JP2008072303A - Image forming apparatus, image formation method, program, and computer readable recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which allow watermark processing to be intentionally omitted, an image forming method, a program, and a computer readable recording medium,. <P>SOLUTION: When it is judged that there is print instruction (SP1), it is judged whether a forced print mode has been released or not (SP2) or not, and security data is embedded into image information by electronic watermarking to print the image information in the case that it is not released (SP3), and only image information is printed in the case that it has been released (SP4 and SP5). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, a program, and a computer-readable recording medium. For example, an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, a program, and a computer that embed security data in an image with a digital watermark and form the image on a sheet. The present invention relates to a readable recording medium.

  As an example of a printing technique for printed matter, there is a printing method generally called digital watermark printing. This digital watermark printing is a method of embedding electronic information by printing a pattern according to a specific rule on the background of a printed material. By embedding electronic information in an image in this way, for example, it is applied in a field where it is necessary to make it possible to trace the source of a document and maintain the security of the information. For example, each time a copy is made, the copy machine type and security data such as date and time information copied are embedded in an image with a digital watermark and printed on a copy sheet. It becomes possible to track.

In order to embed information with a digital watermark, digital watermark processing must be performed in advance. Therefore, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-232689 (Patent Document 1) discloses a communication apparatus or data transmission method that does not need to perform digital watermark processing in advance and automatically performs digital watermark processing when information is transmitted. Is described.
JP 2002-232689 (summary, FIG. 2)

  The digital watermark printing described in Patent Document 1 is often introduced in an enterprise in order to increase information security. For this reason, the administrator of the information system may forcibly set the administrator mode to perform digital watermark printing in a copier or the like. This setting is not made available to other general employees. However, when considering a copying action in a normal business, some information is clearly not confidential information, and there is a case where the digital watermark printing is intentionally removed.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, a program, and a computer-readable recording medium that can intentionally remove processing of a digital watermark.

  The present invention relates to an input unit for inputting image information in which predetermined information is embedded with a digital watermark, and a command for giving a cancellation command for canceling embedding of the digital watermark for the image information input from the input unit Means, output means for outputting image information in which embedding of predetermined information is canceled in response to a release command from the command means, and printing means for printing image information output from the output means.

  Preferably, the image processing apparatus includes an embedding unit that forcibly embeds predetermined information in the image information with a digital watermark after the output unit outputs the image information corresponding to the release command.

  Preferably, the information processing apparatus includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the user has the authority to give the input of the release command. When information indicating that the user has the authority is input from the input unit, the determination unit determines that the user has the authority. In response to this, a release command input permitting means for permitting the input of the release command from the command means is included.

  Preferably, a storage unit that stores information indicating that the image has been printed by canceling the embedding of the digital watermark in response to a cancel command from the command unit is included.

  Preferably, the output unit causes the printing unit to print information indicating that the image information has been printed by canceling embedding of the digital watermark on the sheet in response to a cancel command from the command unit.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a step of inputting image information in which predetermined information is embedded with a digital watermark, a step of giving a cancellation instruction for canceling embedding of the digital watermark with respect to the input image information, In response to the cancellation command, the method includes a step of outputting image information for which predetermined information is embedded with a digital watermark, and a step of printing the output image information.

  Still another aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer connected to a printing unit to function as the image forming apparatus.

  Yet another aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium storing the program.

  According to the present invention, even if it is set to forcibly embed predetermined information in image information using the digital watermark, the image information can be obtained using the digital watermark by giving a command for canceling the embedding of the digital watermark. Since the predetermined information embedded in is deleted, for example, when the image to be formed is clearly not confidential information, only the image from which the digital watermark is intentionally removed can be formed.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 includes computers 2 and 4 and a printer 3 that is connected to the computer 2 and operates as printing means that is controlled. The computer 2 and the computer 4 are connected via an interface (not shown). The computer 2 includes a CPU 21 that operates as an output unit, an embedding unit, a determination unit, and a release command input permission unit, an input unit 22 such as a keyboard connected to the CPU 21, and a display unit 23 such as a display that displays input information. And a memory 24 as storage means. The input unit 22 operates as a command unit for canceling the digital watermark forced printing mode and an input unit for inputting information having an authority to cancel the forced printing mode. The computer 4 is configured in the same manner as the computer 2 and operates as an input unit for inputting image information in which predetermined information is embedded with a digital watermark.

  The computer 4 is assigned to a predetermined administrator, and includes a printer driver that can set a digital watermark forced printing mode in which security data is forcibly embedded in paper with a digital watermark. Accordingly, when the administrator sets the digital watermark forced printing mode and inputs image information from the input means of the computer 4, the computer 4 converts, for example, security data indicating the source of the image information into the input image information. Embed with digital watermark.

  The computer 2 is assigned to a predetermined user other than the administrator, and includes a printer driver capable of setting a release mode for canceling embedding of the digital watermark. A predetermined user other than the administrator can operate the computer 2 to print the image information input from the computer 4 with the printer 3. Further, when the user determines that the image information is not confidential information before printing, the digital watermark forced printing mode can be canceled.

  When the digital watermark forced printing mode is set, the printer 3 embeds the security data in the input image information with a digital watermark, and when the digital watermark forced printing mode is canceled, Only the input image information is printed on paper without embedding.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the printer driver administrator setting screen display, and FIG. 3 shows an example of the print setting screen display of the printer driver.

  The administrator inputs image information using the computer 4 and instructs the security setting from the input unit of the computer 4 when setting the digital watermark forced printing mode in which the security data is forcibly embedded in the paper with the digital watermark. Then, the administrator setting screen shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the display unit of the computer 4. When the password input screen is displayed, the administrator's own password and a password for confirmation are input, and “OK” display is clicked. It is verified whether the entered password matches a preset password. If it is determined that the passwords match, the password screen disappears. Therefore, a check mark is set in the display of “forced print setting” on the administrator setting screen, and the “OK” display is clicked. The computer 4 sets the digital watermark forced printing mode in the printer driver. Thereafter, when image information is input from the computer 4, security data is embedded in the input image information with a digital watermark.

  If the user wants to cancel the digital watermark forced printing mode, the user operates the input unit 22 and causes the computer 2 to display a print setting screen of the printer driver as shown in FIG. When the password input screen is displayed on the print setting screen, a password indicating that the user himself / herself has the authority to cancel the command is input from the input unit 22, and the “OK” display is clicked. If it is verified that the entered password matches the predetermined password and the user has the authority to enter the release command, the password screen disappears, so “OK” is displayed on the print setting screen. Click. Set a check mark in the “Forced Print Cancel” display and click the “OK” display. The computer 2 cancels the digital watermark forced printing mode set in the printer driver.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the printing operation by the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The computer 2 executes a program based on the flowchart shown in FIG. When a printing instruction is given from the input unit 22, the computer 2 starts a printing process based on the flowchart shown in FIG. In step (abbreviated as SP in the figure) SP1, the computer 2 determines whether or not printing is instructed. If printing is not instructed, wait. In step SP2, it is determined whether or not the digital watermark forced printing mode is cancelled. When it is determined that the digital watermark forced printing mode has not been canceled, in step SP3, image information in which the security data is embedded with the digital watermark is printed on the paper by the printer 3.

  When it is determined in step SP2 that the digital watermark forced printing mode has been canceled, in step SP4, only normal image information in which security data is not embedded with the digital watermark is printed by the printer 3. In step SP5, it is determined whether or not printing is finished. If not, the process returns to step SP1, and if printing is finished, the process is finished.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, when it is determined that the image information to be printed is clearly not confidential information, the digital watermark forced printing mode can be canceled to intentionally delete the security data with the digital watermark. Only the image information to be printed can be printed on the paper without printing the embedded image information.

  When the computer 2 determines the end of printing, the computer 2 sets the printer driver to return to the digital watermark forced printing mode again, and when the next user prints, the image information in which the security data is embedded with the digital watermark. May be forcibly printed. Conversely, when the digital watermark forced printing mode is canceled, the administrator may have to set the digital watermark forced printing mode again.

  Furthermore, when the forced printing mode is canceled, if the security data to be embedded in the image information with the digital watermark is stored in the memory 24 of the computer 2, it is possible to track when and what printer has been printed after printing. Is also possible. In addition, information such as a small mark indicating that printing was performed after canceling the digital watermark forced printing mode may be printed on paper.

  Furthermore, the security data is embedded in the image information with a digital watermark and printed. However, the embedding method is not limited to the one that cannot be visually recognized by human eyes. Anything that can't be done.

  In the above description, the present invention is applied to the image forming apparatus 1 including the computer 2 and the printer 3. However, the present invention may be applied to other digital multi-function peripherals and copiers. .

  The program based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as an optical disk.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, this invention is not limited to the thing of embodiment shown in figure. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment within the same range or equivalent range as the present invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the administrator setting screen display for setting electronic watermark forced printing mode. It is a figure which shows an example of the print setting screen display for canceling | releases electronic watermark forced printing mode. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a printing operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus, 2, 4 Computer, 3 Printer, 21 CPU, 22 Input part, 23 Display part, 24 Memory

Claims (8)

Input means for inputting image information in which predetermined information is embedded with a digital watermark;
Command means for giving a release command for releasing embedding of the digital watermark with respect to the image information input from the input means;
In response to a release command from the command unit, an output unit that outputs image information in which embedding of the predetermined information is canceled;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a printing unit that prints image information output from the output unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an embedding unit that forcibly embeds the predetermined information in the image information with a digital watermark after the output unit outputs the image information in response to the release command. Determining means for determining whether or not to have the authority to give the input of the release command;
When the information indicating that the user has the authority is input from the input unit, the release command that allows the input of the release command from the command unit according to the determination by the determining unit that the user has the authority. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an input permission unit.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that stores information indicating that the digital watermark has been embedded and the image has been printed in response to a cancellation command from the command unit. 5. .   The output means causes the printing means to print on the paper information indicating that image information has been printed by canceling embedding of the digital watermark in response to a release command from the command means. 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 4 above. Inputting image information in which predetermined information is embedded with a digital watermark; and
Providing a cancellation command for canceling embedding of the digital watermark for the input image information;
Outputting image information in which embedding the predetermined information with a digital watermark is canceled in response to the cancellation command;
And a step of printing the output image information.   A program for causing a computer connected to a printing unit to function as the image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A computer-readable recording medium storing the program according to claim 7.

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