JP2001230923A - Image output device and image output method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To take the countermeasures against information leakage and to easily make printed matter and electronic data correspond to each other at high speed by adding a management information, that is hard to be discriminated visually, to the printed matter. SOLUTION: The basic configuration of this device is provided with an image memory for storing image data and a means for applying signal processing for adding the managing information to a signal read out of the image memory. On the basis of the operating timing of the image output device such as a printer, image data are read out from the image memory, by using an address signal prepared by an address generating circuit, and are subjected to a signal processing based on the management information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image output device such as a printer and a copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A so-called digital watermarking system for protecting copyright of digital data (images, programs, etc.) has begun to spread. This technology is described in, for example, "Data Hinding Technology Supporting Digital Watermarking", Nikkei Electronics, No. 683, pp. 149-162 (1997.2.24). In the case of image data, the addition of management information causes some data deterioration, but the image quality is visually preserved. Further, management information embedded in image data can be reproduced by signal processing.

In the case of printed matter, one of the purposes is to manage so-called (secret) documents. When creating and distributing multiple copies of the same contents, it is necessary to prevent the contents from being leaked at the distribution destination. Generally, management is performed by writing a (secret) stamp, a serial number stamp, or a symbol such as a barcode. Do. In addition, by performing signal processing on image data to be printed by a printer, for example, the inclination and spacing of characters are delicately changed, thereby embedding management information.

[0004] In many cases, the main purpose is not to prevent the information leak itself but to suppress the information leak by adding the management information and to specify the leak route when the information leaks.

[0005]

However, the above-mentioned digital watermarking technique relates to the addition of management information to electronic information such as image data and is not intended for printed matter printed by a printer or the like. When printing is performed by a printer, the management information may be lost due to the influence of signal processing and a printing mechanism of the printer. Also, in order to slightly change the inclination, spacing, and the like of characters with respect to image data, signal processing based on management information is performed at the stage of generating image data. The processing time of image generation becomes long. As a specific example, when printing out multiple identical images,
The procedure of performing signal processing for embedding different management information for each piece of image data on a personal computer, transferring data to a printer, and performing print output is repeated, but the print output time becomes longer. As another example, in an apparatus configuration that outputs previously created image data in response to a print request (eg, on-demand printing), there is a case where the created image data cannot be modified (for example, because of copyright). .

[0006] Regarding the copy of a printed matter, the management information can be easily deleted by hiding and copying the management information such as a stamp on the printed matter. Even if the management information is incorporated, if the copy resistance is low, the information leakage is not suppressed. On the other hand, there is a problem that it is becoming difficult to distinguish an original from a copy with an improvement in copy performance.

Further, it is difficult to directly use digital data for display and digital data used for printing due to different signal characteristics (color signal, gradation expression method, etc.).

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises an image memory for printing by a printer, a means for generating management information, and a means for adding a signal read from the image memory based on the management information.

[0009] The embedding of management information, which is difficult to visually discriminate, is realized by utilizing the fluctuation of the same quality as the fluctuation factor inherent in the printer and / or the degree of freedom of signal processing in printing.

[0010] By performing signal processing using the above means, a printed matter by an image output device such as a printer can be processed.
A method for adding management information that is visually difficult to determine is realized.
As a result, in addition to the effect of suppressing information leakage and the elucidation of the leakage route, the effect of easily associating printed matter with electronic data at high speed is realized.

In addition, by incorporating signal processing such as setting and addition of the management information into an image output device (such as a printer), management can be performed easily and at high speed without making the operator who performs image output aware of the operation procedure. Information can be added. For example, when printing the same document a plurality of times, it is possible to add different management information for each copy while performing a continuous printing operation without rewriting the contents of the image memory. It is also possible to easily embed management information in image data that has been created in advance.

When the image output device is a color printer, the combination of color signals for realizing the same color is performed based on the management information by utilizing the degree of freedom of signal processing such as color signals. In addition, it is possible to add management information that is difficult to determine visually to a printed matter.

Further, by using a new printing mechanism, it is possible to add and read out management information using, for example, a paper edge of a printed material.

By the above means, the addition of management information having copy resistance and the addition of management information for identifying the original and the copy are realized. Below, the device configuration of the present invention,
A specific example such as a processing procedure will be described.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 2 shows an example of information distribution using paper. In the distribution after the generated image data is output by the printer, it is difficult to manage the outflow of information (such as confidentiality) even when the distribution destination is limited. Furthermore, in many cases, binding to a file is required to store handouts (bundling multiple sheets of paper). However, it is time-consuming to search for a desired sheet from a file, and it can be mixed with other printed materials. Loss is also likely to occur. On the other hand, digitization of information (electronic information) is progressing, but there is a need for a device that enhances the relationship between paper media distributed and distributed and electronic information.

An object of the present invention is to add management information, which is difficult to discriminate visually, to a printed matter (information using a paper medium) by an image output device such as a printer so as to prevent information leakage. Another object is to easily and quickly associate a printed matter with electronic data. In addition, since it is in a situation where it is possible to easily make a copy of a printed matter, the purpose is to realize the copy resistance of the management information and to easily identify the original and the copy.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a procedure for reproducing embedded management information. By inputting the printed matter as a digital signal using a scanner or the like, not only the reproduction of the management information from the read data but also the use of the association of the original data of the printed matter stored in a device such as a personal computer with the electronic information. To search for content.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a variation of the same quality as a variation factor inherent in a printer and / or a degree of freedom of signal processing in printing, which is used by the present invention. In the figure, the degree of preservation of the embedded data at the time of making a copy using a copy machine or the like is referred to as copy resistance.
X is qualitatively exemplified. This ○ △ × is not fixed but varies depending on conditions. Although an apparatus configuration using these will be described later, a factor having high copy resistance can be used for embedding management information. Conversely, a factor with low copy resistance can be used for identification information between the original and the copy. It is also possible to embed management information in a single printed matter using a combination of a plurality of factors.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show examples of the printing result of the printer. FIG. 5A shows an example in which the toner of the printer has adhered to an unintended position for some reason. FIG. 5B shows an example in which the start position of the printer print line has shifted for some reason. 6) shows an example in which the pixel position on the printer print line is shifted for some reason, and FIG. 6B shows an example in which dots of the same color printed by a color printer are recorded by combinations of different color signals. The present invention embeds management information using such a variation factor or the degree of freedom of signal processing.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1. 1. Basic Configuration of the Present Invention As shown in FIG. 1A, a basic configuration of the present invention includes an image memory 102 for storing image data, and a signal processing unit 10 for adding management information to a signal read from the image memory.
5 is provided. As the image memory, a configuration such as a bitmap memory for monochrome / color, binary / multilevel, or a compressed data memory for storing compressed data can be used.
For example, based on the operation timing of an image output device 104 such as a printer, image data is read from the image memory 102 using the address signal generated by the address generation circuit 103, and the image data is subjected to signal processing based on management information.

By the way, there are several types of signal processing procedures for printing with a printer. As a first example, the image generation apparatus (for example, an externally connected personal computer) 101 executes almost all signal processing, and then transmits the signal processing to the printer. In the second example, after storing the original image data transmitted from the personal computer to the printer in the image memory inside the printer,
This is a configuration in which signal processing for print output is executed inside the printer. In the third example, a command for drawing is transmitted from the personal computer to the printer, and the image data is developed in the image memory by signal processing inside the printer.
Although the present invention does not limit the apparatus configuration, in any case, in order to print out a plurality of copies of the same image data, at least one copy is stored in an image memory inside the printer.
It is desirable to store the image data of a sheet. The present invention uses a circuit configuration such as rewriting the contents of the image memory or modifying the image data read for print output in order to add management information to the contents of the image memory.

Although the contents of the management information are not limited, as shown in FIG. 7, the data creator, the creation date and time, the data contents, the serial number of the number of copies, the serial number for identifying the image output device (such as a printer), etc. Can be used.
These pieces of management information are, for example, embedded data using a data format as shown in FIG. For example, when managing the number of copies, different numbering is performed for each number of copies. The management information reproducing device reproduces the management information by signal processing after converting the print result into a digital signal by a scanner that optically reads a print result. It goes without saying that the printed content itself can be used here, and the printed character data can be combined with the result of OCR (read character recognition).

As a basic configuration shown in FIG. 1 (2), the operation of the address generation means for reading out the image memory is as follows.
By controlling using the management information, the management information can be added to the print output. For example, by modifying the address signal for reading image data from the memory based on the management information, and changing the position of the image data to be read, the image printing position on paper is slightly shifted to visually identify. Management information can be embedded so that it cannot be performed.

When a means for generating image data to be written to an image memory is provided as the basic configuration shown in FIG. 1C, the management information is added to the print output by embedding the management information in the image data itself. You can also. In a simple manner, management information can be written using a barcode or the like. A specific operation example of each basic configuration will be described later.

2. Example of using a printer variation factor Generally, a printing procedure using a printer is performed by transmitting image data created by a personal computer or image data input by a scanner to a printer via a network or the like, and transmitting the data. The printer performs a printing process based on the obtained image data. The image data transmitted to the printer may be in a command format called postscript, bitmap data in pixel units, or compressed data based on some compression method. For example, in a laser beam printer or the like, an image memory for at least one screen is prepared, and a signal is read out from the memory and output in synchronization with the scanning of the laser beam. In the principle configuration of a laser beam printer, there are many fluctuation factors such as fluctuations in light quantity of a laser light emitting element, non-uniformity of an optical system, non-uniformity of a scanning system, temperature and humidity environment. Image quality fluctuations due to these fluctuation factors include the shape of print dots, print positions, line intervals, toner scattering, and the like. However, visual image quality is often difficult and unacceptable. Similarly, a printer having another printing mechanism, such as an ink jet printer, has a plurality of fluctuation factors. The present invention realizes embedding of management information that is difficult to visually discriminate by controlling fluctuations of the same quality as the fluctuation factors of such an image output device using the management information.

A feature of the present invention is that rewriting of data in an image memory, signal processing for image data read from the image memory, control of output signal printing timing, and the like are executed based on management information.
As a method of adding the management information to the image data, a pixel (dot) unit, a line unit, a plurality of pixels or a plurality of line units can be used.

For example, if the outline shape of the font is displaced, it may be determined that the image quality has deteriorated, and there is a problem in terms of font design. However, the variation set over the entire screen has little effect on the image quality, and can be realized without disturbing the font design, for example.

As an apparatus configuration for realizing the object of the present invention,
An example of the means for controlling the print timing of the print dots will be described. In general, a laser beam printer forms a latent image by scanning a charged photoconductor with a laser beam based on image data, and forms a real image by attaching toner. Here, the scanning of the laser beam is realized by using a light beam from a laser light source (such as a laser diode) using a mechanically operated optical system such as a polygon mirror.
As shown in FIG. 9, the positional relationship between the scanning of the laser beam and the printing dot is set by the optical sensor arranged at the scanning start position, by using a signal that detects the laser beam as a trigger to set the timing of the scanning start. The position of the print dot on the line is determined by the time elapsed from the trigger signal indicating the start of scanning and the characteristics of the laser light optical system. As can be seen from the above, the print start position in the line direction depends on the detection signal of the optical sensor, but the position of the print dot fluctuates due to a fluctuation factor in each of the mechanical system, the optical system, and the electric system.

The embedding of the management information is realized by controlling the positions of the print dots in the line direction so as to have the same quality as the fluctuation inherent in such an image output device. The control of the printing start position includes a method of controlling the transmission delay time of the trigger signal and a method of controlling the transmission delay time between the image memory and the laser diode.

As a specific example, a delay circuit as shown in FIG.
110 shows an example in which a trigger signal for starting scanning of a line is delayed using management information. The readout of the image memory is started using the result of controlling the trigger signal transmission delay time for starting the scanning of the line in this manner. For example, the operation of the address generation circuit for memory reading is started. Here, depending on the phase relationship between the clock signal input to the address generation circuit and the trigger signal, a shift of the operation start by one clock at maximum occurs. Where the clock period and 1
If the dot printing time (the time for scanning one dot on a line) is the same, a shift of at most one dot cannot be distinguished from the delay time control and also causes image quality deterioration. To prevent this, a method of setting the delay time based on the management information to 1 dot or more, a method of setting the clock input to the address generation circuit higher than the dot clock, and a method of setting the phase relationship between the clock signal and the trigger signal by PLL There is a method of matching them with a circuit or the like. For example, PLL
A circuit for inputting the trigger signal and outputting a clock signal of a print dot by using a circuit, including a frequency dividing circuit for calculating a ratio of a period of the trigger signal to a dot clock, and a phase detection circuit for both of them. Thus, the phases can be matched. Further, the variation of the trigger signal itself for each line can be reduced.

The delay time is, for example, 0 (no change), plus 1 dot, plus 2 based on 1 dot printing time.
The selection can be made from dots or the like, and the selection is made based on the management information. For setting the delay time, for example, signal conversion as shown in FIG. 11 can be used. For example, it is possible to set a delay time based on a signal value after modulating a wavelength (or a phase, an amplitude, or the like) based on management information using a sine function or the like as a carrier signal. As another method, if a 4B-3T code or the like known as a multilevel transmission system in transmission engineering is used, a 4-bit binary signal can be converted into three ternary signals. By using this code, three kinds of delay times of 0 (no change), plus 1 dot and plus 2 dots can be set in the management information.
By changing the delay time set in this way for each of a plurality of lines (for example, 10, 20 lines, etc.), it is possible to increase the copy durability by printing as an area.
Of course, any error detection or error correction method may be used.

As described above, the embedding of the management information can be realized without affecting the image quality. The above means can be used in different printing mechanisms as well. Although there is an apparatus configuration using a light emitting element array (eg, an LED array) instead of a laser beam, the same effect as described above can be realized by shifting the position order of print dots. It is easy to realize in terms of the device configuration. Therefore, a circuit can be added as a so-called optional function.

As another configuration, as shown in FIG.
A delay circuit 110 based on management information can be inserted during the connection between the image memory and the image output device. Alternatively, the same effect can be realized by shifting the address of the read pixel in the line direction in the address generation circuit for reading the image memory. FIG. 13 shows a circuit configuration and timing for delaying data read from the image memory. The operation of pulse width modulation (PWM), which is print dot control in the line direction, is also shown. For example, when an address shift of one pixel occurs, the head pixel position is blank, and the print content is shifted by one pixel in the line direction.

The above-described control of the printing start position can be similarly applied to other printers. The ink jet printer scans and prints the ink ejection nozzles over the entire surface of the paper. As a mechanism for this, for example, the print head is moved in the main scanning direction, and the paper is moved in the sub scanning direction. Control of the print start position of one line can be realized by modifying the position information of the print head, delaying the print data, and the like. For example, in a mechanism in which the print head is moved by a pulse motor, the position of the print head can be controlled by the number of drive pulses.
Alternatively, in a configuration in which the position of the print head is measured by a sensor (for example, a rotary encoder), the position can be controlled by modifying the information on the measurement position (for example, adding or subtracting an offset). Further, by using a delay circuit controlled by the management information for a signal for printing, the printing position in the line direction can be shifted.

The means described above can be used not only for controlling the one-line printing start position but also for controlling the printing dot position for printing in one line. If a qualitative expression is used, printing can be performed so that the print dot position undulates on the screen using the management information.

3. Embodiment utilizing the degree of freedom in signal processing of a printer When the image output device is a color printer, it is possible to control printing using the degree of freedom in combination of color signals. Although the type of the color printer is not limited, for example, a color image is printed by applying a plurality of colors of toner to a paper in the case of a laser printer or the like and an ink of a plurality of colors in the case of an ink jet printer. Here, an input signal (for example, RGB, CMY signal, etc.) is converted into a color signal (CMYK, etc.) used for printing. Further, when the number of gradations that the printer can represent for a pixel is limited, signal level conversion is performed. As described above, color signal conversion, signal level conversion, and the like are performed until the input signal is printed. However, there are many degrees of freedom in the content of the signal processing used here. By using different color signal conversion methods, the print signal has a difference, but visually the same image quality (color, resolution,
Gradation expression etc.) can be realized. By discriminating, identifying, or reproducing the difference in the printed matter by means different from the visual means, the signal based on the management information can be written on the printed matter so as not to be visually perceived. The advantage of using a color printer is that the degree of freedom of the writing method is increased in addition to the means realized by a black and white printer. Further, by making the type of ink or toner used for printing easily identifiable, it is also possible to easily specify the device of the image output apparatus. Also, the original document and the copy can be easily distinguished by utilizing the degree of freedom of printing of the color printer.

For example, to print black with a color printer, it is possible to select only K (black) toner, a combination of CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow), a combination of K and CMY, and the like. Further, the ratio of the combination of the color signals can be adjusted. In other words, there is a degree of freedom in how to create color signals for reproducing the same color (amount of toner and ink), and this can be used to superimpose information. FIG. 14 illustrates a process of generating a K signal from an input CMY color signal. The K signal can be seen by subtractive color mixing of the CMY signal,
The K signal can be actively used for printing.
For this K signal generation, a method such as UCR (Under Color Removal) has been proposed, but management information can be used as a parameter in this generation.

As a specific example, as shown in FIG.
The setting of the color signal conversion method based on the management information can be switched using the color signal conversion circuit for the data read from the bitmap memory. Here, at least one multi-level color signal is written in the image memory, read out in synchronization with the operation of the printing device (printer), and converted into a color conversion circuit (for example, an RGB signal into a CMYK signal). ), A gradation conversion circuit (for example, converting a multilevel signal to a dither signal), and a modulation circuit (for example, pulse width modulation) to be passed to the printing apparatus. Signal processing based on management information can be performed on the color signals stored in the image memory.

As a color signal conversion method, ICC (International
al Color Consortium). The ICC method performs a color signal conversion process for each pixel by preparing a color signal conversion table according to device characteristics. Here, as shown in FIG. 16, the management information can be embedded by using the management information as a signal for searching the conversion table.

In order to express the gradation of the printed matter, there is a degree of freedom in changing the arrangement order of the printing dots while maintaining the gradation level. For example, in a threshold arrangement pattern of a dither method known as a pseudo halftone method,
As shown in FIG. 17, there are several types such as a Bayer type and a halftone type. There is also a signal processing method having a feedback loop called error diffusion processing. The management information can be embedded using the degree of freedom of signal processing for printing so that an area composed of a plurality of pixels of these methods can be visually judged to have the same image quality. In the dither method, switching of the threshold arrangement pattern is performed by using the management information for reading the threshold.

This degree of freedom in signal processing can be further increased in a printer that can control the size of a print dot. Specifically, switching of the arrangement order of dither patterns, switching of coefficient values in a feedback loop of error diffusion processing, and the like are performed based on the management information. Since control is performed for each print dot, it is not possible to visually identify the printed matter,
The management information can be easily restored by measuring with some image input device.

As shown in FIG. 15 (2), even in an apparatus configuration in which the result of color conversion and gradation conversion is written in the image memory in advance, the signal processing circuit for the data read from the image memory is used to perform the processing based on the management information. Signal settings can be made.

In printing a character figure or the like, a smoothing process may be performed on the image data of the outline. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, a signal of about 3 × 3 pixels centering on the target pixel is input, and a smoothing processing result is output for the signal of the target pixel. In this smoothing process, a plurality of types of conversion tables are prepared, and a table search can be performed based on signals of peripheral pixels and management information to obtain a result.

The signal control in units of print dots may be greatly affected by the characteristics of the printer that performs printing. In other words, even if signal control based on the same management information is performed based on the same image data, the state of embedding the management information in the printed matter may differ depending on the type of printer for printing and the difference between devices. . By utilizing this characteristic, it is also possible to identify whether or not a printed matter has been created through a specific printed matter distribution route. By assigning a unique management number to the type of printer and machine difference, it can be used to identify the distribution route of printed matter.

4. Example of Device Configuration of Printer Controller FIG. 19 shows a configuration diagram of a printer controller using the present invention.

The multi-valued color signal of at least one sheet stored in the image memory 102 is converted into a color signal used in a printing device (printer) using a color change conversion circuit. Using an edge detection circuit (for example, a 3 × 3 matrix circuit) for the contents of the image memory, using a smoothing circuit for smoothing the contour as a character / graphic part using an edge area, and using a picture area without an edge A dither circuit for pseudo halftone is used as a part. Here, management information is embedded by switching the processing method of the smoothing circuit and the dither circuit based on a signal from the management information control circuit. The result is output to the printing device 104 after passing through a pulse width or dot size modulation circuit. In a laser printer, an address generation circuit for reading one-line image data from an image memory by transmitting a trigger signal for starting printing from the printer to the controller.
Start 103. Here, the trigger signal is passed through the delay circuit 110, and the delay time is controlled based on the signal from the management information control circuit, thereby controlling the print start position of one line. In an image with a lot of white backgrounds and the like, image data for embedding management information may be included only in a partial area. Therefore, an area having print data is detected using a black line detection circuit or the like. The same applies to a color printer.

FIG. 20 shows a configuration diagram of a printer controller using the present invention. This is an example of a device configuration in which areas are previously separated according to print contents, such as a character graphic memory and an image memory for storing pictures. A region with an edge uses a smoothing circuit for smoothing the contour as a character / graphic portion, while a region without an edge uses a dither circuit for pseudo halftone as a picture portion.
Here, the processing method of the smoothing circuit and the dither circuit is
The management information is embedded by switching based on a signal from the management information control circuit. The result is output to a printing device after passing through a pulse width or dot size modulation circuit. in this way. If the properties of the image data are known in advance, the management information can be embedded by a method suitable for each image data.

FIG. 21 schematically shows the structure of a copying machine. The original image is read by a scanner, and a duplicate image is output by a printing device (printer). Here, signal processing using a management information reproducing circuit is performed on the image data read by the scanner. The result can be transmitted to another management apparatus via a network or the like, or management information can be newly embedded in a copy.

One of the advantages of the present invention is that, when the same data is to be printed on a plurality of sheets, the signal processing based on the management information is executed for the data expanded in the image memory, thereby facilitating high-speed processing. Since the signal processing based on the management information is executed inside the printer device, it is not necessary to disclose the signal processing method, means, whether or not the management information is added, and the confidentiality can be improved. . For example, if signal processing based on the management information is executed using the processing function of the personal computer, it is necessary to incorporate the signal processing itself into the personal computer. Incorporating such a management function into personal computers distributed over a network connection is equivalent to making the management itself public, and the effect of the management is reduced. The present invention solves these problems.

The printer can add the management information to the data for printing read from the database created in advance without modifying the data itself. Therefore, even in a usage form called on-demand printing or the like, it is possible to print out with added management information while retaining the original data without impairing the immediacy.

In the apparatus configuration example of the present invention, signal processing is performed on data read from an image memory after image information has been expanded. A signal based on the same management information can be embedded when the signal is developed in the image memory. Further, it can be realized by rewriting the contents of the image memory based on the management information.

With this feature, even in an existing printer, the object of the present invention can be easily realized by incorporating a management information control circuit between the image memory and the output device. For example, when embedding a different number for each number of copies for management of the number of copies as management information, if signal processing is performed using image data generating means such as a personal computer, the processing time will take a long time, and at the same time, the operation of the personal computer The user must operate while paying attention to the embedding of the management information, but the present invention has an advantage of solving these.

The present invention is characterized in that management information is written on a printed material. For example, the content of print data varies from page to page, and in extreme cases there may be only one character in a page. For pages with many gaps like this, patterns that do not affect the printed content, illustrations, hatches, or words that indicate intentional blank areas (for example, "This page is blank") By inserting a burial, embedding of management information can be facilitated.
The management information can be embedded in such buried data, and can be set by a device that generates image data (for example, a personal computer) or an image output device (for example, a printer). Alternatively, numbers, symbols, bar codes, and the like representing management information may be written. Filling a blank area occupying a large area in the page of the printed result clearly indicates that there is no malfunction of the printer, and the result of embedding can be easily confirmed.

5. Next, another means for realizing the object of the present invention will be described. In general, the shape of paper on which printing is performed is modeled on the front and back sides, but if the thickness of the paper is considered, it can be regarded as a three-dimensional shape (hexahedron). That is, FIG.
As shown in (1), printing and reading relating to signals such as management information or content identification can be performed by using the end portions (four sides) of paper not conventionally used as a printing place.
Since the end of the paper is hard to visually identify, it is possible to write highly confidential management information.

On the other hand, it can be used as a positive identification means. For example, by selecting the desired printed matter by measuring the edge of the superimposed document, determining the print content of the flat part only by measuring the edge, or measuring the edge, the related electronic There is a usage method such as realizing a file read operation easily and at high speed.

The method of printing the management information on the edge of the paper is not limited. It does not limit whether the printing of the flat portion and the paper edge is performed by the same printing device or by different printing devices. For example, when printing is performed using an ink jet printer, the ink easily penetrates the paper, so that the ink can be applied to the flat surface of the paper edge to enable observation from the side surface direction of the edge. Further, toner or the like may be used. By attaching the toner with a certain thickness to the flat surface of the paper edge, it is possible to observe the edge from the side surface direction. Alternatively, management information can be printed by controlling the carbonization of the paper material at the end of the paper by using, for example, a heating element as a means different from the printing means of the flat surface part.

Although the method of reading the management information printed on the paper edge is not limited, an image input device such as a scanner or a digital camera can be used.

Thus, for example, it is possible to determine the contents of a document bound to a file while the document is bound, or to confirm whether a document to be included in the file is bound, or to bind a target document. Search of the position can be realized. Furthermore, if the reading device is placed on the file shelf, it is possible to search for a bound document without taking out the file from the file shelf.

6. Reproduction of management information In order to reproduce the management information embedded in the printed matter, it is possible to read and interpret it with human vision using an enlargement means, but it is necessary to convert it into a digital signal and then reproduce it using signal processing means Can also. Means for reading the printed matter and converting it into a digital signal is not limited, but for example, an imaging device such as a flatbed scanner or a digital camera, or a dedicated reading device can be used. The reading resolution of the printed matter is set to be equal to or higher than the printing resolution of the printer that generates the printed matter.

When embedding management information using the print start position of the scanning line, the measurement may be performed by focusing on a specific area in one screen. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, reading is performed using a measuring unit combining a line sensor and an imaging lens for measuring the left end of the printed matter with a high resolution, and the print start position of the scanning line is calculated from the read data stored in the memory. .

When embedding management information in a color printer using a combination of toners (C, M, Y, K) in print dot units, means for observing the toner composition in dot units is used. For example, a specific dot position in which management information is embedded is observed using a measuring unit having a high magnification such as a microscope.

In order to enhance the reliability of the management information, means for surely confirming that the management information has been added at the time of printing can be provided. Specifically, by arranging a reading sensor at the discharge port of the printed material, it is possible to confirm whether the management information is output as a printing result without fail. If the reading of the management information cannot be confirmed in the printing result, a warning is issued to the operator managing the addition of the management information, the printing result is re-output, and the printing result that is difficult to read is discarded. , Etc.) can be thoroughly managed.

The above management information can be combined with the print contents. For example, by using the character recognition function such as OCR or the print layout recognition to determine the print content, specify the printed matter, and in addition, by managing the number of copies by reading the embedded management information,
Easy identification of documents and editions. Furthermore, the management information can be embedded with ink or toner having wavelength characteristics that are difficult to visually discriminate. By combining the embedded management information with other information, it is possible to increase the identification content of the printed matter and increase the accuracy of the identification.

Further, in order to confirm the reliable disposal processing in order to terminate the distribution route of the printed matter, the disposal processing is performed by, for example, arranging a reading sensor at the insertion port of a shredder (cutting machine). For this purpose, it is also possible to read the print content of the inserted printed material and determine the type of the printed material from the read data. When a printed material required to be stored is identified, the operation of the shredder can be interrupted, or an alarm signal can be transmitted. With respect to the printed matter for which the disposal processing has been confirmed, the management information of the disposal processing can be managed by totalizing the management information in a center machine or the like via a network or the like.
At the same time, the history of the storage state and storage location of the original can be managed. To achieve this,
The shredder incorporates, in addition to the read sensor, a signal processing device for identifying management information, a communication device for transmitting an identification result, and the like.

7. Other device configuration examples As management information to be added to the printed matter ・ Identification of the contents of the printed matter ・ Number management when creating multiple copies ・ Linking to electronic information ・ Writing date and time, location, and device information ・ Date and time of copying, copy machine Unique number of the information such as information set by the operator. According to these purposes, the management information generation method, device configuration, addition method, and the like can be made variable.

The generation and addition of management information can be performed when image data is generated by a personal computer, when a printer is printed by a printer controller, or a combination of both.

For printing a plurality of copies, it is advantageous to read out the image memory built in the printer controller, modify the data using the management information, and then output the data, thereby increasing the speed.

In order to enhance the reliability of the management information, it is important to manage the management information and to ensure the reproduction. In order to reduce the potential danger of managing the management information itself, it is desirable to make the device a black box. This can be realized by hardware with a built-in printer controller, thereby realizing a merit of improving confidentiality.

As a device-specific number of the image output device, for example, a device serial number or the like can be used, and information on date and time can be used by using a clock function.
When the image output apparatus is connected to a network, information input via the network can be used.

The present invention is not limited to a printer, but can be applied to a device for outputting an image in a digital signal format. For example, in an image data format in which a print position can be set in a command format, it is also possible to set a position deviation that is difficult to visually recognize based on management information, or to correct image data using management information.

The image output devices may be distributed and arranged via a network or the like, and need to be transmitted as information such as facsimile, electronic mail, and WEB of the Internet using any protocol and transmission format. Embedding management information can also be realized when a printed matter is created at a location using a printer or the like. Embedding management information can also be realized when a print is created by storing and distributing it on an electronic medium.

It is possible to easily make a copy of a printed material by using a copying machine. However, embedded management information may be missing depending on the characteristics of the reading and recording device of the copying machine. For example, a print position in dot units, a print density in dot units, and the like are easily erased by a copy operation. In addition, the contents of color printing are also erased by performing black and white copying. In the present invention, an area composed of a plurality of dots (for example, control of a print start position for every 10 lines)
By using as a unit, high copy resistance can be realized.

On the other hand, by embedding management information which is difficult to copy by the copying apparatus, it is also possible to easily realize the discrimination between the original and the copy. For example, by performing printing using the degree of freedom of signal processing in dot units having low copy resistance, information loss due to copying can be detected and used for discriminating an original from a copy.

[0075]

According to the present invention, a management which is difficult to visually discriminate by utilizing a variation having the same quality as a variation factor inherent in such a printer and / or a degree of freedom of signal processing in printing. Achieve information embedding. Further, by incorporating the realizing means of the present invention into a general-purpose image output device, a new function of adding management information and improving confidentiality can be easily realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a distribution route of a printed material.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a procedure for reproducing management information.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a method of embedding management information in a printed material.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a variation factor of a printer and a degree of freedom of signal processing.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a variation factor of a printer and a degree of freedom of signal processing.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of management information.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a data format of management information.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a device configuration of a laser printer.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a delay circuit for a print start trigger signal.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a signal format of management information.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a delay circuit for image data.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration and timing of an image memory data delay circuit.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a K signal generation process.

FIG. 15 is a view showing signal processing based on printer management information.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a color signal conversion table.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing switching of a threshold arrangement pattern.

FIG. 18 is a view showing a smoothing process.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printer controller.

FIG. 20 illustrates a configuration example of a printer controller.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a copier.

FIG. 22 is a view showing a method of embedding management information using a paper edge.

FIG. 23 is a view showing a configuration example of a management information reading device.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: printed matter (paper), 101: image generating device, 102: image memory, 103: address generating circuit, 104: output device or printing device or printer, 105: management information adding device, 110: delay circuit.

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Claims (8)

[Claims] An image memory for storing at least one piece of image data; a means for generating management information; a means for reading image data from the image memory in synchronization with an operation of the image output apparatus; Means for adding the management information to data. 2. An image output device comprising: an image memory for storing at least one image data; a management information generating unit; a unit for generating a read address of the image memory in synchronization with an operation of the image output device; Means for modifying a read address of an image memory based on the image output device. 3. A printer and a printer control device, wherein: an image memory for storing at least one piece of image data; management information generating means; means for generating a read address of the image memory in synchronization with an operation of the image output device; Means for controlling a print start position of data read from the image memory based on management information. 4. A printer and a printer control device, wherein: an image memory for storing at least one piece of image data; management information generating means; means for generating a read address of the image memory in synchronization with an operation of the image output device; Means for controlling a signal level of data read from the image memory based on the management information. 5. In a printer and a printer control device, an image memory for storing at least one piece of color image data, management information generating means, means for generating a read address of the image memory in synchronization with the operation of the image output device,
Means for controlling signal processing of a color image read from an image memory based on the management information. 6. In a printer and a printer control device, an image memory for storing at least one color image data, management information generating means, first printing means for printing data read from the image memory, and the management information An image output apparatus comprising: a second printing unit that prints management information generated by the generation unit. 7. A printer and a printer control device, an image memory for storing at least one image data, a generation unit for management information, a unit for generating an address for reading out the image memory, and a unit for inputting a print trigger signal from the printer. An image output device comprising: a control unit that controls a delay time of the trigger signal based on the management information. 8. The image output device according to claim 1, means for imaging an output image created by the image output device, and digital signal input by using the imaging device and image data output by the image output device. An image output device comprising: a processing unit.