JP2002135564A - Image generating system and image record and image recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image generating system that distribute an image including information desirably kept secret so as to be suitably utilized for concealment and an image recording, wherein various items of information are distributed into a plurality of items, recorded and easily reproduced as a reproduced image 4. SOLUTION: The image generating system is provide with an image data entry section that enters image data of a secret image 1, with a central arithmetic control section provided with a program memory controlling a process for generating tally image data by generating pixel data of two tally images 2, 3 or over by each pixel of the secret image on the basis of color set data corresponding to block pixel parts and white pixel parts of the secret image data where two or more pixel values corresponding to the secret image data entered from the image data entry section and the number of tallies in one tally set registered in a color set data table stored in an external or internal memory are used for one set ad with a image data memory section that stores generated tall image data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image generation technique for concealing an image containing information to be kept secret, and more particularly to an image generation system and an image recording which can be suitably used for concealment by dispersing the image.

[0002] In this specification, an image containing information to be kept secret (information to be kept secret and recorded) is called a "secret image", and a plurality of images obtained by dispersing the "secret image" are called
A tally image is called, and a recorded matter obtained based on the tally image is called a tally. In addition, an operation of superimposing a tally image so that a secret image can be discriminated (visible) by human eyes is expressed as “reproduction”, and an image reproduced is referred to as a “reproduction image”.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional technique for concealing an image representing information will be described below with reference to a document describing the technique.

(1) Taku Kato, Hideki Imai: "Extended configuration method of visual decryption type secret sharing scheme": IEICE Transactions A, Vol. J79-A, No. 8, pp. 1344-1351. , Forming multiple black and white random images,
When these are overlapped, a significant image is reproduced. This is a technique that can share secrets by combining not only two images but also three or more images. When the secret is shared among multiple images,
Even if only one image is obtained, it is impossible to know information about other images at all. Therefore, only a person who can obtain a plurality of sheets at the same time can reproduce the information, and the secret can be safely distributed and stored.

[0005] (2) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-248935 In this technique, an additional image is recorded by superimposing another additional image on a certain main image, and the additional image is reproduced by superimposing that image on a pattern image. Is to be done. The feature is that information can be recorded in a color image in a form that is difficult for humans to perceive.

(3) Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-82513 (Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.) This technique disperses and stores a secret image in a plurality of black-and-white or color images, and superimposes the dispersed images on a secret image. The image is reproduced.

(4) Koshio Matsui: "Digital watermark":
This technology is to read a digital watermark by recording a digital data with a digital watermark and performing a predetermined decoding process. In particular, as a method of adding a digital watermark to a still image, there are known methods such as a “pixel space use type”, a “frequency domain use type”, and a “statistics use type”.

[0008]

In the technique (1) described above, only a random pattern of black and white is used, and rich expression by color is impossible.

In the technique (2), information to be concealed is recorded in a color image in a form that is difficult for humans to perceive. However, the concealed image itself is not colored. In addition, the types of color images that can be used are limited, and there is a problem that it cannot be applied to complex color images.

In the meantime, the technique of (3) has conventionally been able to easily obtain the same effect as that of the original by copying with a copying machine, and it is necessary that the recording medium be transparent. , (1) and (2) above
To make up for the technical shortcomings of the technology described in (2)
Similarly, the hidden image itself is not colored. There is also a description of how to use other colors, red and yellow, instead of black and white, but simply changing the colors has limited the appearance of the colors.

Further, the technique (3) is intended for digital data, and requires an arithmetic device such as a computer for both encoding and decoding, and it is impossible to easily decode information. . In addition, it is difficult to reduce the cost because an arithmetic unit is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the disadvantages of the prior art and to make it possible to record various information in a distributed manner and to easily reproduce the information.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image data input section for inputting secret image data, and storing the secret image data input from the image data input section in an external or internal memory. 2 corresponding to the number of tallies in one set of tallies registered in the color set data table
Based on the color set data corresponding to the black pixel portion and the white pixel portion of the secret image data having a plurality of pixel values as one set (one set), one of the secret image data is set.
Central processing unit having a program memory for controlling processes from input of a secret image to data generation and recording of tally images 2 and 3 for generating tally image data by generating pixel data of two or more tally images for each pixel An image generation system comprising a control unit and an image data memory unit for storing generated tally image data.

Next, a second aspect of the present invention is the image generating system according to the first aspect, wherein each of the color set data in the color set data table is one.
It is provided with a color set of two or more kinds of combinations,
An image generation system, wherein one type of color set is selected from the color set for each pixel of secret image data, and pixel data of two or more tally images is generated to generate tally image data. It is.

Next, a third aspect of the present invention is the image generating system according to the first aspect, wherein each of the color set data in the color set data table is one.
It is provided with a color set of two or more kinds of combinations,
Tally image data is generated by selecting one type of color set from the color set for each pixel of the secret image data using a random number and generating pixel data of two or more tally images. An image generation system.

Next, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image memory unit for storing secret image data, a secret image data input from the image memory unit, and a color set data table stored in an external or internal memory. Registered tally 1
Two or more pixel values corresponding to the tally number in the set are set as one set. Based on the color set data of the black pixel portion and the white pixel portion of the secret image data, two pixels are set for each pixel of the secret image data. As described above, there is provided an image generation system including a tally generation unit that generates a plurality of tally image data, and an image data recording unit that records the tally image data generated by the tally generation unit.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image generating system according to the fourth aspect, wherein each of the color set data in the color set data table is one.
It is provided with a color set of two or more kinds of combinations,
An image generation system, wherein one type of color set is selected from the color set for each pixel of secret image data, and pixel data of two or more tally images is generated to generate tally image data. It is.

Next, a sixth aspect of the present invention is the image generating system according to the fourth aspect, wherein each of the color set data in the color set data table is one.
It is provided with a color set of two or more kinds of combinations,
For each pixel of the secret image data, one type of color set is selected from the color set based on a random number value generated from a random number generation unit, and pixel data of two or more tally images is generated to generate tally image data. An image generation system characterized by generating the image.

Next, according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image generating system according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the image is generated based on the secret image data and the color set data. The tally image based on two or more tally image data is output and recorded on two or more sheets using hard copy output means.

Next, according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image generating system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the image is generated based on the secret image data and the color set data. An image recording medium, characterized in that two or more tally image data obtained are recorded as electronic data.

[0021]

According to the present invention, in the method of storing images in a distributed manner, the secret information itself or the secret information is superimposed on a random color image instead of the expression using the black and white contrast as in the technique (1). Disperse secret images. Expression by color is much richer than black and white, and it is possible to enhance not only appearance but also enjoyment and entertainment.

Further, as compared with the case of black and white, copying by a copying machine or the like becomes difficult, and the effect of preventing forgery can be enhanced. In the conventional method, a plurality of auxiliary pixels are used for one pixel of a secret image. This means that the pixels of the tally image are substantially finer, and as the number of auxiliary pixels increases, there is a problem that it becomes difficult for humans to align the tallies with each other. The method does not need to be distributed to auxiliary pixels, and has an effect of not causing a problem that pixels of the tally image become small.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image generating system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, first, a secret image 1 to be distributed and stored is prepared. The secret image 1 is a black-and-white binary image, and for example, a secret image 1 on which characters “PATTERN” are drawn is prepared.

Based on pixel value information called color set data (command for setting and instructing pixel values; command data for instructing and setting set pixel values of the same color component), two or more secret images 1 A tally image, for example, is divided into two tally images 2 and 3 as shown in FIG.

Each of the plurality of tally images, that is, the two tally images 2 and 3 shown in FIG.
It is not an image that can be read (recognized) as a predetermined meaningful pattern as seen by the human eye as a character of “ERN”, but is set as a color random image, and the meaning cannot be read (recognized). In addition, even if a tally image is examined in detail using a scanner or the like, information about the secret image cannot be known.

Therefore, it is impossible to infer the secret image 1 by examining only one tally image among the tally images. As long as the tally images are stored separately, the secret image cannot be deduced. There is no known danger.

Each of the two tally images is generally printed and stored on a sheet, but at least one or both of them are printed and stored on a transparent sheet. on the other hand,
Reproduction of the secret image 1 is performed by superimposing a tally image printed on a sheet.

When the tally images, for example, the tally images 1 and 2 shown in FIG. 1 are superimposed on each other, the secret image, that is, the character "PATTERN" of the illustrated secret image 1 is reproduced to confirm the secret image. Will be able to

A physical configuration on a computer of the image generation system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

This image generation system includes a CPU 101,
The image memory 102, the image input unit 103, and the data generation and recording of the tally images 2 and 3 at least from the input of the secret image 1 (and the superposition of the tally image data and the formation of the reproduced image 4 and the confirmation operation of the reproduced image as necessary) ), And the image recording unit 1
The image processing unit 107 includes the CPU 101, the image memory 102, the image input unit 103, and the program memory 104.

The operation of this image generation system will be briefly described. First, the secret image 1 is written into a predetermined area of the image memory 102 through the image input unit 103.

Then, based on the algorithm described below, a predetermined secret image (for example, a secret image 1 called "PATTERN") is subjected to arithmetic processing to obtain two or more tally images (for example, tally images 2, 3). ) Is created, and the tally image is recorded on a recording medium by the image recording unit 105, or
It is recorded in the form of a printed matter or the like, and the record information of the tally image is output as a tally.

All of these series of processes are executed by the CPU based on a program stored in the program memory 104.
This is performed by 101. Note that a dedicated device may be used for the processing, or a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer may be used. In this case, the image memory 102 and the program memory 104 generally use the same memory by dividing the area.

A flowchart of these processing operations is shown in FIG.
Shown in First, a secret image to be safely distributed and stored is input through the image input unit 103. Next, based on information called color set data (command data for specifying and setting a set pixel value of the same color component), a secret image is input. The image is dispersed into color tally images and recorded and stored in the image recording unit 105 as a recording medium or as a printed matter. Then, the stored tally image is output as an image in a form such as printing to create a tally.

Next, regarding the notation of the image and the principle of the present invention,
Referring to FIG. 4, first, the monochrome binary image shown in FIG. 4A and the color image shown in FIG. 4B are described as shown.

A monochrome monochrome image as a line drawing monochrome image or a continuous (continuous tone) monochrome image shown in FIG.
The value image is an image in which each pixel (subdivided small squares) is white or black, uses either a digital signal or an analog signal as a black and white image processing signal by a line drawing, and the black pixel value is K = 0 (or 1), a white pixel value is designated by W = 1 (or 0), and for example, a black pixel has a pixel value K of 0,
White pixels are images in which the pixel value W is 1.

On the other hand, the color image shown in FIG. 4B has R (red), G (green), B
Each of the three color components (three primary colors) of (blue) is designated by a pixel value.

Here, the pixel value of each color component is assumed to be a real value of 0 to 1 (decimal system), and the pixel values of three color components (R, G, B) of one pixel are represented by ( R, G, B)
= White pixel when (1, 1, 1), (R, G, B) =
When (0,0,0), the pixel becomes a black pixel, and when the pixel value of each color component is a real value (decimal system) of 0 to 1,
When an appropriate real numerical value of (R, G, B) = (r, g, b) is used, the pixel is an appropriately colored pixel (or a halftone pixel appropriately colored).

Although the present invention has been described using R, G, and B as a color image format, the present invention is not limited to this format. For example, Y (yellow), M (magenta), C
A color image of each pixel may be specified by pixel values of four color components (cyan color) and K (black color) (three primary colors of printing + black). In addition to specifying the pixel values of the three color components (the three primary colors) of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) held by each pixel by using the real values of 0 to 1 described above. For example, the pixel value of each color component is
It may take a binary number, and as a digital signal,
1 to 8 bits (1/8 byte to 1 byte);
It may be specified using a numerical value of the type.

Next, a description will be given of the visual recognition ability in a uniform region of a person, which is the principle of the tally image in the present invention.

In a color image as shown in FIG. 4 (for example, a reproduced image 4 in the present invention), humans naturally
It is possible to recognize that the character “PATTERN” is written at the center of the image.

This is because the peripheral portion of the color image has a “P” with respect to a “random region” Ra having random pixel values.
This is because the part of the character "ATTREN" is the "uniform area" Ua having the same gray pixel value.

A human has the ability to naturally perceive and recognize such a uniform area, and the present invention utilizes this human ability. That is, when the tally images are superimposed,
If the tally image is generated such that the black portion of the character “PATTERN” in the secret image becomes a uniform region having the same color pixel value and the white portion becomes a random region having random pixel values, humans can be reproduced during reproduction. Can visually recognize the character "PATTERN" in the secret image.

When the tally images as color images are superimposed on each other, the color changes as shown in FIG. 6 due to the superposition.

FIG. 6 shows the change in color when the tally images are superimposed on each other in pixel values. For example, the R, G, B pixel values of a certain pixel on one tally image are shown. Are (R, G, B) = (r0, g0, b0), and the R, G, B of the pixel at the position corresponding to (matching with) the pixel on the one tally image on the other tally image Is (R, G, B) = (r1, g1, b1), the color seen when the tally images are superimposed on each other is (R, G, B) = (r0 * r1). , G0 * g1, b
0 * b1).

For example, (R, G, B) = (0.4, 0.
8, 0.6), and (R, G, B) =
When a pixel having a pixel value of (0.6, 0.3, 0.4) is superimposed, (R, G, B) = (0.24, 0.2)
4, 0.24).

Next, as a specific example of the embodiment of the present invention,
A case where the secret image is a black and white binary image and the secret image is divided into two tally images will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that the present invention is not limited to only this specific example.

[First Step; Input of Secret Image]
The secret image 1 is input as digital data. When the input image (original image) of the secret image 1 is a hard copy, silver halide photograph, or the like, it is read by a digital scanner and input as digital data. If the input image is already digital data, the input image is converted into an appropriate image format and input. For example,
In one embodiment, the secret image 1 is a black-and-white binary image. If the secret image 1 is a grayscale image (continuous tone image) or a color image, the secret image 1 is converted into a black-and-white binary image. Convert and input.

[Second Step; Generation of Tally Image]
The input confidential image 1 (black and white binary image) is divided into color tally images 2 and 3 in which two images constitute one set (one set) based on the color set data.

In this color set data, one set of combinations of pixel values of two kinds of color components for determining the colors of two tally images 2 and 3 in one set according to the pixel values of the secret image 1 is set. Indicates the type of color set, and is composed of two or more types of color sets. Note that the color components used for each type of color set all use the same color component, and which of the color components (R, G, B) is to be used is determined by the creation. Is arbitrarily determined in advance by the user.

The color set data corresponds to the black and white pixels of the secret image 1 in each pixel of one tally image 2 of the two tally images 2 and 3 formed as a color image from the secret image 1. The same pixel value of one color component, two color components, or all three color components of the RGB color components is assigned to the pixel, and the black pixel and the white pixel of the secret image 1 in each pixel of the other tally image 3 are assigned. To the corresponding pixels, pixel values of one color component, two color components, or all three color components of the RGB color components are assigned, and a pixel value different from the pixel of the tally image 2 is set. I have.

As described above, based on the color set data, the pixel value of the color component assigned to the pixel of the one tally image 2 and the pixel value of the same color component assigned to the pixel of the other tally image 3 Are different pixel values, but the product (logical product) of both pixel values is set to be the same value.

One color set (set color component and its pixel value) selected at random (selected by using a random number described later) from the color set data composed of two or more types of color sets. By assigning pixel values of color components to the tally image 2 and the tally image 3 on the basis of the tally image 2, the tally images 2 and 3 are formed as two sets (one set).

FIGS. 7A and 7B show specific examples of color set data. In the example of FIG.
As shown in (a), for the black pixels of the secret image 1,
Three sets of color information (pixel values) (set 0, set 1, and set 2) are prepared. As shown in FIG. 7B, three sets ( Color information (pixel values) of set 0, set 1, and set 2) is prepared.

For example, in the color information of three sets (set 0, set 1, and set 2) of black pixels shown in FIG. 7A, in set 0, two tally images 2, 3 serving as a color image are set.
Of the pixel values of a certain pixel in one tally image 2
One of the components is “0.98”, and one of the RGB components of the pixel value of the pixel corresponding to the pixel of the other tally image 3 is “0.
5 ". In addition,
The R, G, and B components of the pixel values of the pixels corresponding to each other in the two tally images may be the same color component or may be set as different color components.

In this case, when the color components of the pixels corresponding to each other in both tally images are set as the same color component, the reproduced image 4 obtained by superimposing the two tally images on each other is shown in FIG. As shown in a), the pixel value of the same color component of the corresponding pixel is “0.98 * 0.5 =
0.49 ".

As shown in FIG. 7A, in any one of the set 0, set 1, and set 2 of the black pixel values of the tally images 2 and 3, the pixel value of the reproduced image 4 is As shown in FIG. 7B, all of them become the same “0.49”, but any one of the set 0, set 1, and set 2 of the white pixel values of both tally images 2 and 3 Then
A random value such as "0.69" or "0.25" is taken.

This is because, with respect to the black pixel portion of the secret image 1, all portions of the reproduced image 4 corresponding to the black pixel portion have the same color (for example, the same color having the above-mentioned pixel value of "0.49"). In other words, the white pixel portion of the secret image 1 means that the portion of the reproduced image 4 corresponding to the white pixel portion has a random color.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B,
The tally images 2 and 3 of the black pixel portion of the secret image 1 and the tally images 2 and 3 of the white pixel portion of the secret image 1 have the same number of pixel values of the same color component and the same value, respectively. For example, in this example, pixel value = 0.98, 0.7, 0.5
Type value exists. This is because even if only one of the tally images 2 and 3 is analyzed, the secret image 1 cannot be determined as a set of black pixel portions and white pixel portions with only one tally image, and the secret is safely distributed. That means.

That is, the black pixel portion of the tally image 2 shown in FIG. 7A and the white pixel portion of the same tally image 2 shown in FIG. 7B show the same pixel value of the same color component. Also, the black pixel portion of the tally image 3 shown in FIG. 7A and the white pixel portion of the tally image 3 shown in FIG. 7B also show the same pixel value of the same color component.

The actual generation of the tally images 2 and 3 is performed by computer processing of input instruction data.

A color set (set color component and its color component) selected at random using random numbers from color set data (see FIGS. 7A and 7B) composed of two or more types of color sets. (Pixel value) is assigned to each of the black pixels and the white pixels of the secret image 1 which is a black and white binary image, and the following processing is repeated.

In the case of the color set data shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, since there are three sets of set 0, set 1, and set 2, random numbers are uniformly generated in the range of 0 to 2 and generated. The color component of the pixel value of one pixel of the tally images 2 and 3 is determined according to the value of the random number and the pixel value of the pixel of the secret image 1 (black pixel portion and white pixel portion). The creator arbitrarily adopts, for example, an R (red) component among the R, G, and B color components as the color components of the pixels of the tally images 2 and 3 in advance.

First, the tally images 2 and 3 are divided with respect to the black pixels where the pixels of the secret image 1 are black. In this case, a random number is generated using a computer random number generating means in accordance with the number of sets of color set data input to the computer, and if the generated random number is 0, the input color set data shown in FIG. The pixel value of the R component of one pixel of one tally image 2 corresponding to one pixel of the secret image 1 corresponding to one pixel of the secret image 1 is “0.98”, and one pixel of the other tally image 3 corresponding thereto. Is determined to be “0.5”.

Next, a white pixel portion where the pixel of the secret image 1 is white is divided into tally images 2 and 3. In this case, similarly, a random number is generated using the computer random number generating means, and when the generated random number is 0, the pixels of the secret image 1 are white based on the input color set data shown in FIG. The pixel value of the R component of one pixel of one tally image 2 corresponding to one pixel is “0.98”, and the pixel value of the R component of one pixel of the other tally image 3 corresponding to one pixel is “0.
7 ".

By repeating the above data processing for all the pixels of the secret image 1 in the same manner, the colors and pixels of each pixel constituting the tally images 2 and 3 are determined, and the color image based on the color set data is determined. Tally images 2 and 3 are generated as data and recorded in the image recording unit.

[Third Step: Output of Tally Image] Finally, the image data of the tally images 2 and 3 generated by the data recorded in the image recording unit are output to the data output unit (color monitor, color laser printer (plateless). (Printing machine), plate printing machine, plotter) to output the tally image.

The output is basically performed in a form of printing on a transparent sheet by a printer. Printing is performed using a commercially available laser printer or offset printing machine. Generally, in printing, it is necessary to convert R, G, and B three-color component data into Y, M, C, and K print color data, and then convert the data into ink amounts. Conventionally, it is widely known as a color conversion technology. In addition, tally image 2,
3 can be processed from the beginning on a Y, M, C, K basis, in which case the conversion process can be omitted.

In the above-described image generation system and method according to the present invention, a series of generation processing is realized by software on a computer, but may be realized by hardware as a dedicated generation processing device. It is.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the dedicated generation processing device.
Random number generating means 202 for generating random numbers, tally generating means 203 for generating a tally image, recording the tally image in a print (printed matter) form, or electronic data (data recorded matter) on a recording medium
An image generating apparatus (system) configured by combining image recording means 204 for recording as image data.

In the processing by hardware, first, the secret image 1 is converted into digital data and stored in the image memory 201. A random number is generated by a random number generation unit 202, and tally images 2 and 3 are generated by a tally generation unit 203 based on image data of the secret image 1 input from the image memory 201 and a random number generated by the random number generation unit 202. . Then, in the image recording means 204, R, G, B
System tally image data is converted to Y, M, C, K system tally image data, and if necessary, a recording medium (floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, compact disk, optical disk, magneto-optical After being stored on a disk, a magnetic tape or the like, the tally is output by being recorded in a hard copy form on an output medium (a transparent sheet such as a plastic film).

As described above, the above-described image generation processing can be easily realized by hardware.
The use of hardware enables high-speed processing, and is particularly effective when it is necessary to generate many types of tallies or when it is necessary to duplicate many types of tallies.

[Fourth Step: Formation of Reproduced Image by Overlaying Tally Images] In the method of forming the tally images 2 and 3 generated as described above as reproduced images, the generated tally images 2 and 3 are used as a reproduced image. A hard copy (for example, printed matter) is output on a sheet, and the output tally images 2 and 3 are appropriately superimposed in a hard copy state automatically or mechanically by a superimposing device or by manual operation. In addition, reproduced image 4 (image corresponding to secret image 1)
Is formed.

In addition, in addition, the generated tally image 2,
3 is superimposed on the computer in the form of electronic data via electronic data superimposition processing means provided on the computer, and reproduced image data (an image corresponding to the secret image 1) is obtained as electronic data corresponding to the reproduced image 4. data)
Can be adopted.

A detailed description will be given of a tally image reproducing apparatus for reproducing the reproduced image 4 corresponding to the secret image 1 by superimposing the generated tally images 2 and 3 in a hard copy (printed matter) state.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a reproducing apparatus. A fixing device 20 (fixed frame) for loading and fixing two tallies 2 and 3 (tally image; hard copy) to the reproducing apparatus. ). Thereby, the tallies are fixed in a predetermined positional relationship. For example, at least two positions in the margins of the tally images 2 and 3 are formed with register marks capable of positioning and aligning the relative positions of the two images, and the register marks are overlapped with each other. The tallies are fixed in a predetermined positional relationship.

If an image corresponding to the secret image 1 is observed from the reproduced image 4 formed by the two fixed tally images 2 and 3, the tally image is recognized as a true combination. You. If no image corresponding to the secret image 1 is observed, it is recognized that the tally image is not a true combination.

When the two tally images 2 and 3 that are overlapped and fixed are made of a mutually transparent sheet as a base sheet, a light source L such as a light bulb is attached to a lower part of a fixing device 20 loaded in a reproducing apparatus. , It is also possible to make the reproduced image 4 clearer. The playback device is not limited to such a configuration, and may have any structure as long as the tally can be fixed in a correct positional relationship.

As a method for facilitating reproduction, as shown in FIG. 10, two sheets of tally images 2 and 3 are used.
Are formed in the margins of each of the marks 5 so that the relative positions of the two images can be aligned.
The tallies are easily fixed in a predetermined positional relationship by overlapping each other. In addition, a relatively weak adhesive material is applied to the inner surface of the superimposed sheet 10,
By pasting, it may be possible to prevent the position from being easily shifted after the sheets are once overlapped.

In the case of reproduced image data formed by superimposing the generated tally images 2 and 3 in the form of electronic data, the reproduced image data is transmitted through image data reading means and data collating means on a computer. It is possible to read or collate as the secret image 1 corresponding to the reproduced image 4.

Accordingly, when the secret image 1 is read from the reproduced image data, it is authenticated that the tally images 2 and 3 are images of a genuine combination, and when the secret image 1 is not read, , The tally images 2 and 3 are not images of a genuine combination.

In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the secret image 1 is divided into two tally images 2 and 3. However, by changing the color set data to three or more color set data, 3
It is also possible to divide the image into tally images or more. However,
When a large number of images are superimposed, the reproduced image may be dark and difficult to see, and the number of superimposed images is limited.

[0084]

According to the present invention, a secret image, which has been impossible in the past, is divided into two or more color tally images, and the tally images are dispersed and stored. The data can be kept confidential, and the tally expression can be very rich compared to the black and white tally image. This makes it difficult to use a copy by a copying machine or the like, and has an effect of increasing the effect of preventing forgery.

Further, the operation of allocating a plurality of auxiliary pixels to one pixel of the secret image as in the conventional method is not required, and the effective area of each pixel of the tally image itself due to the allocation of the auxiliary pixels is smaller. Can be solved and the tally image is effectively refined.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the definition of a secret image, a tally image, and a reproduced image in an image generation system of the present invention and a generated recorded matter thereof, and an outline of a relation between the definitions.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an operation of processing image data in the image generation system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an image data processing operation sequence in the image generation system of the present invention.

4A is a plan view illustrating pixels arranged in a black-and-white binary image of a secret image, a tally image, and a reproduced image in the image generation system according to the present invention, and FIG. 4B is a secret image and a tally image in the system. FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating pixels arranged in a color image of a reproduced image.

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a reproduced image in the image generation system of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing numerical values of color components and pixel values of each pixel of a reproduced image obtained by superimposing two tally images in the image generation system of the present invention.

FIG. 7A shows a color table data used when converting a black pixel portion of a secret image used in the image generation system of the present invention into a tally image, and a data table relating to pixel values of the set (set). Explanatory drawing showing an example, (b)
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a color set data used when converting a white pixel portion of a secret image used in the image generation system of the present invention into a tally image, and a data table regarding pixel values of the set (set).

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating another example of the image data processing operation in the image generation system of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a fixing device used for superposing and fixing and reproducing a hard copy having a tally image formed thereon in the image generation system of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating pixels of a tally image generated by the image generation system of the present invention and superimposition of the images.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 secret image 2 tally image 3 tally image 4 reproduced image 5 mark 10 sheet 20 fixing device 101 central processing control unit 102 image memory 103
... Image input unit 104 ... Program memory 105 ... Image recording unit 10
6 Bus 107 Image processing unit 201 Image memory 202 Random number generation unit 203 Tally generation unit 204 Image recording unit L Light source Ua Uniform area Ra Random area

Claims (8)

[Claims] An image data input unit for inputting secret image data, secret image data input from the image data input unit, and a tally in a tally set registered in a color set data table stored in an external or internal memory. One pixel of the confidential image data is determined based on the black pixel portion and the color set data corresponding to the white pixel portion of the confidential image data in which two or more pixel values corresponding to the tally number are set as one set (one set). Central processing control including a program memory for controlling processes from input of a secret image to data generation and recording of tally images 2 and 3 by generating pixel data of two or more tally images and generating tally image data every time And an image data memory unit for storing the generated tally image data. 2. The image generation system according to claim 1, wherein each of the color set data in the color set data table includes one or a combination of two or more types of color sets. An image generation system, wherein one type of color set is selected from the color sets and pixel data of two or more tally images is generated to generate tally image data. 3. The image generation system according to claim 1, wherein each of the color set data in the color set data table includes one or a combination of two or more types of color sets, and each color set data includes one pixel of the secret image data. An image generation system, wherein one type of color set is selected from the color sets using random numbers, and pixel data of two or more tally images is generated to generate tally image data. 4. An image memory unit for storing secret image data, the secret image data input from the image memory unit, and the number of tallies in one set of tallies registered in a color set data table stored in an external or internal memory. And two or more tally images for each pixel of the secret image data based on the color set data of the black pixel portion and the white pixel portion of the secret image data, each of which has two or more pixel values corresponding to An image generation system, comprising: a tally generation unit for generating data; and an image data recording unit for recording tally image data generated by the tally generation unit. 5. The image generation system according to claim 4, wherein each of the color set data in the color set data table has one or more combinations of two or more kinds of color sets, and each color set data is provided for each pixel of the secret image data. An image generation system, wherein one type of color set is selected from the color sets and pixel data of two or more tally images is generated to generate tally image data. 6. The image generating system according to claim 4, wherein each of the color set data in the color set data table includes one or more combinations of two or more types of color sets, and each color set data includes one pixel of the secret image data. An image characterized by selecting one kind of color set from the color set based on a random number value generated from a random number generation unit and generating pixel data of two or more tally images to generate tally image data. Generation system. 7. A tally image based on two or more tally image data generated by the image generation system according to claim 1 based on the secret image data and the color set data. Characterized by being output and recorded on two or more sheets using hard copy output means. 8. Two or more tally image data generated by the image generation system according to claim 1 based on the secret image data and the color set data, as electronic data. An image recording medium characterized by being recorded.