JP3267341B2 - Image processing apparatus and image processing method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method, and more particularly to an image processing for adding a pattern capable of specifying an apparatus to an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the machine number information of each copying machine has been incorporated in a main body, and based on the information, the serviceability has been improved as ID information when the copying machine has been brought online, or the machine number has been changed. At the same time, the output image is subjected to a modulation process through a pattern adding circuit that adds a pattern that can determine from which device the image is output, so that the device can be tracked when, for example, a banknote is forged. A copier having such a configuration has been proposed by the present applicant.

[0003] The information of the machine number is stored, for example, by mounting a ROM on which the machine number is written on a board in the main body of the copying machine,
A configuration is conceivable in which U reads and processes the information, or a bar code is provided at a position readable by an image reading sensor, and bar code information is analyzed by the sensor to obtain a machine number. But the RO mentioned above
Even if each machine number is stored in M, if the board itself is replaced, it will lose its relevance to the main body, making it difficult to manage and costly. At times, a technology for reading a barcode has been proposed as preprocessing.

[0004]

However, if the bar code reading process is performed each time copying is performed, it takes a long time for operation and analysis, and the first copy becomes longer.

Further, when reading a barcode, dust or the like adheres to the optical path between the sensor and the barcode, and if a reading operation is performed for each copy, there is a disadvantage that the barcode information cannot be read accurately.

Further, if the reading process is performed by irradiating the bar code with the sensor stopped for a long time, a problem such as discoloration may occur and reading may not be performed with high accuracy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of reliably adding a pattern corresponding to information capable of specifying an apparatus to image information.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an image reading means for reading an image by an image reading section and generating image information corresponding to the image; A barcode reading unit that reads barcodes arranged in the image reading unit by a reading unit and generates barcode information indicating information that can specify the apparatus; and stores the barcode information generated by the barcode reading unit in a memory. A storage unit for storing, and a pattern corresponding to the barcode information stored in the memory is added to the image information generated by the image reading unit so that it is difficult for human eyes to identify the image information. An adding unit that outputs information to the image forming unit, an analyzing unit that analyzes whether the barcode is normal, and that the barcode is not normal by the analyzing unit. When it is analyzed, characterized in that a control means for controlling the image reading unit to stop reading the image.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing method, comprising: reading an image by an image reading unit and generating image information corresponding to the image; A barcode reading step of reading barcodes arranged in the reading unit to generate barcode information indicating information capable of specifying the device; a storage step of storing the generated barcode information in a memory; and storing the barcode information in the memory. An adding step of adding a pattern corresponding to the generated bar code information to the generated image information so as to be difficult for human eyes to recognize, and outputting the image information with the pattern added to an image forming unit; An analyzing step of analyzing whether or not the code is normal, and controlling the image reading unit to stop reading the image when the barcode is analyzed to be abnormal. And having a that control step.

[0010]

[0011]

In the following embodiments of the present invention, in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks, a bar code indicating the unique information of the device, reading means for reading the bar code, and the read bar code information are used to convert the bar code information to the unique information of the device. Conversion means for conversion, position detection means for detecting position information on which the barcode paper on which the barcode is printed is attached, storage means for storing the unique information and position information, and image signal In a device having a superimposition adding unit for superimposing the unique information, a barcode is not read for each copy but stored in the storage unit as information when superimposing on the image signal. We use information.

(First Embodiment) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on a preferred embodiment.

In the following embodiment, an example of a copying machine will be described as an application example of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various other apparatuses.

<Overview of Apparatus> FIG. 2 shows an overview of the apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes an image scanner unit, which is 400 dpi (dots / in).
This is a part for reading an original at a resolution of (ch) and performing digital signal processing. Reference numeral 202 denotes a printer unit;
This portion prints out an image corresponding to the document image read by the image scanner 201 on a sheet at a resolution of 400 dpi in full color.

In the image scanner 201, 20
Reference numeral 0 denotes a mirror pressure plate, and a platen glass (hereinafter, platen) 2
The original 204 on the document 03 is irradiated by a lamp 205, guided to mirrors 206, 207, and 208, and forms an image on a three-line sensor (hereinafter referred to as a CCD) 210 by a lens 209. The full-color information red (R) and green ( G) and blue (B) components are sent to the signal processing unit 211. The entire surface of the document is scanned (sub-scanning) by mechanically moving 205 and 206 at a speed v and 207 and 208 at a speed of 1/2 v in a direction perpendicular to the electrical scanning (main scanning) direction of the line sensor. ).

In a signal processing section 211, the read image signal is electrically processed, decomposed into components of magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (Bk). Send to 202. Also, M, C, Y,
One component of Bk is sent to the printer unit 202,
A total of four document scans complete one printout.

Each of the M, C, Y, and Bk image signals sent from the image scanner unit 201 is sent to a laser driver 212. The laser driver 212 modulates and drives the semiconductor laser 213 according to the sent image signal. The laser light is applied to the polygon mirror 214, f
The photosensitive drum 2 via the θ lens 215 and the mirror 216
17 is scanned.

Reference numeral 218 denotes a rotary developing unit, which includes a magenta developing unit 219, a cyan developing unit 220, and a yellow developing unit 22.
1. The black developing unit 222 includes four developing units that alternately come into contact with the photosensitive drum 217 and develop the electrostatic development formed on the photosensitive drum with toner.

Reference numeral 223 denotes a transfer drum which winds a sheet supplied from the sheet cassette 224 or 225 around the transfer drum 223 and transfers an image developed on the photosensitive drum to the sheet.

After the four colors of M, C, Y, and Bk are sequentially transferred in this manner, the sheet passes through the fixing unit 226 and is discharged after the toner is fixed on the sheet. 22
Reference numeral 7 denotes an optical system movable with respect to the original, reference numeral 228 denotes a barcode sheet described later, and reference numeral 229 denotes a standard white plate for shading.

<Image Scanner> FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the image scanner unit 201.

210 is R (210-1), G
(210-2), B (210-3), a CCD sensor having spectral sensitivity characteristics of A / D conversion and S / H at 101
After (sample hold), signals of 8-bit outputs 0 to 255 are output. Further, at 102, shading correction and black correction are performed.

The shading correction unit has a correction RAM for each of the RGB color components therein, and information of each pixel of the sensor output is stored in the correction RAM from the correction RAM.
It is configured so that the PU 111 can be imported.

Reference numeral 103 denotes a link correction unit, which comprises a line memory of several lines. This is because the R, G, and B line sensors 210-1 to 3 used in this embodiment are arranged in parallel with a certain distance therebetween, so that the R signal and the G signal are delayed, and the spatial displacement thereof is reduced. It is for correction. 104 is an input masking unit,
Correction to the C signal is performed. Reference numeral 105 denotes a LOG converter, which converts a luminance signal into a density signal. Reference numeral 106 denotes a known masking and UCR (under color removal) circuit, which outputs magenta (M) for output from three input RGB signals.
Each signal of cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (Bk) has a predetermined bit length (for example, 8 bits) sequentially in each reading operation (scanning) by the CCD sensor 210.
Is output. Reference numeral 107 denotes a known scaling processing circuit which performs scaling in the main scanning direction. As a specific hardware configuration, for example, the size is reduced by thinning out the write enable of the FIFO, and the enlargement is performed by thinning out the read clock. The magnification in the sub-scanning direction is optically performed. Reference numeral 108 denotes a gamma correction unit, which is composed of, for example, a ROM or a RAM. An MTF correction circuit 109 performs edge enhancement or smoothing. Reference numeral 110 denotes a pattern adding circuit which adds a pattern which cannot be identified by human eyes to a copy image to a yellow signal as described later.

Reference numeral 111 denotes a CPU which controls the entire system;
Is a ROM for storing the program of the CPU 111, 113
Is a RAM used as a work area of the CPU 111,
Reference numeral 114 denotes an operation unit for instructing copy start and the like, 115 denotes a display panel (liquid crystal panel) provided on the operation unit 114 for performing a predetermined display, and 116 denotes a halogen lamp for irradiating a document.

<Pattern Adding Circuit> FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of the pattern adding circuit. In FIG.
01 is a sub-scanning counter, 302 is a main scanning counter, and 303 is a lookup table RAM (hereinafter referred to as “LU”).
T "), 304 is an AND gate, 305 is a flip-flop, 306 is an inverter, 307 is an AND gate, 308 is a register, 309 is an AND gate, 310
Is an adder.

Here, the sub-scanning counter 301 repeatedly counts the main scanning synchronizing signal HSYNC, and the main scanning counter 302 counts the pixel synchronizing signal CLK with a width of 7 bits, ie, 128 cycles. Further, the LUT 303 is a random access memory (hereinafter, referred to as “RAM”) holding a pattern to be added. The LUT 303 stores the lower 5 bits of the count value of each of the sub-scan counter 301 and the main scan counter 302 from the lower 5 bits. Each of the removed 4 bits is input. The output of the LUT 303 refers to only one bit, and this one bit is output by the AND gate 304 to the main scanning counter 301 and the sub-scanning counter 302.
AND with the upper two bits of The result is
The signal is synchronized with the CLK signal by the flip-flop 305, is ANDed with both the 2-bit CNO signal “0” and the CNO signal “1” by the AND gate 307, and is sent to the AND gate 309. CNOφ,
CNO1 is set by a CPU (not shown), and M → (φ, φ), C → (φ, 1), Y → (1,.
φ) and K → (1, 1) are set respectively. Here, a valid signal is generated only when CNO = 2, that is, when printing is currently performed in yellow.

Here, the level (modulation amount) of the pattern to be added is stored and set in advance in the register 308 by the CPU 111, and the CNO = 2 is set by the AND gate 309.
(Valid on the yellow surface), and is added to the image data V by the adder 310.

The additional pattern is added only with yellow toner so that it is difficult for the human eye to identify it. However, the additional pattern has weak discriminating ability with respect to a pattern in which human eyes are drawn with yellow toner. It is a thing that utilizes that.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an additional pattern according to the first embodiment.

The LUT 303 holds a dot pattern as shown in FIG. 4, that is, an additional pattern.
One cell in FIG. 4 corresponds to one bit held in the LUT 303, where white represents 0 and black represents 1. The left and right directions correspond to the lower 4 bits of the address, and the upper and lower directions correspond to the upper 4 bits of the address. 256 bits constitute an additional pattern. The line in which the upper 4 bits of the address on the left in FIG. 4 are 0 (the uppermost line) is a mark indicating the reference position. In addition, six lines of the upper 4 bits of the address 2, 3 and 8, 9, 9, E, and F, which are shaded on the left side of FIG. 4, are lines on which dots are placed, and are used every two lines. As shown on the right side of FIG. 4, each of these two lines represents 16 types of information by hitting one or two 2 × 2 bit dots at predetermined locations. That is, each two lines represent four bits of information. Since these two lines are three lines below the mark, it is possible to represent information of 12 bits combined. The reason why the two lines are not approached but separated from each other is that when two lines of the dot arrangement are continuous such as “BBB” or “123”, the dots are connected vertically or diagonally and the additional pattern is conspicuous. This is to prevent that.

The LUT 303 shown in FIG.
(Not shown) so that the information for specifying the source of the copy document, such as information for specifying the copying machine, can be written in a state converted into additional pattern data. It is.

Further, since data except for one bit of restart of the main scanning counter 302 and the sub-scanning counter 301 in FIG. 3 is input to the LUT 303, one bit on the LUT 303 corresponds to 2 × 2 four pixels on a copy. . This is because, in the printer unit 202 of the present embodiment, for example, a well-known 200-line process is performed in an image area, and therefore, it may be difficult to read by adding a pattern in units of one pixel.

<Copy Result> FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a copy result according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the effect of the first embodiment.

First, in FIG. 5, reference numeral 501 denotes an added pattern, and the content held in the LUT 303 is added as an image. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the pattern meaning “3FC” is set so that it is difficult for the human eyes to identify it.
It is added in a pattern of 2 pixels × 32 pixels, and the main scan 128
This is repeated for each pixel and 128 lines of sub-scanning. Therefore, by setting this as a production number unique to the machine or a pattern in which the production number is encoded, the copied device can be identified, and the copied apparatus can be limited.

Further, in the present embodiment, the pitch at which the pattern is added is set every 128 pixels (or lines) in the main scanning. In this embodiment, the pitch is 400 dpi (dot / i).
Since the resolution is nch), a pattern is added about every 8 mm. This is an interval at which the additional pattern is reliably placed on a watermark or a surrounding margin of a bill which is easy to read.

In the method using the additional pattern described above, as shown in FIG. 6B, a method of modulating an image signal using numerical values or the like as it is, as shown in FIG. With a method using a pattern as shown in FIG. 6A, it is possible to reduce the number of pixels to be modulated and make the additional pattern less noticeable.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, a specific additional pattern for limiting a device or the like in a copy includes a mark representing a position reference and one or more dots. By recording on a copy with a pattern,
Since the number of pixels to be modulated is reduced and the additional pattern is less noticeable, it is possible to reduce image quality deterioration.
Further, since the conversion of the additional pattern into a pattern of dot arrangement is a kind of encryption, it also has an effect that this pattern is hardly operated intentionally by a third party.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for performing a bar code reading process. In step S200, the halogen lamp is turned on. In step S201, a standard white plate (shading plate) is used.
Is stored in the work RAM 113 of the CPU 115. This is because the data after the shading correction cannot be read due to the circuit configuration, and the data is temporarily stored so that the shading correction can be performed by software by the operation of the CCD 111. In step S202, the optical system 227 (FIG. 2) is moved to a position on the platen on which the barcode sheet is pasted, and in step S203, the barcode information is fetched into the shading RAM inside the shading correction unit 102, and the processing proceeds to step S2.
In step S204, soft shading correction is performed by the CPU 111 based on the shading correction data stored in the RAM 113 in step S01. Here, in the present embodiment, S203 and S204 are repeated eight times so that the obtained barcode information can be analyzed more accurately.
11 and added to the work RAM 113 to calculate an average value, which is used as barcode information. Next, in S205,
From the barcode information represented by the R, G, and B color components obtained in S204, an average value of R, G, and B is calculated for each pixel to generate a density signal. Is calculated and converted to actual numerical data.

In the present embodiment, the commonly used CO
The format of DE39 is used, and in S206,
This format error and the presence / absence of an asterisk as a start / stop character are determined.
If K, go to the next process. If there is an error, for example, it is possible that the read barcode is dusty or that the printed part of the barcode is rubbed, etc. In the area, the optical system unit is moved in the vertical direction (sub scanning direction) of the line of the CCD line sensor (S21).
5) Return to S203 to read a barcode at another position, and perform the barcode reading process again.

In step S213, the number of retries N is checked (in this embodiment, eight times). If an error occurs even after the retry is performed a certain number of times or more, the process goes to the error in step S214. Give a message.

If the error check in S206 is OK, a parity check is performed in S207. In the present embodiment, the numerical values constituting the characters (0 to F) of the barcode have been subjected to a certain arithmetic processing, and the machine number cannot be immediately known from the information. An inverse operation is performed from the read barcode information. Since the final code of the obtained numerical value is a parity code, the parity check is performed. If a parity error occurs, the process goes to the error of S212 and proceeds to the display panel. 115
To display the error message.

Next, if the parity check is OK,
In step S209, the position information of the barcode paper is stored in the RAM 11 backed up by the battery 117.
3. Save the information. Next, in S210, the read barcode data itself is saved in the backed-up RAM 113. Further, in S211, the serial number of the main body excluding the parity bit is backed up by performing an inverse operation from the raw data in S210. Finally S
In step 216, the barcode data is displayed on the display panel 115 so that the serviceman can confirm the device-specific number. This completes the barcode reading process.

The above-described bar code information reading operation is performed only in the so-called service mode, so that general users cannot operate it. Further, this reading operation is not performed by the operator (serviceman) in particular, and in this embodiment, the reading operation is automatically started after performing the DOC-BLEV processing in the service mode as shown in FIG. It is like. DOC-BLEV of this S101
Puts the copy paper serving as the white reference on the platen,
This is a gain adjustment that detects the GB sensor output and makes each peak value fall within a certain range. This is a halogen lamp, a sensor, and a CPU board (a board on which the RAM 113 storing the barcode information is placed). ) Is to be executed by a serviceman when exchanged.
That is, when a component that affects the reading is replaced, the barcode information reading process is automatically executed.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart at the time of the normal printing operation.

In S300, it is checked whether or not the printing operation is the first printing operation after the power of the copying machine is turned on. This is one of the objects of the present invention. In order to minimize the barcode analysis time, if the barcode analysis is performed only once after the power is turned on, even if the contents of the barcode can be changed while the power is on, the information before that is backed up Since the information is stored in the RAM 113 and the information is set in the pattern adding circuit, it is possible to analyze the machine number from the output sample.

If the determination in S300 is YES, then in S3
At 01, it is determined whether or not the print operation is accompanied by a scanner operation. In the present embodiment, there are a normal copying operation in which the optical system unit is output while moving the document relative to the original, and an operation in which image information is output from an external device (not shown) having an external image memory. Does not perform the scanning operation of turning on the halogen lamp of the image reader and reading with the CCD, so that the barcode analysis processing is not performed.

If there is a scan operation in S301, S
The presence / absence of the barcode paper 302 is checked. this is,
Like the bar code reading process in the service mode,
The optical system unit is moved to the position where the bar code is attached, and the data is loaded into the shading RAM inside the shading correction unit 102. The member to which the barcode paper is attached is entirely painted black, and if the barcode paper is not attached, the shading RA
M data is all black, and it is determined that there is no barcode paper. Also, when white information is detected in the shading RAM, it is checked whether or not the address and the address when the last change from white to black is the same as the backed paper coordinate position in the service mode described above. Do.
This is a determination as to whether the pasted position is not shifted, and S
When it is determined that there is no barcode paper 303 and the position of the barcode paper is different in S304, the process jumps to an error in S308, stops the copy operation, and displays a message indicating the meaning thereof on the display panel 115 of the operation unit 114. Output to That is, in this case, the numerical analysis of the barcode is not performed, and it is simply determined whether or not there is paper, and only the coordinate values on which the paper is pasted are checked, thereby shortening the analysis time.

Next, if YES is determined in S304, or if the print operation involves the second or subsequent scan operation in S300, or if the print operation does not involve a scan operation, the flow proceeds to S305 and is stored in the service mode. The parity check of the bar code information is performed. This is to check whether the contents of the backup have been destroyed or rewritten for some reason.
If it is an error at 06, go to the error of S309 and issue the error message. If S306 is OK, the serial number which is the machine number is set in the pattern adding circuit,
Go to normal copy operation sequence. In a normal copying operation sequence, the shading correction unit 102
Perform normal shading operation.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the machine number itself is set in the pattern adding circuit and the image is modulated. However, if this image is used, a third party analyzes the machine number and makes an abuse. In such a case, it is also possible to directly set information on the barcode itself, which is obtained by performing an arithmetic process on the machine number, in this pattern adding circuit.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention, an image is read by an image reading section, image information corresponding to the image is generated, and a bar code is arranged on the image reading section by the image reading section. Generates bar code information indicating information that can identify the device by reading the generated bar code information, stores the generated bar code information in a memory, and generates a pattern corresponding to the bar code information stored in the memory. The information is added so that it is difficult for the human eyes to recognize, the image information to which the pattern is added is output to an image forming unit, and whether or not the barcode is normal is analyzed. When the image is analyzed, the image reading unit is controlled so as to stop reading the image, so that it is possible to reliably add a pattern corresponding to the information that can identify the device to the image information. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image scanner unit 201.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a pattern adding circuit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an additional pattern.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a copy result.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an additional pattern.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a service mode.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a barcode reading process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a printing operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 228 barcode 110 pattern addition circuit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00 H04N 1/04-1/207

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] An image reading unit configured to read an image by an image reading unit and generate image information corresponding to the image; and a device configured to read a bar code arranged in the image reading unit by the image reading unit. Bar code reading means for generating bar code information indicating information; storage means for storing bar code information generated by the bar code reading means in a memory; and a pattern corresponding to the bar code information stored in the memory. An adding unit that adds the image information generated by the image reading unit to the image forming unit so that it is difficult for the human eyes to recognize the image information, and outputs the image information with the pattern added to an image forming unit; Analysis means for analyzing the image reading unit, when the bar code is analyzed by the analysis means is not normal, the image reading unit to stop reading the image The image processing apparatus characterized by a control means for controlling. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the analyzing unit determines whether the barcode is normal by determining whether the barcode is arranged on the image reading unit. The image processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the analysis unit determines whether the barcode is normal by determining a position where the barcode is arranged. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the analysis by the analysis unit is performed when the power of the apparatus is turned on. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit configured to display a message indicating that the image reading unit stops reading the image when the barcode is analyzed by the analyzing unit as not normal. The image processing device according to claim 1. 6. An image reading step in which an image is read by an image reading unit to generate image information corresponding to the image, and a bar code arranged in the image reading unit is read by the image reading unit to specify an apparatus. A barcode reading step of generating barcode information indicating information; a storage step of storing the generated barcode information in a memory; and a pattern corresponding to the barcode information stored in the memory. An adding step of adding information to the image so that it is difficult for the human eyes to recognize, and outputting the image information with the pattern added to an image forming unit; an analyzing step of analyzing whether or not the barcode is normal; Controlling the image reading unit so as to stop reading the image when the code is analyzed as not being normal.