JP2007174129A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus having high security and high reliability, wherein only the users needing printing can normally execute the printing, but users trying to execute printing in an unauthorized manner will cause the printing result to be abnormal. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus, capable of connecting an image input means readable of an original to a storage device for storing at least one or more image signals, includes a ground tint recognition unit 76 for recognizing ground tint around particular pixels, when reading printed paper with a ground tint as the original, the ground tint recognition unit 76 has a function of processing an image of the original, in such a way that the read original image cannot be decided, when recognizing the ground tint, and includes a registration means for registering registration information to the ground tint, and the image forming apparatus cannot print the original, when registration information is not entered in the registration means, and the image forming apparatus reads the printed paper with the ground tint of the registration information as the original. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention uses a control technology for identifying a document reading and a document that cannot be read, enables printing only when valid registration information is input, and prevents confidential output from being illegally output. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a digital copier having a document output prevention means, a facsimile, a printer, a scanner, a network file server, or a digital multifunction peripheral having a plurality of functions.

In an image forming apparatus configured by combining an image input / output device such as a scanner or an image input / output device such as a printer and a storage device that stores image data, the image data is converted or processed in response to a user request. Is called. In addition to scanners and printers, image forming apparatuses called multifunction machines that can be connected to facsimile machines and networks have various data conversion methods depending on the output form of image data.
In recent years, standards related to information security have been established, and when image data is held and managed in a storage device, means for preventing leakage of the held image data has been developed.
There are many confidential documents that are prohibited from being copied from the viewpoint of maintaining confidentiality of document contents. In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, it is known to take measures to prevent such a confidential document from being correctly copied when an unauthorized apparatus is used (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). reference).

In Patent Document 1, for example, when a manuscript is a predetermined special manuscript such as a manuscript for which copying is prohibited (for example, securities such as banknotes and stock certificates), the user is prohibited from copying the manuscript. A predetermined warning can be given to the effect, and a third party can also be warned about the copying of the original by the user.
Further, a color image forming apparatus is disclosed in which when a warning is given to a third party, the warning operation cannot be easily and easily released by a general user. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for preventing reproduction of copy-prohibited images and preventing data operation via a network without sacrificing various page editing functions.
When such a means is adopted, the image data is automatically processed inside the image forming apparatus, so that the image data obtained as a result of the image input / output process is different from the content intended by the user. There is a possibility.
JP 10-2222033 A JP 2000-175031 A

However, if the user intends to acquire the image data by illegal means, there is no problem even if the result becomes abnormal, but if the user who needs the image data normally uses it, it can print normally. There is also a problem of having to do so.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to allow only a user who needs printing when a means for preventing leakage of image data processed by the document image input / output means of the image forming apparatus is provided in consideration of the above-described actual situation. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus with high security and high reliability by making a print result abnormal when an unnecessary user performs unauthorized printing and can print normally.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an invention described in claim 1 is directed to an image input unit capable of reading a document and a storage device for storing at least one image signal input from the image input unit. In the image forming apparatus that can be connected to the image forming apparatus, when a printing paper having a predetermined background pattern is read as a document, the image forming apparatus includes a background pattern recognition unit that recognizes a predetermined background pattern per specific pixel. A processing unit for processing the original image so that the read original image cannot be determined when the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern is recognized; and a registration unit for registering registration information in the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern, and no registration information is input to the registration unit In addition, when a printing paper having a copy of the registration information pattern is read as a document, the document cannot be printed.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect is characterized in that a print determination is made by inputting a password when a printing paper having a background pattern of the registration information is read as a document.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect is characterized in that the print determination when the printing paper having the background pattern of the registered information is read as a document is made by group information by a user input. To do.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the print determination when the printing paper having the background pattern of the registered information is read as a document is performed by the information registrant entering a password. It is characterized by.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the print determination when the printing paper having the background pattern of the registered information is read as an original is performed by a selection unit capable of individually selecting a determination method. Any one of the image forming apparatuses is characterized.

  According to the present invention, when a means for preventing leakage of image data processed by the document image input / output means of the image forming apparatus is provided, the registration information is printed normally only when formal registration information is input. Is illegal, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus with high security and high reliability by printing a processed image.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example in which the image data output apparatus of the present invention is used in a digital copying machine. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the document table of FIG. 1 as viewed from above. The reading process of the reading unit 1 and the image forming process of the image forming unit 8 will be briefly described with reference to FIGS.
In a digital copying machine A which is an image forming apparatus, a reading unit 1 scans and exposes a document S by an exposure lamp 3 movable along a document table 2, and the reflected light from a reflecting mirror 5 is reflected by a CCD (image sensor) 4. Photoelectric conversion is performed to obtain an electric signal corresponding to the intensity of light.
The IPU (image processing unit) 6 performs processing such as shading correction on the electrical signal, A / D converts it into an 8-bit digital signal, and further performs image processing such as scaling and dithering to synchronize the image. An image signal is sent to the image forming unit 8 together with the signal.
In order to execute the above process, the scanner control unit 7 performs detection of various sensors, control of a drive motor, and the like, and sets various parameters in the IPU 6. The above is the reading process.

In the image forming unit 8, the photoconductor 10 that rotates uniformly and is uniformly charged by the charging charger 9 is exposed to laser light modulated by image data from the writing unit 11. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive member 10 and is developed with toner by the developing device 12 to become a visualized toner image.
A transfer sheet (not shown) that is fed and conveyed from the sheet feeding tray 14 by the sheet feeding roller 13 and has been waiting in advance by the registration roller 15 is conveyed in timing with the photosensitive member 10, and is photosensitive by the transfer charger 16. The toner on the body 10 is electrostatically transferred to the transfer paper, and the transfer paper is separated from the photoconductor 10 by the separation charger 17.
Thereafter, the toner image on the transfer sheet is passed through the fixing device 18 to be heated and fixed, and discharged onto the discharge tray 20 by the discharge roller 19. On the other hand, the toner image remaining on the photoconductor 10 after electrostatic transfer is removed by pressing the cleaning device 21 against the photoconductor 10, and the photoconductor 10 is neutralized by a static elimination charger 22. The plotter control unit 23 performs detection of various sensors and control of a drive motor and the like in order to execute the above process. The above is the image forming process.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing an image synchronization signal output from the IPU of the reading unit. Here, with reference to FIG. 3, the state of the image synchronization signal output from the IPU 6 of the reading unit 1 will be described. The frame gate signal (/ FGATE) is a signal representing an image effective range for the image area in the sub-scanning direction, and image data while this signal is at a low level (low active) is validated.
This / FGATE is asserted or negated at the falling edge of the line synchronization signal (/ LSYNC). / LSYNC is asserted for a predetermined number of clocks at the rising edge of the pixel synchronization signal (PCLK), and image data in the main scanning direction is validated after a predetermined clock after the rising of this signal.
The sent image data is one for one cycle of PCLK, and is divided into 400 DPI equivalents from the arrow portion of FIG. The image data is sent out as raster format data starting from the arrow. Further, the sub-scanning effective range of image data is usually determined by the transfer paper size.

Referring to FIG. 1 again, the system control unit 24 detects an input state to the operation unit 25 by the operator, and sets various parameters in the reading unit 1, the storage unit 26, the image forming unit 8, and the FAX unit 27. Performs process execution instructions, etc. via communication. Further, the state of the entire system is displayed on the operation unit 25. An instruction to the system control unit 24 is made by key input to the operation unit 25 by an operator.
In response to an instruction from the system control unit 24, the FAX unit 27 performs binary compression on the transmitted image data based on the G3 and G4 FAX data transfer rules and transfers the image data to the telephone line. The data transferred from the telephone line to the FAX unit 27 is restored to binary image data, which is sent to the writing unit 11 of the image forming unit 8 to be visualized.
The selector unit 28 changes the state of the selector according to an instruction from the system control unit 24 and selects the source of image data for image formation from the reading unit 1, the storage unit 26, and the FAX unit 27. The I / F unit 29 is connected to the system control unit 24.
The storage unit 26 normally stores image data of the document S input from the IPU 6 and is used for a copy application such as repeat copy or rotational copy. Further, it is also used as a buffer memory for temporarily storing binary image data from the FAX unit 27. These data storage instructions are given by the system control unit 24.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the storage unit in FIG. Hereinafter, the function will be described for each block with reference to FIG. The image input / output DMAC 26-1 includes a CPU and logic. It communicates with the memory control unit 26-3, receives a command, sets an operation according to the command, and transmits it as status information to notify the state of the image input / output DMAC 26-1.
When an image input command is received, the input image data is packed as memory data in units of 8 pixels according to the input image synchronization signal, and is output to the memory control unit 26-3 along with the memory access signal as needed. When an image output command is received, the image data from the memory control unit 26-3 is output in synchronization with the output image synchronization signal.
The image memory 26-2 is a primary storage device that stores image data. The image memory 26-2 is composed of a semiconductor storage element such as a DRAM. The total amount of memory is 400 DPI, 4 Mbytes of A3 size of binary image data, 4 Mbytes of electronic sort storage memory, data after data conversion The total of 1 Mbytes of storage memory is 9 MB. Reading and writing are controlled by the memory control unit 26-3.

The memory control unit 26-3 includes a CPU and logic, communicates with the system control unit 24, receives a command, performs operation settings in accordance with the command, and status information for notifying the state of the storage unit 26 Send as.
The operation commands from the system control unit 24 include image input, image output, compression, decompression, and the like. Image input and image output commands are sent to the image input / output DMAC 26-1, and compression-related commands are sent to the image transfer DMAC 26-4, code transfer DMAC 26-5, and compression / decompression unit 26-6.
In response to an image input instruction from the system control unit 24, the memory control unit 26-2 is initialized, enters a state of waiting for image data, and image data is input to the storage unit 26 when the scanner operates. The input image data is once written in the semiconductor memory.
The number of processing lines of the written image data is counted by the image input / output DMAC 26-1 and input to the memory control unit 26-3. The compression / decompression device 26-6 receives the image transfer command and outputs a transfer memory access request signal. However, the request signal is masked by a request mask unit (not shown) of the memory control unit 26-3, and actual memory access is not performed.

When one line of input data from the image input / output unit ends, the mask of the transfer memory access request signal is released, the semiconductor memory of the image memory 26-2 is read, and the image data compression / decompression unit 26-2 The transfer operation to is started. Also, during operation, the difference calculation unit (not shown) calculates the difference between the two processing lines, and when it becomes 0, the transfer memory access request signal is masked so that the address is not overtaken. The above is the description of the configuration of the memory control unit 26-3.
The image transfer DMAC 26-4 includes a CPU and logic, communicates with the memory control unit 26-3, receives a command, sets an operation according to the command, and transmits it as status information to notify the state. .
When a compression command is received, a memory access request signal is output to the memory control unit 26-3, and when the memory access permission signal is active, image data is received and transferred to the compression / decompression unit 26-6. In addition, an address counter (not shown) that counts up in response to a memory access request signal is incorporated, and a 22-bit memory address indicating a storage location where image data is stored is output.

The code transfer DMAC 26-5 is composed of a CPU and a logic, communicates with the memory control unit 26-3, receives a command, sets an operation according to the command, and transmits it as status information for notifying the state. To do.
When an expansion command is received, a memory access request signal is output to the memory control unit 26-3. When the memory access permission signal is active, image data is received and transferred to the compression / expansion unit 26-6.
In addition, an address counter (not shown) that counts up in response to a memory access request signal is incorporated, and a 22-bit memory address indicating a storage location where image data is stored is output. The descriptor access operation of the DMAC will be described later.
The compression / decompression unit 26-6 includes a CPU and logic, communicates with the memory control unit 26-3, receives a command, performs operation settings according to the command, and also serves as status information for notifying the state. Send. Binary data is processed by the MH encoding method.
The HDC controller 26-7 is composed of a CPU and logic, communicates with the memory control unit 26-3, receives a command, sets an operation according to the command, and transmits it as status information for informing the state. To do. Further, the status reading and data transfer of the HD 26-8 as the secondary storage device are performed.
The entire operation of the storage unit 26 is as follows. When the image is input and data is stored, the image data is written in a predetermined image area of the image memory 26-2 by the image transfer DMAC 26-4 according to an instruction from the system control unit 24, or read out. At this time, the image transfer DMAC 26-4 counts the number of image lines.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a multi-function apparatus) in which the functions of each apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, and a scanner according to the present invention are housed in one casing. is there. In FIG. 5, the compound machine 31 is configured to include a software group 32, a compound machine activation unit 33, and a hardware resource 34.
The compound machine starting unit 33 is executed first when the compound machine 31 is powered on, and activates the application layer 35 and the platform 36. For example, the MFP starter 33 reads the programs of the application layer 35 and the platform 36 from a hard disk device (hereinafter referred to as HDD) corresponding to the external storage means, and transfers each read program to the memory area to start it. .
The hardware resources 34 include a monochrome laser printer (B & W LP) 37, a color laser printer (Color LP) 38, and hardware resources (resources) 39 such as a scanner and a facsimile.
The software group 32 includes an application layer 35 and a platform 36 that are activated on an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) such as UNIX (registered trademark). The application layer 35 includes programs that perform processing specific to user services related to image formation, such as printers, copiers, fax machines, and scanners.

The application layer 35 includes a printer application 40 that is a printer application, a copy application 41 that is a copy application, a fax application 42 that is a fax application, and a scanner application 43 that is a scanner application.
The platform 36 also interprets a processing request from the application layer 35 and generates a hardware resource 34 acquisition request, and manages one or more hardware resources 34 to control the control service layer 44. A system resource manager (hereinafter referred to as SRM) 45 that arbitrates acquisition requests from the SRM 45 and a handler layer 46 that manages the hardware resources 34 in response to the acquisition requests from the SRM 45.
The control service layer 44 includes a network control service (hereinafter referred to as NCS) 47, a delivery control service (hereinafter referred to as DCS) 48, an operation panel control service (hereinafter referred to as OCS) 49, and a fax control service (hereinafter referred to as FCS) 50. , Engine control service (hereinafter referred to as ECS) 51, memory control service (hereinafter referred to as MCS) 52, user information control service (hereinafter referred to as UCS) 53, system control service (hereinafter referred to as SCS) 54, etc. The service module is configured to be included.
The platform 36 is configured to have an API 58 that can receive a processing request from the application layer 35 using a predefined function. The OS executes the software of the application layer 35 and the platform 36 in parallel as processes.

The process of the NCS 47 provides a service that can be commonly used for applications that require network I / O. Data received by each protocol from the network side is distributed to each application, or mediation is performed when data from each application is transmitted to the network side.
For example, the NCS 47 uses HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) by HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Daemon) for data communication with network devices connected via the network. Control.
The process of the DCS 48 performs control such as distribution of stored documents. The process of the OCS 49 controls an operation panel serving as information transmission means between the operator and the main body control. The FCS50 process provides APIs for sending and receiving faxes using the PSTN or ISDN network from the application layer 35, registering / quoting various fax data managed in the backup memory, reading faxes, receiving fax printing, etc. To do.

The ECS 51 process controls the engine unit 34 such as the black and white laser printer 37, the color laser printer 38, and the hardware resource 39. The process of the MCS 52 performs memory control such as acquisition and release of memory and use of the HDD. The UCS 53 manages user information.
The process of the SCS 54 performs processing such as application management, operation unit control, system screen display, LED display, hardware resource management, and interrupt application control.
The SRM 45 process controls the system and manages the hardware resources 34 together with the SCS 54. For example, the process of the SRM 45 performs arbitration according to an acquisition request from an upper layer using the hardware resource 34 such as the black and white laser printer 37 and the color laser printer 38, and executes and controls the execution.
Specifically, the process of the SRM 45 determines whether the requested hardware resource 34 is available (whether it is not used by another acquisition request), and if it is available, the requested hardware is obtained. The upper layer is notified that the resource 34 is available.

In addition, the process of the SRM 45 performs scheduling for using the hardware resource 34 in response to an acquisition request from an upper layer, and the request contents (for example, paper conveyance and image forming operation by the printer engine, memory allocation, file generation, etc.) Has been implemented directly.
Further, the handler layer 46 is a fax control unit handler (hereinafter referred to as FCUH) 55 for managing a fax control unit (hereinafter referred to as FCU), which will be described later, and an image for allocating memory to the process and managing the memory allocated to the process. And a memory handler (hereinafter referred to as IMH) 56.
The SRM 45 and the FCUH 55 make a processing request for the hardware resource 34 using an engine I / F 57 that enables transmission of a processing request for the hardware resource 34 by a predefined function. The multi-function machine 31 can process the processes commonly required for each application by the platform 36 in a unified manner.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the embodiment of the compound machine according to the present invention. Next, the hardware configuration of the compound machine 31 will be described. In FIG. 6, the multi-function apparatus 31 includes a controller 60, an operation panel 70, an FCU 71, a USB device 72, an IEEE 1394 device 73, and an engine unit 74.
The controller 60 includes a CPU 61, a system memory (MEM-P) 62, a north bridge (hereinafter referred to as NB) 63, a south bridge (hereinafter referred to as SB) 64, an ASIC 66, a local memory (MEM-C) 67, and an HDD 68. Contains.
The operation panel 70 is connected to the ASIC 66 of the controller 60. The FCU 71, USB device 72, IEEE 1394 device 73, and engine unit 74 are connected to the ASIC 66 of the controller 60 via a PCI bus.
In the controller 60, the local memory 67, the HDD 68, and the like are connected to the ASIC 66, and the CPU 61 and the ASIC 66 are connected via the NB 63 of the CPU chip set. In this way, if the CPU 61 and the ASIC 66 are connected via the NB 63, it is possible to cope with a case where the interface of the CPU 61 is not disclosed.

The ASIC 66 and the NB 63 are not connected via a PCI bus, but are connected via an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) 65. Thus, in order to control the execution of one or more processes forming the application layer 35 and the platform 36 of FIG. 5, the ASIC 66 and the NB 63 are connected via the AGP 65 instead of the low-speed PCI bus, thereby preventing the performance from being deteriorated. It is out.
The CPU 61 performs overall control of the compound machine 31. The CPU 61 starts and executes NCS47, DCS48, OCS49, FCS50, ECS51, MCS52, UCS53, SCS54, SRM45, FCUH55, and IMH56 as processes on the OS, and also executes the printer application 40 that forms the application layer 35, the copy The application 41, the fax application 42, and the scanner application 43 are activated and executed.
The NB 63 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 61, the system memory 62, the SB 64, and the ASIC 66. The system memory 62 is a memory used as a drawing memory of the multi-function apparatus 31. The SB 64 is a bridge for connecting the NB 63 to the ROM, PCI bus, and peripheral devices. The local memory 67 is a memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer.

The ASIC 66 is an IC for use in image processing having hardware elements for image processing. The HDD 68 is a storage for storing image data, document data, programs, font data, forms, and the like. The operation panel 70 is an operation unit that accepts an input operation from the operator and performs display for the operator.
The engine unit 74 includes a scanner including an image conversion process, a DRAM, and a plotter, and is connected to the function of the ASIC 66 through a PCI bus. The ASIC 66 has a DMA controller function for transferring images. The ASIC 66 has a video input DMA controller and a video output DMA controller.
When transferring an image read by the scanner to the MEM-C, the IMH 56 secures memory for the transfer image size in the MEM-C in response to the process request from the SRM 45, and secures the transfer image sizes Xw and Yw. Transfer to the video input DMA controller.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a unit for recognizing a predetermined tint block pattern of the engine unit. FIG. 7 shows a unit for recognizing a predetermined background pattern per specific pixel when a printing paper having a predetermined background pattern is read as an original.
The tint block recognition unit 76 performs tint block pattern recognition. The binarized image data is sent from the scanner input unit 77 to the tint block recognition unit 76. The background pattern recognition unit 76 sends the background pattern detection result to the scanner input unit 77.
The scanner input unit 77 fixes the image data to a predetermined gradation and phase according to the background pattern detection result sent from the background pattern recognition unit 76 and an instruction from the CPU 75, and performs image processing so that the original image cannot be read.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining tint block pattern recognition. Next, an example of recognizing a background pattern from image data will be described based on the background pattern recognition block diagram of FIG. The background pattern recognition block in FIG. 8 is in the background pattern recognition 76 in FIG. The binarized image data is sent to the isolated dot detector 80.
The isolated dot detection unit 80 detects an isolated pixel 84 in the main scanning d pixel × sub-scanning l line. The detection information of the isolated pixel 84 is sent to the phase information storage unit 81 together with the image data. In the phase information storage unit 81, from the isolated pixel 84 information in the main scanning d pixel × sub-scanning l line, Bd × main scanning d pixel × B number corresponding to B number and Bd × sub-scanning l line × L number corresponding to L number. The positional relationship 85 of isolated pixels in the Ll block is stored.
The pattern matching unit 82 performs matching 86 between the positional relationship information 85 of isolated pixels in the Bd × Ll block stored in the phase information storage unit 81 and a predetermined tint block pattern, and results of pattern matching by the pattern matching unit 82 Is sent to the tint block detection unit 83. The tint block detection unit 83 recognizes the tint block pattern by detecting predetermined n patterns in the sub-scanning line, and outputs a detection signal.
The isolated dot detection unit 80 and the pattern matching unit 82 are required to have a predetermined resolution or higher when reading a document. When the resolution of the document image data is lower than a predetermined value, the tint block pattern cannot be detected from the interference of the pixels.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a document when copying is prohibited. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a document when copying is permitted. Next, referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the difference in images after reading between a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern original and a document without a background pattern will be described.
A copy-forgery-inhibited pattern original 87 is read by recognizing the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern. When the original 87 printed with the tint block is read without recognizing the tint block, the original image is read as shown in FIG.
Even if an original 90 on which a background pattern is not printed is recognized and read, the background image is not recognized, so the original image is read as 91. Further, even if a document 90 that is not printed with a background pattern is read without recognizing the background pattern, the document image is read as it is as 92.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing registration means for registering registration information in a tint block. Next, registration means for registering registration information in a background pattern will be described with reference to FIG. When the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is output by the image forming apparatus, registration information is input from the operation panel (FIG. 6).
The first, second, third,..., Nth image forming apparatuses 93, 94, 95,... N are connected to a database 97 via a LAN (Local Area Network) 96. . After reading the document, registration information and image information data (image data information, print mode information) are registered in the database 97.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation flow for determining whether or not to print a document using registration information. Next, an operation flow for determining whether or not to print a document using registered information when a printing paper having a registered copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is read as the document will be described with reference to FIG.

7 and 12, the image data input from the scanner 74 is input by the scanner input unit 77 (S1), and it is determined whether the background pattern recognition unit 76 recognizes the background pattern (S2).
When the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is recognized, the user inputs registration information from the operation panel (FIG. 6) (S3). Then, it is determined whether the registration information input by the user is the same as the registration information of the ground pattern (S4). If the registration information input by the user is different from the registration information of the ground pattern, the ground pattern recognition unit 76 processes the image ( In S5, an image is output from the plotter output unit 78 (S6).
If the registration information input by the user is the same as the registration information of the tint block, or if the tint block pattern is not recognized, the image is output as it is (S6). Therefore, when the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern is recognized, if the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern registration information is input, the image can be output as it is, and if the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern registration information is not input, the processed image of the document is processed. Output and prevent unauthorized copying.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing registration means for registering a password in the background pattern. Next, registration means for registering a password in a background pattern will be described with reference to FIG. When the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is output by the image forming apparatus, a password is input from the operation panel (FIG. 6).
The first, second, third,..., Nth image forming apparatuses 93, 94, 95,... N are connected to a database 97 via a LAN 96 so as to be communicable. After reading the document, registration information and image information data (image data information, print mode information) are registered in the database 97. For this reason, when printing a document including a background pattern, if a password registered in the background pattern is input, the image can be output as it is.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing registration means for registering group information in a tint block. Next, registration means for registering group information in a tint block will be described with reference to FIG. When the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is output by the image forming apparatus, group information is input from the operation panel (FIG. 6).
The first, second, third,..., Nth image forming apparatuses 93, 94, 95,... N are connected to a database 97 via a LAN 96 so as to be communicable. After reading the document, registration information and image information data (image data information, print mode information) are registered in the database 97.
For this reason, when printing a document including a background pattern, if a password registered in the background pattern is input, the image can be output as it is. By providing the registration information in a fixed manner, a user who knows the registration information as necessary can print normally.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining an operation flow for determining whether to print a document based on information input by a user. Next, an operation flow for determining whether to print a document based on information input by a user when a printing sheet having a ground pattern of group information is read as a document will be described with reference to FIG.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 15, image data input from scanner 74 is input from scanner input unit 77 (S11), and it is determined whether or not the background pattern is recognized by background pattern recognition unit 76 (S12).
When the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is recognized, the user inputs user information from the operation panel (FIG. 6) (S13). Next, based on the user information, a group to which the user belongs is searched (S14). The group to which the user belongs is managed by the database 97 (FIG. 14).
Then, it is determined whether the group information to which the user belongs and the group information of the background pattern are the same (S15). If the group information retrieved from the user information is different from the group information of the background pattern, the background pattern recognition unit 76 processes the image. Perform (S16) and output an image (S17).
If the group information retrieved from the user information is the same as the group information of the tint block, or if the tint block pattern is not recognized, the image is output as it is (S17).
Therefore, when printing a document including a tint block pattern, if user information is input, an image can be output as it is. Therefore, if the user is registered in the registration information by using the registration information as the user information, it is possible to print normally without grasping special information.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram for explaining input means for an information registrant to input a password to the image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 16, the information registrant inputs a password from the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 93 (FIG. 13). Select Execute on the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing execution screen, enter registration information on the registration information confirmation screen, and select settings.
Therefore, if the password registered in the tint block is input to the image forming apparatus 93, if the image forming apparatus 93 prints a document including the tint block pattern, any user outputs the image as it is. be able to. As described above, when the information registrant sets registration information inside the image forming apparatus, it is possible to print normally if the image forming apparatus sets registration information without disclosing the registration information. .

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating a selection unit that selects a determination method for printing a document including a tint block pattern. When outputting the tint block pattern by the image forming apparatus, a method for confirming the registration information of the tint block original is selected from the operation panel.
On the screen pattern original registration information confirmation method selection screen, 2. Password input When input in the image forming apparatus is selected, on the registration information registration screen, 1. Register only the password. On the screen pattern original registration information confirmation method selection screen, 2. When user information input is selected, on the registration information registration screen, 2. Register group information.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an operation flow performed by selecting confirmation of registration information. Next, an operation flow performed by selecting confirmation of registration information will be described. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 18, the image data input from scanner 74 is input from scanner input unit 77 (S21), and it is determined whether the background pattern is recognized by background pattern recognition unit 76 (S22).
When the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern is recognized and the password input is selected as the registration information input (FIG. 17) (S23), the user inputs the password from the operation panel (S24). Then, it is determined whether or not the input password and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern password are the same (S25).
If the password entered by the user is different from the password for the tint block, the tint block recognition unit 76 processes the image (S26) and outputs the image (S27). If the password input by the user is the same as the password for the tint block, or if the tint block pattern is not recognized, the image is output as it is (S27).
When the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern is recognized and the user information input is selected as the registration information (FIG. 17) (S28), the user inputs the user information from the operation panel (S29). Next, a group to which the user belongs is searched based on the user information (S30). If the group information retrieved from the user information is different from the group information of the tint block, the tint block recognition unit 76 processes the image (S26) and outputs the image (S27).

If the group information retrieved from the user information and the group information of the tint block are the same, the image is output as it is. If the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is recognized and the registration information selects image forming apparatus input, it is determined whether a password is set in the image forming apparatus (S32).
If no password is set in the image forming apparatus, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern recognition unit 76 processes the image (S26) and outputs the image (S27). If a password is set in the image forming apparatus (S32), the image is output as it is (S27).
Therefore, the registration information can be used for each image output process according to the purpose of printing a document including a tint block pattern. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a highly flexible image forming apparatus management method by providing a selection means for selecting a processing result recognition target in accordance with the purpose of managing the image forming apparatus.

1 is a schematic view showing an example in which an image data output apparatus of the present invention is used in a digital copying machine. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the document table of FIG. 1 as viewed from above. It is a timing chart which shows the image synchronous signal output from IPU of a reading part. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the memory | storage part of FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a multi-function apparatus) in which functions of respective apparatuses such as a printer, a copy, a facsimile, and a scanner according to the present invention are housed in one casing. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of embodiment of the compound machine by this invention. It is the schematic which shows the unit which recognizes the predetermined tint block pattern of an engine part. It is a block diagram explaining a tint block pattern recognition. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a document when copying is prohibited. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a document when copying is permitted. It is the schematic which shows the registration means which registers registration information into a tint block. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow in which determination of printing a document is performed based on registration information. It is the schematic which shows the registration means which registers a password into a background pattern. It is the schematic which shows the registration means which registers group information in a tint block. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow in which a determination to print a document is made based on information input by a user. It is the schematic explaining the input means for an information registrant to input a password into an image forming apparatus. It is the schematic explaining the selection means which selects the judgment method which prints the original document containing a tint block pattern. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement flow which selects and confirms registration information.

Explanation of symbols

A Image forming apparatus S Document 26 Storage device (storage unit)
70 Operation panel 76 Background pattern recognition unit (background pattern recognition unit)
77 Image input means (scanner input unit)
78 Plotter output unit 80 Isolated dot detection unit 81 Phase information recording unit 82 Pattern matching unit 83 Background pattern detection unit 97 Registration means (database)

Claims (5)

  In an image forming apparatus capable of connecting an image input unit capable of reading a document and a storage device for storing at least one image signal input from the image input unit, a printing paper having a predetermined background pattern is provided. A background pattern recognition unit that recognizes a predetermined background pattern per specific pixel when read as an original, and the background pattern recognition unit recognizes the original so that the read original image cannot be determined when the background pattern is recognized. A processing unit for processing an image, and a registration unit for registering registration information in a background pattern, and when the registration information to the registration unit is not input and a printing paper with a background pattern of registration information is read as a document, An image forming apparatus characterized in that a document cannot be printed.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print determination when the printing paper having the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern of the registration information is read as an original is performed by inputting a password.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print determination when the printing paper having the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern of the registration information is read as an original is performed based on group information input by a user.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing determination when the printing paper having the background pattern of the registered information is read as an original is performed by an information registrant inputting a password.   5. The print determination when the printing paper having the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern of the registration information is read as an original is performed by a selection unit capable of individually selecting a determination method. Image forming apparatus.

Images