JP2006067125A - Image processor and image transmission system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor and an image transmission system by which deterioration of the image quality can be prevented even if watermark information is imbedded to image data in consideration of security functions when encoded image data are transferred. <P>SOLUTION: The image processor is connected with the other equipment directly or via a network, and composed so as to be capable of transmitting/receiving the encoded image data in-between the other equipment. The image processor is provided with an image processing means for applying image processing to the image data, a watermark embedding means which embeds the watermark information to the image data after the image processing, an encoding means for encoding the image data having the embedded watermark information, a control means which controls the change of processing contents of the image processing means and the method for embedding the watermark information of the embedding means in order to prevent the deterioration of the image quality corresponding to the image data, and a communication means for transmitting the image data encoded with the encoding means to the other equipment. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image transmission system, and more specifically, an image that is connected to another device via a network or directly and configured to be able to transmit / receive encoded image data to / from the other device. The present invention relates to a processing apparatus and an image transmission system.

  In an image transmission system constructed by a plurality of devices connected via a network, encoded image data is often transferred. There are many encoding / decoding formats used here. If the encoding / decoding formats do not match on the transmission side and the reception side, the encoded image data cannot be decoded. In addition, when transferring image data, there are various purposes, such as when it is necessary to transfer a high-quality image or when it is necessary to reduce the data amount to shorten the transfer time. Further, there are cases where watermark information is embedded in image data as security management of the image file, and it is desired to operate the image file by compensating for the effectiveness and safety of the image file. For example, in the image processing apparatus of Patent Document 1, in order to execute processing for embedding digital watermark information with a low-cost configuration, encoded data or quantized data is input and used for encoding input data. A technique for embedding digital watermark information in input data based on a specified table or a table used for quantization is disclosed.

JP 2003-229984 A

  However, when it is desired to minimize the influence on the image quality, it may be difficult to embed the watermark information in the image data depending on the image format and the image content.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and can prevent deterioration in image quality even when watermark information is embedded in image data in consideration of a security function when encoded image data is transferred. An object is to provide a possible image processing apparatus and an image transmission system.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, in an image processing apparatus connected to another device via a network or directly and configured to be able to transmit / receive encoded image data to / from the other device. Image processing means for performing image processing on the image data, watermark embedding means for embedding watermark information in the image data after the image processing, and encoding the image data in which the watermark information is embedded An encoding unit; a control unit that controls a change in processing contents of the image processing unit and a watermark information embedding method of the embedding unit to prevent deterioration of image quality according to the image data; and the encoding Communication means for transmitting the image data encoded by the means to the other device.

  As a result, when watermark information is embedded in image data, the processing content of the image processing means is changed and the watermark information embedding method of the embedding means is controlled in accordance with the image data in order to prevent image quality deterioration. Therefore, deterioration of image quality can be prevented, and deterioration of image quality can be prevented even when watermark information is embedded in image data in consideration of a security function when transferring encoded image data.

  In addition, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the information processing device further comprises notification means for notifying a user of a change in processing contents of the image processing means and a watermark information embedding method of the embedding means. Thereby, it is possible to confirm whether or not the user is following the operation intended by the user by notifying the user of the change contents when embedding the watermark information in the image data.

  Further, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the image processing means includes a selection means for the user to select a processing content change and a watermark information embedding method of the embedding means. Thereby, it is possible to perform a process intended by the user.

  Further, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, it is desirable to provide setting means for a user to set in advance the change of the processing contents of the image processing means and the watermark information embedding method of the embedding means. Thereby, a user's operation can be simplified.

  Further, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, it is desirable to provide a second notification means for notifying the user of the processing content of the image processing means and the result of the watermark information embedding method of the embedding means. Thereby, the user can confirm whether there is an error in the processed content or a difference in intention.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides an image transmission in which a plurality of devices are connected via a network and image data encoded between the devices can be transmitted and received. In the system, each of the plurality of devices includes image processing means for performing image processing on the image data, watermark embedding means for embedding watermark information in the image data after the image processing, and the watermark information. An encoding unit that encodes embedded image data, and a method of changing processing contents of the image processing unit and embedding watermark information of the embedding unit in order to prevent deterioration of image quality according to the image data Control means for controlling, and communication means for transmitting the image data encoded by the encoding means to another device via the network are provided.

  As a result, when watermark information is embedded in image data, the processing content of the image processing means is changed and the watermark information embedding method of the embedding means is controlled in accordance with the image data in order to prevent image quality deterioration. Therefore, deterioration of image quality can be prevented, and deterioration of image quality can be prevented even when watermark information is embedded in image data in consideration of a security function when transferring encoded image data.

  According to the present invention, when transferring encoded image data, an image processing apparatus and an image transmission capable of preventing image quality degradation even when watermark information is embedded in image data in consideration of a security function. A system can be provided.

  Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus and an image transmission system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In addition, constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an image transmission system 1 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image transfer system 1 includes a plurality of devices (MFP 10, PC 20..., Printer 30..., Scanner 40) that are image processing apparatuses via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). , Server 50) is connected. In such an image transmission system 1, when image data is transferred, encoded image data can be transmitted and received. Note that the above-described network includes a network that performs wireless communication, and the type and number of devices connected to the network are not limited to the configuration in FIG.

  The MFP 10 will be described in detail as an example of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the MFP 10 of FIG. The MFP 10 includes a reading unit 101, an SBU (sensor board unit) 102, a CDIC (compression / decompression and data interface control unit) 103, an IPP 104, a VDC (video / data controller) 105, an image forming unit 106, a process controller 107, RAM 108, ROM 109, FCU 110, MLC (Media Link Controller) 111, MEM 112, IMAC (image memory access controller) 113, system controller 114, RAM 115, ROM 116, Operation Panel (operation unit) 117, and communication control unit 118

  The reading unit 101 is for optically reading a document, and reflects light reflected from a lamp on the document to a light receiving element (for example, CCD) mounted on an SBU (sensor board unit) 102 by a mirror and a lens. Condensate. In an SBU (sensor board unit) 102, an optical signal is converted into an electric signal by a light receiving element, and then converted into a digital signal and output as image data. Image data output from the SBU 102 is input to a CDIC (compression / decompression and data interface control unit) 103.

  The CDIC 103 controls all image data transmission between the functional device and the data bus. The CDIC 103 performs data transfer between the SBU 102, the parallel bus, and the IPP (image processing processor) 104, and communication between the system controller 114 and the process controller 107 for the image data with respect to the image data. Image data from the SBU 102 is transferred to the IPP 104 via the CDIC 103, corrected for signal deterioration due to quantization of the optical system and the digital signal (referred to as signal deterioration of the scanner system), and output to the CDIC 103 again.

  There are jobs that store image data (read images) in the memory and reuse them, and jobs that do not store in the memory. Each case will be described. As an example of accumulating in the memory, when copying a plurality of original documents, there is a method of operating the reading unit 101 only once, accumulating in the memory, and reading accumulated data plural times. As an example in which no memory is used, when only one original is copied, the read image can be reproduced as it is, so there is no need to perform memory access.

  First, a case where no memory is used will be described. The image data transferred from the IPP 104 to the CDIC 103 is returned from the CDIC 103 to the IPP 104 again. The IPP 104 performs image quality processing for converting luminance data from the light receiving element (CCD) into area gradation. The image data after the image quality processing is transferred from the IPP 104 to the VDC (video data control) 105. The VDC 105 performs post-processing relating to dot arrangement and pulse control for reproducing dots on the image data changed to area gradation, and forms a reproduced image on the transfer paper in the image forming unit 106.

  The flow of image data in the case of performing additional processing, for example, image direction rotation, image composition, etc., when stored in a memory and reading an image will be described. The image data transferred from the IPP 104 to the CDIC 103 is sent from the CDIC 103 to the IMAC (image memory access control) 113 via the parallel bus. The IMAC (image memory access control) 113 is based on the control of the system controller 114, controls access to the image data and the MEM (memory module) 112, develops print data for the external PC 151, etc., and stores image data for effective use of the memory. Perform compression / decompression. The image data sent to the IMAC 113 is stored in the MEM 112 after data compression, and the stored data is read out as necessary. The read data is decompressed, and the decompressed image data is returned from the IMAC 113 to the CDIC 103 via the parallel bus. The MEM 112 can be configured by, for example, a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, or both.

After the image data is transferred from the CDIC 103 to the IPP 104, image quality processing and pulse control by the VDC 105 are performed, and a reproduced image is formed on the transfer paper in the image forming unit 106. In the flow of image data, the functions of the MFP 10 are realized by bus control by the parallel bus and the CDIC 103. In a situation where a plurality of jobs, for example, a copy function, a FAX transmission / reception function, and a printer output function are operated in parallel, the system controller 114 and the process controller 107 are assigned to the reading unit 101, the image forming unit 106, and the parallel bus use right to the job. Control. The process controller 107 uses the RAM 108 as a work area in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 109.
Controls the flow of image data. The system controller 114 uses the RAM 115 as a work area according to a program stored in the ROM 116, controls the entire system, and manages activation of each resource.

  The function selection of the MFP 10 is selected and input by an operation panel (operation unit) 117, and processing contents are set. The system controller 114 and the process controller 107 communicate with each other via the parallel bus, the CDIC 103, and the serial bus. Data format conversion for the data interface between the parallel bus and the serial bus is performed in the CDIC 103. An MLC (Media Link Controller) 111 implements a code conversion function. Specifically, an MLC (Media Link Controller) 111 is an encoding method used in the CDIC 103, and conversion from an encoding method used in the IMAC 113 to another encoding method (for example, a standard JPEG method or the like). )I do.

  The communication control unit 118 is for performing data communication with other devices via a network, and with other devices (PC 20..., Printer 30..., Scanner 40, server 50) connected to the network. And a network control unit for performing network control for sending and receiving control signals and image data.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the CDIC 103 of FIG. The CDIC 103 includes an image data input / output control unit 201, an image data input control unit 202, an image data output control unit 203, a command control unit 204, a data compression unit 205, a data expansion unit 206, a data conversion unit 207, and a parallel data I / F 208. Serial data I / Fs 209 and 210 are provided.

  In FIG. 3, the image data input / output control unit 201 inputs image data from the SBU 102 and outputs it to the IPP 104. The image data input control unit 202 inputs image data that has been subjected to scanner image correction by the IPP 104 and outputs the image data to the data compression unit 205. A data compression unit 205 compresses image data in order to increase transfer efficiency on the parallel bus. The compressed image data is sent to the parallel bus via the parallel data I / F 208. On the other hand, image data input from the parallel data bus via the parallel data I / F 208 is compressed for bus transfer and is expanded by the data expansion unit 206. The expanded image data is transferred to the IPP 104 by the image data output control unit 203.

  An example of the encoding method used for compression / decompression here is a method in which the codeword length suitable for the MFP is fixed. The fixed-length encoding method can reproduce only the image of an arbitrary portion because the position of the image before encoding is known in the code state. It is also suitable for image processing and editability.

  The data conversion unit 207 performs conversion between parallel data and serial data. The system controller 114 transfers data to the parallel bus, and the process controller 107 transfers data to the serial bus. The data converter 207 performs data conversion for communication between the two controllers. The serial data I / F has one more system for the IPP, and the IPP 104 also performs I / F.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the IMAC 113 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the IMAC 113 includes a system controller I / F 301, a memory access control unit 302, a line buffer 303, a video control unit 304, a data compression unit 305, a data expansion unit 306, a data conversion unit 307, a parallel data I / F308 is provided.

  The parallel data I / F 308 manages an interface of image data with the parallel bus, and controls reading / writing of image data to / from the MEM 112 and development of code data input from the external PC 151 into image data. Code data input from the external PC 151 is temporarily stored in the line buffer 303. The video control unit 304 expands the code data stored in the line buffer 303 into image data based on the expansion processing command from the system controller 114 input via the system controller I / F 301. The expanded image data or the image data input from the parallel bus via the parallel data I / F 308 is stored in the MEM 112.

  In this case, the data conversion unit 307 selects image data to be stored, the data compression unit 305 performs data compression in order to increase the memory usage efficiency, and the memory access control unit 302 manages the address of the MEM 112. Image data is stored in the MEM 112. Here, as an example of an encoding method used for compression / expansion, a high-efficiency encoding method suitable for MEM area saving can be cited. This is an efficiency-oriented coding system, unlike the function-oriented coding system required for the CDIC 103 described above. When reading out the image data stored in the MEM 112, the memory access control unit 302 controls the read destination address, and the data expansion unit 306 expands the read image data. When the decompressed image data is transferred to the parallel bus, data transfer is performed via the parallel data I / F 308.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the MLC 111 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the MLC 111 includes a system controller I / F 401, a data access control unit 402, a data compression unit 403, a data expansion unit 404, an image processing unit 405, a watermark embedding unit 406, and a data registration / comparison unit 407. I have.

In FIG. 5, a system controller I / F 401 is based on a processing instruction from the system controller 114, and includes a data access control unit 402, a data compression unit 403, a data expansion unit 404, a data registration / comparison unit 407, an image processing unit 405, a watermark. The embedding unit 406 is controlled. The data access control unit 402 is a part that inputs and outputs image data to be encoded with the IMAC 113. Here, for example, input / output of encoded image data to the MEM 112 via the IMAC 113 is given as an example. The data decompression unit 404
The encoded image data is decompressed and restored to the original image data.

  The data registration / comparison unit 407 registers in advance important image data and frequently used image data, which are expected to degrade image quality if the watermark information is embedded in the image data as they are, as a data expansion unit. A comparison is made with the image data expanded in 404 to determine whether the data corresponds to the registered data. When corresponding to the registered data, the data registration / comparison unit 407 sets an image quality degradation prevention processing mode with little image quality degradation, and causes the image processing unit 405, the watermark embedding unit 406, and the data compression unit 403 to reduce the image quality degradation. Run less processing. Note that the data registration / comparison unit 407 may determine whether or not the image quality deterioration has occurred when the watermark information is embedded in the image data as it is, and determine whether or not the image quality deterioration prevention processing mode can be set. Here, as a determination criterion for image quality degradation, for example, determination can be made based on the amount of change in pixel data. Further, whether to set the image quality deterioration prevention processing mode may be determined according to the transmission destination.

  The image processing unit 405 executes binary / multi-value conversion and image processing (filter, gradation processing, scaling) for image quality correction. The watermark embedding unit 406 embeds watermark information in the image data after image processing. Here, the watermark information includes management information such as ID, logo mark, copyrighted work name, code information, creation date, creator name, and position information for detecting falsification. Also, for example, as a technique for embedding watermark information in image data, a method of adding watermark information to a luminance value of an image, a method of converting image data into a frequency component, and embedding watermark information in a specific frequency component, etc. Known techniques are used. For frequency conversion, FFT (fast fourier transform), DCD (discrete cosine transform), or the like can be used.

  The image data after embedding the watermark information is subjected to encoding processing (MH / MR / MMR method, JPEG / JPEG2000 method) in the data compression unit 403 in order to create a code format to be output. The newly created encoded image data is output by the data access control unit 403 and transmitted to another device or the like of the transmission destination via the communication control unit 118 or the IMAC 113.

  Note that when the target data is unencoded image data, the data decompression unit 404 is not processed. If the data to be output is not encoded image data, the data compression unit 403 is not processed.

  Here, the processing of the image processing unit 405, the watermark embedding unit 406, and the data compression unit 403 will be described in detail. Since a binary image has a smaller amount of information than a multi-value image, the amount of code after encoding is generally smaller than that of a multi-value image. However, in general, the image quality may be inferior. When character images and photographic images are considered, the binary image coding method is suitable for character images and the multi-value image coding method is suitable for photographic images in terms of the balance between coding efficiency and image quality. Similar to the relationship between the binary image and the multi-value image, in the case of the multi-value image, there is a relationship between the black-and-white image and the color image, so that it can be used. Since a black and white image has a smaller amount of information than a color image, the amount of data after encoding is generally smaller than that of a color image. If the color information is not very important, or if the image is a multi-value image but there is no color information, there is no significant problem in image quality even if it is handled as a black and white image.

  In addition, for watermark embedding processing for embedding watermark information in image data, binary or multi-value can be embedded. In the case of binary, the value that a pixel can take is “0/1”, that is, Since there is only “white / black”, the image quality change is significant compared to multi-value. Normally, information is added to a change point (edge) of a pixel, but when the information amount of the original image is small, there is no choice but to add an image where there is no image. Depending on the purpose of use, there is a limit when it is desired to make the image quality change as inconspicuous as possible. Furthermore, this also clearly indicates that the watermark information is embedded, which may lead to an algorithm analysis for watermark embedding. Therefore, when an image is multi-valued, information can be embedded with a slight pixel change, and the image quality change is not conspicuous and the analysis of the algorithm becomes difficult. The amount of image data increases.) The watermark information embedded in the image data is detected by application software or a hardware circuit of another device (PC 20 or the like).

  As an example of the above encoding method, as an encoding method suitable for a binary image, an MH / MR / MMR method used in a facsimile is used, and as an encoding method suitable for a multi-value image, a JPEG method or the like. A JPEG2000 system is mentioned. Note that the JPEG method and the JPEG2000 method are suitable for both monochrome images and color images.

  In the present embodiment, when the input image data (decoded image data in the case of encoded image data) is registered as registered data in the data registration / comparison unit 407, for example, binary image information If the image data is important (if there are few pixel change points) and the image data is important, embedding the watermark information as it is is not preferable because the influence on the image quality is large and undesirable. Therefore, the above-described image deterioration prevention mode is set, multi-value processing is performed by image processing, and image processing, watermark information embedding method, and encoding are performed so as to minimize the change in image quality due to embedding watermark information. Switch a series of settings to minimize the impact on image quality.

  On the other hand, the data registration / comparison unit 407 does not set the image deterioration prevention mode when it is not registered as registration data in the case of image data that is binary and has little image information (when there are few pixel change points). The watermark embedding unit 406 embeds the watermark information in the blank area while the image information is small in the binary state. In this case, although the amount of change to the image quality for the document is larger than the former, the amount of data can be reduced.

  In the MLC 111, in the processing of the image processing unit 405, the watermark embedding unit 406, and the data compression unit 403, what processing is changed with respect to the state of the original (original image data) and how the watermark information is embedded. And displaying on the display means to notify the user (notification means). In this way, by notifying the user of the change contents when embedding the watermark information in the image data, it is possible to confirm whether or not the user is following the operation intended by the user.

  Here, the display means is an operation screen of the operation panel (operation unit) 111 of the MEP 10 main body, another device connected via a network, a display screen of the PC 151, or the like.

  In addition, by configuring the display means so that the user can select his intended operation (image processing, watermark information embedding method, encoding series), the desired processing can be performed for each image data. Moreover, it may be changed according to the use conditions each time.

  Further, when the user does not have to specify the operation intended by the user (image processing, watermark information embedding method, encoding series) for each image data on the display means, The user's operation procedure becomes complicated instead of specifying each time. Therefore, provided the I / F for setting user whether previously performed what processes, stores the processed set by the user, in MLC111, according to the stored processing, image processing, the watermark information An embedding method and encoding may be performed.

  In these cases, the MFP 10 performs processing up to the watermark information embedding operation in accordance with the content specified or set by the user. However, the MLC 111 can confirm whether the processed content is error or not inconsistent. These processing contents may be displayed on the display means.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the IPP 104 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the IPP 104 includes input I / Fs 501 and 504, output I / Fs 502 and 507, a scanner image processing unit 503, an image quality processing unit 505, and a command control / program control unit 506.

  In FIG. 6, in the IPP 104, read image data is transferred from the input I / F 502 to the scanner image processing unit 502 via the SBU 102 and the CDIC 103. The scanner image processing unit 502 performs shading correction, scanner γ correction, MTF correction, and the like for the purpose of correcting deterioration of read image data. The scanner image processing unit 502 also performs enlargement / reduction scaling processing, although it is not correction processing. The read image data after completion of the correction processing is transferred to the CDIC 103 via the output I / F 502.

  When outputting image data to transfer paper, the image data is transferred from the CDIC 103 to the image quality processing unit 505 via the input I / F 504. The image quality processing unit 505 performs area gradation processing on the image data, and the image data after the image quality processing is output to the VDC 105 via the output I / F 507. Here, the area gradation processing includes density conversion, dither processing, error diffusion processing, and the like, and mainly performs area approximation of gradation information. Once the scanner image processed image data is stored in the memory, various reproduced images can be confirmed by changing the image quality processing. For example, the atmosphere of the reproduced image can be changed by changing the density of the reproduced image or changing the number of lines of the dither matrix. At this time, it is not necessary to read the image again from the reading unit 101 every time the processing is changed, and if the stored image is read from the MEM 112, different processing can be performed on the same image data any number of times. In the case of a single scanner, scanner image processing and gradation processing are performed together and output to the CDIC 103.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the VDC 105 of FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the VDC 105 includes a parallel data I / F 601, a data conversion unit 602, a serial data I / F 603, an edge smoothing processing unit 604, and a pulse control unit 605.

  The VDC 105 performs additional processing on the input image data according to the characteristics of the image forming unit 106. The edge smoothing processing unit 604 performs dot rearrangement processing by edge smoothing processing on the input image data, and the pulse control unit 605 performs pulse control of the image data for dot formation to convert the image data. The image is output to the image forming unit 106. In addition to the conversion of image data, the VDC 105 includes a data conversion unit 602 that converts the format between parallel data and serial data. The VDC 105 alone can support communication between the system controller 114 and the process controller 107. ing.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the MFP 10 as the image processing apparatus embeds watermark information in the image data, an image quality degradation prevention processing mode with little image quality degradation is set according to the image data, and image processing is performed. , The watermark embedding unit, and the data compression unit execute processing with little image quality degradation. However, this processing is not limited to the MFP 10, and other devices (PC 20... The scanner 40 and the server 50) may perform the above.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention is useful when embedding watermark information in image data, and is applied to devices such as a digital copying machine, a digital multifunction peripheral, a scanner, a facsimile, and a personal computer having a function of embedding watermark information in image data. Widely available.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the image transmission system which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an MFP in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the CDIC in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of an IMAC in FIG. 2. It is a block diagram which shows the example of an internal structure of MLC of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of IPP of FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the VDC in FIG. 2.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image transmission system 10 MFP
20 PC
30 Printer 40 Scanner 50 Server 101 Reading Unit 102 SBU (Sensor Board Unit)
103 CDIC (compression / decompression and data interface controller)
104 IPP
105 VDC (Video Data Controller)
106 Image forming unit 107 Process controller 108 RAM 108
109 ROM
110 FCU
111 MLC (Media Link Controller)
112 MEM
113 IMAC (Image Memory Access Controller)
114 System controller 115 RAM
116 ROM
117 Operation Panel
118 Communication Control Unit 201 Image Data Input / Output Control Unit 202 Image Data Input Control Unit 203 Image Data Output Control Unit 204 Command Control Unit 205 Data Compression Unit 206 Data Expansion Unit 207 Data Conversion Unit 208 Parallel Data I / F
209 Serial data I / F
210 Serial data I / F
301 System controller I / F
302 Memory Access Control Unit 303 Line Buffer 304 Video Control Unit 305 Data Compression Unit 306 Data Expansion Unit 307 Data Conversion Unit 308 Parallel Data I / F
401 System controller I / F
402 Data Access Control Unit 403 Data Compression Unit 404 Data Expansion Unit 405 Image Processing Unit 406 Watermark Embedding Unit 407 Data Registration / Comparison Unit 501 Input I / F
502 Output I / F
503 Scanner image processing unit 504 Output I / F
505 Image quality processing unit 506 Command control / program control unit 507 Output I / F
601 Parallel data I / F
602 Data conversion unit 603 Serial data I / F
604 Edge smoothing processing unit 605 Pulse control unit

Claims (6)

In an image processing apparatus that is connected to another device via a network or directly and configured to be able to transmit and receive encoded image data with the other device,
Image processing means for performing image processing on the image data;
Watermark embedding means for embedding watermark information in the image data after the image processing;
Encoding means for encoding the image data in which the watermark information is embedded;
In accordance with the image data, control means for controlling the processing content change of the image processing means and the watermark information embedding method of the embedding means in order to prevent deterioration of image quality;
Communication means for transmitting the image data encoded by the encoding means to the other device;
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies a user of a change in processing contents of the image processing unit and a watermark information embedding method of the embedding unit.   3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising selection means for a user to select a change in processing contents of the image processing means and a watermark information embedding method of the embedding means. Image processing device.   3. The setting unit according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit for a user to set in advance a change in processing contents of the image processing unit and a watermark information embedding method of the embedding unit. Image processing apparatus.   5. The image according to claim 3, further comprising a second notifying unit that notifies a user of a processing content of the image processing unit and a result of a watermark information embedding method of the embedding unit. Processing equipment. In an image transmission system configured such that a plurality of devices are connected via a network and image data encoded between the devices can be transmitted and received.
Each of the plurality of devices is
Image processing means for performing image processing on the image data;
Watermark embedding means for embedding watermark information in the image data after the image processing;
Encoding means for encoding the image data in which the watermark information is embedded;
In accordance with the image data, control means for controlling the processing content change of the image processing means and the watermark information embedding method of the embedding means in order to prevent deterioration of image quality;
Communication means for transmitting the image data encoded by the encoding means to another device via the network;
An image transmission system comprising:

Images