JP2007166339A - Image processor and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor and an image processing method which achieve reduction in a load necessary for designation of a conceal region of an output image to be concealed. <P>SOLUTION: The image processor includes: a generating means for generating an image pattern corresponding to code data for expressing designation of concealment for designating a type of information to be concealed; and a composite means for composing the image pattern with an output image. Through the above configuration, since the conceal information can be designated depending on the type of the information to be concealed, a load of designating the position of the information to be concealed can be reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method, and in particular, generates an image obtained by synthesizing an image pattern designating a type of information to be copied, and hides the type of information designated by the image pattern from the output image at the time of copying. Related to technology.

With respect to a sentence partially containing confidential information, the use restriction on the confidential document can be relaxed by concealing and copying the part containing the confidential information. As an image processing apparatus having such a function, a technique of performing a scramble process by designating an area including confidential information for each document is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent No. 3330690

  By the way, in the image processing apparatus as described above, in order to conceal and copy only confidential information, a specific area including confidential information that is concealment information is concealed for each document to be copied. It was necessary to specify it as a power area. For this reason, there has been a problem that as the number of documents including confidential information increases, the labor for specifying the area also increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to designate a concealment region by automatically determining the concealment region from the designation of the type of concealed information. It is to reduce labor.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a generation unit that generates an image pattern corresponding to code data that represents a concealment specification that specifies a type of concealment information, and combines the image pattern generated by the generation unit and an output image. And synthesizing means.
According to this configuration, since the concealment information can be specified according to the type of the concealment information, the labor for designating the position of the concealment information can be reduced.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a reading unit that reads a document having an image pattern corresponding to code data that represents a concealment specification that specifies a type of hidden information, and an image pattern that the document read by the reading unit has And a concealing unit for concealing the concealment information specified by the concealment specification acquired by the acquisition unit.
According to this configuration, the type of concealment information specified by the concealment specification described in the image pattern can be concealed, so that the usability of the document can be improved compared to the case where the entire document is concealed. Can do.

In the above configuration, the concealing unit may employ a configuration that conceals information by masking the concealed information.
According to this configuration, for example, the concealment information can be easily concealed compared to a method of deleting only the concealment information from the output image.

In the above configuration, the concealing unit can conceal the concealment information by masking it with a specific mask pattern.
According to this configuration, the concealment information can be masked with a desired mask pattern. For example, by masking with the mask pattern that displays that the concealment information is masked because it is confidential information, a new reason for concealment can be obtained. Information can be added.

In the above configuration, the concealing unit may conceal the concealment information by concealing a specific area including the concealment information.
According to this configuration, for example, the concealment information can be easily concealed compared to a method of masking only the concealment information from the output image.

In the above configuration, the concealment means may employ a configuration in which the concealment information is concealed by concealing each region including two or more specific regions and combining each region including one concealment information.
According to this configuration, since the concealment information is concealed in two or more specific areas, the concealment method of the concealment information can be designated for each specific area.

In the above configuration, a configuration in which the specific area is rectangular can be adopted.
According to this configuration, for example, the rectangle is a simple shape as compared with a polygon or the like, and thus the concealed information can be easily concealed.

In the above configuration, the concealment designation can adopt a configuration including photo designation.
According to this configuration, it is possible to conceal a plurality of concealment information whose information type is a photograph with one designation, so that it is possible to reduce the labor of designating each photograph area for each document.

In the above configuration, the concealment designation can employ a configuration including character string designation.
According to this configuration, since a plurality of pieces of concealment information that are specific character strings can be concealed by one designation, it is possible to reduce the labor of designating each specific character string area for each document.

In the above configuration, the concealment designation can adopt a configuration including character type designation.
According to this configuration, a plurality of pieces of concealment information that are specific character types can be concealed with one designation, so that, for example, the labor of designating each numeric character string area for each original can be reduced.

In the above configuration, the concealment designation can employ a configuration including character color designation.
According to this configuration, since a plurality of pieces of concealment information having a specific character color can be concealed with one designation, for example, it is possible to reduce the labor of designating each red character string region for each document.

An image processing method according to the present invention includes a generation step of generating an image pattern corresponding to code data expressing a concealment designation that designates a type of concealment information, and the image pattern generated in the generation step and the output image are combined. And a step of performing.
According to this method, since the concealment information can be designated according to the type of the concealment information, the labor for designating the position of the concealment information can be reduced.

The image processing method according to the present invention includes a reading step of reading an original having an image pattern corresponding to code data expressing concealment designation for specifying concealed information, and an image pattern of the original read in the reading step. An acquisition step of acquiring the described concealment designation and a step of concealing the concealment information designated by the concealment designation acquired in the acquisition step are characterized.
According to this method, the type of concealment information specified by the concealment specification described in the image pattern can be concealed, so that document duplication restrictions can be reduced compared to the case where the entire document is concealed. Can do.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the labor of specifying an area to be copied by concealing a document to be copied.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First, referring to FIG. 1, an image processing apparatus connected to the network 400 that synthesizes a background copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image corresponding to code data expressing concealment designation or the like with an output image and outputs it. I will explain. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an image processing apparatus for attaching a background pattern image of the present invention to an output image.

  Here, the background copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is composed of a latent image portion and a background portion, and the background portion includes an image pattern composed of oblique line patterns, and the latent image portion is an image composed of fine dot patterns that cannot be reproduced when copied. To tell. The background tint block image is synthesized with the background of the output image to be printed out.

  The image processing apparatus 100 is configured by, for example, a printer or a facsimile. The image processing apparatus 100 includes an image development apparatus 110, a control apparatus 170, a synthesizing apparatus 180 as a synthesizing unit, a generating apparatus 190 as a generating unit, an image forming apparatus 200, a pattern database 210, an area shape database 220, and the like. Yes.

  The image development device 110 is connected to the network 400 and the composition device 180. The image expansion device 110 expands image data from data received via the network 400. Thereafter, the developed image data is transmitted to the composition device 180.

  The control device 170 is connected to the network 400, the synthesis device 180, and the generation device 190. The control device 170 receives the concealment designation through the network 400. Further, the selected mask pattern information and the selected area shape information are received through the network 400.

  Here, the selected mask pattern information is information for specifying a mask pattern selected for masking the concealment information, for example, index information. The selected mask pattern is hereinafter simply referred to as a selected mask pattern.

  The selected area shape information is information for specifying the selected shape of the specific area including the hidden information to be concealed, and refers to, for example, index information. Note that the shape of the selected specific region is hereinafter simply referred to as a selected region shape.

  The control device 170 may receive the selection area shape or the selection mask pattern itself instead of the selection area shape information or the selection mask pattern information. Furthermore, none of the selection area shape information, the selection mask pattern information, the selection area shape, or the selection mask pattern may be received.

  Thereafter, the control device 170 notifies the generation device 190 of an execution instruction. Further, the control device 170 notifies the generation device 190 of the received concealment designation, selected mask pattern information, and selected region shape information.

  Here, if the control device 170 has received the selection mask pattern instead of the selection mask pattern information, the control device 170 selects the selection mask pattern instead of the selection mask pattern information, and similarly selects the selection region shape instead of the selection region shape information. If received, the selected area shape is notified instead of the selected area shape information.

  Further, when the control device 170 has not received the selection mask pattern information and the selection mask pattern, or the selection area shape information and the selection area shape, they are not notified.

Thereafter, the control device 170 waits for a completion notification from the generation device 190.
Next, after receiving the completion notification, the control device 170 issues an execution instruction to the synthesis device 180.

The image composition device 180 is connected to the image development device 110, the control device 170, the generation device 190, and the image forming device 200.
The synthesizing device 180 receives the image data developed by the image developing device 110 and the background pattern image generated by the generating device 190.

Thereafter, when receiving an execution instruction from the control device 170, the image composition device 180 synthesizes the received image data and the background pattern image.
The image composition device 180 transmits the synthesized image data to the image forming device 200 as output image data.

  The generation device 190 is connected to the control device 170, the synthesis device 180, the pattern database 210, and the region shape database 220. The generation device 190 receives an execution instruction from the control device 170. Further, the controller 170 receives concealment designation, selected area shape information, and selected mask pattern information.

  Next, the generation device 190 acquires a selection mask pattern from the pattern database 210 based on the received selection mask pattern information. Similarly, the selected area shape is acquired from the area shape database 220 based on the received selected area shape information. Thereafter, the generation device 190 executes a process of generating a background tint block image that represents the concealment designation, the selected region shape, and the selected mask pattern.

  According to this image processing apparatus 100, it is possible to describe a concealment designation that allows a plurality of pieces of concealment information to be designated according to the type of concealment information in the background pattern image. Therefore, the labor for designating the position of the hidden information can be reduced.

  The generation device 190 may generate a background tint block image that represents selection area shape information instead of the selection area shape or selection mask pattern information instead of the selection mask pattern. Thereby, the amount of information described in the background copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image can be reduced. However, the image processing apparatus that analyzes the generated background pattern image, when concealing the output image, the area shape corresponding to the selected area shape information described in the background pattern image or the mask pattern corresponding to the selected mask pattern It is necessary to adopt a configuration in which it is possible to know the above or to conceal with a default region shape or mask pattern.

  Here, when the selection mask pattern or the selection area shape is notified directly from the control device 170, a process of generating based on the notified selection mask pattern or the selection area shape is executed.

  In addition, when neither the selection mask pattern information and the selection mask pattern, nor the selection area shape information and the selection area shape are notified from the control apparatus 170, the background tint block image generated by the generation apparatus 190 Does not represent selection mask pattern information and selection mask pattern or selection mask pattern information and selection mask pattern. Thereby, the amount of information described in the background copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image can be reduced. However, when concealing the output image, the image processing apparatus that analyzes the generated background pattern image inputs a region shape or mask pattern by a system user or the like, or uses a default region shape or mask pattern. There is a need.

  Finally, the generation device 190 transmits a completion notification to the control device 170 after the generation processing is completed. In addition, the generation device 190 transmits the background pattern image to the synthesis device 180. The background tint block image generated by the generation device 190 will be described later.

  The image forming apparatus 200 is connected to the composition device 180. The image forming apparatus 200 receives the output image from the synthesizing apparatus 180 and outputs the received output image.

The pattern database 210 is composed of, for example, a relational database and is connected to the generation device 190.
The pattern database 210 stores mask pattern information and mask patterns in association with each other.

  The area shape database 220 is composed of, for example, a relational database, and is connected to the generation device 190. The area shape database 220 stores area shape information and area shapes in association with each other.

Next, the background tint block image generated by the generation device 190 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the background tint block image of the present invention.
As shown in the output image O, the background copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image includes a latent image IP and a background image pattern PB that covers the entire surface of the output image O.

  The background image pattern PB and the latent image IP have different patterns constituting each. However, the output image O is formed with a pattern having the same pixel area and pixel color per unit area so that it can be seen by the human eye as a uniform gray background.

  The latent image is composed of finer dots than the other portions so that the image appears to the extent that the latent image IP can be identified by human eyes in the copied document.

  The background image pattern PB is composed of a code. The code includes a data code CD representing arbitrary code data and a prohibited copy code CP that restricts copying.

  Further, the code is composed of a hatched pattern PS representing arbitrary code data. In the oblique line pattern PS, the one represented by a half line inclined 45 degrees counterclockwise with respect to the scanning direction D represents bit 0 of the code data, and the one inclined 135 degrees represents bit 1 of the code data.

  The forbidden copy code CP is composed of a pattern in which the entire hatched pattern PS represents bit 0 and a bit 1. The forbidden copy code CP is used to determine that a copy is restricted when two or more types of forbidden copy codes CP are detected.

  The data code CD associates the background copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image with code data representing arbitrary information.

  In the present embodiment, the code data describing the concealment designation is expressed by the data code CD. According to this configuration, since the concealment information can be specified according to the type of the concealment information, the labor for designating the position of the concealment information can be reduced. The data code CD can also describe selection mask pattern information, selection mask pattern, selection area shape, selection area shape information, or any other information.

  Next, an image processing apparatus that is not connected to a network, unlike the image processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, but includes a reading device that reads a document instead will be described with reference to FIG. Note that this image processing apparatus 100 synthesizes and outputs a background tint block image that represents concealment designation and the like in the same manner as the image processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another example of an image processing apparatus for attaching a background pattern image of the present invention to an output image.
First, as shown in FIG. 3, in the image processing apparatus 100, a copy instruction is input by a system user 300 and a document is set. Further, the image processing apparatus 100 receives the concealment designation from the system user 300 and, if necessary, the selected mask pattern information and the selected area shape information.

  The image processing apparatus 100 includes, for example, an automatic copying machine. The image processing apparatus 100 includes a reading device 120 as a reading unit, a control device 170, a synthesizing device 180 as a synthesizing unit, a generating device 190 as a generating unit, an image forming device 200, a pattern database 210, an area shape database 220, an area It is composed of a shape setting device 230, a pattern setting device 240, a concealment designation device 250, and the like.

  The reading device 120 is configured by an optical reading unit such as a scanner, for example, and is connected to the control device 170 and the synthesizing device 180. The reading device 120 receives a reading instruction from the control device 170.

  Next, the presence / absence of an unread document is determined, and the determination result is transmitted to the control device 170. Thereafter, the original set by the system user 300 is read. Finally, the read original is transmitted to the synthesizing device 180 as image data.

  The control device 170 is connected to the reading device 120, the synthesis device 180, the generation device 190, the region shape setting device 230, the pattern setting device 240, and the concealment designation device 250.

  In response to the copy instruction from the system user 300, the control device 170 notifies the area shape setting device 230, the pattern setting device 240, and the concealment designation device 250 of the execution instruction. Thereafter, the selected area shape information is received from the area shape setting device 230, the selected mask pattern information is received from the pattern setting device 240, and the concealment designation is received from the concealment designation device 250.

  When there is no need to describe the selection area shape information or the selection area shape in the background tint block image to be combined with the output image, there is no need to notify the area shape setting device 240 of the execution instruction, and the selection area shape information There is no need to receive.

  Similarly, when there is no need to describe the selection mask pattern information or the selection mask pattern in the background tint block image combined with the output image, there is no need to notify the pattern setting device 240 of the execution instruction, and the selection mask pattern information There is no need to receive.

  Next, the control device 170 notifies the generation device 190 of an execution instruction. The control device 170 also notifies the generation device 190 of the concealment designation. Further, the control device 170 notifies the generation device 190 of selected area shape information and selected mask pattern information, if necessary. Thereafter, a completion notification is received from the generation device 190 and an execution instruction is notified to the synthesis device 180.

  The configurations, connections, and functions of the composition device 180, the generation device 190, and the image forming device 200 are the same as those described with reference to FIG.

  The configuration, connection, and function of the pattern database 210 are almost the same as those of the pattern database 210 shown in FIG. 1 except that the pattern database 210 is connected not only to the generation device 190 but also to the pattern setting device 240.

  The configuration, connection, and function of the region shape database 220 are almost the same as those of the region shape database 220 shown in FIG. 1 except that the region shape database 220 is connected not only to the generation device 190 but also to the region shape setting device 230.

  Although not shown, the region shape setting device 230 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display and an input device such as a touch panel. The region shape setting device 230 is connected to the control device 170 and the region shape database 220.

  First, the region shape setting device 230 receives an execution instruction from the control device 170. Thereafter, the region shape setting device 230 refers to the pattern database 210. As a result, the region shape registered in the region shape database 220 and the region shape information related thereto are acquired.

  Thereafter, the acquired area shape is displayed on the system user 300 by the display device, and the selected area shape information selected by the system user 300 is acquired by the input device. Finally, the selected area shape information is transmitted to the control device 170.

  Although not shown, the pattern setting device 240 also includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display and an input device such as a touch panel. The pattern setting device 240 is connected to the control device 170 and the pattern database 210.

  First, the pattern setting device 240 receives an execution instruction from the control device 170. Thereafter, the pattern setting device 240 refers to the pattern database 210. As a result, the mask pattern registered in the pattern database 210 and the mask pattern information associated therewith are acquired.

  Thereafter, the acquired mask pattern is displayed on the system user 300 by the display device, and the selected mask pattern information selected by the system user 300 is acquired by the input device. Finally, the selected mask pattern information is transmitted to the control device 170.

  The concealment setting device 250 also has an input device such as a touch panel, for example, although not shown. The concealment designation device 250 is connected to the control device 170.

  First, the concealment specifying device 250 receives an execution instruction from the control device 170. Thereafter, the concealment designation instructed by the system user 300 is acquired by the input device. Finally, the concealment designation is transmitted to the control device.

  According to this image processing apparatus 100, it is possible to describe a concealment designation that allows a plurality of pieces of concealment information to be designated according to the type of concealment information in the background pattern image. Therefore, the labor for designating the position of the hidden information can be reduced.

Next, an image processing apparatus that conceals the concealment information from the output image based on the concealment designation described in the background pattern image will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of an image processing apparatus for masking an output image based on the background pattern image of the present invention.
Unlike the image processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 100 is not connected to a network, but has a reading apparatus that reads a document instead.

  In the image processing apparatus 100, as shown in FIG. 4, a copy instruction is input by a system user 300, and a document is set. Further, the image processing apparatus 100 receives selection mask pattern information and selection area shape information from the system user 300 if necessary.

  The image processing apparatus 100 includes, for example, an automatic copying machine. The image processing apparatus 100 includes a reading device 120 as a reading unit, an acquisition device 130 as an acquisition unit, a TI separation device 140, a character information acquisition device 150, a concealment device 160 as a concealment unit, a control device 170, and an image forming apparatus 200. , A pattern database 210, an area shape database 220, an area shape setting device 230, a pattern setting device 240, and the like.

  The configuration, connection, function, and the like of the reading device 120 are the same as those shown in FIG.

  The acquisition device 130 is connected to the reading device 120 and the control device 170. First, the acquisition device 130 receives image data from the reading device 120. Next, it is determined whether or not the acquired image data is a document subjected to copy restriction depending on whether or not two or more types of prohibition codes are detected from the background copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image included in the image data. Thereafter, the determination result is transmitted to the control device 170.

  Furthermore, if the acquisition device 130 determines that the acquired image data is a copy-restricted document, the acquisition device 130 acquires code data described in the data code of the background pattern image. Thereafter, the code data is decoded and the description content of the code data in which the concealment designation is described is acquired. The description content of the finally acquired code data is transmitted to the control device 170.

  The TI separation device 140 is connected to the reading device 120 and the control device 170. First, the TI separation device 140 receives image data from the reading device 120. Thereafter, an execution instruction is received from the control device 170, and position information on the text area and the photograph area is acquired from the received image data. Thereafter, the acquisition result is transmitted to the control device 170.

  The character information acquisition device 150 is composed of, for example, an OCR and is connected to the reading device 120 and the control device 170. First, the character information acquisition device 150 receives image data from the reading device 120. Thereafter, an execution instruction is received from the control device 170, and text code information, character type information, and character color information are acquired from the received image data in association with position information of each character.

Here, the text code information is information that represents text information included in the image data as a text code.
The character type information is information indicating the type of each character that constitutes text information of image data.
The character color information is information representing the color of each character constituting the text information included in the image data.
The character string position information is information indicating the position of each character string that constitutes text information included in the image data.
Finally, the character information acquisition device 150 transmits the acquisition result to the control device 170.

  The concealment device 160 is connected to the reading device 120, the control device 170, the image forming device 200, the pattern database 210, and the region database 220.

  First, the concealment device 160 receives image data from the reading device 120. Thereafter, when the control device 170 determines that it is not necessary to conceal the specific area of the output image, the control device 170 receives a non-concealment instruction from the control device 170 and transfers the image data to the image forming apparatus 200 without performing any processing. Send.

  When the control device 170 determines that the specific area of the output image needs to be concealed, the concealment device 160 receives a concealment instruction and a concealment region instruction that instructs a concealed region from the control device 170. Further, the concealing device 160 receives the selected mask pattern information or the selected mask pattern and the selected region shape or selected region shape information from the control device 170.

  When the selected mask pattern information is received from the control device 170, the concealment device 160 acquires a mask pattern corresponding to the selected mask pattern information from the pattern database 210. If there is no mask pattern corresponding to the selected mask pattern information, it is replaced with a predetermined mask pattern.

  Similarly, when the selected area shape information is received from the control device 170, the concealment apparatus 160 acquires an area shape corresponding to the selected area shape information from the area shape database 220. Similarly, when there is no area shape corresponding to the selected area shape information, a predetermined area shape is substituted.

  Next, the concealment device 160 masks the concealment information on the area based on the received concealment area instruction with the acquired area shape using the acquired mask pattern. Finally, the concealed output image is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 200.

  As described above, the concealment device 160 can conceal the type of concealment information specified by the concealment specification described in the image pattern, so that the usability of the document is higher than when the entire document is a concealment target. Can be improved.

  Furthermore, since the concealment device 160 conceals information by masking it, the concealment information can be concealed more easily than, for example, a method of deleting only the concealment information from the output image.

  Further, the concealment device 160 masks the concealment information with the specified mask pattern.For example, the concealment information 160 masks the concealment information because it is confidential information. New information can be added.

  Furthermore, since the concealment device 160 conceals the concealment information by concealing the specific area including the concealment information, for example, the concealment information is easier than the method of masking only the concealment information from the output image. Can be concealed.

The control device 170 is connected to the reading device 120, the acquisition device 130, the TI separation device 140, the character information acquisition device 150, the concealment device 160, the region shape setting device 230, and the pattern setting device 240.
The processing of the control device 170 will be described later with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The configurations, connections, and functions of the pattern database 210 and the area shape database 220 are the same as those described with reference to FIG.

  The configuration and connection of the region shape setting device 230 are the same as those of the region shape setting device 230 described in FIG. The region shape setting device 230 does not perform any processing when either the selected region shape or the selected region shape information is described in the data code of the background tint block image. If neither the selected area shape information nor the selected area shape is described in the background tint block image, the same processing as the area shape setting device 230 described in FIG. 3 is executed.

  The configuration and connection of the pattern setting device 240 are the same as those of the pattern setting device 240 described with reference to FIG. The pattern setting device 240 does not perform any processing when either the selection mask pattern information or the selection mask pattern is described in the background tint block image. If neither the selection mask pattern nor the selection mask pattern information is described in the background pattern image, the same processing as that of the pattern setting device 240 described in FIG. 3 is executed.

Next, processing of the control device 170 included in the image processing apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to a flowchart illustrated in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing of the control device 170 shown in FIG.

  After the copying instruction from the system user 300 is input, the control device 170 instructs the reading device 120 to read a document (step ST1). Next, the presence or absence of a read original is received from the reading device 120 (step ST2). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a read original exists (step ST3). If there is a read original, control device 170 ends the process of step ST4, and if not, ends the process.

  When the control device 170 determines in step ST3 that the read original exists, the control device 170 acquires information indicating whether there is a copy restriction on the read original from the acquisition device 130. (Step ST4). Thereafter, it is determined whether there is a copy restriction based on the acquisition result (step ST5). If there is a copy restriction, control device 170 executes the process of step ST6, and otherwise, executes the process of step ST28.

  If it is determined in step ST5 that copy restrictions exist, the control device 170 receives the decoded code data acquired from the background copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image from the acquisition device 130 (step ST6). Next, it is determined whether the acquisition result acquired from the acquisition device 130 includes a concealment designation (step ST7). The control device 170 executes step ST8 when the acquisition result acquired from the acquisition device 130 includes concealment designation, and executes the processing of step ST28 otherwise.

  When determining in step ST8 that the acquisition result acquired from the acquisition device 130 includes the concealment designation, the control device 170 determines whether the selection mask pattern or the selection mask pattern information has already been acquired from the background tint block image. Judgment is made (step ST8). The control device 170 executes the process of step ST9 when the selected mask pattern information has not been acquired, and executes the process of step ST11 otherwise.

  When determining in step ST8 that the selected mask pattern information has not been acquired, the control device 170 notifies the pattern setting device 240 of an execution instruction (step ST9). Next, control device 170 receives the acquisition result from mask pattern setting device 240 (step ST10).

  When determining in step ST8 that the selected mask pattern information has already been acquired, or after executing step ST10, the control device 170 determines whether the selected area shape information has been acquired from the background pattern image (step ST10). ST11). If the selected area shape information has not been acquired, step ST12 is executed. If not, step ST14 is executed.

  When determining that the selected region shape information has not been acquired in step ST11, the control device 170 issues an execution instruction to the region setting device 230 (step ST12). Thereafter, the acquisition result is received from the region setting device 230 (step ST13).

  When determining that the selected area shape information has been acquired in step ST11, or after executing step ST13, the control device 170 determines whether there is a concealment designation that is not a processing target (step ST14). The control device 170 executes step ST15 when it is determined that there is an unprocessed concealment designation, and otherwise executes step ST29.

  When determining that there is an unprocessed concealment designation in step ST14, the control device 170 determines whether or not the concealment designation is made for one of the unprocessed concealment designations (hereinafter simply referred to as a processing target concealment designation). It is determined whether the photo is designated (step ST15). The control device 170 executes step ST16 when determining that the processing target concealment designation is a photo designation, and otherwise executes step ST19.

  When determining in step ST15 that the processing target concealment designation is a photo designation, the control device 170 issues an execution instruction to the TI separation device 140 (step ST16). Thereafter, the separation result is received from the TI separation device 140 (step ST17).

  Next, based on the separation result received from the TI separation device 140, a specific region including a photograph that is concealment information in the output image is specified (step ST18). Then, it returns to step ST14 and repeats the said process.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to conceal a plurality of concealment information whose information type is a photograph with one designation, so that it is possible to reduce the labor of designating each photograph area for each document.

  When determining in step ST15 that the processing target concealment designation is not a photo designation, the control device 170 judges whether character information has not been acquired (step ST19). Control device 170 executes step ST20 when it is determined that character information has not been acquired, and executes step ST22 when it is not.

  When determining in step ST19 that the character information has not been acquired, the control device 170 notifies the character information acquisition device 150 of an execution instruction (step ST20). Thereafter, the acquisition result is received from the character information acquisition device 150 (step ST21).

  When determining that the character information has been acquired in step ST19 or after executing step ST21, the control device 170 determines whether the processing target concealment designation is a character string designation (step ST22). The control device 170 executes Step ST23 when determining that the processing target concealment designation is a character string designation, and otherwise executes Step ST24.

  When determining that the processing target concealment designation is a character string designation in step ST22, the control device 170 identifies an output image including the designated character string based on the acquisition result received from the character information acquisition device 150. An area is specified (step ST23). Then, it returns to step ST14 and repeats the said process.

  According to this configuration, since a plurality of pieces of concealment information that are specific character strings can be concealed by one designation, it is possible to reduce the labor of designating each specific character string area for each document.

  When determining in step ST22 that the processing target concealment designation is not a character string designation, the control device 170 judges whether the processing target concealment designation is a character type designation (step ST24). The control device 170 executes step ST25 when determining that the processing target concealment designation is character type designation, and otherwise executes step ST26.

  When determining that the processing target concealment designation is the character type designation in step ST24, the control device 170 determines the output image including the designated type of character based on the acquisition result received from the character information acquisition device 150. A specific area is specified (step ST25). Then, it returns to step ST14 and repeats the said process.

  According to this configuration, a plurality of pieces of concealment information that are specific character types can be concealed with one designation, so that, for example, the labor of designating each numeric character string area for each original can be reduced.

  When determining in step ST24 that the processing target concealment designation is not a character type designation, the control device 170 judges whether the processing target concealment designation is a character color designation (step ST26). The control device 170 returns to step ST27 when determining that the processing target concealment designation is character color designation, and otherwise returns to step ST14 without specifying a specific area and repeats the above processing.

  When determining that the processing target concealment designation is a character color designation in step ST26, the control device 170, based on the acquisition result received from the character information acquisition device 150, includes an output including the character having the designated character color. A specific area of the image is specified (step ST27). Then, it returns to step ST14 and repeats the said process.

  If the controller 170 determines that there is no copy restriction in step ST5, or if it is determined in step ST7 that no concealment designation is described in the background copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image, the controller 170 instructs the concealment device 160 to not conceal. Is notified (step ST28). Thereafter, the process returns to step ST1 and the above process is repeatedly executed.

  According to this configuration, since a plurality of pieces of concealment information having a specific character color can be concealed with one designation, for example, it is possible to reduce the labor of designating each red character string region for each document.

  When determining that there is no unprocessed concealment designation in step ST14, the control device 170 obtains all of the specific areas identified in step ST18, step ST23, step ST25, or step ST27 from the concealment device 160. An instruction is given to execute a mask process having the selected area shape acquired by the selected mask pattern (step ST29). Thereafter, the process returns to step ST1 and the above process is repeatedly executed.

  Next, FIG. 6 shows an image processing apparatus 100 having all the functions and configurations of the image processing apparatus shown in FIGS. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the entire configuration and functions of the image processing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 of the present invention. Here, since the configuration, connection relationship, function, and processing of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present invention have already been described, a description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, an output image of the image processing apparatus 100 that attaches a background pattern image to the output image illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, and 6 and an output image of the image processing apparatus 100 that conceals the output image illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6 will be described. . Hereinafter, the image processing apparatus 100 described in FIGS. 1, 3 and 6 is simply referred to as an image processing apparatus for attaching a background pattern image, and is referred to as an image processing apparatus for concealing the image processing apparatus 100 described in FIGS. .

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output image when the concealment designation is a photo designation and the specific area shape is a rectangle. FIG. 7 is also a diagram for explaining a case in which not only concealment designation but also a mask pattern and a region shape are described in the background tint block image.

  First, the image processing apparatus 100 to which the background pattern image is attached receives data regarding the documents S1 and S2 via the network 400, or is input or set by the system user 300. Thereafter, the image processing apparatus 100 outputs output images O11 and O21 for the document S1 and the document S2. The document S1 has photographic areas PH1 and PH2, and the document S2 has a photographic area PH3.

  Background copy-forgery-inhibited pattern images are combined with the output images O11 and O12 output from the image processing apparatus 100, respectively. In this background copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image, a photo designation is described as a hiding designation. In addition, information that the mask pattern and the specific area shape are rectangular is also described.

  In the output images O11 and O21, the photographic areas PH1, 2, and 3 are still described. The illustrated mask pattern is a mask pattern for displaying that the information to be concealed is confidential information.

  Next, the system user 300 causes the image processing apparatus 100 to conceal the output images O11 and O21 output from the image processing apparatus 100 to which the background copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is attached to be read as a document.

  The concealing image processing apparatus 100 analyzes the background copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image included in the read image data, and states that the described concealment designation is a photo designation, the specific area shape is a rectangle, and a mask pattern. Get information. Thereafter, the image processing apparatus 100 masks the photographic areas PH1, 2 and 3 which are the hidden information designated by the hiding designation with the acquired selection mask pattern and the selected area shape. Finally, the image processing apparatus 100 outputs output images O21 and O22 as masked output images.

  According to the configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 described here, the concealment information whose information type is a photograph can be concealed, and therefore, it is possible to reduce labor such as designating a photographic area for each document.

  Further, according to the configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 described here, the concealed information can be masked with a specific mask pattern, and in particular, masked with a mask pattern that displays that the concealed information is confidential information. Therefore, new information such as a concealment reason can be added.

  Furthermore, since it is possible to specify that the specific area is a rectangle, according to this configuration, since the rectangle is a simple shape, for example, the concealed information can be easily concealed compared to a polygon or the like. it can.

  Also, since the concealment information is concealed by concealing the specific area that includes the concealment information, according to this configuration, for example, the concealment information is easier than the method of masking only the concealment information from the output image. Can be concealed.

  Next, an example of the data format of the code data expressing the concealment designation will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, by using such a data format obvious to those skilled in the art, one or more concealment designations can be described and used in the code data. The concealment designation includes photo designation, character string designation, character type designation, and character color designation.

Here, the photo designation is designation that the concealed information is photo information that the output image has.
The character string designation is a designation that the concealed information is specific character string information included in the output image.
The character string type is a designation that the concealed information is character information composed of a specific character type of the output image.
The character string color is a designation that the concealed information is character information composed of a specific character color of the output image.

As shown in FIG. 8, the concealment designation includes a type, a detailed description number, a detailed length, and details.
The type is a type of concealment designation, and is represented by a code corresponding to photo designation, character string designation, character type designation, and character color designation.
For details, specific and detailed information of concealment designation is described. For example, a character string is designated by a code corresponding to a designated character string, a character type is designated by a designated character type, and a character color is designated by a code corresponding to the designated character color. It is assumed that one concealment designation has a plurality of concealment designation details.
The detailed description number represents the number of details described.
The detail length represents the length of the details described.

  Next, an example of an output image when the concealment designation is a character string designation, the designated character string is “spherical”, and the specific area shape is a rectangle will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output image when the concealment designation of the present invention is a character string designation. FIG. 9 is also a diagram for explaining a case in which a designated character string is described as a concealment designation in the background tint block image and a selection mask pattern or area shape is not described.

  The processing for outputting the output image of the image processing apparatus 100 to which the background pattern image is attached is the same as that described in FIG.

  The background copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is synthesized with the output images O11 and O12 output from the image processing apparatus 100 to which the image shown in FIG. However, in this background copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image, the character string designation is described as the concealment designation, and the character string “spherical” is further described as the designation character string, and the mask pattern and the area shape are not described. It is different from what I did.

  In the same manner as described in FIG. 7, the system user 300 causes the output image O11 and O21 output from the image processing apparatus 100 to which the background copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is added to be read as a manuscript into the concealing image processing apparatus 100.

  The image processing apparatus 100 to conceal analyzes the background tint block image included in the read image data in the same manner as described in FIG. After that, unlike what is described in FIG. 7, it is acquired that the described concealment designation is a character string designation and that the designated character string is “spherical”. The specific area shape and mask pattern that could not be acquired from the background pattern image are selected and input by the system user 300.

  After that, the image processing apparatus 100 masks all the character strings “spherical”, which is the concealment information designated by the concealment designation, with the acquired mask pattern and specific area shape. Finally, the image processing apparatus 100 outputs output images O21 and O22 as masked output images.

  According to the configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 described here, the concealed information that is the character string designated by the concealment designation can be concealed, so that the effort such as designating a specific character string area for each original is reduced. it can.

  Next, a case where there are a plurality of concealment designations will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an output image of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present invention when there are a plurality of concealment designations.

  The processing for outputting the output image of the image processing apparatus 100 to which the background pattern image is attached is the same as that described in FIG.

  In the same manner as described in FIG. 7, the background copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is synthesized with the output images O11 and O12 output from the image processing apparatus 100 to which the background copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is added.

  In this background pattern image, “photo designation” as a concealment designation, “character string designation” as a concealment designation, “sphere” and “A” as designated character strings, “character type designation” and designation as concealment designation Information such as “numeric” as the character type, “character color designation” as the concealment designation, and “red” as the designated character color is described.

  As in the case described in FIG. 7, the system user causes the output image O11 and O21 output from the image processing apparatus 100 to which the background copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is added to be read as a document into the concealing image processing apparatus 100.

  The image processing apparatus 100 to conceal analyzes the background tint block image included in the read image data in the same manner as described in FIG. Thereafter, each of the described concealment designations is acquired, and the respective masked information is masked with the acquired mask pattern and specific area shape. Finally, the image processing apparatus 100 outputs output images O21 and O22 as masked output images.

  As a result, in the output image, the characters “5” and “8” whose character types are numbers and the character string “not easily affected by paper roughness” whose character color is red are masked. The The parts corresponding to “photo designation” and “character string designation” have already been described, and are omitted.

  According to the configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 described here, the concealment information corresponding to the character type specified by the concealment designation can be concealed. For example, the effort such as designating a numeric character string area for each original is performed. Can be reduced.

Further, since the concealment information corresponding to the character color designated by the concealment designation can be concealed, for example, it is possible to reduce labor such as designating a red character string region for each document.

  Next, an output image of an image processing apparatus that includes one concealment information combined with two or more specific areas and masks each specific area with a selected area shape will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output image when one piece of concealment information is concealed by masking a plurality of specific areas.

  The processing for outputting the output image of the image processing apparatus to which the background pattern image is attached is the same as that described in FIG.

  In the same manner as described in FIG. 7, the background copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is synthesized with the output images O11 and O12 output from the image processing apparatus to which the background copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is added.

  In the same manner as described in FIG. 7, the system user causes the output image O11 and O21 output from the image processing apparatus to which the background copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is added to be read as a document to the concealed image processing apparatus.

  The image processing apparatus to conceal analyzes the background tint block image included in the read image data in the same manner as described in FIG. Thereafter, the described concealment designation is acquired, and the respective masked information is masked with the acquired selected mask pattern and selected specific region shape.

  Here, unlike the output images shown in FIGS. 7, 9, and 10, by masking a plurality of circular region shapes, the character string “spherical” that is one piece of concealment information is concealed from the output image. . Finally, the image processing apparatus outputs output images O21 and O22 as masked output images.

  According to the configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 described here, the concealment information is concealed by concealing each region including one concealment information by repeating each of two or more specific regions and combining them. Therefore, the concealment method of the concealment information can be designated for each specific area.

  In the above-described embodiment, the number of the character types designated by the concealment designation has been described as a number. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Character types are classified by codes corresponding to each character such as symbols, mathematical formulas, full-width / half-width characters, kanji, hiragana, katakana, alphabet, uppercase / lowercase, Greek letters, and other foreign languages such as Chinese. A configuration including all of the fixed character types can be employed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the number of the character types designated by the concealment designation has been described as a number. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As the character type, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which italic type, block type, underline, and enclosed characters are specified.

  In the above-described embodiment, the number of the character types designated by the concealment designation has been described as a number. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The character type can be specified by a font such as Mincho, Gothic, or Times New Roman.

  In the above-described embodiment, red has been described as the character color designated by the concealment designation. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The color used for the concealment designation can adopt a configuration designated by any one of a chromatic color, an achromatic color, a transparent color, and a metal color.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the concealment information is designated with the hue of red as the concealment designation has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The concealment information can adopt a configuration specified by lightness and saturation.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the character color designation is represented by RGB as 0xFF0000 (red) has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A configuration in which the character color designation is designated by CMY notation can be adopted.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the character color designation is represented by RGB as 0xFF0000 (red) has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the character color designation is designated within a certain range such as from 0xF00000 to 0xFF0000.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the region shape of the specific region is a rectangle and a circle has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. As the region shape, a trapezoidal shape, a parallelogram shape, a rhombus shape, other polygonal shapes, an oval shape, a heart shape, a spade shape, a club shape, and a shape freely set by the system user 300 can be adopted.

  In the above-described embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, when the mask pattern corresponding to the selected mask pattern information described in the background tint block image does not exist in the pattern database 210, it is replaced with the default mask pattern. Although described, it is not necessarily limited to this. A configuration in which the system user 300 uses the pattern setting device 240 to select a mask pattern that replaces the selected mask pattern can be employed.

  In the above-described embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, when the area shape corresponding to the selected area shape information described in the background tint block image does not exist in the area shape database 220, the default area shape is substituted. Although described, it is not necessarily limited to this. A configuration in which the system user 300 uses the pattern setting device 240 to select an area shape that replaces the selected area shape can be employed.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of the image processing apparatus which attaches the background tint block image of this invention to an output image. It is a figure for demonstrating the background tint block image of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the other example of the image processing apparatus which attaches the background tint block image of this invention to an output image. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the image processing apparatus which masks an output image based on the background tint block image of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a process of the control apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of the image processing apparatus having the entire configuration and functions illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of an output image in case restriction | limiting designation | designated is photography designation | designated. It is an example of the data format of the code data corresponding to the background tint block image of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of an output image when the concealment designation | designated of this invention is a character string designation | designated. It is a figure which shows an example of an output image at the time of combining multiple types of concealment designation | designated. It is a figure which shows an example of an output image in the case of concealing one concealment information by masking a plurality of specific areas.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Image processing apparatus 110 ... Image expansion | deployment apparatus 120 ... Reading apparatus (reading means)
130... Acquisition device (acquisition means)
140... TI separation device 150... Character information acquisition device 160 .. concealment device (concealment means)
170 ... Control device 180 ... Combining device (combining means)
190 ... generating device (generating means)
200: Image forming apparatus 210: Pattern DB
220 ... Region shape DB
230 ... Area shape setting device 240 ... Pattern setting device 250 ... Hiding designation device 300 ... System user 400 ... Network CD1-4 ... Digital code CN ... Numeric characters CP01, 02, 03, 11, 12 ... Copy prohibited code D ... Scanning Direction DC1-2 ... Copy image 1
IP1-8 ... latent image O1, 2, 11, 12, 21, 22, ... output image P ... mask pattern PB ... background image pattern PH1-3 ... photographic region 1
PS0 ... Diagonal line pattern (Bit0)
PS1 ... hatched pattern (Bit1)
S1,2 ... Original SR ... Red character string W1,2 ... Background pattern image

Claims (13)

Generating means for generating an image pattern corresponding to code data expressing a concealment designation designating a type of concealment information;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a combining unit that combines the image pattern generated by the generating unit and the output image. Reading means for reading a document having an image pattern corresponding to code data representing a concealment designation for designating a type of concealment information;
Obtaining means for obtaining the concealment designation described in an image pattern of a document read by the reading means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: concealment means for concealing the hidden information specified by the concealment designation acquired by the acquisition means.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the concealing unit masks the concealed information by masking.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the concealing unit conceals the concealment information by masking it with a specific mask pattern.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the concealment unit conceals the concealment information by concealing a specific area including the concealment information.   5. The concealment means conceals the concealment information by concealing each of the two or more specific regions and concatenating each region including the one concealment information. An image processing apparatus according to 1.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the specific area is a rectangle.   8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the concealment designation includes a photo designation.   8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the concealment designation includes a character string designation.   8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the concealment designation includes a character type designation.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the concealment designation includes a character color designation. A generation step for generating an image pattern corresponding to code data representing a concealment designation designating a type of concealment information;
An image forming method comprising: synthesizing the image pattern generated in the generating step and an output image. A reading step of reading a document having an image pattern corresponding to code data expressing concealment designation for designating concealment information;
An acquisition step of acquiring the concealment designation described in the image pattern of the document read in the reading step;
And hiding the concealment information designated by the concealment designation obtained in the obtaining step.

Images