JP3333594B2 - Image recognition maintenance management 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 recognition and maintenance method for a copier or an image input apparatus for reading a document image in pixel units, and more particularly to a method for remotely recognizing and maintaining a confidential document copy or image input. The present invention relates to an image recognition maintenance management method which can be performed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a copy of a document has been easily obtained due to the spread of a copying machine. However, along with this, copying of a confidential document and the like has been easily performed, and the confidential content has been transmitted to the outside. Leakage and unauthorized use. Further, the spread of facsimile and the like has facilitated the transmission of documents, and leakage of confidential documents to the outside by facsimile and the like has become a problem.

[0003]

However, in copiers, facsimiles, and the like, which are currently in widespread use, no measures are taken to prevent the copying or transmission of confidential documents. Conventionally, in a facsimile, the internal state can be monitored from a remote place, and the function can be changed. However, this is simply to prevent the failure from happening, or to know what the situation is, and if so, to fix the failure quickly, to recognize or prevent transmission of confidential documents. Not something.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and manages copying of a confidential document by a copying machine, transmission of a confidential document by facsimile, or image input of a confidential document to a computer by an image input device. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an image recognition and maintenance management method capable of recognizing and maintaining a confidential document copy or image input at a remote location.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a copier or image input device (including a facsimile) for reading a document image in pixel units. According to a predetermined procedure, a specific symbol (secret
Cut out over click or code, etc.), and set means for recognizing
If you use a copier or
Temporarily or permanently stored in the internal memory of the image input device
When reading a confidential document,
Is there a sign indicating that it is a confidential document registered in advance
Is checked for a symbol that indicates a confidential document
Copy or image input is restricted and registered in memory in advance
Authorization information such as passwords and user identification numbers
Information input and if it is determined that copying or image input is permitted.
In this case, only the copying or image inputting operation is executed, and the apparatus has a communication means with a remote host computer, and a part of the input pattern is determined according to the recognition state of the specific symbol pattern. Alternatively, all or a part of the feature amount is transmitted to the host computer together with the use state.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, if a user of the copying machine or the image input device needs a specific symbol pattern to be recognized, Copier or image input device
And transmitted to the central host computer by registering the
It can be registered , and a central host computer realizes a processing process equivalent to that of a copying machine or an image input device of a terminal by software, and a feature amount of a pattern necessary for the processing can be created by a program.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image recognition maintenance management method according to the first aspect, wherein when the recognition of the terminal by the copying machine or the image input device is determined to be uncertain or abnormal, the input is performed. Part of the image, all or part of the feature is automatically transmitted to the host computer ,
The host computer checks for unclear symbols or re-enters
Recording .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image recognition and maintenance method of the first aspect, a copying machine or an image input device at a remote place can be called from a host computer as required, and its characteristic amount can be called. Characterized in that the content of the memory for storing the data or other memory can be changed.

[0009]

According to the present invention, a copier, a facsimile, and an image input device are supported to keep confidentiality in order to respond to a user's request more widely. That is, a copying machine or an image input device (including a facsimile) so that a confidential document is not copied, transmitted, or inputted without permission.
Is provided with a mark detection circuit for detecting a mark indicating that it is confidential. That is, when reading an original image in pixel units, a means for cutting out and recognizing a specific symbol (confidential mark, code, etc.) from the image according to a predetermined procedure in the apparatus is provided. And
A mark indicating that the document is a confidential document is temporarily or permanently stored in an internal memory of a copying machine or an image input device, and when a confidential document is read, it indicates that the confidential document is registered in advance therein. It is checked whether or not there is a mark, and when a mark indicating a confidential document is detected, copying and image input are restricted. That is, when a mark is detected, it is required to input permission information such as a password registered in a memory or a user identification number in advance, and the copying or image input operation is performed only when it is determined that copying or image input is permitted. Execute

Further, according to the present invention, the copying machine or image input device capable of processing the confidential document is provided with communication means for communicating with a host computer located at a remote place. This makes it possible to transmit the status of use of the copying machine or the image input device and the detection result of the mark to the central host computer, thereby facilitating maintenance management. In addition, by registering a new confidential mark in a copier, etc., it can be registered in the central host computer, promptly responding to the user's request, or immediately after the copier detects the confidential mark, An instruction can be given to reach the administrative department or computer of the company, and remote management becomes possible. For example, by operating a program inside the copier, "When a confidential mark is detected,
The pre-specified storage device stores the current time, the code of the operator (if possible), and the document code (if possible) and calls the pre-specified telephone number, and stores the stored contents therein. Report immediately. "

Further, according to the present invention, when a copying machine or an image input apparatus is provided with communication means for communicating with a host computer located at a remote place, when a user wants to change a mark indicating that the information is confidential, the user can change the mark from the remote place. The mode can be set to the mark registration mode. Also, if the user desires, the desired pattern can be registered from a remote place. This function can reduce maintenance costs of the copying machine and the image input device. Also, in the present invention, monitoring is performed periodically from a central control room or computer, and when a confidential document is copied, it is automatically notified to the center or stored in a predetermined storage device, This allows you to examine the stored contents from the center, if necessary. Therefore, the user can receive a more detailed service.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below using a copying machine as an example. FIG. 1 shows a peripheral circuit of a controller (computer) of a copying machine according to the present invention. The copying machine includes a scanner 2 for reading a document image in pixel units and a scanner 2 for reading an image read by the scanner 2. An image processing circuit 3 for storing and processing, a printer 4 for forming an image according to image information from the image processing circuit 3, and a scanner 2
A mark detection circuit 6 for cutting out and recognizing a specific symbol from the image read by the computer 1, a scanner 1, an image processing circuit 3, a printer 4, a computer 1 for controlling the mark detection circuit 6, various control programs and control data 5 for storing copy management information and the like, and a host computer (not shown) of a control center located at a remote place.
And a communication controller 7 for communicating with the device.

A feature of the copying machine shown in FIG. 1 is that the mark detection circuit 6 can be directly operated by a computer. That is, when a specific mark such as a confidential mark is detected, the copying operation can be restricted immediately, and since the registration and deletion of the specific mark can be directly performed by the computer, not only the detection of the mark but also the mark Can also be performed through the printer 4. Still another novel feature is that a communication means with a remote host computer is provided to enable a monitoring service at a remote location. That is, even if the capacity of the memory inside the copying machine becomes too large to register or compare a new code, the host computer at a remote place can download and store the past stored contents. Therefore, it can withstand a large amount or long-term use. If a remote monitoring service becomes available, a large number of copiers can be monitored by a central person at all times, so in an emergency (for example, when a large number of confidential documents are being copied). The operator of the copier can be notified of the abnormality by telephone.

By the way, the secret mark indicating the secret document changes with the purpose and the age. Or, at the same time, various types of marks may be used. In such a case, a procedure for directly registering this mark at a remote place will be described. First, a user of a copying machine places a mark to be registered on a document table and inputs an instruction for registration. Although this method is various, in this example, the user simply presses the “register” button. When the copying machine has the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the image is read from the scanner 2 and the mark image is directly taken into the computer 1 by the mark detection circuit 6. Subsequently, the computer 1 drives the communication controller 7 to send the read image to a predetermined central control center. The center loads the pattern into a host computer, and extracts a feature amount effective for mark detection from the image using software.

As a specific example, the transmitted color pattern is decomposed into three colors (R, G, B), and the pattern is divided into meshes for each color. Then, the density of the color in each mesh and the direction component of the edge are added, and this is set as a candidate for the feature amount of the mesh. This candidate feature value is often apt to be mistaken for another similar pattern as it is. Therefore, the recognition test is repeated with another similar pattern. If an erroneous recognition occurs, the feature amount is changed in a direction slightly away from that of the erroneous recognition pattern. Then, after repeating until no erroneous recognition is found, the feature amount is registered as a dictionary and transferred to a remote copying machine. The received copier is stored in a feature memory (not shown) of the mark detection circuit and used for the next pattern detection. In this example, it was a simple feature, but if it requires complicated processing,
The above processing is extremely important.

Next, it is extremely difficult to restrict copying of confidential documents under complete control. Therefore, by providing communication means as auxiliary means as in the present invention, it is possible to observe the operation status of the copying machine at a remote place. In the present embodiment, monitoring is performed as follows.

1. Alert Mode Normal copying is done during the busy hours of the office, but if it is late at night, on holidays, or when there are no people, special things may be considered. In such a case, a part of the copied image can be taken out and sent to the control room via the communication controller 7. The alert mode can be programmed in the computer 1 in advance, and in such a case, the partial image is automatically transmitted. Later in the control room,
What is necessary is just to check the sent image. If the monitoring is constantly performed in the control room, it is possible to take measures such as stopping the copying machine or activating the monitoring camera at the moment when the abnormality is detected.

2. Suspicious mode Imprints such as confidential marks indicating confidential documents are not always clear. When it is unclear, detection is ambiguous.
In other words, the check is avoided when the similarity is low. In order to reduce this, when a pattern similar to the confidential mark is detected, the mode is automatically switched to the suspicious mode, and the suspicious pattern is sent to the control room and stored in the central file memory. This will be explained later
It is compared with the feature quantity to check whether misidentification is likely to occur. If misidentification is likely to occur, the feature amount is reworked and an improved feature amount is newly delivered. As a result, unclear marks can be detected, and copy management of confidential documents becomes easy. This check is executed by the central host computer.

Although the present invention has been described by taking a copying machine as an example, the present invention is not limited to the copying machine, and can be similarly applied to a facsimile or an image input device for a computer provided with image input means for reading a document image in pixel units. In addition, maintenance and management of transmission of confidential documents and image input can be performed from a remote location.

[0020]

As described above, according to the image recognition maintenance management method of the first aspect, in a copying machine or an image input device that reads a document image in pixel units, the image data is stored in the image according to a predetermined procedure in the device. Providing means to cut out specific symbols (confidential marks, codes, etc.) from, and recognize them, and copy the symbols that indicate confidential documents
Temporary or in the internal memory of the
When you read a confidential document,
Indicates that the document is a confidential document registered in advance
Check for the presence or absence of symbols, and symbols that indicate confidential documents
Is detected, copy or image input is restricted, and
Password and user identification number registered in memory
Requesting permission information such as copying and image input permission.
By performing a copying or image input operation only when it is determined, when a specific symbol such as a confidential mark is recognized, copying and image input can be restricted, and a confidential document can be restricted. Easy copy and image input can be prevented. Further, the copying machine or the image input device is provided with communication means for communicating with a host computer located at a remote location, and a part or all of the input pattern is determined according to the state of recognition of a specific symbol pattern. Alternatively, by transmitting a part of the feature amount together with the usage status to the host computer, maintenance and management of copiers and image input devices at remote locations becomes easier, and copying of confidential documents and monitoring of image input become easier. become.

[0021] In claim 2 of the image recognition service management method, if necessary by the user of the copying machine or an image input apparatus, a copying machine or image pattern recognition to want particular symbol
By registering with the image input device, it can be transmitted to the central host computer and registered . The central host computer realizes the same processing process as that of the terminal copier or image input device by software, and The feature of the pattern can be created programmatically, so that when the user wants to change the mark indicating that it is confidential, the user can switch to the mark registration mode from a remote location. Can be registered from a remote location. This function can reduce maintenance costs of the copying machine and the image input device.

In the image recognition maintenance management method according to the third aspect, when it is determined that the recognition of the terminal by the copying machine or the image input device is uncertain or abnormal, a part, all, or a feature amount of the input image is determined. A part is automatically transmitted to the host computer, and the host computer
By performing Ekku or re-registration, it is possible to perform checking and re-registration such as blurred marks on the host computer side, it is possible to enhance the confidential document management functions.

According to the image recognition maintenance management method of the present invention, a remote copying machine or an image input device can be called from a host computer as required, and the contents of a memory for storing the feature amount or another memory can be stored. The ability to make changes allows regular monitoring of copiers or image input devices at remote locations from a central control room or computer, and automatically centrally controls when confidential documents are copied. Or stored in a predetermined storage device, and the stored contents can be checked from the center as necessary.
Therefore, the copier or the image input device can be managed at a remote place, and the user can receive more detailed services.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing peripheral circuits of a controller (computer) of a copying machine in which the present invention is implemented.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Computer (controller) 2: Scanner (image input device) 3: Image processing circuit 4: Printer 5: Memory 6: Mark detection circuit 7: Communication controller

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/40 G03G 21/04

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A copying machine or an image input apparatus for reading a document image in pixel units, wherein a means for cutting out and recognizing a specific symbol from the image according to a predetermined procedure in the apparatus is provided, and the apparatus is a confidential document. Show that
In the internal memory of the copier or image input device.
Remember it temporarily or permanently and read confidential documents
When fetching a confidential document,
Check that there is no sign indicating that
When a symbol indicating a letter is detected, copy or input an image
Restricts passwords and uses that are registered in memory in advance
Requesting permission information such as the identification number of the
Copy or image input only when image input is determined to be permitted
The device performs an operation, and the device has communication means with a host computer located at a remote place, and depending on the recognition state of the pattern of the specific symbol, a part or a part of the input pattern. An image recognition / maintenance management method characterized by transmitting all or a part of the feature amount together with a use state to a host computer. 2. The image recognition maintenance management method according to claim 1, wherein, if a user of the copying machine or the image input device is required, the copying machine can specify a specific symbol pattern to be recognized.
Alternatively, by registering with the image input device, it can be transmitted to the central host computer and registered , and the central host computer realizes the same processing process as the terminal copier or image input device by software, and An image recognition maintenance management method characterized in that required pattern feature amounts can be created by a program. 3. The image recognition maintenance management method according to claim 1, wherein when the recognition of the terminal by the copier or the image input device is determined to be uncertain or abnormal, a part, all, or a part of the input image. Part of the feature is automatically transmitted to the host computer, and the host computer
An image recognition maintenance management method characterized by checking and re-registering the issue . 4. The image recognition maintenance management method according to claim 1, wherein a copy machine or an image input device at a remote place can be called from a host computer as required, and a memory for storing the feature amount or another memory. An image recognition maintenance management method characterized in that the content of the image can be changed.