JP2001203885A - Image processor, image-processing method and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a security discriminator which detects and discriminates the watermark information to the securities, such as paper money, checks and stamps that include the printed watermark data. SOLUTION: This device includes an image reading means which reads the securities to be identified, a 1st identification means which identifies the securities by referring to the image data read by the image-reading means, an information extraction means which extracts the information added on an image from the image data read by the image-reading means, a decoding means which decodes the information obtained via the information extraction means and acquires the prescribed data, a 2nd identification means which identifies the securities to be identified from the data decoded by the decoding means and an output control means, which controls the output in accordance with the results of identification of the 1st and 2nd identification means.

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 a recording medium, for example, by referring to digital watermark (watermark) data added to securities such as stamps, checks, and banknotes. The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a method for determining securities.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a so-called electronic watermarking technique has been developed in which additional information is hardly recognized by human eyes or embedded in electronic image data in a state where human eyes can recognize them.

[0003] These digital watermarking techniques can suppress unauthorized use of the image data by embedding the information of the author as additional information in the image data in which copyright or the like is involved. effective.
In addition, the electronic watermark information is printed on securities such as banknotes using the electronic watermark information, and the electronic watermark information printed when the securities are used is detected. A technology has been developed to make a more accurate determination of banknotes.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned electronic watermark information is used for communication data between computers, magnetic storage devices such as floppy (registered trademark) disks, and CD-ROMs.
Digital data to be stored in an optical storage device such as a ROM is frequently used, and is used to prohibit copying of data by electronic watermark information or restrict a user, but is used to print electronic watermarks on bills and the like. Information was not used.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and method for detecting and discriminating digital watermark information from securities such as bills, checks, and stamps on which digital watermark data is printed.

[0006]

The present invention has the following configuration as one means for achieving the above object.

An image processing apparatus for determining securities from digital watermark data added to the securities, wherein the image reading means reads the securities to be identified, and the image data read by the reading means is referred to. A first identification unit for identifying securities, an information extraction unit for extracting information added to the image from the image data read by the image reading unit, and a decryption of the information obtained by the information extraction unit. A decryption unit that performs processing and obtains predetermined data; a second identification unit that identifies the securities to be identified from the data decrypted by the decryption unit; and a first identification unit and a second identification unit. Output control means for controlling the output based on the identification result.

[0008] Further, there is provided an image processing apparatus for discriminating securities from digital watermark data added to the securities,
Magnetic detection means for detecting magnetic information of the securities to be identified;
First identification means for identifying securities based on the magnetic information detected by the magnetic detection means, image reading means for reading the security to be identified, and image data read by the image reading means added to the image. Information extracting means for extracting information, a decoding means for performing a decoding process on the information obtained by the information extracting means and obtaining predetermined data, and data decoded by the decoding means,
A second identification means for identifying the securities to be identified, and an output control means for controlling an output based on identification results of the first and second identification means.

An image processing method for discriminating securities from digital watermark data added to the securities,
The security to be identified is read, the security is identified by referring to the read image data, information added to the image is extracted from the read image data, and decoding processing is performed on the extracted information. Go to get the required data,
The securities to be identified are identified from the data decrypted by the decrypting means, and the output is controlled based on the plurality of identification results.

An image processing method for discriminating securities from digital watermark data added to the securities,
Detecting the magnetic information of the identified securities, identifying the securities based on the detected magnetic information, reading the identified securities, extracting the information added on the image from the read image data, and extracting the extracted information. A decryption process is performed on the information to obtain predetermined data, the identified securities are identified from the decrypted data, and output is controlled based on the plurality of identification results.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] FIG. 6 shows a first example of a digital watermark information printing apparatus for adding a digital watermark to securities to be identified according to the present invention. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 101 denotes securities for printing digital watermark information. There are various types of securities, such as banknotes and checks. In the present embodiment, an example in which digital watermark information is printed on stamps among securities will be described. 1
A transport device 02 transports the stamp 101 in a direction indicated by an arrow in the drawing to transport the stamp 101 to a position opposed to a position detecting unit 103 and an ink head 109 described later.

Reference numeral 103 denotes position detecting means such as a photo interrupter, which generates a trigger signal for printing digital watermark information when the stamp 101 passes over the position detecting means 103 by the transport device 102. Reference numeral 104 denotes a print area generating unit which, when a trigger signal is input from the position detecting unit 103, generates each timing signal for printing digital watermark information and outputs it to the information storage unit 107.

Reference numeral 105 denotes information input means, and the stamp 101
This is a device for inputting information to be printed as an electronic watermark and additional information. As the print information input from the information input unit, various information such as a serial number for identifying each stamp, information indicating the date of manufacture, and information indicating that the stamp is used can be considered. The amount of the stamp 101 is input from the means 105 as information. Further, information indicating characteristics of securities to be printed as input additional information may be considered, and the information may be common to each security or information unique to each security. As a means for adding information, for example, a method of representing additional information by a positional relationship of dots to be printed, or a method of modulating the density of a multi-valued image can be considered. Digital watermark information generation means for generating, converting, or processing watermark information. The generation and conversion of the electronic watermark information can be performed based on predetermined or input additional information. The means for embedding digital watermark data can be performed by processing print data based on the generated and converted digital watermark data. For example, a method of representing additional information from the positional relationship of dots to be printed based on the input additional information, a method of modulating the density of a multi-valued image, and the like are conceivable. In order to simplify the description, the digital watermark information generating unit 106 of the present embodiment generates data for printing the amount of money input from the information input unit 105 as a character on a stamp.

An information storage unit 107 stores the digital watermark information generated by the digital watermark information generating unit 106, and outputs the digital watermark information according to a timing signal input from the print area generating unit 104. 10
Reference numeral 8 denotes an ink head driving circuit, which is a device for driving the ink head 109 based on digital watermark information input from the digital watermark information generating means. An ink head 109 discharges ink by an ink head driving circuit 108 and performs printing on the stamp 101. With the above configuration, the information input from the information input unit 105 is converted into digital watermark information by the digital watermark information generating unit 106, and then printed on the stamp 101 by the ink head 108.

FIG. 2 shows the print area generating means 10 shown in FIG.
4 is a block diagram of FIG. In FIG. 2, TRG is a trigger signal input from the position detecting means 103, and
When 01 comes on the position detecting means 103, 1 is output. T
The RG signal is connected to a clear terminal of a counter 201 and a JK flip-flop 204 (hereinafter abbreviated as J-KF / F). When 1 is input to TRG, the output is cleared and 0 is output. The TRG signal is input to the OR circuit 209, is ORed with an HSYNC signal described later, is input to the clear terminals of the counter 205 and the J-KF / F 208, and similarly, when 1 is input to TRG, the counter 205 and J-KF / F 208 are cleared and output 0.

Reference numeral 210 denotes a synchronizing signal generation unit which generates and outputs a pixel clock VCLK synchronized with the printing timing and a main scanning synchronizing signal HSYNC indicating a cycle in which the ink head performs printing for one line. .

Reference numeral 201 denotes a sub-scanning direction counter,
Since YNC is used as a clock, the output is counted up every time one line is printed. Reference numerals 202 and 203 denote comparison circuits which compare the count value output from the counter 201 with predetermined values VEST and VEEN, respectively, when the value input from A is equal to the value input from B. Output 1 from Y, 0 otherwise
Is output.

Reference numeral 204 denotes a J-KF / F, and a comparison circuit 2
02 and the J input, the output of the comparison circuit 203 and the K input are connected, and when 1 is output from 202, 1 is output from Q
Is output, and when 1 is output from 203, 0 is output.
If both J and K are 0, the current output is held.
The operation clock of the J-KF / F204 is HSYNC.
Is used.

With the above configuration, the comparison circuits 202 and 2
03 for the values VEST and VEEN input to 03
By inputting a value satisfying ST <VEEN, JK
The sub-scanning direction enable signal VE is output from the F / F 204.

Reference numeral 205 denotes a main scanning direction counter;
Counting is performed using LK as a clock.

Reference numerals 206 and 207 denote comparison circuits which compare the counter value output from the counter 205 with predetermined values HEST and HEEN, respectively, and obtain a value input from A and a value input from B. Output 1 from Y when are equal, and output 0 otherwise.

Reference numeral 208 denotes a J-KF / F, and the comparison circuit 2
06 and the J input, the output of the comparison circuit 207 and the K input are connected, and when 1 is output from 206, 1 is output from Q
Is output, and when 1 is output from 207, 0 is output.
If both J and K are 0, the current output is held.

With the above configuration, the comparison circuits 206 and 2
HE for the values HEST and HEEN input to 07
By inputting a value that satisfies ST <HEEN, JK
The main scanning direction enable signal HE is output from the F / F 208.

Reference numeral 209 denotes an OR circuit which receives 1 from the trigger signal TRG or outputs 1 from the HSYNC signal.
, The counter 205 and the J-KF / F 208 are cleared.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the information storage unit 107. Reference numeral 3001 denotes a sub-scanning counter, 3002 denotes a main scanning counter, 3003 denotes a memory for storing digital watermark information, 3004 denotes an AND circuit, and 3005 denotes a flip-flop (hereinafter abbreviated as F / F).

Here, the sub-scanning counter 3001 transmits the main scanning synchronizing signal HSYNC, and the main scanning counter 3002 transmits the pixel synchronizing signal VCLK with a width of 7 bits, ie, 1 bit.
It is counted repeatedly in 28 cycles. 3003 is
A memory in which digital watermark information to be printed is stored as a pattern. Digital watermark information output from the digital watermark information generating means 106 is input from a DATA terminal and stored in the memory. The lower 5 bits of the count value of each of the main scan counter 3001 and the main scan counter 3002 are input.

The output of the memory 3003 refers to only one bit, and is output by the AND circuit 3004 to the sub-scanning counter 3.
001 and the high-order 2 bits of the main scanning counter are logically ANDed, and synchronized by the VCLK signal by the F / F 3005 and output.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a print result in the present embodiment. Reference numeral 4001 denotes digital watermark information printed according to the present embodiment. The digital watermark information is generated by the digital watermark information generating unit 106 from the information input from the information input unit 105, and is the digital watermark information stored in the memory 3003 in the information storage unit 107. In the present embodiment, the amount of the stamp 101 on which the digital watermark information is printed is printed. Instead of adding one type of electronic watermark information, a plurality of electronic watermark information may be added. For example, two pieces of information, that is, the amount of money for a stamp and the type of the stamp may be added.

In this embodiment, a stamp is described as an example of an object on which digital watermark information is to be printed. However, in addition to a stamp, securities such as banknotes, stock certificates, and checks can be electronically printed by using the same device. It is possible to print watermark information.

As information to be printed as digital watermark information, information for identifying a security such as a serial number may be printed in addition to the amount of securities described in the present embodiment.

Further, in this embodiment, printing is performed on the entire surface of the security. However, by setting the printing area in advance, it is possible to suppress unnecessary printing on the security and to perform digital watermarking. By reading out only a predetermined portion of the information when reading out the information, it is possible to improve the information accuracy and to improve the efficiency of the reading operation. in this case,
VEST, VEEN and HEST, HEE in FIG.
By changing the value of N, it is possible to change the area where the digital watermark information is printed and to periodically print the digital watermark information.

Further, with respect to the ink for printing the digital watermark information, printing is performed using yellow ink so as to make it difficult for human eyes to recognize, or printing is performed using a special ink that is sensitive to ultraviolet rays. By doing so, it may be possible to prevent the digital watermark information from being recognized by the human eye at all.

In this embodiment, bitmap data is generated as digital watermark information generating means so that the information (amount) input from the information input means is displayed as characters on the securities, but other additional information is also provided. (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-301380)
) And a method of modulating the density of a multi-valued image (see JP-A-5-25-2).
44389).

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of an electronic information printing apparatus for printing electronic watermark information added to securities to be identified according to the present invention.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 5001 denotes an image reading means constituted by a CCD sensor or the like;
As a result, the stamp 101 moves on the image reading means, scans and reads the image data of the stamp 101, and outputs it as digital image data through an A / D converter. Reference numeral 5002 denotes an image storage unit that sequentially stores image data of the stamp 101 read by the image reading unit 5001, and has a capacity to store image data for one stamp.

Reference numeral 5003 denotes a character discriminating means for detecting a character from the image data stored in the image storing means 5002 by a known technique, and holding the character information inside the character discriminating means. Normally, a stamp used in Japan includes a money amount and character information indicating that the stamp is a Japanese stamp.
The character information is determined and extracted from the image data stored in.

Reference numeral 5004 denotes an information selecting means for selecting information to be printed on a stamp as digital watermark information from the character information held in the character discriminating means 5003. The information selected by the information selecting unit 5004 is sent to the digital watermark information generating unit, and the character information is printed on the stamp 101 as digital watermark information.

FIG. 7 is an example of an external view of a third electronic information printing apparatus for printing electronic watermark information added to securities to be identified according to the present invention.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 2201 denotes an image memory for storing image data of securities, and the stored image data includes full-color information red (R), green (G),
The signal is decomposed into components of blue (B),
Sent to 211. Reference numeral 2202 denotes a printer which prints out an image corresponding to the data transmitted from the image memory 2201 on paper in full color.

In the signal processing unit 2211, the image data output from the image memory 2201 is processed electrically, and magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y),
Decomposed into black (K) components, the printer 2202
Sent to Further, four reading operations are performed from the image memory, and M, C, Y, K
Is generated and sent to the printer 2202, and a single printout is completed by a total of four readings and processes.

M output from the image processing unit 2211,
The C, Y, and K image signals are supplied to a laser driver 2212.
Sent to The laser driver 2212 modulates and drives the semiconductor laser 2213 according to the sent image signal. The laser beam passes through a polygon mirror 2214, an f-θ lens 2215, and a mirror 2216, and passes through the photosensitive drum 22.
17 is scanned.

Reference numeral 2218 denotes a rotary developing unit, which includes a magenta developing unit 2219, a cyan developing unit 2220, and a yellow developing unit 22.
21, four developing units alternately contact the photosensitive drum 2217 and develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum with toner.

Reference numeral 2223 denotes a transfer drum.
An image developed on the photosensitive drum 2217 is transferred onto the sheet by winding the sheet supplied from 224 or 2225.

After the four colors M, C, Y, and K are sequentially transferred in this manner, the sheet passes through the fixing unit 2226, and is discharged after the toner is fixed on the sheet.

With the above configuration, securities are printed on recording paper.

[Image Processing Unit] FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of FIG.

In the figure, reference numerals 1210-1 to 3 denote R, G, and B full-color information input from the image memory 2201, for example, input as 8-bit signals.

Reference numerals 1403 to 1405 denote logarithmic converters.
It is configured as a look-up table using M or RAM, and converts image data sent from the image memory 2201 from a luminance signal to a density signal. Reference numeral 1406 denotes a well-known masking / UCR (under color removal) circuit, which will not be described in detail.
Each signal of C, Y, and K is output in a predetermined bit length such as 8 bits, for example, every time in each read operation.

A known spatial filter circuit 1407 corrects the spatial frequency of the output signal. Reference numeral 1408 denotes a density conversion circuit which corrects the density characteristics of the printer 2202, and is configured by the same ROM or RAM as the logarithmic converters 1403 to 1405.

Reference numeral 1410 denotes a pattern adding circuit, which embeds digital watermark information in an image by adding a pattern to an output image.

On the other hand, reference numeral 1411 denotes a CPU which controls the present embodiment. Reference numeral 1412 denotes an I / O port.
411.

Here, the masking / UCR circuit 1406
And a signal CN0 separately input to the pattern adding circuit 1410 is a 2-bit output color selection signal, an example of which is shown in Table 1, is generated from the CPU 1411 via the I / O port 1412, and controls the order of four transfer operations. Then, the operating conditions of the masking / UCR circuit 1406 and the pattern adding circuit 1410 are switched.

[0053]

[Table 1]

[Pattern Adding Method] First, an example of a pattern adding method in the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining an example of the additional pattern of the present embodiment. In the figure, 4 × 4 pixels included in an area 301 are modulated so that the gradation of the image signal is, for example, + α, and 2 × 4 elements included in the areas 302 and 303 correspond to the image that the image carries. For example, the gradation of the signal is -α
And pixels outside the regions 301 to 303 are not modulated. 8 × included in these areas 301 to 303
Four pixels are set as unit dots of the additional pattern. Thus, the use of 8 × 4 pixels for one unit of the additional pattern is as follows.
The printer 2202 of the present embodiment performs １ ／ of the data input from the image memory 2201 by a known image processing.
This is because there is an area where the processing is performed at the resolution of, and if the unit of the additional pattern is set to one pixel, it may be difficult to read the image of the additional pattern.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are views showing an example of a line to which a pattern is added according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 10, reference numeral 401 denotes a line to which a pattern is added, and has a width of, for example, 4 pixels. 401a-4
01e are the unit dots shown in FIG.
× 4 pixels. The unit dots 401a to 401e are arranged at a fixed period of d1 (for example, 128 pixels) in the main scanning direction.

Further, in FIG. 11, reference numerals 501 to 510 denote lines to which a pattern is to be added. Although details will be described later, for example, one pattern addition line represents 4-bit information, and lines 502 to 509 are provided.
These eight lines can represent one set of 32-bit additional information. The pattern addition line is formed repeatedly in the sub-scanning direction. For example, the line 5 shown in FIG.
01 and 509 represent the same information.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show an example of a method of expressing information using pattern addition lines.

In FIG. 12, reference numerals 601 and 602 denote pattern addition lines which are adjacent to each other in the sub-scanning direction. Also, 601a, 601b and 602a are unit dots, and the adjacent pattern addition line unit dots must be at least d3 in the main scanning direction in order to prevent the unit dots of adjacent pattern addition lines from approaching and conspicuous.
(Eg, 32 pixels) are set so as to open.

The data represented by the unit dot is determined by the phase difference between the unit dot 602a and the unit dot 601a. FIG. 12 shows an example representing 4-bit information. In FIG. 12, the unit dot 602a represents data "2". For example, the unit dot 602
If a is at the leftmost end, data "0" is represented, and if a is at the rightmost end, data "F" is represented.

In FIG. 13, of the set of pattern addition lines representing all additional information, FIG. 13A shows the first pattern addition line Line0, and FIG. 13B shows the fourth pattern addition line Line3. Represent.

As shown in FIG. 13, Line 0 has d on the right side of all of the original unit dots 701a to 701d.
Dots 702a to 702 at intervals of 4 (for example, 16 pixels)
d is added, and the original unit dot 70
Dots 705a to 705d are added to the right side of all of 4a to 704d at intervals of d5 (for example, 32 pixels). The additional dot is a marker for clarifying the order of each pattern addition line. In addition,
Adding a marker to the two pattern addition lines
This is to make it possible to determine the vertical direction in the sub-scanning direction even from the output image.

Also, for example, a pattern to be added is added only with yellow toner by utilizing the fact that human eyes have a low discriminating ability with respect to a pattern drawn with yellow (Y) toner.

Further, the dot interval in the main scanning direction of the additional pattern and the repetition interval of the entire additional information in the sub-scanning direction are set such that all information can be reliably transferred to a thin and uniform area where the dots can be reliably identified in the print result. Needs to be defined so that As a guide, information may be added at a pitch of １ ／ or less of the width of a thin and uniform area so that dots can be reliably identified in a target print result.

[Pattern Adding Circuit] Next, an example of the pattern adding circuit of the present embodiment will be described.

FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 are block diagrams showing examples of the configuration of the pattern adding circuit 1410.

In the figure, the sub-scanning counter 819 has a main scanning synchronizing signal HSYNC, and the main scanning counter 814 has a pixel synchronizing signal CLK having a width of 7 bits, that is, 1 bit.
It is counted repeatedly in 28 cycles. Sub-scan counter 81
The AND gate 820 connected to the outputs Q2 and Q3 of 9 outputs 1 when both bits 2 and 3 of the sub-scanning counter 819 are 1. That is, the output of the AND gate 820 becomes the period 1 of 4 lines every 16 lines in the sub-scanning direction, and this is used as the enable signal of the pattern addition line.

The output of the AND gate 820 and the upper 3 bits (Q 4 to Q 6) of the sub-scanning counter 819 are input. The enable signal LINE 0 of the line 0 of the pattern addition line is input by the gate 822, and the pattern addition is performed by the gate 821. An enable signal LINE3 for line 3 of the line is generated.

On the other hand, an initial value is loaded into the main scanning counter 814 by HSYNC, which will be described later in detail, and the gates 815 to 817 input the upper 4 bits (Q3 to Q6) of the main scanning counter 814. The output of the AND gate 815 is a period 1 of 8 pixels for every 128 pixels, which is used as a dot enable signal. Gates 816 and 8
Reference numeral 17 inputs the signals LINE0 and LINE3 in addition to the upper 4 bits of the main scanning counter, and generates enable signals for the marks of line 0 and line 3, respectively. These dot and mark enable signals are combined by an OR gate 818, and the output of the OR gate 818 and the output of the AND gate 820 are connected to the AND gate 82.
A logical product of 4 and a dot and mark enable signal that becomes 1 only on the pattern addition line is obtained.

The output of the AND gate 824 is the F / F 828
, And a 2-bit output color selection signal CN at an AND gate 830.
ANDed with 0. Bit 0 of the output color selection signal CN0 is negated by the inverter 829 and the AND gate 830
And the bit 1 of the output color selection signal CN0 is directly input to the AND gate 830, so that CN0 =
When a color image of 10, ie, a yellow color image is printed, the dot and mark enable signals become valid.

Further, the output of the AND gate 824 is also connected to the clear terminal CLR of the counter 825. When the output of the AND gate 824 is 1, the counter 825 outputs
That is, the pixel synchronization signal CLK is counted only when the dot of the pattern addition line is enabled, and the bits 1 and 2 of the output of the counter 825 are input to the EX-NOR gate 826, and the dot period (8CLK) of the pattern addition line is The output of the EX-NOR gate 826 becomes 0 during an intermediate period of 4CLK. EX-NOR gate 82
The output of No. 6 is synchronized with the pixel synchronizing signal CLK by the F / F 827 and output as a signal MINUS. Signal M
When INUS is 0, the dot on the pattern addition line is +
Modulated to α.

The F / F 827 is used to remove the whiskers of the signal MINUS and to match the phase with the dot enable signal of the pattern addition line.

The signal MINUS is input to the selection terminal S of the selector 838 by n. The AND unit 832 has a register 831
For example, the modulation amount α of 8 bits and the output of the AND gate 830 are input.

At the timing of the dot of the pattern addition line, the output of the AND gate 830 becomes 1, so that A
The modulation amount α is output from the ND section 832 at the dot timing of the pattern addition line. Therefore, pixels other than the dots on the pattern addition line are output to the AND circuit 832.
Is not modulated because the modulation amount output by the is zero.

An adder 833 and a subtractor 835 input, for example, an 8-bit image signal V to a terminal A.
The modulation amount α output from the AND unit 832 to the terminal B, the output from the addition unit 833 is input to the OR circuit 834, and the subtraction unit 83
The output of 5 is input to the AND circuit 837.

The OR circuit 834 forcibly changes the operation result to, for example, 255 when the addition result V + α of the addition circuit 833 overflows and the carry signal CY is output. Similarly, if the subtraction result V-α of the subtraction circuit 835 underflows and the carry signal CY is output, the AND circuit 837 forcibly changes the operation result to, for example, 0 by the carry signal CY inverted by the inverter 836. Is what you do.

The results of the quantity calculations V + α and V-α are stored in the selector 83
8 and the selector 838 according to the signal MINUS.
Output from

With the above circuit configuration, the dot modulation shown in FIG. 9 is performed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a bill discriminating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which a bill on which digital watermark information is printed is determined by the method described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7.

1001-1, 1001-2, 1001-
Reference numeral 3 denotes a CCD (individual image sensor) sensor having red (R), green (G), and blue (B) spectral sensitivity characteristics, and an image signal read by this sensor is amplified by an amplifier circuit 1002. After that, they are A / D-converted by the A / D converter 1003 and output as 8-bit output (0 to 255) digital image signals.

Reference numeral 1004 denotes a shading correction circuit for correcting variations in signal output for each pixel in the CCD sensor. Shading correction circuit 1
004, a memory for one line of each of R, G, and B signals is provided, and an image of a white plate having a predetermined density is read by an optical system and used as a reference signal.
Further, the sensor 1001-
Since 1,1001-2 and 1001-3 are arranged in parallel at a fixed distance, a spatial shift occurs at the position where the image signal is read. The sub-scanning connection circuit 1005 is a circuit for absorbing this spatial shift.

Reference numeral 1006 denotes an image processing unit which performs image processing on the input R, G, and B data. As an example, the R, G, and B colors based on the spectral sensitivity characteristics of the CCD sensor are used. An input masking process for removing the stains, or an edge enhancement process for enhancing a banknote-specific pattern from the read image data in order to improve the determination accuracy by an image determination unit 1007 described below, and a filter unit 1008 A color conversion process or the like for facilitating the extraction of digital watermark information embedded in an image can be considered. In addition, 1001 to 100
Reference numeral 6 corresponds to an image reading unit.

Reference numeral 1007 denotes an image discriminating means. The image inputted by comparing the image signal inputted from the CCD sensor with the image pattern unique to the bill stored in advance in the image judging means is a bill. Or, if the input image is a bill, the type of bill is output as the identification result.

Reference numeral 1008 denotes filter means for extracting image information including digital watermark information from the input image data. Specifically, data of a color used for printing digital watermark information is extracted from the input image data, and is output to a digital watermark information processing unit connected at a subsequent stage.

Reference numeral 1009 denotes digital watermark information processing means. The digital watermark information is read out of the image information input from the filter means 1008 to derive predetermined information, and whether or not the image input from the information is a banknote. , And the type of bill is identified and output. The digital watermark information processing means 1009 will be described later.
Reference numeral 1010 denotes a banknote determination unit, and an image determination unit 1007
And the identification result output from the digital watermark information processing means, and controls the output of the determination result based on the two identification results. If both identification results represent a banknote or represent the same banknote, an output indicating that the banknote has been input and a signal indicating the type of the banknote indicated in the above identification result Is output. On the other hand, if the two discrimination results are different, or if either or both discrimination results are not discriminated as a bill, a signal indicating that the input image is different from the bill is output.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing an example of the filter means 1008.

In FIG. 17, reference numeral 1701 denotes an RG for generating signals representing hue (H), saturation (S), and lightness (L) of 8 bits from input 8-bit image data RGB.
B → HSL conversion unit.
Convert B data to HSL data.

L = (Max (R, G, B) + Min
(R, G, B)) / 2Max (R, G, B) = Min
If (R, G, B) then S = 0 Max (R, G, B) ≠ Min (R, G, B) and L ≦
If 128, S = (Max (R, G, B-Min (R, G, B)) /
(Max (R, G, B) + Min (R, G, B)) Max (R, G, B) ≠ Min (R, G, B) and L>
If 128, S = (Max (R, G, B) -Min (R, G, B))
/ (256-Max (R, G, B) + 256-Min
(R, G, B)) If S = 0, H = 0 If S ≠ 0 and Max (R, G, B) = B, H = GR (however, if H <0, H = 192 + ( G−R)) If S ≠ 0 and Max (R, G, B) = R, H = 64 + B−GS If S ≠ 0 and Max (R, G, B) = G, H = 128 + RB. In the formula, Max (R, G, B) is R,
Represents the maximum value of G and B, and Min (R, G, B)
Represents the minimum value among R, G, and B.

Reference numerals 1702 and 1703 denote comparison circuits.
The value input to the input and the value input to the B input are compared, and 1 is output if B <A, and 0 if B ≧ A. The upper limit C of the hue component of the color on which the digital watermark information is printed is input to the A input of 1702.
The lower limit value is similarly input to the MP0HU at the B input. The output of the comparison circuits 1702 and 1703 is AND17
04, the output of AND is 1 in the range of CMP0HD ≦ H <CMP0HU from the above description. 1
705 logical sum operation circuit and A when INV0H is 0
The output value of ND1704 is output as it is, and when INV0H is 1, the output of AND1704 is inverted and output.

With the above arrangement, the hue value H, the upper limit value CMP0HU, the lower limit value CMP0HD, and the inversion signal INV0H are input from the block 1706 composed of 1701 to 1705.
1 is output in the range of MP0HD ≦ H <CMP0HU,
When INV0H = 1, H <CMP0HD or CMP0HU
If ≤H, 1 is output.

The blocks 1707 and 1708 are constituted by circuits equivalent to the block 1706. Therefore, S of the input saturation data, CMP0S which is the upper limit of the saturation,
U, lower limit value CMP0SD, inverted signal INV
When 0S is input, S is CMP0 when INV0S = 0.
1 is output in the range of SD ≦ S <CMP0SU, and INV
When 0S = 1, 1 is output when S <CMP0SD or CMP0SU ≦ S.

Similarly, in block 1708, brightness data L, CMP0LU which is the upper limit of brightness, CMP0LD which is the lower limit, and INV0L which is an inverted signal are input. Therefore, when INV0L = 0, L is CMP0LD.
1 is output in the range of ≦ L <CMP0LU, and INV0L
When = 1, 1 is output when L <CMP0LD or CMP0LU ≦ L.

Reference numeral 1709 denotes a three-input AND, which outputs the logical product of the outputs of the blocks 1706, 1707, and 1708.

With the above configuration, by setting predetermined values (upper limit value, lower limit value) for the color component data (hue, saturation, lightness) on which the digital watermark information is printed, the input image data RGB , Digital watermark information can be extracted.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an example of the digital watermark information processing means.

In FIG. 18, reference numeral 1801 denotes a memory;
2 is information decoding means, 1803 is bill type discriminating means, 18
04 is a database. The image information output from 1008 is temporarily stored in memory 1801. Here, the memory 1801 has a capacity enough to store the image information output from the filter unit 1008 for one bill. When all the image information has been stored in the memory, the information decoding means 1802 accesses the image information stored in the memory to obtain the information encoded as digital watermark information inside the image information. Perform decryption. The decoding process performed here corresponds to a coding process for embedding information as digital watermark information.
When character information is added to an image as shown in (1), character recognition processing is performed on data stored in the memory to obtain necessary character information. When character information is added to an image as shown in FIG. 4, not only the characters printed as described above, but also information such as character size and font may be used as means for determining the type of banknote. Can be.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 16, when decoding is performed on an image to which information is added by modulating the position of a dot to be printed and / or changing the print density, First, reference data indicating a position where information is added is searched, and information is extracted based on the reference data using a dot size, a dot interval, and the like shown in FIG. 9 to perform decoding processing.

Note that the image information stored in the memory 1801 may store information unrelated to the digital watermark information. In such a case, it is possible to further improve the accuracy of the information decoding process by removing noise components in consideration of the fact that the digital watermark information is periodically printed at predetermined intervals as shown in FIG. It is possible.

Reference numeral 1804 denotes a database in which information added as electronic watermark information to all bills determined according to the present embodiment is stored. In the bill type discriminating means 1803, the information extracted by the information decoding means 1802 is used to compare or search the information stored in the database to determine whether the bill is a bill and the kind of the bill, and to discriminate the identification result into the bill type. Output as data.

Here, the database 1804 can perform operations such as addition and deletion of data by input means (not shown).

In the above-described conventional example, it is finally determined whether the banknote is a banknote or the type of the banknote by using the banknote determination result by the known image identification means using the image data and the banknote identification result by the electronic watermark information. Although it is performed, it is also possible to determine a bill using only digital watermark information. Further, instead of the image determining means shown in the present embodiment, it is also possible to perform a bill determination by combining other bill determining means such as a magnetic bill determining means and a bill determination result based on electronic watermark information.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, when both the image judging means 1007 and the digital watermark information means 1009 in FIG.
The bill determination means 1010 output a signal indicating that the bill is a bill. On the other hand, when one or both of the image determination unit 1007 and the electronic watermark information unit 1009 determine that the banknote is not a banknote, the banknote determination unit 1010 outputs a signal indicating that the banknote is not a banknote.

However, in the case where a banknote with a digital watermark embedded therein as described in the first embodiment circulates, the banknote with the digital watermark embedded therein is short as the elapsed time after the banknote starts to circulate. It is likely that both non-embedded banknotes will be distributed. In that case, the image determining means 1007 and the digital watermark information means 100
Only when both of the banknotes 9 are determined to be banknotes, the banknote determination unit 1010 outputs a signal indicating that the banknote is a banknote, so that a banknote without an embedded electronic watermark is always determined to be a banknote. Inconvenience occurs.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, the judgment result of the image judging means 1007 and the digital watermark information processing means 1009 is not simply a binary signal indicating whether or not a bill is used. To represent a multi-level signal.
Then, in the banknote determination unit 1010, the image determination unit 1007 and the digital watermark information processing unit 1009 are set in accordance with the elapsed time from the start of circulation of the banknote in which the digital watermark is embedded.
Is weighted for the multi-valued signal output from. For example, while the elapsed time is still short, there are more banknotes without embedded digital watermarks than with embedded banknotes. Higher. Conversely, if the elapsed time becomes longer, the number of banknotes in which the digital watermark is embedded increases, so that the weight of the multi-value signal that is output from the digital watermark information processing unit 1009 and indicates the likeness of the banknote is increased.

As for the setting of the weighting, for example, a service person may make the setting periodically, or a device provider may make the setting via a network.

The weighting may be performed not only on the multi-valued signal representing the banknote likeness but also on the signal representing the type of the banknote.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, for example, by comparing an image pattern unique to a banknote according to the elapsed time since the start of circulation of the banknote with a digital watermark embedded therein, By setting the weight of a signal representing the likelihood of a signal indicating how much the bill is like by a digital watermark, highly accurate bill identification can be performed.

[0109]

As described above, according to the present invention, various information relating to securities are embedded in securities such as banknotes, checks, and stamps as digital watermark data, printed, and used to print digital watermark information. Is read and used as a means for determining securities, the accuracy of securities determination can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a print area generation unit 104;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an information storage unit 107.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print result in the first embodiment of the digital watermark information printing device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a second example of the digital watermark information printing device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a digital watermark information printing device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a third example of the digital watermark information printing device.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing unit 2211.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an additional pattern.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pattern addition line.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pattern addition line.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of expressing information by a pattern addition line.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of expressing information using a pattern addition line.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a pattern adding circuit.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a pattern adding circuit.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a pattern adding circuit.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a filter unit 1008.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a digital watermark information processing unit 1009.

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Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus for distinguishing securities from digital watermark data added to the securities, comprising: image reading means for reading the security to be identified; and image data read by the reading means. A first identification unit for identifying a security by performing the above operation; an information extraction unit for extracting information added to the image from the image data read by the image reading unit; and information obtained by the information extraction unit. An image processing apparatus comprising: a second identification unit that identifies the identified securities; and an output control unit that controls output based on identification results of the first and the second identification units. 2. The output control means according to claim 1, wherein said output control means comprises:
2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output is controlled based on an identification result obtained by weighting the identification result of the identification means. 3. An image processing apparatus for discriminating securities from digital watermark data added to the securities, comprising: magnetic detection means for detecting magnetic information of the securities to be identified; Identification means for identifying securities by the magnetic information, image reading means for reading securities to be identified, and information extracting means for extracting information added to an image from image data read by the image reading means A decryption unit that performs a decryption process on the information obtained by the information extraction unit to obtain predetermined data; and a second identification that identifies the securities to be identified from the data decrypted by the decryption unit. And an output control means for controlling an output based on the identification results of the first and second identification means. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the added information is added by modulating a print position and / or a print density. Image processing device. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the added information is character information printed on securities. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the character information printed on the securities is a size of the printed character. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the character information printed on the securities is a font of the printed character. 8. An image processing method for distinguishing securities from digital watermark data added to the securities, comprising: a step of reading a security to be identified; and a step of referring to the read image data to identify the securities. A first identification step of identifying; a step of extracting information added to the image from the read image data; a second identification step of identifying the security to be identified from the extracted information; Controlling the output based on a plurality of identification results. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the step of controlling the output controls the output based on an identification result obtained by weighting the identification results of the first and second identification steps. Image processing method 10. An image processing method for discriminating securities from digital watermark data added to the securities, comprising: a step of detecting magnetic information of the securities to be identified; and a step of detecting the securities based on the detected magnetic information. A first identification step for identifying; a step of reading the securities to be identified; a step of extracting information added to the image from the read image data; and performing a decoding process on the extracted information to determine Image processing, a second identification step of identifying the securities to be identified from the decrypted data, and a step of controlling output based on the plurality of identification results. Method. 11. A recording medium on which is recorded a program code of an image processing method for discriminating securities from digital watermark data added to the securities, the program code comprising at least a step of reading securities to be identified. , A code of a step of identifying securities by referring to the read image data, a code of a step of extracting information added to the image from the read image data, and a code of the extracted information. A recording medium, comprising: a code for a step of identifying the securities to be identified; and a code of a step of controlling output based on the plurality of identification results. 12. A recording medium on which a program code of an image processing method for discriminating securities from digital watermark data added to the securities is recorded, wherein the program code includes at least magnetic information of securities to be identified. The code of the step of detecting securities, the code of the step of identifying securities based on the detected magnetic information, the code of the step of reading securities to be identified, and the information added on the image are extracted from the read image data A code of a step of performing a decoding process on the extracted information to obtain predetermined data; a code of a step of identifying the securities to be identified from the decoded data; A code for a step of controlling the output according to the identification result.