JP2007336233A - Image processor, and image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To judge validity of a printed matter obtained from an electronic document. <P>SOLUTION: An image processor 10 comprises a data generating means 11 for generating a data for printing from the electronic data to which a first time stamp information is attached; an information attaching means 12 which attaches a second time stamp information that uniquely specifies the data for printing to it for print output; a data storing means 14 which relates the data for printing the second time stamp information and the first time stamp information each other for storing; an information extracting means 15 which reads an image data from a printed matter of the result from printing of the data, and extracts the second time stamp information; and a print content confirming means 16 for comparing contents each other by searching the data for printing that corresponds to the image data from the data storing means 14, using the extraction result from the information extracting means 15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing program for processing electronic data about an electronic document.

  According to the “e-Document Law”, which came into effect on April 1, 2005, electronic documents are permitted for documents that were required to be preserved in paper. It is possible. However, the electronic document can be easily corrected or altered. Therefore, when an electronic document is stored as an original, a time stamp conforming to, for example, RFC31561 and ISO18014 in the international standard format is generally given to the electronic document. This is because it is possible to objectively guarantee the creation date and time of the electronic document and that no modification or alteration has been performed thereafter.

  On the other hand, even when an electronic document is stored as an original, the electronic document may be printed out to be a paper document. In such a case, security should be ensured also for the paper document after the printout. For this reason, when an electronic document is printed out to be a paper document, whether or not the contents of the document have been tampered with by creating unique information corresponding to the electronic document, embedding it, and printing it out Thus, it has been proposed to dramatically improve the security of a paper document after the electronic contents are printed out (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-268862 A

  However, even if the unique information corresponding to the electronic document is embedded and printed out, after the printed output, the underlying electronic document is not altered for some reason, but is revised (updated) in a formal procedure, It becomes very difficult to determine whether the printed matter is valid. This is because the content of the base electronic document and the content of the printed matter do not match due to revision of the base electronic document. That is, even if the unique information is embedded, if the original electronic document is revised after printing, the correctness of the printed matter obtained from the electronic document cannot be guaranteed.

  Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to determine the validity of a printed matter obtained from the electronic document even if the original electronic document is revised, thereby enabling the image processing to guarantee the contents of the printed matter. An object is to provide an apparatus and an image processing program.

  The present invention is an image processing apparatus devised to achieve the above object, and receives electronic data about the electronic document to which the first time stamp information for uniquely specifying the electronic document is given. Data generation means for generating print data in a format that can be printed out from the data, and printing by adding second time stamp information that uniquely identifies the print data to the print data generated by the data generation means Information adding means to be output, printing data generated by the data generating means, second time stamp information added by the information adding means to the printing data, and electronic data based on the printing data And data storage means for storing the first time stamp information assigned to each other in association with each other.

  In the image processing apparatus having the above configuration, when printing the electronic document to which the first time stamp information is added, the second time stamp information is added to the print data and printed out. The print data, the second time stamp information, and the first time stamp information given to the electronic data that is the basis of the print data are stored in association with each other. Therefore, even after print output, if the second time stamp information is used, it can be confirmed whether or not the printed matter matches the content at the time of print output, that is, the content of the print data. If the second time stamp information is used, it is possible to confirm the existence of the base electronic data.

  According to the present invention, the second time stamp information is given to the printing data, stored together with the first time stamp information, and the second time stamp information is added to the printed material and printed out, so that the printed material is It can be assured that no falsification has been made from the time of print output, and it is also possible to confirm the presence of the electronic data that is the basis thereof. Therefore, even when the electronic document is printed out to be a paper document, the security of the paper document after the printing output can be ensured.

  Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus and an image processing program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the image processing apparatus 10 described as an example in the present embodiment is connected to the electronic document apparatus 20, the external authentication server apparatus 30, the print output apparatus 40, and the image reading apparatus 50, and each of these apparatuses. It is used in a state where it can communicate with 20-50.

  The electronic document device 20 digitizes a document. In other words, electronic data for an electronic document is generated, or the electronic data is stored and accumulated. Here, “electronic document” refers to a digitized document. Also, “electronic data” for an electronic document refers to data that identifies the entity of the electronic document, and a widely known example is PDF (Portable Document Format) data.

  The external authentication server device 30 performs electronic authentication for an electronic document. For this purpose, the external authentication server device 30 has a function of giving time stamp information for uniquely specifying an electronic document. The “time stamp information” only needs to be able to uniquely identify an electronic document, and one specific example thereof is a time stamp (time record information) compliant with RFC 31561 and ISO 18014 in the international standard format. It is not limited to. Note that the external authentication server device 30 uses the time stamp information addition function to perform time stamp information (hereinafter, “first time stamp information”) for electronic data of the electronic document generated or stored and stored by the electronic document device 20. Time stamp information (hereinafter referred to as “second time stamp information”) is also applied to print data generated by the data generation means 11 of the image processing apparatus 10 as will be described later. It comes to grant.

  The print output device 40 converts the electronic document into a paper document, and more specifically, the print data generated by the data generation unit 11 of the image processing apparatus 10 based on the electronic data. Print output is performed. The print output may be an electrophotographic method or an ink jet method, and is not particularly limited.

  The image reading device 50 performs optical image reading on a paper document printed out from the print output device 40, that is, a printed material that is a print output result of the print output device 40, and obtains image data from the printed material. To get. Optical image reading may be performed using a known method.

  The image processing apparatus 10 connected to each of the apparatuses 20 to 50 can determine the validity of a paper document even when the electronic document is printed out to be a paper document. It is intended to ensure security for documents and paper documents.

  For this purpose, the image processing apparatus 10 has functions as a data generation unit 11, an information addition unit 12, an encryption unit 13, a data storage unit 14, an information extraction unit 15, a print content confirmation unit 16, and an original confirmation unit 17. Yes.

  When the electronic data of the electronic document generated or stored and accumulated by the electronic document device 20 is received from the electronic document device 20, the data generation unit 11 generates print data in a format that can be printed out by the print output device 40 from the electronic data. It is a function for generating. A typical format of the print data is a bitmap format, but is not particularly limited as long as it can be printed out by the print output device 40. The electronic data received from the electronic document device 20 includes data to which the first time stamp information is not added in addition to data to which the first time stamp information is assigned by the external authentication server device 30.

  The information adding means 12 uses the time stamp information adding function of the external authentication server device 30 and adds second time stamp information for uniquely specifying the print data to the print data generated by the data generation means 11. This is a function for causing the print output device 40 to print out the print data with the second time stamp information added. Note that the second time stamp information is added only when the data generation unit 11 generates print data for the electronic data to which the first time stamp information is added. The second time stamp information may be added using a known information embedding technique (for example, a so-called digital watermark), but is not particularly limited, and may be visible / invisible. Absent.

  The encryption unit 13 is a function for encrypting the second time stamp information added by the information addition unit 12 and for decrypting the encrypted information. Since the first time stamp information is attached to the electronic data that is the basis of the print data to which the second time stamp information is added, the first time stamp information is used as the encryption key. It can be considered to be used as

  The data storage unit 14 stores the print data generated by the data generation unit 11, the second time stamp information added by the information addition unit 12 to the print data, and the electronic data that is the basis of the print data. This is a function for storing the assigned first time stamp information in association with each other. It is conceivable that each information is associated in a table format, for example.

  The information extraction unit 15 reads the image data by the image reading device 50 reading the image of the printed matter that is the print output result of the print output device 40 for the print data to which the second time stamp information is added. When it is obtained, this is a function for receiving the image data from the image reading device 50 and extracting the second time stamp information from the image data. The extraction of the second time stamp information is performed using a method according to the addition mode of the second time stamp information in the information adding means 12. For example, if the second time stamp information is embedded in a predetermined area in the print image, the predetermined time area is decoded and second time stamp information is extracted.

  The print content confirmation unit 16 searches the data storage unit 14 for print data corresponding to the image data received by the information extraction unit 15 using the extraction result of the information extraction unit 15 and compares the contents with each other. It is a function for. By comparing the contents, it can be determined whether or not the printed material has been tampered with from the point of print output.

  The original confirmation unit 17 corresponds to the image data received by the information extraction unit 15 using the first time stamp information stored by the data storage unit 14 based on the content comparison by the print content confirmation unit 16. This is a function for specifying electronic data that is the basis of printing data. As a result, the existence of the electronic data that is the basis can be confirmed.

  Each of these means 11 to 17 has a function as a computer in the image processing apparatus 10, that is, a combination of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like that the image processing apparatus 10 has. It is assumed that the configured function is realized by executing a predetermined program. This means that the above-described units 11 to 17 are realized by a predetermined program installed in the image processing apparatus 10. However, the predetermined program that realizes each of the units 11 to 17 is not prepared in advance in the image processing apparatus 10 and may be provided by being stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or may be wired or It may be distributed via wireless communication means. That is, the image processing apparatus 10 having the above-described configuration can be realized by an image processing apparatus program that causes a computer in the image processing apparatus 10 to function as the image processing apparatus 10.

  Next, an example of processing operation in the image processing apparatus (including a case where the image processing apparatus program is implemented) 10 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of an example of a processing operation in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, when a paper document is converted into an electronic document, and electronic data about the electronic document is generated or stored in the electronic document device 20 (step 101, step is hereinafter abbreviated as “S”). At that time, electronic authentication is performed on the electronic data by the external authentication server device 30 (S102), and first time stamp information is given (S103).

  Thereafter, when there is a print output instruction for the electronic data (S104), in the image processing apparatus 10, the data generation unit 11 receives the electronic data to be printed and generates print data from the electronic data. Further, the information adding unit 12 adds the second time stamp information to the print data generated by the data generating unit 11 using the time stamp information adding function of the external authentication server device 30 (S105). At this time, the second time stamp information added by the information adding unit 12 is encrypted while the encryption unit 13 uses the first time stamp information as an encryption key (S106). Then, with the second time stamp information after the encryption added, the print data is printed out by the print output device 40 (S107). As a result, the paper document to which the second time stamp information is added is printed out from the print output device 40.

  On the other hand, in the image processing apparatus 10, the printing data generated by the data generating unit 11, the second time stamp information added by the information adding unit 12 to the printing data, and the printing data are based. The first time stamp information assigned to the electronic data is stored in association with each other by the data storage unit 14. Note that the printing data may be subjected to compression processing or the like in order to reduce the amount of data.

  At a later time, when confirming whether the printed matter (paper document) printed out by the print output device 40 has been tampered with, the image reading device 50 reads the image of the printed matter, Image data is obtained from the printed material (S108). In the image processing apparatus 10, the information extraction unit 15 receives the image data and extracts the second time stamp information. At this time, if the extracted second time stamp information is encrypted, the encryption means 13 performs the decryption.

  When the second time stamp information added to the printed material is specified in this way, in the image processing apparatus 10, the print content confirmation unit 16 then uses the specified second time stamp information as a search key. The data storage unit 14 is searched for print data corresponding to the image data received from the image reading device 50. As a result, if the corresponding print data does not exist in the data storage unit 14, the print content confirmation unit 16 determines that the printed matter is not legitimate printed out through the image processing apparatus 10. On the other hand, if the corresponding print data exists in the data storage unit 14, the print content confirmation unit 16 compares the contents of the data (image data and print data) (S109). The content comparison may be performed by comparing the whole or part of data in the same format (for example, bitmap format), or may be performed by extracting and comparing a predetermined feature amount for each data. If the degree of coincidence is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the printed matter has been tampered with after print output, and if the degree of coincidence exceeds the predetermined threshold, falsification after print output, etc. Judge that there is no.

  If the corresponding print data exists in the data storage means 14 as a result of the search using the second time stamp information, the data storage means 14 further stores the data in association with the print data. Using the first time stamp information, the original confirmation unit 17 can specify the electronic data that is the basis of the print data corresponding to the image data received by the information extraction unit 15. Specifically, the original confirmation unit 17 notifies the electronic document device 20 of the first time stamp information, and makes a query, thereby searching from the data storage unit 14 using the second time stamp information described above. Similarly, it is conceivable to search for the presence of corresponding electronic data from, for example, the electronic document device 20 stored and accumulated (S110). As a result, the existence of electronic data that is the basis of the printing data corresponding to the image data obtained from the printed matter can be confirmed, and the contents of the electronic data can be compared with the image data or the printing data as necessary. For example, the degree of matching can be determined. That is, not only the relationship between the image data and the printing data but also the relationship with the electronic data that is the basis thereof can be confirmed.

  The results of the confirmation determination by the print content confirmation unit 16 and the original confirmation unit 17 are output as information through a user interface of the image processing apparatus 10 or through an output device accessible by the image processing apparatus 10.

  As described above, in the image processing apparatus 10 and the image processing program according to the present embodiment, when the electronic document to which the first time stamp information is attached is printed out, the second time is included in the print data. The stamp information is added and printed, and the print data, the second time stamp information, and the first time stamp information given to the electronic data that is the basis of the print data are associated with each other. Save it. Therefore, even after print output, if the second time stamp information is used, it can be confirmed whether or not the printed matter matches the content at the time of print output, that is, the content of the print data. If the second time stamp information is used, it is possible to confirm the existence of the base electronic data.

  In particular, as described in the present embodiment, the second time stamp information is added to the print data and printed out, and the image is read from the printed material at a later time, and the second time stamp information is searched as a search key. If the print data corresponding to the image data obtained by image reading is searched and the contents are compared with each other, it is possible to confirm whether the printed matter has not been tampered with. That is, it can be assured that the printed matter has not been tampered with from the time of print output.

  In addition, as described in the present embodiment, if the original electronic data can be specified using not only the second time stamp information but also the first time stamp information, it becomes a base. Even if the electronic data is not altered for some reason but is revised (updated) by a formal procedure, this can be understood.

  That is, as described in the present embodiment, the first time stamp information for uniquely specifying an electronic document, and the second time stamp information for uniquely specifying print data for printing out the electronic document; Since the image processing apparatus 10 and the image processing program according to the present embodiment are separate from each other, even if the electronic document is printed out to be a paper document, Security can be ensured. Even if the electronic document is not altered for some reason but is revised (updated) by a formal procedure, it is not difficult to determine whether the printed material is valid. Therefore, the legitimacy of the printed matter obtained from the electronic document can be appropriately ensured.

  By the way, if the second time stamp information is encrypted as described in the present embodiment, it is very suitable for ensuring the security of the paper document after the print output. This is because the second time stamp information is added to the print data and printed out, but even in that case, if the encryption is performed, the second time stamp information cannot be easily decrypted. In this case, if the first time stamp information corresponding to the second time stamp information to be encrypted is used as the encryption key, the encryption key differs for each second time stamp information. Therefore, it is preferable from the viewpoint of improving security. In addition, even in such a case, the first and second time stamp information are stored in association with each other, so that it is possible to suppress a reduction in processing efficiency for encryption or decryption. it can.

  In addition, the addition of the second time stamp information and the storage of the printing data and the first and second time stamp information are provided with the first time stamp information as described in the present embodiment. If printing is performed only when the electronic data is printed out, the storage area for printing data, which is a finite resource, can be used effectively. On the other hand, for electronic data to which the first time stamp information is not attached, a general printout is performed without adding the second time stamp information and without storing print data or the like. You just have to do it. This is because, since the first time stamp information is not given, it is considered that security is not necessary for the electronic data.

  In addition, although this embodiment demonstrated the suitable Example of this invention, this invention is not limited to the content, It can change suitably in the range which does not deviate from the summary. For example, in the present embodiment, the case where the external authentication server device 30 uses the time stamp information addition function and thereby sufficiently ensures the reliability and objectivity of the time stamp information has been described as an example. As long as the image processing apparatus 10 itself has a time stamp information adding function, at least the second time stamp information may be added by using the function. The time stamp information does not necessarily need to use a time stamp (time recording information) conforming to RFC 31561 and ISO 18014 in the international standard format, as long as it can uniquely specify an electronic document or print data. Other information (for example, an ID assigned individually) may be used.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the outline | summary of the processing operation example in the image processing apparatus which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image processing apparatus, 11 ... Data generation means, 12 ... Information addition means, 13 ... Encryption means, 14 ... Data storage means, 15 ... Information extraction means, 16 ... Print content confirmation means, 17 ... Original confirmation means, 20 ... Electronic document device, 30 ... External authentication server device, 40 ... Print output device, 50 ... Image reading device

Claims (7)

Data generating means for generating print data in a format that can be printed out from the electronic data upon receiving electronic data about the electronic document to which the first time stamp information for uniquely identifying the electronic document is attached;
Information adding means for adding the second time stamp information for uniquely specifying the printing data to the printing data generated by the data generating means and printing out the data;
The printing data generated by the data generating means, the second time stamp information added by the information adding means to the printing data, and the first electronic data provided as the basis of the printing data. An image processing apparatus comprising: data storage means for storing the time stamp information in association with each other. When receiving image data obtained by reading an image of a printed matter that is a printout result of the print data, an information extraction unit that extracts the second time stamp information from the image data;
2. A print content confirmation unit that searches print data corresponding to the image data from the data storage unit using the extraction result of the information extraction unit and compares the contents with each other. The image processing apparatus described. 3. An original confirmation unit that identifies electronic data that is a basis of print data corresponding to the image data by using first time stamp information stored by the data storage unit. 4. The image processing apparatus described. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an encryption unit configured to encrypt and decrypt the second time stamp information using the first time stamp information. The data generation means is capable of generating print data from electronic data not provided with the first time stamp information,
The information adding means adds the second time stamp information to the print data only when the data generation means generates print data for the electronic data to which the first time stamp information is attached. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein Computer
Data generating means for generating print data in a format that can be printed out from the electronic data upon receiving electronic data about the electronic document to which the first time stamp information for uniquely identifying the electronic document is attached;
Information adding means for adding the second time stamp information for uniquely specifying the printing data to the printing data generated by the data generating means and printing out the data;
The printing data generated by the data generating means, the second time stamp information added by the information adding means to the printing data, and the first electronic data provided as the basis of the printing data. An image processing program that functions as data storage means for storing the time stamp information in association with each other. The computer,
When receiving image data obtained by reading an image of a printed matter that is a printout result of the print data, an information extraction unit that extracts the second time stamp information from the image data;
7. A print content confirmation unit that searches print data corresponding to the image data from the data storage unit using the extraction result of the information extraction unit and compares the contents with each other. The image processing program described.

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