JP4556728B2 - Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress deterioration in productivity and FCOT when an image is copied based on copy control information such as copy inhibition. <P>SOLUTION: In a scanner unit 12, image data for information detection transformed from data read out from a document independently from image data for print out is inputted to a copy control information detecting section 70, a pattern data extracting section 74 extracts pattern data indicative of copy control information and outputs code data according to the pattern data along with a judgment signal. The scanner unit outputs a judgment signal when image data according to the document image is outputted, and switches a select section 90 such that the code data can be outputted when the image data of one page of document is outputted, and outputs the code data in the idle time until the image data of next document is outputted thus enhancing FCOT and productivity when an image is copied based on the copy control information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus that reads a document image, and an image forming apparatus that forms an image read by the image reading apparatus on recording paper or the like or stores it as electronic data.

  The image forming apparatus uses a print output device to which an electrophotographic process or the like is applied, and forms and outputs an image corresponding to the image data on an image forming medium such as a recording paper. In such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to form a high quality image with high resolution and color reproduction as the processing performance improves.

  In addition, image forming apparatuses include a copying machine provided with an image reading function such as a scanner unit, and a multifunction machine (hereinafter referred to as a copying machine). In the copying machine, printing output based on the image data of the original read from the scanner unit is possible. In addition, a recording medium such as an HDD is provided, and image data of a document can be stored in the HDD or output as image data.

  By the way, in a copying machine, high-quality image copying with high color reproducibility and gradation reproducibility is possible, and this makes it possible to form a copy image that is so elaborate that it cannot be distinguished from an original image. There is a need to prevent image copying of banknotes, securities, confidential documents, and the like.

  From here, an image processing apparatus that detects a preset copy prohibition pattern from pixel data before performing image processing after shading correction, and determines whether or not the original from which the image has been read is a copy prohibition original (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Further, there is a method of inserting digital watermark information as a method for specifying a copy-prohibited document. When digital watermark information is used, if the digital watermark information is extracted when the image is read, accurate reproduction of the read image is avoided.

  However, if the digital watermark information is read from all the originals, the processing capability of the copying apparatus is reduced. Therefore, an OHP mode for forming an image on OHP paper or a monochrome image is formed. In a preset mode such as a monochromatic mode for forming the image, an image forming apparatus that stops extraction of digital watermark information has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  In this way, even a copy-prohibited document cannot always be copied. For this reason, a copy-prohibited pattern or digital watermark information may be lost due to repeated copying. As a result, it may be unclear whether the image is a copy-prohibited document.

  From here, by creating a copy-prohibited document by combining a two-dimensional pattern image such as a preset two-dimensional code and the original image, it is clear that even if an image is copied, it is a copy-prohibited image Proposals have been made for a copy prevention system that can be used (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

  However, the electronic watermark information detection function includes a skew correction process, a code data alignment process, a process for detecting a dot pattern embedded in an image as a latent image serving as an electronic watermark information, and an error correction process for improving the determination accuracy. It is necessary to do.

In addition, when using a two-dimensional code or the like, an advanced determination process such as a skew correction process is required, so that the processing time is lengthened and the productivity of the apparatus is lowered. There is a problem that the time from when the start button is operated to when the first recording sheet is discharged becomes longer.
JP 7-273984 A JP 2001-218037 A JP 2003-283790 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described facts, and is an image reading apparatus capable of performing copy control and image read control based on copy prohibition information while suppressing a decrease in productivity and FCOT regardless of a document or a read mode. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus.

Image reading apparatus according to claim 1 for achieving the above object, an image reading means for outputting image data corresponding to the original image by reading an original image formed on a document, output from the image reading means Further, by performing predetermined conversion processing on the image data, output image data used for print output, image conversion means for converting to image data for information detection, and the image data for information detection extraction means for extracting a predetermined pattern image indicating the copy control information for limiting the copy of the original image, the code data generating means for generating code data in accordance with the said pattern image extracted by the extraction means, the Output means for adding the code data generated by the code data generating means to the output image data and outputting the output data .

According to this invention, image data for output and image data for information detection are obtained from image data of a document image obtained by reading the document by the image reading means, and the copy control information is obtained from the image data for information detection. The pattern image is extracted, and code data corresponding to the copy control information is generated.

Thus, it is not necessary to perform image reading, such as pre-scan to extract copy control information from the original image, also, when the copy control information to the original image is added, the code data corresponding to the copy control information The added image data for output is output.

Therefore, in the present invention, without performing preliminary scan, etc., by performing the generation of code data based on the determination and copy control information of presence or absence of the copy control information on the document, perform image reading Rio document image Ru can shorten the processing time of the time.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image reading device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the output means outputs the output image data including the code data in a preset format, and the image according to the third aspect is provided. In the reading apparatus, the output unit outputs the code data for the corresponding document following the output image data for one document.

Further, in the image reading apparatus according to claim 4, the extraction unit determines whether or not the pattern image indicating copy control information that restricts copying of the document image is included in the image data for information detection. And a determination unit that outputs a determination signal indicating that the original image includes the pattern image indicating copy control information that restricts copying of the original image when the determination unit determines affirmatively. Output means .

The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that performs an image forming process based on the output image data output from the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A memory for storing the output image data output from the output means; and the code data output from the output means added to the output image data is read and indicated by the code data Setting means for setting a copy restriction for the output image data based on the copy control information, and the copy restriction set by the setting means for the output image data stored in the memory Image processing means for executing an image forming process based on the above.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that performs an image forming process based on the output image data output from the image reading apparatus according to claim 4, and outputs from the output unit. A memory for storing the output image data, a detection unit for detecting the determination signal output from the determination output unit, and the output unit when the determination signal is detected by the detection unit. Setting means for reading the code data added and output to the image data for output, and setting copy restrictions for the image data for output based on the copy control information indicated by the code data; Image processing for executing image forming processing based on the copy restriction set by the setting unit for the output image data stored in a memory It includes a stage, a.

As described above, according to the image reading apparatus of the present invention , image data for output is generated from image data obtained by one image reading for one document, and copy control information is added. Since code data is generated according to the copy control information, it is possible to prevent the FCOT from becoming long, and the image forming process becomes long when the copy control information is not added. It is possible to obtain an excellent effect that can be reliably prevented.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show a schematic configuration of a copying machine 10 on which an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus of the present invention are formed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a copying machine 10 is provided with a scanner unit 12 serving as an image reading device at the upper part of the apparatus and a print unit (print engine) 14 serving as an image forming apparatus at the lower part of the apparatus. As shown in FIG. 2, the print unit 14 has a general configuration including an IOT 16 serving as a print output device, and a controller 18 that performs various image processing and operation control of the IOT 16.

  As a result, the copying machine 10 reads (scans) an image (original image) recorded on the original by operating a start switch (not shown) in a state where the original is loaded in the scanner unit 12, and the original image is read. A printing process for forming a corresponding image on a recording sheet (not shown) is executed.

  In the following, the copying machine 10 will be described as an example. However, the present invention may include a printer function for performing printing processing according to image data output from a personal computer or the like, and may include a facsimile or scanner function. May be. In the present invention, the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus may be separate.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 18 is formed by a microcomputer having a general configuration in which a CPU 20, a ROM 22, and a RAM 24 are connected to a bus 28 via a bus control unit 26, and an HDD 30 and the like are connected to the bus 28. Various image processing and printing control are executed by the CPU 20.

  In addition, the controller 18 performs various image processing on the image data stored in the image memory 32 while controlling the image memory 32 and the image memory 32 that stores the image data input from the scanner unit 12. An image processing unit 34 that generates image data to be output to the IOT 16 is provided.

  In the controller 18, the image data stored in the image memory 32 is subjected to predetermined image processing by the image processing unit 34 and output to the IOT 16, whereby the image data input from the scanner unit 12, that is, the document image. Corresponding image formation is possible.

  FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the scanner unit 12. The scanner unit 12 is provided with a CCD sensor 36, and R, G, and B color component data are read from a document image (not shown) by the CCD sensor 36.

  The scanner unit 12 includes an amplifying unit (Amp) 38, an A / D converter 40, a shading correction unit 42, a Gap correction unit 44, and a color conversion unit 46. Data of each color output from the CCD sensor 36 is provided. On the other hand, amplification, A / D conversion, shading correction, gap correction between documents, and color conversion using LUT are performed.

  The scanner unit 12 is provided with a text / image determination unit 58 and a document detection unit 60 together with an enlargement / reduction processing unit 48, a filter processing unit 50, a color conversion unit 52, a γ correction unit 54, and an ED / through processing unit 56. ing. The text / image determination unit 58 may be omitted, and appropriate filter selection or edge correction may be performed according to the selected image mode.

  The color conversion unit 46 includes a conversion unit 46A that performs color conversion using an LUT and matrix set for output to the print unit 14, and color conversion using an LUT and matrix calculation set for various detections. A conversion unit 46B for performing the above is provided. Thereby, image data color-converted for print output and image data color-converted for detection are generated separately. Therefore, the color conversion can be optimized for detection without depending on the print output image signal optimized in accordance with the reading mode, so that the same detection result can be obtained in any image reading mode.

  The text / image determination unit 58 determines from the image data output from the conversion unit 46A whether the image recorded on the document is an image image that is a text image. Further, the document detection unit 60 performs document size detection, automatic exposure (AE) level determination, and color monochrome document automatic determination from the image data output from the conversion unit 46B.

  In the scanner unit 12, based on the determination result of the text / image determination unit 58 and the detection result of the document detection unit 60, the image data output from the conversion unit 46A is subjected to enlargement / reduction processing, filter processing, Color conversion processing, γ correction processing, and the like are performed, and the ED / through processing unit 56 performs gradation processing using an error diffusion method as an example of dither processing, so that a multi-value image is converted. In a necessary color scanner mode or the like, multi-value data is output by bypassing ED processing. The scanner unit 12 outputs the image data subjected to such processing to the printer unit 14.

  The scanner unit 12 is provided with a CPU (not shown), and the CPU controls various processes as well as reading a document image. A conventionally known configuration can be applied to the basic configuration of such a scanner unit 12.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the printer unit 14, the image data output from the scanner unit 12 is accumulated in the image memory 32, and at least image data sufficient to absorb the speed difference between the scanner unit 12 and the IOT 16 is accumulated. The image data is read out, and predetermined image processing is performed by the image processing unit 34 to generate image data for printing (print data).

  The print data generated by the image processing unit 34 is output to the IOT 16, and the IOT 16 executes print processing based on this print data. Thereby, a print output corresponding to the document image can be obtained.

  As such a copying machine 10, an operation input unit including an input device such as an LCD and an input device formed by various setting keys is provided so that the scanner unit 12 and the printer unit 14 are shared, Various settings are possible, and image data corresponding to the original image is generated along with copy mode settings such as color copy or black-and-white copy, magnification settings, recording paper size settings, and copy mode settings such as the number of copies. Conventionally known general configurations are applied to the basic configuration of the copying machine 10 such that the scan mode to be set can be set.

  By the way, in the copying machine 10, when the copy control information is formed on the original image, the copy control based on the copy control information is possible. Some copy originals have copy control information added thereto. When the copy machine 10 detects the copy control information when the original image is read, the copy control is performed based on the copy control information. ing.

  The copy control information can include, for example, copy prohibition information and conditional copy information. Here, the copy prohibition information indicates information (copy prohibition) that prevents the corresponding original image from being copied (duplicated). The conditional copy information indicates a condition for copying the corresponding document image.

  The conditional copy information is set in advance for each user of the copier 10, such as a password number requested for copying and an ID number of a user permitted to copy (for example, an employee number or a user registration number). ID number), date and time when copy prohibition is canceled (duration for performing copy restriction), and machine number (manufacturing number, registration number, etc.) of a copying machine that permits copying. That is, copying of the document image is permitted when the permission condition is satisfied. The conditional copy information can include information on an image to be combined with an image that has been copied and printed out.

  Such copy control information is combined with the original document image or background image and recorded on the document as copy control information by combining preset marks and unit patterns. Further, the copy control information may be information embedded as a latent image in the background image of the document image.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the scanner unit 12 is provided with a copy control information detection unit 70. The copy control information detection unit 70 includes a reduction processing unit 72 and a pattern data extraction unit 74.

  The reduction processing unit 72 is input with image data processed by the conversion unit 46B of the color conversion unit 46 and output for detection. The sub-scanning direction is determined by the scanning speed and exposure cycle at the time of image reading. When the resolutions are different, reduction processing is performed to match the vertical and horizontal (sub-scanning direction and main scanning direction) magnification. For example, when the reduction scan is performed at a magnification of 70%, the main scanning direction of the image data is reduced (70%), and when the enlargement scan of 400% is performed, the sub-scanning direction of the image data is 25. By reducing by%, the aspect ratio of the image data is adjusted.

  In this way, the copy control information detection unit 70 performs the process of adjusting the vertical and horizontal magnifications of the image data separately from the image data for print output, so that the copy control information is not affected by the scan mode or speed. It can be detected.

  The pattern data extraction unit 74 determines whether or not there is a code pattern indicating the copy control information based on the image data whose vertical and horizontal magnifications are adjusted by the reduction processing unit 72, and forms a code pattern indicating the copy control information on the document. Code data based on the formed copy control information (code pattern) is generated.

  FIG. 4 shows a functional block diagram of the pattern data extraction unit 74. The pattern data extraction unit 74 includes a pattern detection processing unit 78, a halftone extraction processing unit 80, and a mask processing unit 82, and image data is input to the pattern detection processing unit 78 and the halftone extraction processing unit 80, respectively. .

  The pattern detection processing unit 78 performs filtering, binarization, isolated noise removal, etc. (not shown) on the input image data, and then, for example, 7 × 7 or the like corresponding to the unit pattern size is set in advance. By performing pattern matching with the window size, the unit pattern constituting the code pattern recorded as the copy control information is extracted, and the bit value (0 or 1), skew angle, and coordinates of the unit pattern are detected. At the same time, the halftone dot extraction processing unit 80 extracts halftone dots that form the original document image.

  In the mask processing unit 82, the halftone dot portion masks the detected pattern information based on the halftone dot determination result extracted by the halftone dot extraction processing unit 80, thereby converting the halftone dot component included in the original image into copy restriction information. It is prevented that the unit pattern is erroneously determined.

  The masked data is input to the determination unit 84 and is stored in the buffer memory 86 in order. The determination unit 84 determines the copy control information by dividing the unit pattern data subjected to the mask processing into block units, and when the copy restriction information is included, a determination signal indicating that the copy restriction information is recorded on the document. Output. In other words, the determination unit 84 outputs a determination signal (for example, an ON signal) as soon as it is determined that the copy restriction information is included in the pattern data.

  The pattern data extraction unit 74 is provided with a buffer memory 86 and a data packing unit 88.

  The data packing unit 88 reads the masked pattern data stored in the buffer memory 86 at a predetermined timing, performs packing processing, and outputs it as code data.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the scanner unit 12 is provided with a selection unit 90, which receives image data for printing and code data output from the pattern data extraction unit 74. Yes.

  FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of an example of the selection unit 90. The selector 90 is provided with a plurality of selectors 92 (three in this embodiment as an example).

  As an example, the scanner unit 12 applied to the present embodiment generates 8-bit image data for each color of RGB and outputs it to the print unit 14 using 24 data buses. As a result, image data can be output in a short time. In the present embodiment, the original image is read with a relatively high resolution of 8 bits for each color, but the resolution when reading the image is not limited to this.

  The selector 92 is provided corresponding to each color of R, G, B, for example, and image data is input to the selector 92 for each color. Thus, for example, in the color image scan mode, as shown in Table 1, 8-bit image data is output from the selector 92 for each of R, G, and B colors.

  When scanning a color image, the scanner unit 12 outputs data R0 to R7, G0 to G7, and B0 to B7 from the data bus. Here, the RGB value is described as an example, but the image data may be an L * a * b * value, a YCbCr value, a YMCK value, or the like.

  On the other hand, the selector 92 switches between output of image data and code data at a predetermined timing. Thus, the scanner unit 12 can output image data and code data using one set (24) of data buses.

  That is, the data packing unit 88 packs the code data into 24-bit data. As a result, as shown in Table 1, 24-bit data PD0 to PD23 are output to the print unit 14 via the selector 92.

  At this time, if it is determined that the copy restriction information is recorded on the document, the scanner unit 12 outputs the image data for one page of the document, switches the selector 92, and outputs the code data for the document. Like to do.

That is, the scanner unit 12 reads images one by one at a predetermined time interval (Gap) when continuously reading images of a plurality of documents. As shown in FIG. 6A, the scanner unit 12 reads image data for one original at a predetermined time interval (time t _Gap ). Thus, image data is output at a time interval (time t _I ) corresponding to the reading time interval. The time t _Gap may be changed depending on the mode, the scan magnification, and the like.

  When the scanner unit 12 outputs image data corresponding to an image read from an original, the scanner unit 12 outputs a determination signal when it is determined that the copy control information is formed on the original. As shown in FIG. 2, the determination signal of the copy control information is input to a CPU 20 provided in the controller 18 of the print unit 14.

As shown in FIG. 6A, in the scanner unit 12, when copy control information is recorded on a document and code data based on the copy control information is obtained, if image data of the corresponding document is output, The selector 92 is switched to output code data corresponding to the pattern data recorded as copy control information after the image data. In other words, the scanner unit 12 outputs the code data during a time t _I that is an idle time between the output of the image data and the output of the next original image data.

  The controller 18 accumulates the image data output from the scanner unit 12 in the image memory 32. When a determination signal is input, the controller 18 follows the image data before outputting the image data stored in the memory to the IOT 16. Read the input code data, analyze the code data, determine the copy control information attached to the document from the position coordinates, bit value, skew angle, etc. obtained from the code data, and based on the determined copy information Set the copy process.

  As a result, the controller 18 performs a copying process based on the copy control information when the copy control information is recorded on the document. At this time, if the copy prohibition is set or the copy prohibition release deadline is set and the release deadline has not yet been reached, the controller 18 stops the printing process based on the image data of the corresponding document.

  Further, in the controller 18, when the copy condition is set, the image processing unit 34 executes image processing based on the set copy condition, and at this time, a mark or the like indicating a copy image is displayed. When the formation is specified, the image data stored in the image memory 32 is combined with the image data of the image of the corresponding mark and executed.

  Thereby, in the copying machine 10, when the copy control information is added to the document, the printing process based on the copy control information is executed.

  At the same time, the controller 18 generates log information and stores it in the HDD 30 so that the processing content can be confirmed based on the copy control information.

  In the copying machine 10 configured as described above, a document is loaded in the scanner unit 12 and a start switch (not shown) is operated in a state where the copy setting is performed. While feeding, image reading (scanning) of each original is performed.

  In the scanner unit 12, when an image of a document is read using the CCD sensor 36, the read data is formed on the document by performing amplification, A / D conversion, shading correction, and color conversion processing on the read data. The image data corresponding to the existing image is generated.

  Further, the scanner unit 12 performs each process such as enlargement / reduction processing, filter processing, color conversion processing, γ correction processing, gradation processing, and the like on the image data, and the processed image data is processed. The data are sequentially output to the controller 18 of the print unit 14.

  The controller 18 of the print unit 14 stores the image data input from the scanner unit 12 in the image memory 32. When the image data for one original is stored in the image memory 32, the image data is read out, for example, RIP processing The print data generated by the image processing is output to the IOT 16.

  In the IOT 16, when print data is input from the controller 18, print processing based on the print data is executed. At this time, the controller 18 controls the printing process in the IOT 16 to form an image corresponding to the original image on the recording paper.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the scanner unit 12 sequentially reads an image of a document at a predetermined time (time t _Gap ) interval, it outputs image data of the read document to the print unit 14. When the print unit 14 accumulates image data for one page of the document, the print unit 14 executes print processing based on the image data.

  By the way, some originals have copy control information added to prohibit image copying or restrict image copying, and the copying machine 10 can perform copy control of the original image based on the copy control information. It has become.

  The scanner unit 12 is provided with a copy control information detection unit 70, and image data generated by conversion processing by the conversion unit 46 B of the color conversion unit 46 is input to the copy control information detection unit 70. ing.

  In the copy control information detection unit 70, when image data read from a document is input, reduction processing is performed as necessary. When the aspect ratio is adjusted, pattern detection and halftone extraction are performed, and detection results and extraction are performed. A mask process based on the result is performed to obtain pattern data. Thereby, when the copy control information is formed on the original as a preset code pattern, pattern data corresponding to the code pattern is extracted.

  Thereafter, when the copy control information detection unit 70 obtains predetermined pattern data by masking, the determination unit 84 outputs a determination signal indicating that the copy control information is recorded on the document.

  Further, the pattern data obtained by the mask processing is sequentially stored in the buffer memory 86, and the data packing unit 88 forms the pattern data stored in the buffer memory 86 on the original by packing the data in a predetermined format. Generates and outputs code data corresponding to the copy control information being stored. At this time, the data packing unit 88 generates code data in, for example, a 24-bit format that matches the data bus used when outputting image data from the scanner unit 12 to the print unit 14.

  In the scanner unit 12, image data and code data are input to the selection unit 90, and a determination signal is output to the controller 18 of the print unit 14. The selector 90 is provided with a selector 92. The scanner unit 12 first outputs image data of a document. At this time, if the copy control information is formed on the document, a determination signal indicating that the copy control information is recorded is output (ON).

  In the scanner unit 12, when image data for one original is output, the selector 92 is switched so that code data can be output.

  At this time, if copy control information is formed on the original and code data corresponding to the copy control information is obtained, this code data is output following the image data. In addition, when a plurality of originals each having copy control information formed thereon are read, code data is output at idle timing when image data of each original is output.

  As described above, since the scanner unit 12 outputs code data using the data bus for outputting image data, the number of connection lines between the scanner unit 12 and the print unit 14 increases in order to output the code data. Can be prevented.

  In addition, when outputting image data of a plurality of originals, the scanner unit 12 uses the idle time generated when outputting the image data of the next original after outputting the image data of the previous original. Since the code data of the previous document is output, efficient data output is possible.

  On the other hand, the print unit 14 performs a printing process based on the image data output from the scanner unit 12.

  Here, an outline of processing in the print unit 14 will be described with reference to FIG. This flowchart is executed for each input image data by inputting image data for one original. In the first step 200, the image data is stored in the image memory 32, and in the next step 202. Check the judgment signal.

  Here, when the copy control information is not formed on the original document of the image data and the determination signal is OFF, a negative determination is made at step 202 and the routine proceeds to step 204 to execute a normal printing process.

  On the other hand, when the copy control information is added to the document that is the source of the image data and the determination signal is ON, an affirmative determination is made at step 202 and the routine proceeds to step 206.

  In this step 206, it is confirmed whether or not the code data corresponding to the copy control information recorded on the document has been input. When the input of the image data is completed and the input of the code data is started, the determination in step 206 is affirmative. Determination is made and the routine proceeds to step 208.

  In step 208, the input code data is read and the code data is analyzed. In the next step 210, it is confirmed whether the copy control information indicates copy prohibition or within the copy prohibition period. When the copy control information is within the copy prohibition period or the copy prohibition period, an affirmative determination is made in step 210, The process proceeds to step 212, and a copy cancel process is executed. In this copy canceling process, not only the copying process corresponding to the input image data is stopped, but also the deletion of the image data stored in the image memory 32 can be included. Further, when image data is written in the HDD 30 prior to the printing process, the image data written in the HDD 30 is deleted.

  If it is known in advance that only copy prohibition processing is performed as copy control, steps 206, 208, and 210 are omitted, and when the determination signal is confirmed, copy stop processing is immediately performed without analyzing the code data. It may be what you do. Whether or not only copy prohibition processing is performed as copy control is determined by whether or not the controller 18 has means for analyzing code information, or by the copy mode and initial setting value, and is notified to the scanner unit 12. . The scanner unit 12 may determine whether to transmit code information to the controller 18 according to the notified information.

  On the other hand, if the copy control information permits image copying with conditions, a negative determination is made at step 210 and the routine proceeds to step 214. In this step 214, copy conditions are set, and in the next step 216, print processing based on the set copy conditions is executed.

  In this process, for example, when copying is permitted only to a specific user, whether copying is permitted by requesting input of a user ID, a password, etc., and collating the input user ID or password. If the input user ID is designated as a user who permits copying or the passwords match, the printing process is executed to copy the original image.

  In addition, when the copying condition specifies that the image is a copied image or printing of a user ID, the image processing unit 34 performs mark image combining processing, user ID combining processing, and the like. Thus, the printing process based on the print data generated by the synthesizing process is executed.

  When processing based on the copy control information is performed (steps 212 and 216), log information is created, and the created log information is stored in the HDD 30, thereby creating a processing history based on the copy control information. To do. The process based on the copy control information is not limited to these, and a known general process can be applied.

  By performing the processing based on the copy control information in this way, for example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the copy control information is added to the first original and the copy control information is added to the second original. When is not added, a determination signal is output together with the image data for the first document, and code data is output when the output of the image data is completed. Also, for the second document, no determination signal is output and no code data is output.

  As a result, the code data is analyzed for the first original, the copy control conditions are set, and the copying process is performed based on the set copy control conditions. When image data is received, printing processing based on the image data can be executed without analyzing the code data.

  As described above, when the copy control information is formed on the original, the copying machine 10 can perform an accurate copy process based on the copy control information. As a result, the copying machine 10 can efficiently reduce the FCOT (First Copy Output Time: the time from when the start button is operated until the first recording paper is discharged) without sacrificing productivity. Copy processing can be executed.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, a general method for performing a copy process based on copy control information is to perform a preliminary scan for reading an image at a low resolution and then read an image at a predetermined resolution. There is a method for performing a main scan.

  At this time, detection image data for extracting the copy control information from the image data read by the preliminary scan is output, and the print control information is extracted (analyzed) from the image data for detection by the print unit. The scanner unit reads the image data for the printing process (copy process) by performing the main scan after performing the preliminary scan, and outputs the image data to the print unit.

As a result, the print unit performs a printing process based on the copy control information. At this time, regardless of whether or not copy control information is added to the document, a preliminary scan is performed, and after the copy control information is extracted from the image data obtained by the preliminary scan, a printing process is executed. It will be.

  In this way, in order to perform the preliminary scan and the main scan, the FCOT becomes longer, and it is necessary to perform the preliminary scan regardless of the presence or absence of the copy control information. , It takes time to print out.

  On the other hand, the copying machine 10 executes image reading (scanning) corresponding to the main scan without performing the preliminary scan (see FIG. 6A), and prints out based on the image data obtained thereby. Image data for detection and image data for detection are generated, it is determined whether or not copy control information is recorded from the image data for detection, and when copy control information is recorded, Extract code data based on it.

  As a result, the FCOT becomes longer in order to extract the copy control information, and the time required from image reading to printing processing (printing output) is also required when copying an image on a plurality of documents. It can prevent becoming long.

  Further, the scanner unit 12 outputs code data to the controller 18 of the print unit 14 using the idle time of the output of the image data caused by the gap between documents (Gap) when reading the image. Efficient data output (transmission) is made possible without increasing the wiring between the units 14 (controller 18).

  In the present embodiment described above, the selection unit 90 is provided in the scanner unit 12 to switch between the output of image data and the output of code data. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, in order to reduce the number of signals, the image bus to the pattern data extraction unit 74 is bidirectional, and is returned to the image data processing bus between the document gaps where image reading is not performed. ) Can be omitted.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a scanner unit 12A in which the selection unit 90 is omitted can be used. In this scanner unit 12A, a copy control information detection unit 100 is provided in place of the copy control information detection unit 70.

  The scanner unit 12A outputs the determination signal and the code data from the copy control information detection unit 100 to the print unit 14A through separate wiring from the image data.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the copying machine 10A using such a scanner unit 12A, an image memory 104 is provided in the controller 18A, and code data output from the scanner unit 12A is stored in the image memory 104. Yes. In FIG. 9, the determination signal wiring is not shown.

  The copying machine 10A configured as described above can output image data and code data to the controller 18A of the print unit 14A in parallel as shown in FIG.

  As a result, the controller 18A can set analysis processing and copy control conditions based on code data input to the image memory 104 while accumulating image data in the image memory 32. When the image data is stored in the image memory 32, the processing for the image data can be performed without delay, and the FCT or the like can be further shortened.

  Since the copy control information detection unit 100 and the image memory 104 do not require a selector function on the reading device side, the copying information control enabling cost on the reading device side can be reduced and can be mounted on an existing copying machine. Therefore, for example, by mounting as optional hardware, it is possible to perform copy control based on copy control information in an existing copying machine. Although the illustration is omitted, the copy information control function is an important function for security. Therefore, when the pattern data extraction unit 74 is mounted, the connection of the pattern data extraction unit 74 is checked when the power is turned on. In some cases, the security can be further improved by stopping the copy control operation.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the code data is output using the idle time during the output of the image data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and output data in which the image data and the code data are packed in a predetermined format. And the output data may be output from the scanner unit to the print unit.

  In such a data format, for example, the method shown in Table 2 can be applied.

  In the image data, for example, the B bits of RGB values, the b * values of L * a * b * values, the Y values (yellow) of CMYK values, etc. are substantially (looked) in the image that the lower bit data is printed out. ) There is something that does not affect.

  From here, for example, as shown in the left column of Table 2, the code data PD may be inserted into the lower bits of such data.

  When CMYK image data is used in the IOT 16, the scanner unit 12 can perform RGB-CMYK conversion and output CMYK value image data in the copy mode.

  At this time, as shown in the right column of Table 2, by using the format in the copy mode, the image data is obtained by using the format in which the image data of C, M, Y, and BK values and the code data P0 to P15 are packed. And the code data can be output to the print unit 14 together.

  By applying such a configuration, the controller 18 of the print unit 14 can analyze the code data input together with the image data while accumulating the image data in the image memory 32.

  As a result, the image data and the code data can be output in parallel without providing a separate wiring for the code data (see FIG. 10).

  The present embodiment described above does not limit the configuration of the present invention, and the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus having an arbitrary configuration that reads a document image and forms an image corresponding to the document image. can do.

1 is a schematic external view showing an example of a copying machine applied to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copier and a print unit provided in the copier. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic block diagram of the scanner unit applied to this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a pattern data extraction part. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a selection part. (A) is a timing chart showing the flow of processing in the copying machine applied to this embodiment, and (B) is a timing chart showing an example of a conventional configuration. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in a controller provided in the print unit. It is a block diagram which shows another example of a scanner unit. It is a schematic block diagram of the copying machine provided with the scanner unit of FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the flow of processing in a copying machine using the scanner unit shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10, 10A Copying machine (image forming device)
12, 12A Scanner unit (image reading device)
14, 14A Print unit (image forming device)
16 IOT
18, 18A Controller 34 Image processing unit 70, 100 Copy control information detection unit 74 Pattern data extraction unit 84 Judgment unit 86 Data packing unit 90 Select unit 92 Selector

Claims (6)

An image reading means for outputting image data corresponding to the original image by reading an original image formed on a document,
Image conversion means for converting the image data output from the image reading means into output image data used for print output and image data for information detection by performing a predetermined conversion process;
Extracting means for extracting a predetermined pattern image indicating copy control information for restricting copying of the document image from the image data for information detection ;
Code data generating means for generating code data corresponding to the pattern image extracted by the extracting means ;
Output means for adding the code data generated by the code data generating means to the output image data for output;
An image reading apparatus. It said output means outputs included the code data into image data for the output in formats that are set in advance, the image reading apparatus according to claim 1. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the output unit outputs the code data for the corresponding document following the output image data for one document . The extraction means comprises:
Determining means for determining whether or not the pattern image indicating copy control information for restricting copying of the document image is included in the image data for information detection;
A determination output means for outputting a determination signal indicating that the pattern image indicating copy control information for restricting copying of the original image is included in the original image when the determination means makes an affirmative determination;
The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , further comprising: An image forming apparatus that performs an image forming process based on the output image data output from the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
A memory for storing the output image data output from the output means;
A setting for reading the code data output from the output means added to the image data for output, and setting copy restrictions for the image data for output based on the copy control information indicated by the code data Means,
Image processing means for executing an image forming process based on the copy restriction set by the setting means for the output image data stored in the memory;
An image forming apparatus including: An image forming apparatus that performs an image forming process based on the output image data output from the image reading apparatus according to claim 4,
A memory for storing the output image data output from the output means;
Detecting means for detecting the determination signal output from the determination output means;
When the determination signal is detected by the detection means, the code data output by being added to the output image data from the output means is read, and based on the copy control information indicated by the code data Setting means for setting copy restrictions for the output image data;
Image processing means for executing an image forming process based on the copy restriction set by the setting means for the output image data stored in the memory;
An image forming apparatus including:

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