JP4409466B2 - Image processing apparatus and image processing program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing program relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing program specifically limit the copying of the image.

  In recent years, due to improvements in image processing technology and image forming technology, when copying banknotes and securities using a digital color copying machine, it is possible to make faithful copies that cannot be easily distinguished from the original copy. It has become. For this reason, it is necessary to take measures so that special manuscripts such as banknotes and securities cannot be copied at all or cannot be copied correctly.

  Further, for example, in a company, even in the case of general documents other than special manuscripts such as banknotes and securities, there are many confidential documents for which output such as copying is prohibited from the viewpoint of maintaining confidentiality of document contents. It is necessary to take measures to prevent such confidential documents from being copied at all, or from being copied correctly. For this reason, various techniques have been proposed in the past that aim to exert restrictions on copying special manuscripts and confidential documents. Hereinafter, specific examples of such invention will be introduced.

  First, Patent Documents 1 to 4 describe techniques for restricting copying. For example, according to the technique described in Patent Document 1 or 2, input image data is compared with a specific mark (pattern data) registered in advance by a pattern matching method, and copying is prohibited when they match. Thus, copying of special manuscripts such as banknotes and securities can be prevented. However, in the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, all the pattern data of the original to be prohibited from copying must be registered in advance. Therefore, even if it is effective for special manuscripts such as banknotes and securities, it is extremely difficult to apply it to an unspecified number of general manuscripts such as confidential documents.

  Patent Documents 3 and 4 describe that a mark indicating a confidential document attached to a confidential document is detected. This utilizes the fact that a copy-prohibited confidential document is generally stamped with a mark indicating that it is a confidential document made up of a confidential seal, a copy-prohibited mark, or the like. Thus, when it is determined that the document is a confidential document, the copying can be prohibited, that is, the copying can be prevented. However, in the technique described in Patent Document 3 or 4, when an image reading operation is executed by covering a mark portion indicating a confidential document such as a confidential mark with paper or the like, naturally, However, the presence of a mark indicating a confidential document cannot be determined. Therefore, there is a problem that even a confidential document that should be prohibited from being copied cannot be prevented from being copied.

  For this reason, Patent Document 9 discloses that when a pattern meaning specific information, for example, a dot pattern is superimposed on a document surface for recording a document image and the document image is read, such a dot is used. It describes that control is performed such as prohibiting output of the original image when a pattern such as a pattern is detected.

  Patent Documents 5 and 6 describe a technique for recording a copy prohibited document as a copy-prohibited document. That is, Patent Documents 5 and 6 propose a technique for suppressing copying by embedding a background pattern in an original image that is desired to be prohibited from copying. This is to use a sheet on which a background pattern having a base area and a message area is created on the background of the sheet used for the original image. The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern does not stand out so much in the original image, and does not hinder the interpretation of information included in the original image. However, when a manuscript image in which such a tint block pattern is embedded is copied, for example, a message area pattern emerges. Therefore, by giving characters such as “copy prohibited” as the pattern of the message area, it becomes obvious at a glance that the copy was a confidential document prohibited from copying. Can be generated. However, such a method using a tint block pattern only provides a copy suppression effect, and does not restrict the copying act itself.

Further, Patent Documents 7 and 8 describe a technique for limiting the number of times of copying a document. That is, Patent Document 7 relates to a technique for controlling a security level by embedding a confidential level in image data in order to improve user convenience. The user name, date, copy number, generation number, etc. are embedded in the image as invisible information, and an unauthorized copy is determined. Patent Document 8 discloses a technique related to rewriting from a copy-once attribute to a no-more-copy attribute for a digital work such as a disc.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-125259 JP 2001-86330 A JP-A-7-36317 JP 7-87309 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-164739 JP 2001-197297 A JP 11-355557 A JP 2000-251395 A JP 2004-274092 A

  However, Patent Document 7 describes a method for controlling the security level in order to improve user convenience, but real-time processing is impossible in a high-speed copying machine that starts printing almost simultaneously with scanning. It is.

  Patent Document 8 also describes a method of limiting the number of copies, but the target of copying is a digital medium and not a paper document.

The present invention was made in view of the above, and to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing program that can be flexibly limiting the number of copying a paper document.

  Accordingly, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention is an image processing apparatus that embeds information in a document image to be printed, and is permitted for a printed matter of the document image. And a pattern superimposing means for generating an output image in which a pattern that disappears by a predetermined image processing at the time of copying and a pattern that does not disappear are superimposed on the original image according to the number of times of copying.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an image processing apparatus for determining whether or not to copy a document according to a pattern included in the document image of the document. And a first determination unit that determines whether the original image includes a pattern that disappears by predetermined image processing at the time of copying. If the original image includes the disappearing pattern, It is characterized by permitting copying.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention may be an image processing program for executing a processing procedure in the image processing apparatus to a computer.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing program that can be flexibly limiting the number of copying a paper document.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an image processing system 1 includes a multifunction peripheral 100 and a PC (Personal Computer) 200 that are connected to each other via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet (whether wired or wireless). It is constituted by.

  The multifunction device 100 is an image forming apparatus having a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, and the like, and includes a scanner 101, a printer 102, a CPU 103, a SIMD (Single Instruction / Multiple Data) 104, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). 105, a hard disk drive (HDD) 106, a ROM 107, a RAM 108, a network interface card (NIC) 109, an operation panel 110, and the like.

  The scanner 101 is an apparatus that acquires an image from a document by a scanning process. The printer 102 is an apparatus that prints an image on a sheet by print processing. The CPU 103 is a processor for various information processing. The SIMD 104 is a processor for various parallel processing. In the present embodiment, the SIMD 104 executes a detection program described later.

  The ASIC 105 is an integrated circuit for various image processing. The HDD 106 is a storage device that stores an operating system, applications, and the like. As an operating system, for example, UNIX (registered trademark) is stored. Applications include various image output formats such as scan data print processing application, scan data facsimile transmission processing application, scan data data storage processing application, scan data mail delivery processing application, etc. An application corresponding to the image output process is stored. In the multi-function device 100, image output processing of each image output format is controlled by an application corresponding to each image output format.

  The ROM 107 is a nonvolatile memory. In the present embodiment, a detection program is stored in the ROM 107. The RAM 108 is a memory (volatile memory) used for work when various programs are processed. The NIC 109 is a communication device serving as a network interface for connecting to the network 30. The operation panel 110 is an operation display device that displays information to the user and receives input from the user.

  The PC 200 includes a display 201, an input device 202, a CPU 203, a NIC 204, an HDD 205, a ROM 206, a RAM 207, and the like.

  The display 201 is a display device. The input device 202 is a device that receives input from the user, such as a keyboard and a mouse. The CPU 203 is a processor for various information processing. The HDD 205 is a storage device that stores an operating system, drivers for applications, printers, and the like. As an operating system, for example, UNIX (registered trademark) is stored. As applications, for example, an application for document creation, an application for image retouching, and the like are stored.

  The ROM 206 is a memory (nonvolatile memory) in which, for example, a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) program is recorded. The RAM 207 is a memory (volatile memory) used for work when various programs are processed. The NIC 204 is a communication device serving as a network interface for connecting to the network 30.

  Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the image processing system 1 of FIG. 1 will be described. First, generation processing of a document in which the number of times of copying over generations is restricted (hereinafter referred to as “copy restricted document”) will be described. Here, the generation refers to a stack of copies such as a copy of the original and a copy of the copy. Therefore, the limitation on the number of copies over generations means that the number of copies is limited.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a copy restricted document generation process. In the present embodiment, the copy restriction document is generated by the CPU 203 of the PC 200 executing the processing shown in FIG. However, the same processing may be executed by the CPU 103 of the multifunction peripheral 100.

  When the user is editing existing document data or creating a new document with an arbitrary application on the PC 200 (S101), the printing process starts when the user instructs printing of the document data (S102).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an initial state of the document image of the document data in the embodiment of the present invention. That is, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that printing of document data related to the document image 301 is instructed. In the present embodiment, the document data refers to data in a data format corresponding to an application or a predetermined standard (standard or the like). Therefore, the data is not necessarily limited to raster format data, and may be a set of commands specific to an application or simple text information. On the other hand, the document image or image refers to abstract information or an image that appears when document data is displayed or printed. The drawing elements included in the document image are not limited to characters, and may include various codes, symbols, diagrams, and the like.

  In response to a print instruction from the user, the printer driver displays a print setting screen on the display 201 (S103). The user sets general printing conditions on the displayed print setting screen and sets security information such as the number of times copying is permitted (S104).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a print setting screen according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, the security tab 41 of the print setting screen 40 is a toggle button 411 for selecting a level related to restriction on copying of printed matter of document data to be printed (hereinafter referred to as “security level”). 412 and 413 are arranged.

  The toggle button 411 is selected when copying is allowed without limitation. The toggle button 412 is selected when copying is permitted only once (one generation). The toggle button 413 is selected when copying is not permitted at all.

  When a security level is selected on the security tab 41 and further execution of printing is instructed, the printer driver performs a process of developing a document image to be printed based on the set printing conditions (S105). Further, the printer driver generates an output image in which a predetermined pattern is superimposed on the document image according to the security level selected on the security tab 41, and generates print data relating to the output image (S106). The print data refers to data that is described by PDL (Page Description Language) or the like and that can be interpreted by the printer 102 of the multifunction peripheral 100. The print data is transmitted to the multifunction device 100 and output by the printer 102 of the multifunction device 100.

  The pattern superimposed on the document image in step S106 will be described. The superimposed pattern differs depending on the security level, that is, the number of permitted copying.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pattern superimposed for each security level in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the patterns are not superimposed when copying is permitted. Therefore, in this case, the document image 301 shown in FIG. 3 is printed on the printing paper.

  On the other hand, when copying is permitted only once, a pattern composed of “dots that do not disappear” and “dots that disappear” is superimposed. If copying is not permitted, a pattern consisting only of “dots that do not disappear” is superimposed.

  Here, “dots that do not disappear” refer to dots that are reproduced on a copy when copied by a copying machine. Further, “disappearing dots” refers to dots that are not reproduced on a copy when copied by a copying machine. That is, when copying is performed by a general copying machine, image processing for removing noise and the like is performed, but the “dots that do not disappear” have a size that is not removed as noise or the like by this image processing. have. On the other hand, “disappearing dots” have only a size that is removed as noise or the like by this image processing.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pattern composed of dots that do not disappear. In FIG. 6, the pattern A is composed of four dots that do not disappear (dots a1, a2, a3, and a4).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a pattern made up of disappearing dots. In FIG. 7, the pattern B is composed of three disappearing dots (dots b1, b2, and b3).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pattern in which a disappearing dot is added to a pattern composed of dots that do not disappear. In FIG. 8, a pattern C is obtained by adding a disappearing dot c1 to a pattern A (FIG. 6) composed of dots that do not disappear.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pattern in which a pattern composed of dots that do not disappear and a pattern composed of dots that disappear. In FIG. 9, a pattern D is a combination of a pattern A (FIG. 6) composed of dots that do not disappear and a pattern B (FIG. 7) composed of dots that disappear.

  When using a pattern that combines a pattern composed of dots that do not disappear and a pattern composed of dots that disappear, such as pattern C and pattern D, it is desirable that the relative positional relationship between the two patterns be a predetermined one. As will be described later, if the relative positional relationship between the two patterns is predetermined, the pattern detection process can be speeded up and the detection accuracy can be increased.

  In the PC 200, pattern information (for example, image information or coordinate information) regarding the patterns A to D is stored in the HDD 205 in advance, and the printer driver uses the pattern information to superimpose the pattern on the document image 301 (that is, the pattern information). Embed information).

  If copying is not permitted, a pattern consisting only of dots that do not disappear is superimposed (FIG. 5), so the printer driver superimposes the pattern A on the document image 301, for example. Therefore, an output image as shown in FIG. 10 is obtained.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image on which the pattern A is superimposed. In FIG. 10, an image 302 is obtained by repeatedly superimposing a pattern A on a document image 301.

  When copying is permitted only once, a pattern composed of dots that do not disappear and dots that disappear will be superimposed (FIG. 5), so that the printer driver superimposes the pattern C or pattern D on the document image 301, for example. Further, both the pattern A and the pattern B may be overlapped. This is because, as a result, a pattern composed of dots that do not disappear and dots that disappear. Therefore, an output image as shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 12, or FIG. 13 is obtained.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image on which patterns A and B are superimposed. In FIG. 11, an image 303 is obtained by repeatedly superimposing patterns A and B on a document image 301.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image on which the pattern C is superimposed. In FIG. 12, an image 304 is obtained by repeatedly superimposing a pattern C on a document image 301.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image on which the pattern D is superimposed. In FIG. 11, an image 305 is obtained by repeatedly superimposing a pattern D on a document image 301.

  Next, a document copy process in the multifunction peripheral 100 will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the copying process in the first embodiment.

  When the user places a document on the scanner 101 and instructs the start of copying from the operation panel 110, image input processing for inputting an image for image formation processing is executed (S151 to S153). That is, an image acquisition process (S151) for acquiring an image (original image) from a document by the scanner 101, a shading correction process (S152) for correcting variations in the CCD sensor, and a line correction process (S152) for correcting a color shift of color scan data. S153) and the like are performed.

  Subsequently, image processing is executed by the ASIC 105 (S154 to S160). That is, background removal processing (S154), image area separation processing (S155), γ correction processing (S156), filter processing (smoothing processing and enhancement processing) (S157), isolated point removal processing (S158), color correction processing (S159) ), Image processing processing (mirroring processing and enlargement / reduction processing) (S160), and the like are performed. The disappearing dots are removed by this image processing, particularly the isolated point removal processing (S158). Further, depending on the form of the disappearing dot, it may be removed by the background removal process (S154). In other words, the dots that disappear are necessary to be removed by such image processing (particularly, isolated point removal processing). Further, the dots that do not disappear must be such that they cannot be removed by these image processes.

  Subsequently, gradation processing (S162) and image printing (S163) are executed by the printer 102 as image output processing. This completes the copying of a general manuscript. Note that if the original image includes a disappearing dot, the disappearing dot is removed by the above-described image processing, and thus does not appear as a print result.

  In addition to output to the printer 102, as other application processing, facsimile transmission processing for transmitting a document image as a facsimile, data storage processing for storing a document image as image data in the HDD 106, and distribution of the document image attached to an email A mail delivery process or the like may be performed (S164). Depending on each application, parameters of image processing may be different or processing may be skipped.

  The copying process according to the present embodiment includes a specific image detection process for detecting whether a predetermined pattern is included in the output image of the line correction process (S153) (S165). However, the specific image detection process may be performed on the output image of the background removal process as long as the disappearing dots are not removed by the background removal process (S154).

  When a predetermined pattern is detected by the specific image detection process, an image destruction signal is output to the printer 102, and the image destruction process is executed before the image output process (S162, S163) is executed (S161). The image destruction process is a process for destroying the image so that the contents of the document image cannot be read. Specifically, this is processing such as replacement of a document image with a black-out, white-out, or a character string such as “uncopyable”.

  In other words, the error can be terminated before the output of the original image from the printer 102 or the start of accumulation in the HDD 13, but the high-speed monochrome copier starts printing almost simultaneously with the reading of the original image. In such a case, if the original image is destroyed from the position where the predetermined pattern is detected, the high-speed copying process can be maintained. Similarly, when image data is stored in the HDD 13, the original image may be destroyed and stored, or after the image data is deleted from the HDD 106 by issuing an image deletion command or a total image destruction command. Good.

  The specific image detection process in step S165 will be described. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a specific image detection processing unit that executes a specific image detection process according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 15, the specific image detection processing unit 14 is a function realized by processing the detection program stored in the ROM 107 by the SIMD 104, and includes a binarization unit 141, a first dot extraction unit 142, a first one. A pattern matching unit 143, a first determination unit 144, a second dot extraction unit 145, a second pattern matching unit 146, a second determination unit 147, a third determination unit 148, and the like.

  Here, a case where pattern A (FIG. 6) and pattern B (FIG. 7) are to be detected will be described.

  The binarization unit 141 binarizes the output image of the line correction process or the background removal process (hereinafter referred to as “target image”), and extracts dots in the target image. The first dot extraction unit 142 extracts dots that do not disappear from the dots extracted by the binarization unit 141 using a mask for extracting dots that do not disappear.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mask for extracting dots that do not disappear. In the mask 1421 of FIG. 16, “B” indicates a black pixel and “W” indicates a white pixel. Further, a pixel that is not any indicates a pixel that may have any value. In other words, the area of the black pixel in the mask 1421 is at least larger than the dots that disappear and smaller than the dots that do not disappear. The first dot extraction unit 142 applies the mask 1421 while shifting pixel by pixel from end to end of the target image, and determines whether the area to which the mask 1421 is applied matches the mask 1421 each time. If they match, a dot that does not disappear from the area is extracted.

  The second dot extraction unit 145 extracts the disappearing dots from the dots extracted by the binarization unit 141 using a mask for extracting the disappearing dots.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mask for extracting disappearing dots. In the mask 1451 of FIG. 17, “B” indicates a black pixel and “W” indicates a white pixel. The second dot extraction unit 145 applies the mask 1451 while shifting pixel by pixel from end to end of the target image, and determines whether or not the area to which the mask 1451 is applied matches the mask 1451 each time. If they match, the dots that disappear from the area are extracted.

  Subsequently, pattern matching is performed using the dot extraction result. The first pattern matching unit 143 extracts the pattern A using a mask for extracting the pattern A based on the dot extraction result by the first dot extraction unit 142.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mask for extracting the pattern A. In the mask 1431 of FIG. 18, the meanings of “B”, “W”, and empty pixels are the same as described above. In the mask 1431, black pixels are arranged so as to satisfy the relative positional relationship of the dots a 1, a 2, a 3 and a 4 constituting the pattern A.

  The second pattern matching unit 146 extracts the pattern B using a mask for extracting the pattern B based on the dot extraction result by the second dot extraction unit 145.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mask for extracting the pattern B. In the mask 1461 of FIG. 19, the meanings of “B”, “W”, and empty pixels are the same as described above. In the mask 1461, black pixels are arranged so as to satisfy the dots b1, b2, and b3 constituting the pattern B and the relative positional relationship.

  The first determination unit 144 determines that the pattern A has been detected when a predetermined number of patterns A are extracted within a predetermined area. The second determination unit 147 determines that the pattern B has been detected when a predetermined number of patterns B are extracted within a predetermined area. The third determination unit 148 performs final determination based on the detection results of the first determination unit 144 and the second determination unit 147.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a determination example of the third determination unit in the first embodiment. In FIG. 20, it is shown in a tabular form what the third determination unit 148 performs according to the determination result of the first determination unit 144 and the determination result of the second determination unit 147.

  According to FIG. 20, when the first determination unit 144 detects the pattern A and the second determination unit 147 detects the pattern B (first row in the table), the third determination unit 148 outputs an image destruction signal. Do not output (allow copying). When the first determination unit 144 does not detect the pattern A (third row in the table), the third determination unit 147 does not output an image destruction signal regardless of the determination result of the second determination unit 147 ( Allow copying). Therefore, in the above case, the copying process is normally executed.

  On the other hand, when the first determination unit 144 detects the pattern A and the second determination unit 147 does not detect the pattern B (second row in the table), the third determination unit 148 outputs an image destruction signal. Yes (no copying allowed). Therefore, in this case, the copying process is not normally performed.

  That is, FIG. 20 shows that image destruction is performed when only a pattern A, that is, a pattern consisting of indelible dots is detected in the document image.

  From the above, for example, when a document having the image 303 (FIG. 11) is copied (including read data storage, mail distribution, FAX transmission, etc.) in the multi-function peripheral 100, the first copy is as shown in FIG. An output image can be obtained.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image obtained as a copy result when a document on which the pattern A and the pattern B are superimposed is copied. In FIG. 21, the image 501 has not been destroyed. This is because the image 303 includes not only the pattern A but also the pattern B, which is detected. However, the pattern B is removed by image processing. Therefore, the image 501 includes only the pattern A.

  Here, if a document having an image 501 as a copy result is further copied, the image is destroyed. That is, the document contains pattern A (a pattern that does not disappear) but does not include pattern B (a pattern that disappears).

  By the way, the specific image detection processing unit 14 may be configured as follows. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a second functional configuration example of the specific image detection processing unit that executes the specific image detection process according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 22, the same parts as those of FIG. 15 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  In FIG. 22, an example in which the pattern C (FIG. 8) is detected from the target image will be described.

  First, the binarization unit 141 binarizes the target image and extracts dots. The dot extraction unit 142 extracts dots that do not disappear from the dots extracted by the binarization unit 141 using the mask 1421 (FIG. 16). The dot extraction unit 145 extracts dots that disappear from the dots extracted by the binarization unit 141 using the mask 1451 (FIG. 17).

  Subsequently, pattern matching is performed using the dot extraction result. The first pattern matching unit 143 extracts the pattern A using a mask for extracting a pattern (pattern A) composed of dots (dots a1, a2, a3, and a4) in which the pattern C does not disappear. Further, the second pattern matching unit 146 extracts a pattern composed of dots disappearing from the pattern C using a mask for extracting a pattern composed of dots disappearing from the pattern C (dot c1).

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mask for extracting the pattern C. As illustrated in FIG. In FIG. 23, a mask 1432 is a mask for extracting the pattern A of the patterns C. The pattern 1462 is a mask for extracting a pattern composed of dots where the pattern C disappears. In the figure, an arrow connecting two masks indicates a relative positional relationship between the two masks.

  That is, when the first pattern matching unit 143 extracts the pattern A, the first pattern matching unit 143 outputs the extracted information (such as the current position information of the mask 1432) to the second pattern matching unit 146. The second pattern matching unit 146 applies the mask 1462 at a predetermined relative position with respect to the mask 1432 based on the extraction information, and tries to extract a pattern composed of dots where the pattern C disappears. In this way, by setting the relative positional relationship between the pattern that does not disappear and the pattern that disappears, it is sufficient to detect the other only when one is detected, thereby speeding up the pattern detection process. And detection accuracy can be improved.

  The first determination unit 144 determines that the pattern A has been detected when a predetermined number of patterns A are extracted within a predetermined area. The second determination unit 147 determines that the pattern has been detected when a predetermined number or more of patterns composed of disappearing dots are extracted within a predetermined area. The third determination unit 148 performs final determination based on the determination results of the first determination unit 144 and the second determination unit 147. The determination method is as described in FIG.

  From the above, for example, when a document having the image 304 (FIG. 12) is copied (including read data storage, mail delivery, FAX transmission, etc.) in the multi-function peripheral 100, dots that disappear in the first copy are detected. There is no image destruction. However, since the disappearing dots are removed by image processing, an image 302 (FIG. 10) is obtained as a copy result.

  Here, if a document having the image 302 as a copy result is further copied, the image is destroyed. That is, the document contains the pattern A composed of the disappearing dots, but does not include the disappearing dots. Similarly, when copying is performed on a document on which the pattern D is superimposed, only one copy is permitted. However, in this case, the masks used by the first pattern matching unit 143 and the second pattern matching unit 146 are different.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mask for extracting the pattern D. As illustrated in FIG. That is, the first pattern matching unit 143 uses the mask 1433 to extract a pattern (pattern A (FIG. 6)) composed of dots that do not disappear from the pattern D. Further, the second pattern matching unit 146 uses the mask 1463 to extract a pattern (pattern B (FIG. 7)) composed of dots that disappear from the pattern D at a predetermined relative position with respect to the pattern A.

  As described above, according to the image processing system 1 in the first embodiment, the number of copying of a document can be limited to 0 times or 1 time.

  By the way, when the number of copying is limited, the permitted number of copying (generation) may be two or more. Hereinafter, an example in which the permitted number of times is two or more will be described as a second embodiment. The procedure of the copy restricted document generation process executed by the PC 200 in the second embodiment is the same as that described in FIG. However, the print setting screen is different from the dot superimposition process (S106).

  FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a print setting screen according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 25, on the security tab 51 of the print setting screen 50, toggle buttons 511, 512, 513, 514 and 515 for selecting a security level are arranged.

  A toggle button 511 is selected when copying is allowed without limitation. The toggle button 512 is selected when copying is permitted only once (one generation). A toggle button 513 is selected when copying is permitted twice (two generations). A toggle button 514 is selected when copying is permitted only three times (three generations). A toggle button 515 is selected when copying is not permitted at all.

  In this case, the dot pattern superimposed for each security level in step S106 is as follows. FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pattern superimposed for each security level in the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 26, the case where copying is permitted without limitation and the case where copying is not permitted at all are the same as those in FIG.

  When there is a limit to the number of times copying is permitted, once or twice or three times, a pattern composed of dots that do not disappear and dots that disappear will be superimposed. However, the positions where the disappearing dots are arranged differ depending on the number of times copying is permitted.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pattern to be superimposed when copying is permitted only once. In FIG. 27, the pattern E is composed of five dots, dots a1, a2, a3, and a4 that do not disappear, and a dot b1 that disappears. That is, the pattern E corresponds to the pattern D (FIG. 9) obtained by removing the dots b2 and b3.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of a pattern to be superimposed when copying is permitted only twice. In FIG. 28, the pattern F is composed of five dots, dots a1, a2, a3, and a4 that do not disappear, and a dot b2 that disappears. That is, the pattern F corresponds to a pattern obtained by removing the dots b1 and b3 from the pattern D (FIG. 9).

  FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of a pattern to be superimposed when copying is permitted only three times. In FIG. 29, the pattern G is composed of five dots, dots a1, a2, a3, and a4 that do not disappear, and a dot b3 that disappears. That is, the pattern G corresponds to a pattern obtained by removing the dots b1 and b2 from the pattern D (FIG. 9).

  The three patterns shown in FIGS. 27 to 29 have different dot positions that do not disappear. Thereby, the distinction between the patterns E, F and G is identified.

  Examples of output images on which these patterns are superimposed are shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image on which the pattern E is superimposed. In FIG. 30, an image 306 is obtained by repeatedly superimposing a pattern E on a document image 301.

  FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image on which the pattern F is superimposed. In FIG. 31, an image 307 is obtained by repeatedly superimposing a pattern F on a document image 301.

  FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image on which the pattern G is superimposed. In FIG. 32, an image 308 is obtained by repeatedly superimposing a pattern G on a document image 301.

  Next, a document copy process in the multifunction peripheral 100 will be described. FIG. 33 is a flowchart for explaining the copying process in the second embodiment. 33, the same steps as those in FIG. 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  In FIG. 33, a dot addition process (S201) is added between the gradation process (S162) and the printing process (S163). Further, a dot addition process (S201) is added before the other application processes (S164). Further, the content of the specific image detection process (S165) is different from FIG. 22 and FIG.

  FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a specific image detection processing unit that executes a specific image detection process according to the second embodiment. 34, the same symbols are added to the same portions as FIG. 22, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate. In FIG. 34, an example in which the pattern E, F, or G (FIGS. 27, 28, and 29) is detected will be described.

  First, the binarization unit 141 binarizes the target image and extracts dots. The dot extraction unit 142 extracts dots that do not disappear from the dots extracted by the binarization unit 141 using the mask 1421 (FIG. 16). The dot extraction unit 145 extracts dots that disappear from the dots extracted by the binarization unit 141 using the mask 1451 (FIG. 17).

  Subsequently, pattern matching is performed using the dot extraction result. The first pattern matching unit 143 extracts the pattern A using the mask 1433 (FIG. 24). In addition, the second pattern matching unit 146 extracts any dot constituting the pattern B using the mask 1463.

  Here, when the pattern A is extracted, the first pattern matching unit 143 outputs the extraction information (such as the current position information of the mask 1433) to the second pattern matching unit 146. The second pattern matching unit 146 applies the mask 1466 at a position relative to the mask 1433 based on the extraction information, and tries to extract the pattern B.

  The first determination unit 144 determines that the pattern A has been detected when a predetermined number of patterns A are extracted within a predetermined area. The second determination unit 147 determines that the pattern is detected when a predetermined number of dots constituting the pattern B are extracted within a predetermined area.

  The third determination unit 148 performs final determination based on the determination results of the first determination unit 144 and the second determination unit 147.

  FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a determination example of the third determination unit in the second embodiment. In FIG. 35, what kind of determination the third determination unit 148 performs according to the determination result of the first determination unit 144 and the determination result of the second determination unit 147, and in the dot addition process (S201), It shows in tabular form where the dots are added.

  35, the third determination unit 148 outputs an image destruction signal when the first determination unit 144 detects the pattern A and the second determination unit 147 does not detect the pattern (fourth line in FIG. 35). Otherwise, no image destruction signal is output.

  However, when the second determination unit 147 detects the dot b2 or the dot b3 among the dots constituting the pattern B, the dot addition process (S201) is executed. Here, the dot addition processing is processing for newly adding a dot that disappears at a position determined by the third determination unit 148 (hereinafter referred to as “additional dot position”) with respect to the target image.

  35, the third determination unit 148 determines that the position of the dot b1 is the additional dot position when the dot b2 is detected (in this case, this corresponds to the case where the pattern F (FIG. 28) is detected). judge. When the dot b3 is detected (in this case, this corresponds to the case where the pattern G (FIG. 29) is detected), the position of the dot b2 is determined as the additional dot position. When the dot b1 is detected (in this case, this corresponds to the case where the pattern E (FIG. 27) is detected), no dot is added.

  When the original having the image 308 (FIG. 32) is copied (including read data storage, mail distribution, FAX transmission, etc.) by the copying process as described above, for example, the disappearing dot b3 is detected. Therefore, image destruction is not performed. Further, the dot b3 is removed by image processing. However, an image in which the dot b2 is newly added by the dot addition process (that is, the image 307 (FIG. 31)) is obtained as a copy result.

  Further, when the document having the image 307 is copied, the disappearing dot b2 is detected, and the image is not destroyed. Further, the dot b2 is removed by image processing. However, an image in which the dot b1 is newly added by the dot addition process (that is, the image 306 (FIG. 30)) is obtained as a copy result.

  Further, when the document having the image 306 is copied, the disappearing dot b1 is detected, so that the image is not destroyed. Further, the dot b1 is removed by image processing. In this case, the dot addition process is not performed. Therefore, an image 302 (FIG. 10) is obtained as a copy result.

  Further, when a document having an image 302 is copied, only the pattern A composed of dots that do not disappear is detected, and thus image destruction is performed.

  As described above, copying is permitted three times for a document on which the pattern G is superimposed, twice for a document on which the pattern F is superimposed, and once for a document on which the pattern E is superimposed.

  In the above description, the example in which the number of copying is limited to 0 to 3 has been described. However, it is possible to easily limit the number of copying by providing further variations in the position or number of dots to be added. Can be increased.

  In the above description, the information of the user who performs the copying is not used, but the MFP 100 may acquire the user information and change the determination result of the third determination unit 148 according to the user attribute. . For example, the manager class is permitted to make a copy up to the third time, but a general employee is allowed to make a copy twice at the maximum, and a temporary employee is allowed to make a copy up to the first time only. In this case, when a general employee tries to copy a document on which the pattern G is superimposed, b1 may be used as an additional dot instead of b2. Further, when the temporary employee tries to copy the original on which the pattern G or the pattern F is superimposed, the dot addition process need not be performed.

  As described above, according to the image processing system 1 in the present embodiment, the number of times of copying a document can be flexibly limited. In the present embodiment, the example in which both the disappearing pattern and the non-disappearing pattern are configured by dots has been described. However, the pattern does not necessarily have to be configured by dots, and is configured by a diagram system such as a line segment. It may be what has been done. However, the dot has a characteristic that it is hardly affected by the orientation of the paper due to its shape. In this respect, it is desirable to use a dot pattern.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the specific embodiment which concerns, In the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim, various deformation | transformation * It can be changed.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the image processing system in embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a copy-restricted document generation process. It is a figure which shows the initial state of the document image of the document data in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the print setting screen in 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the pattern superimposed for every security level in 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the pattern which consists of a dot which does not disappear. It is a figure which shows the example of the pattern which consists of a dot which disappears. It is a figure which shows the example of the pattern which added the dot which disappears to the pattern which consists of a dot which does not disappear. It is a figure which shows the example of the pattern which combined the pattern which consists of the dot which does not disappear, and the pattern which consists of the dot which disappears. It is a figure which shows the example of the image on which the pattern A was superimposed. It is a figure which shows the example of the image on which the patterns A and B were superimposed. It is a figure which shows the example of the image on which the pattern C was superimposed. It is a figure which shows the example of the image on which the pattern D was superimposed. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a copying process in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of the specific image detection process part which performs the specific image detection process in 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the mask for extracting the dot which does not disappear. It is a figure which shows the example of the mask for extracting the dot which disappears. It is a figure which shows the example of the mask for extracting the pattern A. It is a figure which shows the example of the mask for extracting the pattern B. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a determination of the 3rd determination part in 1st embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image obtained as a copy result when a document on which a pattern A and a pattern B are superimposed is copied. It is a figure which shows the 2nd function structural example of the specific image detection process part which performs the specific image detection process in 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the mask for extracting the pattern C. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the mask for extracting the pattern D. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the print setting screen in 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the pattern superimposed for every security level in 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the pattern superimposed when copying is permitted only once. It is a figure which shows the example of the pattern superimposed when copying is permitted only twice. It is a figure which shows the example of the pattern superimposed when copying is permitted only 3 times. It is a figure which shows the example of the image on which the pattern E was superimposed. It is a figure which shows the example of the image on which the pattern F was superimposed. It is a figure which shows the example of the image on which the pattern G was superimposed. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the copy process in 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of the specific image detection process part which performs the specific image detection process in 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a determination of the 3rd determination part in 2nd embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image Processing System 100 Multifunction Machine 101 Scanner 102 Printer 103 CPU
104 SIMD
105 ASIC
106 HDD
107 ROM
108 RAM
109 NIC
110 Operation panel 200 PC
201 Display 202 Input Device 203 CPU
204 NIC
205 HDD
206 ROM
207 RAM
14, 14a, 14b Specific image detection processing unit 141 Binarization unit 142 First dot extraction unit 143 First pattern matching unit 144 First determination unit 145 Second dot extraction unit 146 Second pattern matching unit 147 Second base 148 Third judgment part

Claims (23)

An image processing apparatus for embedding information in a document image to be printed,
That generates an output image obtained by superimposing the dot pattern does not disappear and the dot pattern to disappear by a predetermined image processing at the time of the copy to the original image in accordance with the number of times of copying allowed for printed material of the document image It has a heavy tatami means,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the superimposing unit varies the dot to be superimposed in the disappearing dot pattern according to the permitted number of copying . 2. The superimposing unit superimposes a dot pattern in which the disappearing dot pattern and the non-disappearing dot pattern are combined so as to have a predetermined relative positional relationship on the document image. Image processing device. Said superimposing means, when at least one of said copying is allowed with respect to the printed matter, the image processing according to claim 1 or 2, wherein by superimposing said disappearing dot pattern with dot pattern indelible said apparatus. It said superimposing means, when the copying to the printed material is not allowed, by superimposing a dot pattern indelible said, the disappearing dot pattern according to claim 1 to 3 any one, characterized in that it is superposed Image processing device. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the superimposing unit does not superimpose the non- erasable dot pattern when there is no limit on the number of copies permitted for the printed matter. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a print control unit that causes the printing apparatus to print the output image in response to a print instruction for the document image. An image processing apparatus for determining whether or not to copy a document according to a dot pattern included in a document image of the document,
A first determination means for determining whether at least a part of the dot of a dot pattern disappears by a predetermined image processing at the time of the copying are included in the original image,
When the dot is included in the original image, the original image on which the predetermined image processing is performed differs from the dot in the disappearing dot pattern according to the position of the dot in the disappearing dot pattern. Dot pattern addition means for generating an output image by superimposing dots whose positions disappear,
The image processing apparatus, wherein the copying is permitted when the original image includes at least some of the dots of the disappearing dot pattern . A second determination unit that determines whether the original image includes a dot pattern that does not disappear by the predetermined image processing;
The original image includes a dot pattern does not disappear the a, if the disappeared dot pattern is not included in the image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein it does not permit the copying. The first determination unit has a predetermined relative positional relationship with the non-disappearing dot pattern when the second determination unit determines that the non-disappearing dot pattern is included in the document image. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein it is determined whether at least a part of the dots of the disappearing dot pattern is included based on. The image processing apparatus when the dot pattern does not disappear in the original image does not include claims 7 to 9 any one claim and permits the copying. Wherein when copying is not permitted, the image processing apparatus according to claim 7 to 10 any one claim, characterized in that to output an image that destroyed the original image as a copy result. The image processing apparatus, an image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that it comprises a copier. An image processing program for causing a computer to embed information in a document image to be printed,
That generates an output image obtained by superimposing the dot pattern does not disappear and the dot pattern to disappear by a predetermined image processing at the time of the copy to the original image in accordance with the number of times of copying allowed for printed material of the document image It has a heavy tatami procedure,
The image processing program according to claim 1, wherein the superimposing procedure varies the dot to be superimposed in the disappearing dot pattern according to the permitted number of copying . 14. The superimposing procedure superimposes on the original image a dot pattern in which the disappearing dot pattern and the non-disappearing dot pattern are combined so as to have a predetermined relative positional relationship. Image processing program. The superposition procedure, if at least one of said copying is allowed with respect to the printed matter, the image processing according to claim 13 or 14, wherein by superimposing said disappearing dot pattern with dot pattern indelible said program. The superposition procedure, if not the authorized copying to the printed matter, by superimposing a dot pattern indelible said, the disappearing dot pattern according to claim 13 or 15 to any one claim, characterized in that it is superposed Image processing program. The image processing program according to any one of claims 13 to 16 , wherein the superimposing procedure does not superimpose the non- erasable dot pattern when there is no limit to the number of copying permitted for the printed matter. The response to a print instruction of the document image, claims 13 to 17 to any one claim image processing program characterized by having a print control procedure for printing the output image to the printing apparatus. An image processing program for determining whether or not to copy a document according to a dot pattern included in a document image of the document,
A first determination procedure for determining whether at least a part of dots of a dot pattern that disappears by predetermined image processing at the time of copying is included in the document image ;
When the dot is included in the original image, the original image on which the predetermined image processing is performed differs from the dot in the disappearing dot pattern according to the position of the dot in the disappearing dot pattern. A dot pattern addition procedure for generating an output image by superimposing dots whose positions disappear,
An image processing program for permitting the copying when at least a part of dots of the disappearing dot pattern is included in the original image. A second determination procedure for determining whether the original image includes a dot pattern that does not disappear by the predetermined image processing;
The original image includes a dot pattern does not disappear the a, if the disappeared dot pattern not included in claim 19, wherein the image processing program, characterized in that does not allow the copying. In the first determination procedure, when it is determined by the second determination procedure that the non-disappearing dot pattern is included in the document image, the first determination procedure has a predetermined relative positional relationship with the non-disappearing dot pattern. 21. The image processing program according to claim 20, wherein it is determined whether at least some of the dots of the disappearing dot pattern are included. The image processing program according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the copying is permitted when the original image does not include the non- erasable dot pattern . Wherein when copying is not permitted, the claims 19 to 22 to any one claim image processing program is characterized in that to output an image that destroyed the original image as a copy result.

Images