Image processing apparatus, security system supplied with image processing apparatus, image processing method and storage medium

• US 9,041,948 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2014
• Issued: 05/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Nagata, Tadashi
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, NGON BINH
• Application Number:
  US14/445,119
• Publication Number:
  US 20150036161A1
• Time in Patent Office: 301 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.13, 358/1.15, 358/1.1, 358/1.6, 358/530, 358/540, 358/401, 358/413, 358/448, 358/296, 358/302, 358/305, 382/115, 382/100, 382/118, 382/103, 382/106, 382/190, 382/218, 382/107, 382/181, 382/232, 382/276, 348/143, 348/207.1, 348/68, 348/14, 348/16, 348/14.04, 348/14.05, 348/14.1, 348/208.1, 348/211.1, 348/211.2, 348/164, 348/169, 348/211.14, 348/231.4, 348/333.13, 348/152, 348/154, 348/155, 348/3, 348/71
• US Class Current: 358/1.13
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/001 Concealed systems, e.g. disguised alarm systems to make covert systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00278 with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00323 with a measuring, monitoring or signaling apparatus, e.g. for transmitting measured information to a central location
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0088 Detecting or preventing tampering attacks on the reproduction system
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00896 using a low-power mode, e.g. standby
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00925 Inhibiting an operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

An image processing apparatus includes an intrusion detection unit that detects an intrusion of an intruder; an imaging unit that images a monitor area; an imaging control unit that activates the imaging unit and causes the imaging unit to start imaging; and an imaging instruction unit that instructs the imaging control unit to activate the imaging unit and cause the imaging unit to start imaging, in a case where the image processing apparatus is in an energy-saving mode, in which the imaging unit is inactive, when the intrusion detection unit detects the intrusion of the intruder, without switching the energy-saving mode to a normal mode, in which the imaging unit and an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium are active.

Claims

1. An image processing apparatus comprising:

a memory configured to store one or more programs; and

a processor configured to execute the one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs which, when executed by the processor, function as;

an intrusion detection unit configured to detect an intrusion of an intruder;

an imaging unit configured to image a monitor area;

an image control unit configured to activate the imaging unit and to cause the imaging unit to start imaging; and

an imaging instruction unit configured to instruct the image control unit to activate the imaging unit and to cause the imaging unit to start imaging, in a case where the image processing apparatus is in an energy-saving mode, in which the imaging unit is inactive, when the intrusion detection unit detects the intrusion of the intruder, without switching the energy-saving mode to

a normal mode, in which the imaging unit and an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium are active.

2. The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the imaging control unit is configured to operate under a first operating system (OS), which is different from a second operating system (OS), under which the imaging instruction unit operates.

3. The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the imaging control unit, upon receiving an instruction to activate the imaging unit, is configured to set a light not to be turned on.

4. The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the imaging control unit, upon receiving an instruction to activate the imaging unit, is configured to set a generation of an operating sound to be inhibited.

5. A security system comprising:

the image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1; and

an imaging device connected with the image processing apparatus via a network.

6. An image processing method of an image processing apparatus, comprising:

detecting an intrusion of an intruder;

activating an imaging unit and instructing the imaging unit to start imaging, when the image processing apparatus is in an energy-saving mode and the imaging unit is inactive and upon the intrusion of the intruder being detected, without switching the image processing apparatus from the energy-saving mode to a normal mode, in which the imaging unit and an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium are active; and

imaging a monitor area with the activated imaging unit.

7. The image processing method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising:

setting, upon receiving an instruction to activate the imaging unit and upon the intrusion of the intruder being detected, a light not to be turned on.

8. The image processing method as claimed in claim 6 further comprising:

setting, upon receiving an instruction to activate the imaging unit and upon the intrusion of the intruder being detected, a generation of an operating sound to be inhibited.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to perform a process of processing an image in an image processing apparatus, the process comprising:

detecting an intrusion of an intruder;

activating an imaging unit and instructing the imaging unit to start imaging, when the image processing apparatus is in an energy-saving mode and the imaging unit is inactive and upon the intrusion of the intruder being detected, without switching the image processing apparatus from the energy-saving mode to a normal mode, in which the imaging unit and an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium are active; and

imaging a monitor area with the activated imaging unit.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 9, wherein the process further comprises:

setting, upon receiving an instruction to activate the imaging unit and upon the intrusion of the intruder being detected, a light not to be turned on.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 9, wherein the process further comprises:

setting, upon receiving an instruction to activate the imaging unit and upon the intrusion of the intruder being detected, a generation of an operating sound to be inhibited.