Patent Publication Number: US-8123153-B2

Title: Recording medium destruction and discarding system, recording medium destruction and discarding method, recording medium destruction and discarding apparatus, recording medium management apparatus, and recording medium management system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent Ser. No. 11/513,195 filed Aug. 31, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,926,752, which claims priority to JP 2005-262133 filed Sep. 9, 2005, JP 2005-297283 filed Oct. 12, 2005, JP 2006-023725 filed Jan. 31, 2006, JP 2005-297284 filed Oct. 12, 2005, and JP-2005-297285 filed Oct. 12, 2005, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/404,804 filed Apr. 17, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,665,679, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a recording medium management system, a recording medium management apparatus, a recording medium destruction and discarding apparatus and a recording medium destruction and discarding method, which are suitably applied in managing the recording medium such as a document. 
     2. Related Art 
     Generally, confidential documents, such as documents intended for use only in a section or a company, are frequently handled in corporate offices and public institutions, such as a city office. Originals of such confidential documents are stored under strict control to prevent confidential information from being leaked. Further, confidential documents rendered unnecessary are destroyed by using a shredder or the like. 
     A storage times are designated for most of accounting documents, such as debit notes, receipts, and statements of account. Thus, in a case where confidential documents are destroyed by being shredded, it is necessary for a person in charge to check in advance according to an original ledger whether the confidential document to be destroyed can really be destroyed. 
     However, in the case of destroying a large amount of confidential documents, it is very troublesome and time-consuming to perform document destruction by checking the storage times of the confidential documents one by one. Additionally, there is a fear that a confidential document having a remaining storage time may be destroyed by mistake due to human error. 
     Thus, in JP-A-2002-368966, there was described a scanner apparatus with a shredder function comprising image reading means for reading the papers, image storage means for storing the read image data, image data retention means for retaining the stored image data, and cutting means for cutting the papers after retaining the papers as image data. With this scanner apparatus, even if a confidential document with a storage period left is destroyed and discarded by mistake, an image of the confidential document can be retained as electronic data. 
     SUMMARY 
     However, since only one script exists for the confidential document, the original script can not be reproduced, even if the image of the confidential document is retained as electronic data employing the above prior art. Accordingly, it is not possible to omit a troublesome confirmation operation in destroying and discarding the confidential document. Also, it is not possible to avoid a false destruction and discarding due to an artificial confirmation error. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, a recording medium destruction and discarding system for destroying and discarding a recording medium, includes: a registration unit that registers an identification information appended to the recording medium associated with an attribute information of the recording medium; a reading unit that reads the identification information appended to the recording medium; a determination unit that determines whether or not the recording medium may be destroyed and discarded based on the attribute information registered in the registration unit associated with the identification information read by the reading unit; and a destruction and discarding processing unit that performs a destruction and discarding process based on the determination result of the determination unit. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, a recording medium destruction and discarding method for destroying and discarding a recording medium of destruction and discarding object, the method includes: registering an identification information appended to the recording medium associated with an attribute information of the recording medium; reading the identification information appended to the recording medium; determining whether or not the recording medium may be destroyed and discarded based on the attribute information registered at the registering step associated with the identification information read at the reading step; and performing a destruction and discarding process based on the determination result obtained at the determining step. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, a recording medium management system, includes: a recording medium destruction and discarding apparatus that destroys and discards a recording medium of destruction and discarding object; and a recording medium management apparatus connected to the recording medium destruction and discarding apparatus via a communication line; wherein the recording medium destruction and discarding apparatus includes: a reading unit that reads the identification information appended to the recording medium, a transmitting unit that transmits the identification information read by the reading unit to the recording medium management apparatus, a receiving unit that receives a determination result as to whether or not the recording medium may be destroyed and discarded from the recording medium management apparatus, and a destruction and discarding processing unit that performing a destruction and discarding process based on the determination result received by the receiving unit; and the recording medium management apparatus includes: a registration unit that registers the identification information appended to the recording medium associated with an attribute information of the recording medium, a receiving unit that receives the identification information from the recording medium destruction and discarding apparatus, a determination unit that determines whether or not the recording medium may be destroyed and discarded based on the attribute information registered in the registration unit associated with the identification information received by the receiving unit, and a transmitting unit that transmits the determination result obtained by the determination unit to the recording medium destruction and discarding apparatus. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, a recording medium destruction and discarding apparatus for destroying and discarding a recording medium, the recording medium destruction and discarding apparatus being connected via a communication line to a recording medium management apparatus having a registration unit for registering an identification information appended to the recording medium of destruction and discarding object associated with an attribute information of the recording medium, the recording medium destruction and discarding apparatus includes: a reading unit that reads the identification information appended to the recording medium; a transmitting unit that transmits the identification information read by the reading unit to the recording medium management apparatus; a receiving unit that receives the determination result whether or not the recording medium may be destroyed and discarded from the recording medium management apparatus; and a destruction and discarding processing unit that performs a destruction and discarding process based on the determination result. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, a recording medium management apparatus connected via a communication line to a recording medium destruction and discarding apparatus for destroying and discarding a recording medium of destruction and discarding object, includes: a registration unit that registers an identification information appended to the recording medium associated with an attribute information of the recording medium; a receiving unit that receives the identification information from the recording medium destruction and discarding apparatus; a determination unit that determines whether or not the recording medium may be destroyed and discarded based on the attribute information registered in the registration unit associated with the identification information received by the receiving unit; and a transmitting unit that transmits the determination result obtained by the determination unit to the recording medium destruction and discarding apparatus. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, a recording medium destruction and discarding system for destroying and discarding a recording medium of destruction and discarding object, includes: an attribute information reading unit that reads an attribute information appended to the recording medium; a determination unit that determines whether or not the recording medium may be destroyed and discarded based on the attribute information read from the attribute information reading unit; and a destruction and discarding processing that performs a destruction and discarding process based on the determination result of the determination unit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments may be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram showing the configuration of a document management system according to one form of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a document generation apparatus. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a document management apparatus. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view showing a document destruction and discarding apparatus according to a first mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a view of a document tray section, as seen from the above. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the first mechanical embodiment. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are views for explaining a creation example of document. 
         FIG. 8  is a view showing one example of a document management table. 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the first mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view showing a document destruction and discarding apparatus according to a second mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a block diagram showing the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the second mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart (No. 1) showing a processing procedure for the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the second mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart (No. 2) showing a processing procedure for the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the second mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic view showing another configuration example of the document destruction and discarding apparatus. 
         FIG. 15  is a sequence diagram. 
         FIG. 16  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of destruction and discarding determination. 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic view showing a document destruction and discarding apparatus according to a third mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 18  is a view of a document tray section, as seen from the above. 
         FIG. 19  is a block diagram showing the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the third mechanical embodiment. 
         FIGS. 20A and 20B  are views for explaining a creation example of document. 
         FIG. 21  is a view showing one example of a document management table. 
         FIG. 22  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the third mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 23  is a flowchart showing a procedure for performing a document destruction and discarding process in the first destruction and discarding mode. 
         FIG. 24  is a flowchart showing a procedure for performing the document destruction and discarding process in the second destruction and discarding mode. 
         FIG. 25  is a schematic view showing a document destruction and discarding apparatus according to a fourth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 26  is a perspective view of the document destruction and discarding apparatus partly exploded. 
         FIG. 27  is a perspective view of the document destruction and discarding apparatus. 
         FIG. 28  is a perspective view of a unit main body, partly exploded. 
         FIG. 29  is a perspective view of a component of the unit main body. 
         FIG. 30  is a view showing a driving mechanism for a stopper gate. 
         FIG. 31  is a view of a scan unit, as seen from the above. 
         FIG. 32  is a block diagram showing a document destruction and discarding apparatus according to a fourth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 33  is a view for explaining a creation example of document. 
         FIG. 34  is a view showing one example of the document management table. 
         FIG. 35  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the fourth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIGS. 36A-C  are views for explaining a nonconformity that may occur when the document is inserted in the document destruction and discarding apparatus. 
         FIG. 37  is a view showing an apparatus constitution for resolving the nonconformity in inserting the document. 
         FIG. 38  is a schematic view showing a document destruction and discarding apparatus according to a fifth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 39  is a block diagram showing the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the fifth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 40  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the fifth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 41  is a schematic view showing a document destruction and discarding apparatus according to a sixth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 42  is a block diagram showing the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the sixth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 43  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the sixth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 44  is a schematic view showing a document destruction and discarding apparatus according to a seventh mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 45  is a block diagram showing the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the seventh mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 46  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the seventh mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 47  is a schematic view showing a document destruction and discarding apparatus according to an eighth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 48  is a schematic enlarged view showing path change means in larger scale. 
         FIG. 49  is a block diagram showing the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the eighth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 50  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the eighth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 51  is a schematic view showing a document destruction and discarding apparatus according to a ninth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 52  is a block diagram showing the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the ninth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 53  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the ninth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIGS. 54A and 54B  are schematic views showing another form of a gate portion according to the ninth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIGS. 55A and 55B  are schematic views showing another form of the gate portion according to the ninth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 56  is a schematic view showing another driving mechanism according to the ninth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 57  is a schematic view showing another form of the ninth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 58  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for another form of the ninth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 59  is a schematic view showing a document destruction and discarding apparatus according to a tenth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 60  is a block diagram showing the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the tenth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 61  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the tenth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 62  is a schematic view showing a document destruction and discarding apparatus according to an eleventh mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 63  is a block diagram showing the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the eleventh mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 64  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the eleventh mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 65  is a schematic view showing a document destruction and discarding apparatus according to a twelfth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 66  is a block diagram showing the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the twelfth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 67  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the twelfth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 68  is a schematic view showing a document destruction and discarding apparatus according to a thirteenth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 69  is a block diagram showing the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the thirteenth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 70  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the thirteenth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 71  is a schematic view showing a document destruction and discarding apparatus according to a fourteenth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 72  is a block diagram showing the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the fourteenth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 73  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for the document destruction and discarding apparatus according to the fourteenth mechanical embodiment. 
         FIG. 74  is a schematic view showing an example in which a destruction and discarding BOX is applied instead of the shredder portion. 
         FIG. 75  is a functional block diagram for making the destruction and discarding determination from the attribute information. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 
     Overall Configuration&gt; 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a document management system according to an embodiment of the invention. The illustrated document management system includes a document creation apparatus  1 , a document management apparatus  2 , and a document destruction apparatus  3 . The document creation apparatus  1 , the document management apparatus  2 , and the document destruction apparatus  3  are connected to a common network  4 . The document creation apparatus  1  is configured to create a document (a paper document) to which a document ID is added. The document management apparatus  2  is configured to perform various management processes on the document created by the document creation apparatus  1 . The document destruction apparatus  3  is configured to perform the destruction of the document created by the document creation apparatus  1  and other documents. The network  4  is constituted by using, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). 
     Document Generation Apparatus&gt; 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the document creation apparatus  1 . The document creation apparatus  1  is constituted by using, for example, a digital copier, a digital composite machine (a multifunctional copier), or the like. The document creation apparatus  1  is constituted by using an operation panel  5 , an image reading portion  6 , an image processing portion  7 , an image output portion  8 , a document creation control portion  9 , and a network interface  10 . 
     The operation panel  5  (for the document creation apparatus  1 ) serves as a user interface through which a user using the document creation apparatus  1  inputs various information and which diverse information is displayed to users. The operation panel  5  includes an input portion, which has, for instance, various buttons, switches, and keys, and a display portion including a liquid display device with a touch panel. 
     The image reading portion  6  is adapted to optically read an original image to be read. The image reading portion  6  is configured so that light is irradiated onto a surface of an original set on a transparent original table (a platen glass), that reflection light coming from the surface of the original is read through an imaging optical system including a mirror and a lens, and that an image is formed on a light receiving surface of a reading sensor, such as a CCD sensor, thereby to generate image data (scan data) corresponding to an image of an original. At that time, a surface of the original is read and scanned by movement of the imaging optical system. 
     The image processing portion  7  performs predetermined image processing (for example, color conversion, color correction, tone correction, scaling, image rotation, or screen generation) on the image data representing the original read by the image reading portion  6 . 
     The image output portion  8  outputs the image data, which has been read by the image reading portion  6  and has undergone the image processing at the mage processing portion  7 , by printing the image data on a recording medium, such as a sheet of paper. The image output portion  8  prints the image data according to, for example, an electrophotographic method. 
     The document creation control portion  9  controls various processing operations relating to the document creation. The document creation control portion  9  controls processing operations of the operation panel  5 , the image reading portion  6 , the image processing portion  7 , and the image output portion  8  according to a preliminarily installed control program. 
     The network interface  10  is a communication interface through the document creation apparatus  1  transmits and receives data to and from other apparatuses, which include the document management apparatus  2  and the document destruction apparatus  3 , on the network  4 . The data transmission and reception using the network interface  10  are controlled by the document creation control portion  9 . 
     &lt;Document Management Apparatus&gt; 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the document management apparatus  2 . The document management apparatus  2  is constituted by using, for example, a personal computer. The document management apparatus  2  is also constituted by using a user interface portion (a UI portion)  11 , a barcode analysis portion  12 , a retrieval portion  13 , a database portion  14 , a document management control portion  15 , and a network interface  16 . 
     The user interface portion  11  serves as a user interface through the through which a user using the document management apparatus  2  inputs various information and which diverse information is displayed to users. The user interface portion  11  includes an input device, such as a keyboard, and a mouse, and also includes a display device, such as a liquid display device. 
     The barcode analysis portion  12  analyzes a barcode included in image data (scan data) and performs decoding processing thereon. The barcode to be analyzed by the barcode analysis portion  12  is included in image data obtained when the image of a document with a barcode is read by the document creation apparatus  1 . This barcode represents information including at least a document ID. Generally, barcodes are roughly classified into a class of one-dimensional barcodes, whose bars arranged only in one direction represent information, and that of two-dimensional barcodes whose bars arranged in two directions represent information. Both classes of barcodes can be utilized when the invention is implemented. Incidentally, in a case where one barcode includes various information and data in addition to the document ID, it is advisable to use a two-dimensional barcode having larger data capacity, as compared with a one-dimensional barcode. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a QR-code®, which is a kind of a two-dimensional barcode and is in widespread use, is used as an example. 
     The retrieval portion  13  performs the retrieval of data stored in the database portion  14 . The database portion  14  stores various data. The database portion  14  is constituted by using, for example, a hard disk drive. 
     The document management control portion  15  controls various processing operations relating to document management. The document management control portion  15  controls processing operations of the user interface portion  11 , the barcode analysis portion  12 , the retrieval portion  13  and the database portion  14  according to a preliminarily installed control program. 
     The network interface  16  is a communication interface through which data transmission and reception to and from other apparatuses (including the document creation apparatus  1  and the document destruction apparatus  3 ) on the network  4  are performed. The data transmission and reception using the network interface  16  are controlled by the document management control portion  15 . 
     First Mechanical Embodiment 
     Document Destruction and Discarding Apparatus 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating a first example of the mechanism of the document destruction apparatus  3 . The document destruction apparatus  3  is constituted by using, for instance, a shredder. The document destruction apparatus  3  includes a document tray portion  17 , an insertion sensor  18 , a reading optical system  19  of a barcode reader, a stopper gate  20 , feed rolls  21  and  22 , a pass sensor  23 , and a shredder portion  24 . 
     The document tray portion  17  serves as a part on which a document to be destroyed is placed. The document tray portion  17  is formed to be inclined to a horizontal plane and to become gradually lowered toward the stopper gate  20 . An inner side (a lower side) of the document tray portion  17 , together with the insertion sensor  18 , the reading optical system  19 , the stopper gate  20 , and the feed roll  21 , are covered with a cover member (not shown). 
     The insert sensor  18  senses that the document is inserted at a predetermined position on the document tray portion  17 . The “predetermined position” means the position where the Q code is arranged in a code reading area with the bar code scanner  19 , namely, the position where the QR code printed on the document can be read by the bar code scanner  19 , when the document with the QR code printed is inserted in the normal orientation. The insert sensor  18  is composed of an optical sensor of the reflection type having a light emitting element and a light receiving element, for example, and turned on when the document exists at a sensing position of the insert sensor  18 , or turned off when no document exists. 
     The bar code scanner  19  takes an image of the bar code into an area sensor  25  by applying the light of a light source, not shown, to a bar code recorded part of the document of destruction and discarding object and receiving a reflected light from the bar code recorded part via a lens  26  with the area sensor  25 . The bar code recorded part refers to the part where the bar code including the document ID as one information is recorded within the plane of the document, in which its position (area) is defined beforehand dimensionally at the corner part of the document. 
     The stopper gate  20  has a long plate-like structure, for example, and is provided between the insert sensor  18  and the feed rolls  21 . The stopper gate  20  opens or closes a document conveying path at an entrance part of the document conveying path formed by the feed rolls  21  and  22 . In a state where the stopper gate  20  is closed, the stopper gate  20  is disposed to project over a passage of the document leading from the document tray portion  17  to the feed rolls  21  to block the passage. Accordingly, when the document laid on the document tray portion  17  is inserted deeply, the leading edge of the document is pushed against the stopper gate  20 . Therefore, if the stopper gate  20  is closed, the document is pushed against the stopper gate  20  and prevented from being taken into the apparatus, even when the user thrusts the document carelessly. Also, it is desirable that the stopper gate  20  is pushed at least two points of the document in the width direction (or direction orthogonal to the document insertion direction) or over the entire width so that the document may not be subjected to a useless inclination or rotational force when the document is pushed against the stopper gate  20 . On the contrary, in a state where the stopper gate  20  is opened, the stopper gate  20  is withdrawn from the passage to retreat from the passage of document leading from the document tray  17  to the feed rolls  21 . Accordingly, if the document laid on the document tray portion  17  is inserted more deeply, the leading edge of the document is pushed against the nip part of the feed rolls  21 . 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating the document tray portion  17 , which is taken from above. Insertion guides  28  and  29  are provided on both sides in an insertion direction (the direction of an arrow), in which the document  27  is manually inserted, of the document tray portion  17 . The insertion guides  28  and  29  have guide faces  28 A and  29 A, each of which is parallel to the insertion direction of the document, respectively. Between the insertion guides, the insertion guide  28  is provided in a fixed state. However, the insertion guide  29  is provided movably in the direction of width of the document (an up-down direction, as viewed in  FIG. 5 ) according to need. The document  27  to be destroyed is inserted in the direction of the arrow into the document tray portion  17  in an orientation in which the barcode recording part  30  is placed at a leading-end-side corner portion thereof. At that time, to position the document  27  in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, one side edge of the document  27  is made to abut against and move along the guide face  28 A of the insertion guide  28 . 
     Consequently, in a state in which the document  27  is manually fed by the user so that the end thereof abuts against the stopper gate  20 , the barcode recording part  30  is positioned in a code reading area  E  in which a barcode is read by the barcode reader. Also, the insertion sensor  18  is placed just short of the stopper gate  20 . Thus, when an end of the document  27  manually fed by the user abuts against the stopper gate  20 , the state of the insertion sensor  18  is changed from an off-state to an on-state just before the end of the document  27  abuts against the stopper gate  20 . Consequently, timing, with which the insertion sensor  18  is turned on, indicates that with which the barcode recording portion  30  of the document  27  is placed in the code reading area  E . 
     The feed roll  21  rotates while nipping the document inserted by opening the stopper gate  20 . Thus, the document is conveyed along the document conveying path. The document conveying path is formed by using a conveying guide member (not shown), such as a chute. The feed roll  22  rotates while nipping the document conveyed by the feed roll  21 . Thus, the document is conveyed to the shredder portion  24  along the document conveying path. 
     The pass sensor  23  is adapted to detect the passage of a document halfway (nearly at the midpoint of) the document conveying path extending from the feed roll  22  to the shredder portion  24 . The pass sensor  23  is constituted by, for example, an optical sensor of the reflection type having a light emitting device and a light receiving device. When a document is present at a sensing position, the pass sensor  23  is in an on-state. When a document is absent at the sensing position, the pass sensor  23  is in an off-state. Therefore, when a leading end of the document passes through the sensing position of the pass sensor  23 , the state of the pass sensor  23  is simultaneously changed to the off-state to the on-state. Subsequently, when a rear end of the document passes through the sensing position of the pass sensor  23 , the state of the pass sensor  23  is simultaneously changed to the on-state to the off-state. 
     The shredder portion  24  shreds a document fed thereto by the feed roll  22  while drawing the document thereinto in one direction (the direction of an arrow). The shredder portion  24  can collectively shred a multiple-sheet document (for example, a bundle of about 20 sheets of A4-size plain paper). The shredder portion  24  can shred a document, whose sheets are stapled with a staple, without change (that is, without removing the staple). 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing a first mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . The document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  comprises an operation panel  31 , a stopper drive section  33 , a feeder drive section  34 , a shredder drive section  35 , a document destruction and discarding control section  36 , and a network interface  37 , in addition to the above components. 
     The operation panel  31  (for the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ) is operated by the user who uses the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . The operation panel  31  is composed of the operation buttons (e.g., a start button, a stop button) and a display panel for displaying various messages including an operation state of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  and an operation guidance (guide message), for example. 
     The stopper drive section  33  performs the opening or closing (rising or setting) operation of the stopper gate  20 . The stopper drive section  33  may have an electronic plunger as the drive source. 
     The feeder drive section  34  rotates the feed rolls  21  and  22 . The feeder drive section  34  may have a motor as the drive source. 
     The shredder drive section  35  drives and rotates the shredder portion  24 . The shredder drive section  35  may have a motor as the drive source. 
     The document destruction and discarding control section  36  controls various processing operations regarding the destruction and discarding of document. This document destruction and discarding control section  36  controls the processing operations of the bar code scanner  19 , the stopper drive section  33 , the feeder drive section  34  and the shredder drive section  35  in accordance with a given control program. Also, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  has the insert sensor  18  and the path sensor  23  electrically connected. 
     The network interface  37  is a communication interface through which the document destruction apparatus  3  transmits and receives data to and from other apparatuses (including the document creation apparatus  1  and the document management apparatus  2 ) on the network  4 . The data transmission and reception using the network interface  37  are controlled by the document destruction control portion  36 . 
     Subsequently, a document management method using the document management system of the aforementioned configuration is described below. First, documents treated by the system according to the invention are created by the document creation apparatus  1  by assigning a unique document ID to each of the documents. The document ID may be constituted by either only numerals or an appropriate combination of alphanumeric characters and symbols. Hereinafter, a practical document management method in the case of treating documents, which are used as exhibits at an account audit and a tax inspection, is described. 
     First, document data (electronic data) representing a template for a document with a barcode is inputted to the document creation apparatus  1 . The document data is outputted at the image output portion  8  by being printed on a sheet of paper. Thus, as illustrated in  FIG. 7A , a mount corresponding to a payment application  38  is created. The document data may be generated by, for instance, the document management apparatus  2 . Then, the generated document data may be inputted to the document creation apparatus  1  through the network  4  from the document management apparatus  2 . Alternatively, the document data may be generated by a server apparatus used to document data. Then, the generated document data may be inputted to the document creation apparatus  1  through the network from the server apparatus. 
     A QR-code  39  including a document ID assigned to a payment application  38  as a piece of information is added to a corner portion of the payment application  38 , which is created by the document creation apparatus  1 , by printing. That is, the payment application  38  created by the document creation apparatus  1  corresponds to a “document to which a document ID is added”. A region  40 , on which a receipt is mounted, is provided in the mount corresponding to the payment application  38 . Thus, as illustrated in  FIG. 7B , a receipt  41  is attached onto the mount corresponding to the payment application  38 . According to need, an applicant performs a retouch and apposition of a seal (or impression of a seal) thereon. Thus, an original of the payment application  38  is created. 
     Upon completion of creating the payment application  38 , the created payment application  38  is set on the original table of the document creation apparatus  1 . Then, an image of the payment application  38  is read by the image reading portion  6 . Alternatively, creation information is sent from the document creation apparatus  1  to the document management apparatus  2  through the network  4 , so that the creation information is registered in the apparatus  2  as data. Then, image data representing the payment application  38 , which is read by the image reading portion, is transmitted to the document management apparatus  2  through the network  4 . Upon completion of reading, the original of the payment application  38  is stored in a file or the like. 
     On the other hand, the document management apparatus  2  having received the image data (or scan data) representing the payment application  38  from the document creation apparatus  1  causes the database portion  14  to store the image data. Also, an image representing the QR-code included in the image data is analyzed by the barcode analysis portion  12 . Thus, decode information representing the document ID assigned to the payment application  38  is obtained. Then, the obtained document ID is registered in the document management table by the document management control portion  15 . The document management table is created in the database portion  14 . 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating an example of the document management table. As illustrated in this figure, the document ID, the document creation date and time, the document storage time, and the document destruction date and time are registered in the document management table by being associated with one another. In the case of registering the document creation date and time and the document destruction date and time, it is preferable to use a standard time obtained from a time distribution server or a time authentication server. Data obtained by decoding the QR-code in the barcode analysis portion  12  may be registered as the document ID. Alternatively, data assigned to the aforementioned document with the barcode by the document management apparatus itself  2  or another server apparatus when the document management apparatus  2  or the latter server apparatus generates such document data. The document creation data and time indicates a date and time, at which the document is created. According to the present embodiment, a date and time, at which the document creation apparatus  1  transmits the image data read from the document, such as the payment application  38 , to the document management apparatus  2 , or a date and time, at which the image data transmitted from the document creation apparatus  1  is received by the document management apparatus  2 , is assumed to be registered as the “document creation date and time”. 
     The document storage time indicates the date and time representing the document storage time. It is necessary to store the document, whose document ID is registered in the document management table, until the document storage time expires. Incidentally, in a case where the document storage time is registered as being “permanent”, the document can be destroyed at any time. In a case where the document storage time is registered as being “non-designated”, the document cannot be destroyed at all times. 
     Generally, the storage time of a receipt is determined according to a received amount of money. Thus, in a case where information for setting the document storage time is included in, for instance, the QR-code printed on the payment application  38  in addition to information representing the document ID, the document storage time can automatically be set from the decode information obtained by the barcode analysis portion  12 . Practically, the date and time corresponding to 6 years reckoned from the date and time, at which the payment application  38  is created, can be set as the document storage time by causing the QR-code to include information designating 6 years as the document storage time of the payment application  38 . Another way is that the QR-code is caused to include information representing the received amount of money described in the receipt that is attached to the payment application  38 . Thus, the storage time of the receipt is automatically calculated from this information and can be set in the document management table as the document storage time. Additionally, a user can set or change the document storage time in the document management table by performing a manual input (operation) and using the user interface portion  11  of the document management apparatus  2 . 
     The document destruction date and time indicates a date and time at which a document is destroyed. The destruction of the document is performed by the document destruction apparatus  3 . Thus, a date and time, at which the document destruction apparatus  3  sends to the document management apparatus  2  a notification (hereunder referred to also as a “destruction completion notification”) indicating that destruction of the document, whose document ID is designated, is completed, is registered in the document management table as the document destruction date and time. 
     Incidentally, the system may be configured so that a user ID of a user having created a document by using the document creation apparatus  1  is registered in the document management table as data indicating a document creator, and that a user ID of a user having destroyed a document by using the document destruction apparatus  3  is registered in the document management table as data indicating a document destroyer. In this case, ID information on a user having created or destroyed a document can be obtained by utilizing existing user authentication techniques (for example, the user authentication technique using an IC card). 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in destroying and discarding the document in the first mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . This document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  has a normal destruction and discarding mode in which the code information (document ID) is not read and a scan destruction and discarding mode in which the code information is read. And the flowchart of  FIG. 9  represents the processing procedure in the scan destruction and discarding mode. 
     In the normal destruction and discarding mode, when the start button provided on the operation panel  31  is pressed, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  instructs the stopper drive section  33 , the feeder driver section  34  and the shredder drive section  35  to start the driving to open the stopper gate, and start the driving of the feed rolls  21  and  22  and the shredder portion  24 . Thereby, if the user who uses the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  lays the document of destruction and discarding object on the document tray portion  17  and inserts it deeply, the leading edge of the document is nipped by the feed rolls  21 , pulled into the inside of the apparatus, directly conveyed by the feed rolls  21  and  22 , and shredded by the shredder portion  24 . 
     Also, if the stop button of the operation panel  31  is depressed by the user after the start button of the operation panel  31  is depressed, or a predetermined time passes since the start button is depressed, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  instructs the stopper drive section  33 , the feeder drive section  34  and the shredder drive section  35  to stop the driving to restore the stopper gate  20  to its original projecting state, and stop the driving of the feed rolls  21  and  22  and the shredder portion  24 . Thereby, the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  returns to a standby state again. 
     On the contrary, in the scan destruction and discarding mode, the user who uses the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  lays the document of destruction and discarding object on the document tray portion  17  and inserts it deeply. At this time, if the QR code is printed on the document of destruction and discarding object, the document is inserted in an orientation where the print face of the QR code is on the top face (face up) and the printed part of the QR code is on the downstream side (deep side) in the thrusting direction. Then, a signal of the insert sensor  18  is switched from the off state to the on state immediately before the leading edge of the document is pushed against the stopper gate  20 . 
     The document destruction and discarding control section  36  continually monitors the signal (on/off state) of the insert sensor  18  while the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is on standby (step S 1 ). If the insert sensor  18  is turned on when the user inserts (thrusts) the document, an instruction of reading the bar code is issued to the bar code reader  32 . And the bar code reader  32  reads the QR code printed on the document in accordance with this reading instruction (step S 2 ). 
     Next, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  judges whether or not the reading of the QR code is successful (step S 3 ). Whether or not the reading of the QR code is successful is judged based on whether or not the document ID is normally decoded by the bar code scanner  19  from the QR code printed on the document. There are mainly two cases where the bar code scanner  19  fails in reading the QR code. The first case occurs when the QR code is not originally printed on the document, or when the QR code does not exist in the code reading area E (see  FIG. 5 ) (case of no code) because the orientation of inserting the document (front/back of the document, leading edge/trailing edge of the document) is unsuitable. The second case occurs when the QR code exists in the code reading area E but the QR code is remarkably contaminated or broken, or when the decode information of the QR code does not contain the document ID (case of code defect). 
     If the reading of the QR code is successful (Yes at step S 3 ), an inquiry as to whether or not the document specified by the document ID contained in this QR code is permitted to destroy and discard is made to the document management apparatus  2  (step S 4 ). The inquiry for the document destruction and discarding permission is made by creating an inquiry message for destruction and discarding permission with the document ID contained in the QR code read by the bar code scanner  19  designated, and transmitting this inquiry message from the network interface  37  via the network  4  to the document management apparatus  2 . That is, the inquiry for the document destruction and discarding permission means the inquiry as to whether or not the document specified by the document ID designated in this inquiry may be destroyed and discarded. In this connection, if the reading of the QR code is successful, the information contained in this QR code may be simply displayed on the operation panel  31 . 
     In the document management apparatus  2  receiving the inquiry message, the retrieval section  13  retrieves whether or not the document ID designated in the inquiry message is registered in the document management table. If the applicable document ID exists, the document storage period registered associated with the document ID is checked. And if the date and time (inquiry date and time) when the inquiry for document destruction and discarding permission is received from the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  passes the document storage period, an answer message indicating that the document destruction and discarding permission is given to the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is returned. Also, if the data and time when the inquiry for document destruction and discarding permission is received from the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  does not pass the document storage period, an answer message indicating that the document destruction and discarding permission is not given to the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  (the destruction and discarding of the document is inhibited) is returned. 
     Thus, if the answer message is returned from the document management apparatus  2 , the document destruction and discarding control section  36  receives that answer message via the network interface  37 , and checks whether or not the content of the answer message gives the destruction and discarding permission for the document upon the inquiry from the self-apparatus (document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ) (step S 5 ). And if the answer message gives the destruction and discarding permission for the document, a prepared guidance for document permission (guide message) is displayed on the operation panel  31 , and then an instruction of opening the stopper gate  20  is issued to the stopper drive section  33  to open the stopper gate  20  (steps S 6  and S 7 ). At this time, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  instructs the feeder drive section  34  to start rotating the feed rolls  21  and  22 , and the feeder drive section  34  starts driving the rotation of the feed rolls  21  and  22  in accordance with this instruction. One example of the destruction and discarding permission guidance may be “This document is destroyed and discarded. Insert the document more deeply.” In this manner, the destruction and discarding permission guide is displayed to notify the user that the destruction and discarding of the document is permitted, whereby the following process continues without causing the user to feel incompatible. 
     Thereafter, if the user thrusts in the document in accordance with the guidance displayed on the operation panel  31 , the leading edge of the document is pushed against the nip part of the feed rolls  21 , and the document is fed into the downstream side on the document conveying path, along with the rotation of the feed rolls  21  (step S 8 ). Thus, the document fed by the feed rolls  21  is passed to the feed rolls  22  on the downstream side in the conveying direction, and conveyed to the shredder portion  24 , along with the rotation of the feed rolls  22 . At this time, the rear end of the document passes by the sensing position of the insert sensor  18 , so that the signal of the insert sensor  18  is switched from the on state to the off state. Then, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  instructs the stopper drive section  35  to return the stopper gate  20  at a preset timing (e.g., timing when the rear end of the document gets rid of the feed roll  21 ), and thereby restore the stopper gate  20  to its original state (closed state). 
     Also, the leading edge of the document passes by the sensing position of the path sensor  23  during the conveyance of the document by the feed rolls  22 , so that the path sensor  23  is switched from the off state to the on state. Then, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  makes an instruction of starting the driving to the shredder drive section  35 , and the shredder drive section  35  starts the driving of the shredder portion  24  upon receiving the instruction. Accordingly, the document fed by the feed roll  22  is directly taken by the shredder portion  24 , and shredded through the shred process (destruction and discarding process) (step S 9 ). 
     Thereafter, the rear end of the document passes by the sensing position of the path sensor  23 , so that the path sensor  23  is switched from the on state to the off state. Then, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  transmits a message of destruction and discarding completion notification that the destruction and discarding of the document is completed to the document management apparatus  2  by designating the document ID of the document, for which the document destruction and discarding permission is given ahead, in a certain time since the path sensor  23  is turned off (specifically the time taken since the rear end of the document is taken into the shredder portion  24  till the entire document is shredded) (step S 10 ). The destruction and discarding completion notification message is transmitted from the network interface  37  via the network  4  to the document management apparatus  2 . On the contrary, the document management apparatus  2  receiving the destruction and discarding completion notification message from the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  registers the date and time when the message is received in the column of document destruction and discarding date and time as the destruction and discarding history information corresponding to the document ID designated in the message. 
     On the other hand, if the reading of the QR code is unsuccessful at step S 3 , a prepared reading impossible guidance is displayed on the operation panel  31  (step S 1 ). One example of the reading impossible guidance may be “A code reading error occurred. Pull out the document.” Also, if the document destruction and discarding permission is not given from the document management apparatus  2  at step S 5 , a prepared destruction and discarding impermissible guidance is displayed on the operation panel  31  (step S 12 ). One example of the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance may be “This document can not be destroyed and discarded, because the document storage period is not reached. Pull out the document.” In this manner, the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance is displayed to notify the user that the destruction and discarding of the document is not permitted, whereby the following process continues without causing the user to feel incompatible. Also, after the destruction and discarding completion notification is transmitted, the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  directly returns to the standby state. However, after the reading impossible guidance is displayed at step S 11 , or the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance is displayed at step S 12 , the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  returns to the standby state if the insert sensor  18  is switched form the on state to the off state (the user takes the document out of the document tray portion  17 ). 
     Second Mechanical Embodiment 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic view showing a second mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . This document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  comprises a set sensor  32 , a pull-in roll  43 , a separation member  44 , a branch gate  45 , an exhausting roll  46  and an output tray portion  47 , in addition to the same constitution as the first mechanical embodiment (document tray portion  17 , insert sensor  18 , bar code scanner  19 , stopper gate  20 , feed rolls  21  and  22 , path sensor  23 , shredder portion  24 ). 
     The set sensor  32  senses whether or not the document is set (laid) on the document tray portion  17 . The set sensor  32  is composed of an optical sensor of the reflection type having a light emitting element and a light receiving element, for example. The set sensor  32  is placed in the on state when the document exists at the sensing position of the set sensor  32 , or in the off state when no document exists. 
     The pull-in roll  43  pulls the documents in order from the uppermost level into the stopper gate  20  to automatically convey the document set on the document tray portion  17 . The separation member  44  separates the documents so that the documents may be pulled in one by one in order by the pull-in roll  43 . 
     The branch gate  45  switches the traveling direction of the document conveyed along the document conveying path at a branch part of the document conveying path bifurcated on the downstream side of the feed roll  21 . That is, the branch gate  45  switches the traveling direction of the document conveyed by the feed roll  21  into any one of the first direction toward the feed roll  22  and the second direction toward the exhausting roll  46 . 
     The exhausting roll  46  exhausts the document onto the output tray portion  47 . The output tray portion  47  accommodated the documents exhausted by the exhausting roll  46  by laying them one on the other. 
       FIG. 11  is a block diagram showing the second mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . This document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  comprises the set sensor  32 , a pull-in drive section  48 , and a branch gate drive section  49 , in addition to the same constitution as the first mechanical embodiment (operation panel  31 , bar code scanner  19 , stopper drive section  33 , feeder drive section  34 , shredder drive section  35 , document destruction and discarding control section  36  and network interface  37 ). Also, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  has the set sensor  32  electrically connected, in addition to the same sensors (insert sensor  18  and path sensor  23 ) as the first mechanical embodiment. 
     The pull-in drive section  48  drives the pull-in roll  43  to perform the ascend or descend operation or rotating operation. The pull-in drive section  48  may have an electromagnetic plunger for the roll ascending or descending operation and a motor for the roll rotating operation as the drive sources. 
     The branch gate drive section  49  performs the switching operation of the branch gate  45 . The branch gate drive section  49  may have the electromagnetic plunger as the drive source. The branch gate drive section  49  normally operates the branch gate  45  so that the traveling direction of the document may be the first direction (direction toward the feed roll  22 ), and operates the branch gate  45  so that the traveling direction of the document may be the second direction (direction toward the exhausting roll  46 ) when there is a switching instruction from the document destruction and discarding control section  36 . 
     Also, the exhausting roll  46 , like the feed rolls  21  and  22 , is driven and rotated by the feeder drive section  34 . 
       FIGS. 12 and 13  are flowcharts showing a processing procedure in destroying and discarding the document in the second mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . This document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  has a normal destruction and discarding mode and a scan destruction and discarding mode as in the above embodiment. And the flowcharts of  FIGS. 12 and 13  represent the processing procedure in the scan destruction and discarding mode. 
     In the normal destruction and discarding mode, the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is on standby. When the user who uses the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  lays the documents to be destroyed and discarded on the document tray portion  17 , and depresses the start button of the operation panel  31 , the document destruction and discarding control section  36  instructs the pull-in drive section  48 , the stopper drive section  33 , the feeder driver section  34  and the shredder drive section  35  to start the driving, so that the pulling operation of the document by the pull-in roll  43  is started, the stopper gate  20  is opened, and the driving of the feed rolls  21  and  22  and the shredder portion  24  is started. Thereby, the documents laid on the document tray portion  17  are pulled in orderly from the uppermost level, directly conveyed by the feed rolls  21  and  22 , and shredded by the shredder portion  24 . And this operation is repeated while there is any document left on the document tray portion  17  (the set sensor  32  is on). 
     Also, if no document is left on the document tray portion  17  and the set sensor  32  is switched from the on state to the off state, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  instructs the pull-in drive section  48 , the stopper drive section  33 , the feeder drive section  34  and the shredder drive section  35  to stop the driving, so that the pulling operation of the document by the pull-in roll  43  is ended, the stopper gate  20  is restored to its original state, and the driving of the feed rolls  21  and  22  and the shredder portion  24  is stopped. Thereby, the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  returns to the standby state again. 
     On the contrary, in the document scan mode, the user who uses the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  lays the documents to be destroyed and discarded on the document tray portion  17  and depresses the start button on the operation panel  31  in the same manner as above. The document destruction and discarding control section  36  continually monitors the signal (on/off state) of the set sensor  42  in the standby state of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  (step S 21 ). If the set sensor  32  is turned on when the user actually sets the documents on the document tray portion  17 , it is judged whether or not the start button is depressed in the on state (step S 22 ). And if it is judged that the start button is depressed, an instruction of pulling the documents is made to the pull-in drive section  48  to pull in the documents with the rotation of the pull-in roll  43  (step S 23 ). Thereby, the documents to be destroyed and discarded are automatically inserted into the back side of the apparatus along with the rotation of the pull-in roll  43 . 
     The pulling (insertion) of the document is performed by causing the pull-in roll  43  to descend so that the outer peripheral face of the roll may contact (press) the uppermost face of the documents laid (set) on the document tray portion  17  and rotating the pull-in roll  43  in this state. At this time, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  continually monitors the signal (on/off state) of the insert sensor  18 . If the insert sensor  18  is turned on, an instruction of stopping the pulling is issued to the pull-in drive section  46  immediately after it (at the timing when the leading edge of the document makes contact with the stopper gate  20 ). The pull-in drive section  46  receiving this instruction once stops the rotation of the pull-in roll  43 . Thereby, the document of destruction and discarding object is conveyed up to the “predetermined position” as previously described. 
     Next, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  issues an instruction of reading the bar code to the bar code reader  32 . And the bar code scanner  19  reads the QR code printed on the document in accordance with this reading instruction (step S 24 ). In the case where one document is treated, the bar code is read while the fed document is stopped at the reading position, or flowing, the information is sent or received to or from a database, the information of each document is acquired, and it is judged whether the document is directly destroyed and discarded or outputted onto the output tray  47 . 
     Next, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  judges whether or not the reading of the QR code is successful (step S 25 ). And if the reading of the QR code is successful (Yes at step S 25 ), an inquiry as to whether or not the document specified by the document ID contained in the QR code is permitted to destroy and discard is made to the document management apparatus  2  (step S 26 ). An answer message to that inquiry is received. 
     Next, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  checks whether or not the content of the answer message gives the destruction and discarding permission for the document (step S 27 ). If the answer message gives the destruction and discarding permission for the document, a prepared guidance for document permission (guide message) is displayed on the operation panel  31 , and then an instruction of opening the stopper gate is issued to the stopper drive section  33  to open the stopper gate  20  (steps S 28  and S 29 ). One example of the destruction and discarding permission guidance may be “This document is automatically conveyed and destroyed and discarded.” 
     Next, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  issues an instruction of continuing to pull in the document to the pull-in drive section  48  to resume the rotation (pulling of the document) of the pull-in roll  43 , and issues an instruction of starting to rotate the feed rolls  21  and  22  to the feeder drive section  34  to start driving and rotating the feed rolls  21  and  22  and the exhausting roll  46 . Thereby, the document pulled in by the pull-in roll  43  is taken in by the feed roll  21 , and conveyed to the downstream side of the document conveying path, along with the rotation of the feed roll  21 . At this time, the branch gate  45  guides the traveling direction of the document to the first direction, so that the document is fed from the feed roll  21  to the feed roll  22  (step S 30 ). 
     Thus, the document fed by the feed roll  22  is conveyed to the shredder portion  24 , along with the rotation of the feed roll  22 . At this time, the rear end of the document passes by the sensing position of the insert sensor  18 , so that the insert sensor  18  is switched from the on state to the off state. Then, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  instructs the stopper drive section  33  to return the stopper gate at a preset timing (e.g., timing when the rear end of the document gets rid of the feed roll  21 ), and thereby restore the stopper gate  20  to its original state (closed state). 
     Also, the leading edge of the document passes by the sensing position of the path sensor  23 , while the feed roll  22  is conveying the document, so that the path sensor  23  is switched from the off state to the on state. Then, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  makes an instruction of starting the driving to the shredder drive section  35 , and the shredder drive section  35  starts the driving of the shredder portion  24  upon receiving the instruction. Accordingly, the document fed by the feed roll  22  is directly taken by the shredder portion  24 , and shredded through the shred process (destruction and discarding process) (step S 31 ). 
     Thereafter, the rear end of the document passes by the sensing position of the path sensor  23 , so that the path sensor  23  is switched from the on state to the off state. Then, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  transmits a message of destruction and discarding completion notification that the destruction and discarding of the document is completed to the document management apparatus  2  by designating the document ID of the document, for which the document destruction and discarding permission is given ahead, in a certain time since the path sensor  23  is turned off (specifically the time taken since the rear end of the document is taken into the shredder portion  24  till the entire document is shredded) (step S 32 ). Thereby, the document management apparatus  2  receiving the destruction and discarding completion notification message from the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  registers the date and time when the message is received in the column of document destruction and discarding date and time as the destruction and discarding history information corresponding to the document ID designated in the message. 
     Next, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  checks whether or not the next document is left on the document tray portion  17  (step S 33 ). Specifically, if the set sensor  32  is in the on state, it is judged that the next document is left, and the procedure returns to step S 23 . Also, if the set sensor  32  is in the off state, it is judged that the next document is not left, and a series of processes is ended. After the series of processes is ended in this manner, the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  returns to the standby state again. 
     On the other hand, if the reading of the QR code is unsuccessful at step S 25 , a prepared reading impossible guidance is displayed on the operation panel  31  (step S 34 ). One example of the reading impossible guidance may be “A code reading error occurred. This document is not destroyed and discarded but exhausted.” Also, if the document destruction and discarding permission is not given from the document management apparatus  2  at step S 27 , a prepared destruction and discarding impermissible guidance is displayed on the operation panel  31  (step S 35 ). One example of the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance may be “This document can not be destroyed and discarded, because the document storage period is not reached. The document is exhausted onto the output tray.” 
     After this guidance is displayed, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  issues an instruction of opening the stopper gate  20  to the stopper drive section  33  to open the stopper gate  20 , and issues an instruction of switching the gate to the branch gate drive section  49  to cause the branch gate  49  to make the switching operation (steps S 36  and S 37 ). Next, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  issues an instruction of continuing to pull in the document to the pull-in drive section  48  to resume the rotation of the pull-in roll  43  (pulling of the document), and issues an instruction of starting the rotation of the feed rolls  21  and  22  to the feeder drive section  34  to start driving the rotation of the feed rolls  21  and  22  and the exhausting roll  46 . Thereby, the document pulled in by the pull-in roll  43  is taken in by the feed roll  21 , and forwarded to the downstream side of the document conveying path along with the rotation of the feed roll  21 . At this time, since the branch gate  45  guides the traveling direction of the document to the second direction, the document is fed from the feed roll  21  to the exhausting roll  46 , and exhausted onto the output tray portion  47 , along with the rotation of the exhausting roll  46  (steps S 38  and S 39 ). Thereafter, the procedure transfers to step S 33 . 
     While the document that fails to read the QR code and the document that is not given a document destruction and discarding permission from the document management apparatus  2  are exhausted onto the common (same) output tray section  47  in this embodiment, the document that fails to read the QR code and the document that is not given a document destruction and discarding permission from the document management apparatus  2  may be exhausted onto different output tray sections, employing a switching operation of the document conveying path (conveying direction) with a branch gate  45 . 
     In the document management system as described above, the document ID appended to the document is managed corresponding to the document storage period in the document management apparatus  2 , in which when the document is destroyed and discarded employing the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 , the document ID contained in the QR code is acquired by reading the QR code printed on the document of destruction and discarding object with a bar code scanner  19 , an inquiry as to whether or not the document specified by this document ID is permitted to destroy and discard is made to the document management apparatus  2 , and if an answer content to this inquiry is to give a destruction and discarding permission, the destruction and discarding process for the document is performed in the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . Therefore, the person in charge does not need to confirm the possibility of destroying and discarding the document every time as conventionally performed, and the document in which the storage period has expired can be securely destroyed and discarded. Also, it is possible to avoid falsely destroying and discarding the document due to an artificial check error. 
     Also, for the document generated employing the document generation apparatus  1 , the document ID appended to the document is managed associated with the document storage period in the document management apparatus  2 , whereby it is possible to make the management consistently from the generation to the destruction and discarding of the document. 
     Also, when the destruction and discarding process (shredding process) for the document is made in the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 , a message of destruction and discarding completion notification with the document ID of the document designated is transmitted to the document management apparatus  2 , and the document management apparatus  2  receiving its notification message registers the document destruction and discarding date and time as the destruction and discarding history information corresponding to the applicable document ID in the document management table, whereby the date and time when the document is actually destroyed and discarded can be left as the history, together with the fact that the document is destroyed and discarded. Moreover, the user ID information of the person who disposes of document in charge of destroying and discarding the document can be acquired by the user authentication technique and left as one destruction and discarding history information. As a result, it is possible to confirm later when and by whom the document designated by the certain document ID is destroyed and discarded. 
     Also, when the document generation process (printing process) is performed in the document generation apparatus  1 , the date and time when the document is generated and the user ID information of the document creator in charge of generating the document are registered along with the document ID of the document in the document management table of the document management apparatus  2 , whereby it is possible to confirm later when and by whom the document designated by the certain document ID is destroyed and discarded. 
     Further, as an application example employing the user authentication technique, the ID information of the user who employs the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is acquired, and the user ID information is transmitted to the document management apparatus  2  before the user actually starts the document destruction and discarding operation (opens a stopper gate  20 ), whereby as a result of the retrieval section  13  making the retrieval process, if the user ID information transmitted from the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  does not exist in a use permission user ID list (list of registering the user ID permitted to use the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ) previously registered in the database section  14  a message indicating that the user is not given a use permission is displayed on the operation panel  31 , and the stopper gate  20  is kept closed, so that the user of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  can be limited by designating the person in charge of destroying and discarding the document. 
     Also, in the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  of manual insertion feed type, a plurality of documents (bunches) can be destroyed and discarded collectively even with the staples attached at a time. On the other hand, in the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  of automatic feed type, only if the user sets the documents on the document tray section  17  and depresses the start button, the document destruction and discarding process can be automatically performed while the user checks the possibility of destroying and discarding the document for each document without intervening the operation. The document not permitted to destroy and discard is exhausted onto the output tray  47 . 
     While the QR code including the document ID is printed on the document in the above embodiment, the invention is not limited thereto, but the number or symbol indicating the document ID may be printed on the document. Also, the appendage of the document ID on the document is not limited to printing, but the document ID may be appended by labeling on the document. 
     Also, while in the above embodiment the stopper gate  20  is kept closed and the document is pushed against the stopper gate  20  and stopped at the position where the document ID can be read, a pair of rolls, namely, a delivery roll  50  and a retard roll (double delivery prevention roll)  51 , as the gate member instead of the stopper gate  20 , may be disposed in the nipped state, whereby the document may be pushed against the nip part in a state where the delivery roll  50  and the retard roll  51  are stopped, and stopped at the position where the document ID can be read, as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
     In the case where this constitution is adopted for the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  of manual insertion type, when the document is fed by receiving a destruction and discarding permission of the document, the delivery roll  50  and the retard roll  51  are rotated so that one pair of rolls also serve as the rolls for feeding the document. Therefore, the feeding of the document can be started by the rotation of the delivery roll  50 . Accordingly, it is possible to transit to the document feeding operation after receiving a destruction and discarding permission of the document. 
     Also, at least one of the pair of rolls, for example, the delivery roll  50 , is provided to be movable in the arrow direction, so that the nip part with the retard roll  51  can be opened or closed. Therefore, when the document is destroyed and discarded in the normal destruction and discarding mode, the delivery roll  50  is spaced from the retard roll  51 , so that a plurality of documents (bunches) can be taken in without problem. Further, for the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  of automatic feed type (see  FIG. 10 ), the stopper gate  20  may be directly left as the gate member, and the delivery roll  50  and the retard roll  51  may be provided instead of a separation member  44 . 
       FIG. 15 : Sequence Diagram) 
     If an IC card is set in the IC card reader provided for the document destruction and discarding apparatus, the IC card reader reads the identification information, and the identification information of the IC card is passed to a control device. Also, the paper (or sheaf of papers) to be destroyed and discarded is set on the document destruction and discarding apparatus. A QR code reader reads and analyzes the QR code printed on the paper. An analyzed value of the QR code is passed to the control device. A retrieval program for the database is started with the QR code analyzed value and the identification information of the IC card as the arguments from the controller. 
     A database retrieval program retrieves the user record from the database with the identification information as the key. The database retrieval program confirms the presence or absence of the user registration. The user registration of (presence or absence) is a cancellation flag (TRUE/FALSE). The database retrieval program acquires the “X (amount of money), Y (document registration date)” from the database, based on the QR code analyzed value. The value such that for the acquired value X, (if X&gt;=A, TRUE) or (if X&lt;A, FALSE), and for Y, (if Y&gt;=B, TRUE) or (if Y&lt;B, FALSE) is acquired, and the destruction and discarding conditions set in the parameter file are compared ( FIG. 16 ). If the destruction and discarding conditions are met, the database retrieval program returns the destruction and discarding information to the control device. 
     The control device lowers the gate of the document destruction and discarding apparatus. The set paper is taken into the document destruction and discarding apparatus, and destroyed and discarded. If the document is destroyed and discarded, a destruction and discarding completion notification is returned to the control device. The control device starts a database write program with the QR code analyzed value and the identification information of the IC card as the arguments. The database write program retrieves the user recorded from the database with the identification information as the key. The database write program receives the user information. The database write program writes the “destroyed and discarded flag”, “destruction and discarding date and time” and “destruction and discarding performer” in a record of the database corresponding to the QR code analyzed value. The database write program returns the written result to the control device. 
     Third Mechanical Embodiment 
       FIG. 17  is a schematic view showing a third mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . 
     This document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is constructed employing a shredder device, for example, and comprises a document tray portion  17 , an insert sensor  18 , a bar code scanner  19 , a stopper gate  20 , the feed rolls  21  and  22 , a path sensor  23  and a shredder portion  24 . 
     The document tray portion  17  is the portion where the documents to be destroyed and discarded are laid. The document tray portion  17  is inclined obliquely on the horizontal plane to be gradually lower toward the stopper gate  20 . The depth side (lower side) of the document tray portion  17  is covered with a cover member, not shown, together with the insert sensor  18 , the bar code scanner  19 , the stopper gate  20  and the feed roll  21 . 
     The insert sensor  18  senses that the document is inserted into a predetermined position on the document tray portion  17 . The insert sensor  18  is composed of an optical sensor of the reflection type having a light emitting element and a light receiving element, for example, and turned on when the document exists at the sensing position of the insert sensor  18 , or turned off when no document exists. 
     The bar code scanner  19  takes an image of the bar code into an area sensor  25  by applying the light of a light source, not shown, to a bar code recorded part of the document of destruction and discarding object and receiving a reflected light from the bar code recorded part via a lens  26  with the area sensor  25 . The bar code recorded part refers to the part where the bar code including the document ID as one information is recorded within the plane of the document, in which its position (area) is defined beforehand dimensionally at the corner part of the document. 
     The stopper gate  20  has a long plate-like structure, for example, and is provided between the insert sensor  18  and the feed rolls  21 . The stopper gate  20  opens or closes an entrance of a document conveying path at the entrance part of the document conveying path formed by the feed rolls  21  and  22 . In a state where the stopper gate  20  is closed, the stopper gate  20  is disposed to project over a passage of the document leading from the document tray portion  17  to the feed roll  21  to block the passage. Accordingly, when the document laid on the document tray portion  17  is inserted deeply, the leading edge of the document is pushed against the stopper gate  20 . On the contrary, in a state where the stopper gate  20  is opened, the stopper gate  20  is withdrawn from the passage and retracted from the passage of document leading from the document tray  17  to the feed rolls  21 . Accordingly, if the document laid on the document tray portion  17  is inserted more deeply, the leading edge of the document is pushed against the nip part of the feed rolls  21 . 
       FIG. 18  is a view of the document tray portion  17 , as seen from the above. The document tray portion  17  is provided with the insertion guides  28  and  29  on both sides thereof in the insertion direction (arrow direction) where the document  27  is inserted manually. The insertion guides  28  and  29  have the guide faces  28 A and  29 A in parallel to the insertion direction of the document. Among them, the insertion guide  28  is fixed, and the insertion guide  29  is provided movably in the width direction (vertical direction in  FIG. 15 ) of the document, as needed. The document  27  to be destroyed and discarded is inserted in the arrow direction into the document tray portion  17  in an orientation where the bar code recorded part  30  is placed at the corner part on the top side. 
     At this time, one side end of the document  27  is contacted with the guide face  28 A of the insertion guide  28  to position the document  27  in the direction orthogonal to the insertion direction. 
     Thereby, the bar code recorded part  30  is positioned within a code reading area E with the bar code scanner  19  in a state where the leading edge of the document  27  is pushed against the stopper gate  20  by manual insertion of the user. Also, the insert sensor  18  is disposed in front of (directly close to) the stopper gate  20  in the insertion direction of the document. Therefore, when the leading edge of the document  27  manually inserted by the user is pushed against the stopper gate  20 , the insert sensor  18  is switched from the off state to the on state immediately before it. Thereby, the timing when the insert sensor  18  is turned on indicates the timing when the bar code recorded part  30  of the document  27  is disposed within the code reading area E. 
     The feed roll  21  conveys the document along the document conveying passage by rotating while nipping (pinching) the document inserted by opening the stopper gate  20 . The document conveying passage is formed employing a conveying guide member (chute), not shown. The feed roll  22  conveys the document along the document conveying passage to the shredder portion  24  by rotating while nipping the document conveyed by the feed roll  21 . 
     The path sensor  23  senses the document passing midway (at almost middle point) on the document conveying passage leading from the feed rolls  22  to the shredder portion  24 . The path sensor  23  is composed of an optical sensor of the reflection type having a light emitting element and a light receiving element, for example. The path sensor  23  is placed in the on state when the document exists at a sensing position of the path sensor  23 , or in the off state when no document exists. Accordingly, when the front end of the document passes by the sensing position of the path sensor  23 , the path sensor  23  is switched from the off state to the on state at the same time, and thereafter, when the rear end of the document passes by the sensing position of the path sensor  23 , the path sensor  23  is switched from the on state to the off state at the same time. 
     The shredder portion  24  cuts (shreds) the document while pulling the document fed by the feed rolls  22  in one direction (arrow direction). This shredder portion  24  can perform a shredding process for a plurality of documents (e.g., a sheaf of about 20 documents of A4 size) collectively. Also, the shredder portion  24  can perform the shredding process for the document subjected to the stapling process by staples in its as-is state (without removing the staples). 
       FIG. 19  is a block diagram showing the third mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . This document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  comprises an operation panel  31 , a bar code scanner  19 , a stopper drive section  33 , a feeder drive section  34 , a shredder drive section  35 , a mode selection section  42 , a document destruction and discarding control section  36  and a network interface  37 , in addition to the components as described above. 
     The operation panel  31  is operated by the user who uses the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . The operation panel  31  is composed of the operation buttons (e.g., a start button, a stop button) and a display panel for displaying various messages including an operation state of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  and an operation guidance (guide message), for example. The operation panel  31  has a mode switching button  31 A as one of the operation buttons. The mode switching button  31 A is the button for making an instruction of switching the destruction and discarding mode that occurs in the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . 
     The bar code scanner  19  optically reads the bar code printed on the document employing the bar code scanner  19 , and outputs the original information (data) stored in the bar code within the document, based on the read result. 
     The stopper drive section  33  performs the opening or closing (rising or setting) operation of the stopper gate  20 . The stopper drive section  33  may have an electronic plunger as the drive source. 
     The feeder drive section  34  rotates the feed rolls  21  and  22 . The feeder drive section  34  may have a motor as the drive source. 
     The shredder drive section  35  drives and rotates the shredder portion  24 . The shredder drive section  35  may have a motor as the drive source. 
     The mode selection section  42  selects any one of two destruction and discarding modes that the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  has. Of the two destruction and discarding modes that the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  has, the first destruction and discarding mode is the mode for making the destruction and discarding process for the document without reading the document ID of the document of destruction and discarding object. The second destruction and discarding mode is the mode for making the destruction and discarding process for the document when a destruction and discarding permission is given from the document management apparatus  2  by making an inquiry for the destruction and discarding permission for the document to the document management apparatus  2  with the read document ID designated without reading the document ID of the document of destruction and discarding object. 
     The document destruction and discarding control section  36  controls various processing operations involving the destruction and discarding of document in accordance with a given control program. Also, this document destruction and discarding control section  36  performs the destruction and discarding process for the document in the destruction and discarding mode selected by the mode selection section  42 . This document destruction and discarding control section  36  has the operation panel  31 , the bar code scanner  19 , the stopper drive section  33 , the feeder drive section  34  and the shredder drive section  35  which are electrically connected. Also, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  has the insert sensor  18 , the path sensor  23 , and the mode selection section  42  which are electrically connected. 
     The network interface  37  is a communication interface for enabling the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  to make the data transmission and reception with other apparatuses (including the document generation apparatus  1  and the document management apparatus  2 ) on the network  4 . The data transmission and reception through the network interface  37  is controlled by the document destruction and discarding control section  36 . 
     Next, a document management method employing the document management system with the above configuration will be described below. First of all, the document treated in the invention is assigned an intrinsic document ID and generated by the document generation apparatus  1 . The document ID may be composed of numerals alone, or an appropriate combination of numerals and alphabets or symbols. In the following, a specific management method in treating the document that is a voucher for auditing or tax inspection will be described. 
     First of all, the document data (electronic data) with bar code that is a pattern of the document is inputted into the document generation apparatus  1 , and the document data is printed on the paper by an image output section  8 , whereby the grounded paper for the payment application  38  as shown in  FIG. 20A  is created. The document data may be created on the document management apparatus  2 , and inputted from this document management apparatus  2  via the network  4  into the document generation apparatus  1 , or separately the document data may be created on a server apparatus for creating the document data, and inputted from this server apparatus via the network  4  into the document generation apparatus  1 . 
     Thus, the QR code  39  including the document ID assigned to the payment application  38  as one information is printed at the corner part of the payment application  38  that is generated by the document generation apparatus  1 . That is, the payment application  38  that is generated by the document generation apparatus  1  corresponds to the “document with the document ID appended”. Also, the ground paper of the payment application  38  is provided with an area  40  to attach the receipt. Therefore, the applicant attaches the receipt  41  on the ground paper of the payment application  38 , as shown in  FIG. 20B , and additionally writes and stamps (seals), as needed, to create the original the payment application. 
     If the payment application  38  is created in this way, this payment application  38  is set on a manuscript stand of the document generation apparatus  1 , and an image of the payment application  38  is read by an image reading section  6 . Or the generation information is transmitted from the document generation apparatus  1  to the document management apparatus  2  via the network  4 , and registered as the data. Then, the image data of the payment application  38  read by the image reading section  6  is transmitted to the document management apparatus  2  via the network  4 . Also, the original of the payment application  38  that has been read is bound and stored in a file. 
     On the other hand, the document management apparatus  2  receiving the image data (scan data) of the payment application  38  from the document generation apparatus  1  accumulates its image data in the database section  14 , and the image of the QR code included in the image data is analyzed by the bar code analysis section  12 , whereby the decode information for the document ID assigned to the payment application  38  is extracted. The document ID acquired in this way is registered in the document management table by the document management control section  15 . The document management table is created within the database section  14 . 
       FIG. 21  is a view showing one example of the document management table. The document management table has the document ID, the document generation date and time, the document storage period and the document destruction and discarding date and time, which are registered associated with each other, as shown in  FIG. 21 . When the document generation date and time and the document destruction and discarding date and time are registered, it is desirable that the time is the standard time acquired from a time distribution server or a time authentication server on the Internet via the network  4 . The document ID may be registered by decoding the QR code in the bar code analysis section  12 , or when the document data with bar code is created on the document management apparatus  2  or another server apparatus, the document ID assigned to the document by the document management apparatus  2  itself, or another server apparatus may be registered. The document generation date and time indicates the date and time when the document is generated. In this embodiment, the date and time when the document generation apparatus  1  transmits the image data read from the document such as the payment application  38  to the document management apparatus  2 , or the document management apparatus  2  receives the image data of the document transmitted from the document generation apparatus  1  is registered as the “document generation date and time”. 
     The document storage period indicates the storage period of the document in date and time. It is required that the document with the document ID registered in the document management table is stored till the document storage period expires. However, if the document storage period is registered as “no designation”, the document is treated to be destroyed and discarded at any time, or if the document storage period is registered as “permanent”, the document is treated not to be destroyed and discarded at any time. 
     Generally, as for the receipt, the storage period is decided by its received amount of money. Therefore, if the information for setting the document storage period, in addition to the information of the document ID, is contained in the QR code printed on the payment application  38 , for example, the document storage period can be automatically set from the decode information of the bar code analysis section  12 . Specifically, if the information specifying the document storage period of the payment application  38  as six years is contained in the QR code, the document storage period can be set to the date and time six years after the generation date and time of the payment application  38 . Besides, if the information indicating the received amount of money in the receipt attached on the payment application  38  is contained in the QR code, the storage period of the receipt can be automatically deduced from that information, and set in the document storage period of the document management table. Further, the document storage period of the document management table can be set or changed by manual input (manual operation) of the user, employing the user interface  11  provided for the document management apparatus  2 . 
     The document destruction and discarding date and time indicates the date and time when the document is destroyed and discarded. The destruction and discarding of the document is performed by the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . Therefore, the document destruction and discarding date and time of the document management table is registered in the date and time when a notification of completing the destruction and discarding of the document (hereinafter referred to a “destruction and discarding completion notification”) is issued from the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  to the document management apparatus  2  by designating the document ID of the document that is destroyed and discarded. 
     As for the document management table, the user ID of the user who creates the document on the document generation apparatus  1  may be registered as a document creator in the document management table, or the user ID of the user who destroys and discards the document on the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  may be registered as the person who destroys and discards the document in the document management table. In this case, the ID information of the user who creates or destroys and discards the document can be acquired employing the existent user authentication technique (e.g., user authentication technique employing the IC card). 
       FIG. 22  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in destroying and discarding the document in the third mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . First of all, if the power of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is turned on, the network interface  37  makes a communication establishment request to the document management apparatus  2  upon a control instruction from the document destruction and discarding control section  36  (step S 201 ). At this time, if the document management apparatus  2  normally receives the communication establishment request from the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  via the network  4 , the communication connection between the document management apparatus  2  and the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is established. Also, if the document management apparatus  2  does not normally receive the communication establishment request from the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  for some cause (e.g., disconnection or trouble of the network  4 , turning off the document management apparatus  2 , system down, etc.), the communication connection between the document management apparatus  2  and the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is not established. 
     Next, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  judges whether or not the communication establishment with the document management apparatus  2  is successful (step S 202 ). And if the communication establishment is unsuccessful, the mode selection section  42  sets the document destruction and discarding mode to the first destruction and discarding mode (step S 203 ), while if the communication establishment is successful, the mode selection section  42  sets the document destruction and discarding mode to the second destruction and discarding mode (step S 204 ). Thereafter, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  drives the stopper drive section  33  to close the stopper gate  20  (step S 205 ). 
     Next, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  judges whether or not the user depresses a mode switching button  31 A (makes an instruction of switching the destruction and discarding mode) (step S 206 ). If the mode switching mode  31 A is depressed (there is an instruction of switching the destruction and discarding mode), the setting of the destruction and discarding mode is switched according to the instruction (step S 207 ). That is, if the destruction and discarding mode before the mode switching button  31 A is depressed is set at the first destruction and discarding mode, the setting of the destruction and discarding mode is switched from the first destruction and discarding mode to the second destruction and discarding mode. Also, if the destruction and discarding mode before the mode switching button  31 A is depressed is set at the second destruction and discarding mode, the setting of the destruction and discarding mode is switched from the second destruction and discarding mode to the first destruction and discarding mode. 
     On the contrary, if the mode switching button  31 A is not depressed, it is judged whether or not the signal (on/off state) of the insert sensor  18  is turned on (step S 208 ). Herein, the user who employs the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  lays the document of destruction and discarding object on the document tray section  17 , and inserts it deeply. Also, if the QR code is printed on the document of destruction and discarding object, the document is inserted in an orientation where the print face of the QR code is on the top face (upward), and the printed part of the QR code is on the downstream side (deep side) in the insertion direction. Then, the signal of the insert sensor  18  is switched from the off state to the on state immediately before the leading edge of the document is pushed against the stopper gate  20 . Thus, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  returns to step S 206 , if the signal of the insert sensor  18  is in the off state, and judges whether or not the current destruction and discarding mode selected (set) by the mode selection section  42  is the first destruction and discarding mode (step S 209 ), if the signal of the insert sensor  18  is in the on state. 
     Herein, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  performs the document destruction and discarding process in accordance with the first destruction and discarding mode (step S 210 ), if the current destruction and discarding mode is set at the first destruction and discarding mode, and returns to step S 206 . Also, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  performs the document destruction and discarding process in accordance with the second destruction and discarding mode (step S 211 ), if the current destruction and discarding mode is set at the second destruction and discarding mode, and returns to step S 206 . 
       FIG. 23  is a flowchart showing a procedure for performing the document destruction and discarding process in accordance with the first destruction and discarding mode at step S 210 . First of all, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  drives the stopper drive section  33  to open the stopper gate  20  (step S 301 ). At this time, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  issues an instruction of starting to rotate the feed rolls  21  and  22 , and the feeder drive section  34  starts to rotate the feed rolls  21  and  22  in accordance with this instruction. 
     Accordingly, the document thrust in by the user is fed to the downstream side of the document conveying path, along with the rotation of the feed rolls  21  (step S 302 ). In this way, the document fed by the feed rolls  21  is passed to the feed rolls  22  on the more downstream side in the conveying direction, and conveyed to the shredder portion  24  along with the rotation of the feed rolls  22 . At this time, if the rear end of the document passes by the sensing position of the insert sensor  18 , so that the insert sensor  18  is switched from the on state to the off state, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  drives the stopper drive section  33  at a predetermined timing (e.g., the timing when the rear end of the document gets rid of the feed rolls  21 ), returning the stopper gate  20  to the original state (closed state). 
     Also, if the leading edge of the document passes by the sensing position of the path sensor  23  during the conveyance with the feed rolls  22 , so that the path sensor  23  is switched from the on state to the off state, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  makes an instruction of starting the driving to the shredder drive section  35 , and the shredder drive section  35  receiving this instruction starts to drive the shredder portion  24 . Accordingly, the document fed by the feed rolls  22  is directly taken in by the shredder portion  24 , and shredded through the shredding process (step S 303 ). 
       FIG. 24  is a flowchart showing a procedure for performing the document destruction and discarding process in accordance with the second destruction and discarding mode at step S 311 . First of all, the destruction and discarding control section  36  makes an instruction of reading the bar code to the bar code scanner  19 , and the bar code scanner  19  reads the QR code printed on the document in accordance with this reading instruction (step S 311 ). 
     Next, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  judges whether or not the reading of the QR code is successful (step S 312 ). Whether or not the reading of the QR code is successful is judged depending on whether or not the document ID is normally decoded from the QR code printed on the document by the bar code scanner  19 . There are supposedly mainly two cases where the bar code scanner  19  fails in reading the QR code. The first case occurs where the QR code is not originally printed on the document, or the QR code does not exist in the code reading area E (see  FIG. 18 ) (case of no code) because the orientation of inserting the document (face up or down, or from the top end or rear end of the document) is inappropriate. The second case occurs where the QR code exists in the code reading area E but is remarkably contaminated or broken, or the decode information of the QR code does not include the document ID (case of code defect). 
     When the reading of the QR code is successful, an inquiry as to whether or not the document designated by the document ID contained in this QR code is permitted to destroy and discard is issued to the document management apparatus  2  (step S 313 ). The inquiry as to the document destruction and discarding permission is made by creating an inquiry message for destruction and discarding permission with the document ID contained in the QR code read by the bar code scanner  19  designated and transmitting this inquiry message from the network interface  37  via the network  4  to the document management apparatus  2 . That is, the inquiry for document destruction and discarding permission is the inquiry as to whether or not the document designated by the document ID contained in this inquiry may be destroyed and discarded. In this connection, when the reading of the QR code is successful, the information contained in the QR code may be simply displayed on the operation panel  31 . 
     The document management apparatus  2  receiving the inquiry message retrieves whether or not the document ID specified in the inquiry message is registered in the document management table in the retrieval section  13 . If the applicable document ID exists, the document storage period registered associated with the document ID is confirmed. And when the date and time when the inquiry for document destruction and discarding permission is received from the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  (inquiry date and time) passes the document storage period, an answer message indicating that the document destruction and discarding permission is given is returned to the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . Also, when the date and time when the inquiry for document destruction and discarding permission is received from the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  does not pass the document storage period, an answer message indicating that the document destruction and discarding permission is not given (the destruction and discarding of the document is inhibited) is returned to the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . 
     If the answer message is returned from the document management apparatus  2  in this way, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  receives the answer message through the network interface  37 , and checks whether or not the content of the answer message is to give the document destruction and discarding permission to the inquiry from the self apparatus (document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ) (step S 314 ). And if the answer message is to give the document destruction and discarding permission, a prepared destruction and discarding permission guidance (guide message) is displayed on the operation panel  31 , and the stopper drive section  33  is driven to open the stopper gate  20  (steps S 315  and S 316 ). Also, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  makes an instruction of starting to rotate the feed rolls  21  and  22  to the feeder drive section  34  at this time, and the feeder drive section  34  starts to drive and rotate the feed rolls  21  and  22  in accordance with this instruction. One example of the destruction and discarding permission guidance may be “The stopper gate  20  is opened to destroy and discard this document. Insert the document more deeply.” 
     Thereafter, if the user inserts the document deeply in accordance with a guidance displayed on the operation panel  31 , the leading edge of the document is pushed against the nip part of the feed rolls  21 , and the document is fed to the downstream side on the document conveying path, along with the rotation of the feed rolls  21  (step S 317 ). In this way, the document fed by the feed rolls  21  is passed to the feed rolls  22  on the more downstream side in the conveying direction, and conveyed to the shredder portion  24  along with the rotation of the feed rolls  22 . At this time, the rear end of the document passes by the sensing position of the insert sensor  18 , so that the insert sensor  18  is switched from the on state to the off state, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  drives the stopper drive section  33  at a predetermined timing (e.g., the timing when the rear end of the document gets rid of the feed rolls  21 ), returning the stopper gate  20  to the original state (closed state). 
     Also, if the leading edge of the document passes by the sensing position of the path sensor  23  during the conveyance with the feed rolls  22 , so that the path sensor  23  is switched from the off state to the on state, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  makes an instruction of starting the driving to the shredder drive section  35 , and the shredder drive section  35  receiving this instruction starts to drive the shredder portion  24 . Accordingly, the document fed by the feed rolls  22  is directly taken in by the shredder portion  24 , and shredded through the shredding process (step S 318 ). 
     Thereafter, if the rear end of the document passes by the sensing position of the path sensor  23 , so that the path sensor  23  is switched from the on state to the off state, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  transmits, to the document management apparatus  2 , a message of destruction and discarding completion notification indicating that the destruction and discarding of the document is completed by designating the document ID of the document, for which the document destruction and discarding permission is given before, in a predetermined time (specifically the time taken since the rear end of the document is taken into the shredder portion  24  till the entire document is shredded) from the time when the path sensor  23  is turned off (step S 319 ). The destruction and discarding completion notification message is transmitted from the network interface  37  via the network  4  to the document management apparatus  2 . On the contrary, the document management apparatus  2  receiving the destruction and discarding completion notification message from the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  registers the date and time when the message is received as the destruction and discarding history information corresponding to the document ID designated in the message in a column of document destruction and discarding date and time. 
     On the other hand, if the reading of the QR code is unsuccessful at step S 312 , it is judged whether or not the cause of failure is no code (first case) (step S 320 ). And if the cause of failure is no code, a prepared first reading impossible guidance is displayed on the operation panel  31  (step S 321 ). One example of the first reading impossible guidance may be “No code is found. Pull out the document and check the position of code or the orientation of document.” Also, if the cause of failure is a code defect (second case), a prepared second reading impossible guidance is displayed on the operation panel  31  (step S 322 ). One example of the second reading impossible guidance may be “A code reading error occurred. Pull out the document and check the status of code.” 
     Also, if the document destruction and discarding permission is not given from the document management apparatus  2  at step S 314 , a prepared destruction and discarding impermissible guidance is displayed on the operation panel  31  (step S 323 ). One example of the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance may be “The destruction and discarding of this document is inhibited. Pull out the document.” Also, after the reading impossible guidance is displayed at step S 321  or S 322  or the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance is displayed at step S 323 , it is judged whether or not the insert sensor  18  is switched from the on state to the off state (the document is taken out of the document tray portion  17 ) (step S 324 ). If the insert sensor  18  is switched to the off state, the procedure goes to the next step at that time. 
     In the document management system as described above, the document ID appended to the document is managed corresponding to the document storage period in the document management apparatus  2 , in which when the document is destroyed and discarded employing the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 , the document ID contained in the QR code is acquired by reading the QR code printed on the document of destruction and discarding object with the bar code scanner  19 , an inquiry as to whether or not the document specified by this document ID is permitted to destroy and discard is made to the document management apparatus  2 , and if an answer content to this inquiry is to give a destruction and discarding permission, the destruction and discarding process for the document is performed in the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . Therefore, the person in charge does not need to confirm the possibility of destroying and discarding the document every time as conventionally performed, and the document in which the storage period has expired can be securely destroyed and discarded. Also, it is possible to avoid falsely destroying and discarding the document due to an artificial check error. 
     Also, since there are the first destruction and discarding mode in which the document is destroyed and discarded without reading the document ID and the second destruction and discarding mode in which the document is destroyed and discarded by reading the document ID and receiving the destruction and discarding permission from the document management apparatus  2 , the first destruction and discarding mode is selected when the document having no document ID appended is destroyed and discarded, and the second destruction and discarding mode is selected when the document with the document ID appended is destroyed and discarded. Thus, the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  can be employed properly depending on the class of the document. Accordingly, the efficient document destruction and discarding operation can be performed in the office environment where the confidential document and other general document are mixed. 
     Also, when the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  makes a communication establishment request to the document management apparatus  2 , if the communication connection is not established between them (the communication establishment is unsuccessful) for some reason (accident), the second destruction and discarding mode is automatically selected by the mode selection section  42  for selecting the destruction and discarding mode, whereby the ordinary document destruction and discarding operation can be performed without trouble. 
     Also, for the document generated employing the document generation apparatus  1 , the document ID appended to the document is managed corresponding to the document storage period in the document management apparatus  2 , whereby the document can be managed consistently from the generation to the destruction and discarding of the document. 
     Also, when the destruction and discarding process (shredding process) for the document is made in the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 , a message of destruction and discarding completion notification with the document ID of the document designated is transmitted to the document management apparatus  2 , and the document management apparatus  2  receiving its notification message registers the document destruction and discarding date and time as the destruction and discarding history information corresponding to the applicable document ID in the document management table, whereby the date and time when the document is actually destroyed and discarded can be left as the history, together with the fact that the document is destroyed and discarded. Moreover, the user ID of the person who disposes of document in charge of destroying and discarding the document can be left as one destruction and discarding history information. As a result, it is possible to confirm later when and by whom the document designated by the certain document ID is destroyed and discarded. 
     Also, when the document generation process (printing process) is performed in the document generation apparatus  1 , the date and time when the document is generated and the user ID of the document creator in charge of generating the document are registered along with the document ID of the document in the document management table of the document management apparatus  2 , whereby it is possible to confirm later when and by whom the document designated by the certain document ID is destroyed and discarded. 
     While the QR code including the document ID is printed on the document in the above embodiment, the invention is not limited to this embodiment, but the numerals or symbols indicating the document ID may be printed on the document. Also, the appendage of the document ID on the document is not limited to printing, but the document ID may be appended by labeling on the document. 
     Also, while the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  makes a communication establishment request in turning on the power, the communication establishment request may be repeatedly made to the document management apparatus  2  at a predetermined time period, till the communication connection with the document management apparatus  2  is established later, if the communication establishment at the time of turning on the power is unsuccessful. In this case, at the stage where the trouble of the network  4  is resolved or the document management apparatus  2  is recovered from the system down, the communication connection is automatically established, and the setting of the destruction and discarding mode is switched to the second destruction and discarding mode. 
     Fourth Mechanical Embodiment 
       FIG. 25  is a schematic view showing a fourth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . This document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is constructed employing a shredder device, for example, and comprises a document tray portion  17 , an insert sensor  18 , a bar code scanner  19 , a stopper gate  20 , the feed rolls  21  and  22 , a path sensor  23  and a shredder portion  24 . 
     The document tray portion  17  has a guide plane on which the documents to be destroyed and discarded are obliquely carried. The guide plane (upper face) of the document tray portion  17  has a horizontal guide plane  17 A formed in almost horizontal state and an inclined guide plane  17 B inclined obliquely from the horizontal guide plane  17 A. The inclined guide plane  17 B of the document tray portion  17  is inclined obliquely from an end part of the horizontal guide plane  17 A to be gradually lower toward the feed rolls  21 . Also, the inclined guide plane  17 B of the document tray portion  17  extends beyond the stopper gate  20  to the front part of the feed rolls  21 . Also, a document conveying path is separately formed on the downstream side of the feed rolls  21 , employing a chute guide (not shown). 
     The insert sensor  18  senses that the document is inserted into a predetermined position on the document tray portion  17 . The “predetermined position” means the position where the Q code is arranged in a code reading area E with the bar code scanner  19 , namely, the position where the QR code printed on the document can be read by the bar code scanner  19 , when the document with the QR code printed is inserted in the normal orientation. The insert sensor  18  is composed of an optical sensor of the reflection type having a light emitting element and a light receiving element, for example, and turned on when the document exists at the sensing position of the insert sensor  18 , or turned off when no document exists. 
     The bar code scanner  19  optically reads a bar code appended to the document of destruction and discarding object, and outputs the original information (data) contained in the bar code within the document, based on the read result. The bar code scanner  19  takes an image of the bar code into an area sensor  25  by applying the light of a light source inside the scanner to a bar code recorded part of the document of destruction and discarding object and receiving a reflected light from the bar code recorded part via a lens  26  inside the scanner with the area sensor  25 . The bar code recorded part refers to the part where the bar code including the document ID as one information is recorded within the plane of the document, in which its position is defined beforehand dimensionally at the corner part of the document. 
     The stopper gate  20  is provided to stop the document of destruction and discarding object at the predetermined position in an insertion direction (thrusting direction) of the document on the document tray portion  17  and disposed between the insert sensor  18  and the feed rolls  21 . The stopper gate  20  opens or closes an entrance of the document conveying path at the entrance part of the document conveying path formed by the feed rolls  21  and  22 . In a state where the stopper gate  20  is closed, the stopper gate  20  is disposed to project downward to block the passage of the document leading from the document tray portion  17  to the feed roll  21 . Accordingly, when the document laid on the document tray portion  17  is inserted deeply, the leading edge of the document is pushed against the stopper gate  20 . On the contrary, in a state where the stopper gate  20  is opened, the stopper gate  20  is withdrawn upward to retreat from the passage of document leading from the document tray  17  to the feed roll  21 . Accordingly, if the document laid on the document tray portion  17  is inserted more deeply, the leading edge of the document is pushed against the nip part of the feed roll  21 . 
     The feed roll  21  conveys the document along the document conveying passage by rotating while nipping (pinching) the document inserted by opening the stopper gate  20 . The document conveying passage is formed employing a conveying guide member (chute), not shown. The feed roll  22  conveys the document along the document conveying passage to the shredder portion  24  by rotating while nipping the document conveyed by the feed roll  21 . 
     The path sensor  23  senses the document passing midway (at almost middle point) on the document conveying passage leading from the feed roll  22  to the shredder portion  24 . The path sensor  23  is composed of an optical sensor of the reflection type having a light emitting element and a light receiving element, for example. The path sensor  32  is placed in the on state when the document exists at a sensing position of the path sensor  32 , or in the off state when no document exists. Accordingly, when the leading edge of the document passes by the sensing position of the path sensor  23 , the path sensor  23  is switched from the off state to the on state at the same time, and then, when the rear end of the document passes by the sensing position of the path sensor  23 , the path sensor  23  is switched from the on state to the off state at the same time. 
     The shredder portion  24  cuts (shreds) the document while pulling the document fed by the feed roll  22  in one direction (arrow direction). This shredder portion  24  can perform the destruction and discarding process for a plurality of documents (e.g., a sheaf of about 20 documents of A4 size) collectively. Also, the shredder portion  24  can perform the destruction and discarding process for the document subjected to the stapling process by staples in its as-is state (without removing the staples). 
       FIG. 26  is a perspective view showing the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 , partly exploded. An apparatus main body  250  of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  has an upper cover  260  integrally. The document tray portion  17  is integrally formed on the upper cover  260 . Also, a scan unit  270  is removably attached (mounted) by screws on the upper cover  260  of the apparatus main body  250 . The scan unit  270  is largely composed of a unit main body  280  and a unit cover  290 . The unit cover  290  is a resin cover over the unit main body  280  when the scan unit  270  is attached on the apparatus main body  250 . Actually, the scan unit  270  is attached on the upper cover  260  of the apparatus main body  250 , as shown in  FIG. 27 . 
       FIG. 28  is a perspective view showing the unit main body  280 , partly exploded. The unit main body  280  comprises a side guide  300 , a first frame member  310  and a second frame member  320 . The side guide  300  is a resin integral molding and attached by screws to one end part of the first frame member  310 . The side guide  300  is disposed at one side end part of the document tray portion  17 , when the unit main body  280  is attached on the upper cover  260 . The side guide  300  is formed with a guide plane  300 A along the insertion direction (thrusting direction) of document and a chute plane  300 B making right angles (L-character shape) to the guide plane  300 A. 
     The first frame member  310  forms a passage for document insertion guide with the document tray portion  17 , and is attached with a predefined gap from the document tray portion  17 . 
     Also, a first weight member  330  and a second weight member  340  are mounted on the first frame member  310 , as shown in  FIG. 29 . Each of the weight members  330  and  340  is supported swingably around a support shaft provided in the first frame member  310 . These weight members  330  and  340  exert dead weights on the upper face (top face) of the document manually inserted into the predetermined position by the user to prevent the top end of the document from floating. 
     The second frame member  32  is attached on the first frame member  310  by screws. The second frame member  320  has attached the stopper drive portion  33 , besides the insert sensor  18 , the bar code scanner  19  and the stopper gate  20 . The stopper drive portion  33  is a drive source for opening or closing the stopper gate  20 . 
       FIG. 30  is a view showing a drive mechanism for the stopper gate  20  employing the stopper drive portion  33 . The stopper gate  20  is composed of a resin plate member, for example, and has one pair of left and right stopper portions  360 , a longitudinal guide hole  370  and a transverse guide hole  380  integrally. One pair of stopper portions  360  are formed at both the left and right ends of the stopper gate  20  and in downwardly extending state. The guide hole  370  is formed centrally in a width direction of the stopper gate  20  (longitudinal direction in  FIG. 30 ). The guide hole  380  is formed centrally in the width direction of the stopper gate  20  and almost directly above the guide hole  370 . 
     The stopper drive portion  33  has integrally an output shaft  390 . This output shaft  390  is connected via an actuation arm  400  to the stopper gate  20 . That is, the actuation arm  400  is connected to the stopper gate  20  employing a first engagement pin  410  and connected to the output shaft  390  employing a second engagement pin  420 . Also, the first engagement pin  410  is engaged in the guide hole  380  of the stopper gate  20 . 
     The actuation arm  400  is supported rotatably around a support shaft  430  provided in the second frame member  320 . Also, one end of an extension coil spring  440  is engaged to the actuation arm  400 . The other end of the extension coil spring  440  is engaged in a spring latch  450  formed integrally with the second frame  320 . The extension coil spring  440  is a member for urging the actuation arm  400  in one direction (clockwise direction in  FIG. 30 ) around the support shaft  430 . 
     The stopper gate  20  is supported vertically movably by one pair of upper and lower guide pins  460  provided in the second frame member  320 . The guide pins  460  engage the guide hole  370  formed in the stopper gate  20 , and are disposed vertically with a certain distance away. Also, each of the guide pins  460  has an anti-slip ring (e.g., C ring) to prevent the stopper gate  20  from falling off the second frame member  320 . 
     Also, the first frame member  310  is formed with a gate hole  470  for pulling or inserting the stopper portion  360  of the stopper gate  20 , an escape hole  480  for avoiding contact with the stopper gate  20 , a sensing window  490  for the insert sensor  18 , an opening portion  500  for making the bottom part of the first weight member  330  contact with the document tray portion  17 , and an opening portion  510  for making the bottom part of the second weight member  340  contact with the document tray portion  17 . 
     In a drive mechanism for the stopper gate  20  with the above constitution, the stopper drive portion  33  is turned from the non-energized state to the energized state, so that the output shaft  390  is drawn into a solenoid main body against a biasing force of the extension coil spring  440 . Thereby, the actuation arm  400  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction around the support shaft  30 . Also, the stopper gate  20  is lifted by the actuation arm  400 . Therefore, the stopper portion  360  of the stopper gate  20  is placed in a state retreated from the gate hole  470  of the first frame member  310 . Also, the stopper portion  360  of the stopper gate  20  is spaced from an inclined guide plane  17 B of the document tray portion  17  (the stopper gate  20  is opened) in a state where the scan unit  270  is mounted on the upper cover  260  of the apparatus main body  250 . 
     On the contrary, if the stopper drive section  33  is turned from the energized state to the non-energized state, the actuation arm  400  is rotated in clockwise direction around the support shaft  430  owing to a biasing force of the extension coil spring  440 . Thereby, the output shaft  390  of the stopper drive portion  33  is pulled out of the main body of the stopper drive portion  33 . Also, the stopper gate  20  is pressed down by the actuation arm  400 . Therefore, the stopper portion  360  of the stopper gate  20  is disposed in a state projecting downward from the gate hole  470  of the first frame member  310 . Also, the stopper portion  360  of the stopper gate  20  is pushed against the inclined guide plane  17 B of the document tray portion  17  (the stopper gate  20  is closed) in a state where the scan unit  270  is mounted on the upper cover  260  of the apparatus main body  250 . 
       FIG. 31  is a view of the scan unit  270 , as seen from the above. A guide plane  300 A of the side guide  300  is disposed in parallel to a thrusting direction (arrow direction) when manually inserting the document  27 . The document  27  of destruction and discarding object is inserted in an orientation where a recorded part (printed part) of the QR code  39  is placed at the corner part on the top side. At this time, one side end of the document  27  is contacted with and moved along the guide plane  300 A of the side guide  300  to position the document  27  in the direction orthogonal to the thrusting direction. Also, one side end neighborhood of the document  27  is laid on a chute face  300 B of the side guide  300 . 
     Thereby, the recorded part of the QR code  39  is positioned within the code reading area E with the bar code scanner  19  in a state where the leading edge of the document  52  is pushed against the stopper gate  20  by manual insertion of the user. Also, the insert sensor  18  is disposed in front of (directly close to) the stopper gate  20  in the insertion direction of the document. Therefore, when the leading edge of the document  52  manually inserted by the user is pushed against the stopper gate  20 , the insert sensor  18  is switched from the off state to the on state immediately before it. Thereby, the timing when the insert sensor  18  is turned on indicates the timing when the QR code  39  printed on the document  52  is disposed within the code reading area E. 
       FIG. 32  is a block diagram showing the fourth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . This document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  comprises an operation panel  31 , a feeder drive section  34 , a shredder drive section  35 , a document destruction and discarding control section  36  and a network interface  37 , in addition to the components as described above. 
     The operation panel  31  is operated by the user who uses the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  and mounted on the upper cover  260  of the apparatus main body  250 . The operation panel  31  is composed of the operation buttons (e.g., a start button, a stop button) and a display panel for displaying various operation screens including an operation state of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  and an operation guidance (guide message). 
     The feeder drive section  34  rotates the feed rolls  21  and  22 . The feeder drive section  34  may have a motor as the drive source. The shredder drive section  35  drives and rotates the shredder portion  24 . The shredder drive section  35  may have a motor as the drive source. 
     The document destruction and discarding control section  36  controls various processing operations involving the destruction and discarding of document in accordance with a given control program. This document destruction and discarding control section  36  controls the operation of the bar code scanner  19 , the operation panel  31 , the stopper drive section  33 , the feeder drive section  34  and the shredder drive section  35  which are electrically connected. Also, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  has the insert sensor  18  and the path sensor  23  which are electrically connected. 
     The network interface  37  is a communication interface for enabling the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  to make the data transmission and reception with other apparatuses (including the document generation apparatus  1  and the document management apparatus  2 ) on the network  4 . The data transmission and reception through the network interface  37  is controlled by the document destruction and discarding control section  36 . 
     Next, a document management method employing the document management system with the above configuration will be described below. First of all, the document treated in the invention is assigned an intrinsic document ID and generated by the document generation apparatus  1 . The document ID may be composed of numerals alone, or an appropriate combination of numerals and alphabets or symbols. In the following, a specific management method in treating the document that is a voucher for auditing or tax inspection will be described. 
     First of all, the document data (electronic data) with bar code that is a pattern of the document is inputted into the document generation apparatus  1 , and the document data is printed on the paper by the image output section  8 , whereby the grounded paper for the payment application as shown in  FIG. 33A  is created. The document data may be created on the document management apparatus  2 , and inputted from this document management apparatus  2  via the network  4  into the document generation apparatus  1 , or separately the document data may be created on a server apparatus for creating the document data, and inputted from this server apparatus via the network  4  into the document generation apparatus  1 . 
     Thus, the QR code  39  including the document ID assigned to the payment application  38  as one information is additionally printed at the corner part of the payment application  38  that is generated by the document generation apparatus  1 . That is, the payment application  38  that is generated by the document generation apparatus  1  corresponds to the “document with the document ID appended”. Also, the ground paper of the payment application  38  is provided with an area  40  to attach the receipt. Therefore, the applicant creates the script of the payment application  38  by attaching the receipt  41  on the ground paper of the payment application  38 , as shown in  FIG. 33B , and making additional writing and stamp (seal), as needed. 
     If the payment application  38  is created in this way, this payment application  38  is set on a manuscript stand of the document generation apparatus  1 , and an image of the payment application  38  is read by the image reading section  6 . Then, the image data of the payment application  38  read by the image reading section  6  is transmitted to the document management apparatus  2  via the network  4 . Also, the original of the payment application  38  that has been read is bound and stored in a file. 
     On the other hand, the document management apparatus  2  receiving the image data (scan data) of the payment application  38  from the document generation apparatus  1  accumulates its image data in the database section  14 , and the image of the QR code  39  included in the image data is analyzed by the bar code analysis section  12 , whereby the decode information for the document ID assigned to the payment application  38  is extracted. The document ID acquired in this way is registered in the document management table by the document management control section  15 . The document management table is created within the database section  14 . 
       FIG. 34  is a view showing one example of the document management table. The document management table has the document ID, the document generation date and time, the document storage period and the document destruction and discarding date and time, which are registered associated with each other, as shown in  FIG. 34 . When the document generation date and time and the document destruction and discarding date and time are registered, it is desirable that the time is the standard time acquired from a time distribution server or a time authentication server on the Internet via the network  4 . The document ID may be registered by decoding the QR code in the bar code analysis section  12 , or when the document data with bar code is created on the document management apparatus  2  or another server apparatus, the document ID assigned to the document by the document management apparatus  2  itself, or another server apparatus may be registered. The document generation date and time indicates the date and time when the document is generated. In this embodiment, the date and time when the document generation apparatus  1  transmits the image data read from the document such as the payment application  38  to the document management apparatus  2 , or the document management apparatus  2  receives the image data of the document transmitted from the document generation apparatus  1  is registered as the “document generation date and time”. 
     The document storage period indicates the storage period of the document in date and time. It is required that the document with the document ID registered in the document management table is stored till the document storage period expires. However, if the document storage period is registered as “no designation”, the document is treated to be destroyed and discarded at any time, or if the document storage period is registered as “permanent”, the document is treated not to be destroyed and discarded at any time. 
     Generally, for the receipt, the storage period is decided by its received amount of money. Therefore, if the information for setting the document storage period, in addition to the information of the document ID, is contained in the QR code printed on the payment application, for example, the document storage period can be automatically set from the decode information of the bar code analysis section  12 . Specifically, if the information specifying the storage period of the payment application  38  as six years is contained in the QR code  39 , the document storage period can be set to the date and time after six years from the generation date and time of the payment application  38 . Besides, if the information indicating the received amount of money in the receipt attached on the payment application  38  is contained in the QR code  39 , the storage period of the receipt can be automatically deduced from that information, and set in the document storage period of the document management table. Further, the document storage period of the document management table can be set or changed by manual input (manual operation) of the user, employing the user interface  16  provided for the document management apparatus  2 . 
     The document destruction and discarding date and time indicates the date and time when the document is destroyed and discarded. The destruction and discarding of the document is performed by the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . Therefore, the document destruction and discarding date and time of the document management table is registered in the date and time when a notification of completing the destruction and discarding of the document (hereinafter referred to a “destruction and discarding completion notification”) is issued from the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  to the document management apparatus  2  by specifying the document ID of the document that is destroyed and discarded. 
     As for the document management table, the user ID of the user who creates the document on the document generation apparatus  1  may be registered as a document creator in the document management table, or the user ID of the user who destroys and discards the document on the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  may be registered as the person who destroys and discards the document in the document management table. In this case, the ID information of the user who creates or destroys and discards the document can be acquired employing the existent user authentication technique (e.g., user authentication technique employing the IC card). 
       FIG. 35  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for destroying and discarding the document according to the mechanical embodiment 4 of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . This document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  has a normal destruction and discarding mode in which the document destruction and discarding process is performed without reading the document ID (QR code in this embodiment) of the document of destruction and discarding object and a scan destruction and discarding mode in which the document destruction and discarding process is performed by reading the document ID of the document of destruction and discarding object and making an inquiry for document destruction and discarding permission to the document management apparatus  2  with the read document ID designated, if the destruction and discarding permission is given from the document management apparatus  2 . And the flowchart of  FIG. 35  represents the processing procedure in the scan destruction and discarding mode. 
     In the normal destruction and discarding mode, when the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is on standby, and the start button provided on the operation panel  31  is pressed by the user, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  instructs the stopper drive section  33 , the feeder driver section  34  and the shredder drive section  35  to start the driving to open the stopper gate  20 , and start the driving of the feed rolls  21  and  22  and the shredder portion  24 . Thereby, if the user who uses the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  lays the document of destruction and discarding object on the document tray portion  17  and inserts it deeply, the leading edge of the document is nipped by the feed rolls  21 , pulled into the inside of the apparatus, directly conveyed by the feed rolls  21  and  22 , and shredded by the shredder portion  24 . 
     Also, if the stop button of the operation panel  31  is depressed by the user after the start button of the operation panel  31  is depressed, or a predetermined time passes since the start button is depressed, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  instructs the stopper drive section  33 , the feeder drive section  34  and the shredder drive section  35  to stop the driving to restore the stopper gate  20  to the closed state, and stop the driving of the feed rolls  21  and  22  and the shredder portion  24 . Thereby, the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  returns to a standby state again. 
     On the contrary, in the scan destruction and discarding mode, the user who uses the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  lays the document of destruction and discarding object on the document tray portion  17  and inserts it deeply. At this time, if the QR code  39  is printed on the document of destruction and discarding object, the document  27  is inserted in an orientation where the print face of the QR code  39  is on the top face (face upward) and the printed part of the QR code  39  is on the downstream side (deep side) in the thrusting direction, as shown in  FIG. 31 . 
     Herein, if the document  27  laid on the document tray portion  17  is an old document repeatedly perused, or the document circulated around many departments, the corner part of the document  27  often turns up, as shown in  FIG. 36A . If the turn-up of the document occurs at the corner part near the printed part of the QR code  30  as shown in  FIG. 36B , a turned up part  27 A of the document  27  is pushed against a document insertion opening (document uptake opening)  64  into which the document  52  is inserted by manual insertion of the user, and the turned up part  27 A is directly folded out and inserted into the deeper side of the document insertion opening. Then, a part of the QR code  27  is hidden because the turned up part  27 A of the document  27  is folded out, as shown in  FIG. 36C . As a result, the QR code  30  of the document  27  can not normally read by the bar code scanner  19 . 
     Thus, in the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  according to this embodiment, a document uptake chute  650  is provided near the document insertion opening, integrally with or separately from the unit cover  290  of the scan unit  270 , as shown in  FIG. 37 . The document uptake chute  650  is a member for correcting the turn-up of the document, when the turned up part  27 A occurs at the leading edge of the document  27  laid on the document tray portion  17 . 
     The document uptake chute  650  is provided to project from the front end part of the unit cover  290  to the horizontal guide plane  17 A of the document tray portion  17 . Also, the document uptake chute  650  has integrally a guide plane  650 A disposed in parallel to the inclined guide plane  17 B of the document tray portion  17 . The guide plane  650 A is disposed like a pent-roof above the document insertion opening, and formed to make a predetermined angle θ with the horizontal guide plane  17 A of the document tray portion  17 . The predetermined angle θ is set appropriately within a range from 15° to 30°, for example. The vertical gap between the horizontal guide plane  17 A of the document tray portion  17  and the guide plane  650 A of the document uptake chute  650  is gradually smaller toward the deep side of the document insertion opening in accordance with this angle θ. 
     By providing this document uptake chute  650  in the document insertion opening, even if the turned up part  27 A occurs at the top end part of the document  27  laid on the document tray portion  17 , the turned up part  27 A of the document  27  is gradually pressed down while making contact with the guide plane  650 A of the document uptake chute  650 , when this document  27  is thrust into the document insertion opening by manual insertion of the user. Therefore, the turned up part  27 A of the document  27  is not folded out, and is corrected by the document uptake chute  650 . Accordingly, the QR code  39  of the document  27  can be normally read by the bar code scanner  19 . 
     If the document is thrust in the above way, a signal of the insert sensor  18  is switched from the off state to the on state immediately before the leading edge of the document is pushed against the stopper gate  20 . At this time, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  continually monitors the signal (on/off state) of the insert sensor  18  while the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is on standby (step S 401 ). If the insert sensor  18  is turned on when the user inserts (thrusts) the document, an instruction of reading the bar code is issued to the bar code scanner  19 . And the bar code scanner  19  reads the QR code printed on the document in accordance with this reading instruction (step S 402 ). Then, the QR code printed on the document can be confronted with the bar code scanner  19  by suppressing the floating of the document with a first weight member  330  and a second weight member  340  at the top end side of the document, especially at the reading position (code reading area E) of the QR code with the bar code scanner  19 . Accordingly, the bar code scanner  19  can securely read the QR code. 
     Next, the document destruction and discarding control section  57  judges whether or not the reading of the QR code is successful (step S 403 ). Whether or not the reading of the QR code is successful is judged based on whether or not the document ID is normally decoded by the bar code scanner  19  from the QR code printed on the document. There are mainly two cases where the bar code scanner  19  fails in reading the QR code. The first case occurs when the QR code is not originally printed on the document, or when the QR code does not exist in the code reading area E (see  FIG. 31 ) (case of no code) because the orientation of inserting the document (face up or down, or from the top end or rear end of the document) is unsuitable. The second case occurs when the QR code exists in the code reading area E but the QR code is remarkably contaminated or broken, or when the decode information of the QR code does not contain the document ID (case of code defect). 
     If the reading of the QR code is successful (Yes at step S 403 ), an inquiry as to whether or not the document specified by the document ID contained in this QR code is permitted to destroy and discard is made to the document management apparatus  2  (step S 404 ). The inquiry for the document destruction and discarding permission is made by creating an inquiry message for destruction and discarding permission with the document ID contained in the QR code read by the bar code scanner  19  designated, and transmitting this inquiry message from the network interface  37  via the network  4  to the document management apparatus  2 . That is, the inquiry for the document destruction and discarding permission means the inquiry as to whether or not the document specified by the document ID designated in this inquiry may be destroyed and discarded. In this connection, if the reading of the QR code is successful, the information contained in this QR code may be simply displayed on the operation panel  31 . 
     In the document management apparatus  2  receiving the inquiry message, the retrieval section  13  retrieves whether or not the document ID designated in the inquiry message is registered in the document management table. If the applicable document ID exists, the document storage period registered associated with the document ID is checked. And if the date and time (inquiry date and time) when the inquiry for document destruction and discarding permission is received from the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  passes the document storage period, an answer message indicating that the document destruction and discarding permission is given to the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is returned. Also, if the data and time when the inquiry for document destruction and discarding permission is received from the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  does not pass the document storage period, an answer message indicating that the document destruction and discarding permission is not given to the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  (the destruction and discarding of the document is inhibited) is returned. 
     Thus, if the answer message is returned from the document management apparatus  2 , the document destruction and discarding control section  36  receives that answer message via the network interface  37 , and checks whether or not the content of the answer message gives the destruction and discarding permission for the document upon the inquiry from the self-apparatus (document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ) (step S 405 ). And if the answer message gives the destruction and discarding permission for the document, a prepared guidance for document permission (guide message) is displayed on the operation panel  31 , and then an instruction of opening the stopper gate  20  is issued to the stopper drive section  33  to open the stopper gate  20  (steps S 406  and S 407 ). At this time, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  instructs the feeder drive section  34  to start rotating the feed rolls  21  and  22 , and the feeder drive section  34  starts driving the rotation of the feed rolls  21  and  22  in accordance with this instruction. One example of the destruction and discarding permission guidance may be “This document is destroyed and discarded. Insert the document more deeply.” 
     Thereafter, if the user thrusts in the document in accordance with the guidance displayed on the operation panel  31 , the leading edge of the document is pushed against the nip part of the feed rolls  21 , and the document is fed into the downstream side on the document conveying path, along with the rotation of the feed rolls  21  (step S 408 ). Thus, the document fed by the feed rolls  21  is passed to the feed rolls  22  on the downstream side in the conveying direction, and conveyed to the shredder portion  24 , along with the rotation of the feed rolls  22 . At this time, the rear end of the document passes by the sensing position of the insert sensor  18 , so that the signal of the insert sensor  18  is switched from the on state to the off state. Then, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  instructs the stopper drive section  33  to return the stopper gate  20  at a preset timing (e.g., timing when the rear end of the document gets rid of the feed roll  21 ), and thereby restore the stopper gate  20  to its original state (closed state). 
     Also, the leading edge of the document passes by the sensing position of the path sensor  23  during the conveyance of the document by the feed rolls  22 , so that the path sensor  23  is switched from the off state to the on state. Then, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  makes an instruction of starting the driving to the shredder drive section  35 , and the shredder drive section  35  starts the driving of the shredder portion  24  upon receiving the instruction. Accordingly, the document fed by the feed rolls  22  is directly taken by the shredder portion  24 , and shredded through the shred process (destruction and discarding process) (step S 409 ). 
     Thereafter, the rear end of the document passes by the sensing position of the path sensor  23 , so that the path sensor  23  is switched from the on state to the off state. Then, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  transmits a message of destruction and discarding completion notification that the destruction and discarding of the document is completed to the document management apparatus  2  by designating the document ID of the document, for which the document destruction and discarding permission is given ahead, in a certain time since the path sensor  23  is turned off (specifically the time taken since the rear end of the document is taken into the shredder portion  24  till the entire document is shredded) (step S 410 ). The destruction and discarding completion notification message is transmitted via the network interface  37  across the network  4  to the document management apparatus  2 . On the contrary, the document management apparatus  2  receiving the destruction and discarding completion notification message from the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  registers the date and time when the message is received in the column of document destruction and discarding date and time as the destruction and discarding history information corresponding to the document ID designated in the message. 
     On the other hand, if the reading of the QR code is unsuccessful at step S 403 , a prepared reading impossible guidance is displayed on the operation panel  31  (step S 411 ). One example of the reading impossible guidance may be “A code reading error occurred. Pull out the document.” Also, if the document destruction and discarding permission is not given from the document management apparatus  2  at step S 405 , a prepared destruction and discarding impermissible guidance is displayed on the operation panel  31  (step S 412 ). One example of the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance may be “This document can not be destroyed and discarded, because the document storage period does not expire. Pull out the document.” Also, after the destruction and discarding completion notification is transmitted, the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  directly returns to the standby state. However, after the reading impossible guidance is displayed at step S 411 , or the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance is displayed at step S 412 , the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  returns to the standby state if the insert sensor  18  is switched form the on state to the off state (the user takes the document out of the document tray portion  17 ). 
     In the document management system as described above, the document ID appended to the document is managed corresponding to the document storage period in the document management apparatus  2 , in which when the document is destroyed and discarded employing the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 , the document ID contained in the QR code is acquired by reading the QR code printed on the document of destruction and discarding object with the bar code scanner  19 , an inquiry as to whether or not the document specified by this document ID is permitted to destroy and discard is made to the document management apparatus  2 , and if an answer content to this inquiry is to give a destruction and discarding permission, the destruction and discarding process for the document is performed in the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . Therefore, the person in charge does not need to confirm the possibility of destroying and discarding the document every time as conventionally performed, and the document in which the storage period has expired can be securely destroyed and discarded. Also, it is possible to avoid falsely destroying and discarding the document due to an artificial check error. 
     Also, for the document generated employing the document generation apparatus  1 , the document ID appended to the document is managed corresponding to the document storage period in the document management apparatus  2 , whereby the document can be managed consistently from the generation to the destruction and discarding of the document. 
     Also, when the destruction and discarding process (shredding process) for the document is made in the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 , a message of destruction and discarding completion notification with the document ID of the document designated is transmitted to the document management apparatus  2 , and the document management apparatus  2  receiving its notification message registers the document destruction and discarding date and time as the destruction and discarding history information corresponding to the applicable document ID in the document management table, whereby the date and time when the document is actually destroyed and discarded can be left as the history, together with the fact that the document is destroyed and discarded. Moreover, the user ID information of the person who disposes of document in charge of destroying and discarding the document can be acquired by the user authentication technique and left as one destruction and discarding history information. As a result, it is possible to confirm later when and by whom the document designated by the certain document ID is destroyed and discarded. 
     Also, when the document generation process (printing process) is performed in the document generation apparatus  1 , the date and time when the document is generated and the user ID information of the document creator in charge of generating the document are registered along with the document ID of the document in the document management table of the document management apparatus  2 , whereby it is possible to confirm later when and by whom the document designated by the certain document ID is destroyed and discarded. 
     Since the scan unit  270  comprising the insert sensor  18 , the bar code scanner  19  and the stopper gate  20  is removably mounted on the apparatus main body  250  (upper cover  260 ) of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 , the apparatus main body  250  from which the scan unit  270  is removed is treated as standard equipment and the scan unit  270  may be optionally retrofitted to the apparatus main body  250  on the configuration for the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . 
     While the QR code including the document ID is printed on the document in the above embodiment, the invention is not limited thereto, but the number or symbol indicating the document ID may be printed on the document. Also, the appendage of the document ID on the document is not limited to printing, but the document ID may be appended by labeling on the document. 
     While the document is fed via the feed rolls  21  and  22  to the shredder portion  24  in the first to fourth mechanical embodiments of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  as described above, the document is fed to the shredder portion  24  without intervention of the feed rolls  21  and  22  in the fifth to fourteenth embodiments as described below. The explanation of the same components as in the first to fourth embodiments is omitted. 
     To begin with, the following five mechanical embodiments in which the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is configured to destroy and discard only the document permitted for destruction and discarding, and the careless destruction and discarding of the document impermissible for destruction and discarding is prevented will be described below. 
     Fifth Mechanical Embodiment 
       FIG. 38  is a schematic view showing a fifth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . 
     This document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is constructed employing a shredder device, for example, and comprises a document tray portion  17 , an insert sensor  18 , a bar code scanner  19  and a shredder portion  24 , in which the document is manually inserted and directly passed to the shredder portion  24 . They have the same constitution as in the above mechanical embodiments, and the explanation of them is omitted. 
       FIG. 39  is a block diagram showing the fifth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . 
     The document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  comprises an operation panel  31 , a shredder drive section  35 , a document destruction and discarding control section  36 , and a network interface  37 , in addition to the components as described above. 
     They have the same constitution as in the above mechanical embodiments, and the explanation of them is omitted. 
       FIG. 40  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for destroying and discarding the document in the fifth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . The process of the document management apparatus  2  is the same as those of the above mechanical embodiments, and its explanation is omitted. 
     The document destruction and discarding control section  36  continually monitors the signal (on/off state) of the insert sensor  18  while the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is on standby (step S 501 ). If the insert sensor  18  is turned on when the user manually inserts the document, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  issues an instruction of reading the bar code to the bar code scanner  19 . And the bar code scanner  19  reads the QR code printed on the document in accordance with this reading instruction (step S 502 ). 
     Next, as for the document specified by the document ID contained in the read QR code, an inquiry as to whether or not the destruction and discarding of the document is permitted is made to the document management apparatus  2  (step S 503 ). The inquiry for document destruction and discarding permission is made by creating an inquiry message for destruction and discarding permission with the document ID contained in the QR code read by the bar code scanner  19  designated and transmitting this inquiry message from the network interface  37  via the network  4  to the document management apparatus  2 . 
     And if the answer message is to give the document destruction and discarding permission, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  makes an instruction of starting the driving to the shredder drive section  35 , and the shredder drive section  35  starts to drive the shredder portion  24  upon receiving this instruction. Accordingly, the document fed by manual insertion is directly taken into the shredder portion  24 , and shredded through the shred process (destruction and discarding process) (step S 504 ). Before making an instruction of starting the driving to the shredder drive section  35 , as in the above mechanical embodiment, it may be also possible to confirm whether or not the content of the answer message is to give the destruction and discarding permission for the document to the inquiry from the self-apparatus (document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ). 
     Thereafter, the rear end of the document passes by the sensing position of the insert sensor  18 , so that the insert sensor  18  is switched from the on state to the off state. Then, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  transmits a message of destruction and discarding completion notification that the destruction and discarding of the document is completed to the document management apparatus  2  by designating the document ID of the document, for which the document destruction and discarding permission is given ahead, in a certain time since the insert sensor  18  is turned off (specifically the time taken since the rear end of the document is taken into the shredder portion  24  till the entire document is shredded) (step S 505 ). 
     On the other hand, if the destruction and discarding permission for the document is not given from the document management apparatus  2  (no answer, destruction and discarding inhibition) at step S 503 , a prepared destruction and discarding impermissible guidance to report that the destruction and discarding of the document is not permitted is displayed on the operation panel  31  (step S 506 ). One example of the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance may be “Destruction and discarding of this document is inhibited for some reason. Pull out the document.” It is desirable that the report includes the reason. Also, after the destruction and discarding completion notification is transmitted, the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  directly returns to the standby state. However, after the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance is displayed at step S 506 , the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  returns to the standby state if the insert sensor  18  is switched form the on state to the off state (the user takes the document out of the document tray portion  17 ). 
     In this mechanical embodiment, if the answer (message) is to give the destruction and discarding permission for the document, the driving of the shredder portion  24  is immediately started. However, in the case where the driving of the shredder portion  24  is made by another means (start button), the driving of the shredder portion  24  may be released from the regulated state, if the answer (message) is to give the destruction and discarding permission for the document. 
     Sixth Mechanical Embodiment 
       FIG. 41  is a schematic view showing a sixth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . 
     This document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is constructed employing a shredder device, for example, and comprises a document tray portion  17 , a bar code scanner  19 , a shredder portion  24 , a set sensor  32 , and the conveying rolls  60 , in which the document is fed to the shredder portion  24  by the conveying rolls  60 . 
     The bar code scanner  19  is provided on the document tray and reads the QR code from below. In this type, it is required that the document is laid on the document tray  17  so that the QR code of the document may be on the lower side. The bar code scanner  19  may read the QR code from above as in the above embodiments. 
     The conveying rolls  60  convey the document along the conveying path to the shredder portion  24  by rotating in contact with the lower side of the document. The other constitution is the same as in the above mechanical embodiments, and its explanation is omitted. 
       FIG. 42  is a block diagram showing the sixth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . 
     The document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  comprises an operation panel  31 , a shredder drive section  35 , a document destruction and discarding control section  36 , a network interface  37 , and a conveying roll drive section  61 , in addition to the components as described above. The conveying roll drive section  61  drives the conveying rolls  60 . 
     The other constitution is the same as in the above mechanical embodiments, and its explanation is omitted. 
     Instead of the conveying roll drive section  61  and the conveying rolls  60 , the pull-in roll  43  and the pull-in drive section  48  may be applied. 
       FIG. 43  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for destroying and discarding the document in the sixth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . The process of the document management apparatus  2  is the same as those of the above mechanical embodiments, and its explanation is omitted. 
     The document destruction and discarding control section  36  continually monitors the signal (on/off state) of the set sensor  32  while the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is on standby (step S 601 ). If the set sensor  32  is turned on when the user lays the document on the document tray portion  17 , the document destruction and discarding control section  36  issues an instruction of reading the bar code to the bar code scanner  19 . And the bar code scanner  19  reads the QR code printed on the document in accordance with this reading instruction (step S 602 ). 
     Next, as for the document specified by the document ID contained in the read QR code, an inquiry as to whether or not the destruction and discarding of the document is permitted is made to the document management apparatus  2  (step S 603 ). The inquiry for document destruction and discarding permission is made by creating an inquiry message for destruction and discarding permission with the document ID contained in the QR code read by the bar code scanner  19  designated and transmitting this inquiry message from the network interface  37  via the network  4  to the document management apparatus  2 . 
     And if the answer message is to give the document destruction and discarding permission, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  instructs the conveying roll drive section  61  to start the driving, and the conveying roll drive section  61  starts to drive the conveying rolls  60  to convey the document to the shredder portion  24  (step S 604 ). Concurrently, the shredder drive section  36  also starts to drive the shredder portion  24  (step S 605 ). Accordingly, the document is directly conveyed to the shredder portion  24 , taken in, and shredded there. It may be also possible to confirm whether or not the content of the answer message is to give a destruction and discarding permission for the document to the inquiry from the self-apparatus (document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ) before making an instruction of starting the driving to the conveying roll drive section  61 , as in the above mechanical embodiments. 
     While the shredder portion  24  starts to be driven at the same time the conveying roll drive section starts to drive in this mechanical embodiment, the shredder portion  24  needs to be driven when the document is conveyed, and may be driven at the preceding or succeeding timing. 
     Thereafter, the rear end of the document passes by the sensing position of the set sensor  32 , so that the set sensor  32  is switched from the on state to the off state. Then, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  transmits a message of destruction and discarding completion notification that the destruction and discarding of the document is completed to the document management apparatus  2  by designating the document ID of the document, for which the document destruction and discarding permission is given ahead, in a certain time since the set sensor is turned off (specifically the time taken since the rear end of the document is taken into the shredder portion  24  till the entire document is shredded) (step S 606 ). 
     On the other hand, if the destruction and discarding permission for the document is not given from the document management apparatus  2  (no answer, destruction and discarding inhibition) at step S 603 , a prepared destruction and discarding impermissible guidance to report that the destruction and discarding of the document is not permitted is displayed on the operation panel  31  (step S 607 ). One example of the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance may be “Destruction and discarding of this document is inhibited for some reason. Pull out the document.” It is desirable that the report includes the reason. Also, after the destruction and discarding completion notification is transmitted, the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  immediately returns to the standby state. However, after the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance is displayed at step S 607 , the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  returns to the standby state if the set sensor  32  is switched form the on state to the off state (the user takes the document out of the document tray portion  17 ). 
     In this mechanical embodiment, if the answer (message) is to give the destruction and discarding permission for the document, the driving of the conveying roll drive section  61  is immediately started in this mechanical embodiment. However, in the case where the driving of the conveying roll drive section  61  is made by another means (start button), the driving of the conveying roll drive section  61  may be released from the regulated state, if the answer (message) is to give the destruction and discarding permission for the document. 
     Seventh Mechanical Embodiment 
       FIG. 44  is a schematic view showing a seventh mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . 
     This document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is constructed employing a shredder device, for example, and comprises a document tray portion  17 , an insert sensor  18 , a bar code scanner  19 , a shredder portion  24 , and a report portion  70 , in which the document is directly fed to the shredder portion  24  by manual insertion. 
     The report portion  70  has a display portion  71  for displaying and reporting whether or not the document may be destroyed and discarded, and a sound source portion  72  for reporting whether or not the document may be destroyed and discarded in sound (voice). 
     The report portion  70  may be any one of the display portion  71  and the sound source portion  72 . 
     The other constitution is the same as in the above mechanical embodiments, and its explanation is omitted. 
       FIG. 45  is a block diagram showing the seventh mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . 
     The document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  comprises an operation panel  31 , a shredder drive section  35 , a document destruction and discarding control section  36 , a network interface  37 , and a report control section  73 , in addition to the components as described above. The report control section  73  controls the display portion  71  in the report portion  70  to display, and controls the sound source  72 . The other constitution is the same as in the above mechanical embodiments, and its explanation is omitted. 
       FIG. 46  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for destroying and discarding the document in the seventh mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . The process of the document management apparatus is the same as those of the above mechanical embodiments, and its explanation is omitted. 
     The document destruction and discarding control section  36  continually monitors the signal (on/off state) of the insert sensor  18  while the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is on standby (step S 701 ). If the insert sensor  18  is turned on when the user inserts the document, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  issues an instruction of reading the bar code to the bar code scanner  19 . And the bar code scanner  19  reads the QR code printed on the document in accordance with this reading instruction (step S 702 ). 
     Next, as for the document specified by the document ID contained in the read QR code, an inquiry as to whether or not the destruction and discarding of the document is permitted is made to the document management apparatus  2  (step S 703 ). The inquiry for document destruction and discarding permission is made by creating an inquiry message for destruction and discarding permission with the document ID contained in the QR code read by the bar code scanner  19  designated and transmitting this inquiry message from the network interface  37  via the network  4  to the document management apparatus  2 . 
     And if the answer message is to give the document destruction and discarding permission, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  instructs the report control section  73  to start the reporting, and the report control section  73  starts to make a report with the report portion  70  (display portion  71 , sound source  72 ) upon receiving this instruction. And a message “Insert the document deeply.” is displayed on the display portion  71 , and a sound (voice, permission sound) informing that the document may be destroyed and discarded is made by the sound source  72  (step S 704 ). Concurrently, the driving of the shredder portion  24  is started (step S 705 ). Accordingly, the document is directly conveyed to the shredder portion  24  by the user, taken in, and shredded there. It may be also possible to confirm whether or not the content of the answer message is to give a destruction and discarding permission for the document to the inquiry from the self-apparatus (document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ) before making an instruction of starting the report to the report control section  73 , as in the above mechanical embodiments. 
     While the shredder drive section  35  starts the driving at the same time when the report portion  70  (display portion  71 , sound source  72 ) starts the report in this mechanical embodiment, the shredder drive section  35  needs to be driven when the document is conveyed to the shredder portion  24 , and may be driven at the preceding or succeeding timing when the report portion  70  (display portion  71 , sound source  72 ) starts the report. 
     Thereafter, the rear end of the document passes by the sensing position of the insert sensor  18 , so that the insert sensor  18  is switched from the on state to the off state. Then, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  transmits a message of destruction and discarding completion notification that the destruction and discarding of the document is completed to the document management apparatus  2  by designating the document ID of the document, for which the document destruction and discarding permission is given ahead, in a certain time since the insert sensor is turned off (specifically the time taken since the rear end of the document is taken into the shredder portion  24  till the entire document is shredded) (step S 706 ). 
     On the other hand, if the destruction and discarding permission for the document is not given from the document management apparatus  2  (no answer, destruction and discarding inhibition) at step S 703 , a prepared destruction and discarding impermissible guidance to report that the destruction and discarding of the document is not permitted is displayed on the operation panel  31  (step S 707 ). One example of the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance may be “Destruction and discarding of this document is inhibited for some reason. Pull out the document.” It is desirable that the report includes the reason. 
     Also, after the destruction and discarding completion notification is transmitted, the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  immediately returns to the standby state. However, after the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance is displayed at step S 707 , the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  returns to the standby state if the insert sensor  18  is switched form the on state to the off state (the user takes the document out of the document tray portion  17 ). 
     In this mechanical embodiment, if the answer (message) is to give the destruction and discarding permission for the document, the report portion  70  (display portion  71 , sound source  72 ) immediately starts the report in this mechanical embodiment. However, in the case where the reporting of the report portion  70  (display portion  71 , sound source  72 ) is made by another means (start button), the reporting of the report portion  70  (display portion  71 , sound source  72 ) may be released from the regulated state, if the answer (message) is to give the destruction and discarding permission for the document. 
     Eighth Mechanical Embodiment 
       FIG. 47  is a schematic view showing an eighth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . 
     This document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is constructed employing a shredder device, for example, and comprises a document tray portion  17 , an insert sensor  18 , a bar code scanner  19 , a shredder portion  24 , and a branch gate  45 , in which the document is directly fed to the shredder portion  24  by manual insertion. 
     The branch gate  45  switches the path on which the document is conveyed into a shredder conveying path  80  on which the document is conveyed to the shredder portion  24  and an upper conveying path  81  on which the document is conveyed upward from the shredder portion  24 , as shown in  FIG. 48 . While the branch gate  45  is switched into the upper conveying path  81  extending upward from the shredder portion  24  in this mechanical embodiment, the branch gate  45  may be switched into any other path (e.g., path under the shredder portion  24 ) as long as the path does not lead to the shredder portion  24 . Also, in a state where the branch gate  45  is positioned downward, the top end part enters into a groove portion  82 . In this case, the document is prevented from entering under the branch gate  45 . The other constitution is the same as in the above mechanical embodiments, and its explanation is omitted. 
       FIG. 49  is a block diagram showing the eighth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . 
     The document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  comprises an operation panel  31 , a shredder drive section  35 , a document destruction and discarding control section  36 , a network interface  37 , and a branch gate drive section  49 , in addition to the components as described above. They are the same as in the above embodiments, and its explanation is omitted. 
       FIG. 50  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for destroying and discarding the document in the eighth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . The process of the document management apparatus  2  is the same as those of the above mechanical embodiments, and its explanation is omitted. 
     The document destruction and discarding control section  36  continually monitors the signal (on/off state) of the insert sensor  18  while the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is on standby (step S 801 ). If the insert sensor  18  is turned on when the user inserts the document, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  issues an instruction of reading the bar code to the bar code scanner  19 . And the bar code scanner  19  reads the QR code printed on the document in accordance with this reading instruction (step S 802 ). 
     Next, as for the document specified by the document ID contained in the read QR code, an inquiry as to whether or not the destruction and discarding of the document is permitted is made to the document management apparatus  2  (step S 803 ). The inquiry for document destruction and discarding permission is made by creating an inquiry message for destruction and discarding permission with the document ID contained in the QR code read by the bar code scanner  19  designated and transmitting this inquiry message from the network interface  37  via the network  4  to the document management apparatus  2 . 
     And if the answer message is to give the document destruction and discarding permission, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  instructs the branch gate drive section  49  to change the path, and the branch gate drive section  49  starts to change the path with the branch gate  45  upon receiving this instruction. That is, the path on which the document is conveyed is switched from the upper conveying path  81  extending upward from the shredder portion  24  into the shredder conveying path  80  toward the shredder portion  24  (see  FIG. 48 ) (step S 804 ). Concurrently, the driving of the shredder drive section  35  is started (step S 805 ). Accordingly, the document is directly conveyed on the shredder conveying path  80  to the shredder portion  24 , taken in, and shredded there. 
     It may be also possible to confirm whether or not the content of the answer message is to give a destruction and discarding permission for the document to the inquiry from the self-apparatus (document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ) before making an instruction of changing the path to the branch gate drive section  49 , as in the above mechanical embodiments. 
     While the shredder drive section  35  starts the driving at the same time the branch gate drive section  49  starts to change the path in this mechanical embodiment, the shredder portion  24  needs to be driven when the document is conveyed, and may be driven at the preceding or succeeding timing. 
     Thereafter, the rear end of the document passes by the sensing position of the insert sensor  18 , so that the insert sensor  18  is switched from the on state to the off state. Then, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  transmits a message of destruction and discarding completion notification that the destruction and discarding of the document is completed to the document management apparatus  2  by designating the document ID of the document, for which the document destruction and discarding permission is given ahead, in a certain time since the insert sensor is turned off (specifically the time taken since the rear end of the document is taken into the shredder portion  24  till the entire document is shredded) (step S 806 ). 
     On the other hand, if the destruction and discarding permission for the document is not given from the document management apparatus  2  (no answer, destruction and discarding inhibition) at step S 803 , a prepared destruction and discarding impermissible guidance to report that the destruction and discarding of the document is not permitted is displayed on the operation panel  31  (step S 807 ). One example of the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance may be “Destruction and discarding of this document is inhibited for some reason. Pull out the document.” It is desirable that the report includes the reason. Also, after the destruction and discarding completion notification is transmitted, the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  immediately returns to the standby state. However, after the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance is displayed at step S 807 , the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  returns to the standby state if the insert sensor  18  is switched form the on state to the off state (the user takes the document out of the document tray portion  17 ). 
     In this mechanical embodiment, if the answer (message) is to give the destruction and discarding permission for the document, the branch gate drive section  49  immediately starts to change the path. However, in the case where the reporting of the branch gate drive section  49  is made by another means (start button), the driving of the branch gate drive section  49  may be released from the regulated state, if the answer (message) is to give the destruction and discarding permission for the document, whereby there is the same effect. 
     Ninth Mechanical Embodiment 
       FIG. 51  is a schematic view showing a ninth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . 
     This document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is constructed employing a shredder device, for example, and comprises a document tray portion  17 , an insert sensor  18 , a bar code scanner  19 , a shredder portion  24 , and a stopper gate  20 , in which the document is directly fed to the shredder portion  24  by manual insertion. 
     The stopper gate  20  has the same constitution as in the above mechanical embodiment, and the explanation is omitted. The other constitution is the same as in the above mechanical embodiments, and its explanation is omitted. 
     The stopper gate  20  only needs to physically stop the conveyance of the document, and is not limited to this form (e.g., the stopper gate may press the document in one conveying direction and regulate the document from being conveyed.) 
       FIG. 52  is a block diagram showing the ninth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . 
     The document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  comprises an operation panel  31 , a shredder drive section  35 , a document destruction and discarding control section  36 , a network interface  37 , and a stopper drive section  33 , in addition to the components as described above. They are the same as in the above embodiments, and its explanation is omitted. 
       FIG. 53  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for destroying and discarding the document in the ninth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . The process of the document management apparatus is the same as those of the above mechanical embodiments, and its explanation is omitted. 
     The document destruction and discarding control section  36  continually monitors the signal (on/off state) of the insert sensor  18  while the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is on standby (step S 901 ). If the insert sensor  18  is turned on when the user inserts the document, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  issues an instruction of reading the bar code to the bar code scanner  19 . And the bar code scanner  19  reads the QR code printed on the document in accordance with this reading instruction (step S 902 ). 
     Next, as for the document specified by the document ID contained in the read QR code, an inquiry as to whether or not the destruction and discarding of the document is permitted is made to the document management apparatus  2  (step S 903 ). The inquiry for document destruction and discarding permission is made by creating an inquiry message for destruction and discarding permission with the document ID contained in the QR code read by the bar code scanner  19  designated and transmitting this inquiry message from the network interface  37  via the network  4  to the document management apparatus  2 . 
     And if the answer message is to give the document destruction and discarding permission, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  instructs the stopper drive section  33  to lift the stopper gate  20 , and the stopper drive section  33  starts to lift the stopper gate  20  upon receiving this instruction. That is, the stopper gate  20  is placed from the state of closing the conveying path to the state of opening the conveying path (step S 904 ). Concurrently, the driving of the shredder drive section  35  is started (step S 905 ). Accordingly, the document is directly conveyed to the shredder portion  24 , taken in, and shredded there. 
     It may be also possible to confirm whether or not the content of the answer message is to give a destruction and discarding permission for the document to the inquiry from the self-apparatus (document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ) before making an instruction of starting the driving to the stopper drive section  33 , as in the above mechanical embodiments. While the shredder drive section  35  starts the driving at the same time the stopper drive section  33  starts the driving in this mechanical embodiment, the shredder portion  24  needs to be driven when the document is conveyed, and may be driven at the preceding or succeeding timing. 
     Thereafter, the rear end of the document passes by the sensing position of the insert sensor  18 , so that the insert sensor  18  is switched from the on state to the off state. Then, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  transmits a message of destruction and discarding completion notification that the destruction and discarding of the document is completed to the document management apparatus  2  by designating the document ID of the document, for which the document destruction and discarding permission is given ahead, in a certain time since the insert sensor is turned off (specifically the time taken since the rear end of the document is taken into the shredder portion  24  till the entire document is shredded) (step S 906 ). 
     On the other hand, if the destruction and discarding permission for the document is not given from the document management apparatus  2  (no answer, destruction and discarding inhibition) at step S 903 , a prepared destruction and discarding impermissible guidance to report that the destruction and discarding of the document is not permitted is displayed on the operation panel  31  (step S 907 ). One example of the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance may be “Destruction and discarding of this document is inhibited for some reason. Pull out the document.” It is desirable that the report includes the reason. 
     Also, after the destruction and discarding completion notification is transmitted, the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  immediately returns to the standby state. However, after the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance is displayed at step S 907 , the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  returns to the standby state if the insert sensor  18  is switched form the on state to the off state (the user takes the document out of the document tray portion  17 ). 
     In this mechanical embodiment, if the answer (message) is to give the destruction and discarding permission for the document, the stopper drive section immediately starts the upward movement operation of the stopper gate  20 . However, in the case where the upward movement operation of the stopper gate  20  is made by another means (start button), the upward movement operation of the stopper gate  20  may be released from the regulated state, if the answer (message) is to give the destruction and discarding permission for the document. 
     Herein, another form of the stopper gate  20  and another form of the dropper drive section  33  will be described below. 
       FIG. 54  is a schematic view showing another form of the stopper gate  20 . 
     The stopper gate  20  as shown in (A) has fundamentally the same constitution as that of the fourth embodiment. A different point is that an inclined portion  85  is formed in a region of a gate hole  470  on the slide plane, with which the document slides on the conveying path, on the downstream side (on the side of the shredder potion  24 ). Also, this inclined portion  85  is set to be lower than a region of the gate hole  470  on the upstream side. With such a constitution, the corner of the document is prevented from being caught in the gate hole  470 . 
     More particularly, in a case where the stopper gate  20  and the stopper portion  360  are integrally formed in a rectangular plate member, for example, one slender opening (or groove) conforming with this rectangular plate member is formed, considering that the conveying path of the document is fully intercepted. In this case, there is possibility that the document may be caught in the one slender opening (or groove). Thus, the stopper portion  360  is formed like a column, as in the fourth mechanical embodiment, and the opening (or groove) is correspondingly made short, whereby the document is prevented from entering. However, in the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  in which the documents of various sizes are destroyed and discarded, there is possibility that the corner of the document enters even in the short opening (or groove), whereby it is desired to have a structure for preventing the document from being trapped in such a manner that the downstream side of the gate hole  470  is inclined or made lower than the upstream side as in this form. 
     The stopper gate  20  as shown in (B) has a swinging portion  86  in which one end of the conveying path on the downstream side is attached to be vertically swung around a swinging axis  87 . At the other end of the swinging portion  86 , a contact face  89  contacting with the document is formed. This contact face  89  is formed to be a vertical plane that is almost vertical in a state intercepting the conveying path. This is intended to prevent the swinging portion  86  from retracting, when the document is pushed into the contact face  89  in a direction toward the shredder portion  24 , and to force the swinging portion  86  to quickly retract in a state where the document is contact with the contact face  87 . Also, when the swinging portion  86  is located downward, a lower end of the top end part enters in the groove  88  to prevent the document from entering under the swinging portion  86 . 
       FIG. 55  is a schematic view further showing another form of the stopper gate  20 . 
       FIG. 55A  is a schematic view of the stopper gate  20  as seen from an advancing direction (front face) of the document, and  FIG. 55B  is a schematic view of the paper tray  17  as seen from above. 
     Herein, the stopper gate  20  is fundamentally the same as in the fourth mechanical embodiment. A different point is that the number of columnar gate portions  360  is different, in which five columnar gate portions  360  are provided in this form (two in the fourth mechanical embodiment). The stopper gate  20  of this form stops the paper size of various standards at least two positions. That is, this constitution is desirable in consideration of the lighter weight of the stopper gate  20 , preventing the document of small size from passing through the columnar gate portions  360 , and stably stopping the conveyance of the document. 
       FIG. 56  is a schematic view showing another form of a drive mechanism of the stopper drive section  33 . 
     The stopper drive section  33  is fundamentally the same as in the fourth mechanical embodiment. A different point is that the lever ratio of a lever  91  (actuation arm  400  in the fourth mechanical embodiment) like L-character is different. The L-character lever  91  of this form is made freely swingable around the swinging axis  93 , in which the lever ratio is set such that L 1  may be greater than L 2 . With this constitution, a drive force of the stopper drive section  33  is expanded to drive the stopper gate  20 . Also, besides the L-character lever  91 , when the stopper drive section is connected via a gear, the drive force is expanded by setting the gear ratio. In this form, a solenoid is employed, but a motor may be employed as the drive source. Also, the stopper gate  20  is provided with a spring for pressing it down. This spring is provided so that the gate portion may be securely lowered. 
     In the stopper gate  20  of this form, the gate portion  360  is made smoothly movable in a state where the document is pressed against the gate portion  360 . In this case, the stopper drive section  33  is prevented from producing high output unnecessarily. 
       FIG. 57  is a view for explaining another form having the functions of both the eighth mechanical embodiment and the ninth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . 
     A basic constitution is the same as in the eighth mechanical embodiment. A different point is that a gate face  100  contacting the document is formed at the top end part of a branch gate  45 . Also, a branch gate opening portion  101  is formed on the conveying path so that the branch gate  45  may be movable downward. 
     Also, a processing procedure of this form as shown in  FIG. 58  is fundamentally the same as in the ninth mechanical embodiment. A different point is that step S 908  exists after step S 907 ′. That is, when the document is not given a destruction and discarding permission, the branch gate  45  is moved down to switch the conveying path into an upper conveying path  81 . In this case, when the destruction and discarding permission is not given, the document can be conveyed and easily taken out if the document is directly pushed. 
     Next, the following five mechanical embodiments will be described below in which the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is configured to prevent the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded, so that the document that must not be destroyed and discarded is prevented from being carelessly destroyed and discarded. 
     Tenth Mechanical Embodiment 
       FIG. 59  is a schematic view showing a tenth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . 
     This document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is constructed employing a shredder device, for example, and comprises a document tray portion  17 , an insert sensor  18 , a bar code scanner  19 , and a shredder portion  24 , in which the document is directly fed to the shredder portion  24  by manual insertion. 
     They have fundamentally the same constitution as in the fifth mechanical embodiment, except that the distance between the shredder portion  24  and the bar code scanner  19  is set to be longer than the fifth mechanical embodiment. This distance is set to prevent the document from being conveyed to the shredder portion  24  during the time of preventing the destruction and discarding of the document, because it takes some time to prevent the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded. The other constitution is the same as in the fifth mechanical embodiment, and its explanation is omitted. 
       FIG. 60  is a block diagram showing the tenth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . 
     The document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  comprises an operation panel  31 , a bar code scanner  19 , a shredder drive section  35 , a document destruction and discarding control section  36 , and a network interface  37 , in addition to the components as described above. They are the same as in the fifth mechanical embodiment, and its explanation is omitted. 
       FIG. 61  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for destroying and discarding the document in the tenth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . The process of the document management apparatus  2  is the same as those of the above mechanical embodiments, and its explanation is omitted. 
     The document destruction and discarding control section  36  continually monitors the signal (on/off state) of the insert sensor  18  while the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is on standby (step S 1001 ). If the insert sensor  18  is turned on when the user inserts the document, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  issues an instruction of starting the driving to the shredder drive section  35 . And the shredder drive section  35  starts to drive the shredder portion  24  upon receiving this instruction (step S 1002 ). At the same time, the document destruction and discarding control section  26  issues an instruction of reading the bar code to the bar code scanner  19 . And the bar code scanner  19  reads the QR code printed on the document in accordance with this reading instruction (step S 1003 ). 
     Next, as for the document specified by the document ID contained in the read QR code, an inquiry as to whether or not the document is regulated to destroy and discard is made to the document management apparatus  2  (step S 1004 ). The inquiry for a document destruction and discarding permission is made by creating an inquiry message for destruction and discarding regulation with the document ID contained in the QR code read by the bar code scanner  19  designated and transmitting this inquiry message from the network interface  37  via the network  4  to the document management apparatus  2 . 
     And if the answer message is to give the document destruction and discarding regulation, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  instructs the shredder drive section  35  to stop. Then, the shredder drive section  35  stops driving the shredder portion  24  upon receiving this instruction. To stop the shredder portion soon, the shredder portion  24  may be braked separately. Accordingly, the document fed by manual insertion is prevented from being taken into the shredder portion  24 , and thereby not shredded through the shred process, because the shredder portion  24  is stopped before it is conveyed to the shredder portion  24  (step S 1005 ). 
     It may be also possible to confirm whether or not the content of the answer message is to give a destruction and discarding regulation for the document to the inquiry from the self-apparatus (document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ) before making an instruction of stopping the driving to the shredder drive section  35 , as in the above mechanical embodiments. 
     Thereafter, a prepared destruction and discarding impermissible guidance to report that the destruction and discarding of the document is not permitted is displayed on the operation panel  31  (step S 1006 ). One example of the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance may be “Destruction and discarding of this document is inhibited for some reason. Pull out the document.” It is desirable that the report includes the reason. After the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance is displayed at step S 1006 , the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  returns to the standby state if the insert sensor  18  is switched form the on state to the off state (the user takes the document out of the document tray portion  17 ). 
     On the other hand, if the destruction and discarding regulation for the document is not given from the document management apparatus  2  (no answer, destruction and discarding permission) at step S 1004 , the document fed by manual insertion is directly conveyed to the shredder portion  24 , taken in, and shredded there. And the rear end of the document passes by the sensing position of the insert sensor  18 , so that the insert sensor  18  is switched from the on state to the off state. Then, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  transmits a message of destruction and discarding completion notification that the destruction and discarding of the document is completed to the document management apparatus  2  by designating the document ID of the document, for which the document destruction and discarding permission is given ahead, in a certain time since the insert sensor  18  is turned off (specifically the time taken since the rear end of the document is taken into the shredder portion  24  till the entire document is shredded) (step S 1007 ). 
     Eleventh Mechanical Embodiment 
       FIG. 62  is a schematic view showing an eleventh mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . 
     This document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is constructed employing a shredder device, for example, and comprises a document tray portion  17 , a bar code scanner  19 , a shredder portion  24 , a set sensor  32  and a conveying roll  60 , in which the document is fed to the shredder portion  24  by the conveying roll  60 . They have fundamentally the same constitution as in the sixth mechanical embodiment, except that the distance between the shredder portion  24  and the bar code scanner  19  is set to be longer than in the sixth mechanical embodiment. 
       FIG. 63  is a block diagram showing the eleventh mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . 
     The document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  comprises an operation panel  31 , a shredder drive section  35 , a document destruction and discarding control section  36 , a network interface  37 , and a conveying roll drive section  61 , in addition to the components as described above. They are the same as in the sixth mechanical embodiment, and its explanation is omitted. 
       FIG. 64  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for destroying and discarding the document in the eleventh mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . The process of the document management apparatus is the same as those of the above mechanical embodiments, and its explanation is omitted. 
     The document destruction and discarding control section  36  continually monitors the signal (on/off state) of the set sensor  32  while the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is on standby (step S 1101 ). If the set sensor  32  is turned on when the user lays the document on the document tray portion  17 , the document destruction and discarding control section  36  issues an instruction of starting the driving to the shredder drive section  35 . And the shredder drive section  35  starts to drive the shredder portion  24  upon receiving this instruction (step S 1102 ). At the same time, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  issues an instruction of starting the driving to the conveying roll drive section  61 . And the conveying roll drive section  61  starts to drive the conveying roll  60  upon receiving this instruction (step S 1103 ). Further, the document destruction and discarding control section  26  issues an instruction of reading the bar code to the bar code scanner  19 . And the bar code scanner  19  reads consecutively the QR codes printed on the documents in accordance with this reading instruction (step S 1104 ). 
     Next, as for the document specified by the document ID contained in the read QR code, an inquiry as to whether or not the document is regulated to destroy and discard is made to the document management apparatus  2  (step S 1105 ). The inquiry for document destruction and discarding regulation is made by creating an inquiry message for destruction and discarding regulation with the document ID contained in the QR code read by the bar code scanner  19  designated and transmitting this inquiry message from the network interface  37  via the network  4  to the document management apparatus  2 . 
     And if the answer message is to give the document destruction and discarding regulation, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  instructs the conveying roll drive section  61  to stop. Then, the conveying roll drive section  61  stops driving the conveying roll  60  upon receiving this instruction. To stop the conveying roll soon, the conveying roll  60  may be braked separately. Since the conveying roll  60  is stopped till the document is conveyed to the shredder portion  24 , the document is prevented from being taken into the shredder portion  24 , and thereby not shredded through the shred process (step S 1106 ). 
     It may be also possible to confirm whether or not the content of the answer message is to give a destruction and discarding regulation for the document to the inquiry from the self-apparatus (document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ) before making an instruction of stopping the driving to the conveying roll drive section  61 , as in the above mechanical embodiments. 
     Thereafter, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  makes an instruction of stopping driving the shredder portion  24  to the shredder drive section  35 , and the shredder portion  24  stops (S 1107 ). Also, a prepared destruction and discarding impermissible guidance to report that the destruction and discarding of the document is not permitted is displayed on the operation panel  31  (step S 1108 ). One example of the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance may be “Destruction and discarding of this document is inhibited for some reason. Pull out the document.” It is desirable that the report includes the reason. After the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance is displayed at step S 1107 , the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  returns to the standby state if the insert sensor  18  is switched form the on state to the off state (the user takes the document out of the document tray portion  17 ). 
     On the other hand, if the destruction and discarding regulation for the document is not given from the document management apparatus  2  (no answer, destruction and discarding permission) at step S 1105 , the document fed by manual insertion is directly conveyed to the shredder portion  24 , taken in, and shredded there. And the rear end of the document passes by the sensing position of the insert sensor  18 , so that the insert sensor  18  is switched from the on state to the off state. Then, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  transmits a message of destruction and discarding completion notification that the destruction and discarding of the document is completed to the document management apparatus  2  by designating the document ID of the document, for which the document destruction and discarding permission is given ahead, in a certain time since the insert sensor  18  is turned off (specifically the time taken since the rear end of the document is taken into the shredder portion  24  till the entire document is shredded) (step S 1109 ). 
     Twelfth Mechanical Embodiment 
       FIG. 65  is a schematic view showing a twelfth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . 
     This document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is constructed employing a shredder device, for example, and comprises a document tray portion  17 , an insert sensor  18 , a bar code scanner  19 , a shredder portion  24  and a report portion  70 , in which the document is fed to the shredder portion  24  by manual insertion. 
     They have fundamentally the same constitution as in the seventh mechanical embodiment, except that the distance between the shredder portion  24  and the bar code scanner  19  is set to be longer than in the seventh mechanical embodiment. This distance is set to prevent the document from being conveyed to the shredder portion  24  for a prevention time of destroying and discarding the document, because it takes some time to prevent the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded. The other constitution is the same as in the seventh mechanical embodiment, and its explanation is omitted. 
       FIG. 66  is a block diagram showing the twelfth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . 
     The document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  comprises an operation panel  31 , a shredder drive section  35 , a document destruction and discarding control section  36 , a network interface  37 , and a report control section  73 , in addition to the components as described above. They are the same as in the seventh mechanical embodiment, and its explanation is omitted. 
       FIG. 67  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for destroying and discarding the document in the twelfth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . The process of the document management apparatus is the same as those of the above mechanical embodiments, and its explanation is omitted. 
     The document destruction and discarding control section  36  continually monitors the signal (on/off state) of the insert sensor  18  while the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is on standby (step S 1201 ). If the insert sensor  18  is turned on when the user manually inserts the document, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  issues an instruction of starting the driving to the shredder drive section  35 . And the shredder drive section  35  starts to drive the shredder portion  24  upon receiving this instruction (step S 1202 ). At the same time, the document destruction and discarding control section  26  issues an instruction of reading the bar code to the bar code scanner  19 . And the bar code scanner  19  reads the QR code printed on the document in accordance with this reading instruction (step S 1203 ). 
     Next, as for the document specified by the document ID contained in the read QR code, an inquiry as to whether or not the document is regulated to destroy and discard is made to the document management apparatus  2  (step S 1204 ). The inquiry for document destruction and discarding regulation is made by creating an inquiry message for destruction and discarding regulation with the document ID contained in the QR code read by the bar code scanner  19  designated and transmitting this inquiry message from the network interface  37  via the network  4  to the document management apparatus  2 . 
     And if the answer message is to give the document destruction and discarding regulation, the report control section  73  starts to report with the report portion  70  (display portion  71 , sound source  72 ). And a destruction and discarding impossible guidance “Do not insert the document.” is displayed on the display portion  71 , and a buzzer sound (voice, regulation sound) alerting that the document must not be destroyed and discarded is issued by the sound source  72  to make a report for regulating the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded. 
     Accordingly, the user is informed that the document fed by manual insertion must not be destroyed and discarded before the document arrives at the shredder portion  24 , whereby the document is prevented from being taken into the shredder portion  24 , and shredded through the shred process (destruction and discarding process) (step S 1205 ). 
     It may be also possible to confirm whether or not the content of the answer message is to give a destruction and discarding regulation for the document to the inquiry from the self-apparatus (document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ) before making an instruction of starting the report to the report portion  70 , as in the above mechanical embodiments. 
     Thereafter, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  makes an instruction of stopping driving the shredder portion  24  to the shredder drive section  35 , and the shredder portion  24  stops (S 1206 ). 
     After the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance is displayed at step S 1206 , the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  returns to the standby state if the insert sensor  18  is switched form the on state to the off state (the user takes the document out of the document tray portion  17 ). 
     On the other hand, if the destruction and discarding regulation for the document is not given from the document management apparatus  2  (no answer, destruction and discarding permission) at step S 1204 , the document fed by manual insertion is directly conveyed to the shredder portion  24 , taken in, and shredded there. And the rear end of the document passes by the sensing position of the insert sensor  18 , so that the insert sensor  18  is switched from the on state to the off state. Then, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  transmits a message of destruction and discarding completion notification that the destruction and discarding of the document is completed to the document management apparatus  2  by designating the document ID of the document, for which the document destruction and discarding permission is given ahead, in a certain time since the insert sensor  18  is turned off (specifically the time taken since the rear end of the document is taken into the shredder portion  24  till the entire document is shredded) (step S 1207 ). 
     Thirteenth Mechanical Embodiment 
       FIG. 68  is a schematic view showing a thirteenth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . 
     This document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  comprises a document tray portion  17 , a bar code scanner  19 , a shredder portion  24  and a branch gate  45  for changing the conveying path of the document, in which the document is directly fed to the shredder portion  24  by manual insertion. 
     They have fundamentally the same constitution as in the eighth mechanical embodiment, except that the distance between the shredder portion  24  and the bar code scanner  19  is set to be longer than in the eighth mechanical embodiment. This distance is provided to prevent the document from being conveyed to the shredder portion  24  for a prevention time of destroying and discarding the document, because it takes some time to prevent the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded. The other constitution is the same as in the eighth mechanical embodiment, and its explanation is omitted. 
       FIG. 69  is a block diagram showing the thirteenth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . 
     The document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  comprises an operation panel  31 , a shredder drive section  35 , a document destruction and discarding control section  36 , a network interface  37 , and a branch gate drive section  49 , in addition to the components as described above. They are the same as in the eighth mechanical embodiment, and its explanation is omitted. 
       FIG. 70  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for destroying and discarding the document in the thirteenth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . The process of the document management apparatus  2  is the same as those of the above mechanical embodiments, and its explanation is omitted. 
     The document destruction and discarding control section  36  continually monitors the signal (on/off state) of the insert sensor  18  while the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is on standby (step S 1301 ). If the insert sensor  18  is turned on when the user manually inserts the document, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  issues an instruction of starting the driving to the shredder drive section  35 . Then, the shredder drive section  35  starts to drive the shredder portion  24  upon receiving this instruction (step S 1302 ). At the same time, the document destruction and discarding control section  26  issues an instruction of reading the bar code to the bar code scanner  19 . And the bar code scanner  19  reads the QR code printed on the document in accordance with this reading instruction (step S 1303 ). 
     Next, as for the document specified by the document ID contained in the read QR code, an inquiry as to whether or not the document is regulated to destroy and discard is made to the document management apparatus  2  (step S 1304 ). The inquiry for document destruction and discarding permission is made by creating an inquiry message for destruction and discarding permission with the document ID contained in the QR code read by the bar code scanner  19  designated and transmitting this inquiry message from the network interface  37  via the network  4  to the document management apparatus  2 . 
     And if the answer message is to give the document destruction and discarding regulation, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  makes an instruction of changing the path to the branch gate drive section  49 . Then, the branch gate drive section  49  starts to change the path of the branch gate  45  upon receiving this instruction. That is, the branch gate drive section  49  moves the branch gate  45 , so that the path on which the document is conveyed is switched from a shredder conveying path  80  toward the shredder portion  24  to an upper conveying path  81  extending upward from the shredder portion  24 , whereby the path is changed to regulate the destruction and discarding of the document. 
     Accordingly, the path of the document is switched into the destruction and discarding prevention path by the time when the document fed by manual insertion arrives at the shredder portion  24 , whereby the document is prevented from being taken into the shredder portion  24 , and not shredded through the shred process (step S 1305 ). 
     It may be also possible to confirm whether or not the content of the answer message is to give a destruction and discarding regulation for the document to the inquiry from the self-apparatus (document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ) before making an instruction of changing the path to the branch gate drive section  49 , as in the above mechanical embodiments. 
     Thereafter, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  makes an instruction of stopping driving the shredder portion  24  to the shredder drive section  35 , and the shredder portion  24  stops (S 1306 ). Also, a prepared destruction and discarding impermissible guidance to report that the destruction and discarding of the document is not permitted is displayed on the operation panel  31  (step S 1307 ). One example of the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance may be “Destruction and discarding of this document is inhibited for some reason. Pull out the document.” It is desirable that the report includes the reason. After the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance is displayed at step S 1307 , the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  returns to the standby state if the insert sensor  18  is switched form the on state to the off state (the user takes the document out of the document tray portion  17 ). 
     On the other hand, if the destruction and discarding regulation for the document is not given from the document management apparatus  2  (no answer, destruction and discarding permission) at step S 1304 , the document fed by manual insertion is directly conveyed to the shredder portion  24 , taken in, and shredded there. And the rear end of the document passes by the sensing position of the insert sensor  18 , so that the insert sensor  18  is switched from the on state to the off state. Then, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  transmits a message of destruction and discarding completion notification that the destruction and discarding of the document is completed to the document management apparatus  2  by designating the document ID of the document, for which the document destruction and discarding permission is given ahead, in a certain time since the insert sensor  18  is turned off (specifically the time taken since the rear end of the document is taken into the shredder portion  24  till the entire document is shredded) (step S 1308 ). 
     Fourteenth Mechanical Embodiment 
       FIG. 71  is a schematic view showing a fourteenth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . 
     This document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  comprises a document tray portion  17 , a bar code scanner  19 , a shredder portion  24  and a stopper gate  20  for intercepting the conveying path of the document, in which the document is directly fed to the shredder portion  24  by manual insertion. 
     They have fundamentally the same constitution as in the ninth mechanical embodiment, except that the distance between the shredder portion  24  and the bar code scanner  19  is set to be longer than in the ninth mechanical embodiment. This distance is set to prevent the document from being conveyed to the shredder portion  24  for a prevention time of destroying and discarding the document, because it takes some time to prevent the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded. The other constitution is the same as in the ninth mechanical embodiment, and its explanation is omitted. 
       FIG. 72  is a block diagram showing the fourteenth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . 
     The document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  comprises an operation panel  31 , a shredder drive section  35 , a document destruction and discarding control section  36 , a network interface  37 , and a stopper drive section  33 , in addition to the components as described above. They are the same as in the ninth mechanical embodiment, and its explanation is omitted. 
       FIG. 73  is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for destroying and discarding the document in the fourteenth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . The process of the document management apparatus  2  is the same as those of the above mechanical embodiments, and its explanation is omitted. 
     The document destruction and discarding control section  36  continually monitors the signal (on/off state) of the insert sensor  18  while the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is on standby (step S 1301 ). If the insert sensor  18  is turned on when the user manually inserts the document, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  issues an instruction of starting the driving to the shredder drive section  35 . Then, the shredder drive section  35  starts to drive the shredder portion  24  upon receiving this instruction (step S 1402 ). At the same time, the document destruction and discarding control section  26  issues an instruction of reading the bar code to the bar code scanner  19 . And the bar code scanner  19  reads the QR code printed on the document in accordance with this reading instruction (step S 1403 ). 
     Next, as for the document specified by the document ID contained in the read QR code, an inquiry as to whether or not the document is regulated to destroy and discard is made to the document management apparatus  2  (step S 1404 ). The inquiry for document destruction and discarding permission is made by creating an inquiry message for destruction and discarding permission with the document ID contained in the QR code read by the bar code scanner  19  designated and transmitting this inquiry message from the network interface  37  via the network  4  to the document management apparatus  2 . 
     And if the answer message is to give the document destruction and discarding regulation, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  makes an instruction of moving the stopper gate  20  downward to the stopper drive section  33 . Then, the stopper drive section  33  issues an instruction of making the down movement of the stopper gate  20 , and the stopper gate  20  is moved downward to block the conveying path to regulate the destruction and discarding of the document. Accordingly, the stopper gate is moved downward by the time when the document fed by manual insertion is conveyed to the shredder portion  24 , whereby the document is prevented from being taken into the shredder portion  24 , and not shredded through the shred process (destruction and discarding process) (step S 1405 ). It may be also possible to confirm whether or not the content of the answer message is to give a destruction and discarding regulation for the document to the inquiry from the self-apparatus (document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ) before making an instruction of lowering the stopper gate to the stopper drive section  33 , as in the above mechanical embodiments. 
     Thereafter, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  makes an instruction of stopping driving the shredder portion  24  to the shredder drive section  35 , and the shredder portion  24  stops (S 1406 ). Also, a prepared destruction and discarding impermissible guidance to report that the destruction and discarding of the document is not permitted is displayed on the operation panel  31  (step S 1407 ). One example of the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance may be “Destruction and discarding of this document is inhibited for some reason. Pull out the document.” It is desirable that the report includes the reason. After the destruction and discarding impermissible guidance is displayed at step S 1407 , the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  returns to the standby state if the insert sensor  18  is switched form the on state to the off state (the user takes the document out of the document tray portion  17 ). 
     On the other hand, if the destruction and discarding regulation for the document is not given from the document management apparatus  2  (no answer, destruction and discarding permission) at step S 1404 , the document fed by manual insertion is directly conveyed to the shredder portion  24 , taken in, and shredded there. And the rear end of the document passes by the sensing position of the insert sensor  18 , so that the insert sensor  18  is switched from the on state to the off state. Then, the document destruction and discarding control section  36  transmits a message of destruction and discarding completion notification that the destruction and discarding of the document is completed to the document management apparatus  2  by designating the document ID of the document, for which the document destruction and discarding permission is given ahead, in a certain time since the insert sensor  18  is turned off (specifically the time taken since the rear end of the document is taken into the shredder portion  24  till the entire document is shredded) (step S 1408 ). 
     EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Though the first to fourteenth mechanical embodiments of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  have been specifically described above, the effects of the first to fourteenth mechanical embodiments of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  will be described below. 
     The document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  can prevent the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded, because it is determined whether or not the document may be destroyed and discarded, and the destruction and discarding process is performed according to its determination result (first to fourteenth mechanical embodiments of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ). 
     Since an inquiry as to whether or not the document may be destruction and discarding is made to the document management apparatus by designating the document ID appended to the document, and the destruction and discarding process is performed according to the answer content to this inquiry, it is possible to prevent the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded. 
     Also, even if the information as to whether or not the document may be destroyed and discarded is changed in a document storage process, it is only necessary to change this information, for example, whereby it is possible to prevent the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded, based on the reliable information at the time of destruction and discarding (first to fourteenth mechanical embodiments of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ). 
     On the other hand, in the case where the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  itself makes a determination whether or not the document may be destroyed and discarded, the destruction and discarding process for the document is performed based on the determination result of determination means for making the determination, whereby it is possible to prevent the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded. 
     Also, in the case where a determination is made based on the attribute information appended to the document, the destruction and discarding process for the document is performed based on the determination result, whereby it is possible to prevent the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded with a relatively simple constitution. 
     Moreover, in the case where an inquiry for the attribute information (period information, etc.) of the document is made to the document management apparatus  3  by designating the document DI appended to the document, and a determination is made based on the sent attribute information, the destruction and discarding process for the document is performed based on the determination result, whereby it is possible to prevent the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded. 
     In the case where the document is not destroyed and discarded in a fundamental state, the destruction and discarding process for the document is performed only when the document may be destroyed and discarded in this state of not destroying and discarding the document, whereby it is possible to prevent securely the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded. Also, even when the determination means for determining whether or not the document may be destroyed and discarded breaks down, for example, it is possible to prevent securely the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded, because it is fundamental that the document is not destroyed and discarded (first to ninth mechanical embodiments of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ). 
     Since the shredder portion  24  for shredding the document is driven only when the document may be destroyed and discarded, the shredder portion  24  is not driven for the document that must not be destroyed and discarded, whereby it is possible to prevent securely the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded (first to fifth mechanical embodiments of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ). 
     Since the conveying roll  60  is driven only when the document may be destroyed and discarded, the conveying roll  60  is not driven for the document that must not be destroyed and discarded, whereby it is possible to prevent the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded (sixth mechanical embodiments of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ). 
     Since a report that the document is destroyed and discarded is issued only when the document may be destroyed and discarded, no report is given for the document that must not be destroyed and discarded, whereby it is possible to prevent the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded (seventh mechanical embodiments of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ). 
     In the case where it is a fundamental state that the destruction and discarding of the document is regulated, the document is released from the state where the destruction and discarding of the document is regulated, only if the document may be destroyed and discarded. Therefore, it is possible to regulate the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded and prevent securely the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded (eighth and ninth mechanical embodiments of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ). 
     Since the branch gate  45  of the document is changed to the conveying path on which the document can be destroyed and discarded only when the document may be destroyed and discarded, only the document permitted to destroy and discard can be destroyed and discarded, whereby it is possible to prevent securely the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded (eighth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ). 
     Since the stopper gate  20  for intercepting the conveying path of the document is moved down to allow the destruction and discarding of the document only when the document may be destroyed and discarded, only the document permitted to destroy and discard can be destroyed and discarded, whereby it is possible to prevent securely the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded. 
     Also, when the user tries to destroy and discard the document, for example, the gate portion for closing the conveying path can be recognized visually, or the document is pushed against the gate portion when the user thrusts the document into the conveying path, whereby the user can recognize that the destruction and discarding of the document is regulated in a fundamental state, suppressing the feeling of physical disorder to the user because the document can not be destroyed and discarded (ninth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ). 
     Since the stopper gate  20  moves the gate portion such that the gate portion is located downward in the state where the destruction and discarding of the document is regulated, or the gate portion is located upward in the state where the destruction and discarding of the document is permitted, the gate portion intercepts the conveying path owing to its dead weight, in the case where it is the fundamental state that the destruction and discarding of the document is regulated. Therefore, even when the gate means breaks down, for example, the gate portion intercepts the conveying path owing to its dead weight, whereby it is possible to prevent securely the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded (ninth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ). 
     In the case where the gate portion  360  is moved downward from the state where it is located upward to intercept the conveying path, there is possibility that the document passes through a gap between the slide face of the document on the conveying path and the gate portion  360 . However, since a lower end part of the gate portion  360  extends beyond the slide face of the document on the conveying path in the state where the gate portion is located down, the document is prevented from passing between the gate portion and the slide face of the conveying path, whereby it is possible to prevent securely the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded (ninth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ). 
     Since the gate portion  360  is provided to be vertically swingable, the operation of releasing the gate portion  360  from intercepting the conveying path is expedited with a relatively simple constitution, whereby it is possible to prevent the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded and expedite the operation of releasing the regulation (ninth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ). 
     Since the gate portion  360  is connected to drive means via a drive force expansion mechanism for expanding the drive force, the gate portion  360  is moved excellently even in a state where the document is pressed against the gate portion, for example, whereby it is possible to prevent the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded and securely release the regulation (ninth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ). 
     Since the document is regulated from being destroyed and discarded in the case where the document must not be destroyed and discarded, it is possible to prevent the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded (tenth to fourteenth mechanical embodiments of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ). 
     Since the driving of the shredder portion  24  is stopped in the case where the document must not be destroyed and discarded, it is possible to prevent securely the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded (tenth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ). 
     Since the driving of the conveying roll  60  is stopped in the case where the document must not be destroyed and discarded, it is possible to prevent securely the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded (eleventh mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ). 
     Since the report portion  70  reports that the document must not be destroyed and discarded in the case where the document must not be destroyed and discarded, it is possible to prevent the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded (twelfth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ). 
     Since the branch gate  45  changes the conveying path of the document to the conveying path where the destruction and discarding of the document is impossible in the case where the document must not be destroyed and discarded, it is possible to prevent the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded (thirteenth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ). 
     Since the stopper gate  20  intercepts the conveying path of the document to make the destruction and discarding of the document impossible in the case where the document must not be destroyed and discarded, it is possible to prevent the destruction and discarding of the document that must not be destroyed and discarded. 
     Also, when the user tries to destroy and discard the document, the stopper gate  20  intercepting the conveying path can be recognized visually, or the document is pushed against the stopper gate  20  when the user thrusts the document into the conveying path, whereby the user can recognize that the destruction and discarding of the document is regulated, and feels less incompatible because the document can not be destroyed and discarded (fourteenth mechanical embodiment of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ). 
     Since a report indicating that the destruction and discarding of the document is not permitted is displayed on the operation panel  31  (destruction and discarding impossible report means) in the case where the document must not be destroyed and discarded, the user feels less incompatible because the document can not be destroyed and discarded (first to fourteenth mechanical embodiments of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 ). 
     In the first to fourteenth mechanical embodiments of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  as described above, the shredder portion  24  is not necessarily required, because the destruction and discarding of the document is performed through the shred process (cutting) by the shredder portion  24 . That is, a destruction and discarding box  1000  that is managed by fastening a lock  1001  so that the information leakage of the document does not occur may be provided, instead of the shredder portion  24 , as shown in  FIG. 74 . That is, the invention is also applicable in the cases of the dealer making destruction and discarding of the documents accumulated in the destruction and discarding box  1000  not to leak the information at one&#39;s risk. That is, in the invention, it is only necessary to have destruction and discarding processing means for destroying and discarding the document not to leak the information. 
     Also, to determine whether or not the document may be destroyed and discarded, the bar code scanner  19  reads the document ID from the QR code printed on the document, an inquiry for destruction and discarding permission of the document is made to the document management apparatus  2  by designating the read document ID, and if an answer to this inquiry is destruction and discarding permission, the document may be destroyed and discarded, but the invention is not limited thereto. 
     That is, the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  transmits the document ID to the document management apparatus  2  connected to the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  via the document, and the document management apparatus  2  reads the information required to determine whether or not the document may be destroyed and discarded, based on this document ID, and transmits this information to the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 , whereby the document destruction and discarding apparatus may determine whether or not the document may be destruction and discarding based on the transmitted information. 
     Also, the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  itself may retrieve and read the information required to determine whether or not the document may be destroyed and discarded via the network  4 , and determine it by itself. 
     In addition, various determination methods may be conceived, but the invention is fundamentally applicable to any constitution as far as whether or not the document may be destroyed and discarded can be determined. 
     Also, the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3  is connected to the network  4 , but may not be connected to the network  4 . For example, the QR code may contain the information required to determine whether or not the document may be destroyed and discarded, namely, the management information such as period information or amount of money. In this case, an attribute determination section  2000  may be provided as shown in the block diagram of  FIG. 75 . That is, the attribute determination section  2000  comprises an attribute information reading section  2001  for reading the attribute information, an analysis section  2002  for analyzing the image such as character or bar code read by the attribute information reading section  2001 , a storage section  2004  for storing the information (storage period of the document, etc.) analyzed by the analysis section  2002 , a clock section  2005  indicating the current clock, and a determination section  2003  for determining whether the document may be destroyed and discarded from the current time and the storage period, in which the determination section  2003  can determine whether or not the document may be destroyed and discarded by comparing the period information read from the QR code and the clock section  2005 . This attribute determination section  2000  is adaptable to the first to fourteenth mechanical embodiments of the document destruction and discarding apparatus  3 . 
     Also, in the invention, the document is managed according to the period associated with the document ID, but the invention is not limited to the management of the period. For example, whether or not the document may be destroyed and discarded is judged based on the amount of money in the application for payment, approver, creator who creates the document, and various conditions (management information). 
     Particularly, the original has the storage period fixed according to the amount of money, and some originals must not be destroyed and discarded according to the amount of money. Accordingly, it is beneficial to determine whether or not the document may be destroyed and discarded depending on the conditions such as the storage period and the amount of money. 
     While the destruction and discarding object is the document as one form of this embodiment, the invention is not limited to the destruction and discarding object of the document, but may be adaptable to various recording media such as CD and DVD. 
     Also, while the QR code printed on the document is employed to append the information such as document ID (identification number) to the document as one form of this embodiment, the invention is not limited thereto, but the numeral or symbol representing the document ID may be directly printed on the document, or the technique such as watermark or paper fingerprint may be employed. Also, the appendage of the document ID (identification number) to the document is not limited to printing, but the label may be attached or a small RFID storing the document ID (identification number) may be embedded, for example. Also, the information appended to the document (recording medium) is not limited to the document ID, but the paper ID specifying the paper may be appended to the document, in which the paper ID and the document ID may be managed associatively. Also, the management information such as management period may be directly appended to the document (recording medium) by the above technique. 
     The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.