JP4125307B2 - Original guarantee server, original guarantee system, control method therefor, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an original guarantee server connected to an image processing apparatus via a network, an original guarantee system including an image processing apparatus and an original guarantee server connected to each other via a network, a control method therefor, and a program. is there.

  Conventionally, various proposals have been made in the field of originality assurance.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, when storing electronic data obtained by reading paper for the purpose of giving electronic information the properties of the original paper and enhancing the proof of the electronic information, Is added and stored in a state that can be distinguished from at least other electronic data.

Patent Document 2 also provides an electronic application system for applying electronic documents from a terminal via a network for the purpose of providing an electronic application system that ensures the safety of stored application documents over a long period of time. The electronic application system has a configuration in which a falsification detection code is calculated from information including a document storage device and a document transmitted from a terminal, and the information is stored in the document storage device together with the falsification detection code.
JP 2000-285024 A JP 2001-202436 A

  However, since the original image for which the original guarantee is performed is configured to be centrally managed by a specific device on the network, for example, a large-scale external storage device is required in the specific device. It's not easy. In addition, managing a document image and information related thereto with an external storage device for a long time may cause a security risk.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and provides an image processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program that can improve the security of the entire original guarantee system and improve the convenience of the original system. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, an original guarantee server according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
An original guarantee server connected to an image processing apparatus via a network,
Storage means for receiving and storing the feature quantity indicating the feature of the original image extracted from the image processing apparatus based on the original image and transmitted from the image processing apparatus ;
First management means for managing a machine ID indicating an image processing apparatus that has extracted the feature quantity in association with the feature quantity stored in the storage means, and an image ID corresponding to the original image;
A first receiving means for receiving a machine ID indicating the image processing apparatus and an image ID corresponding to the image to be verified when the image verification process is performed in the image processing apparatus;
Second receiving means for receiving a feature amount indicating a feature of the image to be verified, extracted from the image processing device based on the image to be verified and transmitted from the image processing device;
The feature quantity corresponding to the image ID that matches the image ID received by the first receiving means and the feature quantity stored in the storage means is compared with the feature quantity received by the second receiving means. Comparing means to
Corresponding to the image ID received by the first receiving means based on the machine ID and image ID received by the first receiving means and the machine ID and image ID managed by the first managing means. First determination means for determining whether an image appraisal service can be provided to the image processing apparatus;
As a result of the determination by the first determination means, the first reception means is provided when an image appraisal service corresponding to the image ID received by the first reception means can be provided to the image processing apparatus. As an image identification service corresponding to the received image ID, a first notification means for notifying the image processing apparatus of the result of the comparison by the comparison means;
Is provided.

The first determination unit is managed by the first management unit in such a manner that the machine ID received by the first reception unit is associated with an image ID that matches the image ID received by the first reception unit. The determination is made based on whether or not it matches the aircraft ID.

The first determination means includes
The machine ID received by the first receiving means matches the machine ID managed by the first management means in association with the image ID that matches the image ID received by the first receiving means. And determining that an image appraisal service corresponding to the image ID received by the first receiving means can be provided to the image processing apparatus,
The machine ID received by the first receiving means does not match the machine ID managed by the first management means in association with the image ID that matches the image ID received by the first receiving means. In addition, it is determined that an image appraisal service corresponding to the image ID received by the first receiving unit cannot be provided to the image processing apparatus.

The image processing apparatus further includes a second notification unit that notifies the image processing apparatus of a result of the determination by the first determination unit.
The second receiving means transmits the appraisal transmitted from the image processing apparatus after the second notifying means notifies the image processing apparatus of the result of determination by the first determining means. A feature amount indicating the feature of the target image is received.

The original guarantee server is connected to a plurality of image processing apparatuses via a network,
Second management means for managing information indicating whether the appraisal service can be provided for each of the plurality of image processing devices;
When an inquiry about whether or not to provide the appraisal service is received from any one of the plurality of image processing apparatuses, the inquiry is made based on information managed by the second management means. Second determination means for determining whether the appraisal service can be provided to the image processing apparatus,
Third notification means for notifying the result of determination by the second determination means to the image processing apparatus that made the inquiry;
Is further provided.

In order to achieve the above object, an original guarantee system according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
An original guarantee system including an image processing apparatus and an original guarantee server connected to each other via a network,
The image processing apparatus includes:
Extraction means for extracting a feature amount indicating the feature of the image based on the image;
First transmission means for transmitting the feature quantity extracted based on the original image by the extraction means and indicating the feature of the original image to the original guarantee server;
When performing the image verification process, the machine ID indicating the image processing apparatus and the image ID corresponding to the image to be verified are transmitted to the original guarantee server, and the original guarantee server sends the image processing apparatus to the image processing apparatus. An inquiry means for inquiring whether the appraisal service can be provided,
The original guarantee server is
Storage means for receiving and storing the feature quantity indicating the feature of the original image transmitted by the first transmission means ;
A management unit that manages an apparatus ID indicating an image processing apparatus that has extracted the feature amount in association with the feature amount stored in the storage unit, and an image ID corresponding to the original image;
First receiving means for receiving the machine ID indicating the image processing apparatus and the image ID indicating the image to be verified , transmitted by the inquiry means ;
Based on the airframe ID and image ID received by the first receiving means, and the airframe ID and image ID managed by the managing means, an image corresponding to the image ID received by the first receiving means is identified. Determining means for determining whether a service can be provided to the image processing apparatus;
As a result of the determination by the determination means , when it is possible to provide the image processing apparatus with an image appraisal service corresponding to the image ID received by the first receiving means , the fact is notified to the image processing apparatus. First notification means for notifying
The image processing apparatus further includes:
When the original notifying server is notified by the first notifying means that it can provide an image appraisal service corresponding to the image ID transmitted by the inquiring means to the image processing apparatus, the extracting means A feature amount extracted based on the appraisal target image by the second sending means for sending the feature amount indicating the feature of the appraisal target image to the original guarantee server;
The original guarantee server further includes:
Second receiving means for receiving a feature amount transmitted by the second transmitting means and indicating the characteristics of the image to be verified;
The feature quantity corresponding to the image ID that matches the image ID received by the first receiving means and the feature quantity stored in the storage means is compared with the feature quantity received by the second receiving means. Comparing means to
A second notifying unit for notifying the image processing apparatus of a result of comparison by the comparing unit as an image appraisal service corresponding to the image ID received by the first receiving unit;
Is provided.

In order to achieve the above object, a method for controlling an original guarantee server according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
The image processing apparatus receives a feature quantity that is extracted based on the original image and is transmitted from the image processing apparatus and indicates the feature quantity of the original image, and extracts the feature quantity in association with the feature quantity. A first management step of managing a machine ID indicating the image processing apparatus and an image ID corresponding to the original image on a storage medium;
A first receiving step of receiving an airframe ID indicating the image processing device and an image ID corresponding to the image to be verified when the image verification processing is performed in the image processing device;
A second reception step of receiving a feature amount indicating a feature of the image to be verified, which is extracted based on the image to be verified in the image processing device and transmitted from the image processing device;
The feature amount corresponding to the image ID that matches the image ID received in the first reception step and the feature amount stored in the storage medium is compared with the feature amount received in the second reception step. A comparison process to
The image received in the first receiving process based on the machine ID and image ID received in the first receiving process and the machine ID and image ID managed on the storage medium in the first managing process. A first determination step of determining whether an image appraisal service corresponding to an ID can be provided to the image processing apparatus;
As a result of the determination by the first determination step , when it is possible to provide the image processing apparatus with an image identification service corresponding to the image ID received by the first reception step, the first reception step As an image identification service corresponding to the received image ID, a first notification step of notifying the image processing apparatus of the result of the comparison in the comparison step;
Is provided.

In order to achieve the above object, a method for controlling an original guarantee system according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A method for controlling an original guarantee system including an image processing apparatus and an original guarantee server connected to each other via a network,
In the image processing apparatus,
An extraction step of extracting a feature amount indicating the feature of the image based on the image;
A first transmission step of transmitting, to the original guarantee server, a feature amount that is extracted based on the original image by the extraction step and that indicates the feature of the original image;
When performing the image verification process, the machine ID indicating the image processing apparatus and the image ID corresponding to the image to be verified are transmitted to the original guarantee server, and the original guarantee server sends the image processing apparatus to the image processing apparatus. An inquiry process for inquiring whether the appraisal service can be provided,
In the original guarantee server,
A machine ID indicating an image processing apparatus that has received the feature amount indicating the feature of the original image transmitted in the first transmission step, and has extracted the feature amount in association with the feature amount; a management step of managing the picture ID corresponding to the original image on a storage medium,
A first receiving step of receiving the machine ID indicating the image processing device and the image ID indicating the image to be verified, transmitted by the inquiry step;
Corresponds to the image ID received in the first reception step based on the aircraft ID and image ID received in the first reception step, and the aircraft ID and image ID managed on the storage medium in the management step A determination step for determining whether an image appraisal service to be performed can be provided to the image processing apparatus;
The result of the determination in the determination step, the appraisal service of the image corresponding to the image ID received in the first reception step when possible provided to the image processing apparatus, to said image processing apparatus to that effect A first notification step of notifying
The image processing apparatus further includes:
The extraction step when the original notification server is notified by the first notification step that it can provide an image identification service corresponding to the image ID transmitted by the inquiry step to the image processing apparatus. A feature amount extracted based on the appraisal target image, and a feature amount indicating the feature of the appraisal target image to the original guarantee server.
The original guarantee server further includes:
A second receiving step of receiving a feature amount transmitted by the second transmitting step and indicating a feature of the image to be verified;
The feature amount corresponding to the image ID that matches the image ID received in the first reception step and the feature amount stored in the storage medium is compared with the feature amount received in the second reception step. A comparison process to
A second notification step of notifying the image processing device of the result of comparison by the comparison step, as an image appraisal service corresponding to the image ID received by the first reception step;
Is provided.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A program for causing a computer to execute control of an original guarantee server connected to an image processing apparatus via a network,
The image processing apparatus receives a feature quantity that is extracted based on the original image and is transmitted from the image processing apparatus and indicates the feature quantity of the original image, and extracts the feature quantity in association with the feature quantity. A first management step of managing a machine ID indicating the image processing apparatus and an image ID corresponding to the original image on a storage medium;
A first receiving step of receiving an airframe ID indicating the image processing device and an image ID corresponding to the image to be verified when the image verification processing is performed in the image processing device;
A second reception step of receiving a feature amount indicating a feature of the image to be verified, which is extracted based on the image to be verified in the image processing device and transmitted from the image processing device;
The feature amount corresponding to the image ID that matches the image ID received in the first reception step and the feature amount stored in the storage medium is compared with the feature amount received in the second reception step. A comparison process to
The image received in the first receiving process based on the machine ID and image ID received in the first receiving process and the machine ID and image ID managed on the storage medium in the first managing process. A first determination step of determining whether an image appraisal service corresponding to an ID can be provided to the image processing apparatus;
As a result of the determination by the first determination step , when it is possible to provide the image processing apparatus with an image identification service corresponding to the image ID received by the first reception step, the first reception step As an image identification service corresponding to the received image ID, a first notification step of notifying the image processing apparatus of the result of the comparison in the comparison step;
Is executed on the computer.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A program for causing a computer to execute control of an original guarantee system including an image processing apparatus and an original guarantee server connected to each other via a network,
In the image processing apparatus,
An extraction step of extracting a feature amount indicating the feature of the image based on the image;
A first transmission step of transmitting, to the original guarantee server, a feature amount that is extracted based on the original image by the extraction step and that indicates the feature of the original image;
When performing the image verification process, the machine ID indicating the image processing apparatus and the image ID corresponding to the image to be verified are transmitted to the original guarantee server, and the original guarantee server sends the image processing apparatus to the image processing apparatus. An inquiry process for inquiring whether the appraisal service can be provided,
In the original guarantee server,
A machine ID indicating an image processing apparatus that has received the feature amount indicating the feature of the original image transmitted in the first transmission step, and has extracted the feature amount in association with the feature amount; a management step of managing the picture ID corresponding to the original image on a storage medium,
A first receiving step of receiving the machine ID indicating the image processing device and the image ID indicating the image to be verified, transmitted by the inquiry step;
Corresponds to the image ID received in the first reception step based on the aircraft ID and image ID received in the first reception step, and the aircraft ID and image ID managed on the storage medium in the management step A determination step for determining whether an image appraisal service to be performed can be provided to the image processing apparatus;
The result of the determination in the determination step, the appraisal service of the image corresponding to the image ID received in the first reception step when possible provided to the image processing apparatus, to said image processing apparatus to that effect A first notification step of notifying
The image processing apparatus further includes:
The extraction step when the original notification server is notified by the first notification step that it can provide an image identification service corresponding to the image ID transmitted by the inquiry step to the image processing apparatus. A feature amount extracted based on the appraisal target image, and a feature amount indicating the feature of the appraisal target image to the original guarantee server.
The original guarantee server further includes:
A second receiving step of receiving a feature amount transmitted by the second transmitting step and indicating a feature of the image to be verified;
The feature amount corresponding to the image ID that matches the image ID received in the first reception step and the feature amount stored in the storage medium is compared with the feature amount received in the second reception step. A comparison process to
A second notification step of notifying the image processing device of the result of comparison by the comparison step, as an image appraisal service corresponding to the image ID received by the first reception step;
Is executed on the computer.

According to the present invention, to improve the security of the entire original guarantee system and document authentication system convenience original assurance server capable of improving the, original guarantee system and its those of the control method can provide a program.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 220 denotes a composite function peripheral device (hereinafter referred to as MFP (Multi Function Peripheral)), a scanner 2270 as an image input device, a printer 2295 as an image output device, a control unit (Controller Unit) 2200, a user interface. And a charging counter 2297 for charging the usage fee according to the usage content of the MFP 220.

  The scanner 2270, the printer 2295, the operation unit 2212, and the charge counter 2297 are each connected to the control unit 2200 and controlled by commands from the control unit 2200. The MFP 220 is connected to the network 2011.

  The network 2011 is typically the Internet, LAN, WAN, telephone line, dedicated digital line, ATM, frame relay line, communication satellite line, cable TV line, data broadcasting wireless line, or the like. It is a so-called communication network realized by a combination, and it is sufficient if data can be transmitted and received.

  In addition to the MFP 220, another MFP 200 and a guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 are connected to the network 2011. The MFPs 220 and 200 have the same system configuration (the operation unit 2012, the scanner 2070, the printer 2095, the control unit 2000, and the accounting counter 2097), and the image processing realized by the subsequent MFP will be described by taking the MFP 200 as an example. .

  The guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 guarantees the originality of the original read by the MFP 220 or the MFP 200 and verifies the originality of whether or not the original is original when the original is reused. In the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370, when registering a document image received from the MFP 220 or MFP 200, the ID issuing unit 2380 issues an ID for specifying the document image. The ID verification unit 2390 verifies the originality of the document image corresponding to the ID received from the MFP 220 or the MFP 200. The database 2340 manages the document image and its ID, the document image assignment information received from the MFP, and the image feature amount of the document image in association with each other.

  The warranty grant / appraisal server 2370 has standard components (eg, CPU, RAM, ROM, hard disk, external storage device, network interface, display, keyboard, mouse, etc.) mounted on a general-purpose computer. Yes.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the control unit 2000 of the MFP 200 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the control unit of the MFP according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 2000 is connected to a scanner 2070 and a printer 2095 via buses 2071 and 2096, respectively. On the other hand, the control unit 2000 is connected to a network 2011 and a public line (WAN) 2051, thereby A controller that inputs and outputs information and the like.

  The buses 2071 and 2096 are constituted by, for example, a USB bus or an IEEE 1394 bus.

  In the control unit 2000, the CPU 2001 controls the entire system. A RAM 2002 is a system work memory used for the CPU 2001 to operate. The RAM 2002 also functions as an image memory for temporarily storing image data.

  A ROM 2003 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. An HDD 2004 is a hard disk drive, and includes system software, image data, an image processing algorithm necessary for performing an original guarantee / appraisal using the guarantee assignment / appraisal server 2370, and an original guarantee service provided by the guarantee assignment / appraisal server 2370. The software etc. which control the charge charged according to it are stored.

  An operation unit I / F 2006 controls an interface with the operation unit (UI) 2012 and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 2012 to the operation unit 2012. Further, it plays a role of transmitting information input by the user via the operation unit 2012 to the CPU 2001.

  A network interface (I / F) 2010 manages connection to the network 2011 and inputs / outputs information to / from the network 2011. The modem 2050 controls connection with the public line 2051 and inputs / outputs information to / from the public line.

  The billing counter 2097 is an internal counter that stores the usage fee of the MFP 200 according to the original guarantee item when the MFP 200 is used to perform the original guarantee service (registration / appraisal) provided by the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370. It is. The billing counter 2097 may be a mechanical counter or a digital counter using a nonvolatile storage device. The counting operation is controlled by a registration process and an appraisal process described later.

  The above devices are arranged on the system bus 2007.

  An image bus interface (I / F) 2005 is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 2007 and an image bus 2008 that transfers image data at high speed and converts the data structure. The image bus 2008 is configured by, for example, a PCI bus or an IEEE 1394 bus.

  The following devices are arranged on the image bus 2008.

  A raster image processor (RIP) 2060 expands the PDL code transmitted from the network 2011 into a bitmap image. The device I / F unit 2020 connects the scanner 2070, the printer 2095, and the control unit 2000 via the buses 2071 and 2096, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  A scanner image processing unit 2080 performs image processing such as calculation, recognition, correction, processing, and editing of feature amounts on input image data. A printer image processing unit 2090 performs image processing such as correction, resolution conversion, and addition of electronic information on print output image data. The image rotation unit 2030 rotates image data. The image compression unit 2040 performs, for example, JPEG compression / decompression processing on multi-valued image data, and JBIG, MMR, MH compression processing, for example, on binary image data.

  Next, the appearance of the MFP 200 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a view showing the appearance of the MFP according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 3, a scanner 2070 optically reads an image by scanning an image on a document with a CCD line sensor (not shown), generates raster image data, and outputs the raster image data. When the user sets the tray 2073 of the document feeder 2072 and instructs the reading operation in the operation unit 2012, the scanner 2070 feeds the document one by one by the control of the CPU 2001 of the control unit 2000, and the scanner 2070 feeds the image on the document. The reading operation is performed.

  The printer 2095 prints raster image data on recording paper. The printing method includes an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum and a photosensitive belt, and an ink jet method in which an image is directly printed on paper by ejecting ink from a minute nozzle array, and any method may be used. The printing operation is activated by control from the CPU 2001 of the internal control unit 2000.

  The printer 2095 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and there are paper cassettes 2101, 2102, and 2103 corresponding to the respective paper feed stages. The paper discharge tray 2111 receives the recording paper on which printing has been completed.

  Next, the appearance of the operation unit 2012 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the operation unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the operation unit 2012 has an LCD display unit 2013. A touch panel 2019 is pasted on the LCD display unit 2013, and an operation screen and soft keys for realizing various operations of the MFP 200 are displayed. When the displayed key is pressed, the touch panel 2019 is pressed. Position information indicating the detected position is transmitted to the CPU 2001 of the control unit 2000.

  A start key 2014 is a key used when starting a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key 2014, an LED display unit 2018 of two colors, green and red, is arranged, and whether or not the start key 2014 is in a usable state can be indicated by the color display control.

  A stop key 2015 is a key for stopping the operation of the MFP 200 during operation. The ID key 2016 is a key used when inputting the user ID of the user. A reset key 2017 is a key used when initializing settings from the operation unit 2012.

  In addition to these keys, a numeric keypad and function keys are provided.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the operation unit 2012 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the operation unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As described above, the operation unit 2012 is connected to the system bus 2007 via the operation unit I / F 2006. A CPU 2001, a RAM 2002, a ROM 2003, and an HDD 2004 are connected to the system bus 2007.

  The operation unit I / F 2006 includes an input port 20061 and an output port 20062. A touch panel 2019 of the operation unit 2012 and various keys 2014 to 2017 are connected to the input port 20061. An LED display unit 2018 and an LCD display unit 2013 are connected to the output port 20062.

  The CPU 2001 generally controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 2007 based on a control program stored in the ROM 2003 and the HDD 2004.

  Further, the CPU 2001 reads input information from the scanner 2070 via the device I / F 2020. The input information is subjected to image processing by a scanner image processing unit 2080 or an image rotation unit 2030 depending on the use of the operator, and an image signal is output as output information to the printer 2095 via the device I / F 2020. The RAM 2002 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 2001.

  The above is the configuration and operation of the MFP 200 or 220.

  In the following description, an example using the MFP 220 will be described. However, since the configuration is the same as that of the MFP 200, the same reference numerals as those in the configuration diagram of the MFP 200 (FIG. 2) are used.

  Next, processing realized by the image processing system according to the first embodiment will be described.

  In particular, in the first embodiment, a system for registering, guaranteeing, and identifying an original (original) formed on a recording medium such as paper using the MFP 220 described above will be described.

  Here, FIG. 6 shows an example of a document registered as an original in the image processing system. The document 601 in FIG. 6 shows an example of an original to be guaranteed.

  First, an operation of a registration process for registering the original 601 as an original and its processing flow will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the registration process according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the registration process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 7, the original 601 set in the scanner 2270 selects the “Register” menu from the operation screen (FIG. 9) displayed on the operation unit 2012 in step S20001.

  When the “registration” menu is selected, a registration screen (FIG. 10) for information (granting information) to be given to guarantee the original is displayed. Through this registration screen, the grant information is registered in step S20002.

  Here, the grant information to be registered on the registration screen indicates a guarantee item when the original is guaranteed, and as the guarantee item (setting item) in the first embodiment, the registration date of the original and the creator of the original (Copyright), registrant, and its contents. Then, the user can set the necessary setting items. In the first embodiment, the four types of guarantee items (setting items) are registered as added information. However, other types of guarantee items may be registered according to the use and purpose. .

  In this registration screen (FIG. 10), for example, when an original creator is selected, an input screen (FIG. 11 (a)) for inputting the actual contents is displayed.

  In the input screen of FIG. 11A, reference numeral 1003 denotes an input unit for inputting characters, and a soft keyboard having the same arrangement as a keyboard of a terminal such as a personal computer is displayed. For this reason, the input unit 1003 enables not only alphabet input, but also input of a Roman character and a character string obtained by performing Kana-Kanji conversion on a character string input in Roman characters.

  Reference numeral 1001 denotes a display unit that displays a character string input by the input unit 1003. When the input by the input unit 1003 is completed and the OK button 1002 is pressed, the character string displayed on the display unit 1001 is confirmed.

  Similarly, it is possible to register the original registrant on the input screen of FIG. 11B and the original content on the input screen of FIG. 11C.

  In the first embodiment, the registration date / time of the original is automatically assigned the date / time at the end of the registration process. However, the registration date / time is input using the same input screen as in FIG. Is also possible.

  As described above, the various setting items input on the input screens of FIGS. 11A to 11C are temporarily stored in the RAM 2002 in step S20011.

  When the attached information is confirmed, the scanner 2270 scans the document, and extracts an image feature amount of the document image in step S20003.

  Here, a method for extracting the image feature amount of the document image will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the extraction unit that extracts the image feature amount of the document image according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  This extraction unit is realized by the scanner image processing unit 2080.

  The extraction unit decomposes the original image read by the scanner 2270 into digital signals of three primary colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B), and calculates the feature amount.

  The R, G, and B signals are converted into a monochrome signal Kd by the following equation by the monochrome signal generation unit 1101 that follows.

Kd = (R + 2 × G + B) / 4
In the above equation, the luminance signal Kd is obtained by multiplying the G signal by a gain twice that of the R signal and the B signal and averaging. Note that the method of generating the luminance signal is not limited to the above formula, and may be calculated based on, for example, a coefficient defined in the NTSC standard.

  For the luminance signal Kd, the background detection unit 1102 detects the background level in the original image. The background detection unit 1102 detects the background level in the document image based on the frequency distribution of the luminance signal of the document image.

  Here, an example of the frequency distribution of the luminance signal calculated from the document image is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the luminance distribution of the document image according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 13, the horizontal axis represents the luminance signal level (0 to 255), and the vertical axis represents the frequency.

  L-max in FIG. 13 indicates the maximum luminance level that can be measured (in the case of the first embodiment: 255): L-max, and U-peak indicates the maximum frequency.

  Since the original assumed in the first embodiment is a text-centered original image, most of the background portions are often concentrated in bright colors, and the U− is in an area with a high luminance level as shown in FIG. There is a peak.

  When the U-peak is detected, the luminance value subtracted from the U-peak by the Df level shown in FIG. 13 is detected as the background level: Th. In the first embodiment, Df is a fixed value, but may be changed according to the shape of the histogram.

  The background level Th detected by the background detection unit 1102 is output to the subsequent binary image generation unit 1103, and “1” or “1” or “1” is obtained by performing the following comparison operation with the threshold value (background level) Th from the luminance signal Kd. It is converted into a binary image signal Bi of “0”.

When Kd ≦ Th, Kd = 1
If Kd> Th, Kd = 0
That is, the luminance signal Kd having a luminance level equal to or lower than the threshold Th is converted into a binary image signal Bi of “1”, and the luminance signal Kd having a luminance level higher than the threshold Th is converted into a binary image signal Bi of “0”.

  The binary image signal Bi generated by the binary image generation unit 1103 is output to the subsequent histogram shape generation unit 1104. The histogram shape generation unit 1104 counts binary image signals Bi (pixels) having a value of “1” for each position.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a positional relationship when the histogram shape generation unit 1104 creates a histogram for each main / sub-scan based on the binary image signal Bi.

  Lower left in the figure: OM and OS are reference positions in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, respectively, and a histogram is generated in each direction based on the reference positions. FIG. 15A shows a histogram in the main scanning direction, and FIG. 15B shows a histogram in the sub scanning direction.

  The histogram values in the main and sub-scanning directions obtained as described above are temporarily stored in the RAM 2002 as a feature value of the original image as a one-dimensional LUT.

  The above is the algorithm for extracting the image feature amount of the document image, which is realized by the scanner image processing unit 2080.

  Returning to the description of FIG.

  In step S 20004, the MFP 220 notifies the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 of a machine identification number that can identify the machine of the MFP 220, and requests issuance of an ID for identifying the document image registered in the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370. To do.

  In step S20009, guarantee giving / appraisal server 2370 searches registered ID registered in the past from database 2340 in ID issuing unit 2380. Then, based on the search result, a new ID that does not overlap with the registered ID is issued and notified to the MFP 220 in step S20005a.

  Subsequently, in step S20005b, the MFP 220 receives the ID notified from the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370. In step S <b> 20006, the machine identification number is transmitted to the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 together with the received ID, provision information (date, creator, registrant, contents) and feature amount temporarily stored in the RAM 2002. Further, the actual document image is also transmitted to the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370.

  In step S20010, guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 verifies the consistency between the ID and machine identification number received from MFP 220 and the ID issued in step S20005a by ID verification unit 2390. If the verification is NG, the registration of the document image is invalid and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the verification is OK, the ID, the grant information, and the feature amount are registered together with the document image in the database 2340 in the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370, and the procedure for registering the document image is completed in step S20008. Is transmitted to the MFP 220, and the process is terminated. At this time, the date and time when the MFP 220 requests ID issuance and the date and time when the registration process is completed are associated with the ID and stored in the database 2340 of the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370.

  Here, an example of the registration notification screen will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a registration notification screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 16, the registration notification screen 1501 displays the ID of the document image and the ID (registration ID) necessary for the appraisal together with the notification of the completion of registration. If there is no problem in the contents, the registration notification screen 1501 can be displayed by pressing an OK button 1502.

  Returning to the description of FIG.

  When the registration of the document image at the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 is completed normally, the MFP 220 receives registration completion via the registration notification screen in step S20007.

  In step S20012, as a billing process, referring to the billing table stored in the ROM 2003 based on the grant information temporarily stored in the RAM 2002, the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 relates to the registration of the original image for which the original guarantee is performed. The cost is calculated and registered in the charging counter 2297.

  Here, an example of the accounting table will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a charging table according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The billing table shown in FIG. 17A includes each setting item (3001 to 300) of the grant information and billing charges (3007 to 3012) (unit: yen) corresponding to each setting item.

  In the case of the first embodiment, “0” (3001) is “date and time”, “1” (3002) is “creator”, “2” (3003) is “registrant”, “3” (3004) is “ “4” (3005) and “5” (3006) are spare items.

  In the first embodiment, it is assumed that setting items of “date and time”, “creator”, “registrant”, and “content” are set. In this case, the charging fee is 50 (date and time) +100 (creator) +50 (registrant) +50 (content) = 250 yen.

  FIG. 17B shows the accounting table shown in FIG. 17A in a different format, and the setting items (3013 to 3018) are the same as those in FIG. 17A. The billing charges (3019 to 3024) for each setting item are not the charges themselves, but the numerical values corresponding to the charges are managed.

  Therefore, when the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 uses FIG. 17B as the accounting table, 1 (date and time) +2 (creator) +1 (registrant) +1 (content) = 5 (total number of used values) ) 5 (total number of used values) × 50 yen (50 yen per unit) = 250 yen, the MFP 220 assumes a unit price per unit numerical value and calculates a fee.

  As described above, either the charging table shown in FIG. 17A or FIG. 17B may be adopted as the charging calculation mechanism.

  Next, the operation of the appraisal process for appraising the original and its processing flow will be described with reference to FIGS.

  18 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the appraisal process according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the appraisal process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the MFP that performs the appraisal process is performed by the MFP 200 that is different from the MFP 220 that has performed the registration process. However, the registration / appraisal work may be performed not by different MFPs but by the same MFP.

  In FIG. 18, the original 601 set in the scanner 2070 selects the “Appraisal” menu from the operation screen (FIG. 9) displayed on the operation unit 2012 in step S21001 as in the registration process.

  When the “appraisal” menu is selected, an input screen (FIG. 20) for inputting an ID for collating the document image registered in the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 and information related thereto is displayed. Via this input screen, in step S21002, the ID of the verification target (appraisal target) is input.

  The input screen in FIG. 20 has the same configuration as the input screen in FIG. 11A, and 1703 is an input unit for inputting characters. Reference numeral 1701 denotes a display unit that displays a character string input through the input unit 1703. When input by the input unit 1703 is completed and an OK button 1702 is pressed, the character string displayed on the display unit 1001 is confirmed.

  When the input of the ID is completed, the MFP 200 extracts the feature amount of the document image in step S21003 according to the same processing procedure as the registration process described above.

  The extracted feature amount is transmitted to the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 together with the ID input previously in step S21004.

  In step S21005, guarantee assignment / appraisal server 2370 receives the ID and feature amount from MFP 200. Then, the ID verification unit 2390 searches the database 2340 for a feature quantity at the time of registration processing corresponding to the received ID, and executes a comparison process between the searched feature quantity and the received feature quantity. When the feature amount corresponding to the received ID is not searched, the vector data that is the feature amount at the time of registration processing used in the following comparison processing is applied as all 0, that is, as a white image.

  For example, a status screen as shown in FIG. 21 is displayed on the operation unit 2012 of the MFP 200 while the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 performs the ID and feature amount comparison processing.

  Here, in the status screen of FIG. 21, reference numeral 1801 denotes a display field for displaying the status of the appraisal process. Further, by pressing an OK button 1802, the display of the status screen can be terminated.

  The comparison process by the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 of the first embodiment executes two processes (inner product process and threshold process).

  The inner product processing includes the main scanning / sub-scanning one-dimensional vector data (managed by the LUT) as feature quantities stored in association with the ID in the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 and the MFP 200 at the time of the appraisal. Using the received feature quantity (vector data), the following expression is executed.

A = Σ (TM _i × KM _i ) / (ΣTM _i ) ²
B = Σ (TS _i × KS _i ) / (ΣTS _i ) ²
In the above equations, A and B indicate normalized correlation values in the main scanning and sub-scanning directions, respectively. TM and TS indicate vector shapes in the main scanning and sub-scanning directions as registered feature amounts, respectively. KM and KS respectively indicate vector shapes in the main scanning and sub-scanning directions received from the MFP 200 at the time of appraisal. The subscript “i” represents position information.

  And since this calculation result is normalized by the data at the time of registration processing, the value ranges of A and B are 0 to 1.

  The correlation values A and B obtained by the inner product process are compared in the subsequent threshold process, and it is finally determined whether or not the document image to be verified and the registered document image are the same.

  In the first embodiment, it is determined by the following comparison processing whether the document image to be verified and the registered document image are the same.

(A ≧ valA) & (B ≧ valB), “same as registered image”
Otherwise, “Different from registered image”
In the above formula, thresholds: valA and valB are parameters that depend on the reading accuracy of the scanner 2070 or 2270. In the first embodiment, for example,
valA = 0.97
valB = 0.96
It is said.

  Based on the result of the above processing, the appraisal result information is transmitted to the MFP 200 in step S21006a. In particular, when it is determined that the document image to be verified and the registered document image are the same, the verification result screen shown in FIG. 22A is transmitted to the MFP 200 as the verification result information. On the other hand, if it is determined that the document image to be verified is different from the registered document image, the verification result screen shown in FIG. 22B or 22C is transmitted to the MFP 200 as the verification result information depending on the content. To do.

  Note that the appraisal result screen in FIG. 22 (a) includes the ID of the document to be appraised and its attached information. On the other hand, in the appraisal result screen of FIG. 22B, the ID of the document to be verified is already registered, but the feature amount transmitted to the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 together with the ID is registered in the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370. The example of a display screen at the time of differing from the feature-value linked | related with completed ID is shown. In addition, the appraisal result screen in FIG. 22C is an example of a display screen indicating that the appraisal target ID is not registered in the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370, that is, appraisal using the appraisal target ID is impossible. Is shown.

  In each appraisal result screen, 1901 is a display field for displaying the contents of the appraisal result. Further, by pressing an OK button 1902, the display of the appraisal result screen can be ended.

  Returning to the description of FIG.

  In step S21006b, the MFP 200 receives the appraisal result information from the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370, and causes the operation unit 2012 to display the appraisal result screen based on the appraisal result information (FIGS. 22A to 22C). Any one).

  When the above process is completed, in step S21007, the MFP 200 performs a charge count corresponding to the appraisal process on the charge counter 2097, and ends the process.

  Note that the billing counter 2097 can count the usage fee as it is in the billing processing at the time of registration processing, or can take a mechanism in which the MFP 200 calculates the fee per unit in advance.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when an original (original image) subject to original guarantee and a guarantee item thereof are registered, appropriate charging control can be realized for each guarantee item. Appropriate billing control related to the appraisal process can be realized even when appraising a document. As a result, a fine charging system can be realized according to the processing content requested by the user (registration processing and appraisal processing).

<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment, the billing process at the time of the registration process is performed on the MFP side, but may be configured to be executed by the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370.

  In the following, in the second embodiment, a case where the charging process is executed by the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 will be described.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing registration processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Note that steps S22001 to S22011 in FIG. 23 correspond to steps S20001 to S20011 in FIG.

  If the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 is determined to be NG after the process of step S22008 or the process of step S22010, in step S22012, based on the grant information transmitted from the MFP 220 as a billing process, With reference to a billing table stored in (not shown), a cost for registering a document image for which original guarantee is performed by the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 is calculated. Then, the calculation result is transmitted to the MFP 220.

  On the other hand, in step S22013, the MFP 220 receives the calculation result by the charging process executed by the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 and registers it in the charging counter 2297.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the effect described in the first embodiment, the charging process is executed by the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370, thereby reducing the processing load on the MFP. it can.

  The billing process at the time of the appraisal process can also be executed by the guarantee grant / appraisal server.

<Embodiment 3>
In the first and second embodiments, the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 is configured to register and manage a document image to be guaranteed the original and information related thereto (grant information, feature amount, etc.). Depending on the amount of images, a large-scale external storage device is required for the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370, and its maintenance is not easy. In addition, managing a document image and information related thereto with an external storage device for a long time may cause a security risk.

  Therefore, in the third embodiment, in order to further improve the security of the entire system, it is avoided to store the original image for performing the original guarantee in the guarantee assignment / appraisal server, and only the information relating to the original image is provided in the guarantee assignment / appraisal server. A configuration for guaranteeing the original of a document image stored in the document will be described.

  In addition, by limiting the devices that perform the registration processing / appraisal processing related to the original image for which the original guarantee is performed, the devices that can perform the registration processing / appraisal processing are limited. Thus, a configuration for prohibiting registration processing / appraisal processing using a device for which a third party is not designated and improving the security of the entire system will be described.

  In the third embodiment, the billing process in the first and second embodiments is omitted to simplify the description. Therefore, the billing counter configured in the MFP is also omitted. However, it goes without saying that in the third embodiment, the charging process may be appropriately performed by applying the first and second embodiments.

  First, the configuration of the image processing system according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 24, the same components as those in the image processing system according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In particular, in the third embodiment, there are a plurality of guarantee grant / appraisal servers 2370 (in FIG. 24, three guarantee grant / appraisal servers 2370 (device A to device C)). In the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370, the service registration dictionary 2400 corresponds to the service provided by the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 (at least one of registration processing and appraisal processing) and a device that can use the service for each device. It is a table that is managed.

  The database 2340 performs the same functions as those in the first and second embodiments. In particular, the third embodiment does not manage the original image itself for which the original guarantee is performed. Only information related to the document image (given information, feature amount, etc.) is stored and managed.

  Next, an operation of a registration process for registering a document 601 as an original in the third embodiment and its processing flow will be described with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26. FIG.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the registration process according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the registration process according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  25, the original 601 set in the scanner 2270 selects the “Register” menu from the operation screen (FIG. 9) displayed on the operation unit 2012 in step S30001.

  When the “Register” menu is selected, a display screen (FIG. 27) including a list of servers that can use document image registration processing is displayed. Through this display screen, in step S30011, the user selects a guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 (device A to device C) that executes registration processing.

  In the MFP 220, a guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 that can be used for registration processing / appraisal processing is registered in advance in the HDD 2004 in the control unit 220, and a display screen (FIG. 27) can be referred to. ) Is generated.

  In the third embodiment, it is assumed that the device A is selected as the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 that performs the registration process. When device A (hereinafter, warranty grant / appraisal server 2370) is selected, the MFP 220 notifies the warrant grant / appraisal server 2370 of the machine identification number in step S30012 and requests the warrant grant / appraisal server 2370. An inquiry is made as to whether the service (registration process in this case) can be realized.

  In step S30013, in response to the inquiry from the MFP 220, the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 refers to the service registration dictionary 2400 based on the transmitted machine identification number, and serves as a service request source MFP (in this case, MFP 220) searches for executable services.

  Here, an example of the service registration dictionary 2400 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of a service registration dictionary according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 28, service contents of executable services are managed in association with machine identification numbers (for example, MFP 220). For example, the services that can be executed with the machine identification number “MFP 220” are registration and appraisal, but there are no services that can be executed with the machine identification number “MFP 10”.

  In this way, by limiting the services that can be executed by each MFP by the service registration dictionary 2400 managed by the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370, security for a specific user or a specific device, and the accuracy of the subsequent original guarantee Improvements can be realized.

  The service registration dictionary 2400 is managed in each guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 by a server administrator (not shown) so as not to be tampered with by a third party, for example, by security measures using passwords and ecological information. ing.

  Returning to the description of FIG.

  In step S30014a, guarantee giving / appraisal server 2370 notifies MFP 220 of service information related to executable services as a search result.

  When the MFP 220 receives the service information, the MFP 220 displays, for example, a display screen of FIG. 29 or FIG. 30 on the operation unit 2212 as a service inquiry result screen, for example.

  The inquiry result screen in FIG. 29 shows an example of a display screen when the registration service is available. In addition, the inquiry result screen of FIG. 30 shows an example of a display screen in the case where the registration service is not available in the guarantee assignment / verification server 2370 of the inquiry destination.

  In step S30014b, it is determined whether the inquired service is available. If it is not available, the process ends. On the other hand, if it is available, the process proceeds to step S30002.

  In step S30002, registration information is registered through the registration screen (FIG. 10). When the assigned information is confirmed, the scanner 2270 scans the document, and extracts the image feature amount of the document image in step S30003.

  In step S 30004, the MFP 220 notifies the guarantee assignment / appraisal server (device A) 2370 selected in step S 30011 of the machine identification number, and identifies information relating to the document image registered in the guarantee assignment / appraisal server 2370. Request to issue ID.

  In step S30009, guarantee giving / appraisal server 2370 searches database 2340 for registered IDs registered in the past by ID issuing unit 2380. Based on the search result, an ID that does not overlap with the registered ID is issued and notified to the MFP 220 in step S30005a.

  Subsequently, in step S30005b, the MFP 220 receives the ID notified from the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370. In step S 30006, the machine identification number is transmitted to guarantee guarantee / appraisal server 2370 together with the received ID, provision information (date, creator, registrant, contents) and feature quantity temporarily stored in RAM 2002. On the other hand, the document image is stored in the HDD 204 in the MFP 220.

  In step S30010, guarantee giving / appraisal server 2370 verifies the consistency between the ID and machine identification number received from MFP 220 and the ID issued in step S30005a by ID verification unit 2390. If the verification is NG, the registration of information relating to the document image is invalid, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the verification is OK, the ID, the grant information, and the feature quantity are registered in the database 2340 in the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 in association with each other, and registration indicating that the registration procedure is completed in step S30007a. A notification screen (FIG. 16) is transmitted to MFP 220, and the process is terminated. At this time, the date and time when the MFP 220 requests ID issuance and the date and time when the registration process is completed are associated with the ID and stored in the database 2340 of the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370.

  Then, when the registration at the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 is normally completed, the MFP 220 receives registration completion through the registration notification screen in step S30007b.

  Subsequently, in Embodiment 3, an operation of an appraisal process for appraising an original and its processing flow will be described with reference to FIGS. 31 and 32.

  FIG. 31 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the appraisal process according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the appraisal process according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In the third embodiment, it is assumed that the MFP 200 to be verified is an MFP 200 different from the MFP 220 that has registered the original. However, the registration / appraisal work may be performed not by different MFPs but by the same MFP.

  In FIG. 31, the original 601 set in the scanner 2070 selects the “Appraisal” menu from the operation screen (FIG. 9) displayed on the operation unit 2012 in step S31001 as in the registration process.

  When the “Appraisal” menu is selected, a display screen (FIG. 23) including a list of servers that can use document image appraisal processing is displayed. Through this display screen, in step S31007, the user selects a guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 (device A to device C) that executes the appraisal process.

  In the third embodiment, it is assumed that the device A is selected as the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 that performs the appraisal process. When device A (hereinafter, warranty grant / appraisal server 2370) is selected, the MFP 200 notifies the warrant grant / appraisal server 2370 of the machine identification number in step S31008 and requests the warrant grant / appraisal server 2370. An inquiry is made as to whether the service (in this case, appraisal processing) can be realized.

  In step S31009, in response to the inquiry from the MFP 200, the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 refers to the service registration dictionary 2400 based on the transmitted machine identification number, and serves as a service request source MFP (in this case, in this case). The MFP 200) searches for an executable service.

  In step S31010a, guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 notifies MFP 200 of service information related to executable services as a search result.

  When the MFP 200 receives the service information, the MFP 200 displays, for example, the display screen of FIG. 33 or FIG. 34 on the operation unit 2012 as a service inquiry result screen, for example.

  In addition, the inquiry result screen of FIG. 33 shows an example of a display screen when the appraisal service is available. In addition, the inquiry result screen of FIG. 34 shows an example of a display screen in the case where the appraisal service is not available in the guarantee assignment / appraisal server 2370 of the inquiry destination.

  Next, in step S31010b, it is determined whether or not the inquired service is available. If it is not available, the process ends. On the other hand, if it is available, the process proceeds to step S31002.

  In step S3102, the ID of the verification target (verification target) is input in step S31002 via the input screen (FIG. 20).

  When the input of the ID is completed, the MFP 200 extracts the feature amount of the document image in step S31003 according to the same processing procedure as the registration process described above.

  The extracted feature amount is transmitted to the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 together with the previously input ID in step S31004.

  Guarantee assigning / verification server 2370 receives the ID and the feature amount from MFP 200 in step S31005. Then, the ID verification unit 2390 searches the database 2340 for a feature quantity at the time of registration processing corresponding to the received ID, and executes a comparison process between the searched feature quantity and the received feature quantity. When the feature amount corresponding to the received ID is not searched, the vector data that is the feature amount at the time of registration processing used in the following comparison processing is applied as all 0, that is, as a white image.

  In step S31006a, the judgment result information is transmitted to the MFP 200.

  On the other hand, in step S31006b, the MFP 200 receives the appraisal result information from the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370, thereby causing the operation unit 2012 to display the appraisal result screen based on the appraisal result information (FIGS. 22A to 22D). Any one of c) is displayed.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, when a document image for performing original guarantee is registered in the guarantee grant / appraisal server, the document image is not registered in the guarantee grant / appraisal server, and the original image is not registered. Only information relating to identifiable document images is registered in the guarantee grant / appraisal server. Therefore, the original image itself does not flow on the network, a robust system can be constructed, and the storage resources of the guarantee grant / appraisal server can be prevented from becoming tight.

  In addition, since the relationship between the equipment required for registration processing / appraisal processing and the guarantee grant / appraisal server is managed by the service registration dictionary in the guarantee grant / appraisal server, for example, it is managed and used in a specific department. Only the MFP is permitted to perform processing related to the original guarantee. Thereby, prohibition of processing related to the original guarantee from other than a specific department can be controlled on the guarantee grant / appraisal server side.

<Embodiment 4>
In the third embodiment, a guarantee registration / appraisal server that performs registration / appraisal of an original and a service registration dictionary that manages a device (MFP) that can use the guarantee are managed on the guarantee grant / appraisal server side. The configuration related to the original guarantee is realized only in a specific device group (MFP) or a specific server group.

  On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, in order to further improve the security, and to improve the appraisal accuracy of the appraisal processing due to the difference in the performance of the device to be used (for example, the extraction performance of the feature amount of the document image). In the case of performing the original appraisal process, the apparatus cannot be realized unless the device (MFP) used for the original registration process is used.

  Therefore, in the registration process of the fourth embodiment, in order to be able to identify the device that has undergone the registration process in the appraisal process, in step S30007 in FIG. In addition to the ID, the assigned information, and the feature amount, the machine identification number is associated and stored.

  Subsequently, in Embodiment 4, the process flow of the appraisal process for appraising the original will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing the appraisal process according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  Note that steps S32001 to S32010b in FIG. 35 correspond to steps S22001 to S22010b in FIG. 32 in the third embodiment, and thus details thereof are omitted.

  After the process of step S32002, the MFP 200 transmits the input ID and machine identification number to the guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 in step S32012.

  In step S32011, guarantee grant / appraisal server 2370 receives the ID and machine identification number from MFP 200. Then, the ID verification unit 2390 searches the database 2340 for the machine identification number at the time of the registration process corresponding to the received ID, and executes a comparison process between the searched machine identification number and the received machine identification number.

  If the machine identification number at the time of registration matches the received machine identification number, this is notified to the MFP 200 and the MFP 200 is prompted to continue the processing from step S32003.

  On the other hand, if the machine identification number at the time of registration processing and the received machine identification number do not match, display screen information indicating that fact is generated and transmitted to the MFP 200. With this display screen information, a display screen as shown in FIG. 36 is displayed on the operation unit 2212 of the MFP 200, for example.

  As described above, for example, when the registration process is executed by the MFP 220, if the appraisal process is executed by the MFP 200, the machine identification number (that is, the MFP 220) associated with the ID of the original (original image) at the time of the registration process. ) And the machine identification number (MFP 200) associated with the ID of the original (original image) at the time of the appraisal process are different, so that the appraisal process by the MFP 200 can be prohibited.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, in addition to the effects described in the third embodiment, the same device is used for the registration process and the appraisal process so that the performance of the device to be used is not affected. Therefore, the appraisal accuracy during the appraisal process can be improved.

  As described above, the embodiment has been described in detail. However, the present invention can take an embodiment as a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium, or the like, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system that is configured, or may be applied to an apparatus that includes a single device.

  In the present invention, a software program (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in the figure) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is directly or remotely supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus Is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and the like.

  As another program supply method, a client computer browser is used to connect to an Internet homepage, and the computer program of the present invention itself or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is downloaded from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk. Can also be supplied. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program is a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, the functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by performing all of them and performing the processing.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or The CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a control unit of the MFP according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an MFP according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the operation part of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the operation part of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the original of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement of the registration process of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the registration process of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the registration screen of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the input screen of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the extraction part which extracts the image feature-value of the original image of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the luminance distribution of the original image of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship when a histogram shape production | generation part of Embodiment 1 of this invention produces a histogram for every main and subscanning. It is a figure which shows the histogram of the main scanning direction and subscanning direction of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the registration notification screen of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the accounting table of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the appraisal process of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the appraisal process of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the input screen of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the status screen of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the appraisal result screen of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the registration process of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image processing system of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the registration process of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the registration process of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the service registration dictionary of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the appraisal process of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the appraisal process of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the appraisal process of Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of Embodiment 4 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

200, 220 MFP
2000, 2200 Control unit 2011 Network 2012, 2212 Operation unit 2095, 2295 Printer 2070, 2270 Scanner 2295, 2297 Charge counter 2370 Guarantee grant / appraisal server 2380 ID issuing unit 2390 ID verification unit 2340 Database

Claims (16)

An original guarantee server connected to an image processing apparatus via a network,
Storage means for receiving and storing the feature quantity indicating the feature of the original image extracted from the image processing apparatus based on the original image and transmitted from the image processing apparatus ;
First management means for managing a machine ID indicating an image processing apparatus that has extracted the feature quantity in association with the feature quantity stored in the storage means, and an image ID corresponding to the original image;
A first receiving means for receiving a machine ID indicating the image processing apparatus and an image ID corresponding to the image to be verified when the image verification process is performed in the image processing apparatus;
Second receiving means for receiving a feature amount indicating a feature of the image to be verified, extracted from the image processing device based on the image to be verified and transmitted from the image processing device;
The feature quantity corresponding to the image ID that matches the image ID received by the first receiving means and the feature quantity stored in the storage means is compared with the feature quantity received by the second receiving means. Comparing means to
Corresponding to the image ID received by the first receiving means based on the machine ID and image ID received by the first receiving means and the machine ID and image ID managed by the first managing means. First determination means for determining whether an image appraisal service can be provided to the image processing apparatus;
As a result of the determination by the first determination means, the first reception means is provided when an image appraisal service corresponding to the image ID received by the first reception means can be provided to the image processing apparatus. As an image identification service corresponding to the received image ID, a first notification means for notifying the image processing apparatus of the result of the comparison by the comparison means;
An original guarantee server comprising:   The first determination unit is managed by the first management unit in such a manner that the machine ID received by the first reception unit is associated with an image ID that matches the image ID received by the first reception unit. The original guarantee server according to claim 1, wherein the determination is performed based on whether or not the machine ID matches a current machine ID. The first determination means includes
The machine ID received by the first receiving means matches the machine ID managed by the first management means in association with the image ID that matches the image ID received by the first receiving means. And determining that an image appraisal service corresponding to the image ID received by the first receiving means can be provided to the image processing apparatus,
The machine ID received by the first receiving means does not match the machine ID managed by the first management means in association with the image ID that matches the image ID received by the first receiving means. 3. The original guarantee server according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that an image appraisal service corresponding to the image ID received by the first receiving unit cannot be provided to the image processing apparatus. . The original guarantee server according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising second notification means for notifying the image processing apparatus of a result of the determination by the first determination means. . The second receiving means transmits the appraisal transmitted from the image processing apparatus after the second notifying means notifies the image processing apparatus of the result of the determination by the first determining means. Receive feature values indicating the features of the target image
The original guarantee server according to claim 4, wherein The original guarantee server is connected to a plurality of image processing apparatuses via a network,
Second management means for managing information indicating whether the appraisal service can be provided for each of the plurality of image processing devices;
When an inquiry about whether or not to provide the appraisal service is received from any one of the plurality of image processing apparatuses, the inquiry is made based on information managed by the second management means. Second determination means for determining whether the appraisal service can be provided to the image processing apparatus,
Third notification means for notifying the result of determination by the second determination means to the image processing apparatus that made the inquiry;
The original guarantee server according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , further comprising: An original guarantee system including an image processing apparatus and an original guarantee server connected to each other via a network,
The image processing apparatus includes:
Extraction means for extracting a feature amount indicating the feature of the image based on the image;
First transmission means for transmitting the feature quantity extracted based on the original image by the extraction means and indicating the feature of the original image to the original guarantee server;
When performing the image verification process, the machine ID indicating the image processing apparatus and the image ID corresponding to the image to be verified are transmitted to the original guarantee server, and the original guarantee server sends the image processing apparatus to the image processing apparatus. An inquiry means for inquiring whether the appraisal service can be provided,
The original guarantee server is
Storage means for receiving and storing the feature quantity indicating the feature of the original image transmitted by the first transmission means ;
A management unit that manages an apparatus ID indicating an image processing apparatus that has extracted the feature amount in association with the feature amount stored in the storage unit, and an image ID corresponding to the original image;
First receiving means for receiving the machine ID indicating the image processing apparatus and the image ID indicating the image to be verified , transmitted by the inquiry means ;
Based on the airframe ID and image ID received by the first receiving means, and the airframe ID and image ID managed by the managing means, an image corresponding to the image ID received by the first receiving means is identified. Determining means for determining whether a service can be provided to the image processing apparatus;
As a result of the determination by the determination means , when it is possible to provide the image processing apparatus with an image appraisal service corresponding to the image ID received by the first receiving means , the fact is notified to the image processing apparatus. First notification means for notifying
The image processing apparatus further includes:
When the original notifying server is notified by the first notifying means that it can provide an image appraisal service corresponding to the image ID transmitted by the inquiring means to the image processing apparatus, the extracting means A feature amount extracted based on the appraisal target image by the second sending means for sending the feature amount indicating the feature of the appraisal target image to the original guarantee server;
The original guarantee server further includes:
Second receiving means for receiving a feature amount transmitted by the second transmitting means and indicating the characteristics of the image to be verified;
The feature quantity corresponding to the image ID that matches the image ID received by the first receiving means and the feature quantity stored in the storage means is compared with the feature quantity received by the second receiving means. Comparing means to
A second notifying unit for notifying the image processing apparatus of a result of comparison by the comparing unit as an image appraisal service corresponding to the image ID received by the first receiving unit;
An original guarantee system characterized by comprising: A method for controlling an original guarantee server connected to an image processing apparatus via a network,
The image processing apparatus receives a feature quantity that is extracted based on the original image and is transmitted from the image processing apparatus and indicates the feature quantity of the original image, and extracts the feature quantity in association with the feature quantity. A first management step of managing a machine ID indicating the image processing apparatus and an image ID corresponding to the original image on a storage medium;
A first receiving step of receiving an airframe ID indicating the image processing device and an image ID corresponding to the image to be verified when the image verification processing is performed in the image processing device;
A second reception step of receiving a feature amount indicating a feature of the image to be verified, which is extracted based on the image to be verified in the image processing device and transmitted from the image processing device;
The feature amount corresponding to the image ID that matches the image ID received in the first reception step and the feature amount stored in the storage medium is compared with the feature amount received in the second reception step. A comparison process to
The image received in the first receiving process based on the machine ID and image ID received in the first receiving process and the machine ID and image ID managed on the storage medium in the first managing process. A first determination step of determining whether an image appraisal service corresponding to an ID can be provided to the image processing apparatus;
As a result of the determination by the first determination step , when it is possible to provide the image processing apparatus with an image identification service corresponding to the image ID received by the first reception step, the first reception step As an image identification service corresponding to the received image ID, a first notification step of notifying the image processing apparatus of the result of the comparison in the comparison step;
An original guarantee server control method comprising: In the first determination step, the machine ID received in the first reception step is associated with the image ID that matches the image ID received in the first reception step, and stored in the first management step. 9. The method of controlling an original guarantee server according to claim 8 , wherein the determination is performed based on whether or not the machine ID managed on the medium matches. In the first determination step,
When the machine ID received in the first reception process matches the machine ID managed in the first management process in association with the image ID matching the image ID received in the first reception process. Determining that an image appraisal service corresponding to the image ID received in the first receiving step can be provided to the image processing apparatus;
When the machine ID received in the first reception process does not match the machine ID managed in the first management process in association with the image ID matching the image ID received in the first reception process The original guarantee server according to claim 8 or 9 , wherein it is determined that an image appraisal service corresponding to the image ID received in the first receiving step cannot be provided to the image processing apparatus. Control method. The original guarantee server according to any one of claims 8 to 10 , further comprising a second notification step of notifying a result of the determination in the first determination to the image processing apparatus. Control method. In the second reception step, the appraisal transmitted from the image processing device after the result of determination in the first determination step is notified to the image processing device in the second notification step. Receive feature values indicating the features of the target image
12. The method for controlling an original guarantee server according to claim 11. The original guarantee server is connected to a plurality of image processing apparatuses via a network,
A second management step of managing, on a storage medium, information indicating whether or not the appraisal service can be provided for each of the plurality of image processing devices;
Based on the information managed on the storage medium in the second management step when receiving an inquiry about whether or not to provide the appraisal service from any one of the plurality of image processing devices, A second determination step of determining whether or not the appraisal service can be provided to the image processing apparatus that has made the inquiry;
A third notification step of notifying a result of the determination in the second determination step to the image processing apparatus that has made the inquiry;
The method for controlling an original guarantee server according to any one of claims 8 to 12 , further comprising : A method for controlling an original guarantee system including an image processing apparatus and an original guarantee server connected to each other via a network,
In the image processing apparatus,
An extraction step of extracting a feature amount indicating the feature of the image based on the image;
A first transmission step of transmitting, to the original guarantee server, a feature amount that is extracted based on the original image by the extraction step and that indicates the feature of the original image;
When performing the image verification process, the machine ID indicating the image processing apparatus and the image ID corresponding to the image to be verified are transmitted to the original guarantee server, and the original guarantee server sends the image processing apparatus to the image processing apparatus. An inquiry process for inquiring whether the appraisal service can be provided,
In the original guarantee server,
A machine ID indicating an image processing apparatus that has received the feature amount indicating the feature of the original image transmitted in the first transmission step, and has extracted the feature amount in association with the feature amount; a management step of managing the picture ID corresponding to the original image on a storage medium,
A first receiving step of receiving the machine ID indicating the image processing device and the image ID indicating the image to be verified, transmitted by the inquiry step;
Corresponds to the image ID received in the first reception step based on the aircraft ID and image ID received in the first reception step, and the aircraft ID and image ID managed on the storage medium in the management step A determination step for determining whether an image appraisal service to be performed can be provided to the image processing apparatus;
The result of the determination in the determination step, the appraisal service of the image corresponding to the image ID received in the first reception step when possible provided to the image processing apparatus, to said image processing apparatus to that effect A first notification step of notifying
The image processing apparatus further includes:
The extraction step when the original notification server is notified by the first notification step that it can provide an image identification service corresponding to the image ID transmitted by the inquiry step to the image processing apparatus. A feature amount extracted based on the appraisal target image, and a feature amount indicating the feature of the appraisal target image to the original guarantee server.
The original guarantee server further includes:
A second receiving step of receiving a feature amount transmitted by the second transmitting step and indicating a feature of the image to be verified;
The feature amount corresponding to the image ID that matches the image ID received in the first reception step and the feature amount stored in the storage medium is compared with the feature amount received in the second reception step. A comparison process to
A second notification step of notifying the image processing device of the result of comparison by the comparison step, as an image appraisal service corresponding to the image ID received by the first reception step;
A method for controlling an original guarantee system, comprising: A program for causing a computer to execute control of an original guarantee server connected to an image processing apparatus via a network,
The image processing apparatus receives a feature quantity that is extracted based on the original image and is transmitted from the image processing apparatus and indicates the feature quantity of the original image, and extracts the feature quantity in association with the feature quantity. A first management step of managing a machine ID indicating the image processing apparatus and an image ID corresponding to the original image on a storage medium;
A first receiving step of receiving an airframe ID indicating the image processing device and an image ID corresponding to the image to be verified when the image verification processing is performed in the image processing device;
A second reception step of receiving a feature amount indicating a feature of the image to be verified, which is extracted based on the image to be verified in the image processing device and transmitted from the image processing device;
The feature amount corresponding to the image ID that matches the image ID received in the first reception step and the feature amount stored in the storage medium is compared with the feature amount received in the second reception step. A comparison process to
The image received in the first receiving process based on the machine ID and image ID received in the first receiving process and the machine ID and image ID managed on the storage medium in the first managing process. A first determination step of determining whether an image appraisal service corresponding to an ID can be provided to the image processing apparatus;
As a result of the determination by the first determination step , when it is possible to provide the image processing apparatus with an image identification service corresponding to the image ID received by the first reception step, the first reception step As an image identification service corresponding to the received image ID, a first notification step of notifying the image processing apparatus of the result of the comparison in the comparison step;
A program that causes a computer to execute. A program for causing a computer to execute control of an original guarantee system including an image processing apparatus and an original guarantee server connected to each other via a network,
In the image processing apparatus,
An extraction step of extracting a feature amount indicating the feature of the image based on the image;
A first transmission step of transmitting, to the original guarantee server, a feature amount that is extracted based on the original image by the extraction step and that indicates the feature of the original image;
When performing the image verification process, the machine ID indicating the image processing apparatus and the image ID corresponding to the image to be verified are transmitted to the original guarantee server, and the original guarantee server sends the image processing apparatus to the image processing apparatus. An inquiry process for inquiring whether the appraisal service can be provided,
In the original guarantee server,
A machine ID indicating an image processing apparatus that has received the feature amount indicating the feature of the original image transmitted in the first transmission step, and has extracted the feature amount in association with the feature amount; a management step of managing the picture ID corresponding to the original image on a storage medium,
A first receiving step of receiving the machine ID indicating the image processing device and the image ID indicating the image to be verified, transmitted by the inquiry step;
Corresponds to the image ID received in the first reception step based on the aircraft ID and image ID received in the first reception step, and the aircraft ID and image ID managed on the storage medium in the management step A determination step for determining whether an image appraisal service to be performed can be provided to the image processing apparatus;
The result of the determination in the determination step, the appraisal service of the image corresponding to the image ID received in the first reception step when possible provided to the image processing apparatus, to said image processing apparatus to that effect A first notification step of notifying
The image processing apparatus further includes:
The extraction step when the original notification server is notified by the first notification step that it can provide an image identification service corresponding to the image ID transmitted by the inquiry step to the image processing apparatus. A feature amount extracted based on the appraisal target image, and a feature amount indicating the feature of the appraisal target image to the original guarantee server.
The original guarantee server further includes:
A second receiving step of receiving a feature amount transmitted by the second transmitting step and indicating a feature of the image to be verified;
The feature amount corresponding to the image ID that matches the image ID received in the first reception step and the feature amount stored in the storage medium is compared with the feature amount received in the second reception step. A comparison process to
A second notification step of notifying the image processing device of the result of comparison by the comparison step, as an image appraisal service corresponding to the image ID received by the first reception step;
A program that causes a computer to execute.

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