JP2000338833A - Copying machine, method for controlling illegal copy and system therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a monochromatic copy or color copy of the special original such as paper money, securities or the like or to provide a copying machine capable of contributing in the pursuit, etc., of the said person who executes the copy, a method for controlling the illegal copy and a system therefor. SOLUTION: This color copying machine 1 is provided with a dictionary 122 of the special original in which characterized images for the special original which is made to be controlled with regard to printing are stored and a means 121 for discriminating the special original which compares a color original image which is read from the original of copying object with the characterized images stored in the dictionary of the special original and judges that the original of copying object is the special original when the color original image is at least partially in accordance with or approximate to either one of the characterized images. Further, the copying machine is provided with a proper feature detecting means (fingerprint detecting unit 16) which detects the proper feature which the copy executing person has as innate character and a means for generating illegal operational information (a control part 19) which generates all or one part of the proper feature which is detected by the proper feature detecting means and the illegal operational information which includes the information accompanying the copy execution when the means for discriminating the special original judges that the original of copying object is the special original.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copier, an unauthorized copy management method, and an unauthorized copy management method capable of preventing monochrome or color copying of special manuscripts such as banknotes and securities, or contributing to tracking of a copy executor. More particularly, the present invention relates to a technology that detects unique characteristics possessed by a copy executor, such as a fingerprint, as qualities and thereby greatly contributes to the above-described tracking and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the copying accuracy of a color copying machine is extremely high, and forgery of banknotes, securities and the like can be performed much more easily than before. For this reason, the color copier detects whether or not the original to be copied is a bill, a securities, etc., and stops the color copying if the original is a bill, securities, etc. (for example, printing in monochrome). To prevent unauthorized copying.

[0003] At present, color copiers are often installed in business offices and the like of companies. However, the administrator of a color copier, if any, attempts color copying of bills, securities, and the like. Attention also needs to be raised.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a copying machine, an illegal copy management method and an illegal copy management system which can prevent monochrome or color copying of special manuscripts such as banknotes and securities, or contribute to tracking of the copy executor. Is to provide.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a copying machine, an unauthorized copy management method, and an unauthorized copy management method, which are capable of detecting unique characteristics possessed by a copy executor, such as fingerprints, as characteristics, and thereby greatly contributing to the above tracking and the like. It is to provide a system.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems In the technical field related to computers, unique characteristics possessed by a person as qualities, such as fingerprints, voiceprints, and color holes, are exclusively called "authentication".
Used for

The present inventors have found that, for example, when color copying of banknotes and securities is executed in a conventional color copying machine,
Focusing on passive measures such as stopping the color copying operation, using the above unique features to identify the unauthorized copy executor enables tracking of the color copy executor, etc. The present invention has been made based on the finding that it becomes possible.

The copying machine of the present invention is applied to a monochrome copying machine or a color copying machine provided with a special document dictionary and special document identifying means (in the present invention, simply "copy",
The term "copying machine" includes "color copying" and "color copying machine". Here, the special manuscript dictionary stores at least one kind of characteristic information (color, shape, etc.) of special manuscript information (for example, a special manuscript for which copying is prohibited) to be managed for printing.
"Characteristic image") is stored.

Here, the special manuscript is typically a bill,
It is a security, and the characteristic image is an image representing all or a part of the special manuscript. For example, in the case of Japanese banknotes, it can be a vermilion imprinted figure. The characteristic image includes an image obtained by adding processing such as filtering to all or a part of the special document. The special document identification unit compares the monochrome or color document information read from the set copy target document with the special image stored in the special document dictionary. Then, when a part or all of the document information matches or approximates the special image, the special document identification unit sets
It is determined that the original to be copied is a special original.

A copying machine according to the present invention includes a unique document dictionary and a unique document identifying means, a unique feature detecting means for detecting a unique feature possessed by a copy executor, and a feature that the copy target document is a special document. When the special document discriminating unit determines, the unauthorized operation information generation unit generates unauthorized operation information including all or a part of the unique feature detected by the unique feature detection unit and information incidental to copying. Means. In the copying machine of the present invention,
A memory for storing unauthorized operation information can be provided.
Here, the information incidental to the copy execution included in the unauthorized operation information includes, for example, the counter value of the copying machine, the copy execution time,
This is the number of copies.

The unique characteristics of the copy executor as qualities are:
Typically, they are a fingerprint, a voiceprint, and a iris. When the unique feature is a fingerprint or a iris, the unique feature detecting means is a light source and an imaging means. When the unique feature is a voiceprint, the unique feature detection unit is a microphone. Here, in order to protect the privacy of a legitimate copying machine user, the special document identifying unit determines that the copy target document is not a special document (the document information does not match the special image and is not approximated). When the determination is made, the fingerprint, voiceprint or iris pattern stored in the feature storage means can be erased.

The copying machine of the present invention can be connected to an external device via communication means. The external device may be, for example, a copier administrator or a computer of a public organization (for example, an organization that monitors unauthorized copying).

When the special original discriminating means determines that the original to be copied is a special original, it can access the above-mentioned external device and send out warning information and / or illegal operation information to the external device. In this case, the copy executor cannot know that his or her own unique characteristics are transmitted to the external device, so that the executor can be easily tracked.

Further, the copying machine of the present invention can have a warning means which can be known only by a privileged operator such as an administrator of the copying machine. The warning means is, for example, a hidden display (a warning is issued that cannot be easily identified by a normal person, for example, a lighting display of a part of a user interface (display or the like) is slightly different from a normal lighting state. May be displayed so as not to be noticed by the copy executor), or may be a comment such as a character displayed on a display when a privileged operator inputs a key code. The warning unit is activated when the special document identifying unit determines that the copy target document is a special document. In this case, since the copy executor does not notice that the warning has been issued, it is easy to track the executor.

In the copying machine according to the present invention, when the special document identifying means determines that the document to be copied is a special document,
It is also possible to make a copy of the original to be copied in which visible or invisible information has been written, and to stop the copying operation (if the original to be copied is color, make a monochrome copy or do not copy at all) Can also. Further, in the copying machine of the present invention, even when the unique feature detecting means cannot detect the unique feature, a monochrome or color copy of a document to be copied in which visible or invisible information is written, or a copy operation is performed. Can be stopped.

When the unique feature is a fingerprint, the unique feature detecting means is a fingerprint photographing means, and can be configured in combination with a copy start button operated by pressing or touching a finger. That is, the fingerprint photographing means used in the copying machine of the present invention includes: a button operated by a fingertip made of a light transmitting material (ie, a copy start button); a light source provided below the button; Switch means (micro switch, touch switch, etc.) for activating an image pickup means (usually a solid-state image pickup device such as CCD) when a button is operated by a fingertip; An image processing unit that performs fingerprint information extraction such as extraction, and a storage device that stores processing results of the image processing unit can be provided.

When the unique feature detecting means cannot detect the fingerprint (unique feature), it creates a copy of the original to be copied in which visible or invisible information is written, or cancels the copying operation, thereby If the user presses the copy execution button without pressing (for example, the user presses the copy execution button at the rear end of the pen), copying cannot be performed.

The unauthorized copy management method according to the present invention comprises the following steps: (1) a detecting step of detecting a unique characteristic possessed by a copying person as a qualification, such as a fingerprint, a voiceprint, and a color hole pattern; All or some of the unique features
A storage step for storing as an operator document image, (3) a reading step for reading document information from a set copy target document, and (4) a special image to be managed for a print prepared in advance with document information read in the reading step. If the document information matches or approximates the special image, a step of determining that the copy target document is the special document is provided.

The unauthorized copy management method of the present invention further comprises:
(5) In the (a) identifying step, when it is determined that the copy target document is a special document, a step of accessing an external device and transmitting the warning information and / or the illegal operation information to the external device; or (B) In the identifying step, when it is determined that the copy target document is a special document, a step of issuing a warning that can be known only by a privileged operator can be included.

Further, in the unauthorized copy management method according to the present invention, in the (6) (a) identifying step, when it is determined that the original to be copied is a special original, the copy in which visible or invisible information is written is written. Creating a copy of the target manuscript or stopping the copying operation, or
(B) forming a copy of a document to be copied in which visible or invisible information is written or stopping the copying operation when the unique feature cannot be detected in the detecting step.

[0021] The unauthorized copy management system of the present invention includes a scanner unit, a special original discrimination unit, a printer unit, and a unique feature detection unit. These units need not necessarily be mounted on the same device. For example, the unauthorized copy management system of the present invention can be constructed from a scanner device (including a scanner unit) and a printer device (including a special original discrimination unit, a printer unit, and a unique feature detection unit). The unauthorized copy management system of the present invention can be constructed from a scanner unit (including a scanner unit), a printer (including a printer unit), and a computer (including a special original discrimination unit and a unique feature detection unit).

The special original discrimination unit has a special original dictionary and a special original identification means. As with the copier described above, the special manuscript dictionary contains at least one feature image of a special manuscript that is to be managed for printing.
The type is stored, and the special document identification unit compares information read from the set copy target document with the characteristic image stored in the special document dictionary to determine whether the copy target document is a special document. I do.

The unique feature detection unit has unique feature detection means and unauthorized operation information generation means. As in the above-described copying machine, the unique feature detecting unit detects the unique feature possessed by the copy executor, and the special operation identifying unit determines that the copy target original is a special original. At this time, unauthorized operation information including all or a part of the unique features detected by the unique feature detection unit and information accompanying the execution of copying is generated.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below, taking as an example the case where the unique feature is a fingerprint. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the color copying machine 1. Color copier 1
Are a scanner unit 11 and a special original discrimination unit 1
2 (special document identification means 121 and special document dictionary 122
), An image processing unit 13, a printer unit 14, a user interface 15, a fingerprint detection unit 16, a storage unit 17, a communication port 18, and a control unit 19.

The scanner unit 11 reads the set original to be copied in a predetermined mode (full color mode, monochrome mode, etc.) and sends the read image to the special original discrimination unit 12 and the image processing unit 13. The special original discriminating unit 12 determines whether the original to be copied is a special original when copying is being performed in a predetermined color mode. The image processing unit 13 performs predetermined processing (γ correction processing, gradation processing, etc.) on the input image, creates print information according to the determination result of the special original discrimination unit 12, and sends it to the printer unit 14. I do. The user interface 15 is provided with buttons for setting the number of copies and setting various print modes, various buttons and switches and buttons of a start button, a hidden warning light, and a display. When the start button (see reference numeral 151 in FIG. 2) is pressed, the fingerprint detection unit 16 captures a fingerprint, extracts the fingerprint image as it is as fingerprint information, or extracts a feature from the captured image, and extracts the fingerprint. Generate as information. The fingerprint information and information accompanying the execution of the copying are stored in the storage unit 17 as unauthorized operation information. The communication port 18 is connected to a communication line L, and the color copying machine 1 can access the host computer (external device) 2 via the communication port 18 and the communication line L.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the fingerprint detection unit 16 in detail. The fingerprint detection unit 16 includes a button made of a light-transmitting material (a start button 151 constituting the interface 15), a light source 161 and an imaging unit 162 provided below the button 151, and an image processing unit 163.
And a predetermined storage unit (here, the storage unit 17), and a microswitch 164 that operates when the button 151 is pressed down. Start button 151
Is made of glass or synthetic resin, and the light source 161 is a light emitting diode or a fluorescent tube having an appropriate emission wavelength. In the embodiment, a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD is used as the imaging unit 162. In the present embodiment, the image processing unit 163 is provided separately from the image processing unit 13, but the image processing unit 13 can also perform the processing function of the image processing unit 163. When the micro switch 164 is turned on, the micro switch 164 generates a signal for starting copying and starting fingerprint imaging. In this embodiment, the start button 151 is urged upward by the spring s.

Hereinafter, the operation of this embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2) will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In this embodiment, the fingerprint detection unit 16
Are configured to be operable when the power of the color copying machine 1 is turned on. When the operator sets a document to be copied and presses the start button 151, it is determined whether the print mode is set to monochrome or color (S101). If the print mode is set to monochrome, A print sequence in the monochrome mode is executed (S102). When the print sequence is set to color, a fingerprint is photographed by the fingerprint detection unit 16 (S103) and the scanner unit 1 is scanned.
1 is read (S10).
4).

As shown in FIG. 4, the fingerprint detecting unit 16 processes a fingerprint (S201), extracts fingerprint information such as feature points by the image processing unit 163 (S202), as shown in FIG.
It consists of each step of storing the fingerprint information in the storage unit 17 (S203), and is performed before the determination of step S106 described later is performed, or the processing of S201 to S203 ends before the determination of step S106 is performed. If not, the determination in step S106 is put in a wait state until the processing is completed.

In step S104, the scanner unit 11
Image (color original image CO)
G: document information in the present invention) is the image processing unit 1
3 is temporarily stored in a predetermined buffer (S1).
05), the document is sent to the special document discriminating means 121 of the special document discriminating unit 12, and it is determined whether or not the copy target document is a special document (S106). In this step S106, the special original discriminating means 121 performs each processing such as the color filter processing, the picture / character separation processing, the edge emphasizing processing and the like, and then extracts the partial graphic (for example, the vermilion imprint graphic part) in the color original image COG. By reading out the features of the cut-out graphic while performing cut-out and rotation processing, and comparing the read-out features with the patterns stored in the special-document dictionary 122, it is determined whether or not the copy target document is a special document.

If the partial graphic in the color original image COG does not match the pattern stored in the special original dictionary 122,
If there is no approximation, it is determined that the original to be copied is not a special original, the fingerprint information stored in the storage unit 17 is cleared (S107), and the color original temporarily stored in a predetermined buffer in step S105. Image COG
Is printed by executing a print sequence in a normal color mode (S108).

If it is determined in step S106 that the partial graphic in the color original image COG matches or approximates the pattern stored in the special original dictionary 122, the original to be copied is the special original. , The process is passed to the following steps S109 to S113.
That is, the control unit 19 determines in step S105
Unauthorized operation information is generated from the fingerprint information stored in the storage unit 17 and information accompanying the execution of copying (the counter value of the color copying machine, the color copying execution time, the number of copies, etc.) (S10).
9; here, the control unit 19 functions as the unauthorized operation information generating means of the present invention), and stores the unauthorized operation information in the storage unit 17 (S110), and the computer via the communication port 18 2 and a hidden warning light provided on the user interface 15 is turned on (S111).

In step S103, the image processing unit 13 prints a visible or invisible image or code in the color original image COG temporarily stored in a predetermined buffer, or prints the color original. The print information that has undergone processing such as conversion of the image COG to monochrome is created (S112), and a print sequence for the print information that has undergone the processing is executed (S113). At this time, step S
The color document image COG temporarily stored in the predetermined buffer at 105 can be stored in the storage unit 17 together with the above-described unauthorized operation information, or transferred to the computer 2 via the communication port 18. You can also.

In the above embodiment, the color original image COG
If it is determined that the partial graphic in the middle matches or approximates the pattern stored in the special document dictionary 122 (step S106), a predetermined process is performed on the color document image to execute the print sequence. Although the printing is performed (S112, S113), the printing may not be performed at all.

In the above embodiment, step S
It is also possible to omit execution of steps 101 and S102, and to perform processing by the fingerprint detection unit and the like from step S103 onward, regardless of the monochrome mode or the color mode.

[0036]

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the copying of special manuscripts such as banknotes and securities, which is desired to be managed for printing, or to contribute to the tracking of the copy executor.

In particular, unique features possessed by the copy executor such as fingerprints are detected without being noticed by the copy executor,
This detection result can be notified to a copier administrator or an organization that monitors unauthorized copying, which greatly contributes to the above-described tracking and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a color copying machine showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the fingerprint detection unit of FIG. 1 in detail.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the color copying machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the fingerprint detection unit of FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Color copier 2 Host computer 11 Scanner unit 12 Special document discrimination unit 13 Image processing unit 14 Printer unit 15 User interface 16 Fingerprint detection unit 17 Storage unit 18 Communication port 19 Control unit 121 Special document identification means 122 Special document dictionary 151 Start button 161 light source 162 imaging means 163 image processing unit 164 micro switch

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H027 DB00 DB01 EE08 EJ03 EJ13 EJ15 FD10 GA30 2H034 FA01 3E041 AA01 AA02 DA05 DB01

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A special manuscript dictionary in which at least one type of characteristic information about a special manuscript to be managed for printing is stored, and information read from a set copy target manuscript is stored in the special manuscript dictionary. And a special document identifying means for comparing the feature information with the special document to determine whether or not the document to be copied is a special document. When the special original identification unit determines that the original to be copied is a special original, all or a part of the unique features detected by the unique feature detection unit, and information accompanying the execution of copying. And a fraudulent operation information generating means for generating fraudulent operation information including: 2. The copying machine according to claim 1, further comprising means for storing the unauthorized operation information. 3. An external device is connected to the external device via a communication unit, and when the special document identification unit determines that the copy target document is a special document, the external device is accessed and connected to the external device. The copying machine according to claim 1, wherein the copying machine sends warning information and / or the illegal operation information. 4. A warning means which can be known only by a privileged operator, wherein when the special document identification means determines that the copy target document is a special document, the warning means is activated. The copier according to claim 1, wherein the copier is activated. 5. When the original to be copied is a special original,
5. The copying machine according to claim 1, wherein when the special document identification unit determines, the copy of the document to be copied in which visible or invisible information is written or a copying operation is stopped. . 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the unique feature detecting means cannot detect the unique feature, a copy of the original to be copied into which visible or invisible information is written is created, or the copying operation is stopped. 4. The copying machine according to any one of 4. 7. The copying machine according to claim 1, wherein the unique feature is a fingerprint, and the unique feature detection unit is a fingerprint photographing unit including a light source and an imaging unit. 8. The fingerprint photographing means is incorporated below a copy execution button having a transparent operation body which operates by pressing and touching a fingertip, and photographs the fingertip portion simultaneously with a button operation by the fingertip. The copier according to the above. 9. A detecting step of detecting a unique characteristic possessed by a copy executor as qualities, generating unauthorized operation information including all or a part of the unique characteristic detected in the detecting step and information incidental to copy execution. A reading step of reading document information from the set copy target document; and comparing the document information read in the reading step with characteristic information of a special document prepared in advance and for which management of printing is desired. And an identification step of determining that the copy target document is a special document when the document information and any of the characteristic information at least partially match or approximate. 10. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:
When it is determined that the copy target document is a special document,
The illegal copy management method according to claim 9, further comprising a step of accessing an external device and transmitting warning information and / or the illegal operation information to the external device. 11. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:
When it is determined that the copy target document is a special document,
11. The unauthorized copy management method according to claim 9, further comprising a step of issuing a warning that can be known only by a privileged operator. 12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:
When it is determined that the copy target document is a special document,
12. The unauthorized copy management method according to claim 9, further comprising a step of creating a copy of the copy target document in which visible or invisible information is written, or stopping a copy operation. 13. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:
10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising a step of creating a copy of a document to be copied in which visible or invisible information is written or stopping the copying operation when the unique characteristic cannot be detected.
12. The unauthorized copy management method according to any one of claims 1 to 11. 14. The unauthorized copy management method according to claim 9, wherein the unique feature is a fingerprint, and the fingerprint is detected in the detecting step. 15. An unauthorized copy management system comprising a scanner unit, a special document discrimination unit, a printer unit, and a unique feature detection unit, wherein the special document discrimination unit manages printing. A special manuscript dictionary in which at least one type of feature information about the special manuscript to be performed is stored, and information read from the set copy manuscript is compared with the feature information stored in the special manuscript dictionary. Special document identification means for determining whether or not the original document is a special document, wherein the unique feature detection unit detects a unique feature possessed by the copy executor as a qualification; and When the special document identification unit determines that the document is a document, all of the unique features detected by the unique feature detection unit are determined. Or an unauthorized operation information generating means for generating unauthorized operation information including a part and information incidental to the execution of the copy. 16. The unauthorized copy management system according to claim 15, wherein said special original discrimination unit, said printer unit, and said unique feature detection unit are mounted on a printer.