JP2003264684A - Additional information embedding method and image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an additional information embedding method by which the secret level (copy control level) of a document can be time sequentially changed. <P>SOLUTION: In the image processing system for processing image data to embed code information containing a plurality of time sequential copy operation control contents into an original when embedding the code information into image data as additional information, the code information contained in the input image data from an image input part 31 is detected by a code data interpretation part 33, the contents of the code information are interpreted and on the basis of the interpreted result, the control information of a copy operation corresponding to the contents of the interpreted code information is added to the input image data from the image input part 31 by an image processing part 32. Then, in the case of the copy operation, for example, in an image processing part 35, the copy operation is performed in accordance with the control information added to the image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for embedding additional information in which code information is embedded as additional information in image data, and when code information embedded in an input document is detected, a copying operation is performed according to the content of the code information. The present invention relates to an image processing system having a security function by controlling the.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the colorization of output images by image processing systems such as copying machines and printers has progressed, and color image recording apparatuses using digital data processing techniques have rapidly advanced. For this reason, many digital copying machines have been put into practical use, which discriminate special documents such as banknotes and securities that are prohibited from copying and, in the case of special documents, prohibit illegal copying. As a method for discriminating a special original, many methods have been proposed in which pattern matching is performed based on the characteristic information (edge distribution, color distribution, density information, etc.) extracted from the target original.

[0003]

However, in the image processing system using the conventional pattern matching method, it is not possible to recognize all original documents having a monetary value as copy prohibited original documents. For example, tickets for movies and concerts could not be recognized as copy-protected manuscripts. In order for these originals to be recognized in the same way as special originals such as banknotes and securities, it is necessary to store characteristic information for all originals for which copying is prohibited, so a large-capacity memory is required. Moreover, it is difficult to actually detect all the characteristic information corresponding to the copying operation.

On the other hand, in a corporate office or the like, even in the case of general documents other than special manuscripts such as bills and securities,
There are many documents whose copying is prohibited from the viewpoint of importance of document contents and confidentiality. In the present situation, such a copy-prohibited object is generally distinguished from a document that can be visually copied by imprinting a secret seal or the like. However, a method based on the premise that a confidential seal or the like is affixed to a copy-prohibited document so that the user recognizes that copying is prohibited and the user does not copy is substantially a copying machine. Does not have a function to prohibit copying. That is, even if the user recognizes that copying is prohibited, it is possible to ignore it and make a copy using a copying machine.

As a method for discriminating the above-mentioned special manuscript, there have been proposed many methods for recognizing a secret seal or the like by using various conventionally proposed pattern matching methods and for preventing copying of a copy-prohibited document. There is. However, unlike the above-mentioned special manuscript, which is permanently prohibited from copying, in the case of documents prohibited from copying in the office, not all the contents of the document are confidential, and over time, all the contents are not confidential. There are also many. Therefore, this method has a problem in that it is not possible to copy a part other than the confidential part, and it is also impossible to copy a document whose content is not confidential over time.

Further, in order to surely recognize a secret seal or the like, an object (character, character,
It is necessary to imprint it so that it does not overlap with (photographs etc.), so a secret seal will be imprinted on the background part away from the object. Therefore, if you try to solve the above problem by letting the secret seal know that you are aware of it, and notifying you that copying can be done by hiding the secret seal, the original copy prohibition document There is a problem of being copied. In addition, the same problem occurs when it is noticed that the stamp is recognized without making it known.

Further, if the number of similar marks is increased so as not to be noticed that the secret seal is a mark for prohibiting copying, a mark indicating that copying is prohibited like a movie or concert ticket. Since it is necessary to store all the characteristic information, a large-capacity memory is required, and it is difficult to detect all the characteristic information actually corresponding to the copying operation.

As described above, in the conventional technique, the problem that the confidentiality level (copy control level) of a document cannot be changed, the problem that different copy controls cannot be applied to a plurality of areas of a document, and further, copying There is a problem that the function is not exerted when the mark indicating prohibition is known.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to secure the confidentiality level of a document.
An object of the present invention is to provide an additional information embedding method capable of changing (copy control level) in time series and an image processing system to which this additional information embedding method is applied.

[0010]

A method for embedding additional information according to the present invention is an additional information embedding method for embedding code information as additional information in image data, wherein the code information represents a plurality of time series copy operation control contents. It is characterized by including. In this way, by embedding code information indicating a plurality of time-series control contents as additional information in a document, it is possible to change the confidential level of a document in time series.

An image processing system according to the present invention is included in an image input section for inputting image data including code information indicating a plurality of time-series copy operation control contents, and image data input from the image input section. Detect code information,
A configuration including an interpreting unit that interprets the content of the code information and an image processing unit that adds control information of a copying operation corresponding to the content of the code information interpreted by the interpreting unit to image data input from an image input unit. Has become.

In the image processing system having the above structure, the image input unit reads, for example, an original image corresponding to image data including code information indicating a plurality of time-series copy operation control contents, and the image data is interpreted by an interpreter and an interpreter. Pass it to the image processing unit. The interpretation unit detects the code information included in the input image data from the image input unit, interprets the content of the code information, and passes the interpretation result to the image processing unit.
The image processing unit adds the control information of the copying operation corresponding to the content of the code information to the input image data from the image input unit based on the interpretation result of the interpretation unit and passes it to the image output unit, for example.
Then, in the image output unit, for example, during the copying operation, the copying operation corresponding to the control information added to the image data is performed.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] (1) Description of Embedding Additional Information In the additional information embedding method according to the first embodiment, as described in a modified example described later, additional information is a barcode. Any known code information may be used, and a known Q
A two-dimensional code such as an R code may be used. Where QR
A code is a type of two-dimensional code that has evolved from a bar code, and has information in two directions, vertical and horizontal, compared to a bar code that has information in only one direction. It is a code that has been increased.

The additional information embedding method according to this embodiment is, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-319 filed by the present applicant.
It can be realized by using the image processing device described in Japanese Patent No. 721. FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an additional information embedding device corresponding to this image processing device.

As is apparent from FIG. 1, the additional information embedding device 10 according to the present example has a configuration including a binarized cell generation unit 11 and a cell binarized unit 12. The binarized cell generation unit 11 generates two types of cells having different sizes according to the code values “0” and “1” of the additional information within the range where the additional information is embedded. The cell binarizing unit 12 binarizes the generated pixel value in the cell by replacing it with either 0 or 255. Note that the pixel value (gradation information) is retained as it is in the portion where no cell is generated.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the cells generated by the binarized cell generation unit 11. 600 dpi
When the code value sequence “010110” of the additional information is embedded in the fourth row in the bitmap image (9 × 36) of
Two 1 × 3 cells (hereinafter referred to as basic cells) are arranged in a portion where the code value “0” of additional information is embedded, and 1 × 6 cells (hereinafter referred to as a basic cell) are embedded in a portion where the code value “1” of additional information is embedded. ,
1) is arranged. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing how the cell binarization unit 12 binarizes the inside of the cell generated by the binarization cell generation unit 11.

The binarization operation by the cell binarization unit 12 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of binarizing a basic cell. Pixel in basic cell
Becomes larger in the order according to the growth order 401 according to the gradation to be expressed. Specifically, when the gradation average value of the pixels in the basic cell is 255, the pixel arrangement is 402, and as the gradation average value becomes smaller, the pixel arrangement 403 to
It becomes 405.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a method of binarizing an enlarged cell. Pixel in expanded cell
Becomes larger in the order according to the growth order 501 according to the gradation to be expressed. Specifically, when the gradation average value of the pixels in the enlarged cell is 255, the pixel arrangement is 502. As the gradation average value becomes smaller, the pixel arrangement 503-
It becomes 508.

In the example of FIG. 3, the same binarization is performed in three consecutive rows (fourth to sixth rows) in the sub-scanning direction.
In the 0 dpi bit map image, the portion in which the code value “0” of the additional information is embedded is 200 (= 600/3) l
In the pi parallel line screen, the portion where the code value “1” of the additional information is embedded corresponds to the arrangement of pixels in the 100 (= 600/6) lpi parallel line screen.

As described above, in the additional information embedding method according to the present embodiment, the area in which the additional information is embedded is binarized with a parallel line screen, and the number of lines is switched according to the code value of the additional information, so that the additional information is embedded. It is embedded.

Here, since there are no pixels in the portion where the gradation value is 255, it is impossible to determine which cell, the basic cell or the enlarged cell, is arranged. In addition, since the part where the gradation value is 84 or less is completely filled with pixels inside the cell,
I can't tell which cell is the basic cell or the enlarged cell. That is, it becomes impossible to determine which of the code value “0” and “1” of the additional information is embedded.

Therefore, when the additional information embedding method according to the present embodiment is actually used, the additional information embedding device shown in FIG. 6 is used. This additional information embedding device is also described in the specification of Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-319721. The additional information embedding device 20 has a configuration in which a gradation value changing unit 13 is added to the additional information embedding device 10 of FIG. The gradation value changing unit 13 changes the gradation value to the maximum value when the average gradation value in the binarized cell exceeds a predetermined maximum value, and when the average gradation value is less than the predetermined minimum value, the gradation value is changed. Change the key value to the minimum value.

Here, the maximum value is 200 and the minimum value is 100.
The case of setting to will be described. Gradation value changing unit 13
Then, since the gradation value of the input image becomes a value of 100 to 200, the basic cell becomes only the state of the pixel arrays 403 and 404 of FIG. 4 as the output of the cell binarization unit 12.
As for the enlarged cell, only the states of the pixel arrays 504 to 506 in FIG. 5 are available. That is, one or more pixels are always arranged, and all the pixels in the cell are not filled up. As a result, it becomes possible to determine which of the code value “0” and “1” of the additional information is embedded.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which additional information is two-dimensionally embedded by the additional information embedding method according to this embodiment. By repeating the code embedding area and the original image area (non-code embedding area) in this way, even if the additional information overlaps with the character as shown in FIG. Is understood) is maintained. As is apparent from this, in the additional information embedding method according to the present embodiment, it is possible to embed additional information in the character portion without damaging the minimum information.

Further, as in the case of the image processing apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-319721, by embedding the position specifying information capable of specifying the embedding range in addition to the additional information, the image reading apparatus can It is also possible to ensure that the additional information can be read from the read image.

By printing out an image in which the additional information is embedded by the above-described additional information embedding method according to the present embodiment on paper by an image processing system (not shown) such as an ink jet printer or an electrophotographic printer , A paper document in which additional information is embedded can be obtained.

Next, a method of decoding the additional information from the image read by the image reading device will be described.

In FIG. 7, (a) shows an enlarged portion 901 in which the additional information of FIG. 9 is embedded, and (b) shows FIG.
7 shows a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) output waveform of the image reading device in the portion 901 in which the additional information of (1) is embedded.

In this example, the image resolution when the additional information is embedded is 600 dpi, and the code value "0" of the additional information.
The part where is embedded is in the 200 lpi line screen,
The portion in which the code value “1” of the additional information is embedded is 100.
This corresponds to arranging pixels in the lpi parallel line screen. The resolution of the image reading device is 600 dpi.
Is. As is clear from FIG. 7, the higher the image density (black), the smaller the CCD output value, and the lower the image density (white), the larger the CCD output value.

As described above, since the density of the portion in which the code value "1" is embedded is within the predetermined density range by the operation of the gradation value changing unit 13, the CCD output waveform of this portion is The curve is clearly convex. Therefore, a downward convex curve is searched for, and the distance between the maxima is C
If there are about 6 pixels on the CD, it can be determined that the code value "1" is embedded in that portion.

When position specifying information for specifying the embedding range is also embedded in addition to the additional information, the embedding position of the additional information is calculated from the position specifying information, and the calculated embedded position CCD output. The code value of the additional information can be decoded from the waveform. That is,
If the embedding position can be specified, the code value can be determined by looking at the CCD output waveform at the center position of the 1 × 6 pixel portion where the code value is embedded. Specifically, if the CCD output waveform at the embedding position is a downwardly convex curve, the code value is "1", and if it is an upwardly convex curve, the code value is "0".

This will be described in more detail.
In the portion where the code value “1” is embedded, there is a black pixel in the center of 1 × 6 pixels and a white pixel at the end,
It has a downwardly convex curve. In addition, in the portion where the code value “0” is embedded, since the center of the 1 × 3 pixel is the black pixel and the end portion is the white pixel two times in succession, 1
When viewed with × 6 pixels, the central portion is a curved line that is convex upward.

(2) Description of Image Processing System For document data to be copy-controlled, the following information is coded and an error correction code is added using the additional information embedding method according to this embodiment described above. It is generated by being encoded.

1) Number of copy control levels: the number of changing a plurality of different control levels in time series. For example, when the copy control level is set to "not copy at all", 2: "not copy at all", 3: "copy with warning information is allowed", copy until December 31, 2005 The control level is 1, the copy control level is 2 until March 31, 2006, and the copy control level is 3 until June 30, 2006.
When set to 3, the number of copy control levels is set to 3.

When the copy control level is set to 1 until December 31, 2005 and the copy control level is set to 2 until March 31, 2006, the number of copy control levels is set to 2. Hereinafter, an example will be described in which the number of copy control levels is 3.

2) First copy control level: Here, "1", which is a copy control level indicating that copying is not performed at all, is set. 3) First copy control level Effective date: 200 here
December 31, 2015 is set. 4) Second copy control level: "2" is set here, which indicates that partial copying is not performed. 5) Second copy control level Effective date: 200 here
March 31, 6 is set. 6) Coordinate value of area to be controlled for copying: Main scanning direction starting point, main scanning direction ending point, sub-scanning direction starting point, sub-scanning direction of the area to be copy controlled, with the upper left coordinate of the area where the code is embedded as the origin. The end point is set. 7) Third copy control level: Here, warning information is added and "3" indicating that copying is permitted is set. 8) Third copy control level Effective date: 200 here
June 30, 2006 is set.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image processing system for controlling copying of a document in which the above copy control information is embedded. Here, a copying machine will be described as an example of the image processing system. The copying machine according to this example includes an image input unit 31, an image processing unit 32, a code data interpretation unit 33, a calendar unit 34, and an image output unit 3.
It is configured to have 5.

The image input section 31 includes a CCD sensor and A /
It is equipped with a D conversion unit and the like, reads an input document, converts the read information into a digital signal, and outputs the digital signal. The image processing unit 32 performs various digital signal processing on the input document data, which is a digital signal supplied from the image input unit 31, based on the interpretation result from the code data interpretation unit 33, and outputs the image output unit 35. Supply to. The code data interpretation unit 33 acquires date information from the calendar unit 34, detects the code data and interprets the contents of the digital signal from the image input unit 31, and gives the interpretation result to the image processing unit 32. . The image output unit 32 includes a pixel drawing unit such as a laser drive system, and draws while scanning pixels on a recording medium such as paper.

FIG. 11 shows the operation of the copying machine having the above structure.
The document shown in is described as an input document (document). Figure 11
At, "This is a confidential matter. ] Is a confidential matter area for which copy control is desired, and an area 111 surrounded by a dotted line in the figure shows the range. This dotted line is drawn to clearly indicate the range of the confidential matter area 111 and does not exist in the original document.

A copy control code is added to the confidential information area 111 in FIG. 11, but since the copy control code is fine compared to the size of the character, it is as if it is painted black in FIG. 10 as it is. It will be expressed. Therefore, an enlarged display of the confidential matter area 111 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, the part to which the copy control code 121 is added is the part "Konoha" in the last line.

In the case of the manuscript shown in FIG. 11, the contents of the copy control code are, as described above, "no copying at all" until December 31, 2005 and "partially partly until March 31, 2006". Do not copy ”, June 3, 2006
It is assumed that the contents up to the 0th day are “Allow copying by adding warning information”. In the copying process of the original, the code data interpretation unit 33 acquires date information from the calendar unit 34 and determines the control content from the acquired information and the content of the additional information.

For example, when the date acquired from the calendar unit 34 is December 20, 2005 (within the effective date of the first copy control level), the effective date of the first copy control level is set. Since it is in the middle, the code data interpretation unit 33
The control content output from the image processing unit 32 to the image processing unit 32 is "no copying at all". Upon receiving this control content, the image processing unit 32 resets the image signal to 0 or 255, thereby executing the control of "no copying".
Although not shown, the image data to be drawn in a completely white state when reset to 0 and the image data to be drawn in a completely filled state when reset to 255 are output to the image output unit 35, respectively.

Here, the method of resetting the image data has been described as an example of the method of realizing the control of "no copying", but the method is not limited to this.
For example, the interpretation result of the code data interpretation unit 33 is given to a system control unit (not shown) that controls the entire image processing system, and the system control unit stops feeding from a paper feed tray unit (not shown). Thus, it is possible to realize the control of "no copying at all". In this way, the system may operate so that not only the confidential matter area 111 but also the contents of the entire document are not copied.

Next, when the date information acquired from the calendar unit 34 is February 22, 2006 (the first copy control level effective date has passed but the second copy control level effective period is still in effect). Will be described.

In this case, since the effective date of the first copy control level has passed, the first copy control "no copying" is not executed, but the second copy control level is effective. Since the date is before March 31, 2006, which is the date, the second copy control level "control not to partially copy" is executed. Since the second copy control level is 2: "Partially not be copied", the code data interpretation unit 33 instructs the image processing unit 32 to set the region coordinate value to be copy-controlled and the copy control level to 2: "Partial." Do not copy to. "Is output.

Here, the area coordinate values output by the code data interpretation unit 33 to the image processing unit 32 will be described with reference to FIG.

The area coordinate value of the copy control code 121 has a starting point FS in the main scanning direction, an end point FE in the main scanning direction, a starting point SS in the sub scanning direction, and a sub scanning direction in the upper left where the code information is embedded. Since it is the starting point SE, using X1, X2, Y1, and Y2 in FIG.
(FS, FE, SS, SE) = (-X1, X2, -Y
1, Y2). The area coordinate value output from the code data interpretation unit 33 to the image processing unit 32 is the coordinates of the origin at the upper left where the code information is embedded (x
x, yy), (FS ', FE', SS ', S
E ') = (xx-X1, xx + X2, yy-Y1, yy
+ Y2) is output.

The image processing unit 32 uses the area coordinate values (FS ',
FE ', SS', SE ') = (xx-X1, xx + X
2, yy-Y1, yy + Y2), the image data for the area is reset to 0 or 255 and sent to the image output unit 35. As a result, when it is reset to 0, as shown in FIG. 14, the image data for rendering the designated area in a pure white state is reset to 255 and is designated as shown in FIG. The image data to be drawn in the filled area is the image output unit 3 respectively.
5 is output.

Next, the date information acquired from the calendar unit 34 is April 20, 2006 (the effective date of the first and second copy control levels has passed, but the third copy control level effective period). The case) is described.

In this case, since the effective dates of the first and second copy control levels have passed, the first and second copy controls "not copy at all" and "not copy at all". Although the control is not executed, since the effective date of the third copy control level is before June 30, 2006, the third copy control level is "Allow copy and allow copy". Control is executed. The code data interpreting unit 33 outputs to the image processing unit 32 a copy control level of 3: "add warning information and permit copying".

The image processing unit 32, as shown in FIG.
A predetermined character “copy prohibited document” is added to the image data sent from the image input unit 31 at a predetermined position and sent to the image output unit 35. Here, as a method of adding the warning information, an example of adding a predetermined word to a predetermined place is described here, but the method is not limited to this. For example, it is conceivable to add a word or phrase to be added or a place to be added as one of the embedded control contents information of the copying operation to change the word or phrase to be added and the place to be added.

Next, the case where the date information obtained from the calendar unit 34 is July 10, 2006 will be described.

In this case, since the effective date of the third copy control level has also passed, the code data interpretation unit 33 outputs nothing to the image processing unit 32 or outputs a signal not to perform copy control. To do. At this time, the image processing section 32 does not perform any processing relating to the copy control, and the image output section 3
Send to 5.

FIG. 17 shows a flow of a series of operations of the code data interpretation unit 33 according to the above-mentioned first embodiment.

In the flowchart of FIG. 17, the code data interpreting unit 33 acquires the date information from the calendar unit 34 (step S11), then the copy control level number n (step S12), and then the copy control level i.
Is set to i = 1 (step S13). Then, it is determined whether the acquired date is the expiration date of the i-th copy control level (step S14). If it is not the expiration date of the i-th copy control level, the copy control level i is incremented (step S15), and then it is determined whether i> n (step S16). If i> n, information that permits copying is output to the image processing unit 32 (step S1).
7) Then, a series of processing is ended. If i ≦ n, the process returns to step 14 and the above-described processing is repeated.

When it is determined in step S14 that the acquired date is the expiration date of the i-th copy control level, it is determined whether i = 1 (step S1).
8). Here, if i = 1, information for not copying at all is output to the image processing unit 32 (step S19),
A series of processing ends. If i ≠ 1, it is determined whether i = 2 (step S20). Where i = 2
If so, information on the copy control area is acquired (step S2
1) The information on the copy control area thus obtained is output to the image processing section 32 together with the information to prevent partial copying (step S22), and the series of processing is terminated. If i ≠ 2, warning information is added, information for permitting copying is output to the image processing unit 32 (step S23), and a series of processing ends.

As described above, according to the additional information embedding method of the first embodiment, code information indicating a plurality of time-series control contents is directly embedded as additional information in a portion of a document where copy control is desired. , It becomes possible to change the confidential level (copy control level) of a document in chronological order.
Therefore, when the copy control code is detected, the image processing system having the security function can be realized by not performing the faithful reproduction of the image data.

[Second Embodiment] Next, an additional information embedding method and an image processing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Regarding the method of converting the additional information into code data and embedding it in the image data,
Since it is the same as that of the first embodiment, its description is omitted here. The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the type of additional information embedded in image data. The type of additional information here does not mean that the additional information system and the code system are different, but that the copy control content is different.

This will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 18, there are two confidential information areas, and code data for executing different copy control are embedded in the confidential information areas. Similar to FIG. 11, when the code data is shown in FIG. 18 as it is, the expression is filled in with black.
And FIG. 20 shows the enlarged representations. Here, the content of the code data embedded in the confidential matter area 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the confidential matter area 2
The following describes the operation of the image processing system shown in FIG.

Copy operation control contents embedded in confidential area 2 1) Number of copy control levels: 3 2) 1st copy control level: 1 3) 1st copy control level Effective date: 01/2006
31st of the month 4) Second copy control level: 25 5) Second copy control level Effective date: 05 May 2006
31st of the month 6) Coordinate value of area to be copy controlled: Main scanning direction starting point, main scanning direction ending point, sub scanning direction starting point of the area to be copy controlled, with the upper left coordinate of the area where the code is embedded as the origin. The end point in the sub-scanning direction is set. Here, the one corresponding to the confidential matter area 2 is set. 7) Third copy control level: 3 8) Third copy control level Effective date: 2006 07
31st of the month

In the operation of the image processing system shown in FIG. 10, each operation of the image input unit 31 and the image output unit 35 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here. A big difference from the first embodiment is the operation of the code data interpretation unit 33. The operation of the code data interpretation unit 33 will be described in detail below.

The operation of the code data interpretation unit 33 is different from that of the first embodiment in that it interprets a plurality of pieces of additional information having different copy control contents. Since the interpretation of the code information is determined by the effective date for each copy control level as in the first embodiment, the explanation will be given based on the date information acquired from the calendar unit 34.

If the date information obtained from the calendar unit 34 is December 20, 2005, the confidential information area 1
Since the copy control level for both the confidential area 2 and the confidential area 2 is 1: "No copy",
The code data interpreting unit 33 outputs to the image processing unit 32 as a copy control level of 1: "No copy". The image processing unit 32 receives this control content and resets the image signal to 0 or 255. As a result, similar to the first embodiment, although not shown, the image output unit 35 outputs image data to be drawn in a completely white or completely filled state.
Sent to.

Next, a case where the date information acquired from the calendar unit 34 is January 20, 2006 will be described. On this date, the copy control for the confidential matter area 1 has passed the effective period of the copy control level: 1 and is in the effective period of the copy control level: 2 "not partially copy".

On the other hand, the copy control for the confidential matter area 2 is still at the copy control level: 1 "do not copy at all". In this case, copy control for confidential area 1
Even if the (control level: 2) is executed, if the copy control (copy control level: 1) is executed for the confidential matter area 2, the copy control is the copy control level: 1 from the viewpoint of the entire image data. Therefore, the control content output from the code data interpretation unit 33 to the image processing unit 32 is “not copied at all”.
Becomes The operation in the image processing unit 32 is the same as above, and therefore will be omitted.

Next, a case where the date information acquired from the calendar unit 34 is February 20, 2006 will be described. On this date, since the copy control level of both the confidential matter area 1 and the confidential matter area 2 is 2: "partially copy not performed", the code data interpretation unit 33 instructs the image processing unit 32 to set the area coordinate value to be copy-controlled. As the copy control level, 2: "Do not copy partially" is output. The area coordinate values to be subjected to copy control are the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here.

The image processing section 32 receives the area coordinate value, resets the image data for the area to 0 or 255, and sends it to the image output section 35. As a result, when it is reset to 0, as shown in FIG. 21, the image data for rendering the designated area in a pure white state is reset to 255 and is designated as shown in FIG. The image data for drawing the area in a filled state is output to the image output unit 35.

Next, a case where the date information acquired from the calendar unit 34 is April 20, 2006 will be described. As of this date, the copy control for the confidential matter area 1 is within the valid period of the copy control level 3: "Allow copy by adding warning information". On the other hand, confidential area 2
The copy control for is still at the copy control level 2: "partially prevent copying". In this case, the code data interpreting unit 33 outputs to the image processing unit 32 both the copy control level 3 and the copy control level 2, and the area coordinate value to be copy-controlled.

The image processing unit 32, as shown in FIG.
Area information sent from the code data interpretation unit 33 after adding a predetermined character "prohibited copy manuscript" to the image data sent from the image input unit 31 at a predetermined place. The image data is reset to 0 or 255 based on the above, and sent to the image output unit 35. As a result, when it is reset to 0, as shown in FIG. 24, the image data for rendering the designated area in a pure white state is
When it is reset to 255, as shown in FIG.
Image data for drawing the designated area in a filled state is output to the image output unit 35, respectively.

Next, a case where the date information obtained from the calendar unit 34 is June 20, 2006 will be described. In the case of this date, both the confidential matter area 1 and the confidential matter area 2 have a copy control level of 3: "add warning information and permit copying", so that the code data interpretation unit 33 transfers the image data to the image processing unit 32. Is a copy control level of 3:
"Alert information and allow copying" is output.

The image processing unit 32, as shown in FIG.
A predetermined character “prohibited copy manuscript” is added to the image data sent from the image input unit 31 at a predetermined position and sent to the image output unit 35.

Next, a case where the date information acquired from the calendar unit 34 is July 21, 2006 will be described. In the case of this date, the effective dates of all the copy control levels for the confidential area 1 have passed, but the copy control for the confidential area 2 is still at the copy control level: 3
Since "partial copying is not performed", the code data interpreting section 33 outputs to the image processing section 32 a copy control level of 3: "add warning information and permit copying".

The image processing unit 32, as shown in FIG.
A predetermined character “prohibited copy manuscript” is added to the image data sent from the image input unit 31 at a predetermined position and sent to the image output unit 35.

Next, a case where the date information acquired from the calendar unit 34 is August 10, 2006 will be described. In this case, confidential area 1 and confidential area 2
Since the effective dates of all the copy control levels have passed, the code data interpretation unit 33 outputs nothing to the image processing unit 32 or outputs a signal not to perform copy control. The image processing unit 32 sends the image output unit 35 without any processing relating to copy control.

26 and 27 show the flow of a series of operations of the code data interpretation unit 33 according to the second embodiment described above. 26 and 27, the flow of a series of operations is divided into two for convenience of space.

In the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, step S of interpreting each copy control code.
The processing in 31 is the flow itself of the flowchart shown in FIG. 17, and the description thereof will be omitted here as it is redundant. In the flowcharts of FIGS. 26 and 27, the operation flow after step S32 shows how the operation is performed when there are a plurality of copy control contents having different contents.

First, when the process of step S31, that is, the process of interpreting each copy control code is completed, the control levels i and j of the copy control code are set to i = 1 and j = 0, respectively (step S32). Then, it is determined whether the control level of the i-th copy control code is 1 (step S3).
3). If i ≠ 1, it is determined whether the control level of the i-th copy control code is 2 (step S3).
4) If i ≠ 2, it is further determined whether the control level of the i-th copy control code is 3 (step S3).
5).

If i ≠ 3, that is, if the control level i of the copy control code is not 1, 2, or 3, the control level i of the copy control code is incremented (step S36), and then i It is determined whether or not> n (step S37). Then, if i> n, information for permitting normal copying is output to the image processing unit 32 (step S38), and a series of processing is terminated. If i ≦ n, the process returns to step 33 and the above-described processing is repeated.

In the determination processing of step S35, i =
If it is 3, the control level j of the copy control code is incremented (step S39), and then the control level i of the copy control code is incremented (step S40).
Then, it is determined whether i> n (step S4).
1). If i> n, add warning information,
Information permitting copying is output to the image processing unit 32 (step S42), and a series of processing is ended.

In the determination processing of step S41, i ≦
If n, the control level of the i-th copy control code is 1
It is determined whether or not (step S43), and if i ≠ 1,
It is determined whether or not the control level of the i-th copy control code is 2 (step S44). Then, if i ≠ 2, i
= 3, the process returns to step S40 and the above-described processing is repeated.

In step S34 or step S44, i
When it is determined that the value of the copy control area is 2, the information of the copy control area is acquired (step S45), the control level i of the copy control code is incremented (step S46), and then it is determined whether i> n. Yes (step S47). Here, if i> n, it is determined whether or not j = 0 (step S48), and if j = 0, the information of the partial copy prohibition process is output to the image processing unit 32 (step S4).
9) Then, a series of processing is ended.

In the determination processing of step S47, i ≦
If n, the control level of the i-th copy control code is 1
It is determined whether or not (step S50), and if i ≠ 1,
It is determined whether or not the control level of the i-th copy control code is 2 (step S51). Here, if i = 2, the process returns to step S45 and the above-described processing is repeated. i ≠ 2
If so, the control level of the i-th copy control code is 3, so the control level j of the copy control code is incremented (step S52), and then the process returns to step S46 to repeat the above-described processing.

In the determination processing of step S48, j ≠
If it is 1, the information of the warning information addition process and the partial copy prohibition process is output to the image processing unit 32 (step S5).
3), a series of processing is ended. Also, in step S33,
If it is determined that i = 1 in step S43 or step S50, the information of the full-copy prohibition process is added to the image processing unit 32.
(Step S54), and a series of processing is completed.

As described above, according to the additional information embedding method of the second embodiment, by embedding two or more types of code information indicating a plurality of time-series control contents in a document as additional information, it is possible to Confidentiality level for multiple places
(Copy control level) can be changed in time series. Therefore, when the copy control code is detected, the image processing system having the security function can be realized by not performing the faithful reproduction of the image data. In particular, by embedding the code information directly in the portion of the document where the copy control is desired, even if the mark indicating the copy prohibition is known, the security function can be exhibited in the image processing system.

[Third Embodiment] Next, an additional information embedding method and a copying system according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Regarding the method of converting the additional information into code data and embedding it in the image data,
Since it is the same as the first and second embodiments, the description thereof is omitted here. Further, the operation of the image processing system that detects the code data and performs copy control is also the same as in the first and second embodiments, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here.

The present embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in that a plurality of code data having the same control content are embedded in the image data. A plurality of pieces of code data having the same control content as used herein means that the effective date for each copy control level is different, as in the second embodiment, or a region where copy control level: 2 is partially prohibited. Different from different.

The difference will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a confidential matter area of the input document (document) used in the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, only one piece of code data for performing the copy control for this dotted line portion is embedded at the place "Konoha". However, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 28, the copy for the dotted line portion is performed. Five pieces of code data for controlling are embedded.

The code data embedded here are codes having the same control content, but they are not always the same code. This is also described in the first and second embodiments, but when the copy control level is 2 "not partially copy", the coordinate information indicating the area to be copy-controlled is:
Since the origin differs depending on the area where the code data is embedded, the values are different. However, when the control content does not include the copy control level: 2, the code data having the same control content is the same code data.

In the additional information embedding method according to the present embodiment and the first and second embodiments, the error correction code is added in consideration of the influence of the stain on the document and the data reading failure in the image input unit 31 of the image processing system. As a result, the code data acquisition is stabilized. In the present embodiment, since a plurality of such code data are embedded, further stabilization of code data acquisition is expected.

Further, in the additional information embedding methods according to the first, second and third embodiments, the code data can be embedded in the character portion while maintaining the readability of the character (what is written can be understood). . Based on this, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 28, code data is embedded in a plurality of places including a character portion. If all the code data cannot be detected for this document, it can be assumed that the input document (document) is very dirty. In such a case, it is certain that this code information will not be obtained and copy control will not be implemented, but since it is presumed that the copy cannot be read, the original confidential information The purpose of not being duplicated is achieved.

Further, in FIG. 28, the code data items are embedded in five places, but it goes without saying that the confidentiality can be improved by further increasing the number.
Further, even if a malicious person notices that the copy control information is present in the portion where the code data is embedded, it is possible to suppress an attempt to falsify and copy the code.

For example, in FIG. 28, the code data is embedded only in five places, but it is assumed that the code data is embedded in all the character portions. In this case, if the code data part is completely filled so that the code data cannot be acquired, the characters in the confidential part cannot be read, and the code information will not be acquired and the copy control will not be performed in the same manner as above, but the original confidential The purpose of not copying matters is achieved.

Further, as shown in FIG. 29, even if there is a person who attempts tampering such that the code embedded portion is guessed and the portion is filled, detailed work is required to realize this, so that The more data you embed, the less likely you are to tamper with it.

This is because the additional information embedding methods according to the first, second and third embodiments can embed code data in the character portion while maintaining the readability of the character (it is clear what is written). It is realized by what you can.

[Modification] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are made to the above-described embodiments to implement the invention described in the claims. be able to. It is clear from the description of the claims that such an invention belongs to the technical scope of the invention according to the present application.

In the first and second embodiments, after the code data is embedded in the image data by the additional information embedding device 10 shown in FIG. 1, an image forming device (inkjet printer, electrophotographic printer, not shown) is provided. Etc.) is described on the assumption that the same paint, toner, and ink as other image data are used for printing, but the present invention is not limited to this.

The code data is printed with paints, toners, and inks that are excited by light from an ultraviolet light source, and paints, toners, and inks that are excited by light from an infrared light source, and the image input unit of the image processing system shown in FIG. It is also possible to obtain the copy control code by providing the infrared light source and the ultraviolet light source in addition to the normal light source as the light source. Further, in the first and second embodiments, the additional information to be embedded may be code information, and a known QR code or the like may be used.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the copy control contents embedded as the additional information have been described in which the copy control level changes from 1 to 2 and 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Copy control level 1 only,
It is also possible to set one type of control level such as only 2 and 3 so that normal copying can be performed when the effective date has passed. Also, copy control levels from 1 to 3, 1
It is also possible to have two kinds of control levels such as 1 to 2 and 2 to 3.

In the second embodiment, the area to be copy-controlled is described as two areas, but the invention is not limited to this, and the number of areas is not particularly limited.

Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, a copying machine has been described as an example of the image processing system of FIG.
It is not limited to this. The image input unit 31 is not particularly limited as long as it can input image data as digital data via a network.
The same applies to the image output unit 35. As described above, the image input unit 31 and the image output unit 35 are connected by the network, but a system configuration in which they are physically separated is also conceivable. In the case of such a configuration, a copy control server having the functions of the code data interpretation unit 33 and the image processing unit 32 is installed on the same network, and data is sent to the image output unit 35 unless it is via the copy control server. By making such a constitution impossible, the copy control of each of the above-described embodiments becomes possible.

Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the code data indicating the control content of the copy operation is embedded in the partial area of the copy control level: 2 which is desired to be copy-controlled, but the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. This is the first
This is apparent from the coordinate data generating method showing the inside of the partial area of the copy control level: 2 which is desired to be copy-controlled as described in the embodiment.

[0106]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By embedding code information indicating a plurality of time-series control contents as additional information in a document, it becomes possible to change the confidential level of a document in time series.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an additional information embedding device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing cells generated by a binarized cell generation unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing how the inside of a cell generated by a binarization cell generation unit is binarized.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of binarizing a basic cell.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a method of binarizing an enlarged cell.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an additional information embedding device to which the present invention is actually applied.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which additional information is two-dimensionally embedded by the additional information embedding method according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a document image when additional information is overlapped with characters.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of additional information of a code embedding area.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image processing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an input document.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the confidential matter area of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining area coordinate values.

FIG. 14 is a diagram in which a designated area is drawn in a pure white state in the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram in which a designated area is drawn in a filled state in the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a document image in which “prohibited document” is written as warning information in the first embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a flow of a series of operations of the code data interpretation unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a document image in which two confidential areas exist and code data for performing different copy controls are embedded in the confidential areas.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged representation of the confidential matter area 1 of FIG.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged representation of the confidential matter area 2 of FIG.

FIG. 21 is a diagram in which a designated area is drawn in a pure white state in the second embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram in which a designated area is drawn in a filled state in the second embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a document image in which “prohibited document” is written as warning information in the second embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a diagram in which a designated area is drawn in a painted state in a document image in which a “copy prohibited document” is written.

FIG. 25 is a diagram in which a designated area is drawn in a filled state in a document image in which a “copy prohibited document” is written.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart (No. 1) showing a flow of a series of operations of the code data interpretation unit according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart (part 2) of the flow of a series of operations of the code data interpretation unit according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a confidential matter area of an input document according to the third embodiment in which code data are embedded in five places.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a manuscript image that has been tampered with such that a code embedded portion is estimated and the portion is painted over.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 20 ... Additional information embedding device, 11 ... Binary cell generation unit, 12 ... Cell binarization unit, 13 ... Gradation value changing unit, 3
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image input part, 32 ... Image processing part, 33 ... Code data interpretation part, 34 ... Calendar part, 35 ... Image output part

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 1/40 B41J 29/00 Z 5C077 F term (reference) 2C061 CL10 2C187 AC06 AC08 AD04 BF26 GD01 GD04 2H134 NA05 NA15 NA32 NA34 5B057 AA11 CB18 CE08 CE11 CG07 5C076 AA14 BA06 5C077 LL14 MP06 NP07 PP23 PP66 PQ08 TT06

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An additional information embedding method for embedding code information as additional information in image data, wherein the code information includes a plurality of time series copy operation control contents. 2. The additional information embedding method according to claim 1, wherein the code information is two or more kinds having different control contents. 3. The additional information embedding method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of copy operation control contents include date information. 4. One of the plurality of copy operation control contents
One of the features is that the original image corresponding to the image data is not partially copied.
Alternatively, the additional information embedding method described in 3 above. 5. One of the copy operation control contents is,
4. The method for embedding additional information according to claim 1, wherein the original image corresponding to the image data is not copied at all. 6. One of the contents of the copy operation control is
5. The additional information embedding method according to claim 1, wherein warning information is added to a document image corresponding to the image data, and copying of the document image is permitted. 7. The additional information embedding method according to claim 1, wherein the area in which the code information is embedded is at least a part of an area of a document image corresponding to the image data, which is desired to be copy-controlled. . 8. The additional information embedding method according to claim 7, wherein a part of the area to be controlled for copying is a character portion of the original image. 9. An image input unit for inputting image data including code information indicating a plurality of time-series copy operation control contents, and detecting the code information included in the image data input from the image input unit. An interpreting unit that interprets the content of the code information, and an image processing unit that adds control information of a copying operation corresponding to the content of the code information interpreted by the interpreting unit to image data input from the image input unit. An image processing system comprising: 10. The image processing system according to claim 9, further comprising forming an image corresponding to the image data that has passed through the image processing unit, and the control information added to the image data when the image is formed. An image processing system comprising an image output unit that executes a copying operation according to the above.