JP4169610B2 - Image processing apparatus, image forming system, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that performs a process of superposing and combining an image to be formed and an image pattern indicating that the document is prohibited from being copied, an image forming system including the image processing apparatus, and an image The present invention relates to a program that performs a process of superimposing an image to be formed and an image pattern that indicates that the document is prohibited from being copied, and a storage medium that stores the program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for creating a confidential document using a sheet on which a copy prohibition pattern is printed or copied in advance on the entire paper surface. Specifically, a confidential numbering function prepared in a digital copying machine prepares a sheet on which an image pattern for displaying copy prohibition is printed on the entire sheet in advance, and a confidential document is printed using this sheet. .
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 3078433 (refer to the section of 0023-0024 in particular)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 prepares the confidential document dedicated paper in advance, when printing the document data, the paper is replaced or the paper cassette is changed depending on whether the document is a confidential document or not. There is a problem that it is complicated and requires operations and operations such as selection.
[0005]
In addition, when the pattern printed by the secret numbering function and the document image are superimposed, there is a problem that the document is difficult to read.
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to perform complicated operations and operations such as paper replacement and paper cassette selection when an image pattern indicating that the document is prohibited from being copied is formed. It is to be able to omit.
[0007]
Another object of the present invention is to prevent the document after image formation from becoming difficult to read in this case.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The present invention relates to an image forming system including a print instruction apparatus that outputs a print instruction and a print data generation apparatus that receives the print instruction from the print instruction apparatus and generates print data. Print data is generated from pattern data generation means for generating image pattern data indicating that the document image data is a document prohibited from copying, and the pattern data generated by the document image data and the pattern data generation means. Print data generation means for performing the pattern data generation means,The print data generation device receives the print instruction from the user from the print instruction device.Document image data including attribute information indicating whether it is a confidential document, and confidential print target document information indicating whether the document image data is a document image to be confidentially printedReceiveThe document image data according to the attribute information and the confidential print target document informationTheJudged as subject to confidential printingdidIn case,The pattern data is generated.
[0009]
Therefore, when a target image is formed on a medium with an image pattern indicating that the document is prohibited from being copied, an image pattern indicating that the document is prohibited from being copied is printed in advance. Even if paper or the like is not prepared as a medium, an image can be formed at the output destination of the combined image data, so that complicated operations such as paper replacement and paper cassette selection can be omitted. In addition, since the image can be formed after the target image and an image pattern indicating that the document is prohibited from being copied and synthesized in advance, the document after the image formation is not difficult to read.
[0010]
Also,The pattern has a predetermined feature amount that can be detected by performing predetermined image processing on the read image data.
[0011]
Therefore, when copying a medium such as a sheet after image formation based on the combined image data as a document, a predetermined feature value is obtained by performing predetermined image processing on image data read from the document. Therefore, it is possible to determine that the document is a document for which copying is prohibited by detecting the feature amount, and to perform processing for prohibiting copying or the like in the copying machine.
[0012]
The pattern data generating meansGenerates a dot pattern as the pattern.
[0013]
Therefore, when copying is indicated by a dot pattern indicating that copying is prohibited, or when a medium such as paper after image formation is copied based on the combined image data, the size of the dot pattern, etc. It can be determined from the feature amount that the document is a document that prohibits copying, and processing such as copying prohibiting can be performed in the copying machine.
[0014]
The pattern data generating meansThe dot pattern composed of dots of a plurality of sizes is generated.
[0015]
Therefore, by forming a dot pattern with dots that are difficult to reproduce with a copy machine of a predetermined model and dots that are easily reproducible, etc. When copying or the like using a medium as a manuscript, it is possible to display a graphic or a character indicating that copying is prohibited due to a difference in dot size.
[0016]
In the present invention,A pattern for generating an image of the pattern by repeating a basic pattern stored in advance in a storage devicedataA generation means is further provided.
[0017]
Therefore, a pattern to be combined with the target image can be generated.
[0018]
In the present invention,A pattern that generates a basic pattern and generates an image of the pattern by repeating this basic patterndataA generation means is further provided.
[0019]
Therefore, a pattern to be combined with the target image can be generated.
[0020]
The print data generation means includesThe background of the image of the document that is the image to be formed is the pattern of the image.GenerationI do.
[0021]
Therefore, an image can be formed by synthesizing a pattern indicating that copying is prohibited on the background of the document image.
[0040]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiment 1 of the Invention
One embodiment of the present invention will be described as Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0041]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment. The image forming system 1 includes one or a plurality of image processing apparatuses 2 including a personal computer and an image forming apparatus 3 including a printer, a digital copying machine, and the like, which are connected by a predetermined interface or network 3. It is configured.
[0042]
As the printing method of the image forming apparatus 3, various methods such as an inkjet method, a sublimation type thermal transfer method, a silver salt photography method, a direct thermal recording method, and a melt type thermal transfer method can be applied in addition to the electrophotographic method.
[0043]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing electrical connections of the image processing apparatus 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 2 is configured such that a CPU 11 that performs various calculations and centrally controls each unit of the image processing apparatus 2 and a memory 12 that includes various ROMs and RAMs are connected via a bus 13. Yes.
[0044]
The bus 13 is connected to a magnetic storage device 14 such as a hard disk, an input device 15 including a mouse and a keyboard, a display device 16 such as an LCD and a CRT, and a storage medium 17 such as an optical disk via a predetermined interface. Is connected to a storage medium reading device 18 and a predetermined communication interface 20 for communicating with a network 19 such as the Internet. As the storage medium 17, various types of media such as optical disks such as CD and DVD, magneto-optical disks, and flexible disks can be used. As the storage medium reader 18, specifically, an optical disk drive, a magneto-optical disk drive, a flexible disk drive, or the like is used according to the type of the storage medium 17.
[0045]
The magnetic storage device 14 stores an image processing program for executing the program of the present invention. This image processing program is installed in the magnetic storage device 14 by reading it from the storage medium 17 that implements the storage medium of the present invention by the storage medium reader 18 or by downloading it from a network 19 such as the Internet. is there. With this installation, the image processing apparatus 2 becomes operable to perform the following processing. Note that this image processing program may operate on a predetermined OS. Further, it may be a part of specific application software.
[0046]
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of functions realized by the image forming system 1. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the instruction input unit 31 receives a user instruction. The overall control unit 32 controls each unit of the print data generation unit 33. The print data generation unit 33 includes a print document data generation unit 34, a pattern data generation unit 35, and a synthesis unit 36 (details will be described later). These implement the image processing unit 37 as a whole. The printing unit 38 forms an image on the medium.
[0047]
The function of the image processing unit 37 is realized by processing executed by the CPU 11 in the image processing apparatus 2 based on the above-described image processing program. Further, such a function may be distributed on a plurality of computers connected to the network. Alternatively, such a function may be realized by another device (not shown) connected to the image processing device 2. Furthermore, some of these functions may be realized on the image forming apparatus 3. More specifically, it can be realized by processing executed based on a program on a CPU mounted on the image forming apparatus 3 or a function of an electronic circuit mounted on the image forming apparatus 3. The function of the printing unit 37 is realized by the image forming apparatus 3.
[0048]
Next, processing realized by the functional blocks of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when the instruction input unit 31 receives an input of a print instruction from the user (Y in step S1), the process starts. This print instruction includes document data to be printed (and information for accessing the document data). This document data can include document attributes (including information such as whether or not the document is a confidential document). In addition to the document data, the print instruction may include information (confidential print target document information) indicating whether the document is a target of confidential printing (described later).
[0049]
Next, the print document data generating unit 33 generates print document data from the document data to be printed (step S2). The format of the print document data ultimately depends on the format of the print data sent to the printer engine of the image forming apparatus 3, and the format of the print data depends on the image forming apparatus 3 (detailed description is omitted). ).
[0050]
Then, it is determined whether or not the document data to be printed is a secret printing target (step S3). This determination is made based on the above-described confidential print target document information and document attributes. Therefore, if the print instruction includes confidential print target document information for confidential printing, it is determined as a confidential document. Further, it is determined that the document is a confidential document even if the document attribute of the document to be printed includes information indicating confidential printing. Furthermore, it is assumed that the document is a confidential document when both the confidential printing target document information and the document attribute are confidential printing (Y in step S3).
[0051]
Next, when it is determined that the document data to be printed is the target of confidential printing (Y in step S3), predetermined pattern data is generated by the pattern data generation unit 35 (step S4) (pattern generation means) , Pattern generation processing). For example, this pattern is a dot pattern 42 composed of dots 41 having a certain size and arrangement as shown in FIG. This pattern has a certain feature amount indicating that the document is prohibited from being copied. Then, when a medium such as a sheet on which the pattern is formed is read as a document by a scanner of a copying machine, the feature amount can be detected in the read image data. That is, since this pattern can be detected by reading the image and performing predetermined image processing, it is possible to determine that the pattern is an image of a document that is prohibited from being copied in the copying machine (details thereof). Will be described later).
[0052]
FIG. 5 shows the arrangement of the dots 41 in a certain range. As will be described later, this dot pattern 42 is synthesized as the background of the entire document image. If it shows typically, Fig.6 (a) is the paper document 43 printed normally, and FIG.6 (b) is the printed matter 44 which confidentially printed the same document as this. In the printed matter 44, an image of the dot pattern 42 is synthesized on the background of the document 45.
[0053]
Next, the pattern data generation process (step S4) will be described in more detail. As one processing example, a range of basic pattern image data such as the dot pattern 42 shown in FIG. 5 is held in a storage device such as a predetermined memory, and the basic pattern image data is read from the storage device. By reading and arranging the basic pattern repeatedly so as to correspond to the entire document size of the printed matter 44, pattern data of the entire document size is generated. As another example, a basic pattern as shown in FIG. 5 may be generated as necessary. Specifically, when the pattern data generation unit 35 is realized by processing executed by the CPU 11 based on the image processing program, pattern feature amounts (dot size, dot interval, etc.) held in the memory 12 or the magnetic storage device 14 ), The CPU 11 calculates a basic pattern image of the dot pattern 42. The generated basic pattern is repeatedly arranged corresponding to the entire document size, thereby generating pattern data of the entire document size.
[0054]
As described above, when the pattern data generation process (step S4) is executed, the print document data generated in step S2 and the pattern data generated in step S4 are combined (compositing means, combining process) (step S5).
[0055]
As an example of this composition processing, if the print document data has a monochrome binary pixel arrangement and the pattern data also has a monochrome binary pixel arrangement, simply OR processing (if either pixel is black) The combined pixel is black). Alternatively, if there is an attribute “background” as the format of the print data, the print data is configured with the pattern data as “background”.
[0056]
The combined print data is output to the printing unit 38 (output means, output process) (step S6). As a result, an image is formed on a medium such as paper by the printing unit 38 based on the combined image data, thereby performing confidential printing in which the dot pattern 42 is printed on the background. If it is determined in step S3 that the target document is not a confidential document (N in step S3), the print document data generated in step S2 is output to the printing unit 38 and is based on the combined image data. Thus, an image is formed on the medium. In the processing example of FIG. 4, step S2 is executed before step S4. However, either may be used before image synthesis.
[0057]
As described above, since the dot pattern 42 has a certain feature amount, when the scanner reads a medium such as paper on which the pattern is formed as an original, the feature in the read image data. It can be detected by the presence or absence of the amount. Below, this feature-value is demonstrated.
[0058]
[Embodiment 2 of the Invention]
Another embodiment will be described as a second embodiment of the invention.
[0059]
The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a plurality of patterns having different dot sizes are used as the pattern data created in step S4. Other configurations and processing contents are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 6 are used for the description, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0060]
As an example, here, the two dot patterns 51 and 52 shown in FIG. 7 are used as the pattern data created in step S4. The dot pattern 51 in FIG. 7A is composed of dots 53 having a size that can be easily reproduced when copied by a copying machine. The dots shown in FIG. 7B are composed of dots 54 having a size that is difficult to reproduce when copied by a copying machine. Here, the ease of reproduction when copying with a copier is mainly related to the resolution of the copier, and is a dot that can be read accurately by a scanner and is easy to form an image, or a difficult size This indicates whether it is a dot. In addition, the ease of reproduction when copying with a copying machine is determined by various factors such as whether the copying machine has a function of removing noise from an image. The two dot patterns 51 and 52 have substantially the same black pixel density per unit area, and when arranged side by side, they appear uniform to the human eye.
[0061]
By constructing a concealment character string with the dot pattern 52 of FIG. 7B, the dot pattern 52 is difficult to reproduce when copied with a copying machine having no pattern detection function as described later. The concealment character string constituted by 52 becomes obvious in a state of being outlined or close to it. FIG. 8A shows a printed material 55 in which the dot patterns 51 and 52 are combined with the background, and the printed material 56 shown in FIG. 8B is obtained by copying it with a copying machine having no pattern detection function. In the printed matter 56, the dot pattern 51 is printed on the background of the print document 57, but the concealed character string 58 formed by the dot pattern 52 becomes apparent in a state close to white.
[0062]
In the example of FIG. 8, the portion of the concealed character string 58 (referred to as a message area) is composed of the dot pattern 52 of FIG. 7B, but conversely, the portion other than the character string (temporarily the base area) 7) may be configured with the dot pattern 52 of FIG. 7B, and the message area may be configured with the dot pattern 51 of FIG. 7A. In that case, the relationship between the printed materials 55 and 56 in FIGS. 8A and 8B is as shown in FIGS.
[0063]
Next, pattern data generation processing (step S4) in the present embodiment will be described. As an example, a range of dot patterns 51 as shown in FIG. 7A is held in a storage device such as the memory 12 or the magnetic storage device 14, and image data of the dot patterns 51 is read and printed. The pattern data 61 of the base area of the entire document size is generated by repeatedly arranging it corresponding to the entire document size (FIG. 10A) (in FIG. 10, each figure excluding (c)) Therefore, a partially enlarged view is attached to the plan view of each pattern data). Further, a certain range of dot patterns 52 as shown in FIG. 7B is held in a storage device such as the memory 12 or the magnetic storage device 14, and this dot pattern 52 is read out to correspond to the entire document size. By repeating the arrangement, the entire pattern data 62 of the entire document size is generated (FIG. 10B). Here, a concealed character shape 63 (FIG. 10C) is generated by means to be described later, and the pattern data 61 in the base region is masked so that dots 54 other than the concealed character shape 63 portion remain, and the pattern data 64 Is obtained (FIG. 10 (e)). The pattern data 62 is masked so that the dots 54 in the concealed character shape 63 remain, and pattern data 65 is obtained (FIG. 10D). Finally, OR processing is performed on the pattern data 64 and the pattern data 65 to synthesize both, and the final pattern data 66 (FIG. 10 (f)) is completed. This pattern data 66 becomes the pattern data used in the synthesis process (step S5).
[0064]
The generation of the data of the hidden character shape 63 is performed in the pattern data generation unit 35, for example. More specifically, concealed character code data is received and converted into a bitmap pattern in font data of a predetermined size. The font data may be changed in size, type, or the like according to an instruction related to the hidden character string in the print instruction.
[0065]
As another example, the generation of the hidden character shape 63 data may be realized by a hidden character shape data generation unit (not shown) prepared in the print data generation unit 33 or the image processing unit 37. More specifically, concealed character code data is received and converted into a bitmap pattern in font data of a predetermined size. The font data may be changed in size, type, or the like according to an instruction regarding the concealment character string in the print instruction.
[0066]
As another configuration example of the pattern data generation process (step S4), dot patterns 51 and 52 as shown in FIG. 7 are generated as necessary. More specifically, if the pattern data generation unit 35 is realized by the processing executed by the CPU 11, the feature amounts (dots) of the dot patterns 51 and 52 held in the storage device such as the memory 12 and the hard disk 14. The basic patterns of the dot patterns 51 and 52 are generated by calculation by the CPU 11 according to the size and the dot interval. The processing after the generation of the dot patterns 51 and 52 is the same as the example described above.
[0067]
As another example of the pattern data generation process (step S4), only the dot pattern 51 of FIG. 7A is held in a storage device such as the memory 12 or the hard disk 14, and this dot pattern 51 is read and paired. The dot pattern 52 shown in FIG. 7B is generated by calculation executed by the CPU 11 so as to correspond to the read dot pattern 51. The processing after generation of the basic pattern is the same as the example described above.
[0068]
[Copiers that copy confidential printed materials]
As described above, when the printed materials 44 and 56 are copied by a predetermined copying machine, the printed dot patterns 44 and 51 can be detected. Next, a copying machine having such a detection function will be described.
[0069]
(1) Document image
First, an original image used in this copying machine will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0070]
FIG. 11 is a front view illustrating a document image. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a copy of the original image in which the background dot pattern embedded in the original image is visible. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a copy of an original image in which a background dot pattern embedded in the original image is visible. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating the background dot pattern illustrated in FIG. 13 in an enlarged manner. FIG. 15 is an enlarged schematic diagram illustrating the background dot pattern illustrated in FIG.
[0071]
As the original image 101 and the original paper 102 for generating the original image 101 shown in FIG. 11, the original paper 102 in which the background dot pattern 103 is embedded in the background is used. However, as another example, the background dot pattern 103 may be formed at the same time as the original image 101 is created using the original paper 102 on which the background dot pattern 103 is not formed. That is, the background dot pattern 103 may be preliminarily printed on the original paper 102, or may be simultaneously formed when characters, graphics, etc. are formed on the original paper 102.
[0072]
The background dot pattern 103 includes a base area 104 and a message area 105. The base area 104 is a ground area that occupies most of the original paper 102. The message area 105 is an area for expressing a message distributed in the base area 104. The base area 104 and the message area 105 are not different from each other in the basic configuration of the background dot pattern 103 itself. They are just parting. In this example, the message area 105 is composed of characters “copying prohibited”. As characters constituting such a message area 105, any characters, symbols, and the like can be used in addition to “copy prohibited”.
[0073]
In the original image 101 created using such original paper 102, when the original image 101 is copied, a part of the background dot pattern 103 emerges. In this case, in the document image 101 illustrated in FIG. 2, the message area 105 expressed by the characters “copy prohibited” appears, and in the document image 101 illustrated in FIG. 13, the base area 104 emerges.
[0074]
As described above, when the original image 101 in which the background dot pattern 103 is embedded is copied, one of the message area 105 and the base area 104 in the background dot pattern 103 is highlighted. This is because it is difficult to reproduce. In other words, when the region 104 or 105 that does not rise up disappears, the remaining region 104 or 105 appears to rise up.
[0075]
The background dot pattern 103 that causes such a phenomenon is constituted by a set of two types of dots 106 having different sizes as exemplified in FIGS. 14 and 15. That is, of these two types of dots 106, the small dots 106b are difficult to reproduce, and the large dots 106a are reproduced. Therefore, in the background dot pattern 103 illustrated in FIG. 12 in which the message area 105 rises after copying, as shown in FIG. 15, a small dot 106 b is used to form the base area 104, and the message area 105 is formed. Large dots 106a are used. On the other hand, in the background dot pattern 103 illustrated in FIG. 13 in which the base area 104 is lifted after copying, as shown in FIG. 14, a small dot 106b is used to form the message area 105, and the base area 104 is formed. A large dot 106a is used.
[0076]
As another configuration example of the background dot pattern 103, the message area 105 or the base area 104 that emerges can be configured not only with dots but also with a thin line pattern, a specific pattern pattern, or the like.
[0077]
Here, in the copier of this example, which will be described later, the message area 105 or the base area 104 is handled as a feature amount. For example, if the message area 105 or the base area 104 that emerges is composed of dots 106, the size and density (the number of dots per unit area) of the message area 105 or the base area 104 that emerges are composed of a thin line pattern. If the message area 105 or the base area 104 that emerges has a specific pattern pattern, the feature of the pattern can be used as a feature amount.
[0078]
In the above example, the feature quantity for the message area 105 or the base area 104 that emerges is limited. However, as such a feature quantity, the base area 104 or the message area 105 that does not emerge, or the message area 105 or the base area 104 that emerges. For each of the base area 104 or the message area 105 that does not appear, the respective feature amounts may be obtained. In short, as long as one or both of the base area 104 and the message area 105 can be read as data when the document image 101 in which the image data in which the background dot pattern 103 is embedded is recorded is read, It can be treated as a feature quantity. Or, in the image data in which the background dot pattern 103 that exists in the form of data is embedded, any one or both of the base area 104 and the message area 105 constituting the background dot pattern 103 can be read as data. It is possible to treat it as a feature quantity.
[0079]
(2) Copy machine configuration example
A configuration example of the copying machine of this example will be described.
[0080]
FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the copying machine of this example. FIG. 17 is a block diagram of the background dot pattern detection unit 210 shown in FIG.
[0081]
As shown in FIG. 16, the copying machine has a digital copying machine configuration in which a scanner 201, an image processing unit 202 having a digital circuit configuration, and a plotter 203 are controlled by a system controller 204. The system controller 204 utilizes the computer functions constructed from the built-in CPU 204a, ROM 204b, and RAM 204c, and controls the scanner 201, the image processing unit 202, and the plotter 203 in accordance with instructions from the operation display unit 205, and the necessary Information is returned to the operation display unit 205 for display.
[0082]
The image processing unit 202 includes a shading correction unit 213, a filter processing unit 206, a scaling processing unit 207, a γ processing unit 208, and a gradation processing unit 209. Each of these units 213, 206, 207, 208, and 209 is not different from an equivalent circuit configuration provided in a general digital copying machine, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0083]
On the other hand, the image processing unit 202 includes a background dot pattern detection unit 210, a copy prohibited document determination unit 211, and a selector 212. The background dot pattern detection unit 210, copy prohibition document determination unit 211, and selector 212 are hardware with a digital circuit configuration that detects and determines a copy prohibition document such as a confidential document and prohibits the copy.
[0084]
The background dot pattern detection unit 210 has a hardware configuration illustrated in FIG. That is, the dot 106 is detected by the black dot detection unit 251 from the image data based on the original image 101 read by the scanner 201. As a detection method in this case, various conventional methods for detecting an image pattern by a digital circuit, for example, pattern matching can be used. Next, the black dot density determination unit 252 calculates the dot density within a certain area in the dots 106 detected by the black dot detection unit 251. Such calculation processing is executed by a counter or an adder having a digital circuit configuration.
[0085]
Here, the background dot pattern detection unit 210 includes a base region dot number determination unit 253 and a message region dot number determination unit 254 subsequent to the black dot density determination unit 252. Each of the base area dot number determination unit 253 and the message area dot number determination unit 254 has a storage area (not shown). The base region dot number determination unit 253 is an allowable value for determining the identity with respect to the dot density of the base region 104 of the background dot pattern 103 that prohibits output within a certain area as a reference for dot density calculation in the black dot density determination unit 252. And a threshold value that is an allowable value for identity determination with respect to the number of dots in the base region 104 of the background dot pattern 103 that prohibits the output included in one document sheet 102 is stored and saved. The message area dot number determination unit 254 is an allowable value for the identity determination with respect to the dot density of the message region 105 of the background dot pattern 103 that prohibits output within a certain area which is a reference for dot density calculation in the black dot density determination unit 252. And a threshold value that is an allowable value for identity determination with respect to the number of dots in the message area 105 of the background dot pattern 103 that prohibits output included in one original sheet 102 is stored and saved.
[0086]
Therefore, the base area dot number determination unit 253 determines that the density of the dots 106 calculated by the black dot density determination unit 252 is included in the threshold value related to the dot density stored and saved in a storage area (not shown). In this case, the number of dots 106 of the same size detected by the black dot detection unit 251 is accumulated in, for example, a counter. Then, if the accumulated number of dots is included within the threshold relating to the number of dots stored and saved in a storage area (not shown), it is determined that there is a base area 104 of the background dot pattern 103 whose output is prohibited, The determination result is output to the copy-inhibited document determination unit 211.
[0087]
On the other hand, the message area dot number determination unit 254 determines that the density of the dots 106 calculated by the black dot density determination unit 252 is included in the threshold value related to the dot density stored and saved in a storage area (not shown). In this case, the number of dots 106 of the same size detected by the black dot detection unit 251 is accumulated in, for example, a counter. When the accumulated number of dots is included within the threshold value regarding the number of dots stored and saved in a storage area (not shown), it is determined that there is a message area 105 of the background dot pattern 103 that is prohibited from being output, The determination result is output to the copy-inhibited document determination unit 211.
[0088]
The copy-inhibited document determination unit 211 receives the processing result of the background dot pattern detection unit 210 and executes a copy-inhibited document determination process according to a predetermined determination criterion. This determination criterion may be stored as a parameter in a storage area (not shown) included in the copy-prohibited document determination unit 211, for example, or may be set in such a storage area by an input from the operation display unit 205. For example, the copy-prohibited document determination unit 211 determines that a copy-prohibited document such as a confidential document is present when one of the base area 104 and the message area 105 of the background dot pattern 103 exists in the original image 101 read by the scanner 201. It is judged that. Alternatively, the copy-prohibited document determination unit 211 can copy a copy-prohibited document such as a confidential document when both the base area 104 and the message area 105 of the background dot pattern 103 exist in the original image 101 read by the scanner 201. It is judged that.
[0089]
In this way, means for detecting the background dot pattern 103 embedded in the background image included in the image data of the document image 101 from the image data, and the background dot that prohibits the output stored in the storage area from the detected background dot pattern. A means for comparing the pattern and determining its identity is executed. Thus, in the present embodiment, the image of the document image 101 is confirmed by confirming the identity of the detected background dot pattern 103 and the background dot pattern 103 stored in the storage area, regardless of the type of document image. It is possible to determine whether data output should be prohibited.
[0090]
When the copy-prohibited document determination unit 211 determines that the original image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a copy-prohibited document, the copy-prohibited document determination unit 211 transmits to the selector 212 of the image processing unit 202 that a copy-prohibited document has been detected. In response to this, the selector 212 selects processing after detection of the copy-prohibited document, that is, prohibition of the copy operation in the plotter 203. Here, when it is determined that the original image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a copy-prohibited document, that is, as a result of the determination by the means for determining the identity, the detected background dot pattern 103 and the background dot pattern that prohibits output. If it is determined that the image data is identical to the image data 103, a means for prohibiting image data output processing is executed. As a result, when the original image 101 read by the scanner 201 is a copy-inhibited document such as a confidential document, its reproduction is prevented.
[0091]
If the copying machine having the above configuration is used, the dot patterns 42 and 51 of the printed materials 44 and 56 in the first and second embodiments can be detected, and the printed materials 44 and 56 are determined to be copy-inhibited documents. Therefore, copying of copy-prohibited documents can be prevented.
[0092]
【The invention's effect】
  The present invention prints an image pattern indicating that the document is prohibited from copying in advance when the document image data is formed on the medium by inserting an image pattern indicating that the document is prohibited from copying. Since it is possible to form an image at the output destination of the combined image data without preparing a special paper as a medium, complicated work such as paper replacement and paper cassette selection can be omitted..
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of electrical connection of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing executed by the image processing apparatus.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a dot pattern used in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a normal document (a) and an example of a document created in the first embodiment (b).
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of two types of dot patterns used in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an example (a) of a document created in the second embodiment and a document (b) obtained by copying the document as a document.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of another example of a document created in the second embodiment (a) and a document (b) obtained by copying the document as a document.
10 is an explanatory diagram of image composition executed in Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 11 is a front view illustrating a manuscript image used in a copying machine that copies confidential printed matter.
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a copy of an original image in which a background dot pattern (background dot pattern) embedded in the original image appears to be raised.
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a copy of an original image in which a background dot pattern (background dot pattern) embedded in the original image is raised.
14 is a schematic diagram illustrating an enlarged background dot pattern (background dot pattern) illustrated in FIG. 12. FIG.
15 is an enlarged schematic diagram illustrating a background dot pattern (background dot pattern) illustrated in FIG.
FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the copying machine.
17 is a block diagram of a background dot pattern detection unit shown in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Image forming system
2 Image processing device
3 Image forming device
17 Storage media

Claims (5)

In an image forming system including a print instruction device that outputs a print instruction and a print data generation device that receives the print instruction from the print instruction device and generates print data.
The print data generation device includes:
Pattern data generating means for generating pattern data of an image indicating that the document image data is a document prohibited from copying;
Print data generation means for generating print data from the document image data and the pattern data generated by the pattern data generation means,
The pattern data generating means
Document image data including attribute information indicating whether the print data generation apparatus is a confidential document from the print instruction apparatus that has received a print instruction from a user , and a document image for which the document image data is a target of confidential printing in either a and receive confidential print target document information indicating that, the document image data in accordance with the attribute information and the confidential print target document information when it is determined that the target confidential print, to generate the pattern data A featured image forming system. In an image forming apparatus that generates print data in response to a print instruction,
A print instruction means for outputting a print instruction;
Pattern data generating means for generating pattern data of an image indicating that the document image data is a document prohibited from copying;
Print data generation means for generating print data from the document image data and the pattern data generated by the pattern data generation means,
The pattern data generating means
Document image data including attribute information indicating whether the document is a confidential document received by the print instruction unit that has received a print instruction from a user, and whether the document image data is a document image to be subjected to confidential printing imaging of the confidential print target document information, wherein the document image data in accordance with the attribute information and the confidential print target document information when it is determined that the subject of confidential print, to generate the pattern data shown apparatus. In an image forming method by an image forming apparatus that receives print instructions and generates print data,
A print instruction procedure for outputting a print instruction;
A pattern data generation procedure for generating image pattern data indicating that the document image data is a document prohibited from copying;
A print data generation procedure for generating print data from the document image data and the pattern data generated by the pattern data generation means;
The pattern data generation procedure includes:
Document image data including attribute information indicating whether the document is a confidential document received by the print instruction procedure in response to a print instruction from a user, and whether the document image data is a document image to be confidentially printed In the confidential print target document information shown , when it is determined that the document image data is a target of confidential printing according to the attribute information and the confidential print target document information ,
An image forming method, wherein the pattern data is generated. In an image forming program executed by an image forming apparatus having an arithmetic processing unit and a storage device and generating print data in response to a print instruction,
The image forming program is stored in the arithmetic processing unit.
A print instruction step for outputting a print instruction; and
A pattern data generation step for generating pattern data of an image indicating that the document image data is a document prohibited from copying;
A print data generation step of generating print data from the document image data and the pattern data generated by the pattern data generation means,
The pattern data generation step includes:
Document image data including attribute information indicating whether the document is a confidential document received in the print instruction step that has received a print instruction from a user, and whether the document image data is a document image to be subjected to confidential printing in the confidential print target document information indicating a feature of said document image data in accordance with the attribute information and the confidential print target document information when it is determined that the target of security printing, a step of generating the pattern data An image forming program.   A recording medium readable by a computer having an arithmetic processing unit and a storage device, wherein the image forming program according to claim 4 is recorded.

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