JP2007088810A - Image forming apparatus and system thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus and a system thereof capable of forming an original image irrespective of a deterioration state in an original at least about a predetermined image part when the original including the predetermined image such as a trademark, a logo is copied. <P>SOLUTION: A multifunction copying machine 1 creates copy of the original having the image and has a scanner 11 which reads the image of the original, a macro system controller which detects a deterioration registered image in the image read by the image reading part and restores the detected deterioration registered image and a printer 12 which creates the copy of the image which is read by the scanner 11 and passes through processing by the macro system controller. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a system for forming an image obtained by copying an image of a document. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a function of preventing a specific image included in a document from being duplicated in an altered state from an original state, and a system thereof.

  In general, an image forming apparatus capable of image copying includes a scanner unit that reads an image of a document and an image forming unit that forms an image based on image data. Then, based on the image data of the original read by the scanner unit, an image is formed by the image forming unit.

  By the way, an image handled by the image forming apparatus may be deteriorated such as a defect, a stain, or a discoloration in the copying process. In addition, such alteration may be intentionally performed by a person with some intention. Alternatively, an image formed on a tangible medium may be altered due to some physicochemical action during storage.

On the other hand, a technique for determining whether or not a copy original is altered and changing the handling of the copy according to the result is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this technique, it is determined whether or not the copy original has been altered from the original original image, and a copy is created within the permitted range according to the result. For example, when it is determined that there is a possibility of alteration, a message “possibility of alteration” is superimposed on the output image.
JP 2001-350759 A

  However, there are cases in which it is not preferable that the original image is copied and distributed as described above. Possible reasons include, for example, maintaining identity based on the moral rights of the author, preventing image deterioration for images for identification purposes such as trademarks and logos, and preventing image alteration for public order and morals. On the other hand, in the technique of Patent Document 1, it is only possible to make a judgment of alteration and alert when it is judged that there is alteration. As a result, it was not possible to sufficiently prevent the altered image from being copied and distributed.

  The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the conventional image forming apparatus described above. That is, the problem is that when copying a document including a predetermined image such as a trademark or a logo, an image forming apparatus capable of forming an original image at least for the image portion regardless of the state of alteration in the document, and It is to provide such a system.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention, which has been made for the purpose of solving this problem, is an image forming apparatus that creates a copy of a document having an image, and includes an image reading unit that reads an image of the document, and an image that is read by the image reading unit. A deterioration registration image detection unit for detecting a deterioration registration image in the image, a registration image restoration unit for repairing the deterioration registration image detected by the deterioration registration image detection unit, and a process performed in the registration image restoration unit read by the image reading unit. And an image duplicating unit that creates a duplicate of the passed image.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the image of the original is read by the image reading unit, and the deterioration registration image in the read image is detected by the deterioration registration image detection unit. Further, the detected deterioration registered image is restored by the registered image restoration unit, and then a duplicate is created by the image duplication unit. Therefore, the created registered image being duplicated is not deteriorated but has been repaired, so that the altered image is prevented from being copied as it is. As a result, when copying a document including a predetermined image such as a trademark or a logo, at least the image portion is an image forming apparatus capable of forming an original image regardless of the state of alteration of the document.

  Further, according to the present invention, a registered image storage unit that stores a registered image that can be included in an image of a document is provided, and the registered image restoration unit uses the registered image stored in the registered image storage unit to store a deteriorated registered image. It is desirable to repair. In this way, the original image can be easily obtained when the deteriorated registered image is restored.

  The present invention further includes a registered image acquisition unit that acquires a registered image that can be included in an image of an original document from an external storage unit, and the registered image restoration unit uses the registered image acquired by the registered image acquisition unit to perform degradation. It is desirable to restore the registered image. In this way, the original image can be easily obtained even if the image forming apparatus is not equipped with a large-capacity storage device.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, it is desirable to have a selection unit that allows the user to select whether or not to perform restoration in the registered image restoration unit. In this way, a user who does not mind an altered image can create a copy as it is.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, it is desirable that the selection unit allows the user to select from a plurality of candidates for registered images used for restoration. In this way, there is no possibility that the registered image is not restored by the user.

  The present invention further includes a registered image information acquisition unit that acquires information about the position or type of the registered image included in the document image from the document, and the deterioration registered image detection unit includes the information acquired by the registered image information acquisition unit. It is desirable to detect the degradation registration image based on the above. In this way, information on the registered image included in the image of the document can be obtained, so that it is easy to detect the registered image, and quick processing is possible.

  Further, in the present invention, it is desirable to have a counting unit that counts the number of times the registered image restoration unit performs restoration for each registered image. In this way, it is possible to make a contract such as charging according to the number of times repairs have been made.

  The present invention relates to an image forming system having an image forming apparatus for creating a copy of a document having an image and a registered image server for storing a registered image that can be included in the image of the document. An image reading unit that reads an image of the document, a registered image acquisition unit that acquires a registered image that can be included in the image of the document from the registered image server, and a deteriorated registered image that detects a deteriorated registered image in the image read by the image reading unit A detection unit, a registration image restoration unit that restores the degradation registration image detected by the degradation registration image detection unit using the registration image acquired by the registration image acquisition unit, and a registration image restoration unit that is read by the image reading unit The present invention also extends to an image forming system having an image duplicating unit that creates a duplicate of a processed image.

  According to the image forming apparatus and system of the present invention, when copying a document including a predetermined image such as a trademark or a logo, an original image can be formed at least for the image portion regardless of the state of alteration in the document. It has become.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the best mode for embodying the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The composite copying machine 1 of the present embodiment is configured so as to show the appearance thereof in FIG. The composite copying machine 1 has a copy function for printing an image of a document on output paper. In addition, it may be a multi-function peripheral having a function of transmitting image data acquired from a document to the outside, a function of printing an image using image data received from the outside, and the like. Further, the composite copying machine 1 is provided with a mass storage device 9 capable of storing image data.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the composite copying machine 1 has an automatic document feeder 10 at the top. Hereinafter, in order from the top, a scanner 11, a printer 12, and a paper feed unit 13 are provided. Further, an operation / display panel 14 is provided on the front surface of the scanner 11, and a manual feed tray 15 is provided beside the paper feed unit 13. The operation / display panel 14 accepts not only information display but also image selection and other operations. The upper surface of the printer 12 also serves as a paper discharge tray. The composite copying machine 1 is also provided with a coin vendor 16. The compound copier 1 may have the function of the coin vendor 16 built therein.

  The control system of the composite copying machine 1 is configured as shown in FIG. The composite copying machine 1 in FIG. 2 is provided with a drive circuit 17, a mechanical controller 18, and a macro system controller 19 in addition to the operation / display panel 14 described above. The drive circuit 17 is a circuit that drives each mechanical part in the automatic document feeder 10, the scanner 11, the printer 12, and the paper feed unit 13. The mechanical controller 18 is a controller in charge of controlling the drive circuit 17. The macro system controller 19 is a controller in charge of control other than the machine control in the multifunction copy machine 1. Specifically, in addition to handling image data, control of the operation / display panel 14, communication with the coin vendor 16, and transmission / reception with the outside via the network are performed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the scanner 11 of the composite copying machine 1 includes a slider 20. The slider 20 moves as indicated by an arrow X in the case of a set-up and reads an image on the document 50. The slider 20 in this embodiment also has a function of communicating with a storage element 51 such as an IC chip embedded in the document 50. For this reason, an antenna 21 is built in the slider 20. The antenna 21 moves as indicated by an arrow Y along with the movement of the slider 20 and passes over the storage element 51 of the document 50. As a result, if the document 50 includes the storage element 51, necessary information can be extracted therefrom. The image data acquired by the slider 20 and the data acquired by the antenna 21 from the storage element 51 are input to the macro system controller 19 in the control system of FIG. 2 and are used for various processes including image formation. The printer 12 and the paper feed unit 13 other than the scanner 11 are not particularly different from normal ones.

  In the composite copying machine 1 of this embodiment, predetermined image data can be registered and used in combination with an image read by the scanner 11. For this purpose, image data and image information of registered images are stored in the large-capacity storage device 9 of the composite copying machine 1. Examples of registered images include trademarks, logos, marks, characters, and the like, and may include images of various sizes and colors. Each registered image is stored together with image data with registration information such as a registration number added.

  Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. That is, the registered image information server 2 may be connected to the multi-function copying machine 1 so as to communicate with each other via a network. The registered image information server 2 is a server that accumulates image data and registration information of various registered images. By doing so, it is possible to use a composite copying machine 1 that does not include the mass storage device 9. What is necessary is just to receive the image data etc. of a registration image from the registration image information server 2 as needed.

  Next, a copy operation by the composite copy machine 1 of this embodiment will be described. Some originals 50 to be copied by the multi-function copying machine 1 include a registered image area 60 as a part thereof as shown in FIG. The broken lines in the figure indicate the boundaries of the areas for explanation, and are not printed on the actual document 50. Of course, there is no output when copying. Further, a part of the original 50 is provided with a storage element 51. The storage element 51 stores registration image information such as the position information of the registration image area 60 included in the document 50 and the registration number of the registration image 62 (see FIG. 6) to be printed in the registration image area 60. ing. Instead of the storage element 51 being provided, it may be printed as an identification code or the like at the corner of the paper.

  As described above, the composite copying machine 1 also acquires the stored contents of the storage element 51 by the antenna 21 when the original 50 is read by the scanner 11. Therefore, it can be seen from the contents of the storage element 51 that this document 50 includes a predetermined registered image 62 in a predetermined registered image area 60. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the image data 61 of the registered image area 60 is extracted from the image of the original 50 read by the scanner 11 and compared with the image data of the registered image 62 stored in the mass storage device 9. Then, it is determined whether or not the image data 61 of the document 50 has any alteration such as loss, deterioration, or discoloration. In the example of FIG. 5, the registered image 62 of the document 50 is originally a star-shaped figure as shown in FIG. 6, and a part of the registered image 62 in the image data 61, that is, data based on the actual document 50. Indicates a state in which is missing.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the difference between the scanned image data 61 and the registered image 62 is large, the composite copying machine 1 determines that the image of the document 50 is altered and repairs it. That is, the image data 61 in the registered image area 60 in the scanned image data is replaced with the registered image 62. At this time, the size of the registered image 62 is automatically adjusted to the same size as the image data 61. As the method, for example, a measuring method by edge processing, a judgment method by an occupation area for each color, or the like is used. Prior to the repair process, a preview is displayed on the operation / display panel 14 as shown in FIG. 7 to confirm the user's intention. Depending on the user's wishes, it can be output as it is without being repaired.

  When image data to be output is created in this way, the image data is output on a sheet in accordance with a user instruction. Alternatively, it may be stored in an image memory or the like as scanned image data. When outputting to paper, the printing unit 12 prints and outputs the output paper fed from the paper feeding unit 13. At this time, if the output sheet has the storage element 51, the position information of the registered image area 60 and the registered image information of the registered image 62 are also written in the storage element 51 of the output sheet. Alternatively, it is printed as an identification code in the corner of the output paper.

  By the way, there is a document 50 to which neither the storage element 51 nor the identification code is added. In this case, neither the position information of the registered image area 60 nor the information of the registered image 62 printed therein is obtained. In addition, the registration information may be incomplete and only the position information of the registered image area 60 may be obtained. When the multi-function copying machine 1 reads such a document 50, it determines from the image data read by the scanner 11 whether a registered image is included.

  When only the position information of the registered image area 60 is obtained, the multi-function copying machine 1 extracts the image data 61 of the registered image area 60 from the image read by the scanner 11 as shown in FIG. Further, the image data 61 is analyzed, and similar ones are detected from various registered images. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the image data 61 is divided into twelve small regions a to m, and an edge comparison process by a plurality of points or an approximate comparison process by data segmentation is performed. Further, a registered image that approximates the image data 61 is selected by comparing with various registered images stored in the large-capacity storage device 9 or the registered image information server 2.

  Alternatively, when the position information of the registered image area 60 cannot be obtained, the entire image data read by the scanner 11 is divided into a plurality of areas, and each is compared with the registered image in the same manner as described above. If it is confirmed that the data matches a predetermined point or more, it is determined that the image is a registered image.

  When a similar registered image is selected by the composite copying machine 1 in this way, it is possible that the actual image in the area is slightly different from the selected registered image. Further, as shown in the small region f of FIG. 8, when a part of the image has a defect, a plurality of types of registered images having different repair images in that part may be selected. In this case, a plurality of types of candidates are displayed on the operation / display panel 14 as shown in FIG. In this case, the user can also choose not to repair.

  Next, the registered image restoration process will be described based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. This process is started when the document 50 is placed on the scanner 11 of the composite copying machine 1 and the copy start button is pressed. When this process is started, it is first determined whether or not the document 50 has a storage element 51 or an identification code printed (S101). In the original 50 with any of these (S101: Yes), accurate registered image information can be obtained.

  Subsequently, the scanner 11 is driven to read the image of the original 50 (S102). Further, the registered image information is read from the storage element 51 or the identification code. Then, it is determined whether or not the registered image information is included in the storage element 51 or the identification code (S104). If it is included (S104: Yes), it is determined whether the information is only position information (S105).

  If it is not only position information (S105: No), it means that image information is also included, so that a registered image included in the document 50 can be specified. Therefore, the scanned image data is compared with the specified registered image (S106). Alternatively, if the information included in the storage element 51 or the like is only position information, an image in that area is searched from the registered image and compared (S107).

  When the document 50 is not attached with the storage element 51 or the identification code (S101: No), the scanner 11 reads the image of the document 50 for the time being (S108). Next, processing such as data division and edge detection is performed on the read image data, and it is determined whether there is a registered image in the image (S109). Even in the case of the document 50 with the storage element 51 or the identification code, if the registered image information is not included as the data (S104: No), it is necessary to perform S109 similarly. If it is determined that there is a registered image as a result of the search (S110: Yes), the image portion is compared with the registered image (S111).

  If it is determined that the registered image is included and compared (S106, S107, S111), the process proceeds to (A) of FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no registered image (S110: No), the process proceeds to (B) of FIG. In each of the above steps (S106, S107, S111), the registered image to be compared may be stored in the large-capacity storage device 9, or from the registered image information server 2 via the network. You may read and use.

  Next, proceeding to FIG. 11, as a result of S106, S107, and S111 in FIG. 10, it is determined whether the scanned image data of the document matches the registered image (S201). If they match, there is no problem, so you can just output it. However, if it is determined that there is a difference (S201: Yes), a regular registered image is inserted into the document 50 and previewed on the operation / display panel 14 (S202). Further, it asks whether the user wants to restore the registered image (S203). As a result, if it is desired to restore (S203: Yes), the selected registered image is inserted into the area and printed on output paper or stored as image data (S204).

  Further, if the user does not wish to restore the selected image at that time (S203: No), it is determined whether there are other similar registered images (S205). If there is another similar registered image (S205: Yes), the similar registered image is displayed (S206). If there are multiple similar registered images, multiple are displayed. Then, the user's intention is asked as to whether or not he / she wishes to select and repair it (S207). If the user desires restoration (S207: Yes), the selected similar registered image is inserted into the area and printed on output paper or stored as image data (S208).

  Furthermore, when it is determined that there is no registered image in the document 50 (S110: No in FIG. 10), when there is no other similar registered image (S205: No), or when the user does not want to repair the similar registered image In (S207: No), the image data of the read document is printed on the output paper as it is or saved as image data (S209). This completes the registered image restoration process.

  Furthermore, a charging system as shown in FIG. 12 can be configured by using the composite copying machine 1 of the present embodiment. In this charging system, the registered image holder is charged according to the usage status of the registered image, the number of times of restoration, and the like. Alternatively, it may be part of a contract clause between the system manufacturer and the registered image holder. In this system, a charge management device 3 is connected to a registered image information server 2, and these are connected to a registered image holder's personal computer 4 or the like via a network so that bidirectional communication is possible. The registered image information server 2 may have the function of the charge management device 3.

  When a document 50 including a registered image is read by the composite copying machine 1 of this system, information on the registered image is transmitted to the registered image information server 2. Also, when an image is repaired using a stored registered image, the information is transmitted to the registered image information server 2. These pieces of information are collectively counted for each registered image holder in the charge management device 3 and are periodically transmitted to the personal computer 4 of the owner. By contract, this information can be shared between the system manufacturer and the registered image owner. The registered image itself may be stored in the large-capacity storage device 9 of the multifunction copy machine 1 or may be stored in the registered image information server 2.

  In addition, when the registered image is repaired in the multi-function copying machine 1, it is reported to the charge management device 3 each time, and charging may be performed for each job. The billing amount here is set by contract in advance. Alternatively, the total work amount (for example, time / transmission / reception data amount, etc.) relating to the detection of the registered image may be detected between the multifunction copy machine 1 and the registered image information server 2. The charge management device 3 can automatically set the charge amount based on this information.

  The registered image holder can also register a new registered image using the personal computer 4. The registered image holder creates a new registered image on the personal computer 4 and transmits it to the registered image information server 2 via the network. Further, in the multi function copying machine 1, the registered image information received from the registered image information server 2 as needed is automatically stored in the mass storage device 9. Further, in the multi-function copying machine 1, information such as image data of a registered image is received and stored from the registered image information server 2 within a range that can be stored in the large-capacity storage device 9 by using idle time or the like. It may be.

  By the way, when the number of registered images further increases, a device is required for searching for registered images. Therefore, in the large capacity storage device 9 and the registered image information server 2 of the multi-function copying machine 1, as shown in FIG. 13, the registered images may be classified and stored so as to be easily searched. Here, an example in which the registered image is divided into three stages is shown. First, it is divided into “Mark”, “Mark with characters”, “Character logo”, and “Character” as category 1, and each is classified according to edge shape, color scheme, data amount, and the like. As a result, the time required to search for similar registered images can be shortened.

  As described above in detail, according to the composite copying machine 1 of the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not a registered image is included in the document 50. Then, the image data read by the scanner 11 is compared with the registered image, and can be restored if it has deteriorated. Information of the registered image is obtained from the document 50 by the storage element 51 and the identification code. If the registered image information cannot be obtained from the document 50, the registered image can be detected by edge detection or data segmentation. Accordingly, the altered registered image is not printed as it is, but is neatly restored and printed. Thereby, when copying a document including a predetermined image such as a trademark or a logo, an original image can be formed at least for the image portion regardless of the state of alteration in the document.

In addition, this form is only a mere illustration and does not limit this invention at all. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof.
For example, if the difference between the scanned image and the registered image is too large, the image may not be restored. Further, for example, an image read by the scanner 11 of the composite copying machine 1 may be registered as a newly registered image.

It is a front view which shows the compound copying machine which concerns on this form. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the composite copying machine of the present embodiment. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a scanner of a composite copying machine according to an embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a copy original. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of restoration by a registered image. It is explanatory drawing which shows a repair permission screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows the determination process of a registration image area. It is explanatory drawing which shows a registration image selection screen. It is a flowchart which shows a registered image restoration process. It is a flowchart which shows a registered image restoration process. It is a block diagram which shows the example of the charging system which concerns on this form. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the classification method of registration image information.

Explanation of symbols

1 Compound copier (image forming device)
2 registered image information server (registered image server)
3 Billing management device (count unit)
9 Mass storage device (registered image storage unit)
11 Scanner (image reading unit)
12 Printer (Image duplication unit)
19 Macro system controller (degradation registration image detection unit, registration image restoration unit, registration image acquisition unit, registration image information acquisition unit)
14 Operation / display panel (selection part)

Claims (8)

In an image forming apparatus for creating a copy of a document having an image,
An image reading unit for reading an image of a document;
A deterioration registration image detection unit for detecting a deterioration registration image in the image read by the image reading unit;
A registered image restoration unit for restoring the degraded registration image detected by the degradation registered image detection unit;
And an image duplicating unit configured to create a duplicate of an image read by the image reading unit and processed by the registered image restoration unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
A registered image storage unit for storing a registered image that can be included in an image of an original
The registered image restoration unit restores a deteriorated registered image using a registered image stored in the registered image storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
A registered image acquisition unit for acquiring a registered image that can be included in an image of an original from an external storage unit;
The registered image restoration unit restores a deteriorated registered image using the registered image acquired by the registered image acquisition unit. In the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a selection unit that allows a user to select whether or not to perform restoration in the registered image restoration unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the selection unit causes a user to select a plurality of registered images to be used for restoration. In the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A registered image information acquisition unit for acquiring information on the position or type of the registered image included in the image of the document from the document;
The deterioration registered image detection unit detects a deterioration registration image based on the information acquired by the registered image information acquisition unit. In the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a count unit that counts the number of times the restoration is performed by the registered image restoration unit for each registered image. In an image forming system having an image forming apparatus that creates a copy of a document having an image and a registered image server that stores a registered image that can be included in the image of the document, the image forming apparatus includes:
An image reading unit for reading an image of a document;
A registered image acquisition unit that acquires from the registered image server a registered image that can be included in an image of the document;
A deterioration registration image detection unit for detecting a deterioration registration image in the image read by the image reading unit;
A registered image restoration unit that restores the degradation registered image detected by the degradation registered image detection unit using the registered image acquired by the registered image acquisition unit;
And an image duplicating unit configured to create a duplicate of an image read by the image reading unit and processed by the registered image restoration unit.

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