and retained in the image memory  108  (Step S 103 ). Further, the detection portion  112  carried out the detection of the specific information based on the image scanned by CIS  14  (Step S 104 ). The control portion  101  judges whether the detection portion  112  detected the specific information or not (Step S 105 ), and when it judges that the specific information was detected (S 105 : YES), copy is approved (Step S 106 ) and the scanning of the manuscript is continued until the scanning of the manuscript is terminated (Step S 107 ).  
      The control portion  101  judges whether the scanning of the whole manuscripts has been completed or not, based on the presence or absence of the manuscript on the manuscript tray  11   a  which the manuscript detection sensors  12   b  and  12   c  detect (Step S 108 ). When the control portion  101  judges that the scanning of the whole manuscript is not completed (S 108 : NO), it returns the processing to Step S 107  to continue the scanning of the manuscript, and when it judges that the scanning has been completed (S 108 : YES), the image data which were scanned from the manuscript to be retained in the image memory  108  are transferred to the printing portion  113  to perform the printing processing (Step S 109 ).  
      The control portion  101  judges whether the printing processing of the whole manuscript has been completed or not (Step S 110 ). When it judges that the printing processing of the whole manuscript was not completed (S 110 : NO), the processing is returned to Step S 109  to continue the printing processing, and when it judges that the printing processing of the whole manuscript was completed (S 110 : YES), the printing processing is terminated.  
      Further, when the control portion  101  judges in Step S 105  that no specific information was detected (S 105 : NO), copy is not permitted. In this case, the control portion  101  interrupts the scanning of the manuscript when the manuscript scanning portion  10  is under scanning (Step S 111 ). However, in this case, the control portion  101  does not interrupt the feed of the manuscripts mounted on the manuscript tray  11   a  and continues it (Step S 112 ). Then, the control portion  101  displays a message that the copy processing of said manuscript is not carried out, on the operating panel  103 , and informs it to a user (Step S 113 ). Further, the control portion  101  invalidates the image scanned, by deleting the image data which the image memory  108  retains (Step S 114 ).  
      Thus, when the specific information is added on the backside of the first manuscript, the copy of all the manuscripts including the first manuscript is approved; therefore a user indicating the copy carries out the copy of a confidential document without having consciousness of security. On the other hand, when the specific information is not added on the backside of the first manuscript, the copy of all the manuscripts including the first manuscript is not approved; therefore copy can be prohibited. Further, with respect to a manuscript whose copy is prohibited, unnecessary scanning processing can be stopped by interrupting the scanning of the manuscript at detecting that the copy of said manuscript is prohibited. Further, even if the scanning processing is interrupted, it can be prevented that a user senses to what manuscript the indication of prohibiting copy is added by feeding all of the manuscripts.  
     Embodiment 5  
      A copy machine related to Embodiment 5 is illustrated bellow. Further, since the internal composition of the copy machine in Embodiment 5 is similar as in the fore-mentioned Embodiment 1, their illustration is abbreviated. Further, Embodiment 4 is a composition that the copy processing of said manuscript can be carried out when the specific information is added on the backside of the manuscript, but the copy machine of Embodiment 5 carries out the certification of a user when the specific information is added on the backside of the manuscript, and the copy processing of said manuscript is designed to be carried out only when the user is certified.  
      Specifically, in Embodiment 5, the specific information imparted on the backside of the first manuscript indicates that the certification of a user is required at copying said manuscript, and the control portion  101  requests the input of certification data by indicating the input indication of certification data on the operating panel  103 , when the specific information is detected by the detection portion  112 . Further, the CPU of the control portion  101  carries out the certification processing by judging whether the certification data inputted by a user coincides with data for certification memorized in the management portion  102  or not.  
      Hereat, when both coincide mutually, namely, when a user is certified as a user having legal authority, the control portion  101  judges that the performance of copy processing of said manuscript was approved, and transfers the image data which the manuscript scanning portion  10  gobbles down, to the printing portion  113 . On the other hand, when both do not coincide mutually, namely, when a user was not certified as a user having legal authority, the control portion  101  judges that the performance of copy processing of said manuscript was not approved, and displays that the performance of copy processing cannot be carried out, on the operating panel  103  and informs it to a user. Further, when the control portion  101  judges that the performance of copy processing of said manuscript was not approved, it performs the invalidation of the image scanned, by deleting the image data which are scanned by the manuscript scanning portion  10  and temporarily memorized in the image memory  108 .  
       FIG. 12  is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of processing at copy processing by a composite machine  100  related to Embodiment 5. Further, the CPU of the control portion  101  performs the processing below in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM of the control portion  101 .  
      After the processing from the feeding of manuscripts to the detection of specific information (Steps S 121  to S 124 ) was performed in like manner as Embodiment 4 as described above, the control portion  101  judges whether the specific information was detected or not (Step S 125 ). When it judges that the specific information was detected (S 125 : YES), the control portion  101  carries out certification request (Step S 126 ). Specifically, the control portion  101  carries out representation for promoting the input of the certification data, on the display portion of the operating panel  103 , and carries out the certification by comparing the certification data which were inputted by a user carrying out copy indication, with data for the certification memorized in the management portion  102 .  
      Further, the control portion  101  judges whether a user was certified or not (Step S 127 ). When it judges that the user was certified (S 127 : YES), or when it judges that the specific information was not detected in Step S 125  (S 125 : NO), it permits copy (Step S 128 ) and continues the scanning of the manuscript until the scanning of all of the manuscripts is terminated (Step S 129 ).  
      The control portion  101  judges whether the scanning of all of the manuscripts was completed or not based on the presence or absence of manuscripts on the manuscript tray  11   a  which the manuscript detection sensors  12   b  and  12   c  detect (Step S 130 ). When the control portion  101  judges that the scanning was not completed (S 130 : NO), it returns the processing to Step S 129  to continue the scanning of the manuscripts, and when it judges that it was completed (S 130 : YES), it transfers the image data which were scanned from manuscripts and retained in the image memory  108 , to the printing portion  113  to perform the printing processing (Step S 131 ).  
      The control portion  101  judges whether the printing of all of the manuscripts was completed or not (Step S 132 ). When the control portion  101  judges that the printing of all of the manuscripts was not completed (S 132 : NO), it returns the processing to Step S 131  to continue the printing processing, and when it judges that the printing of all of the manuscripts was completed (S 132 : YES), it terminates the printing processing.  
      Further, when the control portion  101  judges in Step S 127  that the user was not certified (S 127 : NO), copy is not approved. In this case, when the manuscript scanning portion  10  is under scanning of the manuscripts, the control portion  101  interrupts the scanning of the manuscripts (Step S 133 ). However, the control portion  101  continues the feeding of manuscripts mounted on the manuscript tray  11   a  without interruption (Step S 134 ). Then, the control portion  101  displays a message that the copy processing of said manuscript is not carried out, on the operating panel  103 , and informs it to a user (Step S 135 ). Further, the control portion  101  invalidates the image scanned, by deleting the image data which the image memory  108  retains (Step S 136 ).  
      Thus, when the specific information is added on the backside of the first manuscript, the certification of a user for all of the manuscripts including the first manuscript is required; therefore copy is approved, only when a user is certified as a user having legal authority. Thereby, copy by a user other than the user having legal authority is prohibited. Further, when the copy processing is interrupted without the certification of a user, unnecessary scan processing can be stopped by interrupting the scanning of a manuscript. Further, even if the scanning processing is interrupted, it can be prevented that a user senses to what manuscript the indication of prohibiting copy is added by feeding all of the manuscripts.  
      The composite machine  100  related to Embodiment 5 carries out the certification of a user when the specific information added on the backside of the first manuscript is detected. Hereat, when a user was not certified, the scanning of a manuscript by the manuscript scanning portion  10  is interrupted, but when the composite machine  100  is actuated under condition that the specific information is added on the backside of a fixed number of manuscript in a manuscript bundle comprising a plural number of manuscripts, the scanning of a manuscript is interrupted at a time of judging that the certification of a user is required during the scanning of a manuscript, and the scan processing which has been interrupted can be composed so as to be resumed when he is certified as legal.  
     Embodiment 6  
      Embodiments 4 and 5 are a composition in which the specific information added on the backside of the first manuscript is detected and the following processing is determined in accordance with the result of detection, but it may be a composition that images of all of the manuscripts mounted on the manuscript tray  11   a  are scanned by the manuscript scanning portion  10 , and it is detected whether the specific information is included or not in image data equivalent to the backside of a fixed number of manuscript from the image data scanned.  
       FIG. 13  is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of processing at copy processing by a composite machine related to Embodiment 6. Further, the internal composition of the composite machine  100  is quite similar as the fore-description, and the CPU of the control portion  101  performs the following processing in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM of the control portion  101 .  
      When a manuscript is mounted on the manuscript tray  11   a  of the composite machine  100  and the copy indication of the manuscript is carried out through the operating panel  103 , the control portion  101  actuates the bring-in roller  13   a  of ADF  104  to start the feeding of manuscripts (Step S 141 ). When the first manuscript which was fed by separation one by one by the bring-in roller  13   a  passes the facing position of CIS  14 , the image of the backside of a manuscript is scanned by CIS  14  and the image recorded on the surface of the manuscript is scanned by the CCD line sensor  19  (Step S 142 ).  
      The images scanned by CIS  14  and the CCD line sensor  19  are outputted as the image data, and retained in the image memory  108  (Step S 143 ). The control portion  101  judges whether the scanning of all of the manuscripts was completed or not based on the presence or absence of the manuscript on the manuscript tray  11   a  which the manuscript detection sensors  12   b  and  12   c  detected (Step S 144 ), and when it judges that it was not completed (S 144 : NO), the processing is returned to Step S 141  and the feeding and scanning of the manuscripts is continued (Steps S 141  to S 143 ).  
      When the control portion  101  judges that the scanning of the whole manuscripts has been completed (S 144 : YES), the detection portion  112  detects specific information based on the image data which were scanned by CIS  14  (Step S 145 ). Hereat, for example, it detects whether the specific information is included or not in the image data equivalent to the backside of the second manuscript among the image data which were scanned. The control portion  101  judges whether the detection portion  112  detects specific information or not (Step S 146 ), and when it judges that the specific information was detected (S 146 : YES), it approves copy (Step S 147 ) and transfers the image data which were scanned from the manuscript to be retained in the image memory  108  to the printing portion  113  to perform the printing processing (Step S 148 ).  
      The control portion  101  judges whether the printing of the whole manuscripts has been completed or not (Step S 149 ). When it judges that the printing processing of the whole manuscripts was not completed (S 149 : NO), the processing is returned to Step S 148  to continue the printing processing (Step S 148 ). Further, when the control portion  101  judges that the printing processing of the whole manuscripts was completed (S 149 : YES), the invalidation of the images scanned is carried out by deleting the image data which the image memory  108  retains (Step S 150 ) and the printing processing is terminated.  
      On the other hand, when the control portion  101  judges in Step S 146  that no specific information was detected by the detection portion  112  (S 146 : NO), copy is not permitted. In this case, the control portion  101  displays a message that the copy processing of a manuscript bundle of copy objective is not carried out, on the operating panel  103 , and informs it to a user (Step S 151 ). Further, the control portion  101  invalidates the images scanned, by deleting the image data which the image memory  108  retains (Step S 150 ) and the copy processing is terminated.  
      Thus, when the specific information is added on the backside of the second manuscript among a manuscript bundle of copy objective, the copy of all of the manuscripts including the second manuscript is approved; therefore a user indicating the copy carries out the copy of a confidential document without having consciousness of security. On the other hand, when the specific information is not added on the backside of the second manuscript, the copy of all of the manuscripts including the second manuscript is not approved; therefore copy can be prohibited.  
      In the flow chart described above, an example in which the specific information for approving copy based on the manuscript bundle is added on the backside of the second manuscript was illustrated, but it may be added on the backside of other than the second manuscript.  FIG. 14  is a schematic view illustrating the recording spot of specific information. In  FIG. 14A , the specific information is added on the backsides of the first page and the second page. In this case, the management portion  102  memorizes information that the specific information is added on the first page and the second page, and it is detected whether the specific information is added or not on the backsides of the first page and the second page, based on the image data which are scanned from the backside of each of the manuscripts by the CIS  14  of the manuscript scanning portion  10  and memorized in the image memory  108 . Hereat, when the specific information was detected on the backsides of the first page and the second page, the copy of said manuscript bundle is approved, and when either of these is not detected, the copy of said manuscript bundle is not approved.  
      Further, as shown in  FIG. 14B , it may be a composition that the specific information is added on the backside of each of the manuscripts to which copy is approved. In this case, the management portion  102  memorizes information that the copy of manuscripts in which the specific information is added on the backside is approved, and it detects whether the specific information is added or not on the backsides of each of the manuscripts, based on the image data which are scanned from the backside of each of the manuscripts by the CIS  14  of the manuscript scanning portion  10  and memorized in the image memory  108 .  
      Below is illustrated the copy processing by the composite machine  100  which is actuated under condition in which the copy of manuscripts in which the specific information is added on the backside is approved and the copy of manuscripts in which the specific information is not added on the backside is not approved.  FIG. 15  is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of processing at copy processing by a composite machine  100 . Further, the CPU of the control portion  101  performs the following processing in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM of the control portion  101 .  
      After the control portion  101  of the composite machine  100  carries out the processing from the feeding of manuscripts to the detection of specific information (Steps S 161  to S 165 ) in like manner as the flow chart shown in  FIG. 13 , it judges whether the specific information was detected or not (Step S 166 ). Hereat, it detects of what page of the manuscripts the specific information was added on the backside in the manuscript bundle which the manuscript scanning portion  10  scans. When the control portion  101  judges that the specific information was detected (S 166 : YES), namely, when the manuscript in which the specific information was added on the backside is included in the manuscript bundle of scanning objective, it approves the copy of the manuscript, transfers the image data whose copy was approved, among the image data which were scanned from manuscripts and retained in the image memory  108 , to the printing portion  113  (Step S 167 ) and performs the printing processing (Step S 168 ).  
      The control portion  101  judges whether the printing of the whole manuscripts whose copy was approved has been completed or not (Step S 169 ). When it judges that the printing processing of the whole manuscripts was not completed (S 169 : NO), the processing is returned to Step S 169  to continue the printing processing. Further, when the control portion  101  judges that the printing processing of the whole manuscripts whose copy was approved was completed (S 169 : YES), the invalidation of the images scanned is carried out by deleting the image data which the image memory  108  retains (Step S 170 ) and the printing processing is terminated.  
      On the other hand, when the control portion  101  judges in Step S 166  that no specific information was detected by the detection portion  112  (S 166 : NO), namely, when the manuscript in which the specific information was added on the backside is not included in the manuscript bundle of scanning objective, the copy of the whole manuscripts is not permitted. In this case, the control portion  101  displays a message that the copy processing of said manuscript bundle is not carried out, on the operating panel  103 , and informs it to a user (Step S 171 ). Further, it invalidates the images scanned, by deleting the image data which the image memory  108  retains (Step S 170 ) and the copy processing is terminated.  
      Further, as shown in  FIG. 14C , when the manuscripts whose copy was approved are succeeded, a region in which the continuous manuscripts are included is referred to as an approval region, and it may be composed so as to add the specific information on the backsides of the initial page and the terminal page.  FIG. 16  is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of processing at copy processing by the composite machine  100 . Further, the CPU of the control portion  101  performs the following processing in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM of the control portion  101 . Further, in this case, the management portion  102  memorizes information that the specific information is added on the initial page and the terminal page, and it is detected whether the specific information is added or not on the backsides of each of the manuscripts, based on the image data which are scanned from the backside of each of the manuscripts by the CIS  14  of the manuscript scanning portion  10  and memorized in the image memory  108 .  
      After the control portion  101  carries out the processing from the feeding of manuscripts to the detection of specific information (Steps S 181  to S 185 ) in like manner as the fore-description, it judges whether the specific information was detected or not from an even number of manuscripts among a manuscript bundle of scanning objective (Step S 186 ). When the control portion  101  judges that the specific information was detected from an even number of manuscripts (S 186 : YES), it approves the copy of the manuscript within an approval region sandwiched by these manuscripts including an odd number of manuscripts among manuscripts in which the specific information was detected and then manuscripts in which the specific information was detected, transfers the image data corresponding to the manuscripts within an approval region in which copy was approved, among the image data which were retained in the image memory  108 , to the printing portion  113  (Step S 187 ) and performs the printing processing (Step S 188 ).  
      The control portion  101  judges whether the printing of the whole manuscripts within the approval region has been completed or not (Step S 189 ). When it judges that the printing of the whole manuscripts was not completed (S 189 : NO), it returns the processing to Step S 187  to continue the printing processing. Further, when the control portion  101  judges that the printing processing of the whole manuscripts within the approval region was completed (S 189 : YES), the invalidation of the images scanned is carried out by deleting the image data which the image memory  108  retains (Step S 190 ) and the printing processing is terminated.  
      On the other hand, when the control portion  101  judges in Step S 186  that no specific information was detected from an even number of manuscripts (S 186 : NO), the copy of the whole manuscripts is not permitted. In this case, the control portion  101  displays a message that the copy processing of said manuscript bundle is not carried out, on the operating panel  103 , and informs it to a user (Step S 191 ). Further, it invalidates the images scanned, by deleting the image data which the image memory  108  retains (Step S 190 ) and the copy processing is terminated.  
      As described above, the image scanner of the present invention can limit copy based on the manuscript of scan objective in accordance with conditions respectively set, even if the recording spot of the specific information on the backside of the manuscript which shows whether copy in a manuscript bundle of copy objective is approved or not is changed. Further, in the fore-mentioned Embodiment, it was illustrated that one specific information was added on the backside of the manuscript, but as shown in  FIG. 14D , the specific information may be recorded on the backside of the manuscript in plurality.  
     Embodiment 7  
      A copy machine related to Embodiment 7 is illustrated bellow. Further, since the internal composition of the copy machine in the present Embodiment is similar as mentioned above, their illustration is abbreviated. Further, the composite machine  100  of Embodiment 6 was a composition that the copy processing of said manuscript can be carried out when the specific information is added on the backside of the manuscript, but the copy machine of the present Embodiment carries out the certification of a user when the specific information is added on the backside of the manuscript, and the copy processing of said manuscript bundle is composed so as to be able to be carried out only when the user is certified.  
      Specifically, in the present Embodiment, the specific information imparted on the backside of the second manuscript among the manuscript bundle of processing objective indicates that the performance of the copy processing of said manuscript bundle is not permitted, namely, that the certification of a user is required, and the control portion  101  requests the input of certification data by indicating the input indication of certification data on the operating panel  103 , when the specific information was detected on the backside of the second manuscript by the detection portion  112 . Further, the CPU of the control portion  101  judges whether the certification data inputted by a user coincides with data for certification memorized in the management portion  102  or not, by loading the certification processing program which is memorized in ROM in RAM and performing it.  
      Hereat, when both coincide mutually, namely, when a user is certified as a user having legal authority, the control portion  101  judges that the performance of copy processing of said manuscript bundle was approved, and transfers the image data which were scanned by the manuscript scanning portion  10  and memorized in the image memory  108 , to the printing portion  113 . On the other hand, when both do not coincide mutually, namely, when a user was not certified as a user having legal authority, the control portion  101  judges that the performance of copy processing of said manuscript was not approved, and displays that the performance of copy processing cannot be carried out, on the operating panel  103  and informs it to a user. Further, when the control portion  101  judges that the performance of copy processing of said manuscript was not approved, it performs the invalidation of the image scanned, by deleting the image data which are scanned by the manuscript scanning portion  10  and temporarily memorized in the image memory  108 .  
      The copy processing by the composite machine  100  of the present Embodiment is illustrated below.  FIG. 17  is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of processing at copy processing by a composite machine related to the embodiment 7. Further, the CPU of the control portion  101  performs the processing below in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM of the control portion  101 .  
      After the control portion  101  of the composite machine  100  performed the processing from the feeding of manuscripts to the detection of specific information (Steps S 201  to S 205 ) as described above, the control portion  101  judges whether the specific information was detected or not (Step S 205 ). Hereat, it detects whether the specific information is added or not on the backside of the second manuscript in the manuscript bundle which the manuscript scanning portion  10  scans. When the control portion  101  judges that the detection portion  112  detected the specific information (S 206 : YES), it carries out certification request (Step S 207 ). Specifically, the control portion  101  carries out representation for promoting the input of the certification data, on the display portion of the operating panel  103 , and carries out the certification by comparing the certification data which were inputted by a user carrying out copy indication, with data for the certification memorized in the management portion  102 .  
      Further, the control portion  101  judges whether a user was certified or not (Step S 208 ). When it judges that the user was certified (S 208 : YES), or when it judges that the specific information was not detected in Step S 206  (S 206 : NO), it permits copy (Step S 209 ) and transfers the image data which were scanned from all of the manuscripts and memorized in the image memory  108 , to the printing portion  113 , to perform the printing processing (Step S 210 ).  
      The control portion  101  judges whether the printing of all of the manuscripts was completed or not (Step S 211 ), and when it judges that the printing of all of the manuscripts was not completed (S 211 : NO), it returns the processing to Step S 210  to continue the printing processing. Further, when the control portion  101  judges that the printing of all of the manuscripts was completed (S 211 : YES), it performs the invalidation of the image scanned, by deleting the image data which are memorized in the image memory  108  (Step S 212 ), and the printing processing is terminated.  
      On the other hand, when the control portion  101  judges in Step S 208  that the user was not certified (S 208 : NO), copy is not approved. In this case, the control portion  101  displays a message that the copy processing of said manuscript bundle is not carried out, on the operating panel  103 , and informs it to a user (Step S 213 ). Further, the control portion  101  invalidates the image scanned, by deleting the image data which the image memory  108  retains (Step S 212 ) and the copy processing is terminated.  
      In the present Embodiment as described above, when the specific information is added on the backside of the second manuscript among the manuscript bundle being processing objective, the certification of a user for all of the manuscripts including the second manuscript is required; therefore copy is approved, only when a user is certified as a user having legal authority. Thereby, copy by a user other than the user having legal authority is prohibited.  
      In the present Embodiment as described above, an example that the specific information for limiting copy based on the manuscript bundle is added on the backside of the second manuscript was illustrated, but it may be a composition that copy limitation is carried out based on the specific information which is added on the backside of the manuscript other than the second manuscript.  FIGS. 18A and 18B  are schematic views illustrating the recording spot of specific information.  FIG. 18A  shows aspect of adding the specific information on the backside of each of the manuscript whose copy is approved. The operation of the copy processing which the composite machine  100  performs under such condition is illustrated as follow.  FIG. 19  is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of processing at copy processing by a composite machine  100 . Further, the CPU of the control portion  101  performs the processing below in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM of the control portion  101 .  
      Further, in this case, the management portion  102  memorizes the information that certification is required when the copy of manuscripts in which the specific information is added on the backside is carried out, and it is detected whether the specific information is added or not on the backside of each of the manuscripts, based on the image data which are scanned from the backside of each of the manuscripts by the CIS  14  of the manuscript scanning portion  10  and memorized in the image memory  108 . Further, the manuscripts in which the specific information is not added on the backside shall be able to be copied without carrying the certification.  
      After the control portion  101  of the composite machine  100  performed the processing from the feeding of manuscripts to the detection of specific information (Steps S 221  to S 225 ) as described above, the control portion  101  judges whether the specific information was detected or not (Step S 226 ). Hereat, it detects on the backside of what page of the manuscript the specific information is added in the manuscript bundle which the manuscript scanning portion  10  scans. When the control portion  101  judges that the specific information was detected (S 226 : YES), namely, when the manuscripts in which the specific information is added on the backside is included in the manuscript bundle of a scanning objective, certification is required (Step S 227 ).  
      Further, the control portion  101  judges whether a user was certified or not (Step S 228 ). When it judges that the user was certified (S 228 : YES), or when it judges that the specific information was not detected in Step S 226  (S 226 : NO), it permits copy (Step S 229 ) and transfers the image data which were scanned from all of the manuscripts and memorized in the image memory  108 , to the printing portion  113 , to perform the printing processing (Step S 230 ).  
      The control portion  101  judges whether the printing of all of the manuscripts was completed or not (Step S 231 ), and when it judges that the printing of all of the manuscripts was not completed (S 231 : NO), it returns the processing to Step S 230  to continue the printing processing. Further, when the control portion  101  judges that the printing of all of the manuscripts was completed (S 231 : YES), it performs the invalidation of the image scanned, by deleting the image data which are memorized in the image memory  108  (Step S 232 ), and the printing processing is terminated.  
      On the other hand, when the control portion  101  judges in Step S 228  that the user was not certified (S 228 : NO), the copy of only manuscripts in which the specific information was not detected in Step S 225  is approved. Further, the control portion  101  transfers only the image data whose copy was approved among the image data which were retained in the image memory  108 , to the printing portion  113  (Step S 233 ), to perform the printing processing (Step S 234 ).  
      The control portion  101  judges whether the printing of the whole manuscripts whose copy was approved has been completed or not (Step S 235 ), and when it judges that the printing of the whole manuscripts was not completed (S 235 : NO), it returns the processing to Step S 233  to continue the printing processing. Further, when the control portion  101  judges that the printing processing of the whole manuscripts whose copy was approved was completed (S 235 : YES), it displays a message that the copy processing of a portion of the manuscripts among said manuscript bundle is not carried out, on the operating panel  103 , and informs it to a user (Step S 236 ). Further, it invalidates the images scanned, by deleting the image data which the image memory  108  retains (Step S 232 ), and the copy processing is terminated.  
      Further, as shown in  FIG. 18B , a region in which the manuscripts requiring certification at carrying out copy are continued is referred to as a certification requiring region, and the certification requiring region may be composed so as to limit copy based on the specific information which was added on the backsides of the initial page and the terminal page.  FIG. 20  is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of processing at copy processing by a composite machine  100 . Further, the CPU of the control portion  101  performs the following processing in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM of the control portion  101 . Further, in this case, the management portion  102  memorizes information that certification is required when the manuscripts in the certification requiring region are copied, and it is detected whether the specific information is added or not on the backsides of each of the manuscripts, based on the image data which are scanned from the backside of each of the manuscripts by the CIS  14  of the manuscript scanning portion  10  and memorized in the image memory  108 .  
      After the control portion  101  of the composite machine  100  carries out the processing from the feeding of manuscripts to the detection of specific information (Steps S 241  to S 245 ) in like manner as the fore-description, it judges whether the specific information was detected or not from an even number of manuscripts among a manuscript bundle of scanning objective (Step S 246 ). When the control portion  101  judges that the specific information was detected from an even number of manuscripts (S 246 : YES), it carries out the certification (Step S 247 ).  
      Further, the control portion  101  judges whether a user was certified or not (Step S 248 ). When it judges that the user was certified (S 248 : YES), or when it judges that the specific information was not detected in Step S 246  from an even number of manuscripts (S 246 : NO), it permits copy (Step S 249 ) and transfers the image data which were scanned from all of the manuscripts and memorized in the image memory  108 , to the printing portion  113 , to perform the printing processing (Step S 250 ).  
      The control portion  101  judges whether the printing of all of the manuscripts was completed or not (Step S 251 ), and when it judges that the printing of all of the manuscripts was not completed (S 251 : NO), it returns the processing to Step S 250  to continue the printing processing. Further, when the control portion  101  judges that the printing of all of the manuscripts was completed (S 251 : YES), it performs the invalidation of the image scanned, by deleting the image data which are retained in the image memory  108  (Step S 252 ), and the printing processing is terminated.  
      On the other hand, when the control portion  101  judges in Step S 248  that the user was not certified (S 248 : NO), it permits the copy of each of the manuscripts which are not in the certification requiring region, and scans said corresponding image data among the image data which were retained in the image memory  108 , to transfer them to the printing portion  113  (Step S 253 ). The printing portion  113  performs the printing processing based on the image data which are transferred from the image memory  108  (Step S 254 ).  
      The control portion  101  judges whether the printing of the whole manuscripts out of the certification requiring region has been completed or not (Step S 255 ), and when it judges that the printing of the whole manuscripts was not completed (S 255 : NO), it returns the processing to Step S 253  to continue the printing processing. Further, when the control portion  101  judges that the printing processing of the whole manuscripts out of the certification requiring region was completed (S 255 : YES), it displays a message that the copy processing of a portion of the manuscripts among said manuscript bundle is not carried out, on the operating panel  103 , and informs it to a user (Step S 256 ). Further, it invalidates the images scanned, by deleting the image data which the image memory  108  retains (Step S 252 ), and the copy processing is terminated.  
     Embodiment 8  
      The Embodiment described above was a composition that the frontside and the backside of the manuscript are simultaneously scanned using CIS  14 , but they are not always necessary to be simultaneously scanned. For example, it may be a composition that the frontside and the backside of the manuscript are reversed after scanning the frontside of the manuscript by reversing the frontside and the backside of the manuscript for scanning. In this case, mechanism of scanning the frontside of the manuscript and mechanism of scanning the backside can be used in common.  
       FIG. 21  is a longitudinal cross sectional view showing the variation example of the composition of a manuscript scanning portion provided on a composite machine  100 . Since the manuscript scanning portion  10  provided on the uppermost stage of the composite machine  100  which is shown in  FIG. 21  is not equipped with CIS  14  which is shown in  FIG. 2 , the frontside and the backside of the manuscript cannot be simultaneously scanned, but the frontside and the backside of the manuscript are composed so as to be respectively scanned by reversing the frontside and the backside of the manuscript for scanning. Further, in respective portions shown in  FIG. 21 , those which carry out the same function as the respective portions shown in  FIG. 2  are imparted with the same codes to be illustrated.  
      The ADF  104  mounted on the manuscript scanning potion  10  is composed of the manuscript tray  11   a  for laminating manuscripts for scanning in face down condition, a manuscript regulating board  12   a  regulating the position to a width direction of the manuscripts mounted, a bring-in roller  13   a  for taking in the manuscripts laminated on the manuscript tray  11   a  one by one from the uppermost layer, conveyance rollers  13   b  and  13   c  conveying the manuscript which was taken in by the bring-in roller  13   a  to a manuscript stand  11   b , a conveyance belt  13  conveying the manuscript on the manuscript stand  11   b  to a direction of the paper discharge tray  16  or to its reverse direction, and paper discharge rollers  13   e  and  13   f  discharging the manuscript to the paper discharge tray  16  after scanning the image.  
      The ADF  104  shown in  FIG. 21  is further equipped with a conveyance roller  13   g  introducing the manuscript conveyed by the conveyance belt  13  from the manuscript stand  11   b  to a reverse direction against the direction of the paper discharge tray  16 , to a conveyance path S 3  and a conveyance roller  13   h  conveying the manuscript which was conveyed by the conveyance roller  13   g , to the conveyance roller  13   c  as it is. Thereby, ADF  104  is composed so as to take in the manuscripts laminated on the manuscript tray  11   a  one by one from the uppermost layer, convey them to the manuscript stand  11   b , scan images recorded on the surface of the manuscripts, then reverse the frontside and the backside of the manuscripts by the conveyance rollers  13   g  and  13   h , convey them to the manuscript stand  11   b  again, and scan images recorded on the backside of the manuscripts. Further, the manuscripts whose frontside and backside were scanned are discharged to the paper discharge tray  16 .  
      Further, the light source unit  15 , the mirror unit  17 , the imaging lens  18  and the CCD line sensor  19  which the manuscript scanning portion  10  provides, and the image forming portion  20 , the paper discharge portion  40  and the paper feeding portion  50  which are arranged the lower side of the manuscript scanning portion  10  are the same as those shown in  FIG. 2 ; therefore illustration is abbreviated.  
      In Embodiments described above, the image scanner of the present invention was illustrated as an example applied to the composite machine  100  equipped with a scanner function, a copy function and a filing function, but it can be also utilized in a facsimile device having a print function which forms an image on a sheet receiving print data transmitted from outside, an image transmission function which transmits the image data scanned from a manuscript by the image scanner to an external device and the like, or various image processing apparatuses such as a printer, and a composite machine which combined these functions, by being composed so as to be connected with external apparatuses and communication lines.  
      Further, in Embodiments described above, an example of a composition that the performance of copy processing is designed to be limited based on whether the specific information is added or not on the backside of a manuscript was illustrated, but for example, the performance of facsimile transmission and net work transmission through communication lines such as LAN can be also limited. Further, as described above, when the performance of copy processing is permitted, it can be composed so as to not only copy an image on the frontside of a manuscript, but also copy an image formed on the backside of a fixed manuscript. In this case, the performance of copy processing can be also limited in the copy of a confidential document, and the further reinforcement of security can be designed.  
      As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds thereof are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.