JP2006319668A - Information processing apparatus, user terminal and image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus which transmits image data, records it and can aim at the improvement in the list nature of an image file while the confidentiality of the image data is assuring when the image data is transmitted, recorded and displayed. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing apparatus includes a specific region setting means on original image data, a setting means of an image processing method, a setting means of an image reducing method, a setting means of an encryption method, and a setting means of an image file format. It also includes a means for performing image processing to the image data contained to the specific region to which setting in the original image data is performed as above-mentioned by the above image processing method, a means which performs reducing the processing of the original image data for the image data to which the above image processing is performed by the above image reducing method, a means which carries out the encryption processing of the original image data for the image data by which the reduction is performed by the above encryption method, and a means for charging the original image data into the above graphics file format for the image data by which the encryption is performed and to form image file information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a user terminal, an image processing system, an image processing method, and an image processing program. In particular, the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that performs image processing on a specific area with high confidentiality in image data to reduce and encrypt the image data.

In recent years, in offices and the like, a system is often constructed in which terminals such as a plurality of personal computers are connected to an information processing apparatus such as a digital multifunction peripheral via a network. This type of information processing apparatus is generally configured as a multi-function device that serves as a printer, scanner, copier, document server, or the like.
In the printer function, print data such as image data and text data is received from a terminal via a network, and images, characters, and the like based on the print data are recorded on a recording sheet.
In the scanner function, the image data of the read original is transmitted via the network, and the terminal receives the image data and displays it on the display of the terminal.
In the copying function, the document image read by the scanner function is recorded on a recording sheet.
In the document server function, the scanned document is reused by storing the document read by the scanner function as an image file in a storage device inside the multifunction peripheral. Documents are shared by publishing on the network.

Such an information processing apparatus greatly contributes to improvement of work efficiency in the office and can be used easily and easily. Also, confidentiality is ensured by encrypting communication paths on the network and using image files corresponding to the encryption.
As a technique for easily confirming a captured image while ensuring the confidentiality of image data, for example, Patent Document 1 is available. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133867 encrypts and transmits image data of a photographed image obtained by photographing, and generates a reduced image such as a thumbnail by reduction processing or thinning the image data of the photographed image and displays it on a display means. Is. Encrypting in this way ensures the confidentiality of the image data while generating a reduced image so that the outline of the captured image can be confirmed.
JP 2004-120301 A

  The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 generates two image data, encrypted image data and thumbnail image data, transmits the encrypted image data, and stores the thumbnail image in a memory. . Therefore, a process for encrypting the image data and a process for generating a reduced image are necessary, and the processing amount of the image data is large.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described problems. When image data is transmitted, recorded, and displayed, the confidentiality of the image data is ensured and the image file listability is improved. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that can be improved.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a specific area setting unit on the original image data, an image processing method setting unit, an image reduction method setting unit, an encryption method setting unit, and an image file format setting unit. An information processing apparatus comprising: means for performing image processing by the image processing method on image data included in the set specific area in the original image data; and image data subjected to the image processing Means for reducing original image data by the image reduction method, means for encrypting original image data including the reduced image data by the encryption method, and an original image including the encrypted image data Means for converting the data into the image file format to generate image file information, thereby solving the problem.

In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the specific area setting unit sets one or a plurality of coordinate pairs, or the specific area setting unit sets a recognition target included in original image data; It comprises means for recognizing a recognition target and setting the recognized area as a specific area.
The specific area setting means recognizes the predetermined information when the original image data is a format image in which predetermined information is fixedly arranged or a format image in which predetermined information is movably arranged. It is good that it is means to do. Here, the format image in which predetermined information is fixedly arranged indicates a standard document, a standard document, a postcard, and the like, which will be described later as a fourth recognition method. A format image in which predetermined information is movably arranged is a document in which description contents and order are specified as predetermined information, and the arrangement changes according to the description contents.

In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the image processing method setting unit is a unit that determines overwriting with a grid line, a single color or multicolor fill, or a graphic of a predetermined pattern pattern. . Alternatively, the setting means of the image processing method corresponds to the means for changing the overwritten figure corresponding to the type of image data included in the specific area, or the size or character type of the character font included in the specific area Then, a means for changing the overwritten graphic, or a means for applying the overwritten graphic corresponding to each character included in the specific area.
The information processing apparatus of the present invention may further comprise means for transmitting the image file information via a network.

In another aspect of the present invention, a user terminal includes a receiving unit that receives image file information transmitted from an information processing device, and a file browsing unit that reads the received image file information and generates image data that can be displayed. It is. Further, an image editing unit for editing the image file information may be provided.
Furthermore, the present invention provides an information processing system comprising specific area setting means on original image data, image processing method setting means, image reduction method setting means, encryption method setting means, and image file format setting means. A device for performing image processing by the image processing method on image data included in the set specific area in the original image data; and original image data including the image data subjected to the image processing Means for performing reduction processing by the image reduction method, means for encrypting original image data including the reduced image data by the encryption method, and converting the original image data including the encrypted image data to the original image data. An information processing device comprising means for generating image file information by converting into an image file format, means for transmitting the image file information via a network, and the image An information processing system comprising: a receiving unit that receives file information; and a file browsing unit that generates image data capable of reading and displaying the received image file information is constructed. Is.

In still another aspect of the present invention, an information processing method includes: a specific area setting unit on original image data; an image processing method setting unit; an image reduction method setting unit; an encryption method setting unit; An information processing method comprising file format setting means, the image processing included in the set specific area in the original image data being subjected to image processing by the image processing method, and the image processing being performed. Reducing the original image data including the reduced image data by the image reduction method, encrypting the original image data including the reduced image data by the encryption method, and the encrypted data The method includes a step of converting original image data including image data into the image file format to generate image file information.
The information processing program of the present invention includes a specific area setting unit on the original image data, an image processing method setting unit, an image reduction method setting unit, an encryption method setting unit, and an image file format setting unit. An image processing program comprising: performing image processing by the image processing method on image data included in the set specific area in the original image data; and image data subjected to the image processing. A step of reducing original image data including the image reduction method, a step of encrypting original image data including the reduced image data using the encryption method, and an element including the encrypted image data. And causing the information processing apparatus to execute the step of converting the image data into the image file format to generate image file information.

The information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a specific area setting unit on the original image data, an image processing method setting unit, an image reduction method setting unit, an encryption method setting unit, and an image file format setting unit. An information processing apparatus comprising: means for performing image processing by the image processing method on image data included in the set specific area in the original image data; If an area that needs to be concealed, such as a part that contains a pattern or a pattern, is designated as a specific area and image processing is performed on the specific area, important information can be prevented from being disclosed accidentally. And can keep security high.
Further, the image processing apparatus of the present invention includes means for reducing the original image data including the image data subjected to the image processing by the image reduction method. Therefore, other original image data except for the specific area is reduced. The displayed image data can be displayed on the output device for viewing.
In addition, since the information processing apparatus of the present invention includes means for encrypting original image data including the reduced image data by the encryption method, the image data may be decrypted even when the image data is transmitted to the user terminal. Less is.
In this way, the present invention performs image processing on a highly confidential specific area on the original image data, generates a reduced image as display image data, and further performs encryption processing as transmission image data. The processing amount of the image data can be reduced, and the image data can be processed at high speed.
The information processing apparatus according to the present invention further includes means for converting the original image data including the encrypted image data into the image file format to generate image file information. Can be generated.

In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, since the specific area setting unit is a unit that sets one or a plurality of coordinate pairs, the original image data can be displayed on the output device and set while viewing the screen. The specific area can be easily set. The specific area setting means includes means for setting a recognition target included in the original image data and means for recognizing the recognition target and setting the recognized area as the specific area. A specific area with high confidentiality can be designated. Alternatively, by designating a highly confidential character string or pattern as a recognition target, the specified recognition target is recognized by the image recognition means, and can be automatically set as a specific region.
Further, since the specific area setting means is means for recognizing the predetermined information when the original image data is a format image in which predetermined information is fixedly arranged, the standard document, the standard document, the form , It is possible to easily set a specific area of image data that is standardized like a postcard. Further, when the predetermined information is a format image that is movably arranged, it is a means for recognizing the predetermined information, so the description content and order are specified as the predetermined information, and the arrangement is the description content In the case of a document that changes according to the specific area, the specific area can be easily set.

In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the image processing method setting unit is a unit that determines overwriting with a grid line, a single color or multicolor fill, or a graphic of a predetermined pattern. As a result, the image data in the specific area can be hidden.
Further, since the setting means of the image processing method is means for changing the overwritten graphic in accordance with the type of image data included in the specific area, the outline of the image data in the specific area is known from the overwritten graphic. be able to. In addition, since there is provided means for changing the overwritten figure in accordance with the size or type of character font included in the specific area, characters that may be read after the reduction process are selectively image-processed. be able to. In addition, since there is provided means for applying the overwritten figure corresponding to each character included in the specific area, the number of characters in the specific area can be known from the number of overwritten figures.

The information processing apparatus of the present invention includes means for transmitting the image file information via a network, so that the image file information generated by the information processing apparatus can be transmitted to another apparatus and used by another apparatus. can do.
Furthermore, the present invention is a user terminal that includes a receiving unit that receives image file information transmitted from an information processing apparatus and a file browsing unit that generates image data that can be read and displayed by the received image file information. The user can use the image file information generated by the processing device on the user terminal to display and browse the thumbnails. Furthermore, since the user terminal includes an image editing unit that edits the image file information, the user can edit the image file information as desired.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the embodiment of the present invention, a case where the present invention is applied to a network system in which a plurality of user terminals such as personal computers, a shared server, and one information processing apparatus are connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) will be described. To do.

<Network system configuration>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a network system provided with an information processing apparatus according to the present invention. The network system shown in FIG. 1 is used in an office or the like, and includes an information processing apparatus 100, a first user terminal 201 and a second user terminal 202 including a personal computer and a workstation, and a shared server 300. Connected to each other and built.

<Information processing device>
The information processing apparatus 100 functions as a copier that records a read original on a sheet, as a printer that records image data received from a user terminal on a sheet, and as a scanner that transmits read original image data to a user terminal. It consists of a digital copier that fulfills the functions of

  When the information processing apparatus 100 is used as a copying machine, a document is set on the image reading unit 11 and an input operation is performed by the user I / F 3 to instruct copying of the document. In response to this, the control unit 20 activates the image reading unit 11 in order to copy the image of the document. The image reading unit 11 reads an image of a document, generates image data based on the image, and outputs the image data to the processing unit 21. The processing unit 21 performs image processing and then outputs image data to the image forming unit 30. The image forming unit 30 records an image based on the image data on a recording sheet, and discharges the recording sheet.

  The information processing apparatus 100 can copy a monochrome image and a color image. When copying an image of a document onto a recording sheet, the user I / F 3 is operated together with a copy instruction to select either a monochrome image or a color image. When a color image is designated, image data indicating a color image is output from the image reading unit 11, the image data is processed by the processing unit 21, and the color image is recorded on a recording sheet by the image forming unit 30. On the other hand, when a monochrome image is designated, image data indicating a monochrome image is output from the image reading unit 11, the image data is processed by the processing unit 21, and the monochrome image is recorded on a recording sheet by the image forming unit 30. The

When the information processing apparatus 100 is used as a printer, for example, print data such as image data and text data is transmitted from the first user terminal 201 or 202 or the shared server 300 to the information processing apparatus 100 through the network cable 400. To do. The information processing apparatus 100 receives print data through the network I / F 50, performs language analysis of the print data by the language analysis unit 24 provided in the control unit 20, and print data expansion unit 25 based on the result of the language analysis. After the print data is developed by the processing unit and various image processing is performed by the processing unit 21, an image is recorded on a recording sheet by the image forming unit 30 and output as a print output.
In the case of this printer as well, it is possible to record a monochrome image or a color image, and whether the image is a monochrome image or a color image from the first user terminal 201 or 202 or the shared server 300 to the information processing apparatus 100. By instructing, a monochrome image or a color image can be printed out.

When the information processing apparatus 100 is used as a scanner, an original is set on the image reading unit 11 and an input operation is performed by the user I / F 3 to instruct reading of the original. Note that a destination that is a destination of the scanned image file is registered in the destination list 41 of the storage unit 40. The registration of the destination may be a method in which an external program accesses the image processing apparatus 100 to register, or may be a method of inputting and registering from the operation device 1. The image reading unit 11 reads an image of a document, and the control unit 20 performs information processing on the image data based on the image so that the processing unit 21 can recognize, for example, a format that can be recognized by the first user terminal 201. A file is created and the image file is sent to the image transmission unit 23. The image transmission unit 23 transmits the first user terminal 201 or 202 or the shared server 300 through the network I / F 50 and the network cable 400.
This scanner can also read a monochrome image or a color image, and can output a monochrome image or a color image by instructing the monochrome image or the color image by the user I / F 3.
The first user terminals 201a and 201b include network I / Fs 202a and 202b, CPUs 203a and 203b, ROMs 204a and 204b, RAMs 205a and 205b, HDDs 206a and 206b, input units 207a and 207b, and output units 208a and 208b. Is displayed on the output unit 208a or 208b.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus 100 can function as both a copier, a printer, and a scanner. Therefore, it contributes to work efficiency in the office. However, when used as a scanner, there is a possibility that image data sent to the first user terminal or the second user terminal is acquired and viewed by a third party who is listening to the network data. Further, when the user terminals 201 and 202 are shared PCs, there is a possibility that other users will view the received image.

  For this reason, when the information processing apparatus 100 of the present invention uses the scanner function, the information processing apparatus of the first embodiment performs the processing of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Thus, a reduced image that takes into account a highly confidential area is generated, and the reduced image is encrypted to enhance security.

Next, the processing unit 21 provided in the control unit 20 will be described with reference to FIG.
The processing unit 21 includes an image processing module 211, an image recognition module 212, an encryption module 213, an image file generation module 214, and an image reduction module 215.
The image processing module 211 is a module provided with N image processing means. The original image data a can be subjected to image processing in N ways by N image processing means. The image processing module 211 performs the image processing designated by the image processing designation information c on the area indicated by the area designation information b that designates M specific areas with respect to the original image data a, and generates thumbnail image data d. Output. As an image processing method, there are a method of overwriting with a grid-like line, a method of painting with a single color or multiple colors, or a method of overwriting a predetermined picture pattern, and the user selects any one of these image processing methods. The image processing method may always be the same, or may be appropriately selected for each content of image data. Instead of the thumbnail image, for example, reduced image data by a nearest neighbor method, a linear interpolation method, a three-dimensional interpolation method, or an area average method may be output.

  The image recognition module 212 is a module provided with R image recognition means. Images can be recognized in R ways by R image recognition means. The image recognition module 212 performs image recognition based on the image recognition designation information f designated for the image data a, and outputs area data g using the result of the image recognition as a specific area. Examples of the image recognition method include a pattern recognition method and a feature amount extraction method, and the user selects any one of these image recognition methods. The image recognition method may always be the same, or may be appropriately selected for each content of image data.

  The encryption module 213 is a module provided with E encryption means. E pieces of image data can be encrypted by the E pieces of encryption means. The encryption module 213 encrypts the image data a using the encryption designation information h and the encryption key information i designated for the image data a, and outputs the encrypted image data j. Examples of the encryption method include a DES method, an AES method, and the like. Examples of the encryption key include a method using a character string designated by the user and a method using the user's biometric information. The user selects any one of these encryption methods and encryption keys. The encryption method and the encryption key may always be the same, or may be appropriately selected for each content of image data.

The image file generation module 214 is a module provided with F image file generation means. An image file can be generated by F methods by F image file generating means. The image file generation module 214 outputs image file information l holding thumbnail image data and encrypted image data from the thumbnail image data d, encrypted image data j, and image file format designation information k. There are TIFF, PDF, JPEG, GIF, etc. as image file formats, and the user selects any one of these image file formats. The image file format may always be the same, or may be appropriately selected for each content.
In the present invention, the specific area, image processing method, image recognition method, encryption method, encryption key, and image file format are selected and set by the user for each image data. May be. One or more of a specific area, an image processing method, an image recognition method, an encryption method, an encryption key, and an image file format may be set in the information processing apparatus in advance, and the rest may be set by the user.

  From the above, the processing unit 21 sets and gives the original image data a, designated area information b, image processing designation information c, encryption designation information h, encryption key information i, and image file format designation information k. A specific area with high secrecy such as an important character string or a turn included in the original image data is set, and image processing set in the specific area is performed. Next, the reduced image data d is obtained by reducing the image processed image data. Further, the encrypted image data j encrypted with the encryption method and the encryption key in which the reduced image data is set is obtained, and the image file format set by the image file format designation information k is processed on the encrypted image data j. File information l can be generated.

  Also, by giving the image recognition designation information f instead of the designated area information b, a highly confidential specific area such as a part containing an important character string or pattern on the original image data is recognized and recognized. Image file information l can be generated by performing image processing in which an area is set as a specific area, then performing reduction processing, further performing encryption processing, and performing image file format processing thereon.

-Description of operation-
<Scan operation>
Hereinafter, processing operations performed when the information processing apparatus 100 plays the role of scanning will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4.
When performing the scanner processing operation, the user first inserts the IC card 5 provided in advance into the user ID input unit 4 of the information processing apparatus 100. Alternatively, the non-contact tag 7 that can transmit the user ID in a non-contact manner is brought close to the user ID input unit 4. In addition to this, in order to recognize the user, a personal identification number or biometric information such as a fingerprint, vein, or finger shape may be used. The personal identification number is input from the operation device 1 and verified by the user ID identification unit 26. When using biometric information, a device for inputting biometric information and its recognition unit are required.

  The user ID input unit 4 waits for the insertion of the IC card 5 (“No” state in Step S3-1), and when the IC card 5 is inserted (“Yes” state in Step S3-1), this The user's ID number is read from the IC card, and this ID number is output to the control unit 20. The user ID identification unit 26 of the control unit 20 collates the input ID number with the previously stored ID number (step S3-2). If this ID number does not match the previous ID number ("determination" determination in step S3-2), this ID number is stored and the previous ID number is deleted to update the ID number (step S3-3). If this ID number matches the previous ID number ("same" determination in step S3-2), the process proceeds to step S3-4 without performing the process in step S3-3.

Thereafter, the user sets an image of the document on the image reading unit 11, and operates the mode selection with the user I / F 3 to select the scan mode. A monochrome image or a color image is designated. Thereby, it is instructed that the operation to be performed from now is a scanning operation ("Yes" determination in step S3-4). If the mode selection does not indicate that it is a scanning operation ("No" determination in step S3-4), the process returns to step S3-1.
Next, the user selects a destination to which the scanned image is transmitted ("Yes" determination in step S3-5). Sendable destinations are stored in a destination list 41 of the storage unit 40. The destination may be input from the operation device 1. If no destination is selected (“No” determination in step S3-5), the process returns to step S3-1.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the information processing apparatus 100 has been decrypted (step S3-6). For the determination, refer to the decryption setting flag 42 stored in the storage unit 40. The decryption setting flag is shown in FIG. In the decryption setting, when decryption is 1, the decryption is canceled. When the decryption setting flag 42 is 0 (“No” determination at step S3-6), the process proceeds to step S3-15. If the decryption setting flag 42 is 1 (“Yes” determination in step S3-6), the process proceeds to step S3-7, and the user ID input in step S3-1 is retrieved from the encryption transmission necessity table 43. Then, the value of the encrypted transmission enable flag corresponding to the user ID is searched. If the input in step S3-1 is a personal identification number, the personal identification number is searched, and if it is biological information, the encryption transmission necessity table 43 is searched based on the biological information to determine the value of the encryption transmission enable flag. The situation of the encryption transmission necessity table 43 is shown in FIG. If the value of the encryption transmission enable flag corresponding to the user ID is 1 as a result of the search in FIG. 6B, 1 is set in the encryption transmission necessity flag, and the process proceeds to step S3-8. If the value of the encryption transmission enable flag corresponding to the user ID is 0, the encryption transmission necessity flag is set to 0, and the process proceeds to step S3-8.

In step S3-8, it is determined whether encryption transmission is possible. If the encrypted transmission necessity flag is 0, it is determined that there is no necessity for encrypted transmission ("No" determination in step S3-8), and the process proceeds to step S3-15. If the encrypted transmission necessity flag is 1, it is determined that encrypted transmission is necessary ("Yes" determination in step S3-8), and the process proceeds to step S3-9.
In step S3-9, the user uses the operation device 1 to select the image file format to be transmitted, and sets the image file format designation information k to one of the image file generation means 1 to F of the image file generation module 214. . Selectable image formats include encrypted files such as encrypted PDF files in addition to normal image formats such as TIFF, PDF, JPEG, and GIF files, but the format types are not limited to these formats. Absent.

Step S3-15 is executed when “No” is determined in Step S3-6, or when “No” is determined in Step S3-8. In step S3-15, the user selects an image file format to be transmitted, and sets the image file format designation information k to any of the image file generation means 1 to F of the image file format generation module 214. In this case, the selectable image formats include normal image formats such as TIFF, PDF, JPEG, and GIF files. The format types are not limited to these formats.
In step S3-10, the transmission image file format selected by the user is checked. If it is an encrypted file ("Yes" determination in step S3-10), the process proceeds to step S3-11. If it is not an encrypted file ("No" determination in step S3-10), the process proceeds to step S3-17 shown in FIG.

  Next, in step S3-11, the user inputs encryption key information for encrypting image data from the user I / F 3. The encryption key includes, for example, a method using a character string designated by the user and a method using the user's biometric information. If the encryption key information is input ("Yes" determination in step S3-11), the encryption key information i specified by the input encryption key information is converted into the encryption means 1 to E of the encryption module 213. (Step S3-12), and the process proceeds to step S3-13. If the encryption key information i is not input even though the encrypted file is selected (“No” determination in step S3-11), the process returns to step S3-11 again.

  Next, the user selects an encryption method by the user I / F 3 (step S3-13). Examples of the encryption method include a DES method and an AES method. If an encryption method is selected (“Yes” determination in step S3-13), the selected encryption method is set as one of the encryption units 1 to E of the encryption module 213 as the encryption designation information h. (Step S3-14). If the encryption method is not selected (“No” determination in step S3-13), a default encryption method predetermined by the information processing apparatus 100 is set (step S3-16).

<Image file generation operation>
Next, in step S3-17 shown in FIG. 4, the user operates the user I / F 3 to instruct the start of the document scanning operation. Image data obtained by scanning is processed by the processing unit 21 of the control unit 20, converted into a format that can be displayed on the display device 2 by the drawing management unit 22, and displayed on the display device 2. The display device 2 may be an LCD or a CRT. Any device that can display image data, which is a scanned image of a document, may be used.

In this way, the document is scanned and an image is displayed on the display device 2. Next, in step S3-18, the user operates the operation device 1 to designate a specific area with high secrecy on the scanned image ("Yes" determination in step S3-18). Here, the user designates a specific area on the scanned image with the operation device 1 in order to increase the security by performing image processing on the specific area. The operation device 1 may be a mouse, a trackball, Joy Stick, or a keyboard. The operation device 1 creates area designation information b from the designated area (step S3-19). The designated area is converted into area data on the image data by the drawing management section 22, sent to the processing section 21 as area designation information b, and set in any of the image processing means 1 to N of the image processing module 211.
When the user operates the mouse in step S3-18 and selects not specifying the area on the scanned image (“No” determination in step S3-18), the image recognition method for creating the area data g is selected. To do. Examples of the image recognition method include a pattern recognition method and a feature amount extraction method. The selected image recognition method is set as the image recognition designation information f (step S3-28). An image recognition target is set. Image recognition is performed by applying the image recognition method and the image recognition target set in this way to the original image data (step S3-29). Region data g is generated from the image recognition result from the image recognition result (step S3-30).

Next, the user selects an image processing method to be applied to the specific area (step S3-20). When the user selects an image processing method ("Yes" determination in step S3-20), the selected image processing method is set as image processing designation information c (step S3-21). When the user selects one not to set the image processing method (“No” determination in step S3-20), a default image processing method predetermined by the information processing apparatus 100 is set (step S3-31). The image processing method set here is set to one of the image processing means 1 to N as the image processing designation information c of the image processing module 211.
Next, a specific area is defined on the original image data a scanned in step S3-17 by area designation information b or area data g, and image processing of image processing designation information c is performed on the specific area (step S3-22). . Further, operations such as thinning and compression are performed on the image data that has been subjected to the image processing, thereby generating thumbnail image data (step S3-23).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the transmission image format is an encrypted file (step S3-24). When the transmission image format is an encrypted file ("Yes" determination in step S3-24), the scanned image data is encrypted key information i set in step S3-12 and the step S3-14 or S3-16. Encryption processing is performed using the set encryption designation information h, and encrypted image data j is generated (step S3-25). If the transmission image format is not an encrypted file ("No" determination in step S3-24), the process proceeds to step S3-26.

The thumbnail image data d generated in step S3-23 or the encrypted image data j generated in step S3-25 is sent to the image file generation unit 214 to generate image file information l (step S3-26). . The image file information l is generated according to the image file format information k selected in step S3-9 or step S3-15. For example, if a TIFF file is selected, a TIFF file is generated. If an encrypted PDF file is selected, an encrypted PDF file is generated.
The image file information 1 generated as described above is sent to the image transmission unit 23. The image transmission unit 23 transmits the image file information l to the destination selected in step S3-5 (step S3-27).

  The transmitted image file information l is received by the user terminal 201, for example. The user terminal includes a network I / F 211, a CPU 212, a ROM 213, a RAM 214, a hard disk 215, an input unit 216, an output unit 217, and the like. As shown in FIG. 5, the user terminal 201 includes reception software 251, file browsing software 252, and image editing software 253. The image file information 1 received by the network I / F 211 can be transferred to the file browsing software 252 or other software (for example, image processing software, document management software, groupware) by the reception software 251. When the image file information l is transferred to the file browsing software 252, the file browsing software 252 generates a thumbnail of the image file information l and displays it on the output unit 217. In addition, since the user terminal 201 includes the image editing software 214, the image displayed on the output unit can be edited, and the edited image file information can be saved.

When the received image file information l is encrypted, the file browsing software 252 extracts thumbnail information from the image file information l and displays it on the display unit 217. When the image file information l is not encrypted, the received thumbnail is displayed on the display unit 217. By displaying thumbnails in this way, it is possible to confirm the overview of the original image data. However, since the specific area that is considered to be highly confidential of the original image data is subjected to image processing by the user's judgment, the image processing of the specific area cannot be restored, and the high confidentiality is specified from the thumbnail image. It is difficult to interpret the area.
For this reason, even when an unspecified number of people have an opportunity to view an image, such as when the user terminal is a shared terminal, it is difficult to grasp the contents of a highly confidential specific area from the thumbnail image. . However, the original user who has received the image file information l at the user terminal cancels the image file information l by regenerating the thumbnail image using the image editing software or opens the image file information l with the image editing software. Thus, the contents of the specific area can be browsed.

<Specific area designation method 1 of area data>
A method for designating a specific area on the image data will be described below with reference to FIGS. The designation of the specific area on the image data is used to designate the specific area on the image data in step S3-18 in the flowchart of FIG. 4 as an area where the user has high confidentiality. The method for designating the area on the image data is not limited to the method described below, and various forms may be used.

In step S4-1 in FIG. 7, first, the area data is initialized. The area data is a set having a pair of coordinates as an element. A rectangle is represented by a pair of coordinates. One of the pair of coordinates represents the upper left coordinate, and the other represents the lower right coordinate.
When the user designates the specific area, the upper left coordinates (Xi, Yi) are designated (step S4-2). Next, lower right coordinates (Xj, Yj) are designated (step S4-3). Next, in step S4-4, a rectangular area defined by the coordinates specified in steps S4-2 and S4-3 is determined as area data, which is input to the image processing module 211 as area specifying information b. To do. Next, when there is no addition of a specific area (in the case of “Yes” in step S4-5), the specification of the specific area ends. If there is an addition of a specific area (“No” in step S4-5), steps S4-2 to S4-4 are repeated to add another specific area.
FIG. 8 shows an example in which specific areas 1 and 2 are designated in the original image data A. The specific area 1 ((100, 100), (300, 200)) and the specific area 2 ((350, 400), (700, 800)) are designated.

<Region recognition method>
The area recognition algorithm will be described below. The area recognition algorithm is executed to recognize a specific area on the image data in step S3-28 in the flowchart of FIG. Note that the area recognition algorithm is not limited to the one shown below, and various forms may be used.
A method for recognizing a character area as a first area recognition method will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. First, in step S6-1, the original image data is applied to an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) engine. An OCR engine that can output a character area as a set of rectangles is used. In step S6-2, a set of rectangular areas is acquired as a result of character area recognition. FIG. 10B shows a result of recognizing the text areas 1 to 10 by applying the original image data B shown in FIG. As can be seen by comparing FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B, a character region is recognized for each paragraph.

Next, a method for recognizing a designated character as a second region recognition method will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.
First, in step S8-1, a specified character string set is initialized. Next, the designated character string is input to the designated character string set (step S8-2). The designated character string may be input from the operation device 1 or may be configured such that the designated character string can be registered by accessing the information processing apparatus from a user terminal or an external program. Next, it is determined whether or not another character string is input (step S8-3).
If there is another input character string ("Yes" determination in step S8-3), the process returns to step S8-2. If there is no other input character string ("No" determination in step S8-3), the process proceeds to step S8-4. In step S8-4, a specified character string set is set in the OCR. This character string set is input to the image recognition module 212 as image recognition designation information f. As a result, the OCR operates to recognize an area on the image data including the designated character string. In step S8-5, the original image data is subjected to OCR. The OCR outputs a character string designated by character recognition as area data. A set of areas is obtained from the output result (step S8-6). This recognition result is obtained as region data g from the output of the image recognition module 212.
In the image data C of FIG. 12 (a), ["MADO", "SHARP"] is set as the designated character string set and OCR is applied. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12 (b), "MADO" or " An area including “SHARP” is recognized as image data D having a text area 1 and a text area 2. The recognized text areas 1 and 2 are obtained as area data g.

A method for recognizing a specified pattern as a third region recognition method will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, in step S9-1, a recognition pattern set is initialized. Next, a recognition pattern is set (step S9-2). The recognition pattern may be set so that the user can register it by operating the operation device 1, and the recognition pattern can be added by accessing the information processing apparatus from a user terminal or an external program. It doesn't matter. Next, it is determined whether there is any additional recognition pattern (step S9-3). If there is a recognition pattern to be added ("Yes" determination in step S9-3), the process returns to step S9-2. This recognition pattern is input to the image recognition module 212 as image recognition designation information f.
If there is no additional recognition pattern ("No" determination in step S9-3), the process proceeds to step S9-4. In step S9-4, pattern matching is performed on the image data. As a pattern matching result, image data including a recognition pattern is output as a set of rectangular area data. This recognition result is obtained as region data g from the output of the image recognition module 212.
When the image data E in FIG. 14A is recognized by the recognition pattern shown in FIG. 14C, the image data F having the pattern area in FIG. 14B is obtained as a recognition result.

Next, a method for recognizing a standard document as a fourth region recognition method will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In this flowchart, a form is described as an example of a standard document. It can be applied to standard documents and postcards as well as standard documents.
First, in step S14-1, a form pattern set is initialized. Next, a form pattern is added to the form pattern set (step S14-2). The form pattern may be added by operating the operation device 1 so that the user can register it, or the form pattern can be added by accessing the information processing apparatus from a user terminal or an external program. Alternatively, the form pattern may be stored in the auxiliary storage device so that it can be added by reading from the auxiliary storage device. The auxiliary storage device may be arranged inside the information processing apparatus or at a location accessible from the information processing apparatus. Next, it is determined whether or not another form pattern is added (step S14-3). If there is another form pattern to be added (“Yes” determination in step S14-3), the process returns to step S14-2. This form pattern is input to the image recognition module 212 as image recognition designation information f.

If there is no other form pattern to be added ("No" determination in step S14-3), the process proceeds to step S14-4. Next, in step S14-4, pattern matching is performed on the image data. The pattern matching result is output as a set of rectangles on the image data characterizing the form. The recognition result is obtained as region data g from the output of the image recognition module 212 (step S14-5).
As shown in FIG. 16A, when a postcard is pattern-recognized as a standard document, the recognition results are defined as regions 1 to 14 as specific regions as shown in FIG. 16B.
Although the above-described standard document has been described as a standard document that is a format image in which predetermined information is fixedly arranged, for example, description contents and order are predetermined as a headword, and the arrangement depends on the description contents It is possible to recognize a specific area by specifying information such as a boiled word as a recognition target with respect to a format image that changes with time.

<Image processing method>
Next, an image processing algorithm will be described. The image processing algorithm is performed to perform image processing on a specific area on the image data in step S3-22 in the flowchart of FIG. It should be noted that the image processing algorithm is not limited to the one shown below, and various forms can be considered. Since the original image data a, the area designation information b, and the image processing designation information c are confirmed at the step S3-22, the image processing designated for the specific area on the original image data a can be applied.

As shown in FIG. 17, the first image processing method is an image processing method that renders text on region data unreadable by drawing a grid-like line in a designated region.
FIG. 17A shows original image data a before image processing, and region 1 and region 2 are set as specific regions. The specific area may be an area designated by the user in the following second to fifth image processing methods, or may be an area recognized by the image recognition algorithm.
When the image processing method 1 is applied to the image data A in FIG. 17A, as shown in the image data R in FIG. The text is overwritten with a pattern and is unreadable. The image data image-processed by the first image processing method can restore the thumbnail of the original image data by regenerating the thumbnail image using image editing software. Also, by opening the image data with image editing software, the original image data can be restored in the following image processing method as well.

The second image processing method is an image processing method in which a designated area is filled with a single color.
FIG. 18A shows the original image data S before image processing, and an area 1 is set as a specific area in the original image data S.
When the image processing method 2 is applied to the original image data S in FIG. 18A, the area 1 designated as the specific area is filled with a single color as shown in the image data T in FIG. Is overwritten and the text is unreadable. In this example, the image is overwritten so as to be painted with a single color, but it may be multicolored.

The third image processing method is a method of changing the image processing method according to the type of data included in the specific area on the original image data.
FIG. 19A shows original image data G before image processing. In this original image data G, image area 1 and character areas 1 to 6 are set as specific areas. FIG. 19B shows the image data H after image processing. The area designated as the image area 1 is overwritten with the preset image a shown in FIG. 19C in FIG. 19B and cannot be read. Further, the areas designated by the character areas 1 to 6 are overwritten with the preset text data b shown in FIG. 19D in FIG. Therefore, by reading the image or text data overwritten on the image data H after image processing, the type of data of the original image can be known.

The fourth image processing method is a method of recognizing characters in a character area on image data and performing image processing on the corresponding character area if the character is larger than a preset font size.
FIG. 20A shows original image data I before image processing, and character area 1 to character area 4 are set as specific areas.
FIG. 20B shows the image data J after image processing. Since the font size of the characters included in the character areas 1 to 3 is equal to or larger than the font size 18 shown in FIG. However, since the character area 4 has a font size of 18 or less, the painting process is not performed. In this way, character information with a large font size may be deciphered even if it is converted into a thumbnail, but character information with a small font size becomes difficult to interpret due to thumbnailing, so only character information with a large font size is processed. It is good to give. In this example, it is determined whether or not to perform image processing based on the font size. However, since it is difficult to read when thumbnails are generated depending on the character type, it may be determined whether or not to perform image processing based on the character type.

The fifth image processing method is a method of recognizing characters in a character area on image data and replacing the characters with symbols.
FIG. 21A shows the original image data K before image processing, and character areas 1 to 5 are set as specific areas.
FIG. 21B shows image data L to which image processing is applied. The areas designated as the character areas 1 to 5 are overwritten with the symbols shown in FIG. Here, if one character is replaced so as to correspond to each character, the number of hidden characters can be known from the number of symbols.

  As described above, a thumbnail image is generated in consideration of a highly confidential area of image data of a scanned document, and the information file processing apparatus further performs encryption processing to improve image file listability while ensuring the confidentiality of the image data. Can be planned. An information processing system can be constructed by this information processing apparatus and a user terminal that receives image file data and displays thumbnails.

1 shows a block diagram of an information processing apparatus. The block diagram of a process part is shown. The flowchart figure of the first half of information processing apparatus is shown. The flowchart figure of the latter half of information processing apparatus is shown. The flowchart figure of a terminal is shown. The figure explaining an encryption cancellation | release setting flag and an encryption transmission necessity table is shown. The flowchart figure of area | region designation is shown. The figure explaining the area | region designation | designated on original image data is shown. The flowchart figure of a text area recognition algorithm is shown. The figure explaining recognition of a text area is shown. The flowchart figure of a pattern area recognition algorithm is shown. The figure explaining recognition of a pattern area | region is shown. The flowchart figure of a pattern area recognition algorithm is shown. The figure explaining recognition of a pattern area | region is shown. The flowchart figure of a pattern recognition algorithm is shown. The figure explaining area | region recognition is shown. The figure explaining 1st image processing is shown. The figure explaining 2nd image processing is shown. The figure explaining 3rd image processing is shown. The figure explaining 4th image processing is shown. The figure explaining 5th image processing is shown.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Information processing apparatus 201,202 User terminal 20 Control part 21 Processing part 22 Drawing management part 211 Image processing module 212 Image recognition module 213 Encryption processing module 214 Image file generation module

Claims (14)

An information processing apparatus comprising specific area setting means on original image data, image processing method setting means, image reduction method setting means, encryption method setting means, and image file format setting means,
Means for performing image processing by the image processing method on image data included in the set specific area in the original image data;
Means for reducing the original image data including the image data subjected to the image processing by the image reduction method;
Means for encrypting original image data including the reduced image data by the encryption method;
An information processing apparatus comprising: means for converting original image data including the encrypted image data into the image file format to generate image file information.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific area setting unit is a unit that sets one or a plurality of coordinate pairs.   The specific area setting means includes means for setting a recognition target included in the original image data, and means for recognizing the recognition target and setting the recognized area as the specific area. The information processing apparatus described.   The specific area setting means recognizes the predetermined information when the original image data is a format image in which predetermined information is fixedly arranged or a format image in which predetermined information is movably arranged. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a means.   2. The image processing method setting means is a means for determining overwriting with a grid pattern line, single color or multi-color fill, or a graphic of a predetermined pattern pattern. The information processing apparatus described in 1.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the setting unit of the image processing method further includes a unit that changes the overwritten graphic in accordance with a type of image data included in the specific area.   The said image processing method setting means is further provided with a means to change the said overwritten figure corresponding to the magnitude | size or character type of the character font contained in the said specific area | region. Information processing device.   8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the setting unit of the image processing method further includes a unit that applies the overwritten graphic corresponding to each character included in the specific area. 9. Information processing device.   9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting the image file information via a network. A receiving unit that receives image file information transmitted from the information processing apparatus according to claim 9;
A user terminal, comprising: a file browsing unit that reads the received image file information and generates image data that can be displayed.   The user terminal according to claim 10, further comprising an image editing unit that edits the image file information. An information processing apparatus comprising specific area setting means on original image data, image processing method setting means, image reduction method setting means, encryption method setting means, and image file format setting means, Means for performing image processing by the image processing method on image data included in the set specific area in the original image data, and the original image data including the image data subjected to the image processing as the image reduction method Means for reducing the original image data including the reduced image data by the encryption method, and converting the original image data including the encrypted image data into the image file format. An information processing apparatus comprising: means for generating image file information; and means for transmitting the image file information via a network;
An information processing system comprising a user terminal comprising: a receiving unit that receives the image file information; and a file browsing unit that generates image data that can read and display the received image file information. An information processing method comprising specific area setting means on original image data, image processing method setting means, image reduction method setting means, encryption method setting means, and image file format setting means,
Performing image processing by the image processing method on image data included in the set specific area in the original image data;
Reducing the original image data including the image data subjected to the image processing by the image reduction method;
Encrypting original image data including the reduced image data by the encryption method;
Converting the original image data including the encrypted image data into the image file format to generate image file information. An information processing program comprising specific area setting means on original image data, image processing method setting means, image reduction method setting means, encryption method setting means, and image file format setting means,
Performing image processing by the image processing method on image data included in the set specific area in the original image data;
Reducing the original image data including the image data subjected to the image processing by the image reduction method;
Encrypting original image data including the reduced image data by the encryption method;
An information processing program for causing an information processing device to execute original image data including the encrypted image data into the image file format to generate image file information.