JP2004201068A - Device, method and program for processing image, and recording medium with image processing program stored therein - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor, image processing method, image processing program and recording medium with the image processing program stored therein which can effectively preventing a confidential document from being leaked outside a company, for example, by copying and facsimile. <P>SOLUTION: This image processor has an original image acquiring means, a background dot pattern storing means for storing background dot patterns for output inhibition, a log recording means for recording internal information and input information from the outside as a log, and a background dot pattern detecting means for detecting a background dot pattern embedded in a background image included in image data of an original image from the image data. In addition, the image processor is provided with a confidential document determining means for comparing the background dot pattern detected by the background dot pattern detecting means with the background dot patterns for output inhibition stored in the background dot pattern storing means to determine that the original image is a confidential document when the both background dot patterns are identical. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, an image processing program, and a recording medium that stores an image processing program that can effectively prevent a confidential document from being leaked outside the company by, for example, copying or facsimile.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the improvement of image processing technology and image forming technology, when digital currency copiers are used to copy banknotes and securities, it is possible to make faithful copies so that the copy and the original (real) cannot be easily distinguished. It is becoming. For this reason, it is necessary to take measures to prevent any special manuscripts such as banknotes and securities from being copied at all, or to prevent correct copying.
[0003]
Further, for example, in a company, even in the case of general documents other than special manuscripts such as banknotes and securities, there are many confidential documents for which copying is prohibited from the viewpoint of confidentiality of document contents. It is necessary to take measures to prevent such a confidential document from being copied at all or to make it impossible to copy correctly.
[0004]
For this reason, various inventions have been hitherto made to exert a restrictive force on copying special manuscripts, confidential documents, and the like.
[0005]
For example, as a technique for discriminating a special manuscript such as a bill or a securities, Patent Documents 1 and 2 compare input image data with a specific mark (pattern data) registered in advance by a pattern matching method. If a specific mark is present, the original is determined to be a special original and copying is prohibited.
[0006]
Further, as a technique for determining a confidential document whose copying is prohibited, for example, in Patent Document 3 and Patent Document 4, a mark (a so-called “confidential” stamp mark or a copy prohibiting mark) attached to a confidential document is detected. However, if the mark exists, its copying is prohibited.
[0007]
Further, as a technique for suppressing copying by embedding a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern in a document image whose copying is to be prohibited, Patent Documents 5 and 6 disclose a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern representing “copy prohibited” on the background of a sheet used for a document image which is a confidential document. The pattern is created with inconspicuous dot size, and when it is copied, a character such as "copy prohibited" appears and appears on the paper. That is, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is not so noticeable in the original image and does not hinder the reading of the information included in the original image. Message emerges, and it becomes clear at a glance that the copy is a confidential document for which copying is prohibited, and psychologically, it is possible to generate a controlling power for copying.
[0008]
In addition, the applicant of the present application has proposed a technique of embedding a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern in the background of a document image, and prohibiting print output when the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern detected from the read document image is the same as a predetermined copy-forgery-inhibited pattern. . In this technique, a tint block pattern embedded in a background image included in image data of a document image is detected from image data, and the detected tint block pattern is compared with a tint block pattern serving as a reference for comparison stored in a storage device. , To determine its identity. Thus, the output prohibition image can be easily detected.
[0009]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-6-125449
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-2001-86330
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-7-36317
[Patent Document 4]
JP-A-7-87309
[Patent Document 5]
JP-A-9-164739
[Patent Document 6]
JP-A-2001-197297
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the techniques of Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2, since all pattern data of a document whose copying is to be prohibited (for example, a mark of a mint when the document is a bill) must be registered in advance, bills and valuable Even if it is effective for special manuscripts such as securities, it is difficult to apply it to an unspecified number of general manuscripts, for example, confidential documents.
[0011]
Further, in the techniques of Patent Document 3 and Patent Document 4, when an image reading operation is performed by covering a mark portion indicating a confidential document such as “confidential” with paper or the like, the image reading operation is naturally performed. However, it is not possible to determine the presence of a mark indicating that the document is a confidential document, and therefore, there is a problem that even a confidential document whose copying should be prohibited cannot be prevented from being copied.
[0012]
Further, in the technology using the tint block pattern described in Patent Document 5 or Patent Document 6, it is possible to psychologically generate a restrictive force for copying, but the technique only provides a copy suppressing effect, and the copying act itself is not performed. Cannot be regulated, and the content of the document cannot be kept secret.
[0013]
In the technology according to the above-mentioned application by the present applicant, the image processing apparatus sets initial parameters such as a confidential document detection mode before reading an image, internal information of the image processing apparatus in an output prohibited state when output prohibition data is detected, and Since there is no external input information, no information remains when the release processing and the administrator authority are authenticated, and the fact that the confidential document was attempted to be copied, and the internal information (setting information) and the external information when the attempted copying were made There is a problem that cannot be found.
[0014]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing method capable of storing internal information of an image processing apparatus in an output-prohibited state and external information input by a user interface in a log file of the image processing apparatus when a confidential document is detected. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium storing a processing program and an image processing program.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, a document image acquisition unit for acquiring image data of a document image, a background dot pattern storage unit for storing an output prohibition background dot pattern, and internal information and external input information as logs Log recording means for recording, background dot pattern detection means for detecting a background dot pattern embedded in a background image included in the image data of the original image from the image data, and background dots detected by the background dot pattern detection means A confidential document determining unit that compares a pattern with an output prohibiting background dot pattern stored in the background dot pattern storing unit and determines that the document image is a confidential document when both background dot patterns are identical; And characterized in that: Further, the document image obtaining means may be a document image reading means, and may be a communication means.
[0016]
In the present invention, the background dot pattern is composed of dots (line width for a line) of a size recognizable by the image reading means. In other words, whether or not a copy remains is determined by the size of the dot that the copier can recognize.
[0017]
The “background dot pattern” is a feature such as a dot arrangement, and is, for example, a so-called tint block pattern. The background dot pattern is a line diagram in which dots are continuous, for example, is a repetition of a group of dots in a pattern such as a scattered dot, a grid, or the like. When the original is blank, the image is uniformly formed in the region left white except for the diagram portion.
[0018]
When the dot pattern is arranged in the shape of a character ("copy prohibited") or a symbol ("x"), the area where the dot is formed is a message area. In the present invention, when creating a confidential document, a background dot pattern may be formed simultaneously with printing of characters or the like by a printing unit, or paper on which a background dot pattern has been created in advance may be used.
[0019]
The image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an image output unit that outputs an image of the document image data and an image output prohibition unit that prohibits an image output from the image output unit. When it is determined that the background dot patterns are identical, the image output prohibiting means can prohibit the output processing by the image output means.
[0020]
The image processing apparatus according to the present invention further includes a visual warning unit, wherein when the confidential document determination unit determines that the image data of the document image is image data for which output processing by the image output unit is prohibited, the visual warning The means can output a visual warning message to a user interface and an operation panel operation unit of the image processing apparatus.
[0021]
The image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an audio warning unit, and when the confidential document determination unit determines that the image data of the document image is image data for which output processing by the image output unit is prohibited, the audio warning unit The means can output an audio warning message to an audio output unit of a user interface of the image processing apparatus.
[0022]
In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the log recording means records the reading time and / or the internal information of the model number of the image processing apparatus, records a reduced simplified image of the document image, and inputs the information by a user interface. Recording external input information including at least one of paper size, scaling ratio, and image processing parameters, setting of a confidential document detection mode, setting of a detection threshold value input from an operation panel of a user interface, and detection of a confidential document Recording initial parameter setting information including at least one of a setting as to whether or not to send a warning message to the operation panel, and a setting as to whether or not to output a warning sound to the audio output unit of the user interface. Disables the operation of the user interface when the When the output prohibition state is released by the operation of the operation panel, the information of whether the image processing device was reset or the image was output is recorded, and the confidential document detection mode input by the operation panel of the user interface before reading the image At least one of setting, setting of a detection threshold, setting of sending a warning message to the operation panel when a confidential document is detected, and setting of outputting a warning sound to the audio output unit of the user interface. In order to set the initial parameters including, recording the authentication information when authenticating the administrator authority, recording the authentication information when authenticating the administrator authority for releasing the output prohibition state, the authentication information Is also the user ID and password entered on the operation panel of the user interface Or authentication information of a connected IC card through an external interface, or information authenticated by a device that authenticates the administrator authority using any or all biometric information such as a fingerprint, iris, voice, face, etc. be able to.
[0023]
The confidential document management method of the present invention obtains image data of a document image, compares a background dot pattern embedded in a background image included in the image data of the document image with a background dot pattern for output inhibition, When both background dot patterns are identical, the document image is determined to be a confidential document and output of the document image is prohibited.By recording internal information and external input information as a log, It is characterized by managing leakage of confidential document information to the outside.
[0024]
According to the confidential document management method of the present invention, the log includes internal information of a reading time and / or a device number of the image processing apparatus, includes reduced simplified image information of a document image, and a paper size input by a user interface. Input information including at least one of the following: a magnification, a scaling factor, and an image processing parameter; a confidential document detection mode setting, a detection threshold setting input from an operation panel of a user interface; and an operation panel when a confidential document is detected. The initial parameter setting information including at least one of a setting of whether to send a warning message to the user, a setting of whether to output a warning sound to the voice output unit of the user interface, and an input from the operation panel of the user interface. Confidential document detection mode setting, detection threshold setting, Initial parameter setting information including at least one of a setting as to whether or not to send a warning message to the operation panel when notified, and a setting as to whether or not to output a warning sound to the audio output unit of the user interface, When the output is prohibited and the output prohibition state is released by an operation from the operation panel of the user interface, the information indicates whether the image processing apparatus has been reset or the image has been output. Confidential document detection mode setting, detection threshold setting, setting whether to send a warning message to the operation panel when a confidential document is detected, and outputting a warning sound to the voice output unit of the user interface Initial parameters that include at least one of Data setting, the authentication information when authenticating the administrator authority, the authentication information when authenticating the administrator authority for releasing the output prohibition state, and the authentication information Using the user ID and password entered through the operation panel of the interface, the authentication information of the connected IC card through the external interface, or all biometric information such as fingerprint, iris, voice, face, etc., the administrator authority is used. The information is characterized by information authenticated by an authenticating device.
[0025]
The confidential document management program according to the present invention includes a step of acquiring image data of a document image, and a step of comparing a background dot pattern embedded in a background image included in the image data of the document image with a background dot pattern for output inhibition. Determining that the document image is a confidential document when both background dot patterns are identical, and prohibiting the output of the document image.Recording the internal information and the input information from the outside as a log The step of performing This image processing program can be stored in a predetermined portable storage device.
[0026]
Through the above processing, more reliable security management can be performed.
[0027]
That is, in the present invention, when a confidential document is detected, the internal information of the image processing apparatus and the external information input by the user interface can be stored in a log file in a recording area of the image processing apparatus in a state where output is prohibited. it can.
[0028]
Further, as the internal information, the image reading time, the machine number of the image processing apparatus, and the reduced thumbnail of the output image data are stored in the log file of the image processing apparatus. Image processing mode, confidential document detection mode set before image reading, detection threshold set, initial parameter setting values such as warning message output method, etc. It can be stored in a log file of the processing device.
[0029]
Before reading an image, administrator information authentication information for setting initial parameters such as a confidential document detection mode and canceling the output prohibition state can be stored in a log file of the image processing apparatus.
[0030]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
[0031]
FIG. 1 shows a paper document in which the background of a document image is filled up with a dot pattern that is difficult to see as a copy-inhibited original and printed out. In FIG. 1, dots are arranged in the form of lattice points on the background of the character image. In this embodiment, this grid is composed of dots a having a large diameter and dots b having a small diameter, as shown in enlarged views A and B in this embodiment. The minimum dot diameter that can be read by a scanner or a copier is set to be larger than the diameter of the dot b and smaller than the diameter of the dot a.
[0032]
In FIG. 1, it is assumed that the base area is composed of dots a and the message area is composed of dots b. In the message area, a message with a dot a (here, “copy prohibited”) is described. When the document shown in FIG. 1 is copied by a copying machine, as shown in FIG. , A white "copy prohibited" character appears. When the dots in the base area are composed of small dots and the dots in the message area are composed of large dots, as shown in FIG. 2 (B), a black character “copy prohibited” appears. Hereinafter, the background dot pattern embedded in the background of the document image is referred to as a “background pattern”. The message can be designed with characters such as "copy prohibited", "date", and "document number", and a company logo.
[0033]
The feature of the tint block can be represented by an array of dots, lines, patterns, and the like. When the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is represented by dots, the feature amount can be represented by an arrangement method, a dot density, a dot diameter, a dot color, and the like. In addition, the feature amount when the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is represented by a straight line can be represented by a line width and a line density. Here, the number of dots in a unit area of the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern base area, that is, the dot density, is set as the feature amount of the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern base area. Similarly, in the message area, the dot density is used as the feature amount of the tint block message area. In the present invention, the “dot pattern that is difficult to see” of the document image, that is, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is configured by dividing the base pattern and the message area by two types of dots. The configuration is not limited to being divided. For example, the present invention can be applied even when a tint block is configured by one type of dot pattern (for example, “+”, “−”, etc.).
[0034]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an image processing apparatus 1A according to the present embodiment. 3, the image processing apparatus 1A includes a scanner 101, a filter processing unit 102, a scaling processing unit 103, a gamma correction unit 104, a gradation processing unit 105, a selector 106, a tint block pattern detection unit 107, , A copy prohibited document determination unit 108, a plotter 109, a system controller 110, an audio processing unit 111, and an operation panel operation unit 112.
[0035]
Each of the base area and the message area can be represented by one or a plurality of feature quantities. Reference feature quantities to be compared with these feature quantities are stored in a memory (ROM or RAM) (not shown) of the system controller 110 in advance. Keep it. Here, the feature amount is one or a plurality of dot density values of each of the base area and the message area.
[0036]
When a document image is read by the scanner 101, image data relating to the read image is sequentially sent to the filter processing unit 102, and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern detection unit 107 detects a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern.
[0037]
The image data processed by the filter processing unit 102 is scaled to an appropriate magnification by a scaling processing unit 103, subjected to γ correction by a γ processing unit 104, subjected to gradation processing by a gradation processing unit 105, and sent to a selector 106. Sent.
[0038]
On the other hand, a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern of the original image is extracted by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern detection unit 107. FIG. 4 shows an example of the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern detection unit 107. The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern detection section 107 includes a black dot detection section 1071, a black dot density determination section 1072, a base area dot number determination section 1703, and a message area dot number determination section 1704. The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern detection section 107 detects the feature amount (dot density value) of the base area and the message area of the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern. This copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is compared with a reference copy-forgery-inhibited pattern by the copy-forbidden document determination unit 108 to determine whether or not the document image is a copy-forbidden document. That is, the detected dot density value is compared with the dot density value of a memory (not shown) of the system controller 110, and when the difference between the two is smaller than the set threshold value, the number of black dots is accumulated. If the number of dots is larger than the set threshold value, it is determined that the base area exists, the message area exists, or both exist. When it is determined that the base area of the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern exists, the message area exists, or both exist, it is determined whether or not the document is a copy-inhibited document based on a predetermined criterion. For example, if the base area of the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern or the message area exists, it is determined that the document is a copy prohibited document. Alternatively, it is possible to set a criterion such as determining that the base area and the message area of the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern exist at the same time as a copy-inhibited document. It is determined whether the document is a copy-prohibited document according to the set criteria. If the document is determined to be a copy-inhibited document, the selector 106 is notified of the detection of the copy-inhibited document. The selector 106 selects a process after the detection of the copy-inhibited document. If it is determined that the document is a normal document, the selector 106 selects a normal process, and printing is performed by the plotter 109. Even if a copy-inhibited document is detected, if the process after the detection of the copy-inhibited document is not selected, printing is performed by the plotter 109. If the processing after the detection of the copy-inhibited document is selected, the selector 106 enters the output-prohibited state of the plotter 109, and the copying machine is stopped or white paper is output instead of the image. Further, a message such as “The confidential document has been copied” is output to the operation panel operation unit 112 of the user interface. In addition, a warning sound is sent to the voice output device 111 of the user interface. For example, the voice output device 111 generates a warning sound of “The confidential document has been copied.”
[0039]
Before setting the initial parameters such as the confidential document detection mode before reading the document image, the operator needs to have authority as an administrator. In addition, after detecting that the document is a confidential document, it is necessary to have administrator authority to operate from the operation panel operation unit 112 in a state where the output of the plotter 109 is prohibited. A user ID and a password are input from the operation panel operation unit 112, and when the user ID and the password registered in the memory area of the image processing apparatus match each other, the administrator authority is authenticated, and the input operation is performed from the operation panel operation unit. become able to.
[0040]
The user ID and password input for authenticating the administrator authority described above are stored in a log file of the image processing apparatus.
[0041]
When the administrator authority is authenticated, the confidential document detection mode is set by the operation panel operation unit 112 to perform the confidential document detection process. The set mode is stored in the memory of the system controller 110, and the confidential document detection process is performed. When a mode in which confidential document detection is not performed is set, normal copying is performed without performing copy prohibited document detection processing. Further, a detection threshold is set as an initial parameter for detecting a confidential document. When the threshold value is set strictly, detection is performed more strictly, and detection omission is reduced. If the threshold is set loosely, erroneous detection is reduced. The output mode after detection can also be set. A message is output to the operation panel operation unit or a warning sound is output to the audio output unit. Initial setting data is stored in the memory of the system controller 110. Initial parameters such as the confidential document detection mode are stored in a log file of the image processing apparatus.
[0042]
If a confidential document is detected, the thumbnail image whose image data has been reduced is stored in a log file of the image processing apparatus. When the administrator authority is approved, the operation panel operation unit 112 can check the output prohibition state. Specifically, the image data is displayed on the operation panel as a reduced thumbnail image, and the content of the image can be confirmed. It is possible to check the contents of the log recording the inside and outside input information of the image processing apparatus 1A in the output prohibited state, and to display the contents of the log on the panel by the operation panel operation unit 112. As the internal information, a reading time, a device number of the image processing apparatus, and the like are given. The external information is mode setting information such as a paper size at copying and an image processing mode setting, and these can be confirmed. If necessary, a log file can be output to an output sheet.
[0043]
When the administrator authority is authenticated, the output prohibited state can be released. When the stopped image processing apparatus is reset, whether or not normal processing can be performed is stored in a log file of the image processing apparatus.
[0044]
When the administrator authority is authenticated, the output prohibition state is released, and whether or not the output prohibition image data is output can be stored in a log file of the image processing apparatus.
[0045]
FIG. 5 shows an image processing apparatus 1B that can authenticate administrator authority using the contents of the IC card and the authentication information stored in the memory of the image processing apparatus by the external IC card interface unit 113. The result of authentication by the IC card is sent to the operation panel operation unit 112. When the administrator authority is authenticated, the operation by the operation panel operation unit 112 can be performed. The contents authenticated by the IC card are stored in a log file of the image processing apparatus 1B.
[0046]
FIG. 6 shows an image processing apparatus 1C including an administrator authority authentication unit 113 for authenticating the administrator authority. Authentication is performed by the administrator authority authentication processing unit 114 connected to the image processing apparatus by the external interface unit. A device that recognizes biometric information such as a fingerprint, iris, face, and voice can be connected to the external interface unit. The biometrics data is registered in advance in the administrator authority authentication unit 114, and the administrator authority authentication is performed based on the registered data using one or a plurality of features. The authentication result data is sent to the operation panel operation unit. When the administrator authority is authenticated, the operation by the operation panel operation unit 112 can be performed. The result of the administrator authority authentication is stored in a log file of the image processing apparatus 1C.
[0047]
FIG. 7 shows an image processing apparatus 1D that performs a copy-inhibited document detection process by software using a CPU 2041 of a system controller and a memory (ROM 2042, RAM 2043) inside the copying machine. FIG. 8 shows the flow of the confidential document detection process.
[0048]
First, an image is input by the scanner 201 (S101). A part of the input image is copied to the RAM 2043 (S102). A black dot is detected by pattern matching (S103), and the density of the detected dot within a certain area is calculated (S104). Then, the calculated dot density is compared with the stored density of the tint block base area (S105). If the calculated dot density is smaller than the threshold, that is, the same as the dot density of the base area, the number of dots in the base area is reduced. It accumulates (S106). If the number of accumulated dots is larger than the set threshold value, it is determined that a tint block base area exists (S108).
[0049]
The dot density calculated in the same manner is compared with the density of the stored tint block message area (S109). If the density is smaller than the threshold, that is, the same as the message area dot density, the number of dots in the message area is accumulated (S110). . If the number of accumulated dots is larger than the set threshold value, it is determined that a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern message area exists (S112).
[0050]
If there is a base area or a message area, it is determined whether or not the document is a copy prohibited document according to a predetermined criterion. For example, when a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern base area or message area exists, a criterion for determining a copy-inhibited document and a criterion for determining a copy-inhibited document when the copy-forgery-inhibited base area and message area exist simultaneously can be selected (S113). The latter is a stricter standard.
[0051]
When the detection of a copy-inhibited document is detected, the system controller 204 performs output inhibition processing, and enters an output inhibition state. The copier is stopped or the output is white paper instead of an image.
[0052]
The system controller 204 outputs a message to the operation panel operation unit 206 of the user interface. For example, "confidential document has been copied" is displayed. The system controller 204 sends a warning sound to an audio output device (not shown in FIG. 7) of the user interface. For example, an audible alarm is generated to indicate that "confidential document has been copied."
[0053]
In order to set initial parameters such as a confidential document detection mode before reading an image, the operator needs to have authority as an administrator. Further, after the confidential document is detected, it is necessary to have administrator authority in order to operate from the operation panel operation unit 206 in a state where output is prohibited. In order to authenticate the administrator authority, a user ID and a password are input from the operation panel operation unit 206 as shown in FIG. 7, and each of the user ID and the password registered in the memory area of the image processing apparatus matches. Then, the administrator authority is authenticated, and the input operation can be performed from the operation panel operation unit 206.
The user ID and password input for authenticating the administrator authority are stored in a log file of the image processing apparatus 1D.
[0054]
When the administrator authority is authenticated, the confidential document detection mode is set by the operation panel operation unit 206 to perform the confidential document detection process. The set mode is stored in the memory of the system controller 204, and a confidential document detection process is performed. When the mode in which the confidential document is not detected is set, normal copying is performed without performing the copy prohibited document detection process. Further, a detection threshold is set as an initial parameter for detecting a confidential document. When the threshold value is set strictly, detection is performed more strictly, and detection omission is reduced. If the threshold is set loosely, erroneous detection is reduced. The output mode after detection can also be set. A message is output to the operation panel operation unit 206 or a warning sound is output to the audio output unit 208. Initial setting data is stored in a memory area of the image processing apparatus.
[0055]
Initial parameters such as the above-described confidential document detection mode are stored in a log file of the image processing apparatus 1D.
[0056]
When a confidential document is detected, the thumbnail image in which the image data has been reduced can be stored in a log file of the image processing apparatus. When the administrator authority is approved, the operation panel operation unit 206 checks the output prohibition state. First, the image data whose output is prohibited is checked. The image data is displayed on the operation panel operation unit 206 as a reduced thumbnail image, and the contents of the image are confirmed.
[0057]
It is possible to check the contents of the log recording the inside and outside input information of the image processing apparatus 1D in the output prohibited state, and display the contents of the log with the operation panel operation unit 206. The reading time and the machine number of the image processing device as internal information. As the external information, the mode setting information such as the paper size at the time of copying and the image processing mode setting can be confirmed. If necessary, a log file can be output to an output sheet.
[0058]
When the administrator authority is authenticated, the output prohibited state can be released. Whether the stopped image processing apparatus is reset and whether or not normal processing can be performed can be stored in a log file of the image processing apparatus.
[0059]
When the administrator authority is authenticated, the output prohibition state is released, and whether or not the output prohibition image data is output is stored in the log of the image processing apparatus 1D. As shown in FIG. 7, the copy-inhibited document detection processing can be performed by software using the CPU and the memory of the system controller inside the copying machine.
[0060]
Further, as shown in the image processing apparatus 1E of FIG. 9, the administrator authority can be set by using the contents of the IC card and the authentication information stored in the memory of the image processing apparatus by the external IC card interface unit 207 of the image processing apparatus 1E. You can also authenticate. When the administrator authority is authenticated, the operation by the operation panel operation unit 206 can be performed. The content authenticated by the IC card is stored in a log file of the image processing apparatus 1E. In this case, the copy-inhibited document detecting process can be performed by software using the CPU 2041 of the system controller 204 and the memory.
[0061]
As shown in the image processing apparatus 1F of FIG. 10, authentication can be performed by the administrator authority authentication processing unit 209 via an external interface. Connect a device that recognizes biometric information such as fingerprints, irises, faces, and voices. The biometrics data is registered in the administrator authority authentication unit 209 in advance, and the administrator authority is authenticated by the registered data using one or a plurality of features. The authentication result data is sent to the operation panel operation unit. When the administrator authority is authenticated, the operation by the operation panel operation unit 206 can be performed. The result of the administrator authority authentication is stored in a log file of the image processing apparatus 1F.
[0062]
【The invention's effect】
When copying a paper document in which a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is embedded, a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image having a function of raising a message area can be automatically detected. By identifying the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern, the machine can automatically detect the presence of a copy-inhibited document, rather than confirming it with the human eye, and the effect of copy inhibition can be obtained.
[0063]
Also, when a confidential document is detected, the administrator saves the internal information of the image processing apparatus in the output prohibited state and the external information input by the user interface in the log file of the image processing apparatus, so that the administrator can save the information of the image processing apparatus at that time. Information can be confirmed, and more reliable security management can be performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a paper document printed out by filling the background of a document image with a dot pattern that is difficult to see.
FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a state in which white “copy prohibited” characters appear on a paper document after copying, and FIG. 2B is a diagram in which dots in a base area are formed of small dots, and “ It is a figure showing signs that a character of "copy prohibition" emerges.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern detection unit in the image processing apparatus of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of a confidential document detection process.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1A to 1F Image processing device
101 Scanner
102 Filter processing unit
103 scaling unit
104γ correction unit
105 gradation processing unit
106 Selector
107 copy-forgery-inhibited pattern detection unit
108 Copy prohibited document judgment unit
109 plotter
110 System controller
111 audio processing unit
An operation panel operation unit 112 is provided.
113 External IC card interface
114 Administrator Authority Authentication Processing Unit
201 Scanner
202 Image processing unit
203 plotter
204 System Controller
206 Operation panel operation unit
207 IC card interface
208 Audio output unit

Claims (26)

Manuscript image acquisition means for acquiring image data of the manuscript image,
Background dot pattern storage means for storing an output prohibition background dot pattern;
A log recording unit that records internal information and external input information as a log,
Background dot pattern detection means for detecting, from the image data, a background dot pattern embedded in a background image included in the image data of the document image,
The background dot pattern detected by the background dot pattern detection unit is compared with the output prohibition background dot pattern stored in the background dot pattern storage unit. Confidential document determination means for determining that the document is a confidential document;
An image processing apparatus comprising: 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document image acquiring unit is a document image reading unit. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document image acquiring unit is a communication unit. An image output unit that outputs an image of the original image data; and an image output prohibition unit that prohibits image output from the image output unit. As a result of the determination by the confidential document determination unit, the two background dot patterns have the sameness. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image output prohibiting unit prohibits the output process by the image output unit when it is determined that the image processing is performed. A visual warning unit, wherein when the confidential document determination unit determines that the image data of the document image is image data for which output processing by the image output unit is prohibited, the visual warning unit is a user of the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a visual warning message is output to an interface and an operation panel operation unit. When the confidential document determination unit determines that the image data of the document image is image data for which the output processing by the image output unit is prohibited, the voice warning unit includes a user of the image processing apparatus. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a voice warning message is output to a voice output unit of the interface. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the log recording unit records a read time and / or internal information of a device number of the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the log recording unit records a reduced simplified image of a document image. 9. The image according to claim 1, wherein the log recording unit records external input information including at least one of a sheet size, a scaling ratio, and an image processing parameter input by a user interface. Processing equipment. The log recording means includes: a confidential document detection mode setting, a detection threshold setting, a setting of whether to send a warning message to the operation panel when a confidential document is detected, and a setting of the user interface. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein initial parameter setting information including at least one of settings of whether to output a warning sound to the audio output unit is recorded. The log recording unit may be configured to reset the image processing apparatus when the image output prohibiting unit prohibits the output from the image output unit and release the output prohibiting state by operating the operation panel of the user interface. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein information indicating whether or not is output is recorded. The log recording means includes: a confidential document detection mode setting, a detection threshold setting, and a setting of whether to send a warning message to the operation panel when a confidential document is detected when the confidential document is detected. Recording authentication information when authenticating an administrator right to set an initial parameter including at least one of setting whether or not to output a warning sound to a voice output unit of a user interface. Item 12. The image processing device according to any one of Items 1 to 11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the log recording unit records authentication information when authenticating an administrator authority for canceling the output prohibition state. The log recording means may be configured such that the authentication information is a user ID and a password input by an operation panel of a user interface, authentication information of an IC card connected by an external interface, or a fingerprint, an iris, a voice, a face, etc. 14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information authenticated by an apparatus that authenticates administrator authority is recorded by using the biometric information of (1). The image data of the original image is acquired, and the background dot pattern embedded in the background image included in the image data of the original image is compared with the background dot pattern for output inhibition, and the two background dot patterns are identical. Sometimes, in a confidential document management method in which the document image is determined to be a confidential document and the output of the document image is prohibited,
A confidential document management method characterized by managing leakage of confidential document information to the outside by recording internal information and external input information as logs. 16. The image processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the log includes read time and / or internal information of a device number of the image processing apparatus. 17. The image processing method according to claim 15, wherein the log includes reduced simplified image information of a document image. 18. The image processing method according to claim 15, wherein the log is external input information including at least one of a sheet size, a scaling ratio, and an image processing parameter input by a user interface. The log includes a confidential document detection mode setting, a detection threshold setting, a setting of whether to send a warning message to the operation panel when a confidential document is detected, and a voice output of the user interface, which are input from the operation panel of the user interface. 19. The image processing method according to claim 15, wherein the initial parameter setting information includes at least one of settings for outputting a warning sound to a unit. The log includes a confidential document detection mode setting, a detection threshold setting, a setting of whether to send a warning message to the operation panel when a confidential document is detected, and a voice output of the user interface, which are input from the operation panel of the user interface. 20. The image processing method according to claim 15, wherein the information is initial parameter setting information including at least one of settings for outputting a warning sound to a unit. The log is information indicating whether the image processing apparatus has been reset or the image has been output when the output prohibition state is released by an operation from the operation panel of the user interface when the image output is prohibited. The image processing method according to any one of claims 15 to 20. The log includes a confidential document detection mode setting input through an operation panel of a user interface before reading an image, a detection threshold setting, a setting as to whether or not to send a warning message to the operation panel when a confidential document is detected, 16. The authentication information when authenticating an administrator right to set initial parameters including at least one of setting whether or not to output a warning sound to an audio output unit of the interface. 22. The image processing method according to any one of to 21. 23. The image processing method according to claim 15, wherein the log is authentication information when authenticating an administrator authority for releasing an output prohibition state. In the log, the authentication information is a user ID and a password input by an operation panel of a user interface, authentication information of an IC card connected by an external interface, or any biometric data such as a fingerprint, an iris, a voice, and a face. The image processing method according to any one of claims 15 to 23, wherein the information is information authenticated by a device that authenticates administrator authority using the metrics information. Obtaining the image data of the original image; comparing the background dot pattern embedded in the background image included in the image data of the original image with the background dot pattern for output inhibition; At a certain time, determining that the document image is a confidential document and prohibiting the output of the document image.
A confidential document management program having a step of recording internal information and externally input information as logs. A computer-readable recording medium storing the program according to claim 25.

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