JP3186913B2 - Specific document recognition device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a specific document recognizing device for recognizing an image of a specific document such as banknotes and securities, and more particularly to an invention for checking whether the specific document recognizing device is operating normally.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the increase in image quality of color copying machines,
There is a fear of forgery of specific manuscripts such as banknotes and securities. Therefore, recent color copiers are equipped with a specific document recognition device that determines whether the document to be copied is a specific document as described above, and when the specific document recognition device recognizes the specific document, A measure is taken to prevent such copying.

[0003]

However, there is a drawback that a specific document to be prevented is copied due to an erroneous recognition due to a secular change of the copying machine or a defective recognition function of the specific document recognition device. .

An object of the present invention is to provide a specific document recognizing apparatus capable of detecting an abnormal state by self-diagnosis in order to avoid the above-mentioned drawbacks.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, an image reading means 1 for reading a document and converting it into image data, A recognizing unit 22 that receives the image data from 1 and recognizes whether the original is a specific original; a determining unit 23 that determines whether the original is a specific original based on the recognition result from the recognizing unit 22; A recognition image plate 1 kp provided within the reading range of the image reading means 1 and outside the reading range of the document and having a predetermined image, and a timing at the operation timing of the apparatus.
When the predetermined operation timing is reached
To, the image of the recognition image plate reading by the image reading means, from the recognition result when performing recognition of the image of the recognition image version of the recognition unit, from the image reading means to the recognition means Means 23 for determining whether or not the operation is normal.

An image input means 1, a recognition means 22 for receiving input image data from the image input means 1 and recognizing whether the input image data is image data of a specific document, and a recognition means 22 A determination unit 23 that determines whether the input image data is the image data of the specific document based on the recognition result from, a pseudo-specific document image data storage unit 24 that stores data of a plurality of pseudo-specific document images,
Of the plurality of the pseudo-specific document image data storage means 24
Randomly select from the data of the pseudo specific original image
Means for storing the pseudo-specific document image data
Read from, and switched to the input image data supplied to the recognition means, means for input path and output path operation and the recognition means of the recognition means from the recognition result so as to determine whether the normal 23.

[0007]

In the former invention, the image of the recognition image plate within the reading range is read before the document is read, and is recognized by the recognition means. If the operation from the document reading unit to the recognition unit is operating normally, a predetermined recognition result of the image of the recognition image plate can be obtained. Therefore, it is determined whether the system from the image reading unit to the recognition unit is operating normally based on the recognition result from the recognition unit.

In the case of the latter invention, the storage means 24
The pseudo-specific document image data arbitrarily selected from the plurality of pseudo-specific document image data prepared in the step (a) is supplied to the recognizing means 22 to determine whether the recognition system is operating normally in the same manner as described above. Is done.

In the latter case, the difficulty of unauthorized system remodeling can be increased as compared with the case of using one specific pseudo-specific document.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a specific document recognizing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, taking an example in which the present invention is applied to a color copying machine.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a processing system of an example of a color copying machine to which an example of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 shows a mechanism of the processing system.

The color copying machine of this embodiment has an image input device 1 serving as a means for reading a document image, converts image information of the read color image into image information for transferring to a sheet, and recognizes a specific document. And an image output unit 3 for transferring a color image to a sheet. Also, an operation unit such as a copy button,
User interface 4 with display unit such as CD
Is provided.

Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the image forming process control unit 5 controls the entire color copying machine. In this example, each of the device units 1, 2, 3, 4,
Are provided with microprocessors, respectively, for transmitting and receiving control signals to and from the processor of the image forming process control unit 5 via the communication line 6. However, without providing a microprocessor in each of the units 1, 2, 3, and 4,
The image forming process control device 5 can centrally control the entire color copying machine.

Each device will be described in more detail.

First, the image input device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 which is an enlarged view of this portion.

1a is a platen glass, 1b is a light source composed of, for example, a halogen lamp, 1c, 1d and 1e are mirrors,
Reference numeral 1f denotes a lens, and 1g denotes an image sensor (line sensor) composed of, for example, a CCD.

The light source 1b and the mirror 1c are mounted on a full-speed carriage 1h, and the mirrors 1d and 1e are mounted on a half-speed carriage 1i. Then, the full-speed carriage 1h is moved along the lower surface of the platen glass 1a in a direction orthogonal to the electric scanning direction of the image sensor 1g indicated by an arrow, and the half-speed carriage 1i is moved in the same direction at half the speed of the full-speed carriage 1h. The document is moved to read an image of the document placed on the platen glass 1a at a resolution of, for example, 400 dots per inch (400 dpi).

In the case of this example, the reference white plate / image is located at a position around the platen glass 1a within the movement range of the carriages 1h and 1i and at which an image can be read.
A recognition image version 1k is provided.

FIG. 4 shows the reference white plate / recognized image plate 1k.
Is shown as an elongated plate shape. Standard white plate /
In this example, the recognition image plate 1k is disposed adjacent to the platen glass 1a on the image reading movement start side of the carriages 1h and 1i, with its long side direction orthogonal to the movement direction of the carriages 1h and 1i. . Arrows in FIG. 4 indicate the moving directions of the carriages 1h and 1i.

Then, the reference white plate / recognized image plate 1k is
As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 4, the area is divided in the short side direction, and one of the areas is set as the reference white plate 1kw and the other is set as the recognized image plate 1kp. In this case,
Considering the moving directions of the carriages 1h and 1i, the reference white plate 1kw is arranged before the recognized image plate 1kp.

The entire surface of the surface of the reference white plate 1kw facing the image input device 1 is a white reflective surface, and the read output of the reflected light from the reference white plate 1kw is converted into an image signal. It is used for dynamic range adjustment and shading correction.

An image for detecting an abnormal state of the recognition system (hereinafter referred to as a recognition check image) is printed on the inner surface of the image input device 1 of the recognition image plate 1 kp.
It is provided by sticking or other methods. The recognition check image may be a banknote or an image of a security, but in this example, it is a predetermined image other than the specific document image.

In this case, in the image input device 1, when reading, the reference white plate 1kw, the recognized image plate 1k
p, followed by the original 1j placed on the platen glass 1a
Is irradiated by a light source 1b, and reflected light is reflected by mirrors 1c, 1d, 1
e, and forms an image on the image sensor 1g by the lens 1f. Practically, the light from the lens 1f is color-divided into three primary colors of light, red (R), green (G), and blue (B), by a color filter, and is incident on the image sensor for each color light. And image information of the color image is read.

The image input unit 1 amplifies the read image information of the color image, that is, each of the three primary color signals of light by an analog amplifier, and then A / D converts the amplified signal into digital image data (optical light) of each gradation. (The three primary color data) and outputs it to the image processing apparatus 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing device 2 includes an image signal processing circuit 21, a recognition circuit 22, and a control circuit 23 composed of a microprocessor. The image signal processing circuit 21 receives three primary color image data of R, G, and B, and performs various conversions for improving color, gradation, definition, image quality, and reproducibility, and correction processing such as shading correction.
Various processes such as an editing process are performed to convert the signals into primary color K (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) signals (gradation toner signals of process colors). Then, the process color gradation toner signal is
The signal is converted into an on / off binarized toner signal and output to the image output unit 3.

The image output device unit 3 first includes the image processing device 2
, The image data of the primary colors K, Y, M, and C of the toner sequentially transmitted from the laser beam scanning device 3a are converted into optical signals. The laser beam scanning device 3a includes an infrared semiconductor,
It is composed of a laser, a lens, and a polygon mirror, and the optical signal scans the photosensitive drum 3b as spot light.

The photosensitive drum 3b is charged by the charger 3c, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by an optical signal. The latent image is converted into a toner image by a two-component magnetic brush phenomenon on the rotary developing device 3d, and is transferred onto a sheet conveyed from the sheet tray 3e and attracted onto the transfer drum 3f.
After the transfer, the photosensitive drum 3b cleans excess toner with a cleaner 3g. This process is repeated in the order of K, Y, M, and C, and multiple transfer is performed on the sheet, the sheet is removed from the transfer drum 3f, and the toner is fixed and discharged by the fixing device 3h.

The user interface 4 includes an LCD and a transparent touch panel. The user selects a desired function, instructs the execution conditions from a switch panel, and displays the operation status of the copying machine on the LCD.

In the image processing unit 2, a color image signal which has been subjected to correction processing such as shading correction and input gradation correction in the image signal processing circuit 21 is supplied to a recognition circuit 22.

In this example, the recognition circuit 22 is provided with a recognition image memory 22M. This recognized image memory 22M
In this example, image pattern information of a specific document to be prevented from forgery of bills, securities, etc., and the recognized image plate 1k
The image pattern information of the recognition check image formed in p is stored.

The recognition circuit 22 is provided with the recognition image memory 22
The pattern matching is performed between the image pattern information stored in M and the input image information from the image input device unit 1, and the matching degree data of the matching degree between the two is output and transferred to the control circuit 23.

The control circuit 23 includes a CPU 231, a program ROM 232, a work area RAM 233, an I / O
A port 234 and a communication interface 235;
The conformity data from the recognition circuit 22 is taken in from the / O port 234. Then, the CPU 231 compares the fitness data with a predetermined threshold, and
It is determined whether or not the threshold value is equal to or more than the threshold value, and the determination output information is transmitted to the interface 235 and the communication line
To the image forming process control unit 5 via

The image forming process control unit 5 recognizes whether or not the original is a specific original based on the determination information and determines whether or not to permit copying. Control signal, for example, C (cyan)
Copying that is significantly different from that of the original, such as producing a solid-colored output image of one color, is performed to prevent forgery. The image forming process may be stopped.

Further, the image forming process control unit 5 includes:
A determination is made as to whether or not the recognition system is operating normally using the determination information for the recognition check image of the recognition image plate unit 1 kp, and when it is determined that the recognition system is abnormal, the LCD of the user interface 4 indicates to that effect. Is displayed or a warning sound or voice message notifies that the specific document cannot be recognized, and prohibits any image forming process.

In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the recognition system from the image input device 1 as an image reading means → a part of the image signal processing circuit 21 → the recognition circuit 22 → the control circuit 23 is operating normally. The diagnosis is made, for example, when the power of the color copying machine is turned on.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the color copying machine of this embodiment when the recognition system is diagnosed when the power is turned on.

That is, when the power switch is operated and the power is turned on, the operation starts (step 101).
In response to a command from the image forming process control unit 5, the carriage control means is controlled in the image input unit 1 to perform the well-known shading correction.
kw is read (step 102). Next, a recognition check image of the recognition image plate portion 1 kp formed by dividing the area on the same plate is read (step 103).

The read recognition check image is subjected to pattern matching with the image data in the memory 22M by the recognition circuit 22 of the image processing unit 2 and the conformity data is sent to the CPU 231 of the control circuit 23 via the I / O port 234. Then, the CPU 231 determines whether or not the conformity data is equal to or larger than a preset threshold value (step 104).

If the adaptability is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is determined that the recognition system from the image input device 1 to the recognition circuit 22 is normal, and an instruction to copy a document from the user interface 4 (press a copy button). (Step 105).

If there is an instruction to copy the original, the image input unit 1 reads the original on the platen glass 1a under the control of the image forming process control unit 4 by the carriage control means (step 106). . In the image processing unit 2, the image data of the original and the memory 22
The pattern matching with the specific document image data is performed by the recognition circuit 22, and the control circuit 23 determines whether or not the conformity data is equal to or larger than the threshold value (step 10).
7).

When the degree of conformity is equal to or larger than the threshold value, the original is determined to be a specific original, and a copy (specific original image forming process) that is significantly different from that of the original, such as solid color C, is performed. (Step 108) Forgery is prevented. If it is determined in step 107 that the degree of conformity is equal to or smaller than the threshold value, it is determined that the document is not a specific document, and a normal document image process is executed (step 109). Perform After steps 108 and 109, the process returns to step 105 waiting for a document copy instruction, and the operations of steps 105 to 109 are repeated.

On the other hand, in step 104, the degree of conformity is equal to or less than the threshold value, based on the recognition check image of the recognized image plate portion 1 kp in the recognition circuit 22 and the determination based on the pattern matching result of the image information in the memory 22. When it is determined that there is an abnormality in the recognition system, the user interface 4 informs the user that the specific document cannot be recognized as described above (step 110). All image forming processes are prohibited (step 111). This allows
A situation in which a specific document is copied due to an abnormal operation of the recognition system is prevented.

In the above-described embodiment, a simple configuration in which a recognition image plate on which a recognition check image is printed or the like is provided around the platen glass 1a readable by the image input device unit 1 is provided. It can be diagnosed whether the specific document recognition system is operating normally.

When the reference white plate and the recognition image plate are formed in a single plate as in the embodiment, the number of components is not increased as compared with the conventional apparatus, and the apparatus can be realized at low cost.

In the above example, the recognition image plate portion 1kp is read only once when the power is turned on. However, the reading may be performed every time during the preliminary scanning before the original scanning.

Further, the reference white plate and the recognition image plate may be arranged separately and independently, or the reference white plate and the recognition image plate may be selectively switched at the same reading position. You may.

It should be noted that if the recognition image plate is read and the degree of conformity is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is possible to determine that the function as a copying machine from the image input device 1 to the recognition circuit 22 is normal. User interface 4
, A diagnostic system for a color copying machine can be provided.

Next, another embodiment of the specific document recognizing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below. This example is also an example in which the present invention is applied to a color copying machine, and the same parts as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the color copying machine of this embodiment. The structure of the mechanism is exactly the same as that of FIG. 2 except that no recognition image plate is provided.

In this example, a memory 24 for storing image information for checking an abnormal state of the recognition system is provided in the image processing unit 2 and a selector 25 is provided. Then, the selector 25 selects one of the image information from the image signal processing circuit 21 and the image information read from the memory 24 and supplies it to the recognition circuit 22.

The selector 25 is connected to the CPU 2 of the control circuit 23.
31 is selectively controlled via the I / O port 234,
At the time of the normal copy processing operation after pressing the copy button, the image data from the image signal processing circuit 21 is selected.
When the copying machine is not in the normal copying process, that is, when the copying machine is in the standby state, the image data from the memory 24 is selected.

That is, at the time of the normal copying process, the image data of the original read by the image input unit 1 is stored in the selector 25.
And supplied to the recognition circuit 22. Recognition circuit 22
Performs pattern matching between the specific document image pattern data stored in the memory 22M and the read document image data in the same manner as in the above-described example, and outputs the matching degree data to the control circuit 23.

The CPU 231 of the control circuit 23 reads this fitness data via the I / O port 234 and compares it with a predetermined threshold value. If the fitness is less than the threshold value, it is determined that the document is not a specific document. Then, a normal image forming process is executed, and when the threshold value is exceeded, it is determined that the document is a specific document, and a specific document image forming process such as copying and outputting significantly different from the document is performed.
Alternatively, the copying operation may be stopped.

In the standby state, a read control signal is sent from the CPU 231 of the control circuit 23 to the memory 24 via the I / O port 234 at, for example, a random timing. The check operation of the recognition system is performed at an appropriate timing.

In this case, the memory 24 stores image data for a copy type recognition check. On the other hand, in the case of this example, the image memory 22 of the recognition circuit 22
Unlike the above-described example, M does not store image pattern information corresponding to the recognition check image, but stores only image pattern information of a specific document to be prevented from being copied, such as bills and securities.

As the image information for a plurality of types of recognition check stored in the memory 24, image data having different degrees of conformity (hereinafter referred to as pseudo-specific originals) when the recognition circuit 22 is operating normally. Image data).

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining an example of a plurality of types of pseudo specific image data stored in the memory 24.
This shows a state in which six types of pseudo specific document image data of PB, PC, PD, PE, and PF are prepared. In the case of this example, the pseudo specific document image data PA, PB, and PC are image patterns of 1000-yen bills, respectively.
The pseudo specific document image data PD, PE, and PF are each recognized as being different from 90%.
Although it is an image of a 0000 yen bill, a normal operation recognition circuit 2
2, the recognizability is recognized as being different from 80%, 20%, and 90%, respectively.

Then, each pseudo specific document image data PA,
PB, PC, PD, PE, and PF are stored in a memory different from the memory 24, in this example, in a program ROM 232 of the control circuit 23 as data for determining whether or not the recognition system is abnormal. Image data P
A, PB, PC, PD, PE, and PF are stored in association with each other. Therefore, a read control signal indicating which of the six types of pseudo specific document data is to be read from the memory 24 is sent from the CPU 231 to the I / O port 234.
At the same time, the suitability data corresponding to the selected pseudo-specific document data is read out from the ROM 232 as determination reference data at the same time.

In this example, a read control signal supplied from the CPU 231 to the memory 24 via the I / O port 234 causes one pseudo specific original image data stored in the memory 24 to be selected from among a plurality of types of pseudo specific original image data. Specific document image data is randomly selected and read.

For this random selective reading, in this example, six types of pseudo specific original image data PA to PF are
The numerical values of 0 to 5 are made to correspond to each other, the numerical values of 0 to 5 are generated as random numbers, and the read control signal is set so as to read the pseudo specific document image data corresponding to the numerical values generated by the random numbers of 0 to 5. .

As described above, when the copying machine is in the standby state, the pseudo specific document image data selected at random from the plurality of types is read from the memory 24 at random timing, and is read through the selector 25. And supplied to the recognition circuit 22. The recognition circuit 22 stores the
The image data is compared with the specific document image pattern data stored in 2M, and the matching degree data is sent to the control circuit 23.

The CPU 231 of the control circuit 23 fetches the conformity data via the I / O port 234 and
A comparison is made with the matching degree data corresponding to the selected pseudo specific document image data read from M232. For example, if the pseudo-specific document image data PA is selected in the memory 24, data indicating the degree of conformity of 80% is read from the ROM 23.

If the recognition system is normal, the recognition circuit 2
2 is 80% or a value close to 80%. Therefore, the CPU 231 determines that the recognition system is operating normally if the matching degree data of the two match or almost matches, and enters a state where the normal copying operation is permitted. Then, the recognition system judges that the connection is abnormal (for example, disconnection, failure of the circuit, or unauthorized modification), and stops all image forming processes.

The above-described checking operation of the recognition system is repeatedly executed at random timing until the copying operation is started.

According to the above-described embodiment, since the operation diagnosis of the recognition system is performed using one pseudo specific original image data randomly selected from a plurality of types of pseudo specific original image data, a single test A method of diagnosing the operation of a recognition system using a pattern (for example,
However, even if there is a simple unauthorized modification as compared with the conventional method, an abnormal state can be correctly detected.

That is, when the selector 25 switches between read-out image data of a document and a single test pattern signal and diagnoses the operation of the recognition system using the single test pattern signal, if the test pattern signal is found, As shown in FIG. 8, a means for generating the same signal as the test pattern signal is provided as an illegal circuit 31, and as shown by the mark x in FIG.
By simply disconnecting the path to 2 and supplying the output test pattern signal of the unauthorized circuit 31 to the recognition circuit 22, unauthorized modification can be performed. In other words, the specific original is placed on the platen glass,
Even if the image is read by the image input unit 1, the recognition circuit 2
2, the read image data is no longer supplied, but because of the unauthorized circuit 31, an abnormality in the recognition system due to unauthorized modification cannot be detected.

Similarly, if a single test pattern is found, its suitability can be easily found. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the path of the matching data from the recognition circuit 22 to the control circuit 23 is cut off. Forgery becomes possible only by modifying the control circuit 23 to supply the data from the unauthorized circuit 32 that generates the data of the degree of conformity to the control circuit 23.

However, in the embodiment of FIG.
Since one pseudo specific document image data randomly selected from a plurality of types of pseudo specific document image data is used for the operation diagnosis of the recognition system, there is a simple unauthorized modification as shown in FIGS. This can be reliably detected as an abnormal state. That is, not only the operation of the recognition circuit 22 is abnormal, but also the recognition circuit 22
It is also possible to detect an abnormality such as an illegal circuit provided in the path to the input terminal of the controller, and an abnormality such as an illegal circuit provided in the path between the output terminal of the recognition circuit 22 and the control circuit 24. it can.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of types of image data having different degrees of matching are used, and the image data and the matching degree data are stored in separate memories. Even if there is an unauthorized modification such as rewriting of the memory 24, it can be detected as an abnormal state.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of types of pseudo specific document images having the same degree of matching may be prepared.

The timing for diagnosing the operation of the recognition system is not random but may be of course only when the power is turned on as in the above-described example. Also, it may be performed every time when copying is started by pressing the copy button.

Although the above is an example in which the present invention is applied to a color copying machine, the present invention is also applicable to apparatuses such as a facsimile and a scanner.

[0073]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to diagnose whether or not the specific document recognizing apparatus is operating normally and to monitor whether or not the forgery can be reliably prevented.

When the recognition image plate is arranged within the document reading range, there is an advantage that the specific document recognition device can be manufactured at low cost.

Further, in the case of an apparatus for checking the operation abnormality of the recognition system using image data arbitrarily selected from a plurality of pseudo-specific original image data, the difficulty of unauthorized alteration can be increased, and forgery prevention can be prevented. Great effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of a color copying machine to which an embodiment of a specific document recognizing apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a mechanism of an example of a color copying machine to which a specific document recognition device according to the present invention is applied;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a main part of an embodiment of a specific document recognizing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a main part of an embodiment of the specific document recognition apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of an example of a color copying machine to which an embodiment of the specific document recognizing apparatus according to the present invention is applied;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example of a color copying machine to which another embodiment of the specific document recognizing device according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a main part of another embodiment of the specific document recognizing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining an example of unauthorized modification.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram for explaining an example of unauthorized modification.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 image input unit 2 image processing unit 3 image output unit 4 user interface 5 image forming process control unit 22 recognition circuit 23 control circuit 24 pseudo specific original image memory 25 selector 1k standard white plate / recognized image plate 1kw reference white Plate part 1kp Recognition image plate part

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/40

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image reading means for reading a document and converting it into image data; a recognition means for receiving image data from the image reading means and recognizing whether the document is a specific document; Determining means for determining whether the document is a specific document based on the recognition result of the document; and a recognition image provided at a position within the reading range of the image reading means and outside the reading range of the document, and including a predetermined image. Plate and the predetermined timing of the device operation timing.
At the time of reading, the image of the recognized image plate is read by the image reading means, and the recognition result obtained when the image of the recognized image plate is recognized by the recognition means is read from the image reading means. Means for determining whether or not the operation from the recognition means to the recognition means is normal. 2. An image input means, a recognition means for receiving input image data from the image input means, and recognizing whether the input image data is image data of a specific document, and a recognition result from the recognition means. Determining means for determining whether the input image data is image data of the specific document, pseudo specific document image data storing means for storing data of a plurality of pseudo specific document images, and storing the pseudo specific document image data Means a plurality of pseudo
An image randomly selected from the data of the specific original image
Image data is read from the pseudo specific original image data storage means , switched to the input image data and supplied to the recognition means, and based on the recognition result, the operation of the recognition means and the input path of the recognition means Means for determining whether or not the output path is normal.