JP2008137208A - Image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To permit the length of time used for a copy to be limited depending on a pattern. <P>SOLUTION: The system control section 4 of an MFP registers time available for every pattern. When the pattern is embedded in image data read by a scanner 1, the device detects the pattern and compares the available time corresponding to the pattern with a current time. Only when the result of comparison shows that the current time appears within the available time, the device judges that functions and the like are usable. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus such as a digital multi-function peripheral, a digital copying machine, and a facsimile machine, and more particularly to control for limiting the use time of the image processing apparatus and its functions.

Background pattern embedding technology is used for embedding a background pattern that cannot be recognized by a user on a print image and preventing copying or fax transmission of an image of a document in which the background pattern is embedded.
For example, Patent Document 1 devises a method for embedding a background pattern, a method for recognizing a background pattern, and prohibiting copying of a document in which a copy-prohibited background pattern is embedded.
JP 2004-237678 A

However, in the document described in Patent Document 1, it is impossible to copy any document in which a background pattern is embedded.
You can use certain functions for each manuscript, but you do not want to use other functions. If you want to limit by function, or a manuscript that can be used by some users, it can be used by some other users. There is a case where it is desired to restrict the use of a document for each user, such as not wanting to do so. Thus, when it is desired to set an operation according to various cases, the one described in Patent Document 1 cannot be used.

For security reasons, it is required to limit the use time of an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine or a facsimile machine. For example, when a copy-prohibited manuscript is copied or a transmission-prohibited manuscript is transmitted, it may be performed outside business hours when there are no people in the office. In order to prevent such unauthorized use, it is required to be able to set the usage time of the device, such as limiting usage outside business hours.
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that an image processing apparatus such as an image forming apparatus can limit the use time of a document by a background pattern.

  The present invention is an image processing apparatus having an image reading unit that reads an image of a document and an image printing unit that prints data of an image read by the image reading unit on a sheet as a visible image, and achieves the above object. Therefore, it is characterized as follows.

  An image processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention provides an available time registration unit for registering an available time for each copy-forgery-inhibited pattern, and when the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is embedded in image data read by the image reading unit, A copy-forgery-inhibited pattern detection unit to detect, a time comparison unit for comparing the available time registered in the available time registration unit corresponding to the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern detected by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern detection unit with the current time, and a comparison by the time comparison unit As a result, an availability determining unit that determines that the current time is available only when the current time is within the available time is provided.

An image processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the usable time registration means is a means for registering the usable time for each function for each copy-forgery-inhibited pattern.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, when information that matches information of a user registered in advance is input, the user who performed the input operation is User authentication means for determining that the image processing apparatus can be used is provided, and the available time registration means is used as means for registering the user-specific available time registered in advance for each copy-forgery-inhibited pattern.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, when information that matches information of a user registered in advance is input, the user who performed the input operation is User authentication means for determining that the image processing apparatus can be used is provided, and the available time registration means is a means for registering the available time for each group to which the previously registered user belongs for each copy-forgery-inhibited pattern. It is a thing.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, when information that matches information of a user registered in advance is input, the user who performed the input operation is User authentication means for determining that the image processing apparatus can be used is provided, and the available time registration means is a means for registering the available time for each copy-forgery-inhibited pattern according to the combination of the function and the user registered in advance. Is.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, when information that matches information of a user registered in advance is input, the user who performed the input operation is User authentication means for determining that the user can use the image processing apparatus is provided, and the available time registration means is configured to determine the available time for each combination of a function for each copy-forgery-inhibited pattern and a group to which the previously registered user belongs. It is a means to register.

An image processing apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, further comprising a ground pattern selection means for selecting a ground pattern to be embedded in an image to be printed on a sheet by the image printing means. .
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus of the seventh aspect, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern selecting means causes the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern selecting means to select a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern to be embedded in an image to be printed on a sheet from among a plurality of previously registered copy-forgery-inhibited patterns It is a means for selecting.

  According to the present invention, the image processing apparatus includes an available time registration unit that registers the available time for each copy-forgery-inhibited pattern, and when the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is embedded in the image data read by the image reading unit, The available time detected by the background pattern detection means and registered in the available time registration means corresponding to the background pattern is compared by the current time and the time comparison means, and as a result of the comparison, the current time is within the available time. Only in this case, the availability determining unit determines that the document can be used, so that the usage time of the document can be managed and limited by the background pattern.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an example in which an image forming apparatus, in particular, a digital multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as “MFP”) that combines a plurality of functions such as a copying machine, a scanner, a printer, and a facsimile apparatus will be described as an image processing apparatus. .

[MFP configuration example]
First, the configuration of an MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The MFP includes a scanner 1, a plotter 2, an encoding / decoding unit 3, a system control unit 4, a network control unit 5, a network control unit (NCU) 6, a modem 7, an image memory 8, and an operation display unit 9. These units are connected by a system bus 10.

The scanner 1 is an image reading unit that optically reads an image of a document. The scanner 1 may be an auto document feeder type.
The plotter 2 is an image printing unit that prints (forms) image data (image data) read by the scanner 1, received image data, or image data stored in the image memory 8 on a sheet as a visible image.
The encoding / decoding unit 3 is means for encoding (compressing) image data to be transmitted and decoding (decompressing) encoded image data received from an external device.

  The system control unit 4 is a control unit that performs overall control of the MFP, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM, RAM, nonvolatile memory, a timer circuit (means for generating and outputting the current time), and the like, and is stored in the ROM. By executing the various control programs thus executed, the operation of each unit is controlled, so that the available time registration means, the tint block detection means, the time comparison means, the availability determination means, the user authentication means, and the functions relating to the present invention, It functions as a tint block selection means. If the ROM is composed of rewritable storage means, it is easy to upgrade the program according to technological progress.

The network control unit 5 is a communication unit for exchanging information with an external device such as a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as “PC”) via a network such as a LAN (local area network).
The network control unit 6 is a means for connecting to a public line and performing communication, and has an automatic transmission function. Manual connection as a telephone is also possible.

The modem 7 is a modulation / demodulation unit that modulates or demodulates transmission information (image data) using a predetermined modulation method. The modem 7 and the network control unit 6 constitute a communication means, which exchanges information with external devices such as other FAX apparatuses via a public line.
The image memory 8 includes image data read by the scanner 1, image data developed based on print data (such as character code or drawing data) such as a document or a picture received by the network control unit 5, a modem 7 and a network control unit. 6 is a means for storing the image data received by. The image memory 8 is constituted by a RAM, but a large-capacity rewritable nonvolatile storage means such as a hard disk device may be used in combination.

The operation display unit 16 is a means for displaying various operation states and setting states of the MFP, and for allowing a user to perform various operations and settings, and to input information. It can be configured with a key or the like.
Note that functions (services) provided by the MFP include a printer function, a copy function, a FAX function, a scanner function, and the like.

The printer function is a service that develops print data from an external device such as a PC into printable image data, sends it to the plotter 2 and prints it as a visible image on paper.
The copy function is a function of causing a scanner 1 to read an image of a document and printing the image data on a sheet as a visible image by a plotter 2.
The FAX function is a function for reading an image of a document by the scanner 1 and transmitting the image data to an external device such as a FAX apparatus by the modem 7 and the network control unit 6.
The scanner function is a function that causes the scanner 1 to read an image of an original and distributes the image data to an external device such as a PC by e-mail or the like.

[Controls related to this invention]
Next, control related to the present invention in the MFP configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 and Tables 1 to 8. FIG.
First, an operation when reading a copy-forgery-inhibited document image in the MFP will be described.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation when the MFP reads a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern original image.

  The MFP system control unit 4 sets a copy-forgery-inhibited document on the scanner 1 and selects a function such as a copy function by a user operation (an operation on the operation display unit 9 or an external device such as a PC by a user). 2 is started, the processing routine shown in FIG. 2 is started. First, in step (S) 101, an image of a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern original is read by the scanner 1, and in step 102, the read image data of the original is read. In step 103, the available time (described later) corresponding to the detected background pattern is compared with the current time.

  As a result of the comparison, if the current time is within the available time, it is determined that it can be used (here, the selected function can be used), and the process proceeds to step 105 to implement the selected function. The continuation of the process is executed, and the process ends. If the current time is outside the available time, it is determined that the current time is not available, and the process proceeds to step 106 to operate a message indicating that the continuation of the process for realizing the selected function cannot be performed. The display unit 9 or an external device is notified, and the process ends.

Although not shown in the figure, when the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is not embedded in the image data of the read original, a message to that effect may be notified to the operation display unit 9 or the external device.
In addition, when an operation start is instructed in a state in which a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern document is set in the scanner 1 and the processing operation illustrated in FIG. 2 is started, when the current time is within the available time, the device (MFP) May be determined to be usable, and processing for realizing the function selected thereafter may be executed.

Here, each example in which the relationship between the tint block pattern and the available time is different will be described.
Table 1 shows an example of the relationship between the tint block pattern and the available time.
The system control unit 4 registers the available time for each copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern as shown in Table 1 by the operation of the administrator (operation on the operation display unit 9 or an external device such as a PC by the administrator), and the nonvolatile memory Can be stored in memory.

In this case, for example, the available time corresponding to the tint block pattern 1 is set from 8:30 to 17:00.
When the image of the original in which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 1 is embedded is read by the scanner 1, the selected function (or device) can be used if the current time is between 8:30 and 17:00. However, it cannot be used at times other than 8:30 to 17:00.

Table 2 shows an example of the relationship between the tint block pattern and the usable time of the function.
The system control unit 4 can register the usable time for each function for each copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern and store it in the nonvolatile memory by the operation of the administrator as shown in Table 2.
In this case, for example, the usable time of the copy function and the scanner function corresponding to the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 1 is set from 8:30 to 17:00, and the usable time of the FAX function is set from 10:00 to 22:00.

  When an image of a document in which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 1 is embedded is read by the scanner 1 and the current time is between 8:30 and 17:00, the selected function is the copy function or the scanner function. If so, those functions can be used, but cannot be used at times other than 8:30 to 17:00. When the current time is between 10:00 and 22:00, if the selected function is a FAX function, the function can be used, but other than 10:00 to 22:00 Cannot be used on time.

Table 3 shows an example of the relationship between the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern and the available time for each user registered in advance.
The system control unit 4 can register the available time for each user registered in advance for each copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern as shown in Table 3 by the operation of the administrator, and can store and hold it in the nonvolatile memory.
In this case, for example, the usage time of the user 1 and the user 3 corresponding to the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 1 is set from 8:30 to 17:00, and the usage time of the user 2 is set from 10:00 to 22:00.

  When an image of a document in which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 1 is embedded is read by the scanner 1 and the authenticated user (described later) is the user 1, the current time is within the available time corresponding to the user 1. The selected function (or device) can be used, but cannot be used outside the available time. The same applies when the authenticated user is user 2 or user 3. When an image of a document in which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 2 is embedded is read by the scanner 1 and the authenticated user is the user 4, the corresponding usable time is not set, so the selected function is used. Can not.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user authentication screen displayed on the operation display unit 9 or a display unit of an external device such as a PC.
The system control unit 4 of the MFP performs authentication information (for user authentication as shown in FIG. 3) when the user tries to use the MFP (when any user operation is performed on the MFP). A user authentication screen requesting input of a user name and a password (user information) is displayed on the operation display unit 9. In the case of this example, it is assumed that a liquid crystal display in which a touch panel is stacked on the operation display unit 9 is provided.

When a user name and password are input by a user operation and the “OK” key is pressed, a user authentication request including the user name and password is issued to the system control unit 4.
When the system control unit 4 receives the user authentication request, the system control unit 4 performs user authentication processing for a user name and a password that are authentication information in the user authentication request. In other words, it is checked whether or not information that matches the authentication information is registered (stored in the nonvolatile memory).

If the authentication information in the received user authentication request is registered, the authentication is successful, and the user who has performed an operation for inputting the authentication information is referred to as an authenticated user (a user who can use the MFP). judge. If the authentication information in the received user authentication request is not registered, authentication fails.
If the authentication is successful, an operation screen for selecting a function of the MFP or instructing operation start is displayed on the operation display unit 9.
If the authentication fails, the user authentication screen is displayed again, and the user cannot use the MFP.

Table 4 shows an example of the relationship between the tint block pattern and the available time for each group to which a user (authentication information) registered in advance belongs.
As shown in Table 4, the system control unit 4 can register the available time for each group to which a user registered in advance for each copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern as shown in Table 4, and store and store it in the nonvolatile memory. it can.

In this case, for example, the officer's usage time corresponding to the tint block pattern 1 is set from 0:00 to 24:00, and the employee's usage time is set from 8:30 to 17:00.
When an image of a document in which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 1 is embedded is read by the scanner 1, the selected function (or device) can be used anytime for 24 hours if the authenticated user is a user belonging to an officer. . If the authenticated user is a user belonging to an employee, the selected function can be used only within 8:30 to 17:00.

Table 5 shows an example of a relationship between a user and a group to which the user belongs.
In this example, user 1, user 2, user 4, and user 5 belong to employees. Further, the user 3 belongs to an officer. Users 6 and 7 belong to the outside.
In addition, according to Table 4 and Table 3, a plurality of users can be collectively managed as a group.

Table 6 shows the relationship of the available time depending on the combination of the tint block pattern, the user registered in advance, and the function.
The system control unit 4 can register the available time for each combination of user and function registered in advance for each copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern as shown in Table 6 and store it in the nonvolatile memory by the operation of the administrator. .

  In this case, for example, the usable time of the copy function and the scanner function of the user 1 corresponding to the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 1 is set from 8:30 to 22:00, and the usable time of the FAX function is set from 10:00 to 22:00. Yes. Other users also have available times for each function. Similarly, for the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 2, a usable time is set for each combination of each user and each function.

  When an image of a document in which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 1 is embedded is read by the scanner 1, if the authenticated user is the user 1 and the current time is between 8:30 and 22:00, the selected function is If it is a copy function or a scanner function, those functions can be used, but cannot be used at times other than 8:30 to 22:00. When the authenticated user is the user 3 and the current time is between 10:00 and 22:00, if the selected function is a FAX function or a scanner function, those functions can be used. However, it cannot be used at times other than 10:00 to 22:00.

Table 7 shows the relationship of the available time according to the combination of the tint block pattern, the group to which a previously registered user belongs, and the function.
As shown in Table 7, the system control unit 4 registers the available time for each combination of group and function to which a user registered in advance for each copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern as shown in Table 7, and stores it in the nonvolatile memory. Can be held.

  In this case, for example, the available time for the copy function and the scanner function of the officer corresponding to the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 1 is set from 8:30 to 22:00, and the available time for the FAX function is set from 10:00 to 22:00. . In other groups, usable time is set for each function. Similarly, for the tint block pattern 2, the available time is set for each combination of each group and each function.

  When the scanner 1 reads an image of a document in which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 1 is embedded, it is selected when the authenticated user is a user belonging to an officer and the current time is between 8:30 and 22:00. If the function is a copy function or a scanner function, these functions can be used, but cannot be used at times other than 8:30 to 22:00. If the authenticated user is an external user and the current time is between 10:00 and 17:00, if the selected function is a copy function or a FAX function, use those functions. However, it cannot be used at times other than 10:00 to 17:00.

Next, an operation when creating a tint block containing document in the MFP will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation example when creating a document with a background pattern in the MFP.
Table 8 shows the setting of whether or not a general user (other than the administrator) can use the tint block pattern and the administrator sets.

  The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern that is permitted to be used by a general user is selected when a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern to be embedded in a document is selected when the user tries to create a document (such as a picture) in which the pattern is embedded on an external device such as a PC. Are displayed as options. Therefore, the general user can select any one of the tint block patterns permitted (possible) to use by an operation on the external device. Since the tint block pattern that cannot be used by the general user is not displayed as an option, the general user cannot select it.

The system control unit 4 of the MFP can register the availability of general users for each copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern as shown in Table 8 by the operation of the administrator, and can store and hold it in the nonvolatile memory.
On the other hand, when the external device starts creating a tint block containing document by an operation of a general user, it issues a tint block pattern search request to the MFP.
When the system control unit 4 of this MFP receives a search request for a background pattern from an external device, it starts the processing routine shown in FIG. 4. First, the background pattern registered (stored in the nonvolatile memory) in step 201. Search for a pattern.

  Next, as a result of the search, it is determined in step 202 whether or not the found tint block pattern (first tint block pattern 1) is the last tint block pattern. Reference is made to whether or not the tint block pattern is available to general users. As a result of the reference, if it is determined that the general user is permitted to use the background pattern searched in step 207, the background pattern is entered as an option in step 208, and the process returns to step 201 and described above. Similar processing is repeated. If it is determined in step 207 that use of the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern by the general user is not permitted (not permitted), the process directly returns to step 201.

As a result of the search in step 201, if the found tint block pattern is the last tint block pattern, the process proceeds to step 203, and an optional tint block pattern (selectable tint block pattern) is selected as the external device of the tint block pattern search request source. To notify.
When the external device receives a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern from the MFP in response to a search request for a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern from the MFP, it displays it on the display unit. Then, when an instruction for selecting a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern to be printed from the choice of copy-forgery-inhibited pattern on the display unit is given by an operation of a general user, a request for selecting the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is issued to the MFP.

The system control unit 4 of the MFP notifies the external device of a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern, waits for a selection request for the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern from the external device in step 204, and upon receiving the selection request, requests selection in step 205. The selected copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is selected from the choice of copy-forgery-inhibited pattern, and the process is terminated.
Thereafter, when print data (character code, etc.) of a document created from an external device is received, it is expanded into printable image data based on the print data, and the image data is printed on paper as a visible image by the plotter 2. Let
Note that the available time in the above description may be unavailable time.

According to the MFP of this embodiment, the following effects (1) to (7) can be obtained.
(1) When a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is embedded in the image data read by the scanner 1, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is detected, and the available time corresponding to the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is compared with the current time. Only when the current time is within the available time, by determining that it can be used, the use time of the document can be managed and limited by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern, so that the convenience of security management is improved.

(2) By registering the available time for each function for each copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern, the use time for each function can be managed and restricted by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern, so that the convenience of security management is further improved.
(3) By registering the available time for each user for each copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern, the use time for each user can be managed and restricted by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern, so the convenience of security management is further improved.
(4) By registering the available time for each group to which the user belongs for each copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern, the use time for each group to which the user belongs can be managed and restricted by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern. This saves you the trouble of setting the usage time every time.

(5) By registering the available time for each combination of function and user for each copy-forgery-inhibited pattern, the usage time can be set finely for each user and function, so that convenience is further improved.
(6) By registering the usable time for each combination of the function and the group to which the user belongs for each copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern, the usage time can be set in detail for each group and function to which the user belongs, which is more convenient. improves.
(7) By making it possible to select a tint block pattern to be embedded in an image to be printed on a sheet, the administrator can set a tint block pattern that can be used by a general user, thereby improving the convenience of managing the tint block pattern.

In this way, it is possible to restrict the use of various originals by using the tint block pattern, and it is possible to achieve both security and convenience.
The embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the MFP has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other image forming apparatuses such as an image reading apparatus (scanner or the like) and a digital copying machine or a facsimile apparatus having an image printing unit. Of course, the present invention can be applied to various image processing apparatuses such as a printer to which an image reading apparatus can be connected, an image reading apparatus and a PC to which an image printing unit can be connected, and an image reading apparatus alone.

  As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the use time of the document can be managed and limited by the background pattern. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus that can achieve both security and convenience.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation when a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern original document image is read in the MFP illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the user authentication screen displayed on the operation display part 9 of FIG. 1, or the display part of external apparatuses, such as PC. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation example when creating a tint block containing document in the MFP shown in FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

1: Scanner 2: Plotter 3: Coding / Decoding Unit 4: System Control Unit 5: Network Control Unit 6: Network Control Unit 7: Modem 8: Image Memory 9: Operation Display Unit 10: System Bus

Claims (8)

An image processing apparatus comprising: an image reading unit that reads an image of a document; and an image printing unit that prints image data read by the image reading unit on a sheet as a visible image,
An available time registration means for registering an available time for each background pattern;
A tint block detection unit for detecting the tint block when the tint block is embedded in the image data read by the image reading unit;
Time comparison means for comparing the available time registered in the available time registration means corresponding to the ground pattern detected by the ground pattern detection means with the current time;
An image processing apparatus comprising: an availability determination unit that determines that the current time is available only when the current time is within the available time as a result of the comparison by the time comparison unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the usable time registration means is a means for registering a usable time for each function for each background pattern. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.
Provided with user authentication means for determining that a user who has performed an operation for the input is a user who can use the image processing apparatus when information matching the information of the user registered in advance is input;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the usable time registration unit is a unit that registers the pre-registered usable time for each user for each copy-forgery-inhibited pattern. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.
Provided with user authentication means for determining that a user who has performed an operation for the input is a user who can use the image processing apparatus when information matching the information of the user registered in advance is input;
2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the available time registration unit is a unit that registers the available time for each group of groups to which the user registered in advance belongs. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.
Provided with user authentication means for determining that a user who has performed an operation for the input is a user who can use the image processing apparatus when information matching the information of the user registered in advance is input;
The available time registration means is means for registering available time for each combination of a function and the previously registered user for each copy-forgery-inhibited pattern. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.
Provided with user authentication means for determining that a user who has performed an operation for the input is a user who can use the image processing apparatus when information matching the information of the user registered in advance is input;
The usable time registration means is a means for registering usable time for each combination of a function and a group to which the previously registered user belongs for each copy-forgery-inhibited pattern. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An image processing apparatus comprising a ground pattern selection means for selecting a ground pattern to be embedded in an image to be printed on a sheet by the image printing means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tint block selecting unit is a unit that selects a tint block embedded in an image to be printed on paper by the image printing unit from a plurality of pre-registered tint blocks.

Images