JP2009049911A - Image processor, image processing system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor for increasing a recognition rate in OCR processing. <P>SOLUTION: When an image log generated from the read data of an original in which a woven pattern including preservation destination information is not formed is preserved in an HDD 32b, the pattern woven including the preservation destination information indicating the preservation destination of the preserved image log is generated (116). In the case of deciding that the woven pattern is formed (YES in 108), the image log based on the read data is generated (134). In the case of deciding that the woven pattern is not formed (NO in 108), the image log based on the read data is generated (110), the image log based on composite data for which the woven pattern including the preservation destination information is combined with the read data is generated (120), and output to a log monitoring server 14 is performed so as to preserve the generated image log (112, 122). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and a program.

  Conventionally, an original formed by combining a pattern image and a document image is read, and the confidential level of the document image is detected from the pattern image data included in the read image data, and copying is performed according to the detected confidential level. An image processing system that permits or prohibits is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  Conventionally, the security level of a document obtained from additional information added on a paper document on which an image is formed and the security of a user who intends to output image data obtained by reading the image formed on the document. There is known an image forming apparatus that determines whether or not image data can be output by referring to a predetermined rule based on a level (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2, the document ID used when obtaining the security level of a document is, for example, a document using an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) reader for an image formed on the document. It is obtained by reading a character string corresponding to the ID.

In general, image data when copied or printed is stored as an image log, and a character string obtained by performing OCR processing on the image log is stored in association with the image log, and image tracking is performed. There is a technique for searching a corresponding image log using a character string as a keyword when conducting a survey. The image log subjected to OCR processing is, for example, an image based on image data obtained by reading a document formed by combining a pattern image and a document image as described above. Logs.
JP 2002-305646 A Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-166023

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and a program that can increase the recognition rate in OCR processing.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the additional information including the storage destination information indicating the storage destination of the image log as necessary is formed while the image is formed. A read data output means for reading the image and the additional information formed as necessary from the image forming medium formed in this manner, and outputting read data; and the additional information on the image forming medium based on the read data Determining means for determining whether or not additional information has been formed by the determining means, extracting means for extracting the storage destination information from the read data, and the reading Log generation means for generating an image log based on data, and an image log generated from read data of an image recording medium in which additional information including the storage destination information is not formed When it is determined that the additional information is generated by the generation unit that generates the additional information including the storage destination information indicating the storage destination of the stored image log, and the determination unit determines that the additional information is formed, The log generation unit is controlled to generate an image log based on the read data. When the determination unit determines that no additional information is formed, the log generation unit stores the read data in the read data. Control is performed to generate an image log based on the combined image log and combined data obtained by combining the read data with additional information including the storage destination information, and control is performed so that the generated image log is stored. And control means.

  The image processing apparatus according to claim 2 is configured to form an image based on the composite data when an image log based on composite data obtained by combining the read data with additional information including the storage destination information is stored. Image forming means for forming an image and additional information on the medium is further included.

  An image processing system according to a third aspect of the present invention stores an image log based on the read data generated by the image processing apparatus and the log generation unit of the image processing apparatus, and the read data A storage unit that stores an image log based on the composite data and a storage destination information extracted by the storage destination information extraction unit of the image processing apparatus in a storage destination associated with the storage destination of the based image log; An image log stored in a storage destination associated with the storage destination shown, and an image log generated by the log generation unit when it is determined that additional information is formed by the determination unit of the image processing apparatus; A difference extracting unit that extracts a difference between images, and if the difference is extracted by the difference extracting unit, the difference between the images is stored in the storage And a management device that includes a image log generation means for generating a new image log by adding the image log stored in the storage destination indicated information.

  In the image processing system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the management device determines that the additional information is formed by the determination unit when the storage destination information is not extracted by the storage destination information extraction unit. A similar image acquisition unit that retrieves and acquires a similar image similar to the image log generated by the log generation unit from the storage unit, and a similar image acquired by the similar image acquisition unit The difference extraction unit is configured to extract an image difference between the acquired similar image and an image log generated by the log generation unit when it is determined that additional information is formed by the determination unit. When a difference is extracted by the difference extraction means when a similar image is acquired by the extraction control means for controlling and the similar image acquisition means, Generation control means for controlling the image log generation means to generate a new image log by adding the image difference to the image log stored in the storage destination indicated by the storage destination information included in the similar image Furthermore, it is made to include.

  In the image processing system according to claim 5, when the difference is extracted by the difference extraction unit, the management apparatus stores a new image log generated by the image log generation unit in the storage unit. When the difference is not extracted by the difference extraction unit, the image generated by the log generation unit is determined when it is determined that additional information is formed by the determination unit. A storage control means for controlling the log so as not to be stored in the storage means is further included.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is an image forming medium on which an image is formed, and the image is formed and additional information including predetermined information is not formed. The image and the additional information from an image forming medium on which additional information including storage destination information indicating a storage destination in which an image log based on read data obtained by reading is stored is included as necessary Obtained by reading the image forming medium on which the image is formed and the additional information including the predetermined information is not formed, based on the read data An acquisition unit for acquiring an image log based on the read data, and a character for extracting a character string from the image log acquired by the acquisition unit It is configured to include a processing means for performing the extraction process.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in which an image is formed on a computer and additional information including storage destination information indicating a storage destination of an image log is included as necessary. Based on the read data obtained by reading the image forming medium formed in this way, the judging means for judging whether or not the additional information is formed on the image forming medium, the additional information is formed by the judging means. If it is determined, the extraction means for extracting the storage destination information from the read data, the log generation means for generating an image log based on the read data, and additional information including the storage destination information are formed. When the image log generated from the read data of the image recording medium that is not stored is saved, additional information including the save destination information indicating the save destination of the image log is generated. When the determination unit determines that the additional information is formed, the log generation unit is controlled to generate an image log based on the read data, and the determination unit If it is determined that the additional information is not formed, the log generation unit is based on the image log based on the read data and the combined data obtained by combining the read data with the additional information including the storage destination information. The image log is controlled so as to be generated, and at the same time, the generated image log is controlled to be stored.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, wherein an image is formed on a computer and the image is formed and additional information including predetermined information is not formed. Read data obtained by reading an image forming medium on which additional information including storage destination information indicating a folder in which an image log based on read data obtained by reading is stored is included as necessary And acquiring means for acquiring an image log based on read data obtained by reading an image forming medium on which the image is formed and the additional information is not formed, and acquired by the acquiring means The image log is made to function as a processing means for performing a character string extraction process for extracting a character string.

  According to the first, sixth, seventh, and eighth aspects of the invention, an effect that the recognition rate in the OCR process can be increased is obtained.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that an image forming medium on which additional information including storage destination information indicating a storage destination of an image and an image log is formed can be obtained.

  According to the invention of claim 3, when an image formed on the image forming medium to be read is corrected or added, for example, when an image is added by a user or the like, the added information is added. The image log of the image to which the added image is added and an image log that does not include additional information can be generated.

  According to the invention of claim 4, even when the storage destination information cannot be extracted from the additional information, when the image formed on the read image forming medium is corrected or added, for example, the user When an image is added by the above method, an image log of the image to which the added image is added and including no additional information can be generated.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to save the capacity of the storage means such as the HDD.

  Embodiments of an image processing system of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image processing system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a copying machine 12 as an image processing apparatus and a log monitoring server 14 as a management apparatus for managing stored image logs and logs. I have. The copying machine 12 and the log monitoring server 14 are connected to each other via a network 16.

  The copying machine 12 includes a user interface (U / I) 18, a user information acquisition device 20, a scanner 22, an image forming unit 24, a FAX unit 26, a control device 28, and a network interface connected to the network 16. (I / F) 30 is provided.

  The U / I 18 includes a display device that includes a touch panel that receives an operation from a user and an LCD that performs display based on input information. A user information acquisition device 20 is connected to the U / I 18.

  The user information acquisition apparatus 20 includes a contactless card reader. For example, a user ID card (for example, an employee ID card) that causes the copying machine 12 to execute a desired process on the copying machine 12 is a contactless card reader. If the user approaches within a predetermined range, the user information is read from the ID card and acquired. In the present embodiment, for example, when a user operates the touch panel of the U / I 18 to input an instruction for copying a document or an instruction for OCR processing, the user information is obtained by bringing the ID card closer to the user information acquisition apparatus 20. Let me read. Thereby, a copy instruction or an OCR process instruction including the user information is output from the U / I 18.

  In the present embodiment, the user information read from the ID card includes, for example, a user ID for identifying the user.

  The scanner 22 reads a document as an image forming medium arranged on a document table glass (not shown), and outputs read data. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, an image (in the example of FIG. 2, “Aiue”) 38 is formed on the original 36 read by the scanner 22, and additional information including predetermined information is included. (For example, a background pattern (pattern image in this embodiment)) 40 is formed as necessary. Accordingly, the scanner 22 reads the image 38 and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 40 formed as necessary from the document 36, and outputs read data. Note that the additional information includes, for example, storage destination information indicating a storage destination in which an image log including only the image 38 without including the background pattern 40 is stored, as will be described in detail later.

  The image forming unit 24 forms an image on the image forming medium based on the input image data.

  The FAX unit 26 performs FAX transmission based on the input image data.

  The control device 28 includes a ROM 28a as a storage medium storing a basic program such as an OS, a program for executing a copy processing routine described in detail below, and an OCR processing routine described in detail below. An HDD (hard disk drive) 28b as a storage medium (storage medium) in which a program and a program for executing various processing routines are stored (saved), a CPU 28c that reads and executes the program from the ROM 28a and the HDD 28b, and various data The ROM 28a, the HDD 28b, the CPU 28c, the RAM 28d, and the I / O port 28e are connected to each other by a microcomputer including a RAM 28d for temporary storage and an I / O (input / output) port 28e. Connected by 28f It is. A U / I 18, a scanner 22, an image forming unit 24, a FAX unit 26, and an I / F 30 are connected to the I / O port 28e.

  The log monitoring server 14 includes a control device 32 and a network interface (I / F) 34 connected to the network 16.

  The control device 32 includes a ROM 32a as a storage medium in which a basic program such as an OS is stored, a program for executing a storage processing routine described in detail below, and a control processing routine described in detail below. HDD (hard disk drive) 32b as a storage medium (storage) storing a program and a program for executing various processing routines (storage), CPU 32c for reading and executing the program from ROM 32a and HDD 32b, and various data temporarily The ROM 32a, the HDD 32b, the CPU 32c, the RAM 32d, and the I / O port 32e are connected to each other via a bus 32f. Connected with The An I / F 34 is connected to the I / O port 32e.

  Next, the operation of the control device 28 will be described. A copy processing routine executed by the CPU 28c of the control device 28 will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, this copy processing routine is executed at predetermined time intervals (for example, several tens of milliseconds) when a switch (not shown) of the control device 28 is turned on.

  First, in step 100, it is determined whether or not a copy instruction is input from the U / I 18. As described above, the copy instruction includes user information.

  If it is determined in step 100 that the input has been made, a user ID for identifying the user is extracted from the user information included in the copy instruction in the next step 102.

  In the next step 104, reading data is acquired from the scanner 22 by reading the document 36 placed on the platen glass (not shown) and outputting a control signal to the scanner 22 so as to output the reading data. To do.

  In the next step 106, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 40 formed on the document 36 as necessary is detected by analyzing the read data acquired in step 104.

  In the next step 108, it is determined whether or not the tint block 40 is formed on the document 36 by determining whether or not the tint block 40 has been detected in step 106.

  If it is determined in step 108 that the tint block 40 could not be detected, an image log based on the read data and a log including user information are generated in the next step 110. Specifically, in step 110, the read data acquired in step 104 is subjected to predetermined image processing to generate image data having a resolution (for example, 200 dpi) that can be analyzed by OCR processing, for example. Is generated. In step 110, the user information (for example, the user ID included in the copy instruction received in step 100), the machine number for identifying the copier 12, the file name of the generated image log, and the received A log is generated in which the type of instruction (input instruction) (for example, a copy instruction) is represented by text data. In addition, an image log and a log can be matched by including the file name of an image log in the produced | generated log. In addition, the image log generated in step 110 does not have the tint block 40 that causes a reduction in the character recognition rate when the OCR process for recognizing characters is performed. Therefore, when the OCR process is performed on the image log generated in step 110, the recognition rate becomes high.

  In the next step 112, the image log and log generated in step 110 and the storage location information indicating the storage location where the image log and log generated in step 110 are stored are described later. Is output to the log monitoring server 14.

  Although details will be described later, when the log monitoring server 14 receives the image log and log and the storage location information notification instruction, the log monitoring server 14 stores and stores the image log and log generated in step 110 in the HDD 32b. The storage destination information indicating the storage destination (for example, the image log generated in step 110 and the absolute path indicating the directory in which the log is stored (for example, / etc / aaa / log)) is output to the copying machine 12.

  In the next step 114, it is determined whether or not storage destination information has been received from the log monitoring server 14.

  If it is determined in step 114 that it has been received, in the next step 116, a tint block pattern image including storage destination information is generated. The background pattern image generated in step 116 is analyzed, and the image log generated in step 110 and the storage destination in which the log is stored are extracted from the background pattern image.

  In the next step 118, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data generated in step 116 is combined (added) to the read data acquired in step 104 to generate combined data.

  In the next step 120, an image log is generated based on the composite data generated in step 118, and a log including user information is generated. Specifically, in step 120, the composite data generated in step 118 is subjected to predetermined image processing to generate image data having a resolution (for example, 200 dpi) that can be analyzed by OCR processing, for example. Generate logs. In step 120, as in step 110, the user information (for example, the user ID included in the copy instruction received in step 100), the machine number for specifying the copier 12, the generated image log A log is generated in which the file name and the type of received instruction (input instruction) (for example, a copy instruction) are represented by text data.

  In the next step 122, the image log generated in step 120 and the log are output to the log monitoring server 14, and the storage destination associated with the storage destination indicated by the storage destination information determined to be received in step 114 is stepped. The image log generated at 120 and a save instruction for saving the log are output to the monitoring server 14. Specifically, for example, when the storage destination indicated by the storage destination information determined to be received in step 114 is “/ etc / aaa / log”, the storage destination associated with this storage destination, for example, , “/ Etc / aaa / log / jimonhukalog” (the directory of “/ jimonhukalog” under the storage location indicated by the received storage location information), the save instruction to save the image log and log generated in step 120 Is output to the monitoring server 14. Note that the storage instruction includes information indicating a storage destination associated with the storage destination indicated by the storage destination information determined to have been received in step 114.

  Although details will be described later, the log monitoring server 14 receives the image log and the log, and when receiving the save instruction, saves the received image log and log in the HDD 32b based on the save instruction. Thus, an image data output instruction that is an instruction to output image data is output to the copying machine 12.

  In the next step 124, it is determined whether an image data output instruction is received from the log monitoring server 14.

  If it is determined in step 124 that the image data output instruction has been received, in the next step 126, predetermined image processing is performed on the composite data generated in step 118, and in the next step 128, The composite data that has undergone predetermined image processing is output as image data, and the copying process routine is terminated. That is, in step 118 and step 120, image data based on the read data is output.

  In step 128, if the instruction for “image formation” is included in the copy instruction determined to have been input in step 100, the image data is output to the image forming unit 24. As a result, a document on which an image based on the image data is formed is output from the image forming unit 24. At this time, if a negative determination is made in step 108 described above and the process proceeds to step 128, an image 38 and storage destination information are displayed on the document 36 output from the image forming unit 24 as shown in FIG. Additional information 40 is formed. In step 128, if the copy instruction determined to have been input in step 100 includes an instruction “execute FAX”, the image data is output to the FAX unit 26. Thereby, the FAX unit 26 performs FAX transmission of an image based on the image data. In step 128, if the copy instruction determined to have been input in step 100 includes a "file output" instruction, the image data is output to the designated place or a predetermined place.

  As described above, when it is determined in step 108 that a background pattern is not formed, an image log to which a background pattern is not added in step 112, that is, an image log having a good recognition rate in the OCR process is monitored. Storage of an image log output to the server 14 and based on read data (composite data) obtained by combining the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image including the storage destination information in step 122, that is, an image log having a good recognition rate in OCR processing An image log whose destination can be extracted is output to the monitoring server 14.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 108 that the tint block 40 is formed, in the next step 130, the tint block 40 is analyzed and various information is extracted. By the processing in step 130, for example, when the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 40 includes the storage destination information described above, the storage destination information is extracted.

  In the next step 132, it is determined whether or not the storage destination information has been extracted in step 130.

  If it is determined in step 132 that the storage destination information has been extracted, an image log and a log are generated in the next step 134 as in step 110. Note that the image log generated in step 134 includes the tint block 40.

  In the next step 136, the image log and log generated in step 134 and the storage destination information extracted in step 130 are output to the log monitoring server 14.

  Although details will be described later, when the log monitoring server 14 receives the image log, the log, and the storage destination information, the log monitoring server 14 performs a predetermined process on the received image log when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The image log and the log or only the log are stored in the HDD 32b, and an image data output instruction that is an instruction to output the image data is output to the copying machine 12.

  In the next step 138, it is determined whether an image data output instruction is received from the log monitoring server 14 or not.

  If it is determined in step 138 that it has been received, the process proceeds to step 126 described above. When the process proceeds from step 138 to step 126, in step 126, the read data acquired in step 104 is subjected to predetermined image processing, and in step 128, the read data subjected to predetermined image processing. Is output as image data, and the copy processing routine is terminated. In step 128, if the instruction for “image formation” is included in the copy instruction determined to have been input in step 100, the image data is output to the image forming unit 24. As a result, a document on which an image based on the image data is formed is output from the image forming unit 24. At this time, if an affirmative determination is made in step 108 described above, an affirmative determination is made in step 132, and the process proceeds to step 128, the original 36 output from the image forming unit 24 is displayed in FIG. 4. Additional information 40 including an image 38 and storage destination information is formed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 132 that the storage destination information could not be extracted, an image log and a log are generated in the next step 140 as in step 134. Note that the image log generated in step 140 includes a tint block 40 that causes a reduction in character recognition rate when OCR processing for character recognition is performed.

  In the next step 142, the image log and log generated in step 140 and so-called similar image search processing for searching for an image similar to the image represented by the read data acquired in step 104 will be described in detail later. To the log monitoring server 14 is output to the log monitoring server 14.

  Although details will be described later, when the log monitoring server 14 receives an image log, a log, and a similar image search instruction, the log monitoring server 14 searches for an image similar to the image represented by the read data, and a similar image exists. If not, the image log and log generated in step 140 are stored in the HDD 32b, and an image data output instruction is output to the copying machine 12. On the other hand, if there is a similar image, the log monitoring server 14 extracts the difference between the image represented by the read data and the similar image, and if there is a difference, the log monitoring server 14 converts the image difference to the corresponding ground pattern. A new image log is generated in addition to the image log not including 40, the new image log and the received log are stored in the HDD 32b, and an image data output instruction is output to the copying machine 12. On the other hand, if there is no difference, the log monitoring server 14 stores only the received log in the HDD 32 b and outputs an image data output instruction to the copying machine 12.

  In the next step 144, it is determined whether an image data output instruction has been received from the log monitoring server 14.

  If it is determined in step 144 that it has been received, the process proceeds to step 126 described in detail above. When the process proceeds from step 144 to step 126, in step 126, the read data acquired in step 104 is subjected to predetermined image processing, and in step 128, the read data subjected to predetermined image processing. Is output as image data, and this copy processing routine is terminated.

  Next, the operation of the control device 32 will be described. A storage processing routine executed by the CPU 32c of the control device 32 will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, this storage processing routine is executed at predetermined time intervals (for example, several tens of milliseconds) when a switch (not shown) of the control device 32 is turned on.

  First, in step 200, it is determined whether an image log and a log are received from the copying machine 12.

  If it is determined in step 200 that it has been received, it is determined in the next step 202 whether or not a storage location information notification instruction has been received from the copying machine 12. As described above, in this embodiment, in step 112 of the copy processing routine, the copying machine 12 outputs a storage location information notification instruction.

  If it is determined in step 202 that the image has been received, the received image log and log are stored in the HDD 32 b in the next step 204.

  In the next step 206, storage destination information indicating the storage destination of the image log stored in step 204 (for example, an absolute path (for example, “/ etc / aaa / log”) indicating a directory in which the image log and the log are stored). ) Is output to the copying machine 12. Then, the present storage processing routine ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 202 that it has not been received, it is determined in the next step 208 whether or not storage destination information has been received from the copying machine 12. As described above, in this embodiment, in step 136 in the copy processing routine, the copying machine 12 outputs storage destination information.

  If it is determined in step 208 that the storage location information has been received from the copying machine 12, in the next step 210, it is determined that the storage location associated with the storage location indicated by the received storage location information (for example, it has been received). If the storage location indicated by the storage location information is “/ etc / aaa / log”, the storage location associated with this storage location, for example, “/ etc / aaa / log / jimonhukalog” (received The image log stored in the “/ jimonhukalog” directory under the storage destination indicated by the storage destination information)) is read from the HDD 32b. The read image log includes the background pattern 40.

  In the next step 212, an image difference between the image log determined to be received in step 200 and the image log read in step 210 is extracted.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the image log determined to have been received in step 200 is the image log 80 including the ground tint 50 and the image “Aiueo” 60, and the image log read in step 210. 6B is the image log 82 including the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 42 and the image “Aiue” 62 as shown in FIG. 6B, in step 212, as shown in FIG. "64" is extracted.

  In the next step 214, it is determined whether or not image differences have been extracted in step 212. Specifically, in step 214, if an image difference is obtained in step 212, it is determined that the image difference has been extracted, and the image log determined to have been received in step 200 is read in step 210. If the difference is not obtained in step 212 because the image log is the same as the recorded image log, it is determined that the difference between the images has not been extracted.

  If it is determined in step 214 that the difference has been extracted, in the next step 216, the image log stored in the storage destination indicated by the received storage destination information is read from the HDD 32b. Note that the image log read in step 216 does not include the background pattern 40.

  In the next step 218, a new image log is generated by adding the difference between the images extracted in step 212 to the image log read in step 216.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6E, the image difference extracted in step 212 is the image difference “o” 64, and the image log read out in step 216 is shown in FIG. 6D. As shown in FIG. 6, if the image log 84 includes the image “Aiue” 62, a new image log 86 including only the image “Aiueo” 60 is displayed in Step 218 as shown in FIG. Generated.

  In the next step 220, the new image log generated in step 218 and the log determined to be received in step 200 are stored in the storage destination of the HDD 32b indicated by the storage destination information determined to be received in step 208. .

  In the next step 224, an image data output instruction, which is an instruction to output image data, is output to the copying machine 12, and the present storage processing routine ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 214 that no difference has been extracted, only the log determined to be received in step 200 in the next step 222 is stored destination information determined to have been received in step 208. Is stored in the storage location of the HDD 32b indicated by step S224. At this time, in step 222, the image log determined to have been received in step 200 is not stored in the HDD 32b.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 208 that the storage location information has not been received from the copying machine 12, it is determined in the next step 226 whether a similar image search processing instruction has been received from the copying machine 12. .

  If it is determined in step 226 that it has been received, the process proceeds to the next step 228.

  In step 228, so-called similar image search processing is performed in order to search the HDD 32b for a similar image similar to the image log determined to have been received in step 200. If a similar image exists, a similar image is acquired. To do.

  In the next step 230, it is determined whether or not a similar image has been acquired in step 228.

  If it is determined in step 230 that it has not been acquired, the process proceeds to 238, and if it is determined that it has been acquired, the process proceeds to the next step 232.

  In step 232, an image difference between the similar image acquired in step 228 and the image log determined to be received in step 200 is extracted.

  In the next step 234, it is determined whether or not an image difference is extracted in step 232. Specifically, in step 234, if an image difference is obtained in step 232, it is determined that the image difference has been extracted, and the image log determined to have been received in step 200 is acquired in step 228. If the difference is not obtained in step 212 due to a case where the similar image is the same, it is determined that the difference between the images has not been extracted.

  If it is determined in step 234 that a difference has been extracted, the process proceeds to the next step 236. If it is determined that a difference has not been extracted, the process proceeds to the next step 222.

  In step 236, the background pattern of the similar image acquired in step 228 is analyzed, and various types of information are extracted. By the processing in step 236, for example, storage destination information is extracted as various information.

  Then, the process proceeds to Step 216. When the process proceeds from step 236 to step 216, in step 216, the image log stored in the storage destination indicated by the storage destination information extracted in step 236 is read from the HDD 32b. Note that the image log read at this time does not include a background pattern. The processing flow from step 228 to step 216 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, if a similar image of the image log determined to have been received in step 200 is retrieved and acquired in step 228, and the similar image is acquired, it is acquired in step 216. The image log stored in the storage location indicated by the storage location information included in the similar image is read out.

  When the process proceeds from step 236 to step 216, in the next step 218, the difference between the images extracted in step 232 is stored in the storage destination indicated by the storage destination information extracted in step 236. A new image log is generated by adding to (the image log read in step 216).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 226 that a similar image search processing instruction has not been received (that is, if an image log, a log, and a storage instruction have been received), in step 238, the received storage instruction is received. The image log and the log determined to have been received in step 200 are stored in the storage destination of the HDD 32b indicated by the storage destination information included, and the process proceeds to step 224.

  Next, an OCR processing (character string extraction processing) routine executed by the CPU 28c of the control device 28 will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, this OCR processing routine is executed at predetermined time intervals (for example, several tens of milliseconds) when a switch (not shown) of the control device 28 is turned on.

  First, in step 300, it is determined whether or not an OCR instruction is input from the U / I 18.

  If it is determined in step 300 that the input has been made, the scanner 22 is controlled to read the document 36 placed on the platen glass (not shown) and output read data in the next step 302. Reading data is acquired from the scanner 22 by outputting a signal. In the present embodiment, in step 302 of the OCR processing routine, as shown in FIG. 9, an image (“AIUE” in the example of FIG. 9) 38 is formed on the document 36 read by the scanner 22. Additional information including predetermined information (for example, a tint block (pattern image) in the present embodiment) 40 is formed. As a result, the scanner 22 reads the image 38 and the tint block 40 from the document 36 and outputs read data. Note that the additional information includes, for example, storage destination information indicating a storage destination in which an image log including only the image 38 is stored, as necessary.

  In the next step 304, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 40 formed on the document 36 is detected by analyzing the read data acquired in step 302.

  In the next step 306, the background pattern 40 detected in step 304 is analyzed, and various kinds of information are extracted. By the processing in step 306, for example, when the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 40 includes the storage destination information described above, the storage destination information is extracted.

  In the next step 308, it is determined whether or not the storage destination information has been extracted in step 306.

  If it is determined in step 308 that the storage destination information has been extracted, the process proceeds to the next step 310.

  In step 310, the storage destination information extracted in step 306 and an instruction to read the image log stored in the storage destination indicated by the storage destination information extracted in step 306 are output to the log monitoring server 14.

  Although details will be described later, when the log monitoring server 14 receives the storage destination information and the instruction to read the image log stored in the storage destination indicated by the storage destination information, the storage destination indicated by the received storage destination information. Is read from the HDD 32 b and the read image log is output to the copying machine 12.

  In the next step 312, it is determined whether an image log is received from the log monitoring server 14.

  If it is determined in step 312 that the image log is received from the log monitoring server 14, the image log is extracted in step 314 to extract a character string from the image log determined to be received in step 312. OCR processing is performed on Then, the present OCR processing routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 308 that the storage destination information could not be extracted, the process proceeds to the next step 316.

  In step 316, an image log based on the read data acquired in step 302 is generated. Specifically, in step 316, the image data is generated by performing predetermined image processing on the read data acquired in step 302 to generate image data having a resolution (for example, 200 dpi) that can be analyzed by OCR processing, for example. Is generated.

  In the next step 318, the image log generated in step 316 and a similar image similar to the image log generated in step 316 are searched, and an instruction to read out a similar image that does not include a ground pattern is output to the log monitoring server 14. To do.

  Although details will be described later, the log monitoring server 14 searches for an image log and a similar image similar to the image log, and receives an instruction to read an image log that does not include a ground pattern, the received image When a similar image similar to the log is searched from the HDD 32b and a similar image exists, the similar image is acquired, and an image log stored in the storage destination indicated by the storage destination information included in the acquired similar image is acquired. It reads out from the HDD 32b, outputs the read image log to the copying machine 12, and outputs a notification indicating that the image log has been read out. On the other hand, if a similar image cannot be acquired, a notification indicating that the image log could not be read is output.

  In step 320, it is determined whether a notification from the log monitoring server 14 has been received. When the notification from the log monitoring server 14 is a notification indicating that the image log has been read, the image log is received together with this notification.

  If it is determined in step 320 that the signal has been received, the process proceeds to the next step 322.

  In step 322, it is determined whether the notification determined to have been received in step 320 is a notification indicating that the image log has been read.

  If it is determined in step 322 that the notification indicates that the image log has been read, in step 324, the received image log is subjected to OCR in order to extract a character string from the received image log. Process. Then, the present OCR processing routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 322 that the notification is not a notification indicating that the image log has been read, the process proceeds to the next step 326.

  In step 326, OCR processing is performed on the image log generated in step 316 in order to extract a character string from the image log generated in step 316. Then, the present OCR processing routine is terminated.

  Next, a control processing routine executed by the CPU 32c of the control device 32 will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, this storage processing routine is executed at predetermined time intervals (for example, several tens of milliseconds) when a switch (not shown) of the control device 32 is turned on.

  First, in step 400, an instruction to read out the image log stored in the storage location indicated by the storage location information from the copying machine 12, or a similar image similar to the image log is searched, and an image log that does not include a background pattern is obtained. It is determined whether an instruction to read is received. If the received instruction is an instruction to read an image log stored in the storage destination indicated by the storage destination information, the storage destination information is received together with this instruction. If the received instruction is an instruction to search for a similar image similar to the image log and read an image log that does not include a background pattern, the image log is received together with this instruction.

  If it is determined in step 400, it is determined in next step 402 whether or not the received instruction is an instruction to read an image log stored in the storage destination indicated by the storage destination information.

  If it is determined in step 402 that the instruction is to read an image log stored in the storage destination indicated by the storage destination information, in the next step 404, the instruction is stored in the storage destination of the HDD 32b indicated by the received storage destination information. Read the image log from the HDD 32b.

  In the next step 406, the image log read in step 404 is output to the copying machine 12, and this control processing routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 402 that the instruction is not an instruction to read out the image log stored in the storage destination indicated by the storage destination information (that is, an image log that does not include a ground pattern by searching for a similar image similar to the image log). In the next step 408, a similar image similar to the received image log is searched from the HDD 32b, and if a similar image exists, the similar image is acquired.

  In the next step 410, it is determined whether or not a similar image has been acquired in step 408.

  If it is determined in step 410 that a similar image has been acquired, in the next step 412, the background pattern of the similar image acquired in step 408 is analyzed, and various types of information are extracted. By the processing in step 412, for example, storage destination information is extracted as various information.

  In the next step 414, the image log stored in the storage destination indicated by the storage destination information extracted in step 412 is read from the HDD 32b. Note that the image log read at this time does not include a background pattern. The process flow from step 408 to step 414 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, when a similar image of the image log determined to have been received in step 400 is searched and acquired in step 408, and a similar image is acquired, it is acquired in step 414. The image log stored in the storage location indicated by the storage location information included in the similar image is read out.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus 12 according to this embodiment forms an image in which an image is formed in step 312 and additional information including predetermined information is not formed based on the read data acquired in step 302. An image log based on the read data obtained by reading the medium is received (obtained), and in step 314, the received image log is subjected to OCR processing for extracting a character string.

It is the schematic which shows this Embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an image formed on a document and a background pattern formed as necessary in the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a copy processing routine executed by a CPU of a control device of a copying machine in the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating that additional information including an image and storage destination information is formed on a document output from an image forming unit according to the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the preservation | save processing routine which CPU of the control apparatus of the log monitoring server in this Embodiment performs. It is a figure which shows the image log in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the image log in this Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an OCR processing routine performed by a CPU of a control device for a copier in the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows the image log in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the control processing routine which CPU of the control apparatus of the log monitoring server in this Embodiment performs. It is a figure which shows the image log in this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 image processing system 12 copier 14 log monitoring server 18 U / I
20 User information acquisition device 22 Scanner 28 Control device 28c CPU
32 control device 32c CPU

Claims (8)

The image and the additional information formed as necessary from the image forming medium on which additional information including the storage destination information indicating the storage destination of the image log is formed as necessary when an image is formed Read data output means for reading the data and outputting the read data;
Determining means for determining whether or not the additional information is formed on the image forming medium based on the read data;
An extraction unit that extracts the storage destination information from the read data when the determination unit determines that the additional information is formed;
Log generation means for generating an image log based on the read data;
When an image log generated from read data of an image recording medium on which no additional information including the storage destination information is formed is stored, additional information including storage destination information indicating a storage destination of the stored image log is stored. Generating means for generating;
When it is determined that the additional information is formed by the determination unit, the log generation unit is controlled to generate an image log based on the read data, and the additional information is formed by the determination unit. If it is determined that the information is not present, the log generation unit generates an image log based on the read data and an image log based on composite data obtained by combining the read data with additional information including the storage destination information. And control means for controlling so that the generated image log is saved,
An image processing apparatus.   Image forming means for forming an image and additional information on an image forming medium based on the composite data when an image log based on composite data obtained by combining the read data with additional information including the storage destination information is stored The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: An image log based on the read data generated by the image processing apparatus according to claim 2 and the log generation unit of the image processing apparatus is stored, and the image log is stored in a storage destination of the image log based on the read data. Storage means for storing an image log based on the composite data in an associated storage destination;
Additional information is formed by the image log stored in the storage destination associated with the storage destination indicated by the storage destination information extracted by the storage destination information extraction unit of the image processing apparatus and the determination unit of the image processing apparatus. A difference extraction means for extracting an image difference from the image log generated by the log generation means when it is determined that
When the difference is extracted by the difference extraction unit, an image log generation unit that generates a new image log by adding the difference of the image to the image log stored in the storage destination indicated by the storage destination information;
An image processing system comprising a management device including The management device
Similar to the image log generated by the log generation unit when the storage unit information is not extracted by the storage unit information extraction unit and the determination unit determines that additional information is formed. Similar image acquisition means for searching and acquiring images from the storage means;
When a similar image is acquired by the similar image acquisition unit, the acquired similar image and an image log generated by the log generation unit when it is determined that additional information is formed by the determination unit Extraction control means for controlling the difference extraction means so as to extract the difference between the image and
When a similar image is acquired by the similar image acquisition unit, when the difference is extracted by the difference extraction unit, the difference between the images is stored in the storage destination indicated by the storage destination information included in the similar image. The image processing system according to claim 3, further comprising: generation control means for controlling the image log generation means so as to generate a new image log by adding to the log. The management device
When the difference is extracted by the difference extraction unit, the new image log generated by the image log generation unit is controlled to be stored in the storage unit, and the difference is extracted by the difference extraction unit. A storage control unit for controlling the image log generated by the log generation unit not to be stored in the storage unit when it is determined that the additional information is formed by the determination unit when there is no such information; The image processing system according to claim 3 or 4. A storage destination in which an image log based on read data obtained by reading an image forming medium on which an image has been formed and additional information including predetermined information is not formed is formed. Reading data output means for reading the image and the additional information from an image forming medium on which additional information including storage destination information to be included is included as necessary, and outputting read data;
An acquisition means for acquiring an image log based on the read data obtained by reading the image forming medium on which the image is formed and no additional information including predetermined information is formed based on the read data;
Processing means for performing character string extraction processing for extracting a character string from the image log acquired by the acquisition means;
An image processing apparatus. Based on the read data obtained by reading the image forming medium on which the image is formed and the additional information including the storage destination information indicating the storage destination of the image log as necessary is formed. Determining means for determining whether or not the additional information is formed on the image forming medium;
An extraction unit that extracts the storage destination information from the read data when the determination unit determines that the additional information is formed;
Log generation means for generating an image log based on the read data;
Generation for generating additional information including storage destination information indicating a storage destination of an image log when an image log generated from read data of an image recording medium in which additional information including the storage destination information is not formed is stored And when the determination unit determines that additional information is formed, the log generation unit is controlled to generate an image log based on the read data. Is determined not to be formed, an image log based on the read data and an image based on the combined data obtained by combining the read data with additional information including the storage destination information on the log generation unit. A program for controlling to generate a log and functioning as a control means for controlling the generated image log to be saved. Grams. A folder storing an image log based on read data obtained by reading an image forming medium on which an image is formed and additional information including predetermined information is not formed while the image is formed The image is formed and the additional information is not formed based on the read data obtained by reading the image forming medium on which the additional information including the storage destination information indicating the necessity is included. An acquisition unit that acquires an image log based on read data obtained by reading an image forming medium, and a character string extraction process for extracting a character string from the image log acquired by the acquisition unit A program for functioning as a processing means.

Images