JP4645385B2 - Image forming apparatus and image forming program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method, and more particularly to an image capable of embedding special image data capable of prohibiting or tracing unauthorized copying in a document or detecting special image data embedded in a document. The present invention relates to a forming apparatus and an image forming program .

  Specially capable of tracing the distribution path of the output print paper when copying originals that are prohibited from being counterfeited by copying in order to prevent unauthorized copying of confidential documents, etc. in image forming apparatuses such as copying machines A technique for adding image data to document data has been established (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Specifically, it was obtained by embedding (adding) special image data that prohibits or traces illegal copying into a manuscript, and scans the manuscript when the output print paper is redistributed as the next manuscript. Copying is prohibited when special image data is detected from the image data.

JP 2001-346032 A

  However, in the above prior art, if copyable information is embedded in a document, and the special image data that prohibits or tracks illegal copying is set to be copied when the document is copied, Since the data is overwritten, there is a problem that the analysis accuracy of the special image data is lowered when the print paper is further handled as a manuscript.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to multiplex special image data when copying a document on which special image data for which illegal copying is prohibited or traceable is applied. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of avoiding a decrease in analysis accuracy due to the above.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention detects existing special image data embedded in the original so as to prohibit unauthorized copying or enable distribution path tracking from read image data from the original, When the detected existing special image data includes information that prohibits copying of the original in which the existing special image data is embedded, a job for adding new special image data to the read image data. It adopts a configuration that performs control to stop execution.

  When the special image data embedded in the original is detected when the original is scanned, the execution of the job for embedding new special image data with respect to the read image data including the special image data is stopped. Even when the new special image data is set to be embedded when copying, it is possible to prevent the new special image data from being overwritten on the existing special image data.

  According to the present invention, since it is possible to prevent new special image data from being overwritten on existing special image data, it is possible to avoid the special image data being subjected to multiple times and the analysis accuracy of the special image data from being lowered.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a control system in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a system control unit 11, an image reading unit 12, an image storage unit 13, an image processing unit 14, an image output unit 15, a FAX unit 16, and special image data analysis. Unit 17, special image data processing unit 18, storage unit 19, operation / display unit 20, and the like, which are configured to communicate with each other via a bus line 21.

  The system control unit 11 includes, for example, a microcomputer, and controls the entire system of the image forming apparatus. The image reading unit 12 is a scanner including an image sensor, reads a document image at a predetermined resolution, and inputs the image data. The image storage unit 13 is an image memory, and stores (stores) image data read by the image reading unit 12 and image data received by the FAX unit 16.

  The image processing unit 14 performs predetermined image processing such as encoding, decoding, enlargement / reduction, and the like on the image data read by the image reading unit 12. The image output unit 15 prints (forms) an image based on the image data processed by the image processing unit 14 on output paper with a predetermined resolution. The FAX unit 16 performs facsimile communication via a public line network such as a PSTN network or an ISDN network.

  The special image data analysis unit 17 interprets the image data stored in the image storage unit 13, the contents of the special image data information added to the image data and the area on the document, and issues an execution request based on the interpretation result to the system. This is performed for the control unit 11.

  Here, the special image data information is information added to the image data in order to prohibit or trace illegal copying. By adding this special image data, it is possible to prevent unauthorized copying of confidential documents and the like, and to trace the distribution route of the output print paper. The special image data information also includes information indicating whether or not copying of the document itself is prohibited, information unique to the image forming apparatus such as a model number, and the like.

  When the special image data processing unit 18 copies a document that is forbidden to be forged by copying, based on the contents designated by the system control unit 11, the image data processed by the image processing unit 14. Special image data to be added to the image data is created, and control for embedding the special image data in the document is performed.

  The storage unit 19 includes a memory such as a RAM, and stores system data and various setting information. The operation type when the special image data analysis unit 17 is detected is stored in the storage unit 19. The operation / display unit 20 is an operation panel operated by a user, and includes various operation keys and a display for operating the image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus configured as described above is, for example, a copying machine, and can embed special image data that prohibits or traces illegal copying in a document and detects special image data embedded in the document. In this image forming apparatus, the present invention aims to prevent overwriting special image data when copying a document on which special image data has been applied. To achieve this object, The image forming processing procedure according to the first to third embodiments will be described in detail.

Example 1
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of image formation according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This process is basically executed under the control of the system control unit 11.

  First, a document is read by the image reading unit 12 (step S11), and based on the read image data, it is determined whether special image data that can prohibit or trace unauthorized copying is embedded in the document (step S11). S12). Here, as described above, the special image data also includes information indicating whether or not copying of the document itself is prohibited.

  Therefore, in step S12, the special image data is not embedded or the special image data is embedded, but the copy itself is prohibited (that is, the job is not allowed), the special image data is embedded, and the copy itself Are also prohibited (that is, the job is acceptable).

  If the special image data is not embedded in the determination process in step S12, the new special image data created by the special image data processing unit 18 is added to the read image data, and the output paper is output by the image output unit 14. Next, it is determined whether or not the original is the final original (step S14). If the final original is not output, the process returns to step SS11 to repeat the series of processes up to the final original.

  In the determination process of step S12, if the job is not possible, that is, if the copy itself is prohibited, a process for canceling the job is executed (step S15), and the series of processes ends. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, when special image data is embedded in the third of four originals and these mixed originals are continuously copied using an automatic original feeder, A copy process for embedding special image data is performed on the first and second originals, and when the original with special image data, that is, the third original is detected, a job cannot be applied to the special image data. If the information is included, stop processing is performed for the third and subsequent jobs (pattern A).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the job is possible, that is, if the copy itself is not prohibited, the operation setting content is “skip”, “job cancel”, or “overwrite”. (Step S16). The content of the operation setting is set by the user in the operation / display unit 20.

  If the content of the operation setting is “skip”, the image data read by the image reading unit 12 from the document is discarded (step S17), and then the process proceeds to step S14. That is, in FIG. 3, when the third document in which the special image data is embedded is detected, if the special image data includes information indicating that the job is possible, the third document is skipped. Proceeding to the fourth original, special image data is embedded in the fourth original (pattern B).

  If the content of the operation setting is “job cancel”, processing for canceling the job is executed (step S18), and the series of processing is terminated. If the content of the operation setting is “overwrite”, the process proceeds to step S13 to add (overwrite) the new special image data created by the special image data processing unit 18 to the read image data including the special image data, and output the image. In section 15, an image is formed on the output paper. That is, in FIG. 3, new special image data is forcibly overwritten on the third original in which the special image data is embedded (pattern C).

  As described above, when the special image data embedded in the original is detected when the original is scanned, the job for embedding new special image data for the read image data including the special image data is canceled. When copying a document, even if the setting is made to embed new special image data, the special image data is multiplexed in order to prevent the new special image data from being overwritten on the existing special image data. Thus, it is possible to avoid a decrease in the analysis accuracy of the special image data.

  Also, by skipping the original image with the special image data embedded, and executing the job for embedding new special image data into the read image data only for the original image without the special image data embedded, the special image data is It is possible to prevent new special image data from being overwritten on an embedded document, and to embed new special image data in another document.

  It should be noted that a pattern C for executing a job on a document in which special image data is embedded, that is, overwriting new special image data, is selected according to preset information or a user instruction from the operation / display unit 20. It is also possible.

(Example 2)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of image formation according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This process is basically executed under the control of the system control unit 11.

  First, a document is read by the image reading unit 12 (step S21), and based on the read image data, it is determined whether or not special image data capable of prohibiting or tracing unauthorized copying is embedded in the document (step S21). S22). Here, as described above, the special image data also includes information indicating whether or not copying of the document itself is prohibited.

  Therefore, in step S22, special image data is not embedded or special image data is embedded, but copying itself is prohibited (ie, job is not allowed), special image data is embedded, and copying itself Are also prohibited (that is, the job is acceptable).

  If the special image data is not embedded in the determination process in step S22, the new special image data created by the special image data processing unit 18 is added to the read image data, and the output paper is output by the image output unit 15. An image is formed (step S23), and then it is determined whether the original is the final original (step S24). If the final original is not output, the process returns to step SS21 and a series of processes are repeated until the final original.

  If it is determined in step S22 that the job is not possible, that is, if the copy itself is prohibited, a process for canceling the job is executed (step S25), and the series of processes is terminated. This process is the same as the process of step S15 in the first embodiment. That is, the cancel process is performed for a document job with special image data.

  On the other hand, if the job is acceptable in the determination process in step S22, that is, if copying itself is not prohibited, the special image data is analyzed by the special image data analysis unit 17 to apply the special image data on the document. The detected (embedded) area is detected (step S26), and then the size of the combined area including the detected area and a blank area where new special image data can be printed at least is designated by the user. The output size thus made, that is, the size of the output paper is compared (step S27).

  When the size of the composite area is equal to or smaller than the output size, new special image data created by the special image data processing unit 18 is added to the read image data in the blank area caused by the difference in size, and the image output unit 15 An image is formed on the output paper (step S24), and then the process proceeds to step S24. That is, in FIG. 5, if the original image is embedded with special image data and the output paper size is equal to or larger than the original size, the special image data is added to the margin area caused by the size difference and output (pattern A). ).

  On the other hand, when the size of the composite area is larger than the output size, it is determined whether the content of the operation setting is “reduction” or “size change” (step S29). The content of the operation setting is set by the user in the operation / display unit 20. Note that the contents of the operation settings can be set by the image forming apparatus itself.

  If the content of the operation setting is “reduction”, the original image is reduced (step S30), and then, after step S28, a new area created by the special image data processing unit 18 in the blank area generated by the image reduction. The special image data is added to the read image data, and the image output unit 15 forms an image on output paper.

  If the content of the operation setting is “size change”, the size of the output paper is changed to a size larger than before (step S29), and then the special image data processing unit 18 applies the margin area generated by the size change. The created new special image data is added to the read image data, and the image output unit 15 forms an image on the output paper.

  That is, in FIG. 5, if the size of the output paper is smaller than the size of the original in the original in which the special image data is embedded, that is, if the margin is small or there is no margin, the margin area generated by image reduction or size change To which special image data is added and output (pattern B).

  As described above, when the original is scanned, the special image data embedded in the original is detected. If the size of the output paper is equal to or larger than the original size, a new special area is created in the margin area caused by the size difference. By adding the image data and outputting it, when copying a document, new special image data can be embedded in the output paper without overwriting the existing special image data. As a result, it can be avoided that the special image data is applied in multiple layers and the analysis accuracy of the special image data is lowered.

  Also, if the output paper size is smaller than the original size, the original image is reduced or the output paper size is changed to a larger size, and a new special area is created in the margin area caused by the reduction or size change. By adding and outputting image data, new special image data can be embedded in output paper without overwriting existing special image data.

(Example 3)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of image formation according to the third embodiment of the present invention. This process is basically executed under the control of the system control unit 11.

  First, a document is read by the image reading unit 12 (step S41), and based on the read image data, it is determined whether special image data capable of prohibiting or tracing unauthorized copying is embedded in the document (step S41). S42). Here, as described above, the special image data also includes information indicating whether or not copying of the document itself is prohibited.

  Therefore, in step S42, the special image data is not embedded or the special image data is embedded, but the copy itself is prohibited (that is, the job is not allowed), the special image data is embedded, and the copy itself Are also prohibited (that is, the job is acceptable).

  If the special image data is not embedded in the determination process in step S42, the new special image data created by the special image data processing unit 18 is added to the read image data, and the output paper is output by the image output unit 15. An image is formed (step S43), and then it is determined whether the original is the final original (step S44). If the final original is not output, the process returns to step SS41 and a series of processes are repeated until the final original.

  If it is determined in step S42 that the job is not possible, that is, if the copy itself is prohibited, a process for canceling the job is executed (step S45), and the series of processes is terminated. This process is the same as the process of step S15 in the first embodiment. That is, the cancel process is performed for a document job with special image data.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S42 that the job is acceptable, that is, if the copy itself is not prohibited, the special image data analysis unit 17 analyzes the content of the special image data (step S46), and then the analysis is performed. Based on the result, it is determined whether or not the content of the special image data can be merged with new special image data created by the special image data processing unit 18 (step S47).

  If merging is possible, the original image data such as characters and photographs and the detected special image data are separated from the image data read by the image reading unit 12 and the special image data is removed (step S48). The removed special image data is merged with new special image data by the special image data processing unit 18 or the extracted special image data is replaced based on the new special image data (step S49). Then, the special image data newly created by merging or rewriting the contents is added to the read image data from which the existing special image data is removed, and the image output unit 15 forms an image on the output paper.

  That is, in FIG. 7, when special image data can be merged with an original in which special image data is embedded, the original image data and existing special image data are separated from the read image data and the special image data is extracted. The existing special image data is merged with new special image data, or the contents of the extracted special image data are replaced, and the special image data obtained by merging or rewriting is embedded and output.

  On the other hand, if merging is not possible, processing for adding and outputting the special image data to the blank area is performed (step S50), and then the process proceeds to step S43. The processing in step S50 is the same as the processing in steps S26 to S31 in the second embodiment. In other words, if the output paper size is larger than the original size, special image data is added to the margin area for output. If the output paper size is smaller than the original size, the margin area caused by image reduction or resizing is output. To which special image data is added.

  As described above, when the original is scanned, the contents of the special image data embedded in the original are analyzed, and if the special image data contents can be merged with new special image data, By separating the original manuscript data from the existing special image data and removing the special image data, the existing special image data is merged with the new special image data to be embedded or the content is rewritten and embedded at the time of output. When copying a document, new special image data can be embedded in output paper without overwriting existing special image data. As a result, it is possible to avoid the special image data being subjected to multiple times and the analysis accuracy of the special image data from being lowered.

  In addition, the said embodiment is only an example which implement | achieves this invention, and is not restricted to this. For example, the user can set the image forming apparatus in advance by combining a part or all of the processing for skipping the execution of a job for adding new special image data and the processing for canceling, or the operation / It is also possible for the user to make a setting on the display unit 20 so that the machine determines the setting and performs processing according to the determination result. In addition, this machine setting is registered in advance in the image forming apparatus as a user so that the setting contents can be changed according to the level of the user (machine administrator, general user, etc.) Depending on the level, the set contents can be canceled or changed during the job.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus having a copy function has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to an image forming apparatus having only a scan function or a facsimile function. Also, processing methods that can be set in advance may be provided for each type of job.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of a control system in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of image formation according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 6 is an explanatory diagram of image forming processing according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for image formation according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an image forming process according to Embodiment 2. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of image formation according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of image forming processing according to Embodiment 3.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... System control part, 12 ... Image reading part, 13 ... Image storage part, 14 ... Image processing part, 15 ... Image output part, 16 ... FAX part, 17 ... Special image data analysis part, 18 ... Special image data processing part , 19 ... Storage unit, 20 ... Operation / display unit, 21 ... Bus line

Claims (5)

Reading means for reading a plurality of documents;
Detecting means for detecting, for each original document, existing special image data embedded in a document so as to prohibit illegal copying or enable distribution path tracking from image data read by the reading unit;
Special image data processing means for adding new special image data to the read image data;
Output means for forming an image based on the read image data to which the new special image data is added on output paper;
Based on information included in the existing special image data detected by the detection means and indicating whether copying of the original in which the existing special image data is embedded is prohibited. Determining means for determining whether or not copying of an original embedded with the special image data is prohibited;
Control means for controlling execution of a job for performing copy processing for adding the new special image data to the plurality of originals;
With
The control means includes
If it is determined by the determination means that copying of the original with the existing special image data embedded therein is prohibited , the special with respect to the original after the original from which the existing special image data is detected by the detection means. There line control to stop the execution of the job of performing the copying process of adding the new special image data by the image data processing unit,
If it is determined that copying of the document with the existing special image data embedded is not prohibited,
For a document in which the existing special image data is detected by the detection unit, control is performed so as to skip execution of the job for performing the copy process,
An image forming apparatus that performs control so that the new special image data is added to read image data and image formation is performed by the output unit for a document in which the existing special image data is not detected by the detection unit. If it is determined by the determining means that copying of the original in which the existing special image data is embedded is not prohibited , the control means determines an area on the original to which the existing special image data is applied. When the size of the composite area with the margin size that can form the new special image data at a minimum is equal to or smaller than the size of the output paper, control is performed to embed the new special image data in the margin area caused by the size difference. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. When the size of the composite area is larger than the size of the output paper, the control means reduces the original image to be read by the reading means or changes the size of the output paper to a larger size, and The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein control is performed to embed the new special image data in a blank area generated by reduction or size change. When the determination unit determines that copying of the original in which the existing special image data is embedded is not prohibited , the control unit determines from the read image data the original document data, the existing special image data, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the special image data is removed and the special image data is removed, and the existing special image data is merged into the new special image data or the content is rewritten and embedded. A detection step of detecting, for each original document, existing special image data embedded in the original document so as to prohibit unauthorized copying or enable distribution path tracking from read image data from a plurality of original documents;
  A special image data processing step of adding new special image data to the read image data;
  An output step of forming an image on output paper based on the read image data to which the new special image data is added;
  Based on information included in the existing special image data detected by the detection means and indicating whether copying of the original in which the existing special image data is embedded is prohibited. A determination step for determining whether or not copying of a document in which the special image data is embedded is prohibited;
  A control step for controlling execution of a job for performing copy processing for adding the new special image data to the plurality of originals;
  To the image forming apparatus,
  The control step includes
  When it is determined that copying of a document in which the existing special image data is embedded is prohibited, the copy for adding the new special image data to the document after the document in which the existing special image data is detected Control to stop the execution of the job to be processed,
  If it is determined that copying of the document with the existing special image data embedded is not prohibited,
    For the document in which the existing special image data is detected, control is performed so as to skip execution of the job for performing the copy process,
    For the original in which the existing special image data is not detected, the new special image data is added to the read image data, and control is performed so that image formation is performed by the output unit.
  Image forming program.

Images