JP2006270357A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor capable of preventing image data of an original manuscript, whose printout when executing a copying job is restricted since a specific image is included, from being printed out faithfully to the original manuscript by a recopying function. <P>SOLUTION: The image processor 1 is provided with a first processing means which prints out the acquired image data and executes processing for holding the image data in a memory 22 without discarding them even after the printout, a second processing means which executes processing for printing out the image data held in the memory 22 with the first processing means again by receiving a print start command after the completion of the printout, and a control means 2 which restricts the printout executed by the first processing means when the specific image is included in the image shown by the acquired image data and executes processing for restricting the printout executed by the second processing means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly, includes a recopy function that holds image data of a copy-processed document in a memory without discarding, and reads out and prints out the memory when a print command is issued. The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art There is an image processing apparatus having a re-copy function that holds image data of a copy-processed document in a memory without discarding, reads out from the memory when a print command is issued, and prints it out (for example, see Patent Document 1) .) An image processing apparatus such as the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 performs copying between the time when a copy job is executed and the time when the next copy job is executed, or until the set time elapses after the copy job is executed. The processed document image data, that is, the image data of the document that has been printed once is stored in the memory without being discarded. When a print command is issued by the user, the image data of the document held in the memory is read and printed out. Thus, the user can add and obtain a copy of the document without resetting the document.

In recent years, when a specific image (for example, an image of a banknote) is detected from image data of a read original in order to prevent counterfeiting such as banknotes and securities, for example, There is an image processing apparatus having a so-called forgery prevention function that restricts printing output of image data of a document by prohibiting output of image data to a printer.
JP 2001-326772 A

  By the way, when the recopy function and the forgery prevention function are used in combination, the image data of the document whose printout is restricted when the copy job is executed by the forgery prevention function is held in the memory as it is for the recopy function, There has been a problem in that there is a possibility of printing output when a print command is issued.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. Image data of a copy-processed document is stored in a memory without being discarded, and is read from the memory when a print command is issued and printed out. In an image processing device equipped with a recopy function, image data of a document whose printout is restricted when a copy job is executed because a specific image is included is printed out faithfully to the document by the recopy function An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of preventing the occurrence of the above.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to claim 1 reads an image of a document, prints out the image data obtained thereby, and retains the image data in a memory without discarding the image data after printing. First processing means for performing the processing to perform, and second processing means for receiving the print start command after the completion of the print output and performing the process of printing again the image data held in the memory by the first processing means And a process for restricting the print output by the first processing means and restricting the print output by the second processing means when the specific image is included in the image indicated by the acquired image data And a control means.

  The image processing apparatus according to claim 2 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing for limiting the print output by the second processing means is image data held in the memory by the first processing means. Further, the second processing means is a process for adding information for restricting printing out the image data.

  The image processing apparatus according to claim 3 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second processing unit adds information for permitting print output to the image data held in the memory by the first processing unit. The first processing means prints out the image data held in the memory in response to the print start command, and the process for limiting the print output by the second processing means is: It is a process for deleting the information for permitting the print output or the image data held in the memory by the first processing means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the first processing means stores a memory when a set time has elapsed since the first processing means started holding the image data. And deleting the image data held by the second processing means. The processing for restricting the print output by the second processing means is performed by the first processing means even when the second processing means receives a print start command. This is characterized in that the set time is changed to a time during which image data held in the memory cannot be printed out.

  The image processing device according to claim 5 is the image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit specifies the image indicated by the image data of a plurality of pages acquired by the first processing unit. In the case where an image is included, the second processing means is applied only to the image data of the page including the specific image among the plurality of pages of image data held in the memory by the first processing means. It is characterized in that a process for limiting the print output by is executed.

  The image processing device according to claim 6 is the image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit specifies the image indicated by the image data of a plurality of pages acquired by the first processing unit. When an image is included in even one page, a process for limiting print output by the second processing unit is performed on the image data of all pages held in the memory by the first processing unit. It is characterized by that.

  The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 restricts the print output by the first processing means when the image indicated by the acquired image data includes a specific image (for example, an image such as a banknote or a securities). Since the processing for restricting the print output by the second processing means is executed, the image data for which the print output by the first processing means is restricted because the specific image is included is added to the original by the second processing means. It is possible to prevent the printout from being faithfully performed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, information for restricting the second processing means from printing out the image data is added to the image data held in the memory. For this reason, for example, the second process is simpler than the case where image processing (infidelity processing) is performed on the image data stored in the memory to make an image different from that of the original document and printing is performed. It is possible to prevent the image data including the specific image from being faithfully printed on the original by the means.

  The image processing apparatus according to claim 3 deletes information permitting print output or image data held in a memory. For this reason, for example, the second process is simpler than the case where image processing (infidelity processing) is performed on the image data stored in the memory to make an image different from that of the original document and printing is performed. It is possible to prevent the image data including the specific image from being faithfully printed on the original by the means.

  According to another aspect of the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the set time is changed to a time when the image data held in the memory cannot be printed out even when the second processing means receives the print start command. For this reason, for example, the second process is simpler than the case where image processing (infidelity processing) is performed on the image data stored in the memory to make an image different from that of the original document and printing is performed. It is possible to prevent the image data including the specific image from being faithfully printed on the original by the means.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the fifth aspect, when a page including the specific image and a page not including the specific image are mixed in a plurality of pages of the document, the user includes the specific image. In order to copy only the undocumented document, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to remove the page including the specific image and reset the document.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the sixth aspect, when any one page includes a specific image in the read image data of a plurality of pages, the specific image may be included in the remaining pages. Further, it is possible to restrict re-copying of the remaining manuscript that may contain such a specific image.

  Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 1 includes a control unit (MPU: Microprocessing Unit) 2, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 3, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 4, a document reading unit 5, a determination circuit 6, First color space conversion circuit 7, image memory 8, codec 9, memory controller 10, second image processing circuit 11, second color space conversion circuit 12, binarization circuit 13, printer 14, operation unit 15, and display unit The components 2 to 16 are communicably connected via a bus 17.

  The control unit 2 controls each unit constituting the image processing apparatus 1 according to a control program stored in the ROM 3. The RAM 4 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like of the control unit 2 and stores various setting information and the like.

  The document reading unit 5 reads a color image of a document and acquires color image data, and includes a color line sensor 18 and a first image processing circuit 19. The color line sensor 18 is composed of three line sensors of R (Red), G (Green), and B (Blue), and reads an original color image for each main scanning line to obtain an RGB color system analog color. Output image data. The first image processing circuit 19 performs first image processing on the color image data. Here, the analog color image data output from the color line sensor 18 is converted into digital color image data, A / D conversion, the digital color image data is affected by unevenness in light quantity, the influence of optical components, and the color line sensor 18. First image processing such as shading correction and γ correction for correcting variations in pixel sensitivity is performed. In this way, the color image data that has been read by the color line sensor 18 and then subjected to the first image processing by the first image processing circuit 19 is output from the document reading unit 5 to a predetermined output destination.

  The determination circuit 6 determines whether or not the specific image is included in the image indicated by the color image data. The discrimination circuit 6 stores a specific image, that is, an image that needs to be restricted from being copied or printed such as banknotes and securities, and stores it in an image indicated by the color image data acquired by the document reading unit 5. It is determined whether or not a specific image is included, and the determination result is output to the control unit 2.

  The first color space conversion circuit 7 performs a first color space conversion on the color image data. Here, the color image data of the RGB color system output from the document reading unit 5 is color space converted into color image data of the L * a * b * color system. The color space to be used is not limited to the L * a * b * color system, but color image data of the RGB color system, for example, color image data of the YCrCb color system, depending on the use of the image data. Color space conversion may be performed.

  The image memory 8 includes a multi-value memory 20 that stores multi-value image data, a binary memory 21 that stores binary image data, and an encoding memory (memory) 22 that stores encoded image data. . The codec 9 encodes (encodes) and decodes (decodes) input image data. Here, the input multi-valued color image data is encoded by a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) method, and the encoded color image data is decoded. The codec 9 encodes binary monochrome image data by MH (Modified Huffman), MR (Modified Read), MMR (Modified Modified Read), JBIG (Joint Bi-level Image Group), etc. It is also possible to decode binary monochrome image data.

  The memory controller 10 manages (memory management) writing of image data to the image memory 8 and reading of image data from the image memory 8. The second image processing circuit 11 performs second image processing on the input color image data. Here, for the color image data read from the image memory 8 by the memory controller 10, Second image processing such as brightness adjustment, saturation adjustment, and hue adjustment is performed.

  The second color space conversion circuit 12 performs second color space conversion on the input color image data. Here, the L * a * b * table input from the second image processing circuit 11 is used. Color system color image data is converted into color image data of an output color system represented by, for example, four components of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) of each component 1 bit. Transform space. The binarization circuit 13 binarizes the input color image data. Here, the color image data of the output color system represented by the four components of CMYK color space converted by the second color space conversion circuit 12 is binarized by error diffusion processing or the like. The color image data binarized by the binarization circuit 13 is stored in the binary memory 21. In the present embodiment, the color image data that has undergone color space conversion is binarized. For example, the color image data that has undergone color space conversion may be binarized.

  The printer 14 prints out color image data. That is, an image of color image data read from the binary memory 21 is printed on a sheet. As a printing method in the printer 14, for example, an electrophotographic method can be used.

  Although not shown, the operation unit 15 includes a display unit 16 such as a start key for instructing the document reading unit 5 to start reading a document, a numeric keypad for inputting the number of copies, a cursor key for performing various settings, and the like. Various operation keys linked with the are provided. Although not shown, the display unit 16 is a liquid crystal display (LCD) that displays various setting states and operation states of the image processing apparatus 1 with characters and graphics, an LED lamp that is turned on or off, and the like. Is provided. The liquid crystal display device is a so-called touch panel type, and various operations can be performed by a user touching the screen of the liquid crystal display device with a finger or the like instead of the operation unit 15.

  The image processing apparatus 1 having the above configuration prints out the color image data obtained by reading the color image of the document by the document reading unit 5 with the printer 14 and also does not discard the color image data after the print output. First processing means for performing a copy holding process held in the memory 22 is provided. In addition, the image processing apparatus 1 receives a print start command after the print output by the first processing unit is completed, and reprints the color image data held in the encoding memory 22 by the first processing unit again. 2nd processing means to perform is provided.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a copy holding process performed by the first processing unit included in the image processing apparatus 1. As shown in the figure, the color line sensor 18 of the document reading unit 5 reads RGB color system color image data from the document and outputs it to the first image processing circuit 19. The first image processing circuit 19 performs first image processing such as A / D conversion, shading correction, and γ correction on the color image data output from the color line sensor 18, and performs the first color space conversion circuit 7. To output. Note that the color image data subjected to the first image processing in the first image processing circuit 19 is output to the determination circuit 6 together with the first color space conversion circuit 7, and the determination circuit 6 performs the first image processing. A process for determining whether or not the specific image is included in the image indicated by the performed color image data is performed, and the determination result is output to the control unit 2.

  The first color space conversion circuit 7 performs a first color space conversion for converting the color image data output from the first image processing circuit 19 from the RGB color system to the L * a * b * color system. . The memory controller 10 temporarily stores the color image data subjected to the first color space conversion by the first color space conversion circuit 7 in the multi-level memory 20, and then reads out from the multi-level memory 20 to the codec 9. Output. The codec 9 encodes the color image data input from the memory controller 10 by the JPEG method, and the encoding memory 22 stores the color image data encoded by the codec 9. When the control unit 2 determines that the specific image is not included in the color image data stored in the encoding memory 22 as a result of the determination by the determination circuit 6, the print output by the first processing unit is output. Is added by the control unit 2 (hereinafter also referred to as “copy status”). The color image data in the encoding memory 22 to which the copy status is added is held in the encoding memory 22 and is output to the codec 9. That is, a copy of the color image data stored in the encoding memory 22 is output to the codec 9.

  The codec 9 decodes the color image data output from the encoding memory 22 according to the JPEG method, and the memory controller 10 outputs the color image data decoded by the codec 9 to the second image processing circuit 11. . The second image processing circuit 11 performs second image processing such as lightness adjustment, saturation adjustment, and hue adjustment on the color image data input by the memory controller 10 to the second color space conversion circuit 12. Output. The second color space conversion circuit 12 converts the L * a * b * color system color image data output from the second image processing circuit 11 into output color system color image data represented by four components of CMYK. A second color space conversion for color space conversion is performed and output to the binarization circuit 13. The binarization circuit 13 binarizes the color image data output from the second color space conversion circuit 12. The color image data binarized by the binarization circuit 13 is temporarily stored in the binary memory 21, then output to the printer 14, and printed out by the printer 14.

  As described above, when the copy holding process by the first processing unit included in the image processing apparatus 1 is completed, the copied color image data in the encoding memory 22 to which the copy status is added is the first after the copy status is deleted. 2 Information for permitting print output by the processing means (hereinafter also referred to as “re-copy status”) is added. Note that the user can input from the operation unit 15 or the display unit 16 a set time for deleting the color image data held in the encoding memory 22 by the first processing unit. The set time input by the user from the operation unit 15 or the display unit 16 is stored in the RAM 4 by the control unit 2.

  As described above, the color image data in the encoding memory 22 to which the re-copy status is added is stored in the encoding memory as described above until the set time elapses after the copy holding process by the first processing unit is completed. 22 is held. When the user inputs a print start command from the operation unit 15 or the display unit 16 until the set time elapses, the second processing unit included in the image processing apparatus 1 receives the print start command and encodes it. The color image data held in the conversion memory 22 can be printed out. In other words, the user can obtain a copy of the copied document without setting the copied document in the document reading unit 5 again.

  The re-copying process of the second processing unit is the same as the processing operation performed by the first processing unit until the color image data stored in the encoding memory 22 is read and printed out by the printer 14. Description of is omitted.

  By the way, when it is determined that the specific image is included in the image indicated by the acquired color image data based on the determination result of the determination circuit 6, the print output by the first processing unit and the print output by the second processing unit are performed. It is a problem if done. Therefore, in the image processing apparatus 1, the print output by the first processing unit and the print output by the second processing unit are restricted. At that time, when the specific image is included in the image indicated by the read color image data of the plurality of pages from the operation unit 15 or the display unit 16, the user performs the job unit, that is, the color image data of all pages. On the other hand, the print output by the second processing unit is limited, or the print output by the second processing unit is limited only for the color image data of the page, that is, the page including the specific image. You can enter these settings. The setting information input by the user from the operation unit 15 or the display unit 16 is stored in the RAM 4 by the control unit 2.

  Hereinafter, processing operations performed in the image processing apparatus 1 in parallel with the copy holding processing by the first processing means when a copy start command is input will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that the processing operation of the image processing apparatus 1 shown in the following flowchart is performed according to a command issued by the control unit 2 based on a control program stored in the ROM 3.

  The controller 2 determines whether or not a document reading start command has been received (S1). When it is determined that there is a document reading start command (S1: YES), in parallel with the copy holding process of the first processing means, the color acquired by the document reading unit 5 based on the determination result output from the determination circuit 6 It is determined whether or not the specific image is included in the image indicated by the image data (S2). When it is determined that the specific image is not included in the image indicated by the color image data (S2: NO), printing output by the first processing unit is permitted (S3). That is, the copy status is added to the color image data stored in the encoding memory 22. Thereby, the print output by the first processing means is executed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the specific image is included in the image indicated by the color image data acquired by the document reading unit 5 (S2: YES), the control unit 2 restricts the print output by the first processing unit (S4). ). That is, information for restricting the first processing means from printing out the color image data (hereinafter also referred to as “copy prohibition status”) is added to the color image data stored in the encoding memory 22. To do. Thereby, the print output by the first processing means is limited.

  For example, the control unit 2 prohibits the output of the color image data stored in the encoding memory 22 with the copy prohibition status added to the printer 14 or prevents the original image from being printed out as it is. The print output by the first processing means is limited by not outputting any one of the four CMYK component data to be output. Further, in order to prevent the original image from being faithfully reproduced, a non-fidelity process for adding another image data to the color image data may be performed and printed out. In this way, by limiting the print output by the first processing means, counterfeiting of banknotes and securities can be prevented.

  Next, the control unit 2 determines whether there is color image data for the next page acquired by the document reading unit 5 (S5). If it is determined that there is color image data for the next page (S5: YES), the process returns to S2, and the processing operation after S2 is performed on the color image data. Conversely, when it is determined that there is no color image data for the next page (S5: NO), that is, when all of the copy holding processing by the first processing unit is completed, the processing operation of S4 is performed and printing by the first processing unit is performed. It is determined whether there is a page whose output is restricted (S6). If it is determined that there is no page for which print output is restricted (S6: NO), processing for permitting print output by the second processing means is executed (S7). That is, the first processing means deletes the copy status added to the color image data held in the encoding memory 22 and adds the re-copy status. Thereby, when there is a print start command for the color image data held in the encoding memory 22, the copied color image data can be printed out without re-reading the document.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 2 determines that there is a page for which print output is restricted (S6: YES), either of setting information for restricting print output in units of jobs or setting information for restricting print output in units of pages. It is determined whether it is stored in the RAM 4 (S8). Here, when it is determined that the setting information for restricting print output in units of jobs is stored in the RAM 4 (S8: job units), the color image data of all pages held in the encoding memory 22 is Processing for restricting print output by the second processing means is executed (S9). That is, all the copy status or copy prohibition status added to each page of color image data held in the encoding memory 22 is deleted, and the color image data of all pages is deleted for each page. (2) Information for restricting the print output by the processing means (hereinafter also referred to as “recopy prohibition status”) is added. Hereinafter, the process of adding the recopy prohibition status to the color image data in the encoding memory 22 is also referred to as “first restriction process”.

  As described above, the print output is set to be restricted in units of jobs, and if a specific image is included in the color image data of a plurality of pages, a recopy prohibition status is added to the color image data of all pages. The print output by the second processing unit is restricted for the color image data of all pages. As a result, when any one page includes a specific image in a multi-page document, the remaining pages may include the specific image, but such a specific image may be included. Re-copying of the remaining originals can also be restricted.

  In addition, when the control unit 2 determines that setting information for restricting print output in units of pages is stored in the RAM 4 (S8: page units), the control unit 2 performs processing for the color image data of the page including the specific image. Only the process for limiting the print output by the second processing means is executed (S10). For example, when 5 pages of color image data are held in the encoding memory 22 and the image indicated by the color image data of the 1st page includes a specific image, the 1st page including the specific image is included. The process for restricting the print output of the color image data is executed. That is, the first restriction process for deleting the copy prohibition status added only to the color image data of the first page and adding the recopy prohibition status is performed. Note that, as described above, the added copy status is deleted and the re-copy status is added to the color image data of the remaining pages that do not include the specific image.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a processing operation performed in the image processing apparatus 1 after the first processing unit starts holding color image data. As shown in the figure, the control unit 2 starts measuring the time elapsed since the color image data was stored in the encoding memory 22 (S21). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the measured time exceeds the set time stored in the RAM 4 (S22). If it is determined that the measured time does not exceed the set time (S22: NO), it is determined whether or not a document reading start command has been issued (S23). When it is determined that there is no document reading start command (S23: NO), it is determined whether a predetermined operation for deleting color image data has been performed from the operation unit 15 or the like (S24). If it is determined that there is no predetermined operation for deleting color image data (S24: NO), the process returns to S22. Thereafter, the processing operations of S22 to S24 are repeated until an affirmative determination is made in any of the processing operations of S22 to S24. Here, when it is determined that the measured time exceeds the set time (S22: YES), when it is determined that there is a document reading start command (S23: YES), or a predetermined operation for deleting color image data If it is determined that there is (S24: YES), the color image data held in the encoding memory 22 is deleted (S25).

  In this way, the control unit 2 deletes the color image data held in the encoding memory 22 when the set time has elapsed since the first processing unit started holding the color image data. In addition to the case where the set time has elapsed, as described above, the color image stored in the encoding memory 22 is also stored when a document reading start command is issued to hold the next color image data. The data is deleted, and the color image data held in the encoding memory 22 is also deleted when a predetermined operation is performed by the user.

  The processing operation of the image processing apparatus 1 when the start of printing for the color image data held in the encoding memory 22 is instructed by pressing the start key of the operation unit 15 or the like will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Based on First, the control unit 2 determines whether or not there is a print start command for the color image data held in the encoding memory 22 (S31). If it is determined that a print start command has been issued (S31: YES), it is determined whether or not a recopy prohibition status is added to the color image data held in the encoding memory 22 (S32). When it is determined that the re-copying prohibition status is not added to the color image data (S32: NO), that is, when the re-copying status is added to the color image data of all pages, the print output by the second processing means is performed. Execute (S33).

  On the other hand, when the control unit 2 determines that the recopying prohibition status is added to the color image data (S32: YES), the recopying prohibition status is added to the color image data of all pages held in the encoding memory 22. It is determined whether or not is added (S34). If it is determined that the re-copying prohibition status is added to the color image data of all pages (S34: YES), information indicating that re-copying cannot be performed is notified (S35). For example, a message such as “Cannot be copied again” is displayed on the liquid crystal display device of the display unit 16. The processing operation of S35 is performed because the specific image is included in all pages of the color image data held in the encoding memory 22, or the setting for restricting the print output in units of jobs is made. This is a case where a specific image is included even in one page. Here, since the re-copying prohibition status is added to the color image data of all pages held in the encoding memory 22, the print processing by the second processing means is performed on the color image data of all pages. Limited.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 2 determines that the recopy prohibition status is not added to the color image data of all pages held in the encoding memory 22 (S34: NO), that is, the recopy status is added. If the page that has been copied and the page to which the recopy prohibition status is added are mixed, the color image data of the page to which the recopy prohibition status has not been added is printed out by the printer 14 (S36). That is, the color image data to which the recopy status is added is printed out by the printer 14. Then, information indicating that re-copying cannot be performed for the color image data of the page to which the re-copying prohibition status is added is notified (S37).

  For example, when the color image data of 5 pages is held in the encoding memory 22 and the recopy prohibition status is not added to the color image data of the 1st to 4th pages, that is, the color image of the 1st to 4th pages. When the re-copy status is added to the data, the color image data of the first to fourth pages is printed out by the printer 14. At this time, the color image data of the fifth page to which the recopy prohibition status is added is not printed out. Then, a message such as “The 5th page contains a specific image and cannot be copied again” is displayed on the liquid crystal display device of the display unit 16, and the color image data on the 5th page cannot be copied again. The information of is notified.

  As described above, the color image data of the page which is set to restrict the print output in units of pages and to which the recopy prohibition status is added, that is, the color image data of the page including the specific image is stored in the second processing unit. The color image data of the page to which the reprint status is added, that is, the color image data of the page not including the specific image is printed out by the second processing means. Accordingly, when a page including a specific image and a page not including the specific image are mixed in a plurality of pages of the document, the user copies only the document not including the specific image. In addition, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to remove the page including the specific image and reset the document.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus 1 restricts the print output by the first processing means when the specific image is included in the image indicated by the color image data acquired by the document reading unit 5, and the second Since the processing for restricting the print output by the processing means is executed, the color image data whose print output by the first processing means is restricted because the specific image is included is faithfully reproduced by the second processing means. Printing output can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, a recopy status is added to color image data that does not include the specific image held in the encoding memory 22, and a recopy prohibition status is displayed to the color image data that includes the specific image. However, the recopying prohibition status may be added to the color image data including the specific image without adding the recopying status to the color image data including the specific image. In this case, the second processing means is configured to print out color image data to which no recopy prohibition status is added. Thereby, the printing output of the color image data including the specific image by the second processing means is restricted.

  In the present embodiment, as a process for restricting the print output by the second processing means, the first recopy prohibition status is added to the color image data held in the encoding memory 22 in S9 or S10. The restriction process was executed. Here, as described above, when the re-copy status is added to the color image data held in the encoding memory 22, the second processing means receives the print start instruction and holds it in the encoding memory 22. Since the color image data is printed out, it is held in the encoding memory 22 after the copy holding process by the first processing means is completed instead of the first restriction process for adding the recopy prohibition status. If re-copy status is temporarily added to color image data of all pages and print output is restricted in units of jobs, all re-copy status added to color image data is deleted and print output is restricted in units of pages. In the case of the setting to perform, the second restriction process for immediately deleting the recopy status added to the color image data of the page including the specific image It may be performed. Instead of the first restriction process, a third restriction process for deleting the color image data itself held in the encoding memory 22 may be performed.

  Further, as described above, the color image data held in the encoding memory 22 is deleted when the set time elapses. Therefore, instead of the first restriction process, the second processing means receives a print start command. Alternatively, a fourth restriction process may be performed in which the set time is temporarily changed to a time during which the color image data held in the encoding memory 22 cannot be printed out (for example, “0 minutes”).

  As described above, since the image processing apparatus 1 performs any one of the first to fourth restriction processes and restricts the print output by the second processing unit, the image processing apparatus 1 applies the color image data held in the encoding memory 22 to the color image data. On the other hand, compared with the case where image processing (infidelity processing) for making an image different from the original document is printed and output, color image data including the specific image is obtained by the second processing means with simple processing. Can be prevented from being printed out faithfully.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the determination circuit 6 determines whether or not a specific image is included in the image indicated by the RGB color system color image data output from the document reading unit 5. Whether or not a specific image is included in the image indicated by the color image data of the L * a * b * color system output from the second image processing circuit 11 as indicated by a broken line in FIG. You may make it discriminate | determine. In the present embodiment, when the re-copy prohibition status is added to the color image data held in the encoding memory 22, the color image data held in the encoding memory 22 is not printed out. That is, by preventing the color image data in the encoding memory 22 from being output to the printer 14, the print output by the second processing means is limited. However, the second process is similar to the print output restriction by the first processing means. You may make it restrict | limit the printing output by a means.

  In this embodiment, the case where the copy holding process and the recopy process are performed on the color image data has been described. However, the original reading unit 5 reads the monochrome image of the original to acquire the monochrome image data, and acquires the acquired monochrome image. Of course, it is also possible to perform copy holding processing and re-copying processing on image data. In addition, for monochrome image data, it is possible to restrict print output by copy holding processing and recopy processing.

  In addition, the configuration of the image processing apparatus 1 shown in the present embodiment is only one aspect of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and it is needless to say that the design can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, a facsimile machine or a multifunction machine can be used as long as it has a re-copy function that stores image data of a processed document in a memory without being discarded, and reads out and prints out the memory when a print start command is issued. Etc. are also feasible.

  In the present invention, for example, image data of a copy processed document included in a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine thereof is held in a memory without being discarded, and is read from the memory when a print start command is issued. The present invention can be applied to an image processing apparatus having a recopy function for printing out.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed the copy holding process performed by the 1st processing means. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing operations performed in the image processing apparatus 1 in parallel with the copy holding process by the first processing unit when a copy start command is input. 3 is a flowchart showing processing operations performed in the image processing apparatus 1 after the first processing means starts holding color image data. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing operation performed in the image processing apparatus when there is a print start command for color image data in the encoding memory.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing apparatus 2 Control part 3 ROM
4 RAM
5 Document Reading Unit 6 Discrimination Circuit 14 Printer 22 Coding Memory (Memory)

Claims (6)

  First processing means for reading an image of a document and printing out the acquired image data, and storing the image data in the memory without discarding the printed data after printing, and printing after the printing output is completed In response to the start command, the first processing means performs a process of printing out again the image data held in the memory, and the image indicated by the acquired image data includes a specific image. In this case, the image processing apparatus includes: a control unit that restricts the print output by the first processing unit and executes a process for limiting the print output by the second processing unit.   The processing for restricting the print output by the second processing means is for restricting the second processing means from printing out the image data to the image data held in the memory by the first processing means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus adds information. The second processing means receives the print start command and receives the print start command when the information for permitting print output is added to the image data held in the memory by the first processing means. It prints out the stored image data,
The process for restricting the print output by the second processing means is a process for deleting the information permitting the print output or the image data held in the memory by the first processing means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. A deletion unit that deletes the image data held in the memory by the first processing unit when a set time has elapsed since the first processing unit started holding the image data;
The processing for restricting the print output by the second processing means cannot print out the image data held in the memory by the first processing means even when the second processing means receives a print start command. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing is a process of changing the set time to a time.   When the specific image is included in the image indicated by the plurality of pages of image data acquired by the first processing unit, the control unit stores the plurality of pages of image data held in the memory by the first processing unit. 5. The process according to claim 1, wherein the process for restricting the print output by the second processing unit is executed only for the image data of the page including the specific image. The image processing apparatus described.   The control means, when the image indicated by the plurality of pages of image data acquired by the first processing means includes at least one specific image, all the pages held in the memory by the first processing means. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a process for limiting print output by the second processing unit is executed on the image data. 6.

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