JP2001309156A - Image processing unit and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve problems of a conventional image processing unit and its method that have deteriorated the image quality because a falsification tracing dot pattern is remarkable in a photographing mode when an add-on level is set in matching with a character mode in the case of adding the dot pattern to an image and have had difficulty of extracting the dot pattern in the character mode when the add-on level is adjusted in matching with the photographing mode. SOLUTION: The method of this invention includes a step (S1) where an image processing mode is discriminated, steps (S2, S3) where an add-on level of a dot pattern is controlled in response to the image processing mode and a step (S4) where the add-on processing is conducted at the set add-on level.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

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

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the performance of image recording apparatuses such as color printers and color copying machines has been improved, and high quality images can be easily formed. Under such circumstances, securities such as banknotes (hereinafter referred to as "specific manuscripts")
Forgery may be counterfeited, and various anti-counterfeiting techniques have been considered. As one technique, there is a method of adding (add-on) a dot pattern indicating a machine number of an image processing apparatus to a color image to be printed. This dot pattern is generally added periodically to the entire image of the yellow component.

[0003]

A color image recording apparatus has two or more types of image output modes, for example, a photographic mode,
Some modes have a character mode and a map mode. In modes that prioritize character quality such as the character and map modes,
Image processing is performed to increase the UCR amount and make the gamma stand. On the other hand, in order to improve the reproducibility of the highlight portion in the photograph mode or the like, the UCR amount is reduced and the gamma is set aside.

[0004] Even in the above-described image output mode, that is, when the image processing is different, the dot pattern to be turned on is the same.
And it is add-on at the same level. However, when the amount of UCR is large, the amount of black is increased, and it becomes difficult to extract the dot pattern that is added on.

Therefore, if the add-on level of the dot pattern is set in accordance with the character mode having a large UCR amount, the dot pattern is conspicuous in the photograph mode, and the image quality is deteriorated. Conversely, if the add-on level is adjusted according to the photo mode, it becomes difficult to extract a dot pattern in the character mode.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and has as its object to add counterfeit tracking information according to an image mode.

[0007]

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

[0008] An image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: processing means for processing an image according to a set image processing mode;
And an adding unit for adding counterfeit tracking information corresponding to the image processing mode to the image processed by the processing unit.

An image processing method according to the present invention is characterized in that an image is processed according to a set image processing mode, and forged tracking information according to the image processing mode is added to the processed image. .

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Overview of Apparatus] FIG. 1 is an overview of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 201 denotes an image scanner which processes a digital image signal obtained by reading a document image. Reference numeral 200 denotes a printer unit which performs full-color printing on a recording sheet of an image corresponding to a document image read by the image scanner unit 201.

In an image scanner section 201, a document 204 from which an image is read is placed between a document table glass 203 and a document pressing plate 202, and the document 204 is irradiated with light from a halogen lamp 205. The reflected light from the original 204 is
The light is guided to 207, and an image is formed on the three-line sensor 210 by the lens 208. The lens 208 has an infrared cut filter 2
31 are provided. Further, mechanically by a motor (not shown), the mirror unit including the mirror 206 and the halogen lamp 205 is driven at a speed V, and the mirror unit including the mirror 207 is driven at a speed V / 2 in the direction of the arrow, that is, the electric scanning of the three-line sensor 210. The document 204 is moved in a direction (sub-scanning direction) perpendicular to the direction (main scanning direction), and the entire surface of the document 204 is scanned.

A three-line sensor 210 comprising a three-line CCD
Reads color information of input light information, reads full color information red (R), green (G), and blue (B) color components, and sends the color component signals to the signal processing unit 209. Each of the CCDs constituting the three-line sensor 210 has a light-receiving element for 5000 pixels, and has a maximum width of an A3-size original that can be placed on the original platen glass 203.
mm) at a resolution of 400 dpi.

Reference numeral 211 denotes a standard white plate for correcting data read by the CCDs 210-1 to 210-3 of the three-line sensor 210. The standard white plate 211 is a white color that exhibits substantially uniform reflection characteristics with visible light.

A signal processing unit 209 electrically processes an image signal input from the three-line sensor 210 to generate a magenta image signal.
(M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (Bk) color component signals are generated, and the generated MCYBk color component signals are sent to the printer unit 202. In addition, one color component signal of MCYBk is sent to the printer unit 200 for each original scan (scan) in the image scanner unit 201, and one printout is completed by a total of four original scans.

In the printer unit 200, the M, C, Y or Bk image signal sent from the image scanner unit 201 is sent to the laser driver 212. The laser driver 212
The semiconductor laser device 213 is modulated and driven according to the input image signal. The laser beam output from the semiconductor laser element 213 scans the photosensitive drum 217 via the polygon mirror 214, the f-θ lens 215 and the mirror 216, and
An electrostatic latent image is formed on 217.

Reference numerals 219 to 222 denote developing units, each comprising a magenta developing unit 219, a cyan developing unit 220, a yellow developing unit 221 and a black developing unit 222. When the four developing units alternately contact the photosensitive drum 217, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 217 is developed with a toner of a corresponding color to form a toner image. Reference numeral 223 denotes a transfer drum on which the recording paper supplied from the recording paper cassette 225 is wound, and transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 217 to the recording paper.

The recording paper on which the four color toner images of M, C, Y and Bk are sequentially transferred in this manner is fixed to the fixing unit 226.
, The toner image is fixed, and then discharged out of the apparatus.

The toners used in this embodiment are yellow, magenta, cyan and black color toners, each of which has a styrene copolymer resin as a binder and a color material of each color dispersed therein.

[Signal Processing Unit] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the signal processing unit 209.

In FIG. 2, an image signal output from a full-color sensor (three-line sensor) 210 is input to an analog signal processing unit 11 where gain and offset are adjusted.
An A / D (analog / digital) converter 12 converts each color component into an RGB digital image signal of, for example, 8 bits (0 to 255 levels: 256 gradations), and a shading correction unit 13 converts each color component into a reference white plate. Shading correction is performed using the signal obtained by reading 211. The shading correction is for correcting the sensitivity variation of each CCD sensor cell arranged in a line, and is for correcting the gain corresponding to each CCD sensor cell.

The digital image signal that has been subjected to the shading correction is corrected for a spatial shift by the line delay unit 14. This spatial shift is caused by the lines of the full-color sensor 210 being arranged at a predetermined distance from each other in the sub-scanning direction. Specifically, B
The image signals of the R and G color components are line-delayed in the sub-scanning direction based on the color component image signals, and the phases of the three color component signals are synchronized.

The color space of the image signal output from the line delay unit 14 is converted by the input masking unit 15 into an NTSC standard color space. This conversion is performed by the matrix operation of Expression (1), and converts the color space of the image signal output from the full color sensor 210 determined by the spectral characteristics of the filter of each color component to the NTSC standard color space. Where Ro, Go, Bo: output image signal Ri, Gi, Bi: input image signal

The external input section 16 is an interface for inputting color image information displayed on a CRT display or the like by a computer or the like to the signal processing section 209.

The LOG converter 17 is constituted by, for example, a look-up table (LUT) of a ROM, and converts the RGB luminance signal output from the input masking unit 15 into a CMY density signal. The CMY density signal is line-delayed by the line delay memory 18. This is performed by a black character determination unit (not shown) based on an output of the input masking unit 15 for generating a signal such as UCR for controlling UCR, FILTER for controlling a filter, and SEN for controlling resolution, and for LOG conversion. The CMY image signal output from the unit 17 is delayed.

The CMY image signal stored in the line delay memory is
The masking / UCR unit 19 extracts the black component signal K.
The masking / UCR unit 19 further performs a matrix operation for correcting the color turbidity of the color material of the printer unit 200 on the YMCK image signal. The masking / UCR unit 19 outputs, for example, an 8-bit color component image signal in the order of M, C, Y, and K for each reading operation of the reader unit 201.

The image signal output from the masking / UCR unit 19 is corrected for the gamma characteristic of the printer unit 200 by the gamma correction unit 20 and output filter (spatial filter processing unit).
At 21, edge enhancement or smoothing processing is performed. The filtered image signal is L
The UT 22 performs conversion for matching the density of the original image with the density of the output image, and the add-on unit 23 adds a dot pattern based on the information for tracking forgery prevention.

The image signal output from the add-on unit 23 is converted by a pulse width modulator (PWM) 212 into a pulse signal having a pulse width corresponding to the image signal level. This pulse signal is input to the laser driver 212 and drives the laser element 213.

[Dot Pattern] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a dot pattern generated and added on according to the present embodiment.

A dotted line shown in FIG. 3 is a line 40 in which a plurality of dots (hereinafter referred to as "add-on dots") constituting a dot pattern in the yellow plane are to be embedded.
1 (hereinafter referred to as “add online”), and reference numeral 402
Indicates an add-on dot. Add on dot 40
When “2” is enlarged, the image becomes as indicated by reference numeral 406.
Are arranged on both sides of the image signal, and one area 403 and 404 for subtracting a certain level from the image signal. Such add-on dots 402 are repeatedly formed in the image.

In this embodiment, the level 48 is set for both the + area and the − area. For example, the entire image has MCYK levels
When outputting a halftoned image of 80, the MCK level is set to 80 as it is, and the Y level is set to 80-48 = 32 in the minus area and 80 + 48 = 128 in the plus area.

The encrypted data, which is additional information obtained by integrating information transmitted from each device and information unique to the printer engine, is represented by the positional relationship of a plurality of add-on dots 402 in the main scanning direction. . For example, the distance between the add-on dot that first appears in the add-on and the add-on dot that appears next represents numerical information and / or character information.

As described above, the dot pattern added to the color image can be obtained by reading the color image with an image scanner or the like and extracting only the yellow plane.
If the dot pattern is analyzed, the machine number of the image processing device used for copying or printing the color image, the user ID,
Information such as network ID can be obtained.

If the add-on level is raised, the extraction of the dot pattern becomes easy. However, if the add-on level is too high, the dot pattern is conspicuous and is recognized as an image having a deteriorated image quality or an abnormal image. Conversely, if the dot pattern is made inconspicuous by lowering the add-on level, it becomes naturally difficult to extract the dot pattern. Therefore, by adding the add-on dot 402 at the lowest add-on level at which the dot pattern can be extracted, the dot pattern is made inconspicuous.

At this time, if the image mode is different, the add-on level at which a dot pattern can be extracted also changes. this is,
This is because image processing parameters such as UCR amount and gamma correction change depending on the image mode. In image modes that prioritize character quality, such as text and map modes, increase the UCR amount,
Image processing for establishing a gamma characteristic is performed. In the photo mode, image processing for reducing the UCR amount and reducing the gamma characteristic is performed in order to improve the reproducibility of a highlight portion. For example, when the value of the input signal is (R, G, B) = (100, 100, 100), the signal output according to each image mode is different as shown in Table 1.

Generally, as the amount of black (K) increases, it becomes difficult to extract a yellow dot pattern. Therefore, it is more difficult to extract a dot pattern in the character mode, and it is necessary to increase the add-on level. In other words, if the add-on level is the same regardless of the image mode, for example, if the add-on level is fixed at 48 in accordance with the character mode, the dot pattern is noticeable in the photo mode, and if the add-on level is fixed at 32 in accordance with the photo mode It may be difficult to extract dot patterns in character mode.

The add-on section 23 of this embodiment controls the add-on level in accordance with the input image mode signal MODE. That is, as shown in an example in FIG. 4, the add-on level of the add-on dot added by the add-on unit 23 is 48 in the character or map mode and 32 in the photo mode. Note that add-on levels 48 and 32
Is an example, and may be set to an appropriate level according to the characteristics of the image processing apparatus and image processing.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing of the add-on unit 23. In step S1, the signal MODE is determined. If the mode is the photograph mode, the add-on level is set to 32 in step S2, and if the mode is the character mode, the add-on level is set to 48 in step S3, and then the add-on processing is performed in step S4. I do.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the add-on level is controlled according to the image mode, the extraction of the dot pattern added to the image depends on the type of the image and the image mode when the image is formed. Less susceptible to Therefore, it is possible to easily and reliably extract an added-on dot pattern, and to add the dot pattern inconspicuously.

[0041]

[Modification] In the above embodiment, an example in which the add-on level is changed according to the image mode has been described. However, the dot pattern to be added on may be changed according to the image mode. As described above, the ease of extraction of the dot pattern in which the add-on is performed differs between the character mode and the photograph mode. Therefore, as shown in an example in FIG. 5, the dot pattern to be added on is changed to make the dot pattern in the photo mode smaller than the dot pattern in the character or map mode (for example, 3 × 9 pixels). The same effect can be obtained by reducing the number of dots (for example, 2 × 6 pixels).

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, both the size of an add-on dot pattern and the add-on level may be controlled according to the image mode. By changing the size and the add-on level, the ease of extracting the dot pattern can be made substantially the same.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the dot pattern can be appropriately turned on by changing the add-on level and the size of the dot pattern that is turned on according to the image mode.

[0044]

[Other Embodiments] Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copying machine) Machine, facsimile machine, etc.).

An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (a computer) of the system or the apparatus. It is needless to say that the present invention can also be achieved by a CPU or an MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Also,
When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code.
It is needless to say that a case in which the functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented by performing part or all of the actual processing.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into the memory provided in the function expansion card inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, the CPU included in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts described above.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Forgery tracking information according to the image mode can be added.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an outline view of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a signal processing unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dot pattern generated and added on according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining control of an add-on level according to a MODE signal by an add-on unit;

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a first modification;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a second modification.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing of an add-on unit.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06T 1/00 500 G03G 21/00 554 5C076 H04N 1/40 H04N 1/40 Z 5C077 9A001 F term (Reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 AQ06 BB17 CL10 2C087 AA03 AA09 AB05 BA02 BA03 BA05 BA07 BB10 BC07 DA01 2H027 FA07 FA35 FA40 FD01 FD10 ZA07 2H034 FA01 5B057 AA11 BA02 BA26 CA01 CA08 CA12 CA16 CB01 CE16 ACB CB08 ACE12 CB08 ACE11 MP08 PP10 PP23 PP33 PQ08 SS02 TT06 9A001 BB03 BB06 EE02 EE05 GG01 HH24 HH25 HH27 HH28 HH31 JJ35 KK42 LL03

Claims (9)

[Claims] A processing unit configured to process an image according to a set image processing mode; and an adding unit configured to add counterfeit tracking information according to the image processing mode to the image processed by the processing unit. An image processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing mode is for causing the processing unit to execute image processing suitable for an image type. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adding unit controls a dot pattern representing the forgery tracking information according to the image processing mode. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the adding unit controls a pixel value of the dot pattern according to the image processing mode. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the adding unit controls a size of the dot pattern according to the image processing mode. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the adding unit controls a pixel value and a size of the dot pattern according to the image processing mode. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing mode includes at least a photograph mode and a character mode. 8. An image processing method, comprising processing an image in accordance with a set image processing mode, and adding forgery tracking information in accordance with the image processing mode to the processed image. 9. A recording medium on which a program code for image processing is recorded, wherein the program code includes at least code for a step of processing an image according to a set image processing mode; A code for adding forgery tracking information according to the image processing mode.