JP2011066772A - Image processor and processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor which performs a process for enabling easy discrimination between an original manuscript and a copied one. <P>SOLUTION: The image processor is provided with: a readout means (scanner unit 100) for reading out the manuscript; a determination means (seal image determination unit 101) for determining whether a seal image is included in image information read out by the readout means; a processing means (seal image processing unit 102) for performing a process to the seal image when it is determined by the determination means that the seal image is included in the image information; and an image forming means (image forming unit 103) for forming the image to a recording medium based on the image information to which the process is performed by the processing means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a processing program.

  Some copiers as a type of image processing apparatus have a so-called stamp function for adding a specific impression image and printing on printing paper when printing and outputting image information obtained by reading a document with a scanner. .

  For example, when printing image information, the stamp function prints a specific stamp image (imprint) such as “important”, “confidential”, or “confidential” according to the content of the image information.

  A general stamp function, for example, combines a desired stamp image with the read image information and prints it out.

  Various techniques relating to such a stamp function have been proposed.

  For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-11303 discloses a technique for adding a predetermined impression to image information when a specific image in a document is recognized.

JP 2008-11303 A

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and a processing program capable of performing processing that can easily discriminate whether a document is a regular document or a copy.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a reading unit that reads a document, and a determination unit that determines whether or not an imprint image is included in image information read by the reading unit. And a processing unit that processes the imprint image when the determination unit determines that the image information includes an imprint image, and a recording medium based on the image information processed by the processing unit. And image forming means for forming an image.

  An image processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the processing means performs processing for adding identification information for identifying the imprint image.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the processing means performs processing for replacing the imprint image with another image.

  An image processing apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the processing means performs processing for changing a color of the imprint image.

  An image processing apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the processing means performs processing for changing a density of the imprint image.

  An image processing apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the processing means performs processing to rotate the imprint image.

  An image processing apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the processing means performs a process of changing a position of the imprint image.

  An image processing apparatus according to an invention of claim 8 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 1, the processing means performs processing for replacing the seal image with character information.

  An image processing apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention further includes a storage unit that stores the imprint image and a mask unit that masks the imprint image, the image forming unit according to the first aspect, An image is formed by synthesizing the imprint image stored in the storage unit with the image information masked by the mask unit.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the imprinting image is stored on the basis of the position information stored in the storing means for storing the position information of the imprinted image. Search means for searching for an image is further provided.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processing program for reading a document, a processing step for processing an imprint image when the read image information includes the imprint image, and processed image information. And an image forming process for forming an image on a recording medium based on the above.

  According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  In other words, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus that can easily determine whether an original document or a copy is made by processing a seal image.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of easily discriminating whether it is a regular document or a copy by adding identification information for identifying a seal image.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of easily discriminating whether an original document or a copy by replacing an imprint image with another image.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus that can easily determine whether a document is a regular document or a copy by changing the color of the seal image.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus that can easily determine whether the original document is a copy or not by changing the density of the seal image.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of easily discriminating between a regular original and a copy by rotating a seal image.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus that can easily determine whether it is a regular document or a copy by changing the position of the seal image.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of easily discriminating whether an original document or a copy by replacing a seal image with character information.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of more easily discriminating whether it is a regular document or a copy.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of searching for a seal impression image more quickly.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a processing program that can easily determine whether a document is a regular document or a copy by processing a seal image.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of image processing apparatus CP1 which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure and data flow of image processing apparatus CP1 which concerns on embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a manuscript image and a copy image. It is a table | surface which shows the example of imprint management information. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the imprint image replacement process. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the imprint image mask process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a manuscript image and a scanning image. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of an imprint image synthetic | combination process.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment as an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same members, and duplicate descriptions are omitted. In addition, since description here is the best form by which this invention is implemented, this invention is not limited to the said form.

  An image processing device CP1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the present embodiment, the image processing apparatus CP1 is assumed to be a copying machine (copy machine). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be a multifunction machine or a facsimile machine having a copy function.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus CP1 includes a scanner unit 100 (an example of a reading unit) that optically reads a document including various documents, and an imprint image (stamp, approval) on image information read by the scanner unit 100. An imprint image determining unit 101 (an example of a determination unit) that determines whether or not an image such as a seal is included, and the imprint image determining unit 101 determines that the image information includes an imprint image. An imprint image processing unit 102 (an example of a processing unit) that applies any of the processing described later to an image, and a copy sheet (an example of a recording medium) based on image information processed by the imprint image processing unit 102 An image forming unit 103 (an example of an image forming unit) that performs image formation (printing processing), and a seal image storage unit 104 (storage unit) that includes a hard disk device, a nonvolatile memory, or the like that stores a seal image. An imprint image position information storage unit 105 (an example), an imprint image mask processing unit 107 (an example of a masking unit) that masks an imprint image, and a hard disk device or a nonvolatile memory that stores position information of the imprint image. An example of a storage unit), an imprint image position information storage unit 105, and an imprint image search unit 106 that searches for an imprint image in the image information based on the position information stored in the imprint image position information storage unit 105 (search unit) Example).

  In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the imprint image processing unit 107 is provided in the imprint image processing unit 102. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the imprint image processing unit 102 and the imprint image mask processing unit 107 are provided. It may be a separate member.

  In addition to the components shown in FIG. 1, the image processing device CP <b> 1, as shown in FIG. 2, creates an imprint image generation unit 121 that generates an imprint image, and synthesizes the generated imprint image to obtain image information (image data ), And a data editing unit 123 for editing masked image data.

  FIG. 2 also shows a rough flow of various data.

  Here, the imprint image processing unit 102 shown in FIG. 1 performs processing for adding identification information (for example, predetermined characters, figures, line drawings, etc.) for identifying the imprint image, and converts the imprint image into another image (for example, surrounding image). Processing that replaces the background image), changes the color of the impression image (for example, changes from vermilion to blue, black, etc.), changes the density of the impression image (for example, , Processing to reduce the number of dots and lines (including changing to a drowned state), processing to rotate the imprint image (for example, rotate at an angle that can be easily distinguished from the original imprint image), imprint image Processing to change the position (for example, move a distance that can be easily distinguished from the original imprint image), replace the imprint image with text information (for example, a message such as “Imprint has been cut”) Performing another over such a substituted di) to process.

  Thereby, it is easily determined whether the original document (original document) or a copy is made, and convenience is improved.

  FIG. 3 shows a processing example of the seal image.

  FIG. 3 shows examples (a) to (c) in which the imprint image G1 of the original (original) (A) is processed into G2 to G4 in the copied image (B).

  (A) In the seal image G2, a process of adding a character string “copy” to the seal image G1 was performed.

  (B) In the imprint image G3, a process of rotating the imprint image G1 by about 30 ° was performed.

  (C) In the imprint image G4, the imprint image G1 is replaced with a message that “the imprint has been cut”.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of seal management information on how to process a seal image.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, the stamp A and B store information related to the data format (raster data, vector data), processing method (dot processing, line blurring, etc.), position and orientation of the stamp image.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5, a processing procedure of the imprint image replacement process executed by the image processing apparatus CP1 having the above configuration will be described.

  In the scanner 10, the scanner unit 100 reads an original to acquire image information, and the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S11, an imprint image registered in the imprint management information as shown in FIG. 4 is searched, and the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, it is determined whether or not there is an imprint image. If “No”, the process ends, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, the imprint information for copying is generated from the processing method registered in the imprint management information, and the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, the imprint image in the original is replaced with the generated imprint image, and the process ends.

  Thereby, it is easily determined whether the original document (original document) or a copy is made, and convenience is improved.

  Next, with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 6, a processing procedure of the imprint image mask process executed by the image processing apparatus CP1 will be described.

  First, in step S20, the scanner unit 100 reads an original to acquire image information, and the process proceeds to step S21.

  In step S21, an imprint image registered in the imprint management information as shown in FIG. 4 is searched, and the process proceeds to step S22.

  In step S22, it is determined whether or not there is an imprint image. If “No”, the process ends, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S23.

  In step S23, stamp ID as a kind of identification information given for each impression image and imprint additional information in the document are recorded in the imprint image storage unit 104 (see (c) in FIG. 7), and the process proceeds to step S24. .

  In step S24, the original image masked by replacing the imprint image in the original with a margin or background color is used as a scanned image (see (D) of FIG. 7), and the process is terminated.

  Thereby, it is easily determined whether the original document (original document) or a copy is made, and convenience is improved.

  If a stamp image is required when printing a scanned image, the document image is synthesized by the seal image synthesis unit 122 based on the stamp ID recorded in the seal image storage unit 104 and the stamp additional information in the document. The seal image may be combined and printed out.

  Here, an example of the processing procedure of the seal image synthesis process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S30, the registered imprint image is searched, and it is determined whether or not the imprint image is detected in step S31.

  If “No”, normal scan data is generated and the process is terminated.

  In the case of “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S32, the imprint portion is extracted, and the process proceeds to step S33.

  In step S33, the attribute information of the seal image is taken out and the process proceeds to step S34.

  In step S34, the seal image of the original image is masked and the process proceeds to step S35.

  If a seal image is required when printing a scan image, scan data obtained by combining the masked image information and the attribute information of the seal is generated, and the process ends.

  In addition, the following embodiments can be considered.

  When copying a document with a registered seal imprinted, the imprint of the copy image may be imprinted with information indicating that the copy has been combined as hidden information.

  In this case, it may be configured to search for imprint information from within the document, collate it with the registered imprint, and add hidden information corresponding to the copy information to the registered imprint information.

  As an operation example, for example, when a document having a registered seal B is copied in a state where the seals A to Z have already been registered, the registered seals A to Z are collated from the image after scanning the document. When the imprint B is collated, an imprint B ′ to which hidden information for the imprint B is added is generated based on copy information such as the ID, date, and user ID of the image processing apparatus CP1 that performed the copy. Replace the image with the image and copy it.

  Even if the imprint in the image information is B ″ having hidden information based on the imprint B, it may be recognized as the imprint B.

  In addition, when a document with a registered imprint is scanned, the imprint in the scanned image is deleted and replaced with a blank or background, and if the scanned image data format allows additional information, information on the detected stamp May be added.

  In this case, it may be configured to search for imprint information from the document, collate with the registered imprint, and add the registered imprint information as additional information of the scan data.

  As an operation example, for example, when a document having a registered imprint B is scanned in a state where the imprints A to Z have already been registered, the registered imprints A to Z are collated from the image after the document is read. When the imprint B is collated, the area of the imprint B is replaced with a blank or background.

  Further, the fact that the imprint B has been collated may be used as additional information of the scanned image.

  Similarly to the above example, even if the imprint is B ″ having hidden information based on the imprint B, it may be recognized as the imprint B.

  In this example, when printing is performed by the image apparatus based on the generated scan image, the imprint B ′ ″ is synthesized and output.

  In addition, when the imprint information is image information, the position information that should be registered in advance may be used to efficiently perform the imprint collation in the image information.

  In this case, the imprint information and the position where they should be in the document are registered, and the imprint information is searched and collated from the document based on the registered imprint position information.

  As an operation example, for example, the position of the imprint on the image of the imprint A and each document size (for example, when vertically feeding an A0 document, the upper left corner of the image is used as a base point, 700 mm horizontally and 1000 mm vertically) May be registered in advance, and only the designated area may be verified when an A0 original is read.

  In addition, when position information is provided for each document size and orientation, position information is provided for each imprint information, and collation may be performed with a slight margin.

  Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not limited to the disclosed technology. Should not be considered. That is, the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed restrictively based on the description in the above embodiment, but should be construed according to the description of the scope of claims. All modifications that fall within the scope of the claims and the equivalent technology are included.

  When using a program, it can be provided via a network or stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  That is, the predetermined program including the image processing program is not limited to being recorded in a storage device such as a hard disk as a recording medium, and the predetermined program can be provided as follows.

  For example, a predetermined program may be stored in the ROM, and the CPU may load the predetermined program from the ROM to the main storage device and execute it.

  The predetermined program may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a DVD-ROM, a CD-ROM, an MO (magneto-optical disk), a flexible disk, and distributed.

  Further, the image forming apparatus or the like is connected to a server apparatus or a host computer via a communication line (for example, the Internet), and after the predetermined program is downloaded from the server apparatus or the host computer, the predetermined program is executed. You may do it. In this case, examples of the download destination of the predetermined program include a memory such as a RAM and a storage device (recording medium) such as a hard disk.

  The image processing apparatus and the processing program according to the present invention can be applied to a copier, a printer having a scanner device, a multifunction machine, and the like.

CP1 image processing apparatus 100 scanner unit 101 imprint image determination unit 102 imprint image processing unit 103 image forming unit 104 imprint image storage unit 105 imprint image position information storage unit 106 imprint image search unit 107 imprint image mask processing unit 121 imprint image generation unit 122 Imprint image composition unit 123 Data editing unit

Claims (11)

Reading means for reading a document;
Determination means for determining whether or not a seal image is included in the image information read by the reading means;
Processing means for processing the imprint image when the determination means determines that the image information includes an imprint image;
Image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on image information processed by the processing means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: The processing means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein processing for adding identification information for identifying the seal image is performed. The processing means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a process of replacing the imprint image with another image is performed. The processing means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a process for changing a color of the imprint image is performed. The processing means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein processing for changing a density of the seal impression image is performed. The processing means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a process for rotating the seal image is performed. The processing means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein processing for changing a position of the imprint image is performed. The processing means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a process of replacing the seal impression image with character information is performed. Storage means for storing the impression image;
Mask means for masking the imprint image;
Further comprising
The image forming unit includes:
2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus performs image formation by combining the imprint image stored in the storage unit with the image information masked by the mask unit. Storage means for storing position information of the impression image;
Search means for searching for the seal image based on the position information stored in the storage means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A reading process for reading a document;
When the scanned image information is included in the read image information, a processing process for processing the stamp image;
An image forming process for forming an image on a recording medium based on the processed image information;
A processing program characterized by causing an arithmetic means to execute.

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