JP3270093B2 - Image creation device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an ID card such as an employee card ID.
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for specifying an individual or a group which can be used in a D card, a credit card, a bank passbook, various certificates, and the like, and particularly relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image in which forgery and falsification is prevented.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ID card, such as an employee ID card, has a name, birth date, expiration date, etc., and a face photo identifying the owner. Usually, with the main purpose of preventing tampering, a transparent sheet is adhered and pasted on the surface of the face photo, or the surface including the face photo is laminated by heat sealing with a transparent film or high-frequency welding and used. ing.

[0003] Further, in a credit card or a bank passbook, a seal, a password, a signature, or the like is used to identify a holder. Also in these, if a person image can be displayed, it becomes easy to identify the owner, and therefore, it is desired to display a person specifying image in which a person image can be easily created and forgery / falsification is prevented. Further, in a credit card or the like, a logo of a company name or the like is printed as a hologram image in order to specify a company to which the card belongs, and a simple apparatus for creating an image for specifying a group or the like is desired.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The card is covered with a transparent film to make it difficult to falsify the face photo for identifying and confirming the individual or group, or to replace it with another face photo, but it is not possible to replace the photo with the transparent film itself. It is hardly possible. Conventionally, there has been no recording means suitable for easily creating a high-definition and high-quality image and for easily preventing forgery and falsification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus for use in an ID card, a bankbook, or the like, which has an enhanced prevention of forgery and falsification of an image specifying an individual or an organization. With the goal.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image input means for inputting at least a main image for specifying an individual or an organization, and the like.
Image creation comprising: an image processing means for superimposing a sub-image on more than one partial area; and an image recording means for recording a processed image obtained by the image processing means on a recording medium. Device. That is, a main image that specifies an individual such as a person image or an organization such as a company is image input means, and a predetermined sub-image such as a character or pattern or a pattern or texture that is difficult to create is superimposed on the main image. Image processing means, and an image recording means for recording the processed image, and in particular, forging a main image for specifying an individual or a group by superimposing a sub-image on two or more partial areas of the main image. -It provides images that make tampering difficult.

On the other hand, by employing a thermal recording system represented by thermal transfer recording using a thermal sublimation dye as an ink material as an image recording means, a high-definition and high-quality full-color image is handled, and the image data is handled as a digital signal. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an image creating apparatus capable of easily recording a processed image in which a sub image is superimposed on a main image.

[0008] The present invention superimposes an image input means for inputting main image specifying at least individual or organizations, the first sub-image in a part or the whole of the main image obtained by the image input means image processing means for the processing image obtained by the image processing unit and records on a recording medium, a recording overlapping the second sub-image in a part or all positions of the image on the recording medium And an image recording device. That is, the first image is obtained from the main image obtained by the image input means.
A superimposed sub-image is recorded and a second sub-image is superimposed and recorded on the processed image to provide an image that makes it difficult to forge or falsify the main image specifying an individual or an organization. Is what you do.

[0009]

As described above, according to the present invention, in addition to a main image specifying an individual or a group, a sub-image is recorded by the same device. Therefore, in order to forge the main image, the sub-image must also be forged. Therefore, the effect of preventing forgery and falsification is great.

In particular, by superimposing a sub-image on each of two or more partial areas of the main image, it is possible to prevent an act of partially falsifying the main image. Further, when the same sub-image is arranged in the plurality of areas, it is possible to visually determine the coincidence between the sub-images, so that it is easy to find or prevent forgery / falsification. On the other hand, when different sub-images are arranged in a plurality of areas, forgery / falsification is a more complicated operation, and the effect of preventing such illegal acts is increased.

Further, by using thermal recording such as thermal transfer recording using a thermal sublimation dye as an ink material as an image recording means, a high-definition and high-quality full-color image can be easily recorded on paper, a plastic sheet or a plastic card. it can. Furthermore, the effect of preventing forgery and falsification is further enhanced by using an image specifying an individual or a group as a sub-image.

Further, it is possible to specify the individual by the main image and the organization to which the individual belongs by the sub-image, respectively. The individual and the organization are simultaneously incorporated with a plurality of elements for preventing forgery and falsification and for identifying the owner. Etc. can be created.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The present apparatus includes an image input unit 1 for inputting a main image specifying an individual or an organization or the like as a digital signal (normally, in many cases, a face photograph is used for specifying an individual) and a predetermined sub-image added to the input main image. An image processing unit 2 for superimposing and synthesizing the image data and an image recording unit 3 for recording a processed image on paper, a plastic sheet, a plastic card, or the like have a main configuration. The color conversion circuit 4 can be placed at a position after the image processing unit 2. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the image input unit 1. The original image sheet 12 is, for example, a face photograph of a person identifiable as an image specifying an individual or a group,
Or a sheet on which a photograph or the like is pasted.

The image on the original image sheet 12 is illuminated by the light source 11, and a band-like area 13 of the image on the original image sheet 12 is illuminated.
Is distributed gradient index cylindrical lens array 14, CCD
An image is formed on the light receiving surface of the line sensor 15 in a line shape at the same magnification. The image formed on the line sensor 15 is sequentially read out as an electric signal, and becomes an image signal 16. In the present embodiment, the element density of the line sensor 15 is 16 pixels / mm, which is equal to the recording density used in the image recording unit 3 described later.

While reading out image signals line by line,
The lens array 14 and the line sensor 15 are moved 1/1
By moving by 6 mm, the image on the entire surface of the original image sheet 12 can be read at a density of 1/16 mm.

Since the MTF characteristics of the lens array 14 are generally not ideal, the image signal 16 contains some blur components and the resolution is reduced. The image signal 16 is amplified by an amplifier 17 and then converted into a digital signal 19 by an A / D converter 18. In such an image reading system, even if an original image having a uniform density is read due to factors such as uneven illuminance of a light source and variations in dark current and sensitivity of each optical sensor constituting the line sensor 15, an obtained image signal is not obtained. Not uniform. This phenomenon is usually called shading, and the shading correction unit 20 corrects these shadings, and normalizes the image signal so that the original image is "1" if the standard image is white and "0" if the original image is black. I do. Specifically, before reading the image of the original image 12, the black reference plate 21 and the white reference plate 22 having uniform density at the end of the arrangement position of the original image 12 are read, and the black and white reference signals are read. Is stored in a line memory (not shown). When reading the original image 12, shading correction is performed by calculating the value stored in the line memory into an image signal. The shading correction unit is described in detail in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-71764 by the present applicant.

In the above description, the information to be handled is described as a single color signal. However, the apparatus according to the present invention normally handles a full color signal. That is, the image of the original image 12 is color-separated into three primary colors of light, red, green, and blue, and is sequentially read. Therefore, the image signal corrected and standardized by the shading correction unit 20 is read out in the order of red, green, and blue based on a predetermined synchronization signal.

In the above description, the case where an original image sheet such as a face photograph is read has been described as a configuration of the image input unit 1. For example, a video camera or an electronic still camera equipped with a CCD sensor is used to A person image can be obtained by photographing the person. In this case, it is not necessary to prepare a photograph or the like in advance, and the effect of preventing forgery is greater, for example, the created person identification image and the person can be confirmed on the spot. Further, it is also possible to use an image signal including a human image transmitted from a computer or a transmission line, and in such a case, it can be regarded as a modified example in which the input unit of the present invention is separately used.

The color conversion circuit 4 shown in FIG. 1 converts the red, green, and blue color signals read as light intensities into ink amounts suitable for the inks (cyan, magenta, and yellow) used in the image recording unit 3. Is converted to a signal corresponding to There are many methods for this color conversion circuit.
No. 72, Japanese Patent Application No. 62-13534, and the like. In some cases, the color conversion circuit 4 may be omitted if the output of the image input unit 1 is configured to be cyan, magenta, and yellow, which are the three primary colors of printing. FIG.
The image processing unit 2 performs a process of superimposing the sub image on the main image read by the image input unit 1. FIG. 3 shows the image processing unit 2
3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an actual circuit, which is mainly constituted by a sub-image signal generation circuit 30, a switch 35, and the like. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the main image and the sub image of the image processed by the image processing unit 2. The hatched portion in the drawing is an image area where the sub-image is superimposed.

The pattern ROM 34 in the sub-image signal generation circuit 30 shown in FIG. 3 is a ROM in which a pattern signal to be superimposed on the main image as a sub-image signal is stored in advance. The output of the pattern ROM 34 is connected to one input B of a switch 35, and the other input A of the switch 35 synchronizes a main image signal represented by a gray-scale signal of 8 bits per pixel with a predetermined synchronizing signal. Supplied. The switch 35 has two inputs A and B.
Of the signals supplied to the switching signal S
Output according to. When the main image of FIG. 4 is processed by raster scanning from the upper left to the lower right one pixel at a time,
Up to the pixel position P, the switching signal S is set such that the main image signal on the input A side of the switch 35 is output. When the processing reaches the pixel position P, the layout control unit 31
Changes the switch signal S so as to output the sub-image signal input to the input B side of the switch 35. At the same time, the layout control unit 31 permits the clock control circuit 32 to output the sub-image signal. The clock control circuit 32 generates a clock signal that defines the vertical and horizontal pixel positions of the sub-image signal, and counts up or down the address counter 33. The address counter 33 generally includes a row address counter and a column address counter for selecting the vertical and horizontal directions of the sub-image pattern represented as a two-dimensional image, that is, rows and columns, and controls an input address of the pattern ROM 34. The pattern ROM 34 outputs a sub-image signal stored at 8 bits per pixel according to the input address. When the pixel position Q is reached, the switching signal S
Is changed again, and the output of the switch 35 becomes the main image signal. By the same operation, the switch 35 outputs a sub-image signal in an image area surrounded by the pixel positions P, Q, R, and S, and outputs a main image signal in other image positions.

Further, the layout control unit 31
By supplying a control signal to the OM 34, a predetermined sub-image signal can be selected and output from a plurality of sets of sub-image signal patterns stored in the pattern ROM 34. As a result, the sub-image can be superimposed on a plurality of locations in the main image area, and the sub-image can be changed depending on which of the color components of the main image signal corresponds to yellow, magenta, and cyan. Here, 2 for one main image
FIG. 2 shows an example of superimposing a sub-image on more than one partial area
8, FIG. 29 and FIG.

FIGS. 28 and 29 are diagrams showing the relationship between the arrangement of the main image and the sub-image, and are examples in which the sub-image is superimposed at two places on the main image. FIG. 6B is an example of the processed image. FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining the function when two sub-images are stored in the pattern ROM 34 in FIG. 3 in more detail. That is, a pattern ROM for storing the sub-image a
An output of the address counter 33 is input to two pattern ROMs 301 and 302, respectively, and a sub-image pattern corresponding to each address is stored in the pattern ROM 302. -Switch 30
3 is output. The layout control unit 31 obtains the current processing position information on the main image from the CPU or the like, and determines the current processing position based on the preset position information of the superimposition region of the sub-image. Of the partial area is determined, and a pattern selection signal for selecting either the sub-image a or the sub-image b is sent to the pattern switch 3.
03, a proper sub-image pattern for each sub-image superimposed area is output from the pattern switch 303.
5 input B. In this way, by setting in advance the position information of the partial area where the sub-image is to be superimposed in the layout control unit 31, the sub-image can be superimposed on a plurality of partial areas.

When the same pattern is used for the sub-image a and the sub-image b, one of the two pattern ROMs can be used instead. , The sub-image information suitable for the position where the sub-image is superimposed may be supplied to the input B of the switch 35.

On the other hand, when the partial areas where a plurality of sub-images are superimposed overlap each other as addresses specified by the address counter 33, it is necessary to prepare a plurality of sets of the address counters 33.

Images obtained as a result of such processing include, for example, those shown in FIGS. 28 and 29. In these examples, the sub-images are superimposed at two places. However, if the number of sub-images is further increased, the effect of preventing forgery and falsification is enhanced. Further, when sub-images are superimposed on two partial areas on one main image as in these examples, the main image such as up, down, left,
If one sub-image is arranged so as to be superimposed on each equally divided area, there is an advantage that the effect of preventing counterfeiting or falsification such as partial replacement of the main image is enhanced.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the processing of FIG. An example in which the level distribution of the main image signal for an arbitrary one-dimensional area of the main image is shown in FIG. 5A and a sub-image pattern having the level distribution shown in FIG. From the pixel position x0, the main image signal is selected up to the pixel position x1 by proceeding with the processing operation, and from x1 to x2
Until the sub-image signal is selected. Hereinafter, similarly, a sub-image signal is selected at pixel positions x3 to x4, x5 to x6, x7 to x8, and a main image signal is selected at other pixel positions. The output of the switch 35 obtained as a result becomes a solid line in FIG. 9C, and a processed image in which the sub-image is superimposed on the main image is obtained. Here, the pattern ROM 3
4 shows the level distribution of the sub-image signal in FIG.
Pixel positions x1 to x2, x3 to x4, x5 to x6, x7 to
The values of the respective image regions of x8 are stored, and at the same time, the setting values defining the start position and the end position of each of these image regions are set in the layout control unit 31. In other words, by doing so, the pattern R is used by utilizing the fact that the data amount of the sub image is smaller than the data amount of the main image.
The capacity of the OM 34 can be reduced.

FIG. 6 shows a modification of the image processing section shown in FIG. The function of the layout control unit 31 in FIG.
36, the pattern ROM 37, and the layout setting unit 38, and the pattern ROM 37 stores sub-image data having a data amount equal to or larger than the data amount of the main image. Referring again to FIG. 5, the sub-image data shown in FIG.
Information about the entire range of 0 to x9 is the pattern R
It is stored in the OM 37. Clock control circuit 32
Controls the output of the address counter 33 in accordance with a control signal via the CPU 36, and outputs the main image signal to the switch 35.
The sub-image signal is supplied from the pattern ROM 37 to the input B of the switch 35 with the same synchronizing signal as that supplied to one input A. At this time, all or part of the output of the pattern ROM 37 is also supplied to the layout setting unit 38.
The switching signal S is set in the layout setting unit 38,
The output of the switch 35 is controlled. The layout setting unit 38 is configured by a logic circuit or the like. That is, in order to execute the processing of FIG. 5 described above, the same sub-image data that is supplied to the input B of the switch 35 is also supplied to the layout setting unit 38 as it is, and, for example, the logical sum of multiple inputs and one output Using a circuit, the switching signal S is set to “0” only when the level of the sub-image signal becomes “0”, and the switching signal S is set to “1” when the level of the sub-image signal is not “0”. Set. With this configuration, when the switching signal S is "1", only data corresponding to a sub-image signal having a signal level larger than "0" is selected from data stored in the pattern ROM. Can be superimposed on the main image. In addition, a plurality of types of sub-image patterns are stored in the pattern ROM, and various types of sub-image patterns can be selected and used by designation from the CPU 36. In the above example,
Although the capacity of the pattern ROM 37 for storing the sub-image is increased, when the range in which the sub-image is superimposed on the main image is wide, it is more effective than the example of FIG.

However, in the above example, the level "0" cannot be superimposed on the main image as a sub-image signal. Therefore, as data to be stored in the pattern ROM 37 in FIG. 6, separately from the sub-image signal supplied to the input B of the switch 35, data corresponding to the switch signal S is also stored and stored. The output of 35 can also be controlled. In that case, the layout setting unit 38
Can be omitted.

FIG. 7 shows an example in which the pattern ROM and the switch shown in FIGS. That is, similarly to FIG.
A predetermined clock is transmitted from the clock control circuit 32 in accordance with the instruction from the CPU, and the address of the address counter 33 is controlled. The output of the address counter 33, the main image signal and the sub-image selection signal 40 for selecting the type of sub-image pattern from the CPU 36 are both connected to the input address of the ROM 39, and the sub-image signal corresponding to these is selected. Is output.

In the above example, a multi-level signal has been described as a sub-image signal.
A so-called binary image signal having a constant signal level as shown in FIG. In that case, according to the following example, the capacity of the pattern ROM can be reduced.

FIG. 8 can be regarded as a modification of FIG. That is, in the binary pattern ROM 41, a permission signal indicating whether or not to superimpose the sub-image signal is stored as 1-bit information for each pixel. The level setting unit 42 sets the level of the sub-image signal to be superimposed on the main image to a predetermined value under the control of the CPU 36 or the like, for example. According to FIG.
The main image signal shown in FIG. 9A is sequentially supplied to the input A of the switch 35, and at the same time, the set level T of the sub-image signal shown in FIG. Therefore, FIG.
"1" indicates that the superimposition of the sub-image is permitted,
The output of the switch 35 is controlled by the output of the binary pattern ROM 41 in which the non-permission is set to “0”. As a result, a processed image indicated by a solid line in FIG.

In this embodiment, various processed images can be obtained by changing the level T of the sub-image signal set in the level setting section 42. For example, FIG. 10 shows an example in which a first level and a second level are prepared in the level setting unit, and two levels are used in combination. In this example, in particular, if the second level is arranged before and after the first level as the sub-image, the first level of the sub-image signal can be separated from the main image signal, and Regardless of the level, a visible sub-image can be superimposed on the main image. 8 is an example in which the setting of the level of the sub-image signal in the level setting section 42 is adaptively processed according to the main image signal.

The level setting section 42 first binarizes the main image signal with a predetermined threshold value. Normal,
This threshold is 50% of the dynamic range of the main image signal.
In many cases, the binarization is simplified by using the most significant bit of the main image signal represented by a plurality of bits. The level of the sub-image signal is adaptively changed according to the selection signal thus obtained. Specifically, for example, in the same manner as described above, the predetermined first level and second level to be set as the levels of the
The setting is performed from the PU 36 or the like, and the switching is performed according to the binarized signal of the main image signal. Here, normally, when the main image signal has a relatively high black ratio, the sub-image signal is selected at a relatively low black ratio level, and when the main image signal has a relatively low black ratio, For the sub-image signal, a level having a relatively high black ratio is selected for the sub-image signal.

The above processing will be described with reference to FIG. This is an example in which the sub-image pattern shown in FIG. 11B is superimposed on the main image signal shown in FIG. The main image signal is shown in FIG.
When the main image signal is higher than the threshold value Dth, the level obtained by inverting the level of the sub-image pattern shown in FIG.
Conversely, when the main image signal is lower than the threshold value Dth, the level of the sub image pattern is superimposed on the main image as it is. FIG. 9C shows the obtained processed image, in which the level of the sub-image signal changes according to the level of the main image signal, and the sub-image pattern can be visually recognized regardless of the level of the main image signal. .

However, in this example, if a noise component is mixed in the main image signal, the level of the main image signal becomes the threshold value Dt.
Before and after h, there is a risk of selecting an unintended sub-image signal level. Therefore, it is usually desirable to provide a circuit for removing noise from the main image signal. One example is an averaging circuit that performs two-dimensional averaging of a main image signal with a pixel size of about 3 × 3 pixels, and outputs the average value of the main image signal output from the level setting unit 4.
2 may be supplied. As a result, noise-resistant processing can be performed.

Further, as an arrangement which is resistant to the noise of the main image signal, an example in which the binarization level is changed according to the distribution of the main image signal as described below is also effective. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the processing operation. The horizontal axis shown in FIG. 12A is the main image signal level, and the vertical axis is the sub-image signal level output from the level setting unit. As the sub-image signal level, either L0 or L1 is selected. S, t,
For each of the curves u and v, only one curve is selected from the combination of the pixel of the current main image signal to be processed and the black-and-white ratio of two pixels adjacent to the pixel. As shown in FIG. 3B, the selection of the curve detects the information of the most significant bit (information of whether or not the black ratio is 50% or more) of the main image signal of the three pixels before and after including the current pixel, and determines the value. Is determined according to whether “0” or “1”. For example, if the signal levels of the preceding and succeeding pixels are 0.7 and 0.8, respectively, the curve s is selected regardless of the signal level of the current pixel. As a result, the signal level of the current pixel is binarized with 0.3 as a threshold, and if the signal level of the current pixel is 0.3 or more, the level of the sub-image signal is selected as L0, and If smaller, L1 is selected. In other words, in general, the signal level of the adjacent pixel and the signal level of the current pixel tend to have similar values, and if the current pixel contains noise, the signal level of the adjacent pixel tends to be different from the signal level. The binarization level is controlled so as to be insensitive to noise included in the main image signal.

Further, in some of the above examples, the case where the sub-image signal is switched between two levels has been described. However, a configuration may be employed in which the level of the sub-image signal is finely controlled according to the level of the main image signal. FIG. 13 shows a modification in which an adder 51 is used instead of the switch 35 in FIG.
4 will be described.

The sub-ROM pattern shown in FIG. 14B is stored in advance in the pattern ROM 37 of FIG. 13 similarly to the description of FIG. The main image signal shown in FIG. 14A is sequentially input to the adder 51 pixel by pixel in synchronization with a predetermined synchronization signal. In synchronization with this, the sub-image signal shown in FIG. 14B is input from the pattern ROM 37 to the adder 51. The adder 41 outputs a result obtained by adding both signal levels. The overflow processing unit 52 performs a so-called overflow process of replacing a value that can be taken as the maximum level of the output image signal with a maximum level, that is, obtains a processed image signal shown in FIG. Here, for the sake of simplicity, the level of the sub-image signal shown in FIG. 14B is shown in the case of a ternary pattern represented by three levels, but is basically stored in the pattern ROM 37. By appropriately selecting the signal levels of the sub-image patterns, various multi-valued sub-image patterns can be superimposed on the main image. If the output of the adder 51 always overflows by devising the contents of the pattern ROM 37, the same operation as the case where the above-described switch 35 is used, for example, the same operation as that of FIG. 9 can be performed.

Next, the adder 51 shown in FIG.
15 will be described with reference to FIG. The main image signal and the output of the pattern ROM 37 are supplied to the multiplier 53 by the same operation as in FIG. Here, the data stored in the pattern ROM 37 is a multiplication coefficient as shown in FIG. This coefficient is multiplied by the main image signal in the multiplier 53.
When the value of the coefficient is "1", the main image signal is stored, and otherwise, the main image is modulated according to the value of the coefficient. The result is subjected to overflow processing in the overflow processing unit 52 in the same manner as in FIG. 13, and a processed image in which the sub-image is superimposed on the main image as shown in FIG. 16C is obtained. In this example, coefficient values having discrete values are used, but coefficient values that change continuously and smoothly according to the sub-image to be superimposed may be used.

Although an adder and a multiplier are used in the examples shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, a subtractor or a divider may be used instead of the adder or the multiplier by appropriately selecting the contents of the pattern ROM. A similar operation can be obtained.

Further, instead of these adders, subtractors, multipliers and dividers, a logic circuit for performing operations such as logical product and logical sum can be used. In such a case, a logical sum or a logical product may be calculated for each of the 8 bits of the main image signal and the 8 bits of the output of the pattern ROM. Of course, the optimized contents of the pattern ROM are applied for each of these processes.

Further, a plurality of processes described above may be used in combination. In this case, the main image signal is usually subjected to predetermined processing, the processed image is sequentially processed as an input image of the next processing, and the finally obtained processed image is processed by the image processing unit 2. Should be output as However, when the arithmetic processing is performed by the ROM as shown in FIG.
By devising the contents of the OM, several processes can be performed simultaneously. Next, the image recording unit 3 in FIG. 1 will be described.

In this embodiment, a thermal sublimation recording system is used as the image recording means. In particular, high-definition and high-quality performance is required for images for identifying and confirming individuals and the like. According to the subjective evaluation by the applicants, a resolution of about 300 pixels per inch (11.8 pixels per mm) and 1 pixel A tone reproduction of about 128 was required. As a recording means for obtaining an image having such performance, the thermal sublimation recording method described in detail in this example is the most excellent including the simplicity of the apparatus.

FIG. 17 shows the structure of a main part of the image recording section 2, and includes a thermal head 95 in which heating resistance elements (not shown) are arranged in a line, and a driving circuit 9 for driving the thermal head.
6, an ink film 94 in which three sublimable dyes of yellow 93, magenta 92, and cyan 91 are applied on a base sheet such as polyethylene terephthalate, a recording paper 97, and a platen roller 98. The recording paper 97 is usually formed by forming an image receiving layer having a thickness of several to several tens of microns on a resin base material such as polyester, but plain paper may be used as the base material.

In this recording method, the dye inks 93, 92 and 91 applied to the ink film 94 are recorded on the recording paper 97 substantially in proportion to the heat quantity of the thermal head 95, and are suitable for full-color recording.

The processed image signal on which the sub-image signal is superimposed by the image processing section 2 is supplied to the drive circuit 96 for each of the yellow, magenta and cyan color signals, and is supplied to the thermal head 9.
5 is converted into a pulse width for controlling the energizing energy (recording energy) to the heating resistor element 5 and supplied to the thermal head 95. The thermal head 95 applies a recording paper 97 to a platen roller 98 via an ink film 94.
The dye ink is heated and sublimated to be transferred onto the recording paper 97 by selectively energizing and heating the heating resistor elements arranged in a line while being pressed against the side at a constant pressure. Recording paper 97
The ink film 94 and the ink film 94 are sequentially conveyed in the direction of the arrow in the drawing by conveying means such as a motor (not shown), and the transferred ink forms a recording image. When the recording of the first color yellow image is completed, only the recording paper 97 is conveyed to the same image recording start position as that of the first color, and the second color magenta image is recorded so as to overlap the recording area of the first color. When the recording of the third color cyan image is completed by the same operation, a full-color image is formed on the recording paper 97.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing details of a main part of the head drive circuit 96, and FIG. 19 is a timing chart thereof. Here, it is assumed that the thermal head 95 is driven in two phases. Accordingly, two driving circuits are configured. The image signal supplied from the image processing unit 2 has one color
Each pixel is composed of 8-bit image data. This image data is converted by a conversion circuit (not shown) into data corresponding to the energization time of the thermal head, and is input to the shift register 100a. The output of the shift register 100a is transferred to the shift register 100b. The same clock signal is supplied to the shift registers 100a and 100b. Outputs of the shift registers 100a and 100b are output in parallel to latch circuits 101a and 101b, respectively.
b. Also, the latch circuits 101a, 101b
19, enable signals EN1 and EN as shown in FIG.
2 are supplied alternately. Gate circuits 102a, 10
The output of 2b is supplied to the heating resistors of each phase of the thermal head via the drivers 103a and 103b. With the above configuration and operation, the heating resistor of the thermal head is selectively driven based on the image signal, and a desired recorded image is obtained.

By using the thermal recording method using a sublimation dye as described above, a high-definition full-color image can be obtained relatively easily. Moreover, if an image receiving layer is formed on the recording surface in advance, recording on paper, a plastic sheet, a plastic card, or the like can be performed.
Creation of bank passbooks and the like can be easily performed. Further, the present invention is not limited to a recording method as an image recording means except when emphasis is placed on image performance and simplicity of the apparatus. For example, ink jet recording, electrophotography, and heat-developable silver halide photography can be used. Although the recorded image can be used as it is, it is desirable to coat it with a transparent plastic film from the viewpoints of further preventing forgery and falsification, protecting the recorded image and preventing fading of the recording ink. In this case, normal lamination such as heat fusion or high frequency fusion can be performed.

With the above arrangement, a processed image in which a predetermined sub-image is superimposed on a main image specifying an individual or a group can be recorded on recording paper or the like. Since the processed image includes a complicated image signal as compared with the original main image, the use of the present image creating apparatus makes it difficult to forge or falsify the main image. further,
If the sub-image pattern has a characteristic, it is easy to find out whether there is any act such as forgery or falsification by checking the sub-image pattern. Next, a second embodiment will be described.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The basic configuration of the image input unit 1, the color conversion circuit 4, and the image recording unit 3 is the same as each unit shown in FIG. Based on the above description, the main image is the image input unit 1
Is supplied to the image recording unit 3 through the color conversion circuit 4 in the form of an ink amount signal. Here, the difference from the above-described embodiment is that a processed image in which a sub-image for preventing forgery / falsification is superimposed on a main image is not generated.

That is, in this embodiment, first, the image recording unit 3
The main image is recorded on a recording medium such as paper or a card. Subsequently, the sub-image is recorded so as to overlap the image position where the main image is recorded. The recording of the main image is performed in the same manner as the case of recording the processed image in the above embodiment, and a full-color main image is formed on a recording medium such as recording paper.

Subsequently, a sub-image signal output from the sub-image generating section 5 is supplied to the image recording section 3. The sub-image generation unit 5 is, for example, a ROM in which predetermined patterns and characters are stored in advance.
Or an image input unit 1 having a video camera or a scanner. In some cases, a configuration may be employed in which the algorithm of pattern generation is stored in the CPU, and pattern data is sequentially calculated by the CPU. The output signal of the sub-image generation unit 5 is converted into a yellow, magenta, and cyan ink amount signal, similarly to the main image signal supplied to the image recording unit 3. Therefore, in some cases, a color conversion circuit or the like may be added to the sub-image generation unit.

In the image recording section 3, the recording position on the recording medium for recording the sub-image signal is set in accordance with a command from the recording position control section 6. The recording position of the sub image is set to be the same as the recording position of the main image or at least a part of the sub image overlaps a part of the main image. Of course, the sub-image size can be larger than the main image size, and rather, as described later, when a part of the sub-image is set at a position protruding outside the main image, the effect of preventing forgery and falsification is high. Become.

If the recording position of the sub image is the same as the recording position of the main image, the recording start position is set to the recording start position of the main image, and the recording of the sub image is performed by the same operation as the recording of the main image. .

If the sub-image size is different from the main image size and the sub-image size is small, three-color recording of the main image and three-color recording of the sub image are performed using the ink ribbon 200 shown in FIG.
If the color recording is performed sequentially, the use efficiency of the ink ribbon is improved. That is, the configuration is such that the ink areas 201 for recording the main image and the ink areas 202 for recording the sub-image are alternately arranged. At this time, a mark 203 indicating the ink area for the main image and a mark 204 being the ink area for the sub-image are separately provided at predetermined positions on the ink ribbon, and the marks 203 and 204 are read by a sensor (not shown). If it takes, the conveyance control of the ink ribbon 200 can be performed accurately and simply.

When it is not necessary to make the sub-image full color, black or another single color ink may be used for recording the sub-image. In this case, if the ink ribbon 205 shown in FIG. 22 is used, the recording of the sub-image can be completed by one recording operation, so that the recording time can be reduced and the ink time can be shortened as compared with the full color recording using three color inks. The use efficiency of the ribbon can be improved.

Further, as shown in FIG.
07 may be configured. That is, the configuration is such that the size of the one color ink area is equal to or larger than the sum of the areas required for recording the main image and the sub image.

In this case, the main image signal and the sub image signal are alternately supplied to the image recording unit 3 for each color, and the recording of the main image and the recording of the sub image are alternately performed for each color. That is, the main image / sub-image is recorded on the yellow signal, the main image / sub-image is recorded on the magenta signal, and the main image / sub-image is sequentially recorded on cyan.
As a result, a full-color recorded image is obtained for both the main image and the sub-image. If the ink ribbon has such a configuration, it is not necessary to separate the ink application area between the main image area and the sub-image area on the ink ribbon, and the configuration of each ink area can be simplified. And simplification of the coating process. In the above embodiment, the case where the sub-image is recorded after the main image is recorded has been described. However, the main image may be recorded after the sub-image is recorded.

However, in either case, it may be necessary to control the amount of recording energy so that the recording order does not affect the recording quality. For example, in the image recording method applied to the image recording section 3 of the present embodiment, the relationship between the amount of dye ink received in the receiving layer provided on the recording paper and the amount of recording energy has the relationship shown in FIG. That is, the more dye ink is already contained in the receiving layer, the larger the amount of recording energy is required to receive a new dye ink.
Since the amount of dye ink received is almost proportional to the recording density, an appropriate recording energy must be applied to obtain a recording density corresponding to an image signal. For this reason, control is performed by referring to the history of the recording signal and the like, calculating the amount of ink that has already been received, and adaptively changing the recording energy amount from E0 to E1 in the drawing, for example, so as to obtain a predetermined recording density. It is necessary to have a circuit. In general, the main image is more important than the sub-image, and therefore, it is necessary to pay close attention to the image quality fluctuation as described above. Therefore, it is desirable that the recording order in which the main image is recorded and then the sub-images are recorded has an effect of suppressing the image quality fluctuation of the main image. Further, in a use in which the main image surface is adhered and covered with a transparent resin film or the like after recording the main image, the main image and the sub image may be recorded as follows.

FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining a procedure for creating an employee ID card. In order to create the employee ID 210 based on the image forming apparatus, first, the base material 21 made of vinyl chloride resin is used.
A receiving layer for receiving the dye ink is applied to one surface of the recording medium 1, and a main image is recorded at a predetermined position 213 on this surface.
Thereafter, a receiving layer is similarly formed on one surface of a transparent resin film 212 made of polyester or the like joined at one end of the base material, and a sub-image is recorded at a predetermined position 214 on that surface. The recording operation of the main image and the sub-image is performed by the operation of the image recording unit described above.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2B, a portion 2 where the base material 211 and the transparent resin film 212 are bonded to each other is formed.
15, the surfaces on which the main image and the sub-image are recorded face each other, and in some cases, both are heated and fused via an adhesive. At this time, as the sub-image recorded on the transparent resin film, an image processed in advance is used so that the sub-image is in a normal form when visualized from a surface opposite to the recording surface. Furthermore, the relative positions of the main image and the sub-image are controlled such that at least a part of the sub-image and at least a part of the main image overlap with each other in a state where the two are made to face each other. Of course, the recording surfaces of the main image and the sub-image may be changed, the main image may be recorded on the transparent resin film 212, and the sub-image may be recorded on the base 211. As described above, the sub image 217 is displayed on the main image 216 as shown in FIG.
Can be created to prevent forgery and tampering.

Further, a recording image for specifying an individual or a group is provided inside the transparent resin film and the base material, and the two are adhered to each other by recording both the main image and the sub-image on the transparent resin film. Alternatively, the recording image surface and the base material may be opposed to each other so as to be adhered to each other. In this case, processing and recording of the main image and the sub-image may be performed according to the first embodiment described above.

The first embodiment and the second embodiment can be used in combination. FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing the configuration. The second sub-image generation unit 7 in FIG. 26 corresponds to the sub-image generation unit 5 in FIG. 20, and handles the sub-image superimposed on the main image in the image processing unit 2 in FIG. 26 as the first sub-image. Although the detailed configuration and operation of each part are based on the above embodiment,
For example, the following synergistic effects can be obtained.

That is, the image processing section 2 superimposes a first sub-image that reduces the density at a predetermined position of the main image, and the image recording section 3 places the first sub-image at the same position where the first sub-image is superimposed. The two sub-images are superimposed and recorded. As a result, the second sub-image can be easily recognized regardless of the original density of the main image. Conversely, the same effect can be obtained by superimposing a first sub-image that increases the density at a predetermined position of the main image and recording a second sub-image composed of white characters or white patterns. can get.

Also, by combining the first sub-image to be superimposed by the image processing unit 2 and the second sub-image to be superimposed and recorded by the image recording unit 3, one meaningful sub-image is formed. May be configured. In this case, the sub-image pattern finally formed is divided and generated in the image processing unit 2 and the second sub-image generation unit 7, so that the sub-image pattern or its generation algorithm is kept secret. Has a useful effect.

By the way, when an individual is specified as a main image applicable to the above-described image creating apparatus,
In addition to the person's image, the signature, signature, and imprint of the seal, a thumbprint, a handprint, and the like can be given. When specifying a group, the name of the group to which the group belongs, such as a company name, a trade mark of the group, a logo pattern, a family crest, and the like are given.
On the other hand, as the sub-image, an image that can be the main image can be applied, and personal data, characters, character strings, symbols, special patterns, and patterns that are meaningless to a third party can identify the main image. Alternatively, the main image itself or a part thereof can be applied by enlarging, reducing, rotating, or converting the density or the color tone. In particular, if a sub-image obtained by encrypting and encoding the personal data of the holder is used, the meaning of the sub-image is not known to the third party, and the effect of preventing forgery, falsification, etc. by the third party is enhanced.

In order to use personal data or the like as a sub-image, it is necessary to appropriately change the sub-image pattern according to the main image or the owner. May be replaced with a memory such as a RAM which can be written and read as needed, and connected to a host computer via a data bus line. Writing the sub-image pattern to these memories
The personal data corresponding to the main image or the like may be received from the host computer, and the data writing may be completed at the latest by the time when the processing of the main image is performed. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 1, system control is performed such that the sub-image pattern is determined before the main image is supplied to the image processing unit 2. That is, in the case of such an application, a buffer memory or another storage device for storing at least one set or main image information of one color or the like is usually provided between the image input unit 1 and the image processing unit 2. . For example, when a large number of images such as employee IDs are created, the capacity of the storage device is increased, and information such as the main image read by the image input unit 1 and other personal data is temporarily compressed. After storing and storing a predetermined amount of data, a so-called batch process of sequentially reading, restoring an image, and performing image processing and image recording is effective.

FIG. 27B shows an example of an employee ID card created by the image creating apparatus. FIG. 7A shows main image information read by the image input unit. That is, FIG.
The column on the right side of the employee ID shown in the above is the employee ID 225 and the owner's name 22 which are basic items for the employee ID.
6, the date of birth 227, the date of issuance 228, and the expiration date 229 are described, and the name 230 of the company to which the owner who is the publisher belongs belongs is preprinted in the lower right. On the left side of the employee card, three types of sub-images are superimposed and recorded on the main image 221 of FIG.

The three types of superimposed sub-images will be described in detail. First, the name 226 of the owner is superimposed on the lower part 222 of the main image so as to partially protrude from the main image area. By superimposing the sub-images so as to protrude from the main image, it is difficult to separate the main image when, for example, replacing the main image, and the effect of preventing forgery and falsification is improved. Second, on the upper right 223 of the main image, a reduced pattern of the company name 230 to which the owner belongs is superimposed. Since the name of the organization to which the holder belongs is superimposed inside the main image, the affiliation of this main image becomes apparent to a third party.
Third, a pattern similar to the pattern 231 pre-printed in advance at the four corners of the employee card is superimposed on the upper left 224 of the main image. By comparing the pattern 224 in the main image with the pattern 231 at the four corners, the authenticity of the employee ID 232 can be determined by a simple visual inspection.

Further, a pattern having substantially the same size as that of the main image 220 shown in FIGS. 9C, 9D, and 9E can be superimposed on the entire surface of the main image. This makes it very difficult to forge the main image. FIG.
In this example, the superimposition of the pattern on the area corresponding to the central portion of the main image is avoided by devising it so as not to hinder the identification of the holder, which is the original function of the main image.

Although the examples of the main image and sub-image patterns applicable to the present invention and the application examples thereof have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these examples, and other patterns and application methods are not limited to these examples. Various modifications can be used.

Further, by utilizing the function of the image recording section described in the above embodiment, in addition to the recording of the main image and the sub-image, for example, the number 225 and the name in the right entry column shown in FIG. 226, pre-printing, and the like. In this case, the use efficiency of the image recording unit is improved, and collective creation of employee IDs and the like becomes possible, which has many advantages.

The technique described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2-25215 filed by the present applicant may be used in combination as a technique for processing the main image. That is, a process of changing the density, such as reducing the density of the peripheral portion of the main image, may be performed, and the processed image may be treated as the main image described in the above embodiment. As a result, a synergistic effect of preventing forgery / falsification can be obtained as compared with the case where the present invention is applied alone.

In particular, when a process for reducing the density of the main image toward the periphery of the main image is performed and the sub-image is superimposed on the area where the density of the image has been reduced, the superposed sub-image is irrespective of the main image. The effect that the image can be easily recognized is obtained. At this time, superimposing the sub-image at a position where the density of the main image does not become too low provides a higher effect of preventing forgery and falsification.

[0076]

As described above, the use of the image forming apparatus of the present invention makes it possible to create an image for identifying a person such as a person or a signature or an image for identifying a group such as a company name or a trademark. Since the specified image is used as a main image and a predetermined sub-image is superimposed on the main image and recorded, it is possible to prevent forgery or falsification such as cutting out and replacing the main image, and complicating the sub-image. By appropriately selecting a pattern and a position of the main image to be superimposed, it is possible to prevent another apparatus from creating a new main image including a sub-image.

In particular, if a sub-image is superimposed on two or more partial areas of the main image, the obtained image becomes more complicated, and counterfeiting and falsification can be prevented as much as possible. Furthermore, when the same sub-image is superimposed on a plurality of partial areas, it is extremely difficult to create the same sub-image with high accuracy in order to falsify or falsify it. Thus, by comparing and referencing a plurality of sub-images on the spot, it is possible to determine whether the image is true or false, thereby facilitating the detection of fraudulent acts, and thus enhancing the effect of preventing forgery and falsification.

By using a thermal recording method as an image recording means, a high-definition and high-quality image can be created relatively easily, and image data can be handled as a digital signal, thereby preventing forgery and falsification. Is suitable for a system configuration for performing image processing for

Further, for example, it is easy to determine whether or not the image is created by the image creating apparatus by using the personal image of the holder as the main image and the company name of the affiliated organization as the sub-image. -It is possible to provide an image in which these acts can be easily found even when tampered.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of an image creating apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image input unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an image processing unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between a main image and a sub image of an image processed by an image processing unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the operation of the processing in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a modification of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which the pattern ROM and the switch shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 are integrated to constitute one ROM.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a modification of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining the processing operation in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining a modification of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a view for explaining an example considering the broken line in FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a diagram for supplementarily explaining the processing operation of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining a modification of FIG. 6;

FIG. 14 is a view for explaining the processing operation of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a view for explaining a modification of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a view for explaining the processing operation of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a main configuration of an image recording unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a head drive circuit according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a timing chart of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image creating apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of an ink ribbon used when the sub-image size is small.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of an ink ribbon using black ink for recording a sub image.

FIG. 23 is a view showing a modification of the ink ribbon of FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a relationship between an ink receiving amount and a recording energy amount according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for creating an employee ID card.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing an outline of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of an employee identification card created by the image creation device of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a main image and a sub image.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing another example of the relationship between the main image and the sub image.

FIG. 30 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an image processing unit that processes two sub-images.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image input part, 2 ... Image processing part, 3 ... Image recording part, 4
… Color converter

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI H04N 5/91 H04N 5/91 P (72) Inventor Shuzo Hirahara 1 Kosuka Toshiba-cho, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Toshiba Research Institute ( 72) Inventor Kazushi Nagato 1 Toshiba-cho, Komukai, Koyuki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture (56) References JP-A-2-223497 (JP, A) JP-A-1-285390 (JP, A JP-A-62-65577 (JP, A) JP-A-1-316783 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/38-1/393 G06T 1 / 00 500 B42D 15/10 501

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A least an image input means for inputting main image for identifying an individual or entity such as an image processing of superimposing the sub-image into two or more partial regions of the main image obtained by the image input means means, and an image recording means for recording the processed image obtained by the image processing means on a recording medium, the image creating apparatus characterized by comprising. Wherein at least an image input means for inputting main image for identifying an individual or entity such as an image processing of superimposing the first sub-image in a part or the whole of the main image obtained by the image input means means, and records on a recording medium processing image obtained by the image processing means, the image recording for recording overlapping the second sub-image in a part or all positions of the image on the recording medium And an image forming apparatus.