JP2004109660A - Image forming apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform counterfeit prevention processing of paper money without undermining a profit of a customer who copies similar documents, regardless of erroneous operation of a counterfeit prevention function. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming system comprising an image forming device 10 which forms an inputted image on a recording paper is provided with a wrong material discrimination part 121 which detects whether a specific image exists in an input image and a recording medium holding means which stops carrying the recording paper having the specific image formed to hold the recording paper having the specific image formed when discriminating the presence of the specific image by the wrong material discrimination part 121. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer having a function of preventing forgery of a specific image, and an image forming system including the image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as full-color copying machines capable of faithfully copying originals have been provided, and due to the reduction in cost, have spread widely not only to general offices but also to convenience stores in towns and the like, making it easy to use. Color copying can now be performed. However, on the other hand, criminal acts of copying bills and securities (hereinafter, referred to as specific images) with a color copying machine are feared.
[0003]
Therefore, a recent color copier detects a specific image in a document, and when detecting the specific image, paints a specific pattern on a recording medium (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-163,839) and specifies a designated processing mode. For example, techniques for performing different image processing (for example, see Patent Literatures 2 and 3) and stopping or inhibiting the copying operation itself (for example, see Patent Literature 4) have been proposed.
[0004]
Such a conventional technique will be described in detail using an image forming system described in Patent Document 4 as an example. The image forming system disclosed in Patent Document 4 is roughly divided into a reader unit configured to read a document image in color and output color image data, and records a color image based on color image data from the reader unit. It comprises a color copying machine comprising a printer unit for transferring to paper, and a control center having a host computer connected to the color copying machine via a telephone line. The detailed configuration of these three main components will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the image forming system.
[0005]
As described above, the color copier includes the reader unit 12 and the printer unit 20, and the reader unit 12 includes the main CPU 100 that controls the entire image forming apparatus. The main CPU 100 is provided with a reader control CPU 104 for controlling a reading control operation, a main image processing unit 106 for processing an image display operation, an operation unit 108 as an input unit by an operator, and sent from the main image processing unit 106 to the printer unit 20. An unauthorized object determining unit 121 that captures an image and determines whether or not the image is an unauthorized object by pattern matching or the like. An image from an arbitrary area can be captured under the control of the main CPU 106. An image memory 122 for storing images, a telephone line I / F, and a command between the color copier and the management center 124 via the telephone line, and an I / F unit 123 for enabling transmission and reception of images. It is connected. The image memory 122 is also connected to the I / F unit 123. The main image processing unit 106 performs image processing such as masking, black extraction, and binarization. The unauthorized object determination unit 121 also has a function of comparing the image in the image memory 122 with the output image of the main image processing unit 106.
[0006]
The reader control CPU 104 is connected to an input system image processing unit 116 that performs necessary correction processing in a reading system such as shading correction and color correction, and a reader unit driving system 118 that controls input driving of the reader. The input image processing unit 116 is connected to a CCD light sensor 120 as an image sensor, and is also connected to the main image processing unit 106.
[0007]
The printer unit 20 includes a printer control CPU 102 for controlling the operation of the printer. The printer control CPU 102 is connected to a synchronous memory 110 and a printer drive system 114, and is also connected to the main CPU 100 of the reader unit 12. The recording head 56 that prints an image on recording paper is connected to the synchronous memory 110 and the printer drive system 114. The synchronous memory 110 is used to absorb time variations in the input operation and to compensate for delay related to the mechanism of the recording head 56. The printer unit driving system 114 controls input driving of the printer unit 20. The synchronous memory 110 is also connected to the main image processing unit 106 of the reader unit 12 and the image memory 122.
[0008]
The management center 124 includes a host computer 125 and a CRT 126 for displaying an image. The host computer 125 is connected to the I / F unit 123 of the reader unit 12 via a telephone line, controls the color copier, and controls the color copier. It is also possible to display images and the like.
[0009]
The operation of the image forming system thus configured is as follows.
[0010]
When a start key (not shown) of the operation unit 108 of the color copier is pressed, the main CPU 100 transmits data necessary for initial setting to the reader control CPU 104 and the printer control CPU 102, respectively. Perform initial settings. Next, the main CPU 100 sets image processing parameters for performing necessary data setting for a masking circuit, a gamma correction circuit (both not shown), and the like. Then, after confirming that the reader unit 12 and the printer unit 20 have become ready for main scanning, main scanning is started. At the same time, the unauthorized object determination unit 121 is turned on, and the determination of the output image of the main image processing unit 106 is started. When the main scanning is completed, the sub-scanning of the reader unit 12 and the printer unit 20 is performed. Here, it is determined whether or not an unauthorized image exists from the determination result of the unauthorized object determination unit 121. If there is no unauthorized image, copying is performed, and the process ends.
[0011]
When the improper object judging section 121 judges that there is an improper image, the image area judged to be improper is taken into the image memory 122, and the image in the image memory 122 is sent to the host computer 125 by the I / F section 123 and the telephone line. To transfer through. The host computer 125 displays the transmitted image on the CRT 126, and determines whether or not the operator is really an illegal image. If the image is an illegal image, the host computer 125 performs an illegal operation such as stopping a copy key or notifying a police agency. In response to this, the main CPU 100 repeats the copy sequence starting from the initial value setting of the reader unit and the printer unit. During the cancellation of forgery prevention, the determination process performed by the unauthorized item determination unit 121 after the start of the unauthorized determination is different. That is, this time, the image remaining in the image memory 122, that is, the image determined to be an illegal area is compared with the output image of the main image processing unit 106, and when the image is determined to be different as a result of the comparison, May have been replaced, the image area is fetched into the image memory 122 again, and the above-mentioned subsequent processing is started again. In this way, the copying of the unauthorized image is detected, and the copying is not performed for the purpose of unauthorized use.
[0012]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-7-23218
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-7-152291
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-5-207261
[Patent Document 4]
JP-A-5-183746
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, it is difficult to completely distinguish a specific image for various reasons (such as the direction and position of bills placed on a platen are indeterminate). Image) is erroneously determined, and the above-described forgery prevention processing may operate erroneously. That is, if a non-malicious user attempts to copy or print a similar image and the above-described erroneous determination occurs, various supplies (transfer paper, toner, etc.) are wasted, and the user is wasted. Loss.
[0017]
The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances of the related art described above, and its purpose is to provide a similar manuscript even if the forgery prevention function malfunctions in regular copy / print processing not for the purpose of forgery of banknotes or the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus capable of performing a forgery prevention process on a banknote without deteriorating the profit of a customer who copies a document.
[0018]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a first means is an image forming apparatus which outputs input image data to a recording medium as a visible image, and detects whether a specific image is present in the input image data. Means, when a specific image is detected by the detection means, stops conveyance of a recording medium on which the detected specific image is formed, and a recording medium holding means for holding a recording medium on which the specific image is formed. It is characterized by having. As described above, when the forgery prevention function is activated during image formation, the ejection of the recording medium on which a specific image may be formed is temporarily stopped and held in the image forming apparatus.
[0019]
The second means is further characterized by further comprising a control means for enabling the held recording medium to be discharged out of the apparatus by inputting predetermined password information in the first means. Thus, by inputting a predetermined password to the image forming apparatus, the recording medium can be taken out from the recording medium holding means.
[0020]
The third means is characterized by further comprising a control means for allowing the held recording medium to be discharged to the outside of the apparatus by reading a predetermined key card in the first means. As described above, when the forgery prevention function is activated, the ejection of the recording medium on which a specific image may be formed is temporarily stopped, and the recording is performed by using a key card which is a predetermined key device. The recording medium can be taken out from the medium holding means.
[0021]
The fourth means is characterized by further comprising a display means for displaying a detection result when the detecting means detects the specific image in the first to third means. The fact that the forgery prevention function has been activated is displayed externally by the display means, so that the recording medium on which the specific image may be formed is held in the recording medium holding means inside the apparatus for the user of the image forming apparatus. Can be notified, and the user of the image forming apparatus can be instructed to perform an appropriate procedure (contact with a device manager on the customer side or a control center).
[0022]
The fifth means is characterized by further comprising a communication means capable of communicating with the outside of the apparatus when the detecting means detects the specific image in the first to third means.
[0023]
With this configuration, control with an external information processing device is possible.
[0024]
The sixth means comprises the image forming apparatus according to the fifth means, and a host computer connected via the communication means, and when the image forming apparatus detects the specific image, the specific code The recording medium is output to a host computer, and the host computer determines whether to convey the recording medium based on the specific code. This allows the host computer to determine whether or not the recording medium on which the specific image has been recorded can be output to the outside of the apparatus and give an instruction.
[0025]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Since the image forming system of the related art shown in FIG. 3 has the same configuration as the image forming system of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same components, and the description is omitted. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an error message when a bill is recognized.
[0026]
In the present embodiment, the color copying machine 10 installed on the customer side includes a reader unit 12 and a printer unit 20 having the same configuration as the conventional technology shown in FIG. The management center 124 also includes a host computer 125 and a CRT 126. The host computer 125 has a customer management database 33 such as a use ID, a user password, and a management password. When the reader unit 12 of the color copying machine 10 determines that there is a specific image (or a similar image) in the document while the unauthorized article determination unit 121 is reading the document, the color copying machine 10 After an image is formed on a recording sheet by a recording head (not shown), the conveyance of the recording sheet is temporarily stopped at a position of a paper feed roller installed at a position on the downstream side of the recording head that cannot be taken out in the recording sheet conveyance direction. At the same time, a predetermined error code as shown in FIG.
[0027]
After confirming the error code, the customer notifies the control center 31 of the error code and a pre-registered unique use ID by telephone using the telephone line 32. This unique ID is previously notified only to the copier administrator on the customer side. The control center 31 searches the customer management database 33 for the use ID contacted by the customer, confirms that the contact is an authorized user, and stores the password unique to the copier currently used on the customer side in the database. 33 and notify the customer.
[0028]
When the customer inputs the password notified from the control center 31 to the operation unit 108, the main CPU 100 reads out the contents of the memory inside the copying machine and confirms that the input password is a valid number. If the result of the confirmation is OK (regular number input), the conveyance of the recording paper whose conveyance is stopped by the above-described paper feed roller is started, and the recording paper on which a similar image is formed on a paper discharge tray (not shown). Is discharged. On the other hand, when the use ID contacted by the customer is found in the customer management database 33 as a result of search in the customer management database 33, if the contact is found not to be a legitimate user, for example, the use of the color copier thereafter is stopped, or Although not shown, a lockable unauthorized copy storage section may be provided in the color copying machine and inserted therein.
[0029]
In the above-described embodiment, when it is confirmed that the user is an authorized user, the customer is notified of the password unique to the currently used copying machine. The control center that has received the contact may confirm the use ID and then contact the support center 31, and the contacted support center 31 may dispatch a serviceman 34 to the customer. In this case, the service person 34 passes a predetermined key card through a card reader (not shown) attached to the copying machine main body. After confirming that the read key card is valid, the main CPU 100 in the color copying machine discharges the recording paper on which the image held by the paper feed roller is recorded to the outside. The key card and the card reader described here are the same as those connected and mounted on a general copying machine or the like, and detailed description of the configuration and operation thereof will be omitted.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when the forgery prevention function operates in the image forming apparatus, the ejection of the recording medium on which the specific image may be formed is temporarily stopped by the recording medium holding unit. Therefore, even if the forgery prevention function erroneously detects, the counterfeiting of the bills is performed without disabling the use of the recording medium on which the image is formed, and without impairing the customer's profit of copying similar documents. Prevention processing can be performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an error message when a bill is recognized.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a conventional image forming system.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Image Forming Apparatus 12 Reader Unit 20 Printer Unit 31 Control Center 32 Telephone Line 33 Customer Management Database 100 Main CPU
102 Printer control CPU
104 Reader control CPU
106 Main image processing unit 108 Operation unit 121 Unauthorized object determination unit 124 Management center 125 Host computer

Claims (6)

In an image forming apparatus that outputs input image data to a recording medium as a visible image,
Detecting means for detecting whether a specific image is present in the input image data,
When a specific image is detected by the detection unit, the conveyance of the recording medium on which the detected specific image is formed is stopped, and a recording medium holding unit that holds a recording medium on which the specific image is formed,
An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit configured to allow the stored recording medium to be discharged to the outside of the apparatus by inputting predetermined password information. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit configured to allow a predetermined key card to be read to discharge the held recording medium to the outside of the apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays a detection result when the detection unit detects a specific image. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit capable of communicating with the outside of the apparatus when the detection unit detects the specific image. An image forming apparatus according to claim 5,
A host computer connected via the communication means,
The image forming apparatus outputs a specific code to the host computer when detecting the specific image, and the host computer determines whether or not the recording medium can be conveyed based on the specific code. Characteristic image forming system.

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