JPH04227367A - Picture processing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent forgery of a paper money or the like by discriminating the identify of a specific picture and inhibiting picture reproduction with fidelity to an input picture by a process means based on the output. CONSTITUTION:A sensor 1 applies detection of a picture area, pattern recognition or detection of iron content from an original A being an object of picture processing such as copying. Then a discrimination section 2 processes a data detected by the sensor 1 to discriminate whether or not the original is to be subjected to picture processing for a paper money or the like. Moreover, a signal generating circuit 4 outputs a signal based on the information from the discrimination section 2. That is, the picture reproduction with fidelity to the input picture is inhibited based on an output from the discrimination section 2.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus capable of controlling an image processing process depending on the content of a document.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Various image processing devices have been developed in the past. For example, electrophotographic devices are becoming more multi-functional, digitalized, or colorized to faithfully reproduce colors. , resolution is also improving. On the other hand, with improvements in electrophotographic process technology, there are almost no restrictions on paper quality for transfer. On the other hand, automatic currency exchange machines, vending machines, automatic cash handling machines, etc. that can use banknotes have become widespread, and a situation has been created in which it is possible to copy banknotes using electrophotographic devices and commit crimes using them. It is becoming increasingly difficult for people to distinguish whether a banknote is a duplicate banknote or a photocopied banknote based on the paper quality or image pattern. Therefore, it has been proposed that, in the above-mentioned automatic machine that handles banknotes, it is possible to determine whether or not the banknote is a genuine banknote by detecting the iron content present in the ink of the banknote.

0003

However, in the electrophotographic process, iron content is often used in toner as a carrier, and it is difficult to distinguish banknotes reproduced by an electrophotographic apparatus by detecting the iron content.

That is, in the case of banknotes copied using an electrophotographic device that reproduces a color image, as opposed to a banknote that was copied using an electrophotographic device that reproduces a black and white image, detection of spectral characteristics and iron content contained in the image, Alternatively, it may be extremely difficult to determine the authenticity of banknotes based on paper quality. It is also possible to incorporate fluorescent substances into banknotes and use strong ultraviolet light in vending machines to distinguish them from banknotes that have been copied, but it is currently unclear whether such measures will be adopted for banknotes around the world. Therefore, it is conceivable that fluorescent paint may be artificially mixed into the toner, so this method cannot provide a substantial improvement.

In view of the above points, it is an object of the present invention to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks and to provide an image processing apparatus capable of controlling an image processing process depending on the content of a document. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing device that can prevent counterfeiting of banknotes and the like.

[0006]

[Means and Operations for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, an image processing apparatus of the present invention includes a determination means for determining the identity of an input image and a specific image, and an image reproduction method for the input image. and a control means for inhibiting faithful image reproduction of the input image by the processing means based on the output from the determination means.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of image processing for explaining the present invention. Reference numeral A denotes a document, which is an object to be subjected to image processing such as copying, and 1 is a sensor for detecting the condition of the document, which performs image area, pattern recognition, iron content detection, and the like. Reference numeral 2 denotes a judgment unit including a CPU, etc., which processes the data detected in step 1 and judges whether the document is suitable for image processing such as banknotes or not. This is a dictionary circuit that has an image memory with a learning function to be used. Further, 4 is a signal generating circuit that outputs a signal based on information from the determining section 2.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. A is the manuscript, 5 is the manuscript glass,
6 is a pressure bonding plate for fixing the original. Further, 7 is an imaging lens for projecting and forming an image on a photoreceptor 8 such as a photosensitive drum, 9 is a developing section which can also be used in color, and E is a recording member for recording an image. 1A is a sensor that converts light intensity or light intensity distribution into an electrical signal, such as a one-dimensional solid-state imaging device, a two-dimensional imaging device, or one or more photo sensors. It may be anything that can output an image. In this example, a CCD is used. 1
B is a sensor capable of detecting iron components of the original. Also 1A
, 1B may be used, or only 1A may be used. Note that a laser beam printer may be used for recording. Furthermore, the device may have a communication function.

In FIG. 2, the component D is movable relative to other members in the X direction indicated by the arrow. In other words, either a moving document table type or a fixed document table type may be used. Similarly to FIG. 1, 3, 2, and 4 are a dictionary circuit, a judgment section, and a signal generation circuit, respectively. When the switch (not shown) instructing the start of image processing is turned on, D
The parts perform reciprocating or one-way motion in the X direction. At this time, image processing is not performed, but the state of the document A, such as whether it is a banknote, is determined based on the information from 1A. D again
The parts are moved and image processing is performed depending on the condition of the document. In addition, the movement of part D is done only once and in real time.
Image processing may be performed based on the judgment processing information from A. Alternatively, the movement of the D portion may be controlled based on the judgment processing information from 1A without moving the D portion.

Next, a case will be described in which the sensor 1A detects a banknote in the document. First, as shown in FIG. 3, there may be a case where the banknote exists on a white background, or there may be a case where another image exists on the background, as shown in FIG. Furthermore, Figure 5~
Various directions as shown in FIG. 7 are possible. Furthermore, this is
The same applies even if the background is white.

Therefore, the document information obtained by the operation shown in FIG. 2 is divided into a plurality of sections shown in FIG. 8, and it is determined whether the document is a banknote or not. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the original intensity distribution in multiple directions is detected from each address on the original document while scanning the point of interest like H, and the correlation is determined by comparing it with the intensity distribution stored in the dictionary circuit 3. If there are banknotes in the document, a threshold value is set so that the correlation value is higher than a certain level.

The determining unit 2 detects the intensity distribution in the original by the above-described operation, and as shown in FIG. When the correlation value becomes high, the associated area (m, n)
If the sum of the correlation values in all regions is above a certain threshold value, the region (m, n) is determined to be a banknote (M). Furthermore, if an iron content detection sensor array like 1B shown in Fig. 2 is present, it can be recognized that (m, n) is a banknote by taking into account the iron concentration distribution within the area (m, n). Make it more reliable. The determination unit 2 outputs the information that the area is a banknote M to the control circuit 3 or stores the information in order to output the information.

With the above-described operation, the presence or absence of banknotes M in document A is confirmed, and the first scanning of D in the X direction is completed. In the above recognition process, the correlation with the dictionary was calculated for multiple directions on the manuscript, but even if the manuscript was searched in one direction and data for multiple directions of the banknote were stored in the dictionary circuit, there would be no effect. are equivalent.

[0014] After the first scan in the X direction of D is completed, the actual recording medium (sheet of paper) of the original document A is detected in the second and subsequent scans.
At this time, the signal generating circuit 4 lights up the LED on the photoreceptor 8 corresponding to the area (m, n).
The array 10 is turned on and the document A is placed in the area (m, n).
prevent the information from being copied as is. That is, (m
, n) are completely white as shown in FIG. 13, for example. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a method may be considered in which a large number of white areas exist so that part of the original information exists, but the entire (m, n) area is rendered meaningless. Alternatively, the mere presence of banknotes M in document A may cause the copying process to be interrupted, such as by turning off the power. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, a symbol such as "copy" may be output. Similarly, if the LED does not light up normally, the copying process will not be performed. Furthermore, in addition to making the LED completely "white" as described above, the color obviously changes. Alternatively, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied even if the contrast is extremely low.

[0015] It is also possible to copy and prevent counterfeiting of securities of limited format, such as bills, stock certificates, and checks, by using exactly the same means.

[0016]

As described above, the present invention makes it possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of controlling the image processing process according to the contents of a document and preventing counterfeiting of banknotes and the like.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

[Figure 1] Block diagram of image processing device

[Figure 2] Schematic diagram of image processing device

[Figure 3] Diagram showing the state of banknotes in the manuscript

[Figure 4] Diagram showing the state of banknotes in the manuscript

[Figure 5] Diagram showing the state of banknotes in the manuscript

[Figure 6] Diagram showing the state of banknotes in the manuscript

[Figure 7] Diagram showing the state of banknotes in the manuscript

[Figure 8] Diagram showing the scanning area of the original

[Figure 9] Diagram showing how a document is scanned

[Fig. 10] Illustration of identification of banknotes in a manuscript

[Fig. 11] Illustration of identification of banknotes in a manuscript

[Figure 12] Illustration of identifying banknotes in a document

[Fig. 13] Diagram showing the state of output to the recording member

[
Figure 14: Diagram showing the state of output to the recording member

[Figure 15] Diagram showing the state of output to the recording member

[Figure 16] Diagram showing the state of output to the recording member

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Sensor 2 Judgment department E Recording member A Manuscript M Banknotes

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. Determination means for determining the identity of an input image and a specific image; process means for performing image reproduction of the input image; and based on the output from the determination means, the input by the process means 1. An image processing apparatus comprising: a control means for prohibiting faithful image reproduction of an image. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific image is a banknote. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the processing means so that a predetermined pattern is added to the reproduced image. 4. The control means prohibits the image reproduction operation by the process means.
The image processing device described in . 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing means performs an electrophotographic process.