JP2023135322A - Image forming apparatus, program, and information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that prevents an unauthorized behavior on a document image.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus combines an embedded image with a document image, and the image forming apparatus has: a setting receiving unit that receives settings of an oblique visible angle of the embedded image; an angle deformation unit that processes data of the embedded image so as to change the angle of the embedded image according to the oblique visible angle settings; a re-drawing unit that processes the data of the embedded image so that the details of the embedded image with a deformed angle are drawn by a predetermined pattern; and a composition unit that combines the data of the embedded image drawn by the pattern with data of the document image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

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

2. Description of the Related Art Techniques for compositing a stamp image, a tint block image, or a watermark image with a manuscript image have been known in the past in order to suppress fraudulent acts such as unauthorized quotation or unauthorized quotation of the manuscript image.

Patent Document 1 describes a process for printing an image containing a tint block image to prevent the use of copies in a system configured with an information processing device such as a personal computer and a printing device such as a printer. Disclosed.

However, in consideration of the viewer's impression, it is desirable that an embedded image such as a stamp image, a tint block image, or a watermark image have a small influence on the document image. On the other hand, it is desirable that an embedded image such as a stamp image, tint block image, or watermark image cannot be easily tampered with using image processing software after being combined with the original image. Furthermore, it is desirable that an unauthorized user would be hard to notice an embedded image such as a stamp image, tint block image, or watermark image after it has been combined with a document image. Note that Cited Document 1 does not describe such content.

An embodiment of the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that suppresses fraudulent acts on original images.

In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that combines an embedded image with a document image, which includes a setting reception unit that accepts a diagonal viewing angle setting of the embedded image; an angle transformation unit that processes data of the embedded image so as to change the angle of the embedded image according to a diagonal visibility angle setting; and an angle transformation unit that processes data of the embedded image with the angle transformed in a predetermined pattern. The image forming apparatus includes a redrawing section that processes the data of the embedded image so as to be drawn, and a compositing section that synthesizes the data of the embedded image drawn in the pattern with the data of the original image.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to suppress fraudulent acts on document images.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of an information processing system according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a computer according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is a software configuration diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is an image diagram of an example of an embedded image. FIG. 4 is an image diagram of an example of an embedded image with a different angle. FIG. 7 is an image diagram of an example of an embedded image redrawn in a predetermined pattern. FIG. 7 is an image diagram of an example of a document image in which an embedded image is synthesized using a diagonal visibility function. FIG. 2 is an image diagram of an example of a document printed using a diagonal visibility function. 3 is a flowchart of an example of processing of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of an information processing system according to an embodiment.

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

[First embodiment]
<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of an information processing system according to this embodiment. In the information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 10 and a user terminal 12 are communicably connected via a network 18 such as a local area network (LAN) and the Internet.

Image forming apparatus 10 is an electronic device with a printing function. The image forming apparatus 10 is, for example, a printer or an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral). The MFP is a multifunction device that has functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a fax function.

The image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment executes a program such as a print application. The image forming apparatus 10 realizes various functions such as a print function by executing programs.

The user terminal 12 is an example of an information processing terminal operated by a user. The user terminal 12 is, for example, a notebook PC, a desktop PC, a wearable PC, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a game console, a PDA, or the like. The user can operate the user terminal 12 to transmit a print job to the image forming apparatus 10 and cause the image forming apparatus 10 to execute print processing according to the print job. Note that the configuration of the information processing system 1 in FIG. 1 is an example.

<Hardware configuration>
《Image forming device》
The image forming apparatus 10 included in the information processing system 1 has a hardware configuration shown in FIG. 2, for example. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a control device 300, an operation display device 302, an image input device 304, an image output device 306, a primary storage device 308, a secondary storage device 310, and an external communication device 312. ing. The control device 300 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 320 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 322.

The control device 300 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 10 by executing a program read from the secondary storage device 16 to the primary storage device 15 . The programs executed by the image forming apparatus 10 include various software belonging to an application layer, a service layer, and a handler layer of a software group to be described later.

Note that the program executed by the control device 300 may be stored in the secondary storage device 310 in advance and provided, or the program may be read by the image forming device 10 that has recorded a file in an installable or executable format. It may be provided on any available recording medium. Recording media readable by the image forming apparatus 10 include CD-ROMs, memory cards, CD-Rs, and DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs).

Further, the program executed by the control device 300 may be provided by being downloaded from another image forming device 10 or another computer that can communicate via the external communication device 312.

The operation display device 302 includes a liquid crystal display that displays information, and an input device such as a hardware switch or a touch panel that accepts operations from the user. The image input device 304 is a device that inputs data of an image printed on a paper medium using a scanner function. Further, the image output device 306 is a device that prints out image data using a printer function according to job information. The primary storage device 308 is a volatile storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) that functions as a work area for the control device 300. The secondary storage device 310 is a nonvolatile storage device that stores programs, data, and the like. The secondary storage device 310 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a memory card. The external communication device 312 is a device that performs data communication with the user terminal 12 and the like via the network 18.

"Computer"
The user terminal 12 is realized, for example, by a computer 500 having the hardware configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a computer according to this embodiment. The computer 500 in FIG. 3 includes a CPU 501, ROM 502, RAM 503, HD 504, HDD controller 505, display 506, external device connection I/F (Interface) 508, network I/F 509, data bus 510, keyboard 511, pointing device 512, DVD- It includes an RW drive 514 and a media I/F 516.

CPU 501 controls the overall operation of computer 500. The ROM 502 stores programs used to drive the CPU 501 such as IPL. RAM 503 is used as a work area for CPU 501. The HD 504 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 505 controls reading and writing of various data to the HD 504 under the control of the CPU 501.

The display 506 displays various information such as a cursor, menu, window, characters, or images. External device connection I/F 508 is an I/F for connecting various external devices. The external device in this case is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or the image forming apparatus 10. The network I/F 509 is an I/F for data communication using the network 18. The data bus 510 is an address bus, a data bus, etc. for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 501.

The keyboard 511 is an example of an input device that includes a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, and the like. The pointing device 512 is an example of an input device that selects and executes various instructions, selects a processing target, moves a cursor, and the like. The DVD-RW drive 514 controls reading and writing of various data on a DVD-RW 513, which is an example of a removable recording medium. Note that the DVD-RW 513 is just one example, and may be a DVD-R or the like. The media I/F 516 controls reading or writing (storage) of data to a recording medium 515 such as a flash memory.

<Software configuration of image forming apparatus>
FIG. 4 is a software configuration diagram of an example of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a software group 200 for implementing various operations using an engine 241 and hardware resources 242.

The software group 200 includes an application layer 200a that runs on an OS such as UNIX (registered trademark), a service layer 200b, and a handler layer 200c. The platform 200e that provides various functions to the application layer 200a includes a service layer 200b, a handler layer 200c, and a hardware layer 200d.

Furthermore, the platform 200e includes an API (Application Program Interface) 251 that receives processing requests from the application layer 200a using a predefined function or the like, and an engine I/F 252. Engine I/F 252 receives a drive command from software group 200 to engine 241 and hardware resources 242 .

The application layer 200a includes a software group composed of applications operated by a user. The software included in the application layer 200a makes a request to the platform 200e and executes the functions of each application according to the user's operation on the operation display device 302 of the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the application layer 200a includes a printer application 201, a copy application 202, a fax application 203, a scanner application 204, and a net file application 205.

The service layer 200b includes a software group that controls various functions of the image forming apparatus 10, such as an image input function, an image output function, an image processing function, and an external communication function. The service layer 200b includes an NCS (Network Control Service) 211, an OCS (Operation Panel Control Service) 212, an FCS (Fax Control Service) 213, an MCS (Memory Control Service) 214, an ECS (Engine Control Service) 215, and a DCS (Delivery Control Service). Service) 216, CCS (Certification and Charge Control Service) 217, LCS (Log Control Service) 218, UCS (User Information Control Service) 219, and SCS (System Control Service) 220.

The NCS 211 is a service that can be commonly used by applications that require network I/O. The NCS 211 distributes data received from the network side according to each protocol to each application, and acts as an intermediary when transmitting data from each application to the network side.

The OCS 212 is a service that controls the operation display device 302 on which the user performs input operations (for example, controls the operation of a touch panel). The FCS 213 sends and receives faxes from the application layer 200a using PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Networks) or ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), registers and quotes various fax data managed in backup memory, and reads faxes. This service provides an API for receiving and printing faxes, as well as receiving and printing faxes.

The MCS 214 is a service that performs memory control of the primary storage device 308 and the secondary storage device 310. The ECS 215 is a service that controls the hardware layer 200d including the engine 241 and hardware resources 242. The DCS 216 is a service that controls distribution of stored documents. CCS 217 is a service that controls authentication and billing. LCS 218 is a service that manages and retains log information. UCS 219 is a service that manages user information.

The SCS 220 is a service that performs processing such as application management, control of the operation display device 302, display control of the system screen, management of the hardware resources 242, and control of interrupt applications.

Furthermore, the service layer 200b includes an SRM (System Resource Manager) 221. The SRM 221 is software that controls the system and manages the engine 241 and hardware resources 242 together with the SCS 220 . For example, the SRM 221 performs arbitration in accordance with an acquisition request from an upper layer that uses the engine 241 and hardware resources 242, and performs execution control.

Specifically, the SRM 221 determines whether the hardware resource 242 that is the subject of the acquisition request is available, and if it is available, notifies the upper layer that the hardware resource 242 is available. . In addition, the SRM 221 performs scheduling for using the hardware resources 242 in response to acquisition requests from upper layers, and determines the content of the request (for example, paper transport by the printer engine, image forming operation, memory reservation, file generation, etc.). Execute.

The handler layer 200c includes a software group that controls data storage and data reading in the primary storage device 308 and the secondary storage device 310, and controls the engine 241 and hardware resources 242 that belong to the hardware layer 200d. For example, the handler layer 200c includes an FCUH (Facsimile Control Unit Handler) 231, an IMH (Image Memory Handler) 232, and an MEU (Media Edit Utility) 233.

The FCUH 231 manages a control unit that controls the fax function included in the hard layer 200d. The IMH 232 allocates memory to processes and manages the memory allocated to processes. The MEU 233 is connected to the hardware layer 200d and controls MLB (Media Link Board) and the like included in the hardware resources 242.

The hardware layer 200d includes an engine 241 and hardware resources 242, as shown in FIG. For example, the engine 241 is a hardware resource that controls plotters, scanners, and the like. Further, the hardware resources 242 are hardware resources other than the engine 241.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of an example of an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. Image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. , and a printing section 116. Each of these functions is realized by processing that one or more programs cause the control device 300 to execute.

The settings reception unit 100 receives settings regarding embedded images. Settings related to embedded images include various parameters necessary to use the diagonal visibility function. Various parameters include the diagonal viewing angle setting of the embedded image. Further, the various parameters may include designation of a pattern to be used in redrawing, which will be described later.

Settings related to embedded images may be received from the user who operates the operation display device 302, or may be received from job information such as printing received from the user terminal 12. The settings regarding the embedded image received by the settings reception unit 100 are stored in the settings storage unit 104.

Further, the job receiving unit 102 receives job information such as printing received from the user terminal 12. The job reception unit 102 stores job information received from the user terminal 12 in the secondary storage device 310, and receives job information such as printing based on an instruction such as printing from a user operating the operation display device 302. good.

When using the diagonal visibility function, the angle modification unit 106 reads data of an embedded image, such as the one shown in FIG. 6, stored in the embedded image storage unit 108. FIG. 6 is an image diagram of an example of an embedded image. The embedded image in FIG. 6 is a copyright image that is an example of a stamp image.

Further, the angle modification unit 106 reads out the oblique angle setting of the embedded image included in the settings related to the embedded image from the setting storage unit 104 . The angle modification unit 106 performs image processing to change the angle of the embedded image in FIG. 6 as in the embedded image in FIG. 7 according to the diagonal angle setting of the read embedded image. FIG. 7 is an image diagram of an example of an embedded image with different angles. The embedded image in FIG. 7 has been subjected to image processing so that it is difficult for the user to view the embedded image from the normal angle at which the document is viewed (for example, directly above the surface of the document).

The pattern storage unit 112 stores data of a predetermined pattern. The predetermined pattern stored in the pattern storage unit 112 is a pattern that, when combined with a document image, makes the embedded image inconspicuous even when viewed from a normal angle. The redrawing unit 110 reads data of a predetermined pattern stored in the pattern storage unit 112.

The redrawing unit 110 performs image processing to redraw the embedded image whose angle has been changed by the angle transformation unit 106 using a pattern read from the pattern storage unit 112, for example, as shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is an image diagram of an example of an embedded image redrawn in a predetermined pattern. In addition, in FIG. 8, it is drawn darker than it actually is for the sake of clarity. The embedded image redrawn in a predetermined pattern has less influence on the document image when combined than the embedded image before being redrawn.

The combining unit 114 performs image processing to combine the embedded image redrawn by the redrawing unit 110 as shown in FIG. 8 with the document image included in the job information as shown in FIG. 9, for example. FIG. 9 is an image diagram of an example of a document image in which an embedded image is synthesized using the diagonal visibility function. A document image created by combining an embedded image using the diagonal visibility function is difficult to see from the normal angle that the user views the document, as shown in Figure 9, for example. It can be combined with the original image without making it stand out. In addition, as shown in Figure 9, for example, a manuscript image in which an embedded image is synthesized using the diagonal visibility function is difficult to see from the angle at which a user normally views the manuscript. is hard to notice. Furthermore, a document image in which an embedded image is synthesized using the diagonal visibility function is not easily tampered with, as shown in FIG. 9, for example.

The printing unit 116 performs print processing according to the data of the document image into which the embedding image has been synthesized by the compositing unit 114. Note that in the case of printing job information in which the diagonal visibility function is not used, the printing unit 116 receives data of the original image included in the job information received by the job receiving unit 102 from the composition unit 114, and performs printing processing. Good too.

When the diagonal visibility function is used, the printing unit 116 prints a document as shown in FIG. 10, for example. FIG. 10 is an image diagram of an example of a document printed using the diagonal visibility function.

For example, when the document in FIG. 10A is viewed from the normal angle at which a user views the document (in the direction of the dotted arrow), the embedded image appears faint and is difficult to visually recognize. Further, the solid line arrow in FIG. 10(A) indicates that the user is viewing the document from the angle set at the diagonal viewing angle.

A user viewing the document from the angle of the solid arrow shown in FIG. 10(A) can visually recognize the embedded image, which has become darker, as shown in FIG. 10(B), for example. Note that the document image is omitted in FIG. 10(B).

<Processing>
Next, details of the processing of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment will be explained. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an example of processing of the information processing system according to this embodiment. Here, a process will be described when the image forming apparatus 10 receives print job information using the diagonal visibility function from the user terminal 12.

In step S10, the image forming apparatus 10 receives print job information from the user terminal 12. In step S12, the image forming apparatus 10 reads settings related to the embedded image from the received print job information. In step S14, the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether or not the job information is printing using the diagonal visibility function, according to the settings related to the read embedded image.

If the job information is not a print job that uses the diagonal visibility function, the image forming apparatus 10 proceeds to step S26 and performs print processing according to the received print job information. If the job information is printing using the diagonal visibility function, the image forming apparatus 10 advances to step S16.

In step S16, the image forming apparatus 10 reads the embedded image data shown in FIG. 6, for example. In step S18, the image forming apparatus 10 reads the oblique angle setting of the embedded image included in the settings related to the embedded image. The image forming apparatus 10 performs image processing to change the angle of the embedded image in FIG. 6 as in the embedded image in FIG. 7 according to the read oblique angle setting of the embedded image.

In step S20, the image forming apparatus 10 reads data of a predetermined pattern. In step S22, the image forming apparatus 10 performs image processing to redraw the embedded image whose angle has been changed in step S18 using the read pattern, for example, as shown in FIG. 8.

In step S24, the image forming apparatus 10 performs image processing to combine the embedded image redrawn in step S22, as shown in FIG. 8, with the original image included in the job information, as shown in FIG. 9, for example. In step S26, the image forming apparatus 10 performs printing processing according to the data of the original image combined with the embedded image in step S26.

Therefore, according to the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to synthesize an embedded image with a document image, which is an embedded image that has little influence on the document image, is difficult for unauthorized users to notice, and is not easily tampered with. Further, the embedded image of the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment is an embedded image that remains in the document even if it is copied. Further, the embedded image of the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment can be easily recognized by viewing the document from the angle set at the oblique viewing angle. Therefore, according to the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, fraudulent acts against document images can be suppressed.

[Other embodiments]
In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the image forming apparatus 10 performs the processing related to the diagonal visibility function, but the information processing apparatus 14 of the service providing system 2 shown in the information processing system 1 of FIG. 12 may perform the processing, for example.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of an example of an information processing system according to this embodiment. FIG. 12 shows a configuration in which a service providing system 2 is added to the information processing system 1 of FIG. The service providing system 2 has a configuration including one or more information processing devices 14. The service providing system 2 may be, for example, a computer system that provides cloud services.

The information processing device 14 of the service providing system 2 executes the processing related to the diagonal visibility function that was performed by the image forming device 10 of the first embodiment. For example, the information processing device 14 receives job information such as printing from the user terminal 12.

The information processing device 14 performs the image processing related to the diagonal visibility function performed by the image forming device 10 of the first embodiment, and converts the data of the document image synthesized with the embedded image into an image through the image processing related to the diagonal visibility function. The information is transmitted to the forming device 10. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 can print a document as shown in FIG.

Note that the information processing device 14 of the service providing system 2 receives job information such as printing from the image forming device 10, and performs the image processing related to the diagonal visibility function that the image forming device 10 of the first embodiment performed. Data of a document image synthesized with an embedded image by image processing related to the diagonal visibility function may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. Each function of this embodiment described above can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" as used herein refers to a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, or a processor designed to execute each function explained above. This includes devices such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), DSPs (Digital Signal Processors), FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), and conventional circuit modules.

1 Information Processing System 2 Service Providing System 10 Image Forming Device 12 User Terminal 14 Information Processing Device 18 Network 100 Setting Reception Section 106 Angle Transformation Section 110 Redrawing Section 114 Combining Section 116 Printing Section

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-152912

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus that combines an embedded image with a document image,
a settings reception unit that accepts a diagonal viewing angle setting for the embedded image;
an angle modification unit that processes data of the embedded image so as to change the angle of the embedded image according to the diagonal visibility angle setting;
a redrawing unit that processes data of the embedded image so that the content of the embedded image with the angle changed is drawn in a predetermined pattern;
a synthesizing unit that synthesizes data of the embedded image drawn in the pattern with data of the original image;
An image forming apparatus having: further comprising a printing unit that prints the manuscript image with the embedded image combined according to the data of the manuscript image with which the embedded image data is combined;
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document image into which the embedded image is combined can be viewed from an angle according to the diagonal viewing angle setting. 3. The redrawing unit processes the data of the embedded image so that the embedded image is drawn in the pattern that reduces the degree of influence that the content of the embedded image has on the document image. Image forming device. An image forming device that combines an embedded image with a document image.
a setting reception step of accepting a diagonal viewing angle setting of the embedded image;
an angle modification step of processing data of the embedded image to change the angle of the embedded image according to the diagonal viewing angle setting;
a redrawing step of processing data of the embedded image so that the content of the embedded image with the angle changed is drawn in a predetermined pattern;
a synthesizing step of synthesizing data of the embedded image drawn in the pattern with data of the original image;
A program to run. An information processing system in which an information processing device and an image forming device are communicably connected, and which synthesizes an embedded image with a document image,
a settings reception unit that accepts a diagonal viewing angle setting for the embedded image;
an angle modification unit that processes data of the embedded image so as to change the angle of the embedded image according to the diagonal visibility angle setting;
a redrawing unit that processes data of the embedded image so that the content of the embedded image with the angle changed is drawn in a predetermined pattern;
a synthesizing unit that synthesizes data of the embedded image drawn in the pattern with data of the original image;
An information processing system with

Images