JP2007215033A - Image processor, image processing method, and image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor capable of outputting an image which a user desires. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus outputs, as a sample, a texture pattern added image in which an original image is added with a texture pattern, and a texture pattern visible image which is a copied image of it. A user can select either an output mode and a kind of texture pattern added as a sample. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing device, an image processing method, and an image processing program, and more particularly to an image processing device, an image processing method, and an image processing program for managing images using a tint block pattern.

  In order to prevent misuse of printed information, a tint block pattern is embedded as management information in a print image or a scan image handled by an image forming apparatus (MFP (Multi Function Peripheral), copier, printer, facsimile apparatus, personal computer, etc.) Technology exists.

  In addition, when the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is embedded only in a specific portion of the document, the specific portion may be cut and pasted to easily make a copy. In order to prevent such a situation, there is a technique for embedding a tint block pattern on the entire surface of a document.

  An image in which a background pattern is embedded is a thin pattern printed on the background (hereinafter, this image is referred to as a “background pattern added image”). When it is output to a sheet and copied, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern becomes an image (hereinafter, this image is referred to as a “pattern-pattern raised image”). This is based on the following principle.

  As the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern, for example, an image is created from an isolated point consisting of 1 dot and an isolated point consisting of 4 dots. This tint block pattern is combined with the background portion of the document. When copying, the isolated point consisting of 1 dot is skipped due to the characteristics of the scanner, but the isolated point consisting of 4 dots is not skipped. As a result, the place where an isolated point consisting of one dot is hit is copied as a white image, so that the tint block pattern can be raised.

In relation to the tint block pattern technology, the following Patent Document 1 discloses means for detecting a tint block pattern (background dot pattern) embedded in a background image included in image data of a document image from image data, and the detected tint pattern pattern. Discloses an image processing apparatus provided with means for comparing with a tint block pattern that prohibits output stored in a storage area and determining the identity thereof.
JP 2004-274092 A

  In the conventional technique, the user cannot confirm in advance how the tint block pattern is combined or how the tint block pattern will appear, so the output image is the user's intention. There was a possibility of becoming unsuitable.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program that can output an image intended by a user.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus is created with an input unit for inputting a document image, a creation unit for creating a tint block pattern relief image based on the input document image, An output means for outputting a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image, and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is an image obtained by copying an image obtained by adding a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern to a document image.

  Preferably, the creating means creates the tint block pattern raised image without creating the tint block pattern added image.

  Preferably, the creating means creates a tint block pattern raised image by performing image processing.

  Preferably, the creating unit creates a tint block pattern embossed image by synthesizing a pattern image prepared in advance with the document image.

  Preferably, the image processing apparatus further includes a tint block pattern added image creating unit that creates a tint block pattern added image, which is an image obtained by adding a tint block pattern to the input document image, and the output unit includes the created tint block pattern Output additional images.

  Preferably, the output means outputs the tint block pattern added image and the tint block pattern raised image as a set.

  Preferably, the output unit outputs the created image after performing at least one of aggregation and scaling.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, an image processing method includes an input step of inputting a document image, a creation step of creating a background pattern embossed image based on the input document image, and the created background pattern pattern embossing And an output step for outputting the image. The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is an image obtained by copying an image obtained by adding a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern to the original image.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, an image processing program includes an input step for inputting a document image, a creation step for creating a tint block pattern relief image based on the inputted document image, and the created tint block pattern relief Then, the output step of outputting the image is executed by the computer, and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is an image obtained by copying an image obtained by adding the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern to the original image.

  According to these inventions, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program that can output an image intended by a user.

Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention can set a mode for embedding copy-forgery-inhibited pattern information in image data, and when the mode is set, an output image sample of the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern image or a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern-added image is copied. It has a function of outputting an output image sample of a “background pattern embossed image” generated when the image is generated. Thereby, there is an effect that the user can confirm the output form in advance when embedding the background pattern.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a tandem color copier as an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to the drawing, a color copying machine 100 includes an image reader unit 101 that reads image data from a document, and a printer unit 102 that prints an image on a sheet.

  A document placed on the document table 103 of the image reader unit 101 is irradiated by an exposure lamp 105 provided in the scanner 104. The reflected light from the document surface forms an image on the CCD 110 via the mirrors 106 to 108 and the condenser lens. The CCD 110 converts the reflected light from the document surface into RGB color data (analog signal) and outputs it to the image processing apparatus 10. The scanner 104 is moved in the direction of the arrow by the scanner motor 112 to scan the entire document.

  The image processing apparatus 10 processes the analog signal input from the CCD 110 and outputs a digital signal to the laser apparatus 113.

  Here, the digital signals output from the image processing apparatus 10 to the laser apparatus 113 are image color data for cyan, image color data for magenta, image color data for yellow, and image color data for black. . The laser device 113 outputs laser beams to the photosensitive drums 115C, 115M, 115Y, and 115K for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, based on the input image color data.

  In the printer unit 102, the laser beam output from the laser device 113 exposes the photosensitive drums 115C, 115M, 115Y, and 115K charged by the chargers 114C, 114M, 114Y, and 114K, and forms an electrostatic latent image. . The electrostatic latent images on the photosensitive drums 115C, 115M, 115Y, and 115K are developed by the four color developing devices 116C, 116M, 116Y, and 116K of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

  On the other hand, the endless belt 320 is suspended by the driving roller 322A and the fixed rollers 322B, 322C, and 322D so as not to be loosened. When the driving roller 322A rotates counterclockwise in the figure, the endless belt 320 rotates counterclockwise in the figure at a predetermined speed.

  An appropriate sheet is conveyed from the sheet feeding cassettes 120 to 122, and the sheet is supplied from the timing roller 123 to the endless belt 320. The paper supplied to the endless belt 320 is carried on the endless belt 320 and conveyed leftward in the drawing. As a result, the sheet comes into contact with the photosensitive drums 115C, 115M, 115Y, and 115K in the order of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. When the sheet comes into contact with each of the photosensitive drums 115C, 115M, 115Y, and 115K, the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum by the transfer chargers 127C, 127M, 127Y, and 127K paired with the photosensitive drums is applied to the sheet. Transcribed.

  The sheet on which the toner image is transferred is heated by the fixing roller pair 132. As a result, the toner is melted and fixed on the paper. Thereafter, the paper is discharged from the printer unit 102.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG.
Referring to the figure, an image forming apparatus includes an ROM 8, a work memory 9, and a control unit 7, and an image input unit (scanner) 1 that optically reads an arbitrary image and converts it into electronic data, An image output unit (printer) 2 that prints image data on a predetermined sheet, a communication unit 10 that communicates with the outside through a LAN or a telephone line, and an image input unit 1 for input or via the communication unit 10 An image memory unit 3 for temporarily storing image data given from the outside, an operation / display unit (operation panel) 4 for performing various operation inputs and displaying various setting information related to the operation, and image data A compression / decryption unit 5 that compresses and decrypts the mail, a mailer (e-mail transmission / reception application) 6 that transmits / receives e-mail, a file format of image data, and an e-mail file It includes a file conversion unit 12 for performing various file conversion such yl format, and an external interface unit 11 for external connection.

  Actually, the work memory 9 and the image memory unit 3 share the same volatile memory.

  An operation signal is generated in response to a user command on the operation / display unit 4, and the control unit 7 operates according to a software program stored in advance in the ROM 8 based on the operation signal.

The execution procedure of the software program in the image processing apparatus will be described later.
The image input unit 1 includes an image sensor such as a CCD, a slider control unit, various image processing control units, and the like, and is a block that optically reads a document and converts it into an electrical signal.

  The image output unit 2 includes an engine control unit such as a laser or an ink jet, various image processing control units, and the like, and is a block that outputs an electrical signal onto a recording sheet.

  The image memory unit 3 is a block for storing image data input from the image input unit 1 and image data input from the communication unit 10 and the external interface unit 11. The image memory unit 3 stores the code data after the image data is compressed by the compression / decoding unit 5.

  The operation / display unit 4 is a user interface unit including a numeric keypad, a start key, an LCD (liquid crystal display), and the like, and performs mode selection and simple key input operation.

  The compression / decoding unit 5 is a block that compresses input image data as necessary or expands code data.

  The control unit 7 includes a CPU that controls the entire blocks 1 to 13 and peripheral circuits, and is connected via a system bus. The control unit 7 is connected to a ROM for storing control programs and control data, a RAM used for temporary storage of control variables, and the like.

  The communication unit 10 uses a modem or NCU to connect to a network via a communication device using a telephone line or a LAN control unit (not shown), and exchanges image information and the like with other communication devices.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.
Referring to the figure, the document image is read in step S101. In step S103, it is determined whether a function (mode) for adding a tint block is set. If YES, it is determined in step S105 whether sample output setting is performed.

  If “YES” in the step S105, a tint block image sample is output in a step S107.

  If NO in step S105, an image in which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is added to the document image in step S109 is output. If “NO” in the step S103, a document image to which no copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is added is output in a step S111.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of the processing (S107) for performing the sample output of the tint block image of FIG.

  Referring to the figure, in step S201, an output mode selection is accepted. This is to select which of the pattern addition image, the pattern embossed image, or both of them is to be output.

  In step S203, selection of the type of tint block pattern to be added is accepted. Here, one or more desired patterns can be selected from the four types of tint block patterns.

  In step S205, the selection of whether or not to aggregate the sample outputs is accepted. This is to select whether to print a plurality of sample outputs on one sheet or to print one sample on one sheet.

  In step S207, a selection is made as to whether or not scaling is performed at the time of aggregation. This is to select whether or not to reduce the image in the case of aggregation.

  In step S209, sample image data is created based on the user's selection in steps S201 to S207. In step S211, sample image data is printed (or displayed on a display).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the screen displayed in step S105 of FIG.
Here, the user can select whether to output the image data with the tint block added as it is or as a sample. When the user selects “Copy” on the screen of FIG. 5 and presses the OK button, the display shifts to the display of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the screen displayed in step S109 of FIG.
Here, the user selects which of the four types of tint block patterns to add. The selected copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is synthesized with the document image data and output.

  When the user selects “sample output” on the screen of FIG. 5 and presses the OK button, the display shifts to the display of FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen displayed in step S107 in FIG. 3 (steps S201 and S203 in FIG. 4).

  Here, the user selects the output mode and the type of tint block pattern to be added as a sample. A plurality of selections can be made here. When the selection is made in FIG. 7 and the OK button is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the screen displayed in steps S205 and S207 of FIG.
Here, the user can select whether or not aggregation and scaling are necessary.

  9 is a diagram illustrating an image of a document image, FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an image of a tint block pattern addition image, and FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an image of a tint block pattern protruding image.

  Here, it is assumed that the document image is image data of a document as shown in FIG. 9, and a background pattern embedded with “secret” characters as shown in FIG. 10 is added. The embedded characters are shown here as dotted lines for convenience, but are actually added in a state that is difficult for human eyes to see.

  By copying and outputting the image of FIG. 10, it is possible to obtain the image of FIG. 11 in which the characters “secret” are raised.

  When the image data of FIG. 10 is created, a process for synthesizing the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data with the image data of FIG. 9 is performed. Further, when the image data of FIG. 11 is created, a process of combining the image data prepared in advance with the image data of FIG. 9 is performed. Alternatively, the image data of FIG. 11 may be created by processing the image data of FIG. That is, after the 1-dot thinning process (erosion) is performed on the image data in FIG. 10, the 1-dot thickening process (dilation) is performed, and the 1-dot isolated point is deleted to make the image appear. .

12 to 21 are first to tenth diagrams showing examples of sample output.
As the output mode of FIG. 7, when all four types of “pattern added image” are selected as the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern, and “no aggregation” or “no scaling” is selected on the screen of FIG. 8, the output of FIG.

  In the output of FIG. 12, the original image to which the four types of selected background patterns are added is printed on four sheets A to D. By looking at these sheets, the user can know the output image of the pattern added image.

  As the output mode of FIG. 7, when all four types of “pattern embossed image” are selected as the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern, and “no aggregation” or “no scaling” is selected on the screen of FIG. 8, the output of FIG. The

  In the output of FIG. 13, the pattern embossed image of the original image to which the selected four types of tint block patterns are added is printed on four sheets A to D. By looking at these sheets, the user can know the output image of the pattern relief image.

  As the output mode of FIG. 7, when all four types of “pattern added image” are selected as the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern, and aggregation or no scaling is selected on the screen of FIG. 8, the output of FIG.

  In the output of FIG. 14, the pattern-added image of the original image, to which the four types of selected background patterns are added, is printed on two sheets of paper A and B. When the document is A4 size, two images are collected and output on A3 size paper. By looking at these sheets, the user can know the output image of the pattern added image.

  As the output mode of FIG. 7, when all four types of “pattern added image” are selected as the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern, and “aggregate” or “magnify” is selected on the screen of FIG. 8, the output of FIG.

  In the output of FIG. 15, a pattern-added image of the original image to which the selected four types of tint block patterns are added is printed on one sheet. When the document is A4 size, the four images are reduced and output on one A4 size sheet. By viewing this sheet, the user can know the output image of the pattern added image.

  As the output mode of FIG. 7, when all four types of “pattern embossed image” are selected as the background pattern and are selected on the screen of FIG. 8 to be consolidated or not scaled, the output of FIG. 16 is made. The

  In the output of FIG. 16, the pattern embossed image of the original image to which the selected four types of tint block patterns are added is printed on two sheets of paper A and B. When the document is A4 size, two images are collected and output on A3 size paper. By looking at these sheets, the user can know the output image of the pattern relief image.

  As the output mode of FIG. 7, when all four types of “pattern embossed images” are selected as the background pattern and are selected to be aggregated or scaled on the screen of FIG. 8, the output of FIG. 17 is made. The

  In the output of FIG. 17, the pattern embossed image of the original image to which the four types of selected background patterns are added is printed on one sheet. When the document is A4 size, the four images are reduced and output on one A4 size sheet. By looking at these sheets, the user can know the output image of the pattern relief image.

  As the output mode of FIG. 7, both “pattern added image” and “pattern embossed image” are selected as pattern 1 (background pattern in which “secret” characters are embedded) as the background pattern, and are aggregated on the screen of FIG. When “No scaling” is selected, the output of FIG. 18 is made.

  In the output of FIG. 18, the pattern addition image of the original image and the pattern embossed image to which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern of the selected pattern 1 is added are printed on one sheet. When the document is A4 size, two images are collected and output on A3 size paper. By looking at these sheets, the user can know the output images of both the tint block pattern added image and the pattern embossed image.

  As an output mode of FIG. 7, both “pattern added image” and “pattern embossed image” are pattern 1 (background pattern in which “secret” character is embedded) and pattern 2 (“secret” character are used as background pattern. When “embedded background pattern” is selected, and “consolidate” or “magnify” is selected on the screen of FIG. 8, the output of FIG. 19 is performed.

  In the output of FIG. 19, the pattern addition image of the original image and the pattern embossed image to which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern patterns of the selected patterns 1 and 2 are added are printed on one sheet. When the document is A4 size, the four images are reduced and the four images are collected and output on one sheet of A4 size paper. By looking at these sheets, the user can know the output images of both the tint block pattern added image and the pattern embossed image.

  As an output mode of FIG. 7, both “pattern added image” and “pattern embossed image” are pattern 1 (background pattern in which “secret” character is embedded) and pattern 2 (“secret” character are used as background pattern. When “embedded background pattern” is selected and aggregation or no scaling is selected on the screen of FIG. 8, the output of FIG. 20 is made.

  In the output of FIG. 20, the pattern addition image of the original image to which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern of the selected pattern 1 is added and the pattern protruding image are printed on one sheet of paper A. A pattern-added image of the original image to which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern of the selected pattern 2 is added and its pattern raised image are printed on one sheet of paper B. When the document is A4 size, two images are collected and output on A3 size paper. By looking at these sheets, the user can know the output images of both the tint block pattern added image and the pattern embossed image.

  As the output mode of FIG. 7, both “pattern added image” and “pattern embossed image” are selected as all the four types of copy-forgery-inhibited pattern patterns, and are aggregated and scaled on the screen of FIG. Then, the output of FIG. 21 is made.

  In the output of FIG. 21, the pattern addition image of the original image to which the pattern patterns of the selected patterns 1 and 2 are added and the pattern raised image are printed on one sheet of paper A. A pattern-added image of the original image to which the background pattern of the selected patterns 3 and 4 is added and its pattern raised image are printed on one sheet of paper B. When the document is A4 size, the four images are reduced and the four images are collected and output on one sheet of A4 size paper. By looking at these sheets, the user can know the output images of both the tint block pattern added image and the pattern embossed image.

  When “pattern added image” is selected as the output mode in FIG. 7 and pattern 1 is selected as the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern, and the selection is made on the screen of FIG. Made.

  In addition, when “pattern embossed image” is selected as the output mode of FIG. 7 and pattern 1 is selected as the background pattern, and when the screen is not aggregated or scaled is selected on the screen of FIG. Output is made.

  As described above, (A) whether to output a pattern addition image, (B) whether to output a pattern embossed image, (C) to output some types of background patterns, or all A user-desired sample is output depending on the combination of (D) whether to aggregate when outputting a plurality of images, or (E) whether to change magnification when integrating. It becomes possible. By looking at the sample, the user can confirm in advance how the output of the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern will be affected when a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is added to the original image, and how the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is output. .

[Others]
An image to which a background pattern is added and an image from which the background pattern is read are an image read by an image reading unit (scanner), an image received from an external device (as PC print, FAX reception, direct print data), and an image forming apparatus. Any image such as an image stored inside (BOX) may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the image with the tint block pattern added is printed out. However, the image may be output by accumulating and transmitting it as image data or displaying it on a display.

  In the sample output example, a tint block pattern added image and a tint block pattern raised image are output. However, an original image including no pattern may be output together with these images.

  Further, when the images are collected and printed, the images may be printed on the front surface and the back surface of the paper.

  Note that the processing in the above-described embodiment may be performed by software or may be performed using a hardware circuit.

  In addition, a program for executing the processing of the flowchart in the above-described embodiment can be provided, and the program can be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a memory card, and the like. You may decide to provide it. The program may be downloaded to the apparatus via a communication line such as the Internet.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a tandem color copier that is an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process (S107) which performs the sample output of the tint block image of FIG. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed by FIG.3 S105. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed by FIG.3 S109. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed by step S107 of FIG. 3 (step S201 and S203 of FIG. 4). It is a figure which shows the screen displayed by step S205 and S207 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the image of a manuscript image. It is a figure which shows the image of a tint block pattern addition image. It is a figure which shows the image of a tint block pattern embossing image. It is a 1st figure which shows the example of a sample output. It is a 2nd figure which shows the example of a sample output. It is a 3rd figure which shows the example of a sample output. It is a 4th figure which shows the example of a sample output. It is a 5th figure which shows the example of a sample output. It is a 6th figure which shows the example of a sample output. It is a 7th figure which shows the example of a sample output. It is an 8th figure which shows the example of a sample output. It is a 9th figure which shows the example of a sample output. It is a 10th figure which shows the example of a sample output.

Explanation of symbols

  1 image input unit, 2 image output unit, 3 image memory unit, 4 operation / display unit, 5 compression / decoding unit, 6 mailer, 7 control unit, 8 ROM, 9 work memory, 10 communication unit, 11 external interface unit, 12 File conversion unit.

Claims (9)

An input means for inputting a document image;
Creating means for creating a tint block pattern embossed image based on the input document image;
Output means for outputting the created tint block pattern embossed image,
The image processing apparatus, wherein the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is an image obtained by copying an image obtained by adding a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern to the original image.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the creating unit creates a tint block pattern embossed image without creating a tint block pattern added image.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the creation unit creates the tint block pattern relief image by performing image processing.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the creating unit creates the tint block pattern embossed image by combining a pattern image prepared in advance with the document image. A copy-forgery-inhibited pattern addition image creating means for creating a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern addition image, which is an image obtained by adding a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern to the input document image;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs the created tint block pattern added image.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the output unit outputs the background pattern addition image and the background pattern relief image as a set.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs the created image after performing at least one of aggregation and scaling. An input step for inputting a document image;
A creation step of creating a tint block pattern relief image based on the input document image;
An output step of outputting the generated tint block pattern embossed image,
The image processing method, wherein the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is an image obtained by copying an image obtained by adding a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern to the original image. An input step for inputting a document image;
A creation step of creating a tint block pattern relief image based on the input document image;
Causing the computer to execute an output step of outputting the created tint block pattern relief image;
The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is an image processing program that is an image obtained by copying an image obtained by adding a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern to the original image.