JP5004828B2 - Image processing apparatus, image processing method, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that adds information to data, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, a program, and a recording medium that add additional information to image data.

  In recent years, due to improvements in image processing technology, it has become possible to make faithful copying so that the original and a copy made from the original cannot be easily distinguished. For this reason, from the standpoint of preventing counterfeiting, there is a growing need to prevent special manuscripts such as banknotes and securities from being copied at all, or to take measures not to copy them correctly. Yes.

  Against this background, various methods have been proposed for the purpose of restricting the copying of special manuscripts and confidential documents.

  For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a method of restricting copying of image data by adding copy prohibition information to the image data using a dot pattern. In this method, when a dot pattern whose feature amount matches a copy prohibition pattern stored in advance is detected from the read image data, it is determined that the read image data is copy prohibition.

Furthermore, by configuring the dot pattern with a dot pattern having a diameter that is reproduced when copying image data and a dot pattern having a diameter that is not reproduced, a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern in which a desired character string rises when image data is copied A method of functioning as a pattern has been proposed.
JP 2004-274092 A

  Here, the problem of the method of superimposing the dot pattern on the image data as in Patent Document 1 will be described. In the method proposed in Patent Document 1, a dot pattern indicating output prohibition is entirely superimposed on image data including content information. Therefore, since the dot pattern is also superimposed on content information such as documents and photographs included in the image data, the appearance of the content information included in the image data is deteriorated (see FIG. 14).

  Further, if the copy prohibition information added by the dot pattern is not extracted with a certain accuracy regardless of the image data reading condition and output condition, the significance of adding the copy prohibition information to the image data is lost. Therefore, the dot pattern must be superimposed on the image data with a certain density (or luminance). On the other hand, in order for a dot pattern to function as a tint block pattern, it is sufficient to add two types of dot patterns having different dot diameters to the image data. However, it is desirable to reduce the density (or luminance) of the dot pattern as much as possible in order to prevent the appearance of the content information from being deteriorated by adding the dot pattern.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and even when information is added to image data, an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing apparatus that can maintain the appearance of content information related to the image data. It is an object to provide a program and a recording medium.

In order to solve the problem, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus that adds additional information to image data including content information, and adds the additional information to the additional area for the image data. Acquiring the additional method identification information used at the same time, associating the additional information with the additional method identification information, and the additional information according to the acquired additional method and the content information An area setting means for setting an area for adding a message and an information adding means for adding the additional information to the set area by the addition method.

The image processing method according to the present invention is an image processing method for adding additional information to image data including content information, and is an addition method used when adding the additional information to the additional area for the image data . A method acquisition step for acquiring identification information and associating the additional information with the identification information of the additional method, and an area for adding the additional information according to the acquired additional method and the content information And an information addition step of adding the additional information to the set area by the addition method.

  According to the present invention, since an area for adding additional information is set according to the additional information adding method and the content information included in the image data, the appearance of the content information in the image data to which the additional information is added is improved. As a result, the accuracy of extracting additional information can be improved.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, this Embodiment demonstrated below does not unduly limit the content of this invention described in the claim. In addition, all of the configurations described in this embodiment are not essential configuration requirements of the present invention.

[First Embodiment]
The image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, an example of an image processing apparatus will be described using an MFP (Multi Functional Peripheral) 100 having a composite function such as copying, facsimile, scanner, and printing. Needless to say, application examples of the image processing apparatus include a facsimile apparatus, a printer apparatus, a personal computer, a game machine, a mobile phone, a car navigation apparatus, and the like, which are limited to the MFP 100.

Here, the terms used in this specification are defined as follows. “Content information” means various contents such as characters, character strings, diagrams, tables, and photographs included in image data.
The “code method” is an information addition method based on an addition method based on a code method. More specifically, each bit related to information represented by a bit string is replaced with a preset pattern, and the replaced pattern is added. Means method. Furthermore, replacement with a pattern can also be referred to as information coding. Here, the replaced pattern has a format that can be recognized later as code information. Specifically, a dot pattern (“:” or “...”), A slash pattern (“/” or “\”), a barcode, a two-dimensional barcode (QR code), or the like can be given. Needless to say, when the information is analog data, conversion to digital data (bit string) is also included in the “code system”.
The “background pattern method” is an information addition method based on the background pattern method, in which a pattern that visually represents information is added by a combination of a pattern having a size that is reproduced during copying and a pattern that is not reproduced. This means an information addition method. By combining a pattern having a size that is reproduced at the time of copying and a pattern that is not reproduced, the additional information can be raised when a print image to which additional information is added by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern method is copied. The details of the tint block method are disclosed by the present applicant in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-274092.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an MFP 100 as an example of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 100 includes a controller 110, a communication interface 120, a scanner engine 130, a printer engine 140, a FAX board 150, a user interface 160, a portable recording medium reading device 170, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 180, a bus. It is constituted by a line 190.

The controller 110 controls the overall processing of the MFP 100.
The controller 110 includes, as its internal configuration, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112 in which fixed data such as a program for controlling the CPU 111 is stored in advance, and an area for temporarily storing various data. Memory (main memory) 113.

  Communication interface 120 is controlled by controller 110 to communicate with an external device of MFP 100. The communication interface 120 can also be configured with an Ethernet (registered trademark) interface, an IEEE1284 interface, or other interfaces.

  The scanner engine 130 is controlled by the controller 110 and has a function of executing image reading processing.

  The printer engine 140 is controlled by the controller 110 and executes image forming processing (printing processing). The printer engine 140 can also be configured with a laser beam printer, an inkjet printer, or other printers.

  The FAX board 150 is controlled by the controller 110 and executes facsimile communication processing.

  The user interface 160 can display information sent from the controller 110 and can transmit information input from the user to the controller 110. That is, information is output (provided) to the user and instructions (information) are input from the user. The user interface 160 can be configured by, for example, a display (such as LCT or CRT), a pointing device (such as a mouse or a touch pen), or a keyboard. Furthermore, as another configuration, a touch panel, a voice interface, or the like can be used.

  The portable recording medium reading device 170 is controlled by the controller 110 and executes processing for reading recording information of a portable recording medium such as an IC card or a floppy disk (registered trademark). Further, the portable recording medium reader 170 accesses a portable recording medium (not shown) according to an instruction from the controller 110, reads information from the portable recording medium, and notifies the controller 110 of the information.

  The HDD 180 has a function of writing and reading various data. The bus line 190 electrically connects the controller 110 to the communication interface 120, the scanner engine 130, the printer engine 140, the FAX board 150, the user interface 160, the portable recording medium reading device 170, and the HDD 180. For the bus line 190, an address bus, a data bus, or the like can be used.

  In MFP 100 having the above-described configuration, print job can be issued by selecting printer engine 140. Further, by selecting the scanner engine 130, a scan job can be issued. Further, by selecting the printer engine 140 and the scanner engine 130, a copy job can be issued. Further, by selecting the printer engine 140, the scanner engine 130, and the FAX board 150, it is possible to issue a facsimile reception job and a facsimile transmission job.

  Next, functions of MFP 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of MFP 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 100 includes an instruction input unit 210, a data input unit 220, a storage unit 230, a size detection unit 240, a method acquisition unit 250, a detection unit 260, an area setting unit 270, an information addition unit 280, a data output. Means 290 are provided.

  Instruction input unit 210 receives an instruction from a user who operates MFP 100. Examples of instructions from the user include input instructions for image data and output instructions for image data, as well as instructions for setting input or output conditions. It also accepts information addition instructions. The instruction input unit 210 may adopt a configuration that presents options to the user and prompts the user to input an instruction. Here, the instruction input means 210 is realized by the user interface 160 shown in FIG. When the user controls the MFP by remote operation from an external device, the instruction input unit 210 is realized by the communication interface 120.

  The data input means 220 inputs image data to be processed by generating image data to which information is to be added by an application, or obtaining it from the outside via the communication interface 120 or the scanner engine 130, and inputting the input image data. Store in the storage means 230.

  The data input means 220 inputs or adds additional information by generating or acquiring information to be added to the image data (hereinafter referred to as “additional information”), and stores the input additional information in the storage means 230. It also has functions. Here, the additional information includes information for indicating that the image data is copy-prohibited data, security information such as identification information of the apparatus from which the image data is output, and for managing the copyright of the image data. Information and related information of image data (for example, a URL indicating the location of information related to image data). Information for indicating copy prohibition data includes a character string “copy prohibition”, a bit string indicating copy prohibition, and the like. Note that the image data input unit 220 may be realized by the communication interface 120 or the scanner engine 130.

  Note that the data input means 220 may input the information specified by the user via the instruction input means 210 as additional information, or add additional information corresponding to the setting instruction specified by the user to storage means described later. 230 may be obtained. Some examples of the additional information corresponding to the setting instruction specified by the user are shown.

  A user desires to improve the usefulness and security accuracy of image data by adding various types of information according to the type and use of the image data to the image data. Therefore, when the user selects the confidential data output mode when outputting the image data, information for prohibiting the copying of the image data is set as additional information. When the image data to which such information is added is read for the purpose of copying, the reading device can recognize that the image data read by the additional information is copy-prohibited data, and stops a series of processing relating to copying. Measures can be taken.

  Another setting instruction includes a security instruction by the administrator of MFP 100. In the case of such a setting instruction, tracking information such as identification information of the MFP 100 that outputs image data, identification information of the user, and output date and time is added information to the image data. Here, by adding the identification information of the MFP 100 to the image data, it is possible to grasp when, by which apparatus, by whom, and by whom.

  Storage unit 230 stores various information necessary for processing of MFP 100. Specifically, information regarding an area for adding additional information (hereinafter referred to as “additional area”), various information input by the data input unit 220, and the like are stored. Here, the information regarding the additional area is information indicating the range of the additional area (hereinafter referred to as “area information”). The storage unit 230 is realized by the memory 113 in the controller 110 and the HDD 180.

  The size detection unit 240 detects the size of the image data input by the data input unit 220. As the size of the image data, a paper size such as A3 or A4 may be detected, or the size of the image data defined by the resolution may be detected. The size detection unit 240 may be realized by the controller 110 shown in FIG. 1 or may be realized by the scanner engine 130.

  The method acquisition unit 250 acquires identification information of an additional method used when adding additional information to the additional region. Upon acquisition, the additional method recorded in the header portion of the image data or PDL data stored in the storage unit 230, the additional method specified by the instruction input unit 210, and the additional method stored in the storage unit 230 are used. Get identification information. Here, the acquired information may be the additional method itself, not the identification information of the additional method. The method acquisition unit 250 may be realized by the communication interface 120 and the user interface 160 illustrated in FIG. 1 or may be realized by the controller 110.

  The detection unit 260 detects the type of the additional method acquired by the method acquisition unit 250. Specifically, the type stored in the storage unit 230 is acquired and detected using the acquired identification information of the additional method as a key. Here, FIG. 3 illustrates a correspondence table stored in the storage unit 230. Here, examples of the type include “code system” and “background pattern system”. The major difference between the two addition methods is whether or not information added to image data later is added in a format that the machine can recognize as code information. In other words, the detection unit 260 can be rephrased as a unit for detecting whether or not the code information can be recognized.

  Next, the area setting unit 270 will be described. The area setting unit 270 sets an additional area in the image data in accordance with the additional information adding method and the content information included in the image data. The region setting means 270 is realized by the controller 110 shown in FIG.

  Further, the region setting unit 270 will be described in detail. The area setting unit 270 acquires a range (hereinafter referred to as “content area”) in which content information included in the processing target image data stored in the storage unit 230 exists. Here, when acquiring the content area, a configuration for acquiring a circumscribed rectangle of the content information may be employed. Note that the circumscribed rectangle of the content information can be acquired by specifying the background color of the image data and extracting the circumscribed rectangle of pixels other than the background color. For specifying the background color, various methods such as creating a color histogram of the image data and determining the color with the highest ratio as the background color can be applied.

  Then, the area setting unit 270 sets the additional area within the range of the image data based on the information indicating whether or not the additional method acquired by the method acquisition unit 240 is the code method and the acquired content area. As the range of the image data, the size detected by the size detection unit 240 may be used. Note that the additional area may be set in the memory (not shown) in the controller 110 by the additional method and the content area without considering the range of the image data.

  Here, when the addition method is a code method, it is desirable to add information by a method capable of recognizing code information with a certain accuracy even if image processing such as copying or noise correction is performed on image data to which information is added. . In some cases, information that code information should not be missing from image data with a certain degree of accuracy, such as a copy prohibition code, trace information for managing image processing history, and a URL for fusing paper and electronics, may be added. This is because many are assumed. Therefore, when the additional information is added by the code method, a pattern used for adding information with a certain density (or luminance) must be superimposed on the image data. Therefore, the area setting means 270 sets the additional area in a range that does not overlap with the content information when the additional system is the code system. By setting such an additional area in a range that does not overlap the content information, the appearance of the content information can be maintained even if the pattern is superimposed with a certain density (or luminance).

  On the other hand, when information is added by a method other than the code method, for example, when information is added by a tint block method, the above situation does not exist. On the other hand, there is a case where the significance of adding information is further maintained by overlapping with content information. Therefore, the area setting unit 270 sets the additional area in a range overlapping with the content information when adding information other than the code method.

  The content area is not limited to the circumscribed rectangle of the content information. For example, a content area may be acquired by performing contour tracking processing on image data, and an additional area may be set.

  Further, a pixel value histogram may be obtained for image data, a content area may be obtained from the obtained histogram, and an additional area may be set based on the obtained content area. Specifically, a histogram of pixel values is obtained from the edge of the image data, and a location where the obtained change amount of the histogram shows a predetermined threshold value or more is determined as the edge of the content information. Then, the region from the end of the image data to the portion determined to be an edge is set as the additional region.

  Further, a differential value of each pixel of the image data is obtained, and an edge is detected based on the obtained value. Then, the area from the end of the image data to the detected edge may be set as the additional area. In addition, what is necessary is just to use well-known methods, such as an image filter, for calculation of a differential value.

  Here, when there are a plurality of acquired content areas (when there are a plurality of first content areas), an area including all the content areas (hereinafter referred to as “second content area”). The additional area may be set accordingly. Specifically, all the first content areas are integrated to obtain a second content area. Then, a circumscribed rectangle of the second content area is obtained, and an additional area is set around the obtained circumscribed rectangle. In this case, it is possible to obtain image data in which no additional information exists between the content areas, and thus it is possible to obtain image data that does not impair the appearance of the content information. However, the method in which the additional area is set based on the first content information can secure a wider additional area. Therefore, the amount of information that can be added to the image data increases. FIG. 4 shows image data to which information is added based on the first content area, and FIG. 5 shows image data to which information is added based on the second content area.

  Further, the region setting unit 270 may adopt a configuration in which an additional region is set in consideration of a shape instruction (hereinafter referred to as “region shape”) regarding the additional region input from the user via the instruction input unit 210. Good. Specifically, by setting an additional area corresponding to the area shape in the acquired content area, an additional area having a user-desired shape can be set. In the case of adopting such a configuration, the region generation unit 270 acquires a template according to the shape instruction input via the instruction input unit 210 from the storage unit 230, thereby adding an additional region having a user-desired shape. Set. Here, FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the shape instruction possessed by the storage means 230 and the template.

  The information addition unit 280 converts the additional information input by the data input unit 210 into a predetermined pattern according to the addition method acquired by the method acquisition unit 250. The additional information is added to the image data to be processed by superimposing the converted pattern on the additional area set by the area setting unit 270.

  Here, the conversion from the additional information to the pattern by the information adding means 280 will be described.

  First, a case where the method acquisition unit 250 acquires the code method as an additional method will be described. The information adding unit 280 converts each bit of the bit string corresponding to the additional information acquired by the data input unit 220 into a pattern using the information stored in the storage unit 230. Then, the converted pattern is superimposed on the image data. Specifically, the additional information is acquired bit by bit, and the acquired bit string is rearranged into a two-dimensional array having a predetermined size (hereinafter referred to as “unit two-dimensional array”). Next, the information adding unit 280 generates a two-dimensional array having the size of the image data detected by the size detecting unit 230 by repeatedly arranging the unit two-dimensional array in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. Then, by converting a portion of the generated two-dimensional array that overlaps the additional region set by the region setting unit 270 into a pattern of each unit two-dimensional array, the pattern is superimposed on the image data. In order to improve the extraction accuracy of the additional information, a bit string obtained by repeating the additional information several times may be converted into a pattern.

  Next, a case where the method acquisition unit 250 acquires a method for adding information other than the code method as an additional method will be described using an example of an addition format based on a tint block method. The information adding unit 280 rasterizes the additional information acquired by the data input unit 220 and generates additional information image data that is converted into a binary image. Further, the background pattern is generated by replacing the black pixels of the generated additional information image data with a pattern having a size that cannot be reproduced by copying, and replacing the white pixels with a pattern having a size that can be reproduced by copying. Note that black pixels may be replaced with a pattern having a size reproduced by copying, and white pixels may be replaced with a pattern having a size not reproduced by copying. Then, additional information is added to the image data to be processed by superimposing the generated tint block pattern on the additional area.

  Finally, the data output means 290 will be described. The data output unit 290 outputs image data to which additional information is added. Here, the image data itself may be output to the outside via the communication interface 120, or a configuration may be employed in which printing is performed on a predetermined medium (such as output paper) using the printer engine 140. A configuration in which image data is displayed on a panel using the user interface 160 may be employed.

  Next, a processing flow in MFP 100 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in MFP 100 according to the present embodiment.

  First, the instruction input unit 210 receives an image data output instruction from the user (step S101). At this time, the instruction receiving unit 210 also receives an instruction to add additional information to the image data from the user.

  Next, the data input means 220 inputs image data to be processed, which is an addition target of additional information (step S102). The input image data is stored in storage means 230 realized by HDD 180 of MFP 100.

  Subsequently, the size detection unit 240 reads the image data stored in the storage unit 230 and detects the size of the read image data (step S103). The size information of the detected image data is stored in the storage unit 230.

  Further, identification information of the additional method used when the method acquisition unit 250 adds the additional information to the image data to be processed, and the detection unit 260 detects the type of the acquired additional method (step S104). Then, the area setting unit 270 acquires the content area of the image data, and sets an area for adding additional information according to the content information and the type of the additional method.

Here, it is determined whether or not the acquired additional method is a code method (step S105), and if the acquired additional method is a code method, an area for adding additional information is set around the content area. (Step S106).
On the other hand, if the acquired addition method is an addition method other than the code method, an area overlapping the content area is set as an area for adding additional information (step S107).

  Then, the information adding unit 280 adds the additional information to the image data to be processed by superimposing the pattern on the additional region (step S108), and the data output unit 290 outputs the image data to which the additional information is added. In step S109, the series of processing ends.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the area setting unit 270 sets an area for adding additional information according to the addition method and the content information, so that the content information in the image data to be processed is set. It is possible to keep the appearance.

  The portable recording medium to be read by the portable recording medium reader 170 is not particularly limited. In addition to the SD card, a compact flash (registered trademark) memory card, smart media (registered trademark), memory stick ( (Registered trademark), a memory-type recording medium such as a picture card, and any other removable recording medium can be used alone or in combination.

  Each of the above functions can be realized by a computer-executable program written in a legacy programming language such as assembler, C, C ++, C #, Java (registered trademark), an object-oriented programming language, or the like. ROM, EEPROM , EPROM, flash memory, flexible disk, CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD, SD card, MO and the like can be stored and distributed in a recording medium readable by the apparatus.

[Second Embodiment]
The image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The present embodiment is different from the processing in the first embodiment in that the processing target is addition of additional information using a plurality of different addition methods to image data to be processed.

  In this embodiment, an example in which a PC (Personal Computer) 300 is used as an example of an information identification apparatus will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of PC 300 as the information identification device according to the present embodiment. In the description of the present embodiment, redundant description of components having substantially the same functional configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted.

  The PC 300 includes a CPU 310, a RAM 320, a ROM 330, an external storage device 340, a communication interface 350, a user interface 360, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 370, and a bus line 380.

  The ROM 330, the external storage device 340, or the HDD 370 stores software such as an operating system and a print data generation program. In addition, the CPU 310 executes software stored in the ROM 330, the external storage device 340, and the HDD 370, and comprehensively controls each device connected to the bus line 270. The RAM 220 functions as a work area that is a main memory of the CPU 310. The external storage device 340 and the HDD 370 store a boot program, an operating system, various applications, and the like.

  The communication interface 350 communicates with an external device of the PC 300 by being controlled by the CPU 310. For example, the communication interface 240 is configured by an Ethernet (registered trademark) interface, an IEEE1284 interface, or another interface.

  The user interface 360 can display information sent from the CPU 310 and transmit information input from the user to the CPU 310. That is, information is output (provided) to the user and instructions (information) are input from the user. Here, the user interface 350 can be configured by, for example, a display (such as LCT or CRT), a pointing device (such as a mouse or a touch pen), or a keyboard. As another configuration, a touch panel, a voice interface, or the like can be used.

  The bus line 380 electrically connects the CPU 310 to the ROM 320, the communication interface 350, the user interface 360, and the like. The bus line 260 includes an address bus and a data bus.

  Next, the function of the PC 300 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the PC 300 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the PC 300 according to the present embodiment includes an instruction input unit 410, a data input unit 420, a storage unit 430, a size detection unit 440, a method acquisition unit 450, a detection unit 460, and an area. Setting means 470, information adding means 480, and information adding means 490 are provided.

  Hereinafter, the method acquisition unit 450 and the region setting unit 470, which are different from the first embodiment, will be described. The functions of the other means are the same as the functions of the means having the same name in MFP 100, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  The method acquisition unit 450 acquires additional method identification information used when adding the additional information to the image data. Upon acquisition, an addition method recorded in the header portion of the image data or PDL data stored in the storage unit 430, an addition method designated by the instruction input unit 410, an addition method stored in the storage unit 430, and the like To get. Here, the acquired information may be the additional method itself, not the identification information of the additional method. The method acquisition unit 450 may be realized by the communication interface 350 and the user interface 360 shown in FIG. 8 or may be realized by the CPU 310.

  Here, when acquiring a plurality of additional information from the data input unit 420, the method acquisition unit 450 acquires the identification information of the additional method for each additional information, and associates the additional information with the identification information of the additional method. Then, the data is stored in the storage unit 430. An example of the association between the additional information and the identification information of the additional method is shown in FIG.

  Even when single additional information is acquired from the data input means 420, identification information of a plurality of additional methods may be acquired. In this case, the processing may be performed when (1) the instruction setting for adding information by a plurality of methods is received from the instruction input unit 210, or (2) the security level from the instruction input unit 210 Whether or not to acquire a plurality of additional methods may be determined according to the setting.

  Next, the area setting unit 470 will be described. The area setting unit 470 sets an additional area in the image data in accordance with the additional information addition method and the content information included in the image data. Note that the region generation means 470 is realized by the CPU 310 shown in FIG.

  Further, the region setting unit 470 will be described in detail. The area setting unit 470 acquires a range (hereinafter referred to as “content area”) in which content information included in the image data to be processed stored in the storage unit 430 exists. Here, when acquiring the content area, a configuration for acquiring a circumscribed rectangle of the content information may be employed. The circumscribed rectangle of the content information can be obtained by specifying the background color of the image data and extracting the circumscribed rectangle of pixels other than the background color. For specifying the background color, various methods such as creating a color histogram of the image data and determining the color with the highest ratio as the background color can be applied.

  The content area is not limited to the circumscribed rectangle of the content information. For example, a content area may be acquired by performing contour tracking processing on image data, and an additional area may be set.

  Further, a pixel value histogram may be obtained for image data, a content area may be obtained from the obtained histogram, and an additional area may be set based on the obtained content area. Specifically, a histogram of pixel values is obtained from the edge of the image data, and a location where the obtained change amount of the histogram shows a predetermined threshold value or more is determined as the edge of the content information. Then, the region from the end of the image data to the portion determined to be an edge is set as the additional region.

  Further, a differential value of each pixel of the image data is obtained, and an edge is detected based on the obtained value. Then, the area from the end of the image data to the detected edge may be set as the additional area. In addition, what is necessary is just to use well-known methods, such as an image filter, for calculation of a differential value.

Then, the area setting unit 470 acquires an additional method for each of the plurality of additional information stored in the storage unit 430, and sets whether or not to set the additional information in a range overlapping the content area according to the acquired additional method. The additional area range which is such information is determined. Further, the additional area is set in the image data by the additional area range and the content area. Here, when the area setting means 470 acquires “code system” and “background pattern method” as the additional methods, an additional area of information based on the background pattern system (hereinafter referred to as “background pattern area”) overlaps with the content area. The information addition area (hereinafter referred to as “code area”) by the code method is set in a range that does not overlap with the content area and is set around the tint block area.
FIG. 11 shows an example in which the code area is in a range that does not overlap with the content area and is set around the tint block area. With this function, it is possible to maintain the appearance of the content area in the image data to which the additional information is added, and it is possible to detect the additional information quickly when scanning the image data to detect the additional information by encoding. It is.

  Next, the flow of processing in the image processing apparatus according to this embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the image processing apparatus according to this embodiment.

  First, the instruction input unit 410 receives an image data output instruction from the user (step S201). At this time, the instruction input unit 410 also receives from the user a mode setting instruction when adding additional information to the image data.

  Next, the data input unit 420 inputs image data to be processed to which information is added and additional information (step S202), and stores the image data in the storage unit 430. Subsequently, the size detection unit reads the image data stored in the storage unit 430, and detects the size of the read image data (step S203). The size information of the detected image data is stored in the storage unit 230.

  Further, identification information of the additional method used when the method acquisition unit 450 adds the additional information to the image data to be processed, and the detection unit 460 acquires for each additional information input by the data input unit 420. The type of method is detected (step S204).

  Here, in the present embodiment, the processes in step S202 and step S204 are different depending on the mode setting accepted in step S201. Here, the mode to be set includes a mode that gives priority to <1> additional information strength and a mode that gives priority to <2> additional information amount.

  First, in a mode in which priority is given to the strength of <1> additional information, identification information of a plurality of additional methods is acquired in step S204 for one additional information input in step S202. When acquiring the identification information, the user may be prompted to input the identification information via the instruction input unit 410 configured by the user interface 360, or the identification information may be acquired from the storage unit 430. A plurality of combinations of additional information and additional method types are set. Here, FIG. 13 shows details of step S202 to step S204 in the mode in which priority is given to the intensity of <1> additional information.

  On the other hand, in the mode in which <2> the amount of additional information is prioritized, a plurality of pieces of additional information are input in step S202, and additional method identification information is acquired for each additional information in step S204. A plurality of combinations of additional information and additional method types are set. Here, FIG. 13 shows details of step S202 to step S204 in the mode in which <2> priority is given to the additional information amount.

  Subsequently, for each combination of the additional information and the type of the additional method (for each additional information), the process proceeds to an additional information area setting process. The area setting unit 470 acquires the content area of the image data, and sets an area for adding additional information according to the content area and the type of addition method.

  Here, it is determined whether or not the acquired additional method is an additional method other than a format recognizable as code information (step S205). If the acquired addition method is a code method, a range (additional region range) to which additional information is added by this method is determined as the periphery of the content region (step S206), and information on the determined additional region range is obtained. Store in the storage means 430. On the other hand, when the acquired addition method is an addition method other than the code method, the additional area range of the additional information added by such a method is determined as a content area (step S207), and information on the determined additional area range is obtained Store in the storage means 430.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the determination of the additional area range for all additional information has been completed (step S208), and if it has been completed, the process proceeds to step S209. On the other hand, if it has not been completed, the process returns to step S205 to determine an additional area range for unprocessed additional information.

  Subsequently, the area setting unit 470 sets an additional area according to the determined additional area range and the content area in the image data to be processed (step S209).

  The additional information is added to the image data to be processed by superimposing the pattern on the additional area set by the information adding means 480 (step S210), and the image data to which the additional information is added is converted into the data output means 490. Is output (step S211).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the area setting unit 470 sets the area for adding the additional information according to the addition method and the content information for each additional information. It is possible to enhance the usefulness of the additional information as well as to enhance the appearance of the content information.

  Although the present invention has been described with the MFP 100 as the image processing apparatus in the first embodiment and the PC 300 as the image processing apparatus in the second embodiment, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to each other. .

  Further, the external storage device 340 is not particularly limited, and a memory system such as an SD card, a compact flash (registered trademark) memory card, a smart media (registered trademark), a memory stick (registered trademark), a picture card, or the like. These recording media and any other removable recording media can be used alone or in combination.

  Each of the above functions can be realized by a computer-executable program written in a legacy programming language such as assembler, C, C ++, C #, Java (registered trademark), an object-oriented programming language, or the like. ROM, EEPROM , EPROM, flash memory, flexible disk, CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD, SD card, MO, and the like can be stored and distributed.

  Further, the information identification apparatus is not limited to the MFP 100 or the PC 300 having the composite function of the above-described embodiment, and an image forming apparatus such as a server, a copying machine, a printer, or a printing machine according to a specific application. , Portable information terminals such as mobile phones, PDAs and portable electronic gaming devices, image reading devices such as scanners, imaging devices such as digital cameras and digital video cameras, and audio / video input / output devices such as televisions, HDD recorders and audio sets. Any device capable of exchanging information with a removable recording medium, such as an in-vehicle electronic device such as a car navigation system or a digital home appliance, can be configured as an example of the information extraction device of the present invention.

  The present invention is not limited to the one described in the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. Moreover, it is not limited to what was demonstrated by 1st and 2nd embodiment, The method equivalent to these is also contained in the technical scope of this invention.

1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an MFP 100 as an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. 2 is a functional block diagram of an MFP 100 as an image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the data which the memory | storage means 230 concerning 1st Embodiment stores. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of image data when an additional area is set according to a first content area in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of image data when an additional area is set according to a second content area in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a shape instruction | indication and a template which the memory | storage means 230 concerning 1st Embodiment stores. It is a processing flow figure concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of PC300 as an image processing apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of PC300 as an image processing apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data which the memory | storage means 430 concerning 2nd Embodiment stores. In a 2nd embodiment, it is a mimetic diagram of image data to which additional information was added. It is a processing flow figure concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a detailed process flow figure in acquisition of additional information concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a schematic diagram of image data to which additional information is added by a conventional technique.

Explanation of symbols

100 MFP
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 Controller 120 Communication interface 130 Scanner engine 140 Printer engine 150 FAX board 160 User interface 170 Portable recording medium reader 180 HDD
190 Bus line 210 Instruction input means 220 Data input means 230 Storage means 240 Size detection means 250 Method acquisition means 260 Detection means 270 Area setting means 280 Information addition means 290 Data output means 300 PC
310 CPU
320 RAM
330 ROM
340 External storage device 350 Communication interface 360 User interface 370 HDD
380 Bus line 410 Instruction input means 420 Data input means 430 Storage means 440 Size detection means 450 Method acquisition means 460 Detection means 470 Area setting means 480 Information addition means 490 Data output means

Claims (16)

An image processing apparatus for adding additional information to image data including content information,
A method acquisition unit that acquires identification information of an additional method used when adding the additional information to the additional region for the image data, and associates the additional information with the identification information of the additional method ;
Area setting means for setting an area for adding the additional information according to the acquired addition method and the content information;
Information adding means for adding the additional information to the set area by the adding method;
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the area setting unit sets an area around the content information in accordance with the acquired additional method. Detecting means for detecting whether the acquired addition method is an information addition method by encoding or an information addition method by a tint block pattern;
3. The area setting unit according to claim 2, wherein the area setting unit sets an area around the content information when it is detected that the acquired addition method is an addition method of information by encoding. Image processing device. When the method acquisition means acquires the information addition method by the encoding and the addition method by the tint block pattern,
The area setting means sets an area for adding additional information by the background pattern, and sets an area for adding additional information by the encoding in a range including the background pattern. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3.   The area setting means generates an area for adding additional information by the encoding around the content information according to a distance from an end of the image data to the content information. Item 5. The image processing apparatus according to Item 3 or 4.   6. The additional information according to claim 1, wherein the additional information is at least one of type information indicating a type of the image data or history information which is an output history of the image data. The image processing apparatus described. When the additional information is type information for indicating the type of the image data,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the method acquisition unit acquires a method of adding information by encoding as the method of adding the additional information. An image processing method for adding additional information to image data including content information,
A method acquisition step for acquiring identification information of an additional method used when adding the additional information to the additional region for the image data, and associating the additional information with the identification information of the additional method ;
An area setting step for setting an area for adding the additional information according to the acquired addition method and the content information;
An information addition step of adding the additional information to the set area by the addition method;
An image processing method comprising:   The image processing method according to claim 8, wherein the region setting step sets a region around the content information in accordance with the acquired additional method. A detection step of detecting whether the acquired addition method is an information addition method by encoding or an information addition method by a tint block pattern;
The area setting step sets an area around the content information when it is detected that the acquired addition method is an addition method of information by encoding. Image processing method. When the method acquisition step acquires the information addition method by the encoding and the addition method by the tint block pattern,
In the region setting step, a ground pattern region for adding additional information is set by the ground pattern, and a region for adding additional information by the encoding is set in a range including the ground pattern. The image processing method according to claim 10.   The region setting step generates a region for adding additional information by the encoding around the content information according to a distance from an end of the image data to the content information. Item 12. The image processing method according to Item 10 or 11.   13. The additional information according to claim 8, wherein the additional information is at least one of type information indicating a type of the image data and history information which is an output history of the image data. Image processing method. When the additional information is type information for indicating the type of the image data,
The image processing method according to claim 8, wherein the method acquisition step acquires an information addition method by encoding as the additional information addition method.   A program for causing a computer to execute the image processing method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 15 is recorded.

Images