JPH11122485A - Image processor and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To limit copy processing about an optional original image by adding a prescribed mark to an inputted image signal, forming an image to which the mark is added, having a means which outputs it on a recording medium and performs confirmation and changing image forming methods when the mark is attached. SOLUTION: The change of an image forming method is selected among blackening the entire image, suspending processing and signaling a message. When an image processor outputs a security document, an operating part 300 urges a user to decide whether or not an output image is a security document and adds a mark based on a prescribed rule with yellow toner that has a low human visual sensitivity characteristic in the case of security treatment. Although the mark is preliminarily registered on a ROM 28, it is also acceptable to register and update it on a RAM 29, etc. If the mark is read when copy processing is started and a scanner part first reads an original, a normal copy operation is suspended and an operation that is necessary for security maintenance is performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus and method for performing image copying.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image processing apparatus represented by, for example, a copying machine has various anti-counterfeiting functions in order to prevent illegal counterfeiting of bills and securities. For example, it is determined whether or not a document image to be copied has features such as banknotes, and if the document is determined to be a specific document such as a banknote, normal copying such as black solid output is not performed. Control method was common.

[0003] In some securities, hidden characters such as "invalid" characters are printed in advance, and some securities are created so that the copy cannot be used. .

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional image processing apparatus, counterfeiting prevention measures have been taken only for printed materials, such as banknotes and securities, which are generally concerned about forgery by copying. Therefore, for example, there is no means to prevent unauthorized copying of confidential documents and the like diverted within the company, etc.
By imprinting a mark indicating that copying is forbidden, the user has to rely on the user's judgment to thoroughly prevent copying. Therefore, it is impossible to prevent user's intentional copy processing, and a means for thoroughly preventing forgery of these in-house confidential documents is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and method for restricting copying of an arbitrary document image.

[0006]

As one means for achieving the above object, the image processing apparatus of the present invention has the following arrangement.

That is, image input means for inputting an image signal, holding means for holding a predetermined mark, addition means for adding the mark to the image signal, and an image to which the mark has been added by the addition means Image forming means for forming an image based on a signal, image output means for outputting an image formed by the image forming means on a recording medium,
It is characterized by having.

Further, an image input means for inputting an image signal, a holding means for holding a predetermined mark, an image forming means for forming an image based on the image signal, and a means for recording an image formed by the image forming means Image output means for outputting on a medium, wherein the image forming means changes an image forming method when the mark is added to the image signal.

[0009] As one technique for achieving the above object, the image processing method of the present invention includes the following steps.

That is, an image inputting step of inputting an image signal, an adding step of adding a predetermined mark held by holding means to the image signal, and forming an image based on the image signal to which the mark has been added. And an image output step of outputting the formed image on a recording medium.

An image input step of inputting an image signal, an image forming step of forming an image based on the image signal, and an image output step of outputting the image formed in the image forming step to a recording medium. In the image forming step, an image forming method is changed when a predetermined mark is added to the image signal.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a digital electrophotographic color copying apparatus as an example of an image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 200 denotes a scanner section, which optically reads a document placed on a document table to obtain an image signal.

The recording paper is fed from a paper feeding unit 117 to a paper feeding roller 11.
8, the transfer drum 120 is held on the outer periphery.

The photosensitive drum 100 is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity by a charger 112, is output from a laser unit 110, and is exposed on the photosensitive drum 100 by a laser beam L via a reflection mirror 111 for each color. An image is formed. The latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 100 is visualized by each color developing device Dy, Dm, Dc, Dk,
The image is transferred a plurality of times onto the recording paper around the transfer drum 120 to form a color image.

After that, the recording paper is separated from the transfer drum 120 by the separation claw 114, and the transferred color image is fixed by the fixing unit 115 and discharged to the discharge tray 116. Reference numeral 113 denotes a cleaner, which is a photosensitive drum 10.
The toner of each color remaining on the surface of No. 0 is removed.

Reference numeral 119 denotes a control unit which performs various types of image processing on image data from the scanner unit 200, for example.
In addition, it controls each unit described above.

An operation unit 300 includes a display panel for displaying the status of the apparatus and a message, and various switches for receiving an instruction input from a user.

FIG. 2 shows a main block configuration of the control unit 119 described above.

The analog image signal read by the scanner unit 200 is converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter 21 and then subjected to various processes in a shading correction unit 22, a logarithmic conversion unit 23, and a γ correction unit 24. , Are input to the pulse width modulation unit 25. An add-on signal from the add-on unit 26 is also input to the pulse width modulation unit 25, and this add-on signal is a confidential document mark in the present embodiment, and details thereof will be described later. The image signal subjected to pulse width modulation in the pulse width modulation unit 25 is
It is output to laser section 110 as a laser drive signal. 2
Reference numeral 7 denotes a CPU, which controls the entire control unit 119. C
The PU 27 refers to various control programs stored in the ROM 28 and operates using the RAM 29 as a work area. The add-on unit 26 generates an add-on signal with reference to the ROM 28 or the RAM 29.

Hereinafter, a document whose copying is to be prohibited in a company or the like is generally referred to as a confidential document, and handling of the confidential document in the present embodiment will be described in detail.

In this embodiment, when a confidential document is created and output by the image processing apparatus, the user is prompted by the operation unit 300 to determine whether or not the output image is a confidential document. For example, a message such as "Do you want to treat as a confidential document?" Is displayed on the display panel. If the message is a confidential document, the user instructs to create a confidential document by operating a predetermined switch.

Then, the image processing apparatus adds a signal (hereinafter, referred to as a mark) based on a predetermined rule by using a yellow toner (developing device Dy) having low human visibility characteristics at the time of image formation. This processing is performed by the add-on unit 26 described above.
Is controlled by adding a mark to a yellow (yellow) image signal.

FIG. 3 shows an example of an output in which a mark is added during image formation. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a recording sheet on which output is performed, and 2 denotes a mark added by yellow toner, which means that copying is restricted by the mark 2. Although the mark is registered in the ROM 28 in advance, the mark may be registered and updated in the RAM 29 or the like, for example.

The above-described mark adding operation is not only instructed by the operation unit 300 of the image processing apparatus, but also in an image processing apparatus to which an external device such as a computer is connected, It may be instructed via.

The confidential document created as described above is placed on the platen glass of the image processing apparatus of the present embodiment.
When the copying process is started, when a signal registered in advance is read at the time of the first document reading by the scanner unit 200, a normal copying operation is interrupted, and an operation necessary for maintaining confidentiality is performed. Hereinafter, an example of the security maintaining operation in the present embodiment will be described. [Second Security Operation 1] The image processing apparatus of the present embodiment includes a four-color developing device, and performs color reproduction by mixing toners of a plurality of colors. So, if you try to copy a confidential document,
The mixing ratio of each color is changed, and the entire image is output in black. ● Confidentiality Operation 2 Alternatively, when a confidential document is to be copied, the process is forcibly interrupted and the sheet is discharged even during image formation. ● Confidentiality Operation 3 Or, when copying a confidential document, the process is forcibly interrupted, and furthermore, on the paper by the developing unit in the next process, "This is a confidential document and cannot be copied." Is added and output. In this way, by notifying that the forgery prevention function has been activated, the user can recognize that even if an unusual copy is made, it is not an abnormal output due to a failure of the copying machine.

In the case of a document to which a confidential document mark has been added at the time of the first document reading, a warning message stating, for example, "This document cannot be copied normally because copying is prohibited" is displayed on the display panel. It is also effective to prompt the user to stop the copying process.

Also, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which a confidential document mark is added with yellow toner so as not to be visually recognized. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the user is prohibited from copying. It is also possible to add them on paper in a form that can be visually recognized (symbols or characters) so as to prompt them. For example, a character such as “copy prohibited” may be added. Of course, this mark is
It is also possible to register a plurality of items such as 9 and appropriately select and use them.

If the confidential document to which the mark is added is a color document, the color is converted or the number of colors is limited when copying the document, so that the document is clearly different from the original document. It is also effective to make a copy.

In this embodiment, the add-on unit 2
The example in which a mark is added in step 6 has been described. However, if a predetermined mark can be added on the final output recording sheet,
The mark may be added by any method.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
Any confidential document can be easily created and its copying restricted.

<Second Embodiment> Hereinafter, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described. Since the configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment,
Description is omitted.

In the above-described first embodiment, an example has been described in which a mark indicating a confidential document is added in the image processing apparatus. In the second embodiment, a confidential document is created by adding the mark by, for example, stamping a seal or the like. FIG. 4 shows an example of a confidential document created in the second embodiment. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 3 denotes a pressed seal.

When a document to which a seal is added as a mark is to be copied, the image processing apparatus recognizes the seal at the time of scanning. Of course, this seal is registered in advance in the ROM 28, RAM 29, or the like in the apparatus as a mark. When the device recognizes the imprint, it is determined that the document is prohibited from being copied, and the image formation is restricted as in the first embodiment.

As described above, according to the second embodiment,
A document formed by another device can be easily given a copy prohibition attribute.

<Other Embodiments> Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (a single device) may be used. For example, the present invention may be applied to a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and the like.

Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus.
And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention, an arbitrary confidential document can be easily created by adding a copy prohibition mark, and copying thereof can be restricted.

Also, for a document created by another device, a confidential document can be easily created and its copying restricted by adding a predetermined seal.

Accordingly, it is possible to easily designate an arbitrary document as a confidential document and prevent or restrict copying processing using the document as a document.

[0046]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a control unit according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a confidential document created in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a confidential document created in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 photosensitive drum 110 laser unit 120 transfer drum 200 scanner unit 300 operation unit 26 add-on unit 27 CPU 28 ROM 29 RAM 1 output document 2 confidential document mark (not visible) 3 confidential document mark (visual approval)

Claims (28)

[Claims] An image input unit that inputs an image signal; a holding unit that holds a predetermined mark; an adding unit that adds the mark to the image signal; and an image to which the mark is added by the adding unit. An image processing apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image based on a signal; and an image output unit that outputs an image formed by the image forming unit onto a recording medium. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising instruction input means for inputting an instruction, wherein said adding means adds said mark when an instruction to add a mark is input by said instruction input means. The image processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 3. The image according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit changes an image forming method when the mark is added in an image signal input from the image input unit. Processing equipment. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the change of the image forming method in the image forming means is to blacken the entire image. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the change of the image forming method in the image forming unit is a suspension of an image forming process. 6. A notifying unit for notifying a message, wherein the notifying unit notifies a message indicating that the mark has been added to the image signal input from the image input unit. Claim 3 characterized by the following:
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mark is changeable. 8. An image input unit for inputting an image signal, a holding unit for holding a predetermined mark, an image forming unit for forming an image based on the image signal, and recording an image formed by the image forming unit An image output unit for outputting the image on a medium, wherein the image forming unit changes an image forming method when the mark is added to the image signal. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the mark is a predetermined imprint. 10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the change of the image forming method in said image forming means is to blacken the entire image. 11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the change of the image forming method in the image forming unit is a suspension of an image forming process. 12. A notifying unit for notifying a message, wherein the notifying unit notifies a message indicating that the mark is added to the image signal when the mark is added to the image signal. 12. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11. 13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the mark is changeable. 14. An image inputting step of inputting an image signal, an adding step of adding a predetermined mark held by holding means to the image signal, and forming an image based on the image signal to which the mark has been added. An image processing method, comprising: an image forming step of performing an image forming step; and an image outputting step of outputting the formed image to a recording medium. 15. An instruction input step of inputting an instruction, wherein the adding step adds the mark when an instruction to add a mark is input in the instruction input step. 15. The image processing method according to 14. 16. The image forming method according to claim 14, wherein, in the image forming step, when the mark is added to the image signal input in the image input step, an image forming method is changed. Image processing method. 17. The image processing method according to claim 16, wherein the change of the image forming method in the image forming step is to blacken the entire image. 18. The image processing method according to claim 16, wherein the change of the image forming method in the image forming step is an interruption of the image forming process. 19. The apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a notifying step of notifying a message indicating that the mark has been added to the image signal input in the image input step. The image processing method according to any one of the above. 20. The image processing method according to claim 14, wherein said mark is changeable. 21. An image inputting step of inputting an image signal, an image forming step of forming an image based on the image signal, and an image outputting step of outputting an image formed in the image forming step on a recording medium. An image processing method, wherein in the image forming step, an image forming method is changed when a predetermined mark is added to the image signal. 22. The image processing method according to claim 21, wherein the mark is a predetermined imprint. 23. The image processing method according to claim 21, wherein the change of the image forming method in the image forming step is to blacken the entire image. 24. The image processing method according to claim 21, wherein the change of the image forming method in the image forming step is an interruption of the image forming process. 25. The image processing according to claim 21, further comprising a notification step of notifying a message indicating that the mark has been added to the image signal. Method. 26. The image processing method according to claim 21, wherein said mark is changeable. 27. A computer-readable memory storing a program code for image processing, wherein a code for an image input step of inputting an image signal and a predetermined mark held by a holding means are added to the image signal. A code of an adding step, a code of an image forming step of forming an image based on the image signal to which the mark is added, and a code of an image outputting step of outputting the formed image on a recording medium. A computer readable memory characterized by the following. 28. A computer-readable memory storing a program code for image processing, wherein: a code for an image input step of inputting an image signal; a code for an image forming step of forming an image based on the image signal; A code for an image output step of outputting the formed image on a recording medium.