JP6468141B2 - Image forming apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multi-Functional Peripheral) and a related technology.

  There is a technology that uses “digital watermark” to suppress the output of illegal images such as copy-prohibited data (prevention of illegal copying, etc.) (see Patent Document 1, etc.).

  For example, after a printed material is output with an electronic watermark embedded, the following processing is performed when the printed material is copied. First, the copier (image forming apparatus) scans the printed matter to obtain a scanned image, and detects whether or not a digital watermark (embedded information) is embedded in the scanned image (in other words, , Processing for detecting embedding information (copy prohibition information, etc.) (hereinafter also referred to as “detection processing”). When the scanned image includes a digital watermark (copy prohibition information or the like), the copier executes a process (suppression process) that suppresses normal output (print output or the like) related to the printed matter (scanned image). . For example, a suppression process such as painting the whole or a part of the printed matter with a light ink color (or black or the like) is performed.

  Such a suppression process prevents unauthorized copying or the like.

  Incidentally, various types of image information are input in an image forming apparatus (such as an MFP) that executes a plurality of types of jobs. For example, scanned image data in a copy job (image information of a copy object), scanned image data in a scan job (image information to be saved), received image data in a facsimile reception job (facsimile received image information), and in a PC print job Printing data (PCL data) and the like are input. Note that the plurality of types of image information (specifically, all or part thereof) may be input and processed simultaneously in parallel.

  In addition, with respect to these various jobs (scan job, facsimile reception job, PC print job, etc.), suppression of unauthorized image output as described above is required.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-218045

  In order to suppress illegal image output for a plurality of types of jobs, it is necessary to perform detection processing for various types of input images. In addition, the image forming apparatus is required to increase the speed of various processes.

  In order to accelerate the processing speed, it is one idea to provide a detection processing circuit (detection unit) that executes the above-described “detection processing” for each processing path of various input images. By providing a plurality of detection processing circuits for each type of input image, even when a plurality of types of input images are input almost simultaneously, a plurality of “detection processes” for a plurality of types of input images are performed. It is executed in parallel by the detection processing circuit. Therefore, the detection process is executed at a very high speed.

  However, since it is necessary to provide a relatively large number of detection processing circuits in order to provide the detection processing circuits in association with the processing circuits of a plurality of types of input images, the cost increases.

  In order to avoid such an increase in cost, it is conceivable to share a relatively small number (even a single) of detection processing circuits. For example, it is conceivable to provide only a single detection processing circuit that sequentially (sequentially) executes detection processing for a plurality of types of input images.

  However, for example, when detection processing for a plurality of types of input images is sequentially performed using only a single detection processing circuit (detection processing unit), with respect to a plurality of pieces of image information input almost simultaneously, ( Depending on the order of input, etc., as described later, there may be a wait for the execution order of “detection processing”. Such a waiting time causes processing delay in the image forming apparatus.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing a delay in processing while suppressing an increase in cost and a technology related thereto.

  In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim 1 is an image forming apparatus, wherein a plurality of image information input units capable of inputting different types of image information in parallel, and the plurality of image information. And a plurality of image information input units that perform detection processing for detecting whether or not embedded information is embedded in an image based on each image information input via the input unit. And at least one detection unit having a number smaller than the number, a suppression processing unit that executes a suppression process related to the image in which the embedded information is detected, and a plurality of different types input by the plurality of image information input units For each of the plurality of pieces of image information that are ready for the detection process, the suppression process is scheduled to start from the first time point that is the earliest possible end point of the detection process. And determining means for determining each of the detection processes related to the plurality of pieces of image information in order of increasing margin time. To do.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, the determination unit finishes the previous stage process, which is a process until the preparation for the detection process is completed, and completes the preparation for the detection process. The execution order of each detection process is determined with respect to the plurality of pieces of image information waiting for the execution of the subsequent process that is the process after the process.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention, the first time point is a time point when the time required for the detection process has elapsed since the start time of the post-stage processing. .

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, the at least one detection unit is a single detection unit that sequentially executes the detection process for each of the plurality of pieces of image information. It is characterized by having.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, the at least one detection unit is a plurality of detection units that share and execute a plurality of detection processes related to the plurality of pieces of image information. A plurality of detection units smaller than the number of the plurality of image information input units, and the determining means is an execution order for each detection process of the plurality of image information, and is executed in the plurality of detection units The order is determined based on the margin time.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the plurality of image information input units input print data from the print control apparatus via network communication. And at least two of a network communication unit that accepts image data, a scan image generation unit that generates scan image data relating to a document, and a facsimile reception unit that receives image data in facsimile communication.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the plurality of pieces of image information are image information ready for the detection process within a predetermined period. It is characterized by that.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the plurality of pieces of image information includes first image information that is image information related to a job that involves print output processing, and , Second image information that is image information relating to a job that does not involve printout processing, and the determining means has the same margin time relating to the first image information and the margin time relating to the second image information. In this case, it is determined that the detection process related to the first image information is to be executed with priority over the detection process related to the second image information.

  The invention according to claim 9 is based on a plurality of image information input units capable of inputting different types of image information in parallel and each image information input via the plurality of image information input units. At least one detection unit that executes detection processing for detecting whether or not embedded information is embedded in an image, the number of which is smaller than the number of the plurality of image information input units, and A) a plurality of different types of images input by the plurality of image information input units in a computer built in an image forming apparatus including a suppression processing unit that executes a suppression process for an image in which embedded information is detected; For each of the plurality of pieces of image information that are information and ready for the detection process, the start of the suppression process is started from a first time that is the earliest possible end point of the detection process. A step of respectively obtaining a margin time that is a time until a second time point, which is a time point, and b) a step of determining that each detection process relating to the plurality of pieces of image information should be performed in the order of a short margin time. It is a program for making it happen.

  According to the first to ninth aspects of the present invention, since at least one detection unit having a number smaller than the number of the plurality of image information input units is provided, it is attached to each processing circuit of the plurality of image information. Costs can be reduced compared to the case where each of the detection processing circuits is provided. In addition, since each detection process of a plurality of pieces of image information is executed in the order of a short margin time, the detection process for the plurality of pieces of image information is smoothly executed, the occurrence of waiting time is suppressed, and the processing delay is suppressed. Is possible.

2 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of an MFP (image forming apparatus). FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration related to an image memory and a detection unit in an MFP. FIG. It is a figure which shows the process regarding a scan job (one side, no preview). It is a figure which shows the process regarding a scan job (one side, there exists a preview). It is a figure which shows the process regarding a copy job (single side | surface). It is a figure which shows the process regarding a copy job (double-sided simultaneous reading). It is a figure which shows the process regarding a PC print job. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating processing related to a print preview job. It is a figure which shows the process regarding a facsimile reception job. It is a figure which shows a data table. It is a flowchart which shows adjustment operation (processing order change operation). It is a figure which shows margin time etc. (when a copy job and a PC print job are input). It is a figure which shows the process order etc. of the detection process after a change. It is a figure which shows the margin time etc. in another operation example (when a scan job and a PC print job are input). It is a figure which shows the process order etc. of the detection process after the change in the said other operation example. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which concerns on a modification. It is a figure which shows the structure which concerns on a 1st comparative example. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement which concerns on a 1st comparative example. It is a figure which shows the structure which concerns on a 2nd comparative example. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement which concerns on a 2nd comparative example. It is a figure which shows the other operation example which concerns on a 2nd comparative example.

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

<1. Device configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of the image forming apparatus 10. Here, an MFP (Multi-Functional Peripheral) is exemplified as the image forming apparatus 10. In FIG. 1, functional blocks of the MFP 10 are shown.

  The MFP 10 is a device (also referred to as a multi-function device) having a scan function, a copy function, a facsimile function, a box storage function, and the like. Specifically, as shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 1, the MFP 10 includes an image reading unit 2, a print output unit 3, a communication unit 4, a storage unit 5, an operation unit 6, a detection unit 7, a controller 9, and the like. Various functions are realized by operating these parts in a complex manner.

  The image reading unit 2 is a processing unit that optically reads (that is, scans) a document placed at a predetermined position of the MFP 10 and generates image data of the document (also referred to as a document image or a scanned image). is there. The image reading unit 2 is also referred to as a scanning unit.

  The print output unit 3 is an output unit that prints out an image on various media such as paper based on data related to a print target.

  The communication unit 4 is a processing unit capable of performing facsimile communication via a public line or the like. Specifically, the communication unit 4 includes a facsimile communication unit 4a that performs facsimile communication. Furthermore, the communication part 4 can also perform various network communications via a network. Specifically, the communication unit 4 includes a network communication unit 4b that performs network communication (IEEE 802.11 or the like). The network communication unit 4b can perform wireless communication and wired communication. The network is configured by a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, or the like.

  The storage unit 5 includes a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) and a semiconductor memory. More specifically, the storage unit 5 includes an image memory 5a configured by a semiconductor memory, a processing buffer memory 5b configured by a semiconductor memory, an image storage unit (and document storage unit) configured by a hard disk drive, and the like. .

  The operation unit 6 includes an operation input unit 6a that receives an operation input to the MFP 10 and a display unit 6b that displays and outputs various types of information.

  The MFP 10 is provided with a substantially plate-like operation panel unit. In addition, the operation panel unit has a touch panel on the front side thereof. The touch panel functions as a part of the operation input unit 6a and also functions as a part of the display unit 6b. The touch panel is configured by embedding various sensors or the like in a liquid crystal display panel, and can display various kinds of information and accept various kinds of operation inputs from an operator.

  The detection unit 7 detects whether or not “embedding information” (here, digital watermark information) is embedded in the image to be processed (in other words, processing for detecting the embedded information) (“detection”). It is a processing unit that executes “processing”). The MFP 10 is provided with a smaller number of detection units (at least one detection unit) than the number of image information input units (described later). In this embodiment, a single detection unit 7 is provided in the MFP 10, and the single detection unit 7 sequentially executes detection processing relating to each of a plurality of pieces of image information as will be described later. In this embodiment, the detection unit 7 is constructed by dedicated hardware (electric circuit) or the like.

  The controller 9 is a control device that is built in the MFP 10 and controls the MFP 10 in an integrated manner. The controller 9 is configured as a computer system including a CPU and various semiconductor memories (RAM and ROM). The controller 9 implements various processing units by executing predetermined software programs (hereinafter also simply referred to as programs) stored in a ROM (for example, EEPROM (registered trademark)) in the CPU. Note that the program (specifically, a program module group) may be recorded on a portable recording medium such as a USB memory, read from the recording medium, and installed in the MFP 10. Alternatively, the program may be downloaded via a network and installed in the MFP 10.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the controller 9 executes a communication control unit 11, an input control unit 12, a display control unit 13, a suppression processing unit 14, a determination unit 15, and a job control unit by executing the above program. 16 are realized.

  The communication control unit 11 is a processing unit that controls communication operations with other devices (such as a print control device (personal computer)) in cooperation with the communication unit 4 and the like. The communication control unit 11 includes a transmission control unit that controls a transmission operation of various data and a reception control unit that controls a reception operation of various data.

  The input control unit 12 is a control unit that controls an operation input operation with respect to the operation input unit 6a (such as a touch panel). For example, the input control unit 12 controls an operation of accepting an operation input (such as a designation input from the user) on the operation screen displayed on the touch panel.

  The display control unit 13 is a processing unit that controls display operations in the display unit 6b (touch panel or the like). For example, the display control unit 13 displays an operation screen for operating the MFP 10 on the touch panel.

  The suppression processing unit 14 is a processing unit that executes “suppression processing” regarding an image in which embedded information (digital watermark information or the like) is detected. The suppression processing unit 14 embeds embedded information related to output suppression (various prohibition information such as copy prohibition information, scan prohibition information, print output prohibition information, and / or display output prohibition information) as a digital watermark or the like in a processing target image. If it is, a process (“suppression process”) for suppressing normal output (print output or the like) related to the processing target image is executed. For example, a process of filling the whole or a part of the printed matter with a light ink color (or black or the like) is executed as the “suppression process”.

  The determination unit 15 is a processing unit that determines (arbitrates) the processing order of “detection processing” regarding a plurality of pieces of image information input by a plurality of image information input units (described later). Since the determination unit 15 adjusts the processing order of the detection processes regarding a plurality of pieces of image information, the determination unit 15 is also referred to as an arbitration processing unit.

  The job control unit 16 is a processing unit that comprehensively controls operations related to various jobs (print output operation, scan operation, etc.).

  These various processing units are not realized using software, but may be realized using hardware (electrical circuit or the like). For example, the suppression processing unit 14 and / or the determination unit 15 (arbitration processing unit) may be realized using dedicated hardware (electric circuit or the like).

  In the MFP 10, a plurality of types of jobs are executed. In the MFP 10, a plurality of types of image information relating to a plurality of types of jobs are input through a plurality of input paths. For example, scanned image data in a copy job (image information of a copy object), scanned image data in a scan job (image information to be saved), received image data in a facsimile reception job (facsimile received image information), and in a PC print job Printing data (PCL data) and the like are input. Further, these plural types of image information (specifically, all or a part thereof) can be input and processed simultaneously in parallel.

  The MFP 10 includes a plurality of image information input units that can input different types of image information in parallel through different input paths. For example, the facsimile communication unit 4a, the network communication unit 4b, the image reading unit 2 and the like are provided as the “image information input unit”.

  The facsimile communication unit 4a (also referred to as a facsimile reception unit) is a processing unit that receives image data (facsimile reception image data) in facsimile communication. The facsimile communication unit 4a is a processing unit that executes input processing of facsimile received image data (image information).

  The network communication unit 4b is a processing unit that receives input of print data from another print control apparatus (such as a personal computer) via network communication. In other words, it is a processing unit that executes an input process of printing data (image information).

  The image reading unit (scanning unit) 2 is a processing unit that generates scanned image data relating to a document. In other words, the image reading unit (also referred to as a scan image generation unit) 2 is a processing unit that executes an input process of scan image data (image information).

  Each of these image information input units (facsimile communication unit 4a, network communication unit 4b, image reading unit 2, etc.) can input image information in parallel with each other.

<2. Processing for each input image of multiple types of jobs>
3 to 9 are diagrams showing processes related to a plurality of types of jobs. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating processing related to a scan job (single-sided, no preview), and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating processing related to a scan job (single-sided, with preview). Further, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing processing related to a copy job (single side), and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing processing related to a copy job (double-sided simultaneous reading). FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating processing related to a PC print job, FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating processing related to a print preview job, and FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating processing related to a facsimile reception job. Processing related to a plurality of types of jobs will be described with reference to these drawings.

<2-1. Processing related to scan jobs>
First, a process related to a scan job (one side, no preview) will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in a scan job, first, scanned image data of a document is generated and inputted by the image reading unit 2. Then, the scanned image data is temporarily stored in the image memory 5a. The scanned image data is image data developed into a set of pixels (dots), and is data that can be subject to “detection processing” data by the detection unit 7.

  The process until the generation and storage of the scan image data is a process until the preparation of the “detection process” is completed, and is also referred to as “previous process”.

  By the way, in this embodiment, when the preceding process ends, the process is temporarily interrupted until the next “start timing”. In this embodiment, the start timing (restart timing) of the interrupted process arrives at a minute time interval ΔT (for example, 100 milliseconds).

  At a certain time Ta after a predetermined period ΔT has elapsed from the previous start timing, the process restart timing for this scan job comes.

  Then, at the time point Ta, processing after completion of preparation for the “detection processing” (also referred to as “post-processing”) is started, and the post-processing is executed.

  Specifically, first, image processing is performed on scan image data (input image). Specifically, various types of image correction processing (for example, color correction processing, gradation correction processing, moire suppression processing, etc.) (also referred to as input image correction processing or image normalization processing) are performed on the input image. Are stored in the image memory 5a.

  Next, further image processing (image editing processing) is performed on the corrected image data. For example, image editing processing such as “Nin1” (processing for consolidating the contents of N pages into one print output page) and “image rotation” (90 ° rotation, 180 ° rotation) is performed. Then, the edited image data is temporarily stored in the image memory 5a and the HDD. The image editing process and the storage process end at time Tc. This time Tc is also expressed as a scheduled start time of “suppression process” (described later).

  Further, the “detection process” is performed in parallel with the “post-stage process” (more specifically, in the period from the time Ta to the time Tc). In the “detection process”, it is detected whether embedded information (digital watermark information or the like) is embedded in the processing target image (scanned image data here).

  When embedded information indicating that scanning or the like should be prohibited is embedded in the processing target image, the “suppression process” based on the embedded information is executed after the “detection process” ends. Specifically, processing such as painting the edited image with a light ink color (or black) by performing image processing on the edited image data is executed as “inhibition processing”. Thereafter, the image data after being subjected to the “suppression process” (the image data after the image correction process, the editing process, and the suppression process are performed on the scanned image) is stored in the image memory 5a and also in the HDD. Stored. When “embedding information” is not detected, “suppression processing” is not performed, and the edited image data is stored in the image memory 5a or the like as it is.

  As described above, the subsequent processing is executed. According to such detection processing or the like, when various types of prohibition information (embedding information) are embedded in the processing target image, the “suppression processing” can be appropriately executed.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating processing relating to a scan job (single side, with preview). As can be seen from a comparison between FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the same processing as in FIG. 3 is performed in FIG. 4. However, the process of FIG. 4 is different from the process of FIG. 3 in that a preview image generation process is also performed as a further image process for the image data after the image correction process in the subsequent process. In FIG. 4, the display output processing of the preview image generated by the preview image generation processing is performed in parallel with the storage processing of the scanned image in the image memory and HDD.

<2-2. Processing related to copy jobs>
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating processing relating to a copy job (one side). Processing related to a copy job (one side) will be described with reference to FIG. The processing in FIG. 5 is the same as the processing in FIG. 3 until the image editing processing and its storage processing, and thereafter, processing for generating image data of the print output image and the like are executed.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, in a copy job, first, scanned image data of a document is generated and input by the image reading unit 2. Then, the scanned image data is temporarily stored in the image memory 5a.

  When “pre-stage processing” (processing until generation and storage of scan image data (processing until preparation of “detection processing” is completed)) is completed, the processing is temporarily suspended until the next “start timing” Ta. At a certain time Ta after a predetermined period ΔT has elapsed from the previous start timing, the process restart timing for the copy job comes.

  Then, at the time point Ta, processing after completion of preparation for the “detection processing” (“post-processing”) is started, and the post-processing is executed.

  Specifically, first, similarly to the scan job (see FIG. 3 and the like), various image correction processes are performed on the scanned image data (input image), and the corrected image data is stored in the image memory 5a.

  Next, the image data after correction is subjected to further image processing (image editing processing such as “Nin1” and “image rotation”), and the edited image data is temporarily stored in the image memory 5a and the HDD. .

  Up to this point, the same processing as the scan job (see FIG. 3) is executed.

  In this copy job, image processing based on the edited image data (specifically, processing for generating image data of a print output image) is started, and then ends (time Tc).

  Further, the “detection process” is performed in parallel with the “post-stage process” (more specifically, in the period from the start time Ta of the post-stage process to the scheduled start time Tc of the “suppression process”). In the “detection process”, it is detected whether embedded information (digital watermark information or the like) is embedded in the processing target image (scanned image data here).

  When various types of prohibition information (embedded information) are embedded in the processing target image, the “suppression process” based on the embedded information is executed after the “detection process” ends. Specifically, processing such as painting the print output image with light ink color (or black, etc.) by performing image processing on the image data of the print output image is executed as “inhibition processing”. Thereafter, print output processing based on image data after being subjected to “suppression processing” (image data after being subjected to image processing processing, editing processing, output image generation processing, and suppression processing on the scanned image) is performed. Executed. When “embedding information” is not detected, “suppression processing” is not performed, and print output processing based on the image data of the generated print output image is executed.

  As described above, the subsequent processing is executed. According to such a detection process or the like, when the embedded information such as copy prohibition information is embedded in the processing target image, the “suppression process” can be appropriately executed.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating processing relating to a copy job (double-sided simultaneous reading).

  As can be seen from comparison with FIG. 5, the processing related to the front (front) surface in the processing related to the copy job (double-sided simultaneous reading) in FIG. 6 is the same as the processing in FIG. 5.

  In addition, the processing up to the front side processing (scan image data generation processing and storage processing) related to the back side and the storage processing of image data generated through the image correction processing and image editing processing of the back side processing related to the back side are shown in the table. To be executed in parallel with the corresponding processing for the surface. On the other hand, the image data generation process of the print output image, the suppression process for the image data, and the print output process among the subsequent processes related to the back surface are executed after the front surface corresponding process is completed.

<2-3. Processing related to print jobs>
Next, processing related to a PC print job will be described with reference to FIG. The PC print job is given to the MFP 10 from another computer (printing control apparatus) as a print job to print out an electronic document in which embedded information such as print output prohibition information is already embedded. The

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the PC print job, first, the network communication unit 4b receives and inputs print data (print data) from the print control apparatus. Specifically, data (PDL data) described in a page description language (PDL) is input as print data, and the PDL data is temporarily stored in the image memory. Thereafter, rasterization processing (RIP processing) based on the PDL data is performed, and image data (rasterization data) after RIP development is stored in the image memory and also in the HDD. The rasterized data is data that can be subject to detection processing.

  The processing up to the rasterization processing is processing until preparation for “detection processing” is completed, and is also referred to as “previous stage processing”.

  When the preceding process ends, the process is temporarily interrupted until the next “start timing” Ta. At a certain time Ta after a predetermined period ΔT has elapsed from the previous start timing, the process restart timing for the copy job comes.

  Then, at the time point Ta, processing after completion of preparation for the “detection processing” (“post-processing”) is started, and the post-processing is executed.

  Specifically, image processing (output image generation processing) for finally generating the image data of the print output image based on the rasterized data is started and thereafter ended (time Tc).

  Further, the “detection process” is performed in parallel with the “post-stage process” (more specifically, in the period from the start time Ta of the post-stage process to the scheduled start time Tc of the “suppression process”). In the “detection process”, it is detected whether embedded information (digital watermark information or the like) is embedded in the processing target image (here, rasterized data).

  When various types of prohibition information (embedded information) are embedded in the processing target image, the “suppression process” based on the embedded information is executed after the “detection process” ends. Specifically, processing such as painting the print output image with light ink color (or black) by performing image processing on the image data of the print output image is executed as “suppression processing”. Thereafter, a print output process based on the image data after the “suppression process” is performed (the image data after the output image generation process and the suppression process are performed on the rasterized image) is executed. When “embedding information” is not detected, “suppression processing” is not performed, and print output processing based on the image data of the generated print output image is executed as it is.

  As described above, the subsequent processing is executed. According to such a detection process or the like, the “suppression process” can be appropriately executed when the embedded information such as the print output prohibition information is embedded in the processing target image.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating processing relating to a print preview job. The print preview job is executed, for example, as a job to display and output a print preview image of an electronic document stored in the storage unit 5 of the MFP 10 on the touch panel of the MFP 10.

  As can be seen by comparing FIG. 8 with FIG. 7, the same processing as in FIG. 7 is performed in FIG. However, the process of FIG. 8 differs from the process of FIG. 7 in that a preview image generation process is performed as a further image process for the image data after the rasterization process in the subsequent process.

<2-4. Processing related to facsimile reception jobs>
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating processing relating to a facsimile reception job. With reference to FIG. 9, a process related to a facsimile reception job will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the facsimile reception job, first, facsimile reception data is received and inputted by the network communication unit 4b. Then, the facsimile reception data is temporarily stored in the image memory 5a. Thereafter, decompression processing is performed on the received facsimile data received in a compressed state, and the decompressed image data is stored in the image memory 5a and also in the HDD. The image data after the decompression processing is image data expanded into a set of pixels (dots), and is data that can be the target data of “detection processing” by the detection unit 7.

  The processing up to this decompression processing is processing until preparation for “detection processing” is completed, and is also referred to as “previous processing”.

  When the preceding process ends, the process is temporarily interrupted until the next “start timing” Ta. At a certain time Ta after a predetermined period ΔT has elapsed from the previous start timing, the process restart timing for the copy job comes.

  Then, at the time point Ta, processing after completion of preparation for the “detection processing” (“post-processing”) is started, and the post-processing is executed.

  Specifically, image processing based on the image data after the decompression processing (image data generation processing of the print output image) is started, and thereafter ends (time Tc).

  Further, the “detection process” is performed in parallel with the “post-stage process” (more specifically, in the period from the start time Ta of the post-stage process to the scheduled start time Tc of the “suppression process”). In the “detection process”, it is detected whether or not embedded information (digital watermark information or the like) is embedded in a processing target image (here, image data after decompression processing).

  When various types of prohibition information (embedded information) are embedded in the processing target image, the “suppression process” based on the embedded information is executed after the “detection process” ends. Specifically, processing such as painting the print output image with light ink color (or black) by performing image processing on the image data of the print output image is executed as “suppression processing”. Thereafter, a print output process based on the image data after the “suppression process” is performed (the image data after the output image generation process and the suppression process are performed on the decompressed image data) is executed. When “embedding information” is not detected, “suppression processing” is not performed, and print output processing based on the image data of the generated print output image is executed as it is.

  As described above, the subsequent processing is executed. According to such detection processing or the like, when various types of prohibition information (embedding information) are embedded in the processing target image, the “suppression processing” can be appropriately executed.

<3. Spare time P>
As described above, the “detection process” can be started from the start time Ta of the subsequent process.

  Further, it is desirable that the “detection process” is finished by the scheduled start time Tc of the “suppression process” (in other words, the completion time Tc of the preparation process for the suppression process (preparation process excluding the detection process)). . The time point Tc is a time point at which the “suppression process” is scheduled to start when the subsequent process is started from the time point Ta without delay, and is the earliest startable time point Tc of the “suppression process”. It is also expressed.

  For example, the “detection process” in the operation of FIG. 3 ends by the end time Tc of the image editing process or the like (preparation process for the suppression process) (in other words, the scheduled start time Tc of the “suppression process”). It is desirable to keep it. If the “detection process” cannot be completed by the time Tc, the process target image (scanned image after the image editing process) is to be processed although the process target image should be subjected to the suppression process. May be stored in the HDD or the like without undergoing the suppression process. Further, if the end of the detection process is waited to avoid this, the end of the subsequent process is delayed. Considering these circumstances, the detection process is preferably completed by time Tc.

  The same applies to the other operations in FIGS. 4 to 9, and it is desirable that the “detection process” be completed by the scheduled start time Tc of the “suppression process”. Specifically, the end point Tc (FIG. 4) of the image editing process, the end point Tc (FIGS. 5 to 7, 9) of the print output image generation process, or the end point of the preview image generation process, etc. It is desired that the “detection process” is completed by Tc (FIG. 8).

  As described above, it is desirable that the “detection process” is executed within the period TM from the time Ta (starting time of the subsequent process) to the time Tc (scheduled starting time of the “suppression process”). Specifically, it is desired that the “detection process” is started at a certain point in the period TM and is ended at another point in the period TM.

  In this embodiment, when the image data of a plurality of jobs (image data that can be the target of detection processing) is stored in the image memory 5a almost simultaneously (within a predetermined minute period ΔT), each image of the plurality of jobs is stored. The order of detection processing is determined in consideration of the data surplus time P. The margin time P is the time from the earliest execution end time Tb of the “detection process” to the time Tc.

  Specifically, the time Q (Q = Tc−Ta) from the start time Ta of the subsequent process to the scheduled start time Tc of the “suppression process” is obtained, and the “detection process” is earliest from the start time Ta of the subsequent process. The time U (U = Tb−Ta) until the execution end possible time Tb is obtained. The time point Tb is a time point when the required time U of the “detection process” has elapsed since the start time point Ta of the “following process”. That is, the time U from the time point Ta to the time point Tb is equal to the required time U of the detection process. Note that the time point Tb is also expressed as the time point when the “detection process” ends when the “detection process” is started from the time point Ta (the time point at which the detection process can be started the earliest).

  The margin time P is obtained as a value obtained by subtracting the time U from the time Q (P = Q−U). The time Q and the time U are predetermined values according to the type of job (print job, scan job, copy job, etc.), the size of the target page (for example, “A3”, “A4”), etc. 10 data table) may be used. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a data table (data table storing values Q, U, etc.) stored in the storage unit 5 of the MFP 10. The margin time P is also expressed as a difference time (P = Q−U) between the time Q from the predetermined time Ta to the scheduled start time Tc of the suppression process and the required time U of the detection process.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the margin time P for scan jobs, copy jobs, etc. is relatively large (long), and the margin time P for print jobs, facsimile reception jobs, etc. is relatively small (short).

  Here, when the margin time P for the job is relatively large, the urgency of the detection process for the job is considered to be relatively low. On the contrary, when the margin time P for the job is relatively small, it is considered that the urgency of the detection process for the job is high.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the order of detection processing relating to the image data of a plurality of jobs stored in the image memory 5a is determined almost simultaneously based on the length of the margin time P. More specifically, the MFP 10 (decision unit 15) includes a plurality of pieces of image information that are input by a plurality of image information input units and that are ready for detection processing within a predetermined period ΔT. , The time (margin time) P from the time Tb to the time Tc is calculated, respectively, and it is determined that each detection process regarding a plurality of pieces of image information should be executed in the shortest margin time P.

<4. Operation>
As described above, in this embodiment, when the “previous stage process” in the process of each job ends, the process is temporarily interrupted until the next “start timing” (shifts to a standby state). In this embodiment, the start timing (restart timing) of the interrupted process arrives at a minute time interval ΔT (for example, 100 milliseconds to 200 milliseconds).

  At a certain time Ta immediately after a predetermined period ΔT has elapsed from the previous start timing, the process restart timing for each job comes.

  At time Ta, the suspended processing is started for each job. Specifically, processing after completion of preparation for “detection processing” (also referred to as “post-processing”) is started at time Ta, and the post-processing is executed.

  Here, when the pre-processing for a plurality of jobs is completed at the same time (when image data that can be the target of detection processing is stored in the image memory 5a within a predetermined period ΔT), the following adjustment processing is performed. Is executed by the MFP 10. More specifically, the “previous process” (process until the preparation of the detection process is completed) is completed, and a plurality of processes waiting for the execution of the “post process” (process after the preparation of the detection process is completed) For the image information, a process for determining the execution order of each detection process is executed. In other words, a process (adjustment process) for adjusting the execution order of the detection processes is performed on a plurality of pieces of image information input by a plurality of image information input units and ready for the detection process. Is done. In short, adjustment processing is executed for a plurality of pieces of image information that have been stored in the image memory 5a in a state where detection processing is possible.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing such an adjustment operation (processing order changing operation). The MFP 10 repeatedly executes the operations in FIG. 11 (checking waiting jobs, etc.) at predetermined time intervals ΔT.

  First, in step S11, whether or not there is a plurality of pieces of image information input by a plurality of image information input units and ready for detection processing within the most recent predetermined period ΔT. Determined. In other words, it is determined whether or not there is a plurality of pieces of image information for which the preceding process has been completed within the most recent predetermined period ΔT.

  When there is no image information ready for the detection process within the predetermined period ΔT, or when there is only one image information ready for the detection process within the predetermined period ΔT The process of FIG. 11 ends without proceeding to step S12. In other words, the processing order change processing of the detection processing is not performed.

  On the other hand, if there is a plurality of pieces of image information ready for the detection process within the predetermined period ΔT, the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, a margin time P related to the subsequent processing of the plurality of pieces of image information is calculated. In step S <b> 13, the detection processing order regarding each piece of image information is changed. Specifically, it is determined that each detection process relating to a plurality of pieces of image information should be executed in the order from the shortest margin time P.

  In this embodiment, when the margin time P related to two or more pieces of image information among the plurality of pieces of image information is the same, the processing order of the detection processing related to the two or more pieces of image information is not changed, and preparation is completed. It shall be maintained in order.

  Thereafter, the subsequent process of each image process is started at time Ta, and the detection process related to each image information is executed in accordance with the changed processing order.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 12, a case where a copy job (double-sided simultaneous reading process) (see FIG. 6) and a PC print job (see FIG. 7) are input will be described. More specifically, a case where preparation for each detection process regarding the image information on the front surface of the copy job, the image information on the back surface of the copy job, and the image information of the PC print job is completed within the latest predetermined period ΔT. explain.

  In this case, in step S12, a margin time P related to the subsequent processing of the three pieces of image information is obtained based on the data table (see FIG. 10). Specifically, the margin time P (P1) regarding the image information of the front surface of the copy job (A4 size) is from time Q (Q1) (for example, 1.2 seconds) to time U (U1) (for example, 0). .2 seconds) (for example, 1.0 second). Further, the margin time P (P2) regarding the image information on the back side of the copy job (A4 size) is obtained by subtracting the time U (U1) (for example, 0.2 seconds) from the time Q (Q1) (for example, 2.4 seconds). Value (for example, 2.2 seconds). Further, the margin time P (P2) relating to the image information of the PC print job (A4 size) is obtained by subtracting the time U (U1) (for example, 0.2 seconds) from the time Q (Q1) (for example, 0.22 seconds). Value (for example, 0.02 seconds). A relationship of P3 <P1 <P2 is established between the times P1, P2, and P3 (see FIG. 12). That is, time P3 is the shortest and time P2 is the longest.

  Then, in step S13, it is determined that each detection process relating to a plurality of pieces of image information should be executed in the order of shorter margin time P. Specifically, it is determined that the detection process related to the image information of the PC print job corresponding to the shortest margin time P3 should be executed first. Further, it is determined that the detection process relating to the image information on the front surface of the copy job (image information corresponding to the second shortest margin time P1) should be executed second. Then, it is determined that the detection process relating to the image information on the back side of the copy job (image information corresponding to the third shortest margin time P2) should be executed third.

  Thereafter, the detection process is executed based on the changed execution order.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, first, at time T11 (Ta), the subsequent processing relating to the three pieces of image information is started simultaneously.

  In addition, each detection process regarding the three pieces of image information is sequentially executed from time T11. Specifically, first, detection processing relating to image information of a PC print job is started from time T11. Next, detection processing relating to image information (front surface scan data) on the front surface of the copy job is started from time T12 (= T11 + U). Finally, a detection process related to image information on the back side of the copy job (back side scan data) is started from time T13 (= T12 + U).

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration related to the image memory and the detection unit in the MFP 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 10 includes a single detection unit (detection processing circuit) 7, and each detection process is executed using the single detection unit (detection processing circuit) 7.

  According to such an aspect, it is possible to suppress a delay in processing while suppressing an increase in cost. Such an effect will be described below by comparing the above embodiment with two comparative examples.

  First, the first comparative example will be described. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a configuration according to the first comparative example, and FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an operation according to the first comparative example.

  As shown in FIG. 17, in the MFP according to the first comparative example, as the detection unit that can access the image memory 5a, the same number of image information input units that execute the input processing of a plurality of image information are provided. A detection unit is provided. More specifically, for example, when a plurality of types of image information (print data, facsimile data, front scan data, back scan data, etc.) are received, a detection unit (detection processing circuit) dedicated to each image information is provided. Each is provided. Specifically, a print data detector 71, a facsimile data detector 72, a front scan data detector 73, a back scan data detector 74, and the like are provided.

  In the first comparative example, as shown in FIG. 18, by using the plurality of detection units, the detection processes regarding the three pieces of image information can be started simultaneously from time T11. Specifically, the detection process related to the image information of the PC print job is started from time T11 using the detection unit 71, and the detection process related to the image information (front scan data) of the front surface of the copy job is detected by the detection unit. 73, and a detection process related to image information (back side scan data) on the back side of the copy job is started from time T11 using the detection unit 74. According to this, it is possible to finish the processing very early by executing the detection processing relating to a plurality of pieces of image information in parallel.

However, in such a first comparative example, as shown in FIG. 17, the same number of detection units as the number of image information input units that execute input processing of a plurality of image information are provided.
In short, a detection processing circuit is provided along with each processing circuit of a plurality of types of input images. In this case, since it is necessary to provide a relatively large number of detection processing circuits, the number of parts increases and the cost increases.

  Next, a second comparative example will be described. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a configuration according to the second comparative example, and FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an operation according to the second comparative example.

  In the second comparative example, as shown in FIG. 19, a single detection unit (detection processing circuit) 7 is provided as in the above embodiment. Therefore, according to the 2nd comparative example, it is possible to suppress cost rather than the 1st comparative example. Similarly, according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to suppress the cost as compared with the first comparative example. More specifically, in the above-described embodiment (and the second comparative example), one detection unit 7 is shared in a plurality of detection processes related to a plurality of different types of image information. Compared with the case where a detection processing circuit is provided along with each processing circuit, the cost can be reduced.

  However, in the second comparative example, detection processing for a plurality of pieces of image information input by a plurality of image information input units is executed in the order in which the preparation is completed.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 20, preparation processing for detection processing related to image information (front side scan data) on the front side of a copy job, preparation processing for detection processing related to image information (back side scan data) on the back side of the copy job Assume that the detection processing preparation processing related to the image information of the PC print job is completed in this order.

  In this case, it is assumed that the detection process related to the image information (front scan data) on the front side of the copy job, the detection process related to the image information (back scan data) on the back side of the copy job, and the image information (rasterize) of the PC print job. When detection processing relating to (data) is executed in this order, the following delay problem occurs.

  Specifically, first, detection processing related to the image information (front scan data) on the front surface of the copy job is started at time T11, and detection processing related to image information (back scan data) on the back side of the copy job is started at time T12. Starts from. Also, detection processing relating to image information (rasterized data) of the PC print job is started from time T13.

  If the detection process is not yet completed at the end of the output image generation process related to the PC print job, there is a possibility that an image that should be subjected to the suppression process is printed out without being subjected to the suppression process. is there. More specifically, if the output image generation processing related to the PC print job is started from time T11, the timing for performing the suppression processing comes at time T12. However, at time T12, since the detection process has not yet finished (it has just started), the suppression process cannot be executed.

  In order to avoid this, in the second comparative example, as shown in FIG. 20, the start time of the post-stage processing relating to the image information (rasterized data) of the PC print job is shifted backward. Specifically, the subsequent process is not started at time T11, but is started at time T13 at which detection processing relating to the rasterized data can be started. In short, a relatively long “wait” occurs for the subsequent processing. Time T13 is the time when the detection process related to the front scan data of the copy job and the detection process related to the back scan data of the copy job are completed. If the start of the post-processing regarding the image information (rasterized data) of the PC print job is delayed, the end of the post-processing is also delayed. For example, the end of the subsequent process is delayed from time T21 to time T31 (T21 <T31). Other print output processes are also delayed due to the influence of the delay. For example, the end of the post-stage processing relating to the front side scan data of the copy job is delayed from time T22 to time T32, and the end of the post-stage processing relating to the back side scan data of the copy job is delayed from time T23 to time T33. .

  On the other hand, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, detection processing relating to a plurality of pieces of image information is executed in the order of the margin time P. Specifically, detection processing related to image information (rasterized data) of a PC print job, detection processing related to front scan data of a copy job, and detection processing related to back scan data of a copy job are executed in this order. In this case, since the detection process related to the image information (rasterized data) of the PC print job starts at time T11 and ends at time T12, the “waiting time” related to the subsequent process as shown in FIG. 20 does not occur. Further, the end of the post-stage processing relating to the PC print job is time T21, the end of the post-stage processing relating to the front surface scan data of the copy job is time T22, and the end of the post-stage processing relating to the back side scan data of the copy job is It is time T23. That is, there is no delay related to the end time of each subsequent process as shown in FIG. In this way, the occurrence of “waiting time” is suppressed (avoided here), and the processing delay is suppressed (avoided here).

  In addition, as described above, a relatively small number of detection units (here, the single detection unit 7) are shared in a plurality of detection processes related to a plurality of different types of image information. Compared with the case where a detection processing circuit is provided along with the processing circuit, cost can be reduced.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress a delay in processing while suppressing an increase in cost.

<5. Other operation examples>
14 and 15 are diagrams illustrating another operation example (also referred to as a second operation example) according to the present embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing margin time and the like in the second operation example, and FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a processing order and the like of the detection processing after the change according to the present embodiment in the second operation example. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating the second operation example according to the second comparative example.

  In the second operation example, the scan job and the PC print job are processed in parallel.

  In the second operation example, as shown in FIGS. 14, 15, and 21, the detection processing preparation processing related to the scan job (one side) and the detection processing preparation processing related to the image information of the PC print job are performed in this order. Assuming that it was completed in

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 21, in the second comparative example, the detection processing preparation processing related to the scan job (one side) and the detection processing preparation processing related to the image information of the PC print job are performed in this order. The following delay problems occur when running on:

  Specifically, first, detection processing related to a scan job is started from time T41, and detection processing related to a PC print job is started from time T42.

  If the detection process is not yet completed at the end of the output image generation process of the PC print job, an image that should be subjected to the suppression process may be printed out without being subjected to the suppression process. There is sex. More specifically, if the output image generation process related to the PC print job is started from time T41, the timing for performing the suppression process comes at time T42. However, since the detection process has not been completed at this point, the suppression process cannot be executed.

  In order to avoid this, in the second comparative example, as shown in FIG. 21, the start time of the post-stage processing relating to the image information (rasterized data) of the PC print job is from time T41 to time T42 later than that. It is shifted (T41 <T42). In short, a relatively long “wait” occurs for the subsequent processing. Time T42 is the time when the detection process related to the scan job is completed, and is the time when the detection process related to the PC print job can be started. In addition, if the start of the subsequent process related to the image information (rasterized data) of the PC print job is delayed, the end of the subsequent process is also delayed. For example, the end of the subsequent process is delayed from time T51 to time T61 (T51 <T61).

  On the other hand, in the above embodiment, a margin time P as shown in FIG. 14 is considered. Specifically, the margin time P (P21) for the scan job (A3 size) is a value obtained by subtracting the time U (U21) (for example, 0.4 seconds) from the time Q (Q21) (for example, 1.2 seconds). (For example, 1.0 second). The margin time P (P22) for the PC print job (A3 size) is a value obtained by subtracting the time U (U22) (for example, 0.4 seconds) from the time Q (Q22) (for example, 0.44 seconds). 0.04 seconds). A relationship of P21 <P22 is established between the times P21 and P22 (see FIG. 14). That is, the margin time P21 related to the PC print job is the shortest and the margin time P22 related to the scan job is the longest.

  And in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the detection process regarding several image information is performed in order with the short margin time P (refer FIG. 14). Specifically, detection processing related to a PC print job and detection processing related to a scan job are executed in this order. In this case, the detection process related to the PC print job starts at time T41 and ends at time T42 (time T42 prior to the earliest startable time Tc of the suppression process related to the PC print job). There is no “waiting time” for subsequent processing. Further, the end of the post-stage processing relating to the PC print job is time T51, and the end of the post-stage processing relating to the scan is time T52. That is, there is no delay related to the end time of the subsequent processing as shown in FIG. In this way, the occurrence of “waiting time” is suppressed (avoided here), and the processing delay is suppressed (avoided here).

  In addition, as described above, a relatively small number of detection units (here, the single detection unit 7) are shared in a plurality of detection processes related to a plurality of different types of image information. Compared with the case where a detection processing circuit is provided along with the processing circuit, cost can be reduced.

  Thus, also in the second operation example, it is possible to suppress a delay in processing while suppressing an increase in cost.

  In the above embodiment, when the margin times P related to two or more pieces of image information among the plurality of pieces of image information are the same, the processing order of the detection processing related to the two or more pieces of image information is not changed, and This is the same as the process completion order (detection process preparation completion order).

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the margin time P related to two or more pieces of image information among the plurality of pieces of image information is the same, the detection processing related to the two or more pieces of image information based on criteria other than the margin time P The processing order may be changed.

  For example, when the margin time P related to a job (print output job or the like) with print output processing is the same as the margin time P related to a job (print preview job or the like) not accompanied by print output processing, the hardware drive processing is performed. The execution order of the detection processing may be changed based on whether the job is a accompanying job. For example, it may be determined that the detection process related to the image information of the print output job is executed with priority over the detection process related to the image information of the print preview job. Note that a print output job or the like is also referred to as a hardware drive job because it is a job accompanied by hardware drive processing by a drive mechanism. On the other hand, the print preview job or the like is also referred to as a hardware non-driven job.

  If for some reason the completion of the detection process is not in time for the start of the suppression process in the hardware process, the operation of the hardware drive mechanism is stopped or in the hardware drive mechanism (print output drive mechanism or the like). Unnecessary paper passage or the like may occur. On the other hand, according to such a modification, the detection process related to the print output process (specifically, the subsequent process) is executed preferentially over the detection process related to the print preview process (specifically, the subsequent process). It is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation where the operation of the hardware drive mechanism must be stopped in the print output process. In other words, it is possible to reduce the risk of occurrence of a situation in which the operation of the hardware drive mechanism must be stopped.

<6. Modified example>
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the contents described above.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the execution order of detection processing for a plurality of pieces of image information is constantly changed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and detection processing is executed when a certain condition is satisfied (or is not satisfied). The order may not be changed. In other words, the detection processing execution order may be changed only when a certain condition is satisfied (or is not satisfied).

  More specifically, if “waiting” cannot occur without changing the execution order of detection processing, the order may not be changed.

  Specifically, the order of detection processing may be changed only when the condition C1 is satisfied. For example, the condition C1 is “one of the times Qi from the time Ta to the scheduled start time Tc (i) of each suppression process relating to a plurality of pieces of image information is the sum of the processing times Uj of the detection processes relating to the pieces of image information (ΣUj Smaller than)) ”.

  In other words, when the condition C2 is satisfied, the order of detection processing may not be changed. For example, the condition C2 is “all the time Qi from the time Ta to the scheduled start time Tc (i) of each suppression process relating to a plurality of pieces of image information is the sum of the processing times Uj of the detection processes relating to the pieces of image information (ΣUj ) That's it. When the condition C2 is satisfied, all the detection processes are finished by the scheduled start time of each suppression process regardless of the order in which the detection processes are performed. Cannot occur. Therefore, in such a case, the order of detection processing may not be changed.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing such a modification. As shown in FIG. 16, for example, a process (step S <b> 21) for determining whether or not to change the order of the detection processes may be executed between step S <b> 12 and step S <b> 13 in FIG. 11. Then, as a result of the determination process, only when it is determined that the detection process order should be changed (for example, when the condition C1 is satisfied), the detection process order is changed in step S13. May be.

  In the above-described embodiment, a single detection unit 7 is provided in the MFP 10 as a “detection unit” that executes “detection processing” for each of a plurality of pieces of image information, and the single detection unit 7 is used. The “detection process” is sequentially executed for each of the plurality of pieces of image information, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, as “detection means” that executes “detection processing” for each of a plurality of different types of image information, a plurality of image information input units that perform input processing of the plurality of image information is smaller than the number of image information input units. A detection unit (for example, two detection units (detection circuits)) may be provided in the MFP 10. In other words, a plurality of detection units that share and execute a plurality of detection processes related to a plurality of pieces of image information and that are smaller in number than the plurality of image information input units are provided. Also good. In this case, the plurality of detection units (for example, two detection units) may determine the execution order of the plurality of pieces of image information in the plurality of detection units based on the margin time P relating to each of the plurality of pieces of image information.

  More specifically, for example, when six different types of image information are input, first, margin times P for the six pieces of image information are respectively obtained, and the six pieces of image information ( Are sorted). Then, the six pieces of image information may be assigned alternately (sequentially to a plurality of detection units) to the first detection unit and the second detection unit in the order of short margin time P. . Specifically, the first priority process (the process related to the image information corresponding to the shortest margin time P) is executed by the first detection unit, and the second priority process (the image information corresponding to the next shortest margin time P is related). Is determined to be executed by the second detector. Further, it is determined that the third priority process is executed by the first detection unit and the fourth priority process is executed by the second detection unit. Further, similarly, it is determined that the fifth priority process is executed by the first detection unit and the sixth priority process is executed by the second detection unit. In this way, the execution order of the six pieces of image information in the two detection units may be determined based on each margin time P.

  In the above embodiment, “digital watermark information” is exemplified as the embedded information, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the “embedded information” may be information embedded as visualized code information (such as two-dimensional barcode information).

  In the above-described embodiment, the “inhibition process” is exemplified by a process of filling all or part of the output image with a light ink color (or black or the like). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, “suppression processing” includes image processing for superimposing characters such as “copy prohibited” on the processing target image, image processing for applying mosaic to the processing target image, or image processing for performing black and white inversion on the processing target image, etc. It may be. Alternatively, the “suppression process” may be a process for destroying data.

10 MFP (image forming apparatus)
4a Facsimile communication unit 4b Network communication unit 5a Image memory 7 Detection unit P Margin time Ta (Subsequent processing) Start time Tb (Detection processing) Executable end time Tc (Suppression processing) Scheduled start time U (Detection processing) processing time

Claims (9)

An image forming apparatus,
A plurality of image information input units capable of inputting different types of image information in parallel;
At least one detection unit that executes detection processing for detecting whether or not embedded information is embedded in an image based on each image information input via the plurality of image information input units, At least one detection unit having a number smaller than the number of image information input units of
Deterrence processing means for executing a deterrence process for an image in which the embedded information is detected;
For each of a plurality of different types of image information input by the plurality of image information input units and ready for the detection process, it is the earliest possible end point of the detection process. A margin time that is a time from the first time point to a second time point that is the scheduled start time of the suppression process is obtained, and each detection process related to the plurality of pieces of image information is to be executed in the shortest margin time. A decision means to decide;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The plurality of images waiting for execution of a subsequent process that is a process after completion of a previous process that is a process until the preparation of the detection process is completed and a preparation of the detection process is completed. An image forming apparatus that determines an execution order of each detection process regarding information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first time point is a time point when the time required for the detection process has elapsed from a start time point of the post-stage process. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The at least one detector is
A single detection unit that sequentially executes the detection process for each of the plurality of pieces of image information;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The at least one detector is
A plurality of detection units that share and execute a plurality of detection processes related to the plurality of image information, and a plurality of detection units that is smaller in number than the number of the plurality of image information input units,
Have
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines an execution order of the plurality of pieces of image information related to each detection process and based on the margin time. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The plurality of image information input units,
A network communication unit that accepts input of print data from the print control apparatus via network communication;
A scan image generation unit that generates scan image data relating to a document;
A facsimile receiver for receiving image data in facsimile communication;
An image forming apparatus comprising at least two of the above. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the plurality of pieces of image information are image information ready for the detection process within a predetermined period. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The plurality of pieces of image information are
First image information that is image information relating to a job that involves print output processing;
Second image information that is image information relating to a job that does not involve printout processing;
Including
The determining means performs detection processing relating to the first image information when the margin time related to the first image information is the same as the margin time related to the second image information. An image forming apparatus characterized in that execution is determined with priority over detection processing. A plurality of image information input units capable of inputting different types of image information in parallel, and embedding information embedded in an image based on each image information input via the plurality of image information input units At least one detection unit that executes detection processing for detecting whether or not the image information is input, and at least one detection unit smaller than the number of the plurality of image information input units, and the embedded information is detected In a computer built in the image forming apparatus including a suppression processing unit that executes a suppression process related to an image,
a) The earliest possible end point of execution of the detection process for each of a plurality of different types of image information input by the plurality of image information input units and ready for the detection process Each of obtaining a margin time that is a time from a first time point to a second time point that is a scheduled start time of the suppression process;
b) determining that the detection processes relating to the plurality of pieces of image information should be executed in the order of a short margin time;
A program for running

Images