JP2005142918A - Image processing apparatus, image processing program, storage medium, and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the illegitimate leakage of information such as a confidential document or the like via each function provided to an image processing apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A dot pattern detector 210 detects a dot pattern embedded to a background image or a foreground image included in image data of an original image read by an image read means 201, a dot pattern discrimination means 211 compares the detected dot pattern with a dot pattern stored in a storage area and whose output is prohibited to discriminate the identity and restricts the reproduction of image data by each function provided to the apparatus when the means 211 discriminates the identity. Thus, illegitimate leakage of information such as the confidential document via each function provided to the apparatus can be prevented by restricting the reproduction of image data by each of functions (203, 214 to 217) provided to the apparatus in response to the discrimination of the identity with the dot pattern. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing program, a storage medium, and an image processing method.

  In recent years, due to improvements in image processing technology and image forming technology, when copying banknotes and securities using a digital color copying machine, it is possible to make faithful copies that cannot be easily distinguished from the original copy. It has become. For this reason, it is necessary to take measures so that special manuscripts such as banknotes and securities cannot be copied at all or cannot be copied correctly.

  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 that are prohibited from being output such as copying from the viewpoint of maintaining confidentiality of the document contents. It is necessary to take measures to prevent such confidential documents from being copied at all, or from being copied correctly.

  For this reason, various inventions have been made in the past that aim to exert restrictions on copying special manuscripts and confidential documents. Hereinafter, specific examples of such invention will be introduced.

  First, as a method for discriminating special manuscripts such as banknotes and securities, the input image data is compared with a specific mark (pattern data) registered in advance by a pattern matching method, and a specific mark exists. A method for discriminating that a document is a special document has been proposed. The inventions described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are typical examples. Thus, when it is determined that the document is a special document, it is easy to prohibit the copying, that is, not to copy.

  Next, as an invention for discriminating a confidential document prohibited from being copied, for example, Patent Document 3 and Patent Document 4 describe an invention in which a mark indicating a confidential document attached to a confidential document is detected. ing. This utilizes the fact that a copy-prohibited confidential document is generally stamped with a mark indicating that it is a confidential document consisting of a confidential seal, a copy-prohibited mark, and the like. Thus, when it is determined that the original is a confidential document, it is easy to prohibit copying, that is, not to copy.

  Further, Patent Documents 5 and 6 propose a technique for suppressing copying by embedding a background pattern in an original image that is desired to be prohibited from copying. This is to use a sheet on which a background pattern having a base area and a message area is created on the background of the sheet used for the original image. The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern does not stand out so much in the original image, and does not hinder the interpretation of information included in the original image. However, when a manuscript image in which such a tint block pattern is embedded is copied, for example, a message area pattern emerges. Therefore, by giving characters such as “copy prohibited” as the pattern of the message area, it becomes obvious at a glance that the copy was a confidential document prohibited from copying. Can be generated.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-125259 JP 2001-86330 A JP-A-7-36317 JP 7-87309 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-164739 JP 2001-197297 A

  According to the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 4 described above, when a special manuscript such as banknotes or securities is scanned, the copying is prohibited (Patent Documents 1 and 2), or the confidential document is scanned. In such a case, the copying can be prohibited (Patent Documents 3 and 4). Further, as described in Patent Documents 5 and 6, for example, a confidential document is generated as a manuscript image in which a background pattern is embedded in the background, and when such a confidential document is copied, a part of the background pattern appears. When it is made to rise, it is possible to generate psychological restriction on copying.

  By the way, in recent years, digital multifunction peripherals have been developed that can send image data read using the scanner function attached to an e-mail, or send image data to a personal computer connected to a network. .

  However, according to the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 6, only the copy function (copying function) is mentioned, and the facsimile function and E-mail transmission that transmits an image attached to the E-mail. There is no mention of unauthorized information leaks such as confidential documents using functions, network transmission functions that transmit images to other electronic devices connected to the network, and image storage functions that store images in image storage means. .

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to prevent unauthorized information leakage such as confidential documents via each function of the apparatus.

  The image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention transmits a copy function, a facsimile function, an E-mail transmission function for transmitting an image attached to an E-mail, and transmits the image to another electronic device connected to the network. Image reading means for obtaining image data by reading a document image in an image processing apparatus having at least one of a network transmission function and an image storage function for storing an image in an image storage means, and the image reading means The dot pattern detecting means for detecting the dot pattern embedded in the background image or the front image included in the image data of the document image read by the step, and prohibiting the output stored in the storage area of the detected dot pattern Compared with the dot pattern, the dot pattern determination means that determines the identity of the dot pattern and the dot pattern determination means If identity between the dot pattern to prohibit a dot pattern output it is determined the comprises a reproduction restricting means to exert a restraining force on the reproduction of the image data in the respective functions which the apparatus comprises, a.

  Therefore, regardless of the type of document image, it is determined whether the output of the image data of the document image should be prohibited by checking the identity of the detected dot pattern and the dot pattern stored in the storage area, In response to this determination, a restriction is exerted on the reproduction of the image data in each function of the apparatus.

  Here, the “dot pattern” means any pattern embedded in the background image or the front image included in the image data of the document image, that is, formed by dots. In this case, a dot only means a dot that forms a background image or a front image, and the pattern itself does not have to be a dot pattern. For example, a fine line pattern or a specific pattern pattern formed by a set of dots can also be a dot pattern.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the reproduction restricting means changes the image of the image data determined to be identical to a dot pattern for which output is prohibited, or changes the image The process which destroys is given.

  Therefore, the image data determined to be identical to the dot pattern for which output is prohibited is, for example, grayed out by filling the image, and is printed as blank or added with characters such as “copy prohibited document” Therefore, when the original image read by the image reading unit is a confidential document, the reproduction is prevented.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the reproduction restricting unit stops outputting the image data determined to be identical to a dot pattern for which output is prohibited.

  Therefore, the output of image data that has been determined to be identical to the dot pattern that is prohibited from being output is prevented from being reproduced if the original image read by the image reading means is a confidential document by stopping the output. Is done.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, when the copy function for printing out the image data read by the image reading unit from the plotter is selected, the reproduction restriction unit selects an image. The image data subjected to the process of changing or destroying the image is output to the plotter.

  Therefore, an image printed out from a plotter that has received image data that has been subjected to image change processing or image destruction processing is grayed out by painting the image, for example, left blank, or like a “copy prohibited document” It is in a state where it is printed with additional characters. As a result, when the original image read by the image reading means is a confidential document, its reproduction is prevented.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the network transmission function for transmitting the image data read by the image reading unit to another electronic device connected to the network is selected. If it is, the image data subjected to the process of changing the image by the reproduction restricting means or destroying the image is transmitted over the network.

  Therefore, an image sent to the network after changing the image or destroying the image is printed, for example, by graying out the image, leaving it blank, or adding characters such as “copy prohibited document”. It is in the state. As a result, when the original image read by the image reading means is a confidential document, its reproduction is prevented.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, when the facsimile function for FAX transmission of the image data read by the image reading unit is selected, the image is changed by the reproduction restriction unit. Alternatively, the image data subjected to the processing for destroying the image is transmitted by FAX.

  Therefore, an image that is sent by fax after changing the image or destroying the image is printed, for example, with the image filled in gray, left blank, or with characters such as “copy prohibited documents” added. It is in the state. As a result, when the original image read by the image reading means is a confidential document, its reproduction is prevented.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, when an E-mail transmission function for transmitting the image data read by the image reading unit attached to an E-mail is selected, The image data subjected to the process of changing the image by the reproduction restricting means or the processing for destroying the image is attached to an E-mail and transmitted.

  Therefore, the image sent or attached to the E-mail after changing the image or destroying the image is grayed out by painting the image, for example, left blank, or like "copy prohibited document" Printed with characters added. As a result, when the original image read by the image reading means is a confidential document, its reproduction is prevented.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, when the image storage function for storing the image data read by the image reading unit in the image storage unit is selected, the reproduction restriction unit The image data subjected to the process of changing the image or destroying the image is stored in the image storage means.

  Therefore, the image accumulated in the image accumulating means after changing the image or destroying the image is, for example, filled with the image to be gray, left blank, or added with characters such as “copy prohibited document”. Is printed. As a result, when the original image read by the image reading means is a confidential document, its reproduction is prevented.

  A computer-readable image processing program according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is a copy function, a facsimile function, an E-mail transmission function for transmitting an image by attaching it to an E-mail, and the image to another electronic device connected to the network. Installed in a computer that controls an image processing apparatus having at least one of a network transmission function for transmitting to the image storage function and an image storage function for storing an image in the image storage means. A dot pattern detection function that detects a dot pattern embedded in the background image or front image included in the image data of the read document image, and a dot pattern that prohibits the output stored in the storage area of the detected dot pattern And the dot pattern determination function to determine the identity and the dot pattern When it is determined that the dot pattern detected by the determination function is identical to the dot pattern that prohibits the output, a reproduction restriction function that exerts a restriction on the reproduction of the image data in each function of the image processing device, Is executed.

  Therefore, regardless of the type of document image, it is determined whether the output of the image data of the document image should be prohibited by checking the identity of the detected dot pattern and the dot pattern stored in the storage area, In accordance with this determination, a restriction is exerted on the reproduction of the image data in each function of the image processing apparatus.

  Here, the “dot pattern” means any pattern embedded in the background image or the front image included in the image data of the document image, that is, formed by dots. In this case, a dot only means a dot that forms a background image or a front image, and the pattern itself does not have to be a dot pattern. For example, a fine line pattern or a specific pattern pattern formed by a set of dots can also be a dot pattern.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing program according to the ninth aspect, the reproduction restriction function changes the image of the image data determined to be identical to a dot pattern for which output is prohibited, or an image The process which destroys is given.

  Therefore, the image data determined to be identical to the dot pattern for which output is prohibited is, for example, grayed out by filling the image, and is printed as blank or added with characters such as “copy prohibited document” Therefore, when the original image read by the image reading unit is a confidential document, the reproduction is prevented.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image processing program according to the ninth aspect, the reproduction restriction function stops outputting the image data determined to be identical to a dot pattern for which output is prohibited.

  Therefore, the output of image data that has been determined to be identical to the dot pattern that is prohibited from being output is prevented from being reproduced if the original image read by the image reading means is a confidential document by stopping the output. Is done.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing program according to the tenth aspect, when the copy function for printing out the image data read by the image reading unit from the plotter is selected, the image is reproduced by the reproduction restriction function. The image data subjected to the process of changing or destroying the image is output to the plotter.

  Therefore, an image printed out from a plotter that has received image data that has been subjected to image change processing or image destruction processing is grayed out by painting the image, for example, left blank, or like a “copy prohibited document” It is in a state where it is printed with additional characters. As a result, when the original image read by the image reading means is a confidential document, its reproduction is prevented.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing program according to the tenth aspect, the network transmission function for transmitting the image data read by the image reading unit to another electronic device connected to the network is selected. If it is, the image data subjected to the processing for changing the image by the reproduction restriction function or destroying the image is transmitted over the network.

  Therefore, an image sent to the network after changing the image or destroying the image is printed, for example, by graying out the image, leaving it blank, or adding characters such as “copy prohibited document”. It is in the state. As a result, when the original image read by the image reading means is a confidential document, its reproduction is prevented.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing program according to the tenth aspect, when the facsimile function for FAX transmission of the image data read by the image reading means is selected, the image is changed by the reproduction restriction function. Alternatively, the image data subjected to the processing for destroying the image is transmitted by FAX.

  Therefore, an image that is sent by fax after changing the image or destroying the image is printed, for example, with the image filled in gray, left blank, or with characters such as “copy prohibited documents” added. It is in the state. As a result, when the original image read by the image reading means is a confidential document, its reproduction is prevented.

  The invention according to claim 15 is the image processing program according to claim 10, wherein an E-mail transmission function for transmitting the image data read by the image reading means attached to an E-mail is selected. The image data subjected to the process of changing the image by the reproduction restriction function or the processing for destroying the image is attached to an E-mail and transmitted.

  Therefore, the image sent or attached to the E-mail after changing the image or destroying the image is grayed out by painting the image, for example, left blank, or like "copy prohibited document" Printed with characters added. As a result, when the original image read by the image reading means is a confidential document, its reproduction is prevented.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing program according to the tenth aspect, when the image storage function for storing the image data read by the image reading unit is selected in the image storage unit, the reproduction restriction function is used. The image data subjected to the process of changing the image or destroying the image is stored in the image storage means.

  Therefore, the image accumulated in the image accumulating means after changing the image or destroying the image is, for example, filled with the image to be gray, left blank, or added with characters such as “copy prohibited document”. Is printed. As a result, when the original image read by the image reading means is a confidential document, its reproduction is prevented.

  A storage medium according to a seventeenth aspect stores the image processing program according to any one of the ninth to sixteenth aspects.

  Therefore, the image processing program according to claims 9 to 16 can be handled in the form of a tangible object.

  An image processing method according to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention is a copy function, a facsimile function, an E-mail transmission function for transmitting an image by attaching it to an E-mail, and transmitting an image to another electronic device connected to the network. In an image processing method using a computer that controls an image processing apparatus having at least one of a network transmission function and an image storage function for storing an image in an image storage unit, an original image is read and image data is read An obtained image reading step, a dot pattern detecting step for detecting a dot pattern embedded in the background image or the front image included in the image data of the original image read by the image reading step, and the detected dot pattern Dot pattern determination that compares the dot pattern that prohibits the output stored in the area and determines its identity If the identity of the dot pattern detected by the dot pattern determination step and the dot pattern forbidden to output is determined, the reproducibility of the image data in each function of the image processing apparatus is restricted. Reproducible regulation process.

  Therefore, regardless of the type of document image, it is determined whether the output of the image data of the document image should be prohibited by checking the identity of the detected dot pattern and the dot pattern stored in the storage area, In response to this determination, a restriction is exerted on reproduction of the image data in each function of the image processing apparatus.

  Here, the “dot pattern” means any pattern embedded in the background image or the front image included in the image data of the document image, that is, formed by dots. In this case, a dot only means a dot that forms a background image or a front image, and the pattern itself does not have to be a dot pattern. For example, a fine line pattern or a specific pattern pattern formed by a set of dots can also be a dot pattern.

  According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the eighteenth aspect, the reproduction restricting step changes the image of the image data determined to be identical to a dot pattern for which output is prohibited, or The process which destroys is given.

  Therefore, the image data determined to be identical to the dot pattern for which output is prohibited is, for example, grayed out by filling the image, and is printed as blank or added with characters such as “copy prohibited document” Therefore, when the original image read by the image reading unit is a confidential document, the reproduction is prevented.

  According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the eighteenth aspect, the reproduction restriction method stops outputting the image data for which the identity with a dot pattern for which output is prohibited is determined.

  Therefore, the output of image data that has been determined to be identical to the dot pattern that is prohibited from being output is prevented from being reproduced if the original image read by the image reading means is a confidential document by stopping the output. Is done.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, a copy function, a facsimile function, an E-mail transmission function for sending an image attached to an E-mail, and other electronic devices connected to the network via the image In an image processing apparatus having at least one of a network transmission function for transmitting and an image storage function for storing an image in the image storage means, an image reading means for reading a document image and obtaining image data, and the image A dot pattern detecting means for detecting a dot pattern embedded in a background image or a front image included in the image data of the original image read by the reading means; and an output stored in the storage area for the detected dot pattern. Compared to the prohibited dot pattern, the dot pattern determination means for determining the identity and the dot pattern determination means A reproduction regulating means that exerts a regulating force on reproduction of the image data in each function of the device when it is determined that the detected dot pattern is identical to a dot pattern that prohibits output. Regardless of the type of document image, it is determined whether the output of the image data of the document image should be prohibited by checking the identity of the detected dot pattern and the dot pattern stored in the storage area. Depending on the determination, the image data reproduction in each function of the apparatus is regulated, so that illegal information leaks such as confidential documents via the functions of the apparatus can be prevented.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the reproduction restricting means changes the image with respect to the image data determined to be identical to a dot pattern for which output is prohibited, Alternatively, the image data that has been determined to be identical to the dot pattern for which output is prohibited by performing processing that destroys the image is, for example, grayed out by painting the image, left blank, or like a “copy prohibited document” Therefore, when the original image read by the image reading means is a confidential document, the reproduction can be prevented.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the reproduction restricting unit stops outputting the image data determined to be identical to a dot pattern for which output is prohibited. When the original image read by the image reading means is a confidential document, the reproduction can be prevented.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, when the copy function for printing out the image data read by the image reading unit from a plotter is selected, the reproduction restriction unit The image data that has undergone image change processing or image destruction processing is output to the plotter, and the image data that has undergone image change processing or image destruction processing is output from the plotter that received the image data. For example, the image to be printed can be made gray by painting the image, and can be left blank or printed with characters such as “copy prohibited document”, so that the original image read by the image reading means If it is a confidential document, its reproduction can be prevented.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the network transmission function for transmitting the image data read by the image reading unit to another electronic device connected to the network is selected. If the image data is changed by the reproduction restriction means or the image data subjected to the processing for destroying the image is transmitted over the network, the image is changed or the processing for destroying the image is performed and transmitted over the network. For example, the image can be made gray by painting the image, and can be left blank, or can be printed with characters such as “copy prohibited document”, so the original image read by the image reading means is confidential. If it is a document, its reproduction can be prevented.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, when the facsimile function for FAX transmission of the image data read by the image reading means is selected, the reproduction restriction means By transmitting the image data that has been subjected to the process of changing or destroying the image by FAX transmission, the image that is subjected to the process of changing the image or performing the process of destroying the image and transmitted by FAX is, for example, grayed out by painting the image. Because it can be printed on white paper or by adding characters such as “copy prohibited document”, it prevents the original image read by the image reading means from being reproduced if it is a confidential document. can do.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, an e-mail transmission function for transmitting the image data read by the image reading unit as an attachment to an e-mail is selected. In this case, the image is changed by the reproduction restricting means, or the image data subjected to the processing for destroying the image is attached to an E-mail and transmitted, and the processing for changing the image or destroying the image is performed. -Images sent as attachments to e-mails, for example, can be grayed out by painting the image, and can be left blank or printed with characters such as "copy prohibited documents" If the original image read by the reading means is a confidential document, it can be prevented from being reproduced.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, when the image storage function for storing the image data read by the image reading unit is selected in the image storage unit, the reproduction restriction is selected. An image stored in the image accumulating means by changing the image or performing an image destroying process by accumulating in the image accumulating means the image data that has undergone an image change process or an image destroying process. For example, the image can be grayed out by filling the image, and it can be left blank or printed with characters such as “copy prohibited document”, so that the original image read by the image reading means is a confidential document. If it is, the reproduction can be prevented.

  A computer-readable image processing program according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is a copy function, a facsimile function, an E-mail transmission function for transmitting an image by attaching it to an E-mail, and the image to another electronic device connected to the network. Installed in a computer that controls an image processing apparatus having at least one of a network transmission function for transmitting to the image storage function and an image storage function for storing an image in the image storage means. A dot pattern detection function that detects a dot pattern embedded in the background image or front image included in the image data of the read document image, and a dot pattern that prohibits the output stored in the storage area of the detected dot pattern And the dot pattern determination function to determine the identity and the dot pattern When it is determined that the dot pattern detected by the determination function is identical to the dot pattern that prohibits the output, a reproduction restriction function that exerts a restriction on the reproduction of the image data in each function of the image processing device, Whether or not the output of the image data of the document image should be prohibited by confirming the identity of the detected dot pattern and the dot pattern stored in the storage area, regardless of the type of document image In response to this determination, the image data reproduction in each function of the image processing apparatus is regulated, so that illegal documents such as confidential documents via the functions of the image processing apparatus are illegal. Information leakage can be prevented.

  According to the invention of claim 10, in the image processing program of claim 9, the reproduction restriction function changes an image with respect to the image data determined to be identical to a dot pattern for which output is prohibited, Alternatively, the image data that has been determined to be identical to the dot pattern for which output is prohibited by performing processing that destroys the image is, for example, grayed out by painting the image, left blank, or like a “copy prohibited document” Therefore, when the original image read by the image reading means is a confidential document, the reproduction can be prevented.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image processing program according to the ninth aspect, the reproduction restriction function stops output of the image data determined to be identical to a dot pattern for which output is prohibited. When the original image read by the image reading means is a confidential document, the reproduction can be prevented.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing program according to the tenth aspect, when the copy function for printing out the image data read by the image reading means from a plotter is selected, the reproduction restriction function is selected. The image data that has undergone image change processing or image destruction processing is output to the plotter, and the image data that has undergone image change processing or image destruction processing is output from the plotter that received the image data. For example, the image to be printed can be made gray by painting the image, and can be left blank or printed with characters such as “copy prohibited document”, so that the original image read by the image reading means If it is a confidential document, its reproduction can be prevented.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing program according to the tenth aspect, the network transmission function for transmitting the image data read by the image reading unit to another electronic device connected to the network is selected. If the image data is changed by the reproduction restriction function, or the image data subjected to the processing for destroying the image is transmitted to the network, the image is changed or the image is destroyed to be transmitted to the network. For example, the image can be made gray by painting the image, and can be left blank, or can be printed with characters such as “copy prohibited document”, so the original image read by the image reading means is confidential. If it is a document, its reproduction can be prevented.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing program according to the tenth aspect, when the facsimile function for FAX transmission of the image data read by the image reading unit is selected, the image is reproduced by the reproduction restriction function. By transmitting the image data that has been subjected to the process of changing or destroying the image by FAX transmission, the image that is subjected to the process of changing the image or performing the process of destroying the image and transmitted by FAX is, for example, grayed out by painting the image. Because it can be printed on white paper or by adding characters such as “copy prohibited document”, it prevents the original image read by the image reading means from being reproduced if it is a confidential document. can do.

  According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing program according to the tenth aspect, an e-mail transmission function for transmitting the image data read by the image reading unit as an attachment to an e-mail is selected. In this case, the image is changed by the reproduction restriction function, or the image data subjected to the processing for destroying the image is attached to the E-mail and transmitted, and the processing for changing the image or destroying the image is performed. -Images sent as attachments to e-mails, for example, can be grayed out by painting the image, and can be left blank or printed with characters such as "copy prohibited documents" If the original image read by the reading means is a confidential document, it can be prevented from being reproduced.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing program according to the tenth aspect, when an image storage function for storing the image data read by the image reading unit is selected in the image storage unit, the reproduction restriction is selected. An image stored in the image storage means by changing the image or performing an image destruction process by accumulating the image data that has been subjected to an image change function or processing for destroying the image in the image storage means. For example, the image can be grayed out by filling the image, and it can be left blank or printed with characters such as “copy prohibited document”, so that the original image read by the image reading means is a confidential document. If it is, the reproduction can be prevented.

  According to the storage medium of the invention described in claim 17, by storing the image processing program according to any one of claims 9 to 16, the image processing program according to claims 9 to 16 is handled in the form of a tangible object. Can do.

  According to the image processing method of the invention described in claim 18, a copy function, a facsimile function, an E-mail transmission function for transmitting an image by attaching it to an E-mail, and other electronic devices connected to the network via an image In an image processing method using a computer that controls an image processing apparatus having at least one of a network transmission function for transmitting and an image storage function for storing an image in an image storage unit, an image is read by reading a document image An image reading step for obtaining data, a dot pattern detection step for detecting a dot pattern embedded in the background image or the front image included in the image data of the original image read by the image reading step, and the detected dot pattern Compared with the dot pattern that prohibits the output stored in the storage area, the dot pattern that determines its identity When it is determined that the determination step and the dot pattern detected by the dot pattern determination step are identical to the dot pattern for which output is prohibited, the ability to reproduce the image data in each function of the image processing apparatus A reproduction restriction step that controls the image data of the original image by confirming the identity of the detected dot pattern and the dot pattern stored in the storage area regardless of the type of the original image. In response to this determination, the reproduction of the image data in each function included in the image processing apparatus is regulated, so that each function included in the image processing apparatus is used. It is possible to prevent unauthorized information leakage such as confidential documents.

  According to the invention of claim 19, in the image processing method according to claim 18, the reproduction restricting step changes an image with respect to the image data determined to be identical to a dot pattern for which output is prohibited, Alternatively, the image data that has been determined to be identical to the dot pattern for which output is prohibited by performing processing that destroys the image is, for example, grayed out by painting the image, left blank, or like a “copy prohibited document” Therefore, when the original image read by the image reading means is a confidential document, the reproduction can be prevented.

  According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the eighteenth aspect, the reproduction restriction method stops output of the image data determined to be identical to a dot pattern for which output is prohibited. When the original image read by the image reading means is a confidential document, the reproduction can be prevented.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[1. Description of original image]
First, document images used in the image processing system, the image processing method, and the like according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a document image. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a copy of an original image in which a dot pattern embedded in the original image is raised. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a copy of an original image in which a dot pattern embedded in the original image appears floating. FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic diagram illustrating the dot pattern illustrated in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic diagram illustrating the dot pattern illustrated in FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, an original paper 102 on which a dot pattern 103 indicating a confidential document is embedded is used as the original paper 102 for creating the original image 101 which is a contract in the example shown in FIG. Yes. However, as another embodiment, the original paper 102 on which the dot pattern 103 is not formed may be used, and the dot pattern 103 may be simultaneously formed when the original image 101 that is a contract is created. That is, the dot pattern 103 may be preliminarily printed on the original paper 102 or may be simultaneously formed when characters, graphics, or the like are formed on the original paper 102.

  The dot pattern 103 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 includes a base area 104 and a message area 105. The base area 104 is a ground area that occupies most of the original paper 102. The message area 105 is an area for expressing a message distributed in the base area 104. The base area 104 and the message area 105 are not different from each other in the basic configuration of the dot pattern 103 itself, and are divided into the base area 104 and the message area 105 as human value judgment for the dot pattern 103. It ’s just that. In the present embodiment, the message area 105 is composed of characters “copy prohibited”. As characters constituting such a message area 105, any characters, symbols, and the like can be used in addition to “copy prohibited”.

  In the original image 101 created using such original paper 102, when the original image 101 is copied, a part of the dot pattern 103 emerges. In this case, in the document image 101 illustrated in FIG. 2, the message area 105 expressed by the characters “copy prohibited” appears, and in the document image 101 illustrated in FIG. 3, the base area 104 appears.

  As described above, when the original image 101 in which the dot pattern 103 is embedded is copied, either the message area 105 or the base area 104 in the dot pattern 103 appears. The other area 104 or 105 is copied. This is because it is difficult to (reproduce). In other words, when the region 104 or 105 that does not rise up disappears, the remaining region 104 or 105 appears to rise up.

  The dot pattern 103 that causes such a phenomenon is constituted by a set of two types of dots 106 having different sizes as exemplified in FIGS. 4 and 5. That is, of these two types of dots 106, the small dots 106b are difficult to be copied (reproduced), and the large dots 106a are copied (reproduced). Therefore, in the dot pattern 103 illustrated in FIG. 2 in which the message area 105 rises after copying, as shown in FIG. 5, a small dot 106 b is used for the base area 104, and a larger dot is used for the message area 105. Dots 106a are used. On the other hand, in the dot pattern 103 illustrated in FIG. 3 in which the base area 104 is lifted after copying, as shown in FIG. 4, a small dot 106 b is used for the message area 105, and the base area 104 is formed. Large dots 106a are used.

  As another configuration example of the dot pattern 103, the message area 105 or the base area 104 that emerges is not limited to a dot, but can be configured by a thin line pattern, a specific pattern pattern, or the like.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the message area 105 or the base area 104 is treated as a feature amount. For example, if the message area 105 or the base area 104 that emerges is composed of dots 106, the size, density (number of dots per unit area), the distance between dots, and the dot arrangement are determined according to the message area 105 or base that emerges. If the area 104 is composed of a thin line pattern, the width of the line is assumed, and if the message area 105 or the base area 104 is formed with a specific pattern pattern, the characteristics of the pattern are characterized. Can be used as a quantity.

  In the above example, the feature quantity for the message area 105 or the base area 104 that emerges is limited. However, as such a feature quantity, the base area 104 or the message area 105 that does not emerge, or the message area 105 or the base area 104 that emerges. For each of the base region 104 or the message region 105 that does not appear, the respective feature amounts may be obtained. In short, if one or both of the base area 104 and the message area 105 can be read as data when the original image 101 on which the image data with the dot pattern 103 embedded is recorded is read, Can be treated as a feature quantity. Or, in the image data in which the dot pattern 103 existing in the form of data is embedded, if either or both of the base area 104 and the message area 105 constituting the dot pattern 103 can be read as data, Can be treated as a feature quantity.

  As another embodiment, as described above, the dot pattern may have a pattern other than the dot pattern 103 having the base region 104 and the message region 105 as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. 6 is a front view illustrating a document image and its dot pattern as an embodiment different from that described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, and FIG. 7 is a document image different from FIG. It is a front view which illustrates a dot pattern. The dot pattern 103 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 is composed of dots 106 having a single size. The dot pattern 103 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 is the same as the pattern corresponding to only the base region 104 and the pattern corresponding to only the message region 105 in the dot pattern 103 illustrated in FIGS. It can be grasped as a thing. That is, even if the dot pattern 103 corresponds to the base area 104 or the dot pattern 103 corresponding to the message area 105, the dot pattern 103 is used as data when the document image 101 having such a dot pattern 103 is read. If it can be read, it can be treated as a feature quantity.

  A dot pattern 103 illustrated in FIG. 6 is configured as a background image of the original image 101 drawn on the original paper 102. In this sense, the background dot pattern is the same as the dot pattern 103 illustrated in FIGS. On the other hand, the dot pattern 103 illustrated in FIG. 7 is drawn on the original image 101 drawn on the original paper 102. Therefore, the dot pattern 103 illustrated in FIG. 7 is not a background dot pattern but a front dot pattern.

  Here, the dot patterns 103 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, 6, and 7 are all dot patterns 103 in which the relationship between single dots 106 constituting the dot pattern 103 has a characteristic amount. That is, the feature amount of the dot pattern 103 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, 6, and 7 can include dot density (number of dots per unit area), inter-dot distance, and dot arrangement. Are included in the relationship between the single dots 106 constituting the dot pattern 103. Here, a feature quantity called dot density is compared with a feature quantity called dot distance.

  First, the dot density, which is the density of the dots 106, is the number of dots per unit area, as described above. This feature amount can be determined by counting the number of dots in a certain unit area to be determined. When counting the actual number of dots, some detection omissions and false detections occur. Therefore, by setting a certain allowable value (threshold) for the number of dots counted, the feature amount can be detected using the density of the dots 106 as a feature amount. In this case, if the threshold value to be set with respect to the number of counted dots is a strict value, that is, a value with a small allowable range, a determination omission is likely to occur. Conversely, the threshold value to be set with respect to the counted number of dots. If the value is a loose value, that is, a value with a large allowable range, it is difficult to cause omission of determination.

  However, referring to the dot pattern 103 illustrated in FIG. 6, a certain dot 106 included in the dot pattern 103 is undetectable by the document image 101 drawn on the document sheet 102. On the other hand, in the dot pattern 103 illustrated in FIG. 7, since the dot pattern 103 is drawn on the original image 101 drawn on the original paper 102, each dot pattern 103 illustrated in FIG. In this state, the dots 106 are easily detected. However, the dots 106 that overlap the original image 101 drawn on the original paper 102 are not always correctly detected. For this reason, the degree to which the number of dots can be detected is greatly affected by the form of the original image 101 drawn on the original paper 102. Therefore, when the dot density is a feature amount, it can be said that even if a certain allowable value (threshold value) is set for some of the counted number of dots, a determination omission is likely to occur in the determination of the feature amount.

  Next, a case where the distance between dots, which is the distance d between adjacent dots 106, is used as a feature amount will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a dot pattern 103 in which the distance between dots is d. FIG. 9 represents the distance distribution between adjacent dots 106 with the distance between dots on the horizontal axis and the appearance frequency on the vertical axis. It is a graph to do.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the dot pattern 103 in which the distance d between two adjacent dots 106 is constant, the distance between two adjacent dots 106 among the dots 106 constituting this dot pattern 103. The distance between dots, which is d, is a feature amount. Even if the dot pattern 103 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 is overlapped with the original image 101, the feature amount is correctly detected as long as the distance d between the adjacent dots 106 is the feature amount. Is possible. In this case, when the dot 106 is detected from the dot pattern 103 and a plurality of distances d between adjacent dots 106 are determined, the distance d between the correct dots 106 is a peak value as shown in the graph of FIG. Draw a distribution of sharp peaks. Therefore, by setting a certain allowable value (threshold value) for the distance d, it is possible to more reliably detect the feature amount using the distance d between the dots 106 as the feature amount. In this case, as is apparent from the graph of FIG. 9, if the threshold value set for the distance d is a strict value, that is, a value with a small allowable range, determination omission is likely to occur. If the threshold value to be set is a loose value, that is, a value with a large allowable range, it is difficult to cause omission of determination.

  As another embodiment, instead of the simple matrix-like repetitive dot pattern as described above, as exemplified in FIGS. 10 and 11, a dot pattern 107 composed of a plurality of dots 106 is used as a unit, The dot pattern 103 is formed by arranging a plurality of the dot patterns 107. FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating a manuscript image and its dot pattern 103 as an embodiment different from that described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9, and FIG. 11 shows a dot pattern 107 illustrated in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which expands and shows. The dot pattern 107 illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 is a pattern in which three isolated black dots 106 exist in a predetermined spatial arrangement (positional relationship). Therefore, in this embodiment, a dot pattern 107 composed of a plurality of dots 106 is detected by pattern matching, and it is determined whether or not the confidential document is prohibited from being copied with the density of the dot pattern 107 as a feature amount. To do.

[2. Description of image processing apparatus]
In this embodiment, as an image processing apparatus, a copy function, a facsimile (FAX) function, a print function, a scanner function, and an input image (an original image read by a scanner function or an image input by a printer or a FAX function) are sent by E-mail. A digital multifunction device called a so-called MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) that combines a function of transmitting an image attached to a computer, a function of transmitting an input image to a personal computer connected to a network, an image data storage function, a transmission function, etc. An example applied to.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating hardware resources of the image processing apparatus. As shown in FIG. 12, the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment has a digital copying machine configuration in which a scanner 201 as an image reading unit, an image processing unit 202 having a digital circuit configuration, and a plotter 203 are controlled by a system controller 204. ing. The system controller 204 utilizes computer functions constructed from a built-in CPU (Central Processing Unit) 204a, ROM (Read Only Memory) 204b, and RAM (Random Access Memory) 204c, and responds to an instruction from the operation display unit 205. The scanner 201, the image processing unit 202, and the plotter 203 are controlled to return necessary information to the operation display unit 205 for display. In such a system controller 204, an HDD 213 as image storage means for storing image data obtained by reading an image with the scanner 201, and an image processing apparatus for connecting to a network (not shown) such as a LAN. A network control unit 214, a FAX control unit 215 that controls FAX transmission, an E-mail control unit 216 that controls transmission and reception of E-mail, and an external interface 217 such as USB, IEEE 1394, SCSI, and the like are connected.

  The image processing unit 202 includes a filter processing unit 206, a scaling processing unit 207, a γ processing unit 208, and a gradation processing unit 209. These units 206, 207, 208, and 209 are not different from the equivalent circuit configuration provided in a general digital copying machine, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  On the other hand, the image processing unit 202 of the present embodiment includes a background dot pattern detection unit 210 that is a dot pattern detection unit, a confidential document determination unit 211, and a selector 212. The background dot pattern detection unit 210, the confidential document determination unit 211, which is a dot pattern determination unit, and the selector 212 are hardware having a digital circuit configuration that detects and determines a confidential document such as a confidential document and prohibits copying. is there.

  The background dot pattern detection unit 210 has a hardware configuration illustrated in FIG. Here, a case where the document image 101 is formed on the document sheet 102 in which the dot pattern 103 indicating the confidential document illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 is embedded will be described as an example. The background dot pattern detection unit 210 detects the dot 106 by the black dot detection unit 251 from the image data based on the original image 101 read by the scanner 201. As a detection method in this case, various conventional methods for detecting an image pattern by a digital circuit, for example, pattern matching can be used. Next, the black dot density determination unit 252 calculates the dot density within a certain area in the dots 106 detected by the black dot detection unit 251. Such calculation processing is executed by a counter or an adder having a digital circuit configuration.

  Here, the background dot pattern detection unit 210 includes a base region dot number determination unit 253 and a message region dot number determination unit 254 subsequent to the black dot density determination unit 252. Each of the base area dot number determination unit 253 and the message area dot number determination unit 254 has a storage area (not shown). The base region dot number determination unit 253 is an allowable value for determining the identity with respect to the dot density of the base region 104 of the background dot pattern 103 that prohibits output within a certain area as a reference for dot density calculation in the black dot density determination unit 252. And a threshold value that is an allowable value for identity determination with respect to the number of dots in the base region 104 of the background dot pattern 103 that prohibits the output included in one document sheet 102 is stored and saved. The message area dot number determination unit 254 is an allowable value for the identity determination with respect to the dot density of the message region 105 of the background dot pattern 103 that prohibits output within a certain area which is a reference for dot density calculation in the black dot density determination unit 252. And a threshold value that is an allowable value for identity determination with respect to the number of dots in the message area 105 of the background dot pattern 103 that prohibits output included in one original sheet 102 is stored and saved.

  Therefore, the base area dot number determination unit 253 determines that the density of the dots 106 calculated by the black dot density determination unit 252 is included in the threshold value related to the dot density stored and saved in a storage area (not shown). In this case, the number of dots 106 of the same size detected by the black dot detection unit 251 is accumulated in, for example, a counter. Then, if the accumulated number of dots is included within the threshold relating to the number of dots stored and saved in a storage area (not shown), it is determined that there is a base area 104 of the background dot pattern 103 whose output is prohibited, The determination result is output to the confidential document determination unit 211.

  On the other hand, the message area dot number determination unit 254 determines that the density of the dots 106 calculated by the black dot density determination unit 252 is included in the threshold value related to the dot density stored and saved in a storage area (not shown). In this case, the number of dots 106 of the same size detected by the black dot detection unit 251 is accumulated in, for example, a counter. When the accumulated number of dots is included within the threshold value regarding the number of dots stored and saved in a storage area (not shown), it is determined that there is a message area 105 of the background dot pattern 103 that is prohibited from being output, The determination result is output to the confidential document determination unit 211.

  The confidential document determination unit 211 receives the processing result of the background dot pattern detection unit 210 and executes a confidential document determination process according to a predetermined determination criterion. For example, this determination criterion may be stored as a parameter in a storage area (not shown) provided in the confidential document determination unit 211, or may be set in such a storage area by an input from the operation display unit 205. For example, the confidential document determination unit 211 determines that the document is a confidential document when one of the base area 104 and the message area 105 of the background dot pattern 103 exists in the document image 101 read by the scanner 201. Alternatively, the confidential document determination unit 211 determines that the document is a confidential document when both the base area 104 and the message area 105 of the background dot pattern 103 exist in the document image 101 read by the scanner 201.

  In this way, the dot pattern detection means for detecting the background dot pattern 103 embedded in the background image included in the image data of the document image 101 from the image data, and the output stored in the storage area for the detected background dot pattern 103. Compared with the background dot pattern to be prohibited, dot pattern determination means for determining the identity is executed. Thus, in the present embodiment, the image of the document image 101 is confirmed by confirming the identity of the detected background dot pattern 103 and the background dot pattern 103 stored in the storage area, regardless of the type of document image. It is possible to determine whether data output should be prohibited.

  When the confidential document determination unit 211 determines that the original image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a confidential document, the confidential document determination unit 211 transmits the detection of the confidential document to the selector 212 of the image processing unit 202. In response to this, the selector 212 performs processing after detection of the confidential document, for example, processing for changing the image or destroying the image. For example, the processing may be such that the image is filled with gray, is blank, or a character such as “copy prohibited document” is added and output.

  When the printing output (copying) of the image read by the scanner 201 by the plotter 203 is selected, the selector 212 outputs the image data subjected to the image reproduction restriction process or the like to the plotter 203. Therefore, an image printed out from the plotter 203 that has received image data subjected to image reproduction restriction processing, etc., is grayed out by filling the image, and remains blank or added with characters such as “copy prohibited document”. Printed. Thereby, when the original image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a confidential document, its reproduction is prevented. If the document image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a general document that is not a confidential document, the plotter 203 prints and outputs the image as it is.

  When it is determined that the document image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a confidential document, the selector 212 that has transmitted that the confidential document has been detected receives the determination result that the document image 101 is a confidential document. Alternatively, the system controller 204 may control the plotter 203 to prohibit the copying operation. Thereby, when the original image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a confidential document, its reproduction is prevented.

  When network transmission via the network control unit 214 of an image read by the scanner 201 is selected, the selector 212 outputs image data subjected to image reproduction restriction processing or the like to the system controller 204. The system controller 204 controls the network control unit 214 to transmit the received image data subjected to the image reproduction restriction process and the like to the network. In this way, the image transmitted over the network is subjected to processing such as painting the image to make it gray, making it blank, or adding characters such as “copy prohibited document”. Thereby, when the original image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a confidential document, its reproduction is prevented. If the original image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a general document that is not a confidential document, the image is transmitted as it is over the network.

  When it is determined that the document image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a confidential document, the selector 212 that has transmitted that the confidential document has been detected receives the determination result that the document image 101 is a confidential document. The data may be transmitted to the controller 204, and the system controller 204 may control the network control unit 214 to prohibit the network transmission operation. Thereby, when the original image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a confidential document, its reproduction is prevented.

  When FAX transmission of the image read by the scanner 201 via the FAX control unit 215 is selected, the selector 212 outputs image data subjected to image reproduction restriction processing or the like to the system controller 204. The system controller 204 controls the FAX control unit 215 to transmit the received image data subjected to the image reproduction restriction process by FAX. In this way, an image transmitted by FAX is subjected to processing such as filling the image with gray, making it blank, or adding characters such as “copy prohibited document”. Thereby, when the original image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a confidential document, its reproduction is prevented. If the document image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a general document that is not a confidential document, the image is faxed as it is.

  When it is determined that the document image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a confidential document, the selector 212 that has transmitted that the confidential document has been detected receives the determination result that the document image 101 is a confidential document. It may be transmitted to the controller 204 and the system controller 204 may control the FAX control unit 215 to prohibit the FAX transmission operation. Thereby, when the original image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a confidential document, its reproduction is prevented.

  When the E-mail transmission via the E-mail control unit 216 of the image read by the scanner 201 is selected, the selector 212 sends the image data subjected to the image reproduction restriction process or the like to the system controller 204. Output. The system controller 204 controls the E-mail control unit 216 to transmit the received image data subjected to the image reproduction restriction process or the like attached to the E-mail. Images sent in this way attached to an E-mail are processed such as filling the image with gray, making it blank, or adding characters such as “copy prohibited documents”. Has been. Thereby, when the original image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a confidential document, its reproduction is prevented. If the original image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a general document that is not a confidential document, the image is attached as it is and sent by e-mail.

  When it is determined that the document image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a confidential document, the selector 212 that has transmitted that the confidential document has been detected receives the determination result that the document image 101 is a confidential document. The data may be transmitted to the controller 204, and the system controller 204 may control the e-mail control unit 216 to prohibit the e-mail transmission operation. Thereby, when the original image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a confidential document, its reproduction is prevented.

  Further, when the storage of the image read by the scanner 201 in the HDD 213 is selected, or when the transmission of the image data stored in the HDD 213 to the outside via the external interface 217 is selected, the selector 212 displays the image The image data subjected to reproduction restriction processing and the like is output to the system controller 204. The system controller 204 stores the received image data subjected to the image reproduction restriction process and the like in the HDD 213. The image stored in the HDD 213 in this way is subjected to processing such as filling the image into gray, making it blank, or adding characters such as “copy prohibited document”. Thereby, when the original image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a confidential document, its reproduction is prevented. If the original image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a general document that is not a confidential document, the image is stored in the HDD 213 as it is.

  When it is determined that the document image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a confidential document, the selector 212 that has transmitted that the confidential document has been detected receives the determination result that the document image 101 is a confidential document. It may be transmitted to the controller 204 so that the system controller 204 prohibits storage in the HDD 213. Thereby, when the original image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a confidential document, its reproduction is prevented.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when it is determined that the original image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a confidential document, that is, as a result of determination by the means for determining identity, the detected background dot pattern 103 and When the identity with the background dot pattern 103 that prohibits output is determined, the reproduction is prevented.

  Here, regardless of the type of document image, it is determined whether the output of the image data of the document image should be prohibited by checking the identity of the detected dot pattern and the dot pattern stored in the storage area. In response to this determination, the image data reproduction in each function of the image processing apparatus (digital multi-function peripheral) is regulated, so that each function of the image processing apparatus (digital multi-function peripheral) is used. Unauthorized information leakage such as confidential documents can be prevented.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same part as 1st Embodiment mentioned above is shown with the same code | symbol, and description is also abbreviate | omitted.

  In the image processing apparatus (digital multifunction peripheral) shown as the first embodiment, an example is shown in which processing for detecting and determining a confidential document and prohibiting copying is executed by hardware resources of a digital circuit configuration. In contrast, in the present embodiment, an example will be described in which processing for detecting and determining such a confidential document and prohibiting copying thereof is executed by a computer program installed in hardware resources of the image processing apparatus.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating hardware resources of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the background dot pattern detection unit 210, the confidential document determination unit 211, and the selector 212 are not provided in the image processing unit 202, and the confidential document is detected in the ROM 204b of the system controller 204. A computer program for determining and prohibiting copying is stored and saved as firmware. As another embodiment, a process for detecting and determining a confidential document in the HDD 213 connected to a microcomputer constructed from the CPU 204a, the ROM 204b, and the RAM 204c provided in the system controller 204 and prohibiting the copying is performed. The computer program may be installed, and such a computer program may be written and executed in the RAM 204c when the image processing apparatus is activated. In any case, the process of detecting and determining a confidential document and prohibiting its copying is executed by the system controller 204, which is a computer, according to the computer program. In this sense, the RAM 204c or the HDD 213 functions as a storage medium that stores a computer program that is an image processing program.

  Hereinafter, processing executed according to such a computer program will be described. First, the confidential document detection process executed according to the computer program will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Here, a case where the document image 101 is formed on the document sheet 102 in which the dot pattern 103 indicating the confidential document illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 is embedded will be described as an example. As shown in FIG. 15, when the CPU 204a acquires image data from the image processing unit 202 (Y in step S1), the CPU 204a detects the dot 106 by binarizing the acquired image data (step S2). As a detection method in this case, various conventional methods for detecting an image pattern by computer processing, for example, pattern matching can be used.

  Next, the dot density within a certain area of the detected dots 106 is calculated by the calculation function of the CPU 204a (step S3).

  Here, in the present embodiment, a threshold value that is an allowable value for determining identity with respect to the dot density of the base region 104 of the dot pattern 103 indicating that the document is a confidential document within a certain area serving as a reference for dot density calculation; The HDD 213 stores and saves a threshold value that is an allowable value for the identity determination with respect to the number of dots in the base area 104 of the dot pattern 103 indicating that the original document 102 is a confidential document. In addition, one manuscript sheet 102 includes a threshold value that is an allowable value for the identity determination with respect to the dot density of the message area 105 of the dot pattern 103 indicating that the document is a confidential document within a certain area as a reference for dot density calculation. The HDD 213 stores and saves a threshold value that is an allowable value for the identity determination with respect to the number of dots in the message area 105 of the dot pattern 103 indicating that the document is a confidential document. Each of these threshold values is copied from the HDD 213 to the RAM 204c together with all or part of the image processing program when the image processing program is started.

  Therefore, in the subsequent step S4, the dot density within a certain area of the detection dot 106 calculated in step S3 is included in the threshold value regarding the dot density in the base region 104 of the dot pattern 103 that is copied and stored in the RAM 204c. It is determined whether or not If it is determined in step S4 that it is not included (N in step S4), the dot density within a certain area of the detected dots 106 calculated in step S3 is copied and stored in the RAM 204c. It is determined whether the dot pattern 103 is included within the threshold value relating to the dot density in the message area 105 (step S5).

  Here, as a result of the determination in step S4, the dot density within a certain area of the detected dots 106 calculated in step S3 relates to the dot density in the base region 104 of the dot pattern 103 that is copied and stored in the RAM 204c. If it is determined that it falls within the threshold (Y in step S4), the number of dots of the detected dots 106 is accumulated by the arithmetic function of the CPU 204a and temporarily stored in a resist area such as the RAM 204c (step S6). ), It is determined whether or not the cumulative number of dots temporarily stored is larger than a threshold value regarding the number of dots in the base area 104 of the dot pattern 103 that is copied and stored in the RAM 204c (step S7). If it is determined that the cumulative number of dots temporarily stored is larger than the threshold value regarding the number of dots in the base area 104 of the dot pattern 103 that is copied and stored in the RAM 204c (Y in step S7), the confidential document It is determined that the base area 104 of the dot pattern 103 indicating that it exists (step S8), the confidential document determination process is executed with reference to the determination result (step S9), and the detection result is output (step S10).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the cumulative number of dots temporarily stored is not larger than the threshold value regarding the number of dots in the base area 104 of the dot pattern 103 that is copied and stored in the RAM 204c (N in step S7). The process is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S5, the dot density within a certain area of the detected dots 106 calculated in step S3 is a threshold value related to the dot density in the message area 105 of the dot pattern 103 that is copied and stored in the RAM 204c. If it is determined that the detected dot 106 is included (Y in Step S5), the number of dots of the detected dots 106 is accumulated by the arithmetic function of the CPU 204a and temporarily stored in a resist area such as the RAM 204c (Step S11). Then, it is determined whether or not the cumulative number of dots temporarily stored is larger than the threshold relating to the number of dots in the message area 105 of the dot pattern 103 that is copied and stored in the RAM 204c (step S12). If it is determined that the cumulative number of dots temporarily stored is larger than the threshold relating to the number of dots in the message area 105 of the dot pattern 103 copied and stored in the RAM 204c (Y in step S12), the confidential document It is determined that the message area 105 of the dot pattern 103 indicating that it exists (step S13), the confidential document determination process is executed with reference to this determination result (step S9), and the detection result is output (step S10).

  On the other hand, if the determination in step S5 is negative (N in step S5) or if the determination in step S12 is negative (N in step S12), the process ends in either case. To do.

  In the confidential document determination process in step S9, the determination target is referred to by referring to the determination result that the base area 104 of the dot pattern 103 exists in step S8 and the determination result that the message area 105 of the dot pattern 103 exists in step S13. The process for determining whether or not the image data is a confidential document image is executed according to a predetermined criterion. This determination criterion is copied from the HDD 213 to the RAM 204c together with all or part of the image processing program when the image processing program is started. As an example of the determination criterion set in advance, as one example, when one of the base area 104 and the message area 105 of the dot pattern 103 exists in the image data, it is determined that the document is a confidential document, or as another example, A criterion is used to determine that the document is a confidential document when both the base area 104 and the message area 105 of the dot pattern 103 exist in the data.

  In this way, it is determined whether the image read by the scanner 201 is a confidential document image.

  Next, post-processing when it is determined that the image read by the scanner 201 is a confidential document image will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Here, a case where copying of an image read by the scanner 201 on the plotter 203 is selected will be described as an example. As shown in FIG. 16, when the CPU 204a determines that the document image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a confidential document (Y in step S21), the CPU 204a determines whether to prohibit image output (step S22). Note that whether or not to prohibit image output is specified in advance by an input from the operation display unit 205 by the operator.

  When the image output is not prohibited (N in Step S22), the CPU 204a performs an image reproduction restriction process on the image read by the scanner 201 (Step S23). The image reproduction restriction process is a process for changing the image or destroying the image. For example, the processing may be such that the image is filled with gray, is blank, or a character such as “copy prohibited document” is added and output.

  The image printed out from the plotter 203 that has received the image data subjected to such image reproduction restriction processing is grayed out by painting the image, and remains blank or added with characters such as “copy prohibited document”. Printed. Thereby, when the original image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a confidential document, its reproduction is prevented.

  On the other hand, if image output is prohibited (Y in step S22), the CPU 204a stops outputting the image read by the scanner 201 from the plotter 203 (step S24). Thereby, when the original image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a confidential document, its reproduction is prevented.

  Here, the case where copying of the image read by the scanner 201 on the plotter 203 is selected has been described. However, when network transmission of the image read by the scanner 201 via the network control unit 214 is selected, the scanner When FAX transmission via the FAX control unit 215 of the image read by the 201 is selected, when E-mail transmission via the E-mail control unit 216 of the image read by the scanner 201 is selected, the scanner Similar processing is executed when the image read in 201 is selected to be stored in the HDD 213 or when image data stored in the HDD 213 is selected to be transmitted to the outside via the external interface 217. It will be.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when it is determined that the original image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a confidential document, that is, as a result of determination by the means for determining identity, the detected background dot pattern 103 and When the identity with the background dot pattern 103 that prohibits output is determined, the reproduction is prevented.

3 is a front view illustrating a document image. FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a copy of an original image in which a dot pattern embedded in the original image is seen floating. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a copy of an original image in which a dot pattern embedded in the original image is raised. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an enlarged dot pattern illustrated in FIG. 2. It is a schematic diagram which expands and shows the dot pattern illustrated in FIG. FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating a document image and its dot pattern as another embodiment. FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating a document image different from FIG. 6 and its dot pattern. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the dot pattern which makes the distance between dots d. It is a graph which expresses the distance distribution between adjacent dots, taking the distance between dots on the horizontal axis and taking the appearance frequency on the vertical axis. FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating a document image and its dot pattern as another embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which expands and shows the dot pattern illustrated in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware resource of the image processing apparatus of 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware resource of a background dot pattern detection part. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware resource of the image processing apparatus of 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a confidential document detection process. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a post-processing flow when it is determined that an image read by a scanner is a confidential document image.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Document image 103 Dot pattern 201 Image reading means 203 Plotter 210 Dot pattern detection means 211 Dot pattern determination means 213 Image storage means

Claims (20)

Copy function, facsimile function, E-mail transmission function for sending images attached to an E-mail, network transmission function for sending images to other electronic devices connected to the network, and storing images in image storage means In the image processing apparatus having at least one of the image storage functions,
Image reading means for reading a document image and obtaining image data;
Dot pattern detection means for detecting a dot pattern embedded in a background image or a front image included in the image data of the document image read by the image reading means;
A dot pattern determination unit that compares the detected dot pattern with a dot pattern that prohibits output stored in the storage area and determines the identity thereof;
A reproduction regulating unit that exerts a regulating force on the reproduction of the image data in each of the functions of the device when it is determined that the dot pattern detected by the dot pattern determining unit is identical to the dot pattern that prohibits output; ,
An image processing apparatus comprising: The reproduction restriction means performs a process of changing an image or destroying an image with respect to the image data determined to be identical to a dot pattern for which output is prohibited.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The reproduction restricting unit stops outputting the image data determined to be identical to a dot pattern for which output is prohibited;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. When the copy function for printing out the image data read by the image reading unit from the plotter is selected, the image data subjected to a process of changing the image or destroying the image by the reproduction restriction unit is added to the plotter. Output against
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2. When the network transmission function for transmitting the image data read by the image reading means to another electronic device connected to the network is selected, the image is changed by the reproduction restriction means or the image is destroyed. Transmitting the image data subjected to the network,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2. When the facsimile function for FAX transmission of the image data read by the image reading unit is selected, the image data subjected to processing for changing the image or destroying the image by the reproduction restriction unit is FAX transmitted.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2. When the E-mail transmission function for transmitting the image data read by the image reading unit attached to the E-mail is selected, the image is changed or the image is destroyed by the reproduction restriction unit. Send the image data as an email attachment,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2. When the image storage function for storing the image data read by the image reading unit in the image storage unit is selected, the image data subjected to the process of changing the image by the reproduction restriction unit or destroying the image is added to the image data. Accumulate in the image accumulation means,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2. Copy function, facsimile function, E-mail transmission function for sending images attached to an E-mail, network transmission function for sending images to other electronic devices connected to the network, and storing images in image storage means Installed in a computer that controls an image processing apparatus having at least one of the image storage functions,
A dot pattern detection function for detecting a dot pattern embedded in a background image or a front image included in image data of a document image read by an image reading unit;
A dot pattern determination function that compares the detected dot pattern with a dot pattern that prohibits output stored in the storage area and determines the identity thereof;
Reproduction regulation that exerts a regulating force on reproduction of the image data in each function of the image processing apparatus when it is determined that the dot pattern detected by the dot pattern determination function is identical to a dot pattern that prohibits output Function and
A computer-readable image processing program for executing The reproduction restriction function performs a process of changing an image or destroying an image with respect to the image data determined to be identical to a dot pattern for which output is prohibited.
The image processing program according to claim 9. The reproduction restriction function stops the output of the image data determined to be identical to a dot pattern for which output is prohibited.
The image processing program according to claim 9. When the copy function for printing out the image data read by the image reading unit from the plotter is selected, the image data subjected to the process of changing the image by the reproduction restriction function or destroying the image is added to the plotter. Output against
The image processing program according to claim 10. When the network transmission function for transmitting the image data read by the image reading unit to another electronic device connected to the network is selected, the image is changed by the reproduction restriction function or the image is destroyed. Transmitting the image data subjected to the network,
The image processing program according to claim 10. When the facsimile function for FAX transmission of the image data read by the image reading means is selected, the image data subjected to processing for changing the image or destroying the image by the reproduction restriction function is FAX transmitted.
The image processing program according to claim 10. When the E-mail transmission function for transmitting the image data read by the image reading unit attached to the E-mail is selected, the image is changed by the reproduction restriction function or the image is destroyed. Send the image data as an email attachment,
The image processing program according to claim 10. When the image storage function for storing the image data read by the image reading unit in the image storage unit is selected, the image data subjected to the process of changing the image by the reproduction restriction function or destroying the image is added to the image data. Accumulate in the image accumulation means,
The image processing program according to claim 10.   A storage medium for storing the image processing program according to any one of claims 9 to 16. Copy function, facsimile function, E-mail transmission function for sending images attached to E-mail, network transmission function for sending images to other electronic devices connected to the network, and storing images in image storage means In an image processing method using a computer that controls an image processing apparatus having at least one of the image storage functions.
An image reading step of reading a document image and obtaining image data;
A dot pattern detection step for detecting a dot pattern embedded in a background image or a front image included in the image data of the document image read by the image reading step;
A dot pattern determination step for comparing the detected dot pattern with a dot pattern that prohibits output stored in the storage area and determining its identity;
When the identity of the dot pattern detected by this dot pattern determination step and the dot pattern that prohibits output is determined, a reproduction restriction that exerts a restriction on the reproduction of the image data in each function of the image processing apparatus Process,
An image processing method comprising: The reproduction regulation step performs a process of changing the image or destroying the image with respect to the image data determined to be identical to a dot pattern for which output is prohibited.
The image processing method according to claim 18. The reproduction restriction method stops the output of the image data determined to be identical to a dot pattern for which output is prohibited.
The image processing method according to claim 18.

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