JP2003008864A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an imaging device which inhibits a document, given a copy- inhibition pattern, from being read and prevents it from being copied. SOLUTION: This imaging device has an original image read part 3 which reads an original image, a copy-restriction pattern detecting part 7 which detects a copy-inhibition pattern included in image data, and a copy-inhibition pattern imparting part 8 which imparts the copy-inhibition pattern for inhibiting copying. This imaging device performs detection for the limitation pattern, and when the copy-limitation pattern detection part 7 recognizes the copy-restriction pattern, the copy-inhibition pattern imparting part 8 imparts the copy-inhibition pattern to printed matter to be copied. When no copy-restriction pattern is recognized, the copy-restriction pattern is not imparted to the image data and transfer to a form is carried out. When the copy-inhibition pattern is present, the original image read part 3 interrupts original read processing and will not copy the document.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, for example, an image forming apparatus configured as a printer, a copier, a fax machine, a multi-function peripheral, or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, even if the original document is a confidential document, it is general to distribute a copy of the original document to a place requiring minimum distribution. At that time, the copy is treated as "copy prohibited". In this case, the original confidential document itself can usually be said to be under proper management.

On the other hand, with respect to document management at the distribution destination, there are variations among departments. In addition, depending on the distribution destination, there are places where the rules for prohibiting copying cannot be thoroughly enforced.

Generally, the image forming apparatus is applied to an apparatus which forms image data as a visible image. In such an image forming apparatus, a technique for detecting whether or not a specific pattern exists in image data is a known technique. Until now, there has been a mechanism for preventing copying of the confidential document itself by using this known technique. In order to prevent prohibition of copying with a confidential mark, the pattern of the confidential mark is detected, and when the pattern is recognized, copying is prevented.

Prior invention example 1 similar in technical field to the present invention
There is Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64-61777. In the "copying device" of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-61777 of the prior invention example 1, digital information of the copy-prohibited object is stored, the original is digitally read at the time of copying, and this information is stored. By comparing the information with the information, it is possible to prevent the intentional or accidental copying of the copy prohibited item.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 07-273975 of Prior Application Example 2
The "digital copying machine" of the publication does not require a large-capacity memory, and prevents copying of copy-prohibited objects without registering image data for each copy-prohibited object.

[0007]

However, the above-mentioned conventional technique has a problem that the original confidential document itself is prohibited from copying, and a special avoidance operation is required for copying. In addition, for confidential documents copied from the original, simply adding the confidential pattern,
There was a problem that it became indistinguishable from the original, which was not preferable for proper management of the original.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and enables reading and copying from a confidential document which is the original, and the copy destination printing result shows a copy prohibition pattern different from the confidential pattern. Add. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of prohibiting reading and copying of a document to which a copying prohibition pattern is added when reading an image. That is, when copying a confidential document, it is an object to provide an image forming apparatus that allows only copying from the original and does not allow re-copying from a printed copy (grandchild copy).

[0009]

To achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus for copying a document to which a copy restriction pattern is added as a copy restricted document. When the copy restriction pattern detection unit recognizes the copy restriction pattern, the copy restriction pattern detection unit that recognizes the restriction pattern and the copy restriction pattern addition unit that adds the copy prohibition pattern for prohibiting copying are provided. The feature is that a copy prohibition pattern is added to the copy printed matter.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect further includes a document image reading section for reading the data of the document image and an I / F section for receiving the data of the document image from an external device. However, a document having a copy restriction pattern as a copy restriction document is copied to the image data created based on the image data acquired by the original image reading unit or the I / F unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect further includes an image data storage section for storing image data of a document to which a copy restriction pattern is added as a copy restriction document. When the copy restriction pattern is recognized when the image data of the document is imported,
It is characterized in that the copy restriction pattern given to the image data is erased and a new copy inhibition pattern is given.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, embodiments of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1
4 to 4, there is shown an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. Further, FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of an original document with a copy restriction pattern applied to the image forming apparatus.

The image forming apparatus 20 shown in FIG.
/ F unit 1, image data expansion unit 2, document image reading unit 3, print transfer operation control unit 4, system operation control unit 5, image data storage unit 6, copy restriction pattern detection unit 7, copy prohibition pattern addition unit 8, Copy prohibition pattern detector 9, copy restriction pattern holder 10, copy prohibition pattern holder 1
1, and is configured.

In the configuration example of the original document with the copy restriction pattern shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 2A is the original document and FIG.
And FIG. 2C shows an example of image data when the original FIG. 2A is copied. Here, a star mark surrounded by a double-lined square is shown as the copy restriction pattern. The copy prohibition pattern is represented by a cross mark surrounded by a double-lined square. It is also conceivable to make the pattern so that the image below can be seen through.

(Embodiment 1) In the case of Embodiment 1, the form of FIG. 2B of an example of a copied image is applied. Further, FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of an operation procedure example at the time of copying a document for the first embodiment.

In FIG. 3, first, the document image reading section 3 reads a document image (step S1). The copy inhibition pattern detection unit 9 detects whether or not the copy inhibition pattern held by the copy inhibition pattern holding unit 11 is included in the read image data (step S2). When the copy prohibition pattern is not detected (step S3 / No), the copy restriction pattern detection unit 7 causes the copy restriction pattern holding unit 1
It is detected whether or not the copy restriction pattern held by 0 is included in the read image data (step S4).

When the copy restriction pattern is detected (step S5 / Yes), the copy prohibition pattern giving section 8 gives the copy prohibition pattern held by the copy prohibition pattern holding section 11 to the image data (step S6). After that, the print transfer operation control unit 4 executes the transfer process to the paper (step S7). On the other hand, when the copy restriction pattern is not detected (step S5 / No), the copy prohibition pattern applying unit 8 does not perform the process of applying the copy prohibition pattern to the image data. After that, the print transfer operation control unit 4 executes the transfer process to the paper (step S7).

If the copy inhibition pattern is included in the read image data (step S3 / Yes), the document image reading section 3 interrupts the document reading process (step S8) and does not copy the document.

In the above-described first embodiment, there is a document to which a copy restriction pattern is added as a copy restriction document, and when the copy restriction pattern is recognized at the time of copying the document, the copy prohibition pattern is added to the copy printed matter. To do.

According to the first embodiment, since there is no operational limitation in copying from the original, the copying operation can be performed by a normal operation if the original is managed. Then, even if the copy prohibition measure is not separately taken for the copy, the copy prohibition is automatically performed at the same time as the copy, and it is possible to prevent the information from being leaked or diffused from the distribution destination of the copy.

(Embodiment 2) In the case of Embodiment 2, the form of the copied image shown in FIG. 2B is applied. Further, FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of an operation procedure example at the time of document printing for the second embodiment.

In FIG. 4, the host I / F unit 1 receives print data (step S11). The image data expansion unit 2 expands this data into image data in the image data storage unit 6 (step S12). The copy prohibition pattern detection unit 9 detects whether or not the image data developed in step S12 includes the copy prohibition pattern held by the copy prohibition pattern holding unit 11 (step S1).
3).

When the copy prohibition pattern is not detected (step S14 / No), the copy restriction pattern detection unit 7 determines whether or not this image data includes the copy restriction pattern held by the copy restriction pattern holding unit 10. It is detected (step S15). When the copy restriction pattern is detected (step S16 / Yes), the copy prohibition pattern providing unit 8
Adds the copy restriction pattern held by the copy restriction pattern holding unit 10 to the image data (step S1).
7). After that, the print transfer operation control unit 4 performs a print transfer process on a sheet (step S18). On the other hand, when the copy restriction pattern is not detected (step S16 / No), the copy prohibition pattern providing unit 8 does not perform the process of adding the copy restriction pattern to the image data. After that, the print transfer operation control unit 4 performs a print transfer process on a sheet (step S18).

When the copy prohibition pattern is detected (step S14 / Yes), the print transfer operation control section 4
The print process is interrupted (step S19), and this process flow ends.

In the second embodiment described above, there is a document to which a copy restriction pattern is added as a copy restriction document, and it is created based on the image data read by the original image reading unit or the data sent from the external device. When a copy restriction pattern is recognized for the created image data, a copy prohibition pattern is added to the image data, and the image is transferred to an external device, printed, or stored in an internal storage device. To do.

According to the second embodiment, not only at the time of copying, but also at the scanner function, the printer function, the FAX function, and the image storage function of the image forming apparatus, when the image data of the original document is taken in, the image data is automatically obtained. It is possible to prevent diversion and spread of information as electronic image data by taking measures to prohibit diversion.

(Embodiment 3) In the case of Embodiment 3, the prohibited pattern is formed in the shape of the copy image shown in FIG. In the third embodiment, there is a document to which a copy restriction pattern is added as a copy restriction document, and when the document is taken into the apparatus as an image, the copy restriction pattern detection unit 7 makes a copy held by the copy restriction pattern holding unit 10. When the restriction pattern is recognized, the copy restriction pattern assigned to the image data is erased, and the copy inhibition pattern assignment unit 8 assigns the copy inhibition pattern held by the copy inhibition pattern holding unit 11.

According to the third embodiment, since the copy restriction pattern is erased when the copy prohibition pattern is added, there is an advantage that the difference from the original is more clear and the information area of the original is not destroyed by the pattern.

The copy restriction pattern added to the original is transmitted by adding a specific stamp function or a composite printing function on the image forming apparatus side, or in the case of printer printing, in the form of being added to the print data from the host side. realizable.

[0031]

As is apparent from the above description, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention has no operational limitation for copying from the original, and therefore, if the original is managed, the normal operation is performed. The operation can be performed. Even if the copy prohibition measure is not taken separately for the copy, the copy prohibition is automatically performed at the same time as the copy, so that the leakage or diffusion of the information from the distribution destination of the copy can be prevented.

According to the invention of claim 2, not only at the time of copying,
In the scanner function, printer function, FAX function, and image storage function of the image forming apparatus, when the original image data is captured, the image data is automatically prohibited from being diverted, and the information is converted into electronic image data. Leakage and diffusion can be prevented.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the copy restriction pattern is erased when the copy inhibition pattern is added, there is an advantage that the difference from the original becomes clearer and the information area of the original is not destroyed by the pattern.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration example with a copy restriction pattern, (a)
Shows an example of image data when (a) is an original and (b) and (c) are copied.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for copying a document according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart for copying a document for the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Host I / F section 2 Image data development unit 3 Original image reading section 4 Print transfer operation controller 5 System operation controller 6 Image data storage 7 Copy restriction pattern detector 8 Copy prohibition pattern addition part 9 Copy prohibition pattern detector 10 Copy restriction pattern holding unit 11 Copy prohibition pattern holding unit 20 image forming apparatus

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Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for copying a document to which a copy restriction pattern is added as a copy restriction document, and a copy restriction pattern detection unit for recognizing the copy restriction pattern at the time of copying, and for prohibiting the copying. And a copy prohibition pattern applying section for applying the copy prohibition pattern, and when the copy restriction pattern detecting section recognizes the copy restriction pattern, the copy prohibition pattern is applied to the copy printed matter. Image forming apparatus. 2. An original image reading unit for reading original image data, and an I / F unit for receiving the original image data from an external device, wherein the original image reading unit or the I / F unit is provided. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a document having a copy restriction pattern as the copy restriction document is copied to image data created based on the acquired image data. 3. An image data storage unit for storing image data of a document to which a copy restriction pattern as the copy restriction document is added, the copy restriction pattern when the image data of the copy restriction document is taken in. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, when it is recognized, the copy restriction pattern given to the image data is erased and the copy inhibition pattern is newly given.