JP2007144764A - Log information recording device, log information recording method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a log information recording device for recording log information, capable of coping with various searching methods, when outputting image data and searching the log information later with regard to the output image data. <P>SOLUTION: In the log information recording device, an output image generation part 21 generates output image data based on at least one original image data, an image output control part 22 outputs the output image data thus generated, a log information recording part 23 records the log information including the log image date corresponding to each original image data and image generation processing information indicating the contents of the processing obtained by generating the output image data from the original image data, as the log information relative to the output of the output image data, and an image searching part 24 searches the image data satisfying a prescribed condition from among the image data including the output image data, using the log information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a log information recording apparatus, a log information recording method, and a program for recording log information when image data is output.

  Image output devices that output image data, such as printers, copiers, or fax transmission devices, generally generate and record log information for image output processing. However, by simply recording the history of the processing that output the image data as log information, what image data was actually output as output image data in the past even if the user confirmed the contents of the log information later? Unable to investigate.

Thus, there is a technique in which the output image data itself is included in the log information of the image output processing, so that the log information can be checked later to check the output image data (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-330677

  In general, the log information needs to be confirmed in the image output apparatus as described above, for example, when it is desired to know whether an image including specific information has been illegally output, or when an illegally leaked image is at hand. In this case, there are various cases such as when it is desired to know when this leaked image was output by whom. However, in the technique of the above conventional example, no consideration is given to the convenience of searching according to such various scenes. Therefore, for example, when the image output apparatus generates assigned image data in which a plurality of original image data are arranged as one image and outputs the generated image data as output image data, inconvenience may occur. That is, in such a case, although the entire original image data and a part of the output image data are similar, the entire original image data and the entire output image data are completely different images. As a result, even if an attempt is made to retrieve from the log information including the output image data after whether or not the original image data has leaked, it is determined that the output image data and the original image data are not similar and cannot be retrieved correctly.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and one of its purposes is a log that can support various search methods when outputting image data and later searching log information related to the output image data. To provide a log information recording apparatus, a log information recording method, and a program for recording information.

  In order to solve the above problems, a log information recording apparatus according to the present invention includes output image generation means for generating output image data based on at least one original image data, and image output means for outputting the generated output image data. Log image data corresponding to each of the original image data as log information for the output of the output image data, image generation processing information indicating the content of the processing that generated the output image data from the original image data, Log information recording means for recording log information including the image information, and image search means for searching for image data satisfying a predetermined condition from the image data including the output image data using the log information. It is characterized by.

  According to the above configuration, by recording log information including log image data corresponding to the original image data and image generation processing information representing the content of the processing that generated the output image data, the log image data is used later. The original image data can be searched, and the output image data can be searched by reproducing the contents of the output image data using the log image data and the image generation processing information. Thereby, it is possible to search log information by various search methods.

  In the log information recording apparatus, the color information in the log image data may be color information represented by a color space used in the original image data before the output image generation unit performs color conversion. . Thereby, it is possible to search for the original image data before color conversion, and to search for the output image data after color conversion based on the log image data and the image generation processing information.

  Further, in the log information recording device, the image search means searches for image data satisfying a predetermined condition from at least one of the output image data and the original image data based on a user designation. It is good. Thereby, the user can perform a search for one or both of the original image data and the output image data according to the scene to be searched.

  The log information recording method according to the present invention includes a step of generating output image data based on at least one original image data using a computer, a step of outputting the generated output image data, and the output image As log information for the output of data, log information including log image data corresponding to each of the original image data, and image generation processing information representing the content of the processing for generating the output image data from the original image data, A step of recording, and a step of searching image data satisfying a predetermined condition from image data including the output image data by using the log information.

  The program according to the present invention includes an output image generation unit that generates output image data based on at least one original image data, an image output unit that outputs the generated output image data, and a log for the output of the output image data. Log information record for recording log information including log image data corresponding to each of the original image data and image generation processing information representing the content of the processing for generating the output image data from the original image data as information And a computer functioning as image search means for searching for image data satisfying a predetermined condition from image data including the output image data using the log information.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the log information recording apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an operation unit 13, a display unit 14, and an image output unit 15. The log information recording apparatus 10 is an image output apparatus that outputs image data, such as a printer, a copier, a scanner, or a fax transmission apparatus. Alternatively, it may be an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer that transmits image data to such an image output apparatus and executes output of the image data.

  Here, the control unit 11 is a CPU or the like, and operates according to a program stored in the storage unit 12. The contents of the process executed by the control unit 11 will be described in detail later.

  The storage unit 12 is a computer-readable storage medium that includes at least one of a memory element such as a RAM or a ROM and a disk device. The storage unit 12 stores programs executed by the control unit 11, log information output by the control unit 11, and the like. The storage unit 12 also operates as a work memory for the control unit 11.

  The operation unit 13 is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse, and receives a user instruction operation and outputs the content of the instruction operation to the control unit 11. The display unit 14 is a display, for example, and displays information according to an instruction from the control unit 11.

  The image output unit 15 outputs image data to the outside of the log information recording apparatus 10. For example, when the log information recording apparatus 10 is a printer, a copying machine, or the like, the image output unit 15 includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium such as recording paper. When the log information recording device 10 is a scanner, a fax transmission device, a personal computer, or the like, the image output unit 15 is configured by a communication unit that transmits image data to a communication network or the like.

  Functionally, the log information recording apparatus 10 includes an output image generation unit 21, an image output control unit 22, a log information recording unit 23, and an image search unit 24 as shown in FIG.

  The output image generation unit 21 generates output image data based on at least one original image data. Here, the original image data is image data held in the storage unit 12 as an output target or transmitted from the outside via a communication network or the like. The output image generation unit 21 generates output image data to be actually output by performing necessary image processing on the original image data based on an instruction from the user or the like.

  The output image generation unit 21 generates output image data by performing, for example, the following image processing. That is, image processing for enlarging, reducing, or rotating the original image data is performed. Alternatively, output image data is generated as allocated image data by scaling a plurality of original image data as necessary and arranging them on one image data. Further, for example, predetermined additional image data held in advance in the storage unit 12 such as a logo mark or a mark indicating confidentiality may be added to a predetermined position on the output image data or a position designated by the user. . Further, additional character information such as a page number and a document name may be added to a predetermined position on the output image data or a position designated by the user. Alternatively, output image data is generated by superimposing background image data such as watermark or form image data in merge printing on the original image data. Note that the output image generation unit 21 may execute these image processes in any combination.

  Further, the output image generation unit 21 may perform the following image processing as necessary. That is, when the image output unit 15 forms an image on a medium such as recording paper, the color information of the original image data is output according to the characteristics of the image output unit 15 and the color material such as toner to be used. Convert to color information represented by the color space used in the data. If the original image data is a color image and the output image data is a monochrome image, binarization processing is performed.

  The image output control unit 22 outputs the output image data generated by the output image generation unit 21 by controlling the image output unit 15. Specifically, for example, the image output unit 15 performs processing for forming an image represented by the output image data on the medium or transmitting the output image data to the outside.

  When the image output control unit 22 outputs the output image data, the log information recording unit 23 generates log information for the output process, and records the generated log information by storing the generated log information in the storage unit 12. The log information recorded by the log information recording unit 23 includes at least log image data and image generation processing information. In addition to this, information on the terminal such as the IP address of the terminal that transmitted the output instruction, user information such as a user ID indicating the user who issued the output instruction, date information indicating the date and time of output, and information on the number of copies output Information indicating the output destination may be included. The log information recording unit 23 records these pieces of information as log information, so that the user can later investigate the user who output specific image data and the output date and time using the log information recording device 10. .

  Here, log image data and image generation processing information included in the log information recorded by the log information recording unit 23 will be described.

  First, the log image data is image data corresponding to each of the original image data to be processed by the output image generation unit 21. The log image data may be the original image data itself, or may be image data whose data capacity is reduced with respect to the original image data by compressing the original image data or reducing the resolution. Good.

  Since the log image data is image data corresponding to each of the original image data, for example, when the output image generation unit 21 generates output image data as allocated image data in which two original image data are arranged, log information recording is performed. The unit 23 records two pieces of log image data corresponding to each of the two original image data in the log information. By recording such log image data, the log information recording apparatus 10 can later search for image data similar to any of the original image data, for example, using the log image data.

  Here, for example, when the image output unit 15 is an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium, as described above, the output image generation unit 21 converts the color information of the original image data into the image output unit. 15 is converted into a value represented by a color space according to the color material used. However, the color information used in the image data recorded as log image data may be color information represented by the color space used in the original image data before performing such color conversion. Thereby, for example, when searching for image data similar to the original image data later, the log information recording apparatus 10 can search for image data before conversion regardless of color conversion at the time of image output. On the other hand, when searching for image data similar to the output image data output after color conversion, the log image data and the output after color conversion are used by combining the log image data and image generation processing information described later. By reproducing the image data, it is possible to search for image data similar to the output image data.

  When the output image generation unit 21 uses the additional image data or the background image data when generating the output image data, the log image data includes image data corresponding to the additional image data and the background image data. It is good as well.

  When the output image generation unit 21 generates output image data by using again the same original image data as the original image data that was previously processed, the log image data corresponding to the original image data is already stored. Since it is recorded in the unit 12, the log information recording unit 23 does not need to generate and record the log image data again. In this case, the log information recording unit 23 records information specifying the log image data such as the file name of the log image data in the log information.

  Next, the image generation processing information included in the log information recorded by the log information recording unit 23 is information representing the content of processing performed when the output image generation unit 21 generates output image data from the original image data. . The image generation processing information includes, for example, information related to image processing such as enlargement, reduction, movement, rotation, and color conversion performed on the original image data by the output image generation unit 21, added additional image data and additional character information, At least a part of the information of the background image data is included. Alternatively, as information representing the processing content by the output image generation unit 21, information representing the position on the output image data obtained as a result of processing, information representing the size, direction, for each of the original image data, the additional image data, and the like May be included.

  As an example, an example in which the output image generation unit 21 generates allocated image data as shown in FIG. 4 as output image data I4 based on the original image data I1 and I2 shown in FIG. 3 and the additional image data I3. ,explain. Here, the user rotates the respective image data with respect to the original image data I1 and I2 to generate 2 × 1 allocated image data arranged in a horizontally long state, and outputs the additional image data I3 in an overlapping manner. I have indicated that. In this case, the log information recorded by the log information recording unit 23 is, for example, as shown in the example of FIG. Here, as an example, the log information includes two log image data corresponding to the original image data I1 and I2, log image data corresponding to the additional image data I3, and positions of the respective image data on the output image data. Position coordinate information to be expressed, enlargement / reduction ratio information to indicate size, rotation angle information to indicate direction, output date information, and output user information are included.

  The image search unit 24 searches for image data using the log information recorded by the log information recording unit 23 based on an instruction operation from the user to the operation unit 13. Specifically, the image search unit 24 satisfies a predetermined condition such as image data similar to the survey target image data to be surveyed from the image data group including the original image data and the output image data. Search for image data. When searching for image data similar to the investigation target image data, the user inputs the investigation target image data to the log information recording apparatus 10 by, for example, causing the image reading unit (not shown) to read the image data. The image search unit 24 searches for image data similar to the image data based on the input image data to be investigated. Whether or not the survey target image data is similar to the original image data can be determined by comparing the survey target image data with log image data corresponding to the original image data. Whether or not the survey target image data is similar to the output image data is reproduced as the survey target image data by reproducing the output image data based on the log image data and the image generation processing information included in the log information. This can be determined by comparing the obtained image data.

  Further, the image search unit 24 may search for image data to be searched from at least one of the original image data and the output image data as a search range based on the user's specification. As a result, for example, when the user obtains image data that has been illegally output, the user can search by specifying only the output image data as the search range. Search results can be obtained with a shorter search time.

  Further, the image search unit 24 analyzes and obtains character information included in the log image data by processing such as OCR or pattern matching, so that, for example, image data including a character string designated by the user is converted into original image data and It is also possible to search from an image data group including output image data. Character information is analyzed with respect to the log image data corresponding to the original image data, so that the character information is relatively accurately compared with the case where the character information is analyzed with respect to the output image data that has been reduced and output. Can be analyzed. As a result, even when the character information included in the output image data output after being reduced is searched later, an accurate search can be performed.

  According to the present embodiment described above, by recording log information including log image data and image generation processing information, original image data can be searched later using log image data, and log image The output image data can be searched by reproducing the contents of the output image data using the data and the image generation processing information. Thereby, it is possible to search log information by various search methods.

It is a block diagram showing the schematic structure of the log information recording device concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a functional block diagram showing the function of the log information recording device concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a figure showing an example of the original image data used as the object of the process by the log information recording device concerning an embodiment of the invention, and additional image data. It is a figure showing an example of the output image data output by the log information recording device concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a figure showing an example of the log information which the log information recording device concerning an embodiment of the invention records.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Log information recording device, 11 Control part, 12 Storage part, 13 Operation part, 14 Display part, 15 Image output part, 21 Output image generation part, 22 Image output control part, 23 Log information recording part, 24 Image search part

Claims (5)

Output image generation means for generating output image data based on at least one original image data;
Image output means for outputting the generated output image data;
As log information for the output of the output image data, log image data corresponding to each of the original image data, and image generation processing information indicating the content of the processing for generating the output image data from the original image data are included. Log information recording means for recording log information;
Image search means for searching image data satisfying a predetermined condition from image data including the output image data using the log information;
A log information recording apparatus comprising: The log information recording apparatus according to claim 1,
The log information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color information in the log image data is color information represented by a color space used in the original image data before the output image generation means performs color conversion. In the log information recording device according to claim 1 or 2,
The log information recording apparatus, wherein the image search means searches for image data satisfying a predetermined condition from at least one of the output image data and the original image data based on a user designation. Using a computer
Generating output image data based on at least one original image data;
Outputting the generated output image data;
As log information for the output of the output image data, log image data corresponding to each of the original image data, and image generation processing information indicating the content of the processing for generating the output image data from the original image data are included. Recording log information; and
Searching for image data satisfying a predetermined condition from image data including the output image data using the log information;
The log information recording method characterized by performing. Output image generation means for generating output image data based on at least one original image data;
Image output means for outputting the generated output image data;
As log information for the output of the output image data, log image data corresponding to each of the original image data, and image generation processing information indicating the content of the processing for generating the output image data from the original image data are included. Log information recording means for recording log information; and image search means for searching for image data satisfying a predetermined condition from image data including the output image data using the log information;
A program characterized by causing a computer to function.

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