JPH06141138A - Picture processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely discriminate a specific original with a high efficiency by reading visual information and information other than the visual information simultaneously and discriminating whether or not an original is a specific origi nal based on the other information than the visual information. CONSTITUTION:A mark is printed on a specific location on an original as a copy inhibit original in ink having a fluorescent characteristic with respect to an infrared ray. A CCD line sensor 210-1 reads an infrared ray (IR) having a wavelength characteristic other than a visual light and CCD line sensors 210-2 to 210-4 read R, G, B wavelength components in this order. That is, R, G, B filters having a characteristic sufficiently attenuating the exciting light in 700nm are fitted respectively to the R, G, B line sensors 210-2 to 210-4 and a filter cutting off a light whose wavelength is 700nm or below is fitted to the IR sensor 210-1. The original is read by using the filters and the infrared fluorescent light is extracted in parallel with the picture recording.

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 having a function of discriminating a specific original.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as image quality and color of copying machines have increased, there has been a fear of forgery of banknotes, stamps and securities. On the other hand, various methods have been devised for recognition of a specific document.

Further, there is also proposed a method of recognizing the tint of an image original by utilizing the fact that the original image is formed by a line drawing.

Further, there is a document in which a specific mark is printed with fluorescent ink that reflects visible light by irradiating the original document itself with ultraviolet rays, thereby making it possible to distinguish the genuine product from the copied product by the presence or absence of fluorescence of the printed product. .

[0005]

However, when these are applied to, for example, a copying machine, it is difficult to detect an original at an arbitrary position and an arbitrary angle on the original table of the copying machine, and as a result, copying is performed. There was a problem that it was difficult to prevent.

Further, even if the line drawing information or the tint of the original is detected, it cannot be said that there are no originals having the same characteristics as the specific originals, and there is a possibility that the general original is erroneously determined as a copy-inhibited original. was there.

Further, even if it is found that the product is a copy by observing the presence or absence of fluorescence, the copying act itself cannot be prevented.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus for surely discriminating a specific original.

Further, according to the present invention, when determining a specific original,
Another object is to provide an efficient discrimination method.

Another object of the present invention is to rationalize the device configuration in discrimination.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method of discriminating a specific original based on information other than the visible of the original.

Other objects and aspects of the present invention will become apparent upon recognition of the following detailed description of the invention.

[0013]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the image processing apparatus of the present invention comprises a reading means for reading visible information and non-visible information of a document, and a document based on the non-visible information. It is characterized in that it has a discriminating means for discriminating whether or not it is a specific manuscript, and the reading means simultaneously reads the visible information and information other than the visible information.

Further, in the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the document is a specific document according to the detecting means for detecting the non-visible light information reflected from the document and the light information detected by the detecting means. And a determination means for determining whether or not it is.

[0015]

[First Embodiment] The present invention will be described below based on a preferred embodiment.

In the following embodiments, a copying apparatus is shown as an application example of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is needless to say that it can be applied to various other apparatuses such as an image scanner connected to a computer.

FIG. 2 shows an external view of the apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 201 denotes an image scanner section, which is a section for reading a document and performing digital signal processing. A printer unit 202 is a unit that outputs an image corresponding to an original image read by the image scanner 201 to a sheet in full color by a printer.

In the image scanner unit 201, 20
Reference numeral 0 is a mirror-thick plate, and a platen glass (hereinafter, platen)
The original 204 on 03 is irradiated with the light of the halogen lamp 205 that has passed through the infrared cut filter 208 for removing infrared rays. Reference numeral 227 is a reflector for effectively irradiating the original with the light of the halogen lamp 205. Reflected light from the original is guided to mirrors 206 and 207, and an image is formed by a lens 209 on a four-line CCD sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 210, which will be described later. Each line sensor has full color information red (R) based on visible light, Green (G) and blue (B) components and an infrared information (IR) component based on light in a wavelength region other than visible are generated and sent to the signal processing unit 211. Note that 205 and 206 are speed v,
207 scans the entire surface of the original by mechanically moving in the vertical direction (hereinafter, sub-scanning direction) with respect to the electric scanning direction (hereinafter, main scanning direction) of the line sensor at 1/2 v.

Reference numeral 5102 is a standard white plate, 210-1
210-4 are used to generate correction data (shading data) for correcting variations in the read data of the IR, R, G, and B line sensors for each pixel. This standard white plate has an almost white color with respect to visible light as shown in FIG. 31 (curve 2070).
(1 characteristic), and further, excitation light having a characteristic such as a curve 20702 (FIG. 31) showing a characteristic almost transparent to visible light and showing fluorescence characteristics almost equivalent to the fluorescence information to be detected shown in FIG. The fluorescent ink that emits the fluorescent light having the characteristic as shown by the curve 20703 (FIG. 31) is uniformly applied, and the correction of the output data for the infrared light of the IR line sensor 210-1 and 210-2 to 210-2. It is used for shading correction of the output data of the visible light line sensor 210-4.

The signal processing unit 211 includes sensors 210-1 to 210-1.
Electrically processing the signal read by 210-4,
The components are decomposed into magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (Bk) components and sent to the printer unit 202. In addition, one component of M, C, Y, and Bk is sent to the printer 202 for each document scanning (scan) in the image scanner unit 201, and one printing is completed by a total of four document scanning. To do.

The M, C, Y, and Bk frame-sequential image signals sent from the image scanner unit 201 are sent to the laser driver 212. The laser driver 212 modulates and drives the semiconductor laser 213 according to the image signal of each color.
The laser light is the polygon mirror 214 and the f-θ lens 21.
5, the photosensitive drum 217 is scanned via the mirror 216.

Reference numeral 218 denotes a rotary developing device, which includes a magenta developing device 219, a cyan developing device 220, and a yellow developing device 22.
1. The four developing devices are alternately in contact with the photosensitive drum, and the M, C, Y, and Bk electrostatic latent images formed on the photosensitive drum 217 are developed with the corresponding toners.

Reference numeral 223 is a transfer drum, which is a paper cassette 22.
4 or 225, the paper fed from this transfer drum 2
The toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 217 is transferred to a sheet by winding the sheet around the sheet 23.

After the four colors of M, C, Y and Bk are sequentially transferred in this manner, the paper passes through the fixing unit 226 and is discharged.

FIG. 13 shows a halogen lamp 205 for illuminating a document.
The spectral characteristic of the infrared cut filter 208 arranged between the platen glass 203 and the platen glass 203 is shown. As a result, of the spectral characteristics of the halogen lamp 205 shown in FIG.
The above infrared light is cut.

The halogen lamp 205 is commonly used for reading visible information and infrared fluorescence information other than visible information, and has both the illumination wavelength components necessary for reading the above two types of information. The reflector 227 is also provided in common for reading the above-mentioned two types of information, and by making the illumination system common in this way, there is no need to have a plurality of independent illumination systems for reading each information, respectively. It is possible to effectively irradiate the original with the illumination light of different wavelength components for reading the information.

FIG. 15 shows the structure of the CCD 210 used in this embodiment.

In FIG. 15A, 210-1 is a light receiving element array (CCD line sensor) for reading infrared light (IR) having wavelength characteristics other than visible, and 210-
2, 210-3 and 210-4 are light receiving element arrays (CCD line sensors) for reading the R, G and B wavelength components in order.

The four light-receiving element arrays having different optical characteristics are arranged so that the IR, R, G and B line sensors are arranged in parallel with each other so as to read the same line of the original.
Monolithically constructed on the same silicon chip.

By using the CCD line sensor having such a structure, the optical system such as a lens can be shared for the visible light reading and the infrared light reading, and the structure can be simplified. Is.

Further, it becomes possible to improve the accuracy of optical adjustment and the like, and the adjustment becomes easy.

FIG. 15B is an enlarged view of the light receiving element array. Each sensor has a length of 10 μm per pixel in the main scanning direction. Each sensor has a short side (297 m
m) can be read with a resolution of 400 dpi, and has 5000 pixels in the main scanning direction.

The line distance between the R, G, and B sensors is 80 μm, and each line is separated by 8 lines for a sub-scanning resolution of 400 lpi.

IR sensor 210-1 and R sensor 210-
The line spacing of 2 is 160 μm (1
6 lines).

R, G, B from 210-2 to 210-4
Each sensor has an opening of 10 μm in the sub-scanning direction.
The IR sensor 10-1 has a doubled aperture of 20 μm. This is because it is considered that the IR sensor 210-1 reads infrared fluorescent light. That is, in general, the intensity of fluorescence is less than half that of the excitation light, and may be about 10% or less. Therefore, in this embodiment, the dynamic range of the infrared reading signal is secured by increasing the light receiving area per pixel at the expense of the sub-scanning reading resolution of the IR sensor.

In this embodiment, the length of the sub-scanning pixel of the IR sensor is increased to secure the dynamic range of the signal. However, the resolution of the main scanning direction is reduced rather than the sub-scanning direction to increase the pixel length in the main scanning direction. You may.

In each line sensor, an optical filter is formed on the sensor surface in order to obtain predetermined IR, R, G and B spectral characteristics.

The spectral characteristics of the R, G, and B line sensors of the CCD 210 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 19 shows R, G, and
This is the characteristic of the B filter. As can be seen from this figure, the conventional R, G, and B filters have sensitivity to infrared light of 700 nm or more. Conventionally, the lens 209 is provided with the infrared cut filter of FIG. In this embodiment, the infrared component of the light passing through the lens 209 is 210
Since it is necessary to read with the IR sensor of -1, lens 2
09 cannot have the function of an infrared cut filter.

Therefore, in order to eliminate the influence of the infrared light, the filter attached to each of the R, G and B sensors should have the characteristics of each color of FIG. 19 and the infrared cut characteristic of FIG. I am using.

FIG. 16 shows the characteristics of the visible cut filter attached to the IR sensor 210-1. This filter is for removing the visible light component incident on the IR sensor that reads the infrared fluorescence component.

FIG. 17 shows the structure of a CCD photodiode. This photodiode has an npn structure, and the upper np junction is reverse biased to form a photodiode. Carriers 251 generated in the upper part of the p layer
Is absorbed by the upper np junction and taken out as a signal.

Light having a long wavelength, such as infrared light, may generate carriers 252 in the deep part of the p layer or carriers 253 in the n layer of the substrate. The carriers generated in this deep portion are absorbed by the pn junction as shown in the figure and cannot be read as a signal.

The characteristic 261 indicated by the solid line in FIG. 18 shows the spectral characteristic of a general visible CCD. 800 with a peak at 550 nm
Infrared light of nm causes a decrease in sensitivity of about 20%.
The thickness of the p layer of the R, G, and B sensors exhibiting the characteristic 261 is about 1000 nm.

In this embodiment, 210-1 for IR reading is used.
In order to make infrared light sensitive, the p-layer is thicker than other CCDs on the same silicon chip. That is, the p-layer thickness of the IR sensor is 700 nm to 8 nm.
The thickness is about 1500 nm so as to have a peak of sensitivity to infrared light having a wavelength of 00 nm. I in this embodiment
The spectral characteristic of the R sensor is shown by 262 in FIG.

The distance between the IR sensor 210-1 and the R sensor 210-2 in FIG. 15 is twice the distance between the other sensors because the p layer of the IR sensor 210-1 is thick.
This is because it is necessary to ensure the structural separation of the photodiode and the serial charge transfer portion formed on both sides thereof. Further, a sensor having a different structure such as the thickness of the light receiving layer is provided outside the other sensors to simplify the configuration of the CCD.

By increasing the line spacing,
The distance between the charge transfer portion for the IR signal and the charge transfer portion for the R signal is set wider than the distance between the charge transfer portions between the other R-G and G-B. As a result, the influence of the black stroke, which is given by the R signal having a relatively high signal level and simultaneously read, on the fluorescence reading signal which is a minute signal is reduced.

By constructing the IR sensor on the outermost side of the 4-line sensor, the black stroke from other signals is reduced.

Hereinafter, in this embodiment, as an example of a copy-inhibited document which should not be copied, a mark similar to a red mark is formed on a predetermined portion of the document with ink having a fluorescence characteristic with respect to infrared rays as shown in FIG. Printed manuscript is assumed. Then, when the mark is detected in the infrared signal read from the document placed on the document table, the normal image forming operation is blocked. As a method of blocking, various methods such as changing the image data and turning off the power of the apparatus itself can be considered as described later.

The copy-inhibited original is not limited to the size and marks shown in FIG.

FIG. 24 shows the reflection spectral characteristics of the copy-inhibited document recognition mark (hereinafter, recognition mark) included in the copy-inhibited document targeted in this embodiment.

In the figure, reference numeral 12201 shows a spectral characteristic formed by combining the infrared cut filter 208 arranged between the halogen lamp 205 and the platen glass 203. In this embodiment, in this embodiment, the infrared light component 12202 near about 700 nm is used as the excitation light, and infrared fluorescence having a peak at about 800 nm from the recognition mark 12203 in the figure is detected to prohibit copying. Documents are identified. In this embodiment, a halogen lamp is used as a document illumination lamp that simultaneously generates at least excitation light components for visible light and infrared fluorescence. By applying a filter 208 to this, infrared fluorescent light (from the document) is used. The wavelength component of (reflected light) is prevented from reaching the document surface from the halogen lamp.

In this embodiment, the recognition mark is formed by using a material that is excited by infrared light and emits fluorescence by infrared light. Therefore, this recognition mark can be arbitrarily set to have characteristics with respect to visible light. In the present embodiment, by using the infrared fluorescent ink exhibiting the property of being substantially transparent to visible light, the infrared fluorescent ink can be emitted without making the general apparatus user aware of the existence of the recognition mark in the copy prohibited document. By detecting it, it is possible to determine that the original is a specific original whose copying is prohibited.

The IR fluorescence reading principle will be briefly described below. The original 204 on the original platen glass 203 is illuminated with the light of the halogen lamp 205 that has passed through the infrared cut filter 208. As described above, the intensity of fluorescence of, for example, 800 nm emitted from the recognition mark is generally less than half of the excitation light, for example, about 10%, which is weak. Therefore, the long-wavelength component including the wavelength component of the 800 nm infrared fluorescent light is cut by the infrared cut filter 208 by the light directly reflected from the original, and the 800 is incident on the CCD.
The wavelength component of nm is almost a fluorescent component.
Thus, the light emitted from the light source to the document cuts the spectral component of the fluorescence emitted from the recognition mark, and the 700 nm fluorescence excitation light sufficiently illuminates the document, so that the fluorescence from the recognition mark is emitted. The signal S / N ratio is improved.

Reflected light from the original is reflected by mirrors 206 and 207.
A lens 209 forms an image on each line sensor for reading the full color information red (R), green (G) and blue (B) components on each sensor of the CCD 210 and each infrared information (IR) component via the lens 209.

As described above, the R, G, and B line sensors 210-2 to 210-4 have the characteristics of FIG. 20 that sufficiently attenuate the 700 nm excitation light.
Since the filter B is attached, full-color reading can be performed without being affected by the infrared fluorescence excitation wavelength of 700 nm and infrared fluorescence light.

Since the IR sensor 210-1 is provided with a filter for cutting 700 nm or less as shown in FIG. 16, only the infrared fluorescent component 12203 of FIG. 24 is read. With these filters, infrared fluorescence can be extracted at the same time as the original reading and image recording operations, and an extra original scanning operation for detecting a recognition mark due to infrared fluorescence such as prescan is unnecessary.

With the above configuration, the normal color area of the original and the infrared area of the recognition mark are well separated.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the flow of image signals in the image scanner unit 201. The image signal output from the CCD 210 is an analog signal processing unit 4001.
8 bits in the analog signal processing unit 4001.
After being converted into the digital image signal of, the image is input to the shading correction unit 4002. A decoder 4008 decodes the main scanning address from the main scanning address counter 419 to generate a CCD driving signal such as a shift pulse or a reset pulse in line units.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram of the analog signal processing section 4001. Here, since the IR, R, G, and B processing circuits are all the same, only one of them is shown. The image signal output from the CCD 210 is sampled and held by the sample & hold unit (S / H unit) 4101 in order to stabilize the waveform of the analog signal. CP
The U417 controls the variable amplifier 4103 and the clamp circuit 4102 via the voltage control circuit 4103 so that the image signal can fully utilize the dynamic range of the A / D converter 4105. The A / D converter 4105 converts the analog image signal into an 8-bit digital image signal.

The 8-bit digital image signal is subjected to shading correction by a known shading correction method in a shading correction section 4002.

In response to the read signal from the IR sensor 210-1, the CPU stores the read infrared fluorescent signal for one line from the standard white plate 5102 in the line memory 4003, and each pixel recorded in this line memory. The multiplication coefficient for making the read data of (1) to the 255 level is obtained for each pixel and stored in the coefficient memory 4006 for one line. Then, the IR sensor 210 is actually read at the time of reading the original.
-1 is read out from the coefficient memory in synchronism with the output of each pixel by line reading, and the multiplier 4007 multiplies the pixel signal from 210-1 by shading for infrared fluorescence. Make a correction.

As with the IR signal, shading correction for the R, G, and B signals is performed by writing a read signal for one line from the standard white plate 5102 into a line memory and setting a multiplication coefficient for setting the value to 255. The coefficient is stored in the coefficient memory, and the multiplication coefficient for each pixel and the read signal from the coefficient memory are multiplied by the multiplier.

As shown in FIG. 15, since the light receiving portions 210-1, 210-2, 210-3, 210-4 of the CCD 210 are arranged with a predetermined distance, the line delay elements 401, 402, 4005. At, the spatial deviation in the sub-scanning direction is corrected. Specifically, the IR, R, and G signals for reading the original document information in the sub-scanning direction with respect to the B signal are delayed in the sub-scanning direction and matched with the B signal. 403, 40
4, 405 are log converters, which are lookup tables R
The luminosity signals of R, G, and B are C, M, and
It is converted into a Y density signal. Reference numeral 406 is a known masking and UCR circuit, and although detailed description thereof will be omitted, Y, M, C, B for output depending on the input three primary color signals.
The signal of k is sequentially output for each reading operation with a predetermined bit length, for example, 8 bits.

FIG. 23 shows a block section of the light quantity control section of the halogen lamp 205, and 4301 is a light quantity control section of the halogen lamp.

Next, using the flow chart of FIG.
Method for adjusting light quantity of halogen lamp 205 and variable amplifier 4
A method of controlling the 103 and the clamp circuit 4102 will be described.

In the analog signal processing section 4001, the A / D
In order to make full use of the dynamic range of the converter 4105, in the case of R, G, B signals, a standard white plate 5102
Variable amplifier 4 based on the image data when reading
The amplification factor of 103 is adjusted, and the clamp circuit 4102 is based on the image data when the CCD 210 is not exposed to light.
The control voltage of is adjusted by the voltage control circuit 4103. In the case of the IR signal, adjustment is performed in the same manner as in the case of R, G, B based on the image data when the infrared fluorescence information from the standard white plate 5102 is read.

When the adjustment mode is started from the operation unit (not shown), the reflecting mirror 206 is moved to below the standard white plate 5102, and the specified gain for the halogen lamp is set in the variable amplifier 4103 (step 1). CCD 210
The image data in a state where the light is not radiated to the line memory (shading RAM) 4003 is fetched, the fetched image data is calculated by the CPU 417, and the voltage control is performed so that the average value of the image data for one line comes closest to 08H. Controls the circuit 4103, and the clamp circuit 4
The reference voltage of 102 is adjusted (steps 2 and 3), and the adjusted control value is stored in the RAM 418 associated with the CPU 417 (step 4).

Next, the halogen lamp 205 is turned on, the image data when the standard white plate 5102 is read is loaded into the line memory 4003, and the peak value of the G signal is D0.
The light amount control unit 4301 has a value between H and F0H.
Is controlled by the CPU 417 (steps 5 and 6 halogen lamp adjustment), and the adjusted control value is stored in the RAM 418 attached to the CPU 417 (step 7). Next, the halogen lamp 205 is turned on with the amount of light adjusted in steps 5 and 6, and the image data when the standard white plate 5102 is read is stored in the line memory 40 corresponding to each color of R, G, and B.
03, and the voltage control circuit 4103 is controlled so that the peak value of the image data becomes a value between E0H and F8H for each color of R, G, B, and the amplification factor of the variable amplifier 4103 is set to R, G, B. Adjust for each color (Step 8,
9) The gain data when the halogen lamp 205 is used (hereinafter referred to as H-gain data) is stored in the RAM 418 attached to the CPU 417 (step 10).

Next, the adjustment operation of the clamp circuit and the variable amplifier of the analog signal processing section that handles the read signal from the IR sensor and the storage operation of the control value will be described. In order to read the standard white plate, the halogen lamp 205 is turned off and the reflection mirror 206 is moved below the standard white plate 5102 (step 11). The image data in a state where the CCD 210 is not exposed to light is loaded into an IR signal line memory, and the loaded image data is calculated by the CPU 417 so that the average value of the image data for one line is closest to 08H. The voltage control circuit 4103 is controlled to adjust the reference voltage of the clamp circuit 4102 (steps 12 and 13), and the adjusted control value is stored in the RAM 418 attached to the CPU 417 (step 14). Next, the halogen lamp 205 is turned on with the amount of light adjusted in steps 5 and 6, and the infrared fluorescence image data when the standard white plate 5102 is read is loaded into the IR line memory, and one line of the image data of the IR signal is read. Peak value of E
The voltage control circuit 4103 for the IR signal is controlled so that the value becomes between 0H and F8H, and the variable amplifier 410 is controlled.
Adjust the amplification factor of 3 for each color of R, G, B (Step 1
5, 16), as the gain data for the IR signal, the CPU
The data is stored in the RAM 418 associated with 417, and the halogen lamp is turned off (step 17).

The control data obtained in the above adjustment mode is set in each control unit when the power is turned on.

The normal copy operation and the accompanying fluorescent mark determination operation will be described below.

When the operator places a document on the platen 203 and starts a copy operation from an operation unit (not shown), the CPU 417 controls a motor (not shown) to move the reflection mirror 206 to below the standard white plate 5102.

Next, the halogen lamp 5101 is turned on,
The standard white plate 5102 is irradiated, and the shading correction unit 4
At 002, shading correction for R, G, B signals is performed.

Next, the CPU turns on the halogen lamp 5101 and irradiates the standard white plate 5102, and the shading correction section 4002 performs shading correction for the IR signal using infrared fluorescent light.

Next, the document reading operation is performed four times in accordance with the four-color image recording operation of M, C, Y, and Bk in the printer unit, and the image recording is performed. Is detected and the recording operation is controlled according to the detection result.

In the present embodiment, copying is performed in a total of four reading operations (scans) as described above, but the image scanner 2 at each scanning is performed.
01 and the operation of the printer 202 are shown in FIG.

That is, in the case of preventing the forgery of the copy-inhibited document, the image scanner detects the rough position of the fluorescent mark in the mode 1 state at the time of the first scanning, and the printer unit outputs the magenta. I do.

During the second scan, the image scanner is in the mode 2 and extracts the fluorescent mark from the position of the fluorescent mark detected in the first scan, stores it in the memory, and prohibits a predetermined copy. Determine if it is a mark. The printer section outputs cyan.

During the third and fourth scans,
If the image scanner is in mode 3 and it is determined that counterfeiting was about to occur during the second scan,
Take specific measures to prevent counterfeiting.

FIG. 5 is an operation timing chart of each section in the image scanner section of this embodiment.

The VSYNC signal is an image effective section signal in the sub-scanning direction, and in the section "1", image reading (scanning) is sequentially performed (C), (M), (Y), (B).
k) form the output signal. VE is an image effective section signal in the main scanning direction, which takes the timing of the main scanning start position in the section of "1". The CLK signal is a pixel synchronization signal and transfers image data at the rising timing of 0 → 1. CLK8 is a timing signal for every 8 pixels,
The 8 × 8 block-processed signal, which will be described later, is timed at the rising timing of 0 → 1.

(Image Scanner Section) A description will be given below of a section for detecting fluorescent marks in an internal block of the image scanner 201 of FIG. 4 and for generating a printer recorded image. 40
Reference numerals 3, 404, and 405 denote log converters, each of which is composed of a look-up table ROM and converts the R, G, B luminance signals into C, M, Y density signals. Reference numeral 406 is a known masking and UCR circuit, and although detailed description is omitted, Y and Y for output are input according to the input three primary color signals.
The M, C, and Bk signals are sequentially output with a predetermined bit length, for example, 8 bits, for each reading operation. 407 is OR
It is a gate circuit and is logically ORed with the value held in the register 408. The register 408 normally stores 00
_H is written, and the output of 406 is output to the printer unit as it is.
By setting FF _H in the register 408 via the data bus, 17 can output an image painted with yellow or black toner.

A CPU 417 controls the apparatus in each mode. Reference numeral 4009 denotes a binarization circuit, which binarizes the infrared fluorescence signal at an appropriate slice level. In the output of the binarization circuit, "1" indicates the presence of the fluorescent mark, and the output "0" outputs that there is no fluorescent mark for each pixel.

The block processing circuit 409 performs 8 × 8 block processing, and processes the output of the binarization circuit 409 for each 8 × 8 block.

Reference numeral 412 is a readable / writable random access memory (RAM), the data of which is switched by the selector 411 and the address of which is switched by the selector 413.

On the other hand, 419 is a main scanning counter,
It is reset by the SYNC signal and counted up at the timing of the CLK signal to generate 13-bit main scanning addresses (hereinafter X addresses) X12 to X0.

Reference numeral 420 is a sub-scanning address counter,
It is reset in the "0" section of the VSYNC signal and HSNC is reset.
It is counted up at the timing of the Y signal, and 13-bit sub-scanning addresses (Y addresses) Y12 to Y0 are generated.

CPU 417 selects selectors 411, 413, 415, 416 and address decoder 4 according to each mode.
14 is read and written to and read from the RAM 412. 418 is an R added to the CPU 417
AM / ROM. Reference numeral 410 is a fluorescent mark detection circuit for detecting the position of the fluorescent mark.

FIG. 6 is a block processing circuit 409 shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows the internal details of.

701, 702, 703, ..., 706, 7
Reference numeral 07 denotes 7 D flip-flops (hereinafter referred to as DFF) arranged in series, which sequentially delay the input signal by the pixel clock CLK signal, and VE = “0”, that is,
It is cleared to "0" in the non-image section.

Reference numeral 738 is a 4-bit up / down counter, 737 is an EX-OR gate, and 740 is an AND gate. The operation is based on the following table.

[0094]

[Table 1]

That is, the output of the counter 738 is VSY.
NC or VE is cleared to 0 in the interval of "0", X _t
= When X _t -7 is held, X _t = 1 and X _t-7 = 0
Is counted up, and when X _t = 0 and X _t-7 = 1 is counted down. By latching this counter output with CLK8 of 8 clock cycles by the latch 739, 8 pieces of input data X _t input in one cycle of CLK8
Is output (the number of 1).

Further, the output is a FIF of one line unit.
O memories 721, 722, 723, ..., 726, 727
Thus, data for eight lines are simultaneously input to the adder 741 and the total sum thereof is output. As a result, the sum SUM of the numbers of 1's in the 8 × 8 window is output as 0-64.

Reference numeral 742 is a digital comparator, which compares the output SUM of the adder 741 with a comparison value TW predetermined by the CPU 417, and outputs the result as "0" or "1".

Therefore, by setting an appropriate number in the TW in advance, noise removal can be performed in 8 × 8 block units.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the fluorescent mark detection circuit 410.

Reference numeral 827 denotes a line thinning circuit, which outputs a VE signal for every 8 lines. Since the write control of each FIFO memory is performed by the VE signal thinned to 1/8, the content of each FIFO memory is updated every 8 lines. Since each F / F operates on CLK8, the operation of this circuit is performed in units of 8 pixels / 8 lines.

Reference numerals 828, 829 and 830 are three FIFOs.
Which gives a delay of 1 line each and 4 lines are processed simultaneously.

831, 832, 833, ..., 839, 8
40 and 841 are 3 for each output of 4 lines.
DFFs arranged in series, and all DFFs are C
Driven by LK8. 4 by OR gate 857
When there is at least one 1 (with a fluorescent mark) in the x4 region, all 4x4 regions (2 mm x 2 mm on the original) are set to 1. As a result, the entire gap between the marks is filled with the fluorescent mark.

842, 843 and 844 are three FIFOs.
Which gives a delay of 1 line each and 4 lines are processed simultaneously.

845, 846, 847, ..., 854, 8
55 and 856 are 3 for each output of 4 lines.
DFFs arranged in series, and all DFFs are C
Driven by LK8. AND gate 858
All 4 × 4 regions output 1s (1s with fluorescent marks). As a result, when the gap portion of the mark is filled, the outside of the mark is also swelled as a fluorescent mark portion to restore the original size. As a result, the noise component of the fluorescence signal is prevented from swelling due to stains on the document.

819, 820, ..., 821 are 18 F's.
IFOs, each with a delay of 1 line, 19 lines being processed simultaneously.

801, 802, 803, ..., 804, 8
05,806,807, ..., 808, ..., 809,81
0, 811, ..., 812, ..., 813, 814, 81
Numerals 5, ..., 816 are DFFs arranged in series for each of the outputs of 19 lines, ... 817,8
Reference numeral 18 is a DFF which is further arranged in a 9-series line after the DFF 812, and all DFFs are driven by CLK8. Via AND gates 823, 824, 825,
DFF 804, 808, ..., 812, 816 (vertical 19
Block) and DFFs 809, 810, 811, 81
When the outputs of 2,817,818 (horizontal 19 blocks) are all "1", 1 is output.

One block is 8 pixels / 8 lines, which corresponds to about 0.5 mm square on the original. That is, when the fluorescent marks are continuous 9.5 mm vertically and horizontally, the substantially central position of the marks at that time is latched as position data in the latch 826 and sent to the CPU.
By setting the size of 9.5 mm to be slightly smaller than the size of the mark in the copy-inhibited document, the position of the mark can be reliably detected while eliminating the influence of noise components.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the address decoder 414.

Reference numerals 901, 902, and 909 denote registers directly connected to the CPU data bus, and desired values are written by the CPU.

Reference numerals 914 and 915 denote subtracters, which have inputs A,
AB is output for B, the output MSB is a sign bit, and when it becomes negative, MSB = 1 is output. Reference numerals 916 and 917 denote comparators having inputs A and B.
On the other hand, when A <B, “1” is output. However, when the MSB of A is "1", "0" is output regardless of the input of B.

918, 919, and 920 are ANDs, respectively.
When a value of BXY is written in the register 909 as a result, RX1 <X address <RX1 + BXY and RY1 <Y address <RY1 + BXY (1) are satisfied. The address -RY1 Enab = 1 is output. That is, RX for main scanning and sub scanning
An area having a size of BXY is addressed with 1, RY1 as the start address.

<Processing Flow> FIG. 3 shows four scans from the first scan to the fourth scan in this apparatus, three modes from mode 1 to mode 3 in the image scanner, and the printer section. Indicates the output content.

FIG. 9 shows a processing flow under CPU control. In FIG. 9, at 1001, mode 1 for the first scan is set in the CPU.

In this state, at 1002, the first scan is started. In mode 1, the printer outputs magenta and detects the approximate center position of the fluorescent mark portion in the copy-inhibited document.

FIG. 1 shows a copy-inhibited document equivalent to a 10,000-yen bill placed on the platen. In the first scan, that is, in mode 1, the central portion of the fluorescent mark portion shown by the diagonal lines, that is, in FIG. The address corresponding to (Xc, Yc) in the portion corresponding to (Xc, Yc) is latched by the latch 826 and sent to the CPU.

CPU is the center of the fluorescent mark (Xc,
The value of Yc) can be roughly known.

Next, in step 1006, the mode 2 for the 2nd scan is set. That is, the selector 411 is set to B, the selector 413 is set to A, and the selectors 415 and 416 are set to B.

In the address decoder 414, the position of the fluorescent mark is set so that RX ₁ = X _S1 RY ₁ = Y _S1 (one pixel unit). Where X
_As described in the description of the mark detection circuit of FIG. 7, _C and Y _C are data of the center position of the mark in the detection range of 9.5 mm. In order to sufficiently cover the range of fluorescent marks having a diameter of 10 mm to 20 mm, the number of pixels corresponding to about 30 mm (472 at 400 dpi) is set in BXY.

The head addresses XS1 and XY1 are 15 mm from Xc and Yc (236 at 400 dpi).
The value from the origin is set for the number of pixels.

Next, at 1007, the second scan is performed, and the second scan from the dotted line area including the fluorescent mark in FIG.
The binarized fluorescence signal is written in the RAM 412.

Further, in 1008, it is detected whether or not it is a fluorescent mark by an algorithm described later. 100
If there is no possibility of forgery, that is, if the fluorescent mark is not detected, the 3rd scan and the 4th scan are performed in 1010, and the four colors Y, M, C, and Bk are used in the normal operation. Developed with toner of 1
The output is fixed at 012.

On the other hand, if it is determined in 1009 that there is a possibility of forgery, that is, if a fluorescent mark is detected, counterfeit prevention measures are taken in 1011.
Specifically, FFH is stored in the register 408 of FIG.
Is set (usually 00H is set), FFH is sent to the printer unit, and toners of Y and Bk adhere to the entire surface, making it impossible to copy.

<Pattern Matching> Next, the pattern matching of the fluorescent mark 1008 will be described in detail. When a fluorescent mark is attached to a banknote or the like, the mark may be different on the front side and the back side. Therefore, in order to discriminate one type of copy-inhibited document, two fluorescent mark patterns are used when performing pattern matching. It is registered in advance.

When the specific portion of the specific original is written in the RAM 412, the CPU 417 then refers to the contents of the RAM 412 to perform the pattern matching operation. A flow chart of pattern matching is shown in FIG. The RAM 412 stores binary data of a specific portion.

The processing from 2102 is performed on this area. At 2102, window processing for noise removal is performed.

It is assumed that the binary image of area 1 is 2201 in FIG. Here, it is assumed that a small square represents one pixel, a blank pixel is a white pixel, and a hatched portion is a black pixel. This is scanned in a window of 2 × 2 pixels indicated by 2202, the number of black pixels in the window is counted, and a portion where the count value exceeds 2 is newly set as a black pixel. By doing so, the processing result is reduced to 1/2 in the vertical and horizontal directions as indicated by 2203, and a noise-removed pattern is obtained. Since the number of black pixels in the window at the position of 2202 is 1, it can be replaced with the position of 2204 as a white pixel.

Next, the center of gravity 1 of the pattern 2203 is calculated.

This can be calculated by a known method by projecting the pattern 2203 in the vertical and horizontal directions.

Next, the degree of similarity is calculated by standard pattern matching. First, the standard pattern registered in advance as a dictionary in 2105 is read from the ROM 418 of FIG.
Read in PU. The standard pattern is the fluorescent pattern of the copy-protected original document that is currently targeted.
The patterns extracted up to 03 may be rotated depending on the angle at which the document is placed on the platen, and even if this is compared with a single standard pattern, satisfactory results cannot be obtained.

This state is shown in FIG. Therefore, as the standard pattern, a plurality of patterns obtained by rotating the fluorescent pattern every several degrees may be created and stored in the ROM in advance, and an appropriate pattern may be selected from this and read into the CPU. As the plurality of patterns, for example, a total of 24 patterns in which the mark is rotated every 15 degrees from 0 degree to 360 degrees is used. Therefore, various methods can be considered for calculating the degree of similarity, and for example, the following method can be considered. As shown in FIG. 12, the pattern extracted up to the above is (a) or a standard pattern of a predetermined rotation angle selected from patterns rotated by 15 degrees by the above method is defined as (b), and B (i, j), P (i,
j). (B (i, j) and P (i, j) have a value of 1 for black pixels and 0 for white pixels)
If the barycentric coordinates of B (i, j) obtained in 104 are (i _BC , j _BC ), and the barycentric coordinates of P (i, j) similarly obtained are (i _PC , j _PC ), The similarity COR is as follows.

[0131]

[Outer 1] Expression (1) is a pattern B, which represents an exclusive OR of P and B.
It represents the Hamming distance when the centers of gravity of (i, j) are aligned. The greater the COR, the greater the degree of similarity between the two.

In this embodiment, the equation (1) is modified (2) in order to improve the reliability of the similarity and suppress the occurrence of erroneous recognition as much as possible.
The degree of similarity COR is calculated using an equation.

[0133]

[Outside 2] Where · is a logical product,

[0134]

[Outside 3] Represents the determination of P, and when both P and B are black pixels, CO
R is added by 2, and when P = 0 and B = 1, 1 is subtracted from COR, and the recognition accuracy can be greatly improved.

When the similarity COR is calculated as described above, 2
In step 107, Th and COR obtained in advance are compared.

In the case of COR> Th, it is determined that the fluorescent mark exists, and there is a copy-inhibited document (210
The collating operation is ended as 8).

If COR <Th, it means that the fluorescent mark mark does not exist in the current processing area, and the collation operation ends with no copy prohibited document (2110).

<Second Embodiment> This embodiment is for detecting the presence of fluorescent light itself, not the form of infrared fluorescent information in a copy-inhibited document.

As a copy-inhibited document such as a banknote, there is also a document such as Canadian dollar in which a fiber of paper of a banknote is mixed with a substance having a fluorescent property. In the present embodiment, the copy prohibited document is detected by detecting the infrared fluorescent light from the thin line information of such fibers.

The control block in this embodiment is shown in FIG. Here, the number of pixels of the fluorescent information contained in the document is counted instead of performing the pattern matching of the fluorescent mark.

In the figure, the same components as those in FIG. 4 are designated by the same numbers as in FIG. Reference numeral 20101 denotes a counter, which counts the number of fluorescent pixels from the document by CLK. In this embodiment, an 8-bit counter is used to integrate the fluorescent pixels of a maximum of 255 pixels. Reference numeral 2022 denotes a 4-input AND gate, which has a main scanning section signal VE and a sub-scanning section signal VSYN.
The binarized fluorescence signal output from the binarization circuit 4009 when C is generated is given as an enable signal for the counter 20101. The counter 20101 is a CPU
Although it is cleared to "0" by the CLR signal from, the flip-flop (F / F) 20103 is set by this clear signal and the output from the gate 20102 is validated.

When the binarized signal exceeds the maximum count number 255 of the counter 20101, the RC signal is generated when the output of the counter 20101 reaches 255, the F / F 20103 is reset, and the counter The enable input is forced to "0" and the counter output is held at 255.

The CPU 417 reads the count result of the counter 20101 as a CNT signal, and detects that the copy-inhibited document is being copied when the count result is a predetermined value or more (eg 128 pixels or more).

FIG. 26 shows the processing flow of the CPU in this embodiment.

In step 20201, the CPU sets the counter 2
Clear 0101 and F / F20103.

At step 20202, the first scan is started. Here, the printer outputs magenta and counts the number of pixels of fluorescence information from the document.

Next, in step 20203, it is detected whether or not the number of fluorescent pixels is a predetermined value (128) or more.
If there is no possibility of forgery, that is, if the number of fluorescent pixels is less than or equal to a predetermined value, it is determined in 20203.
2nd scan, 3rd scan, 4t in 204
The h-scan is performed, and in a normal operation, it is developed with four color toners of M, C, Y, and Bk, and fixed and output at 20205.

On the other hand, when it is judged in 20203 that there is a possibility of forgery, and when a predetermined number or more of fluorescent pixels are detected, in 20206 anti-counterfeit measures are taken. Specifically, by setting FFH in the register 408 of FIG. 4 (usually 00H is set), FFH is sent to the printer unit, and the C, Y, and Bk toners adhere to the entire surface. I can not copy.

<Third Embodiment> In the present embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the presence of fluorescent light itself is detected instead of the form of infrared fluorescent information in the copy-inhibited document.

In this embodiment, the presence of a fluorescent mark other than visible light such as infrared light included in a copy-inhibited document is detected, the fluorescence information is converted into visible information, and the visible record information from the document is detected. It is recorded together with. As a result, the normal copy operation of the copy prohibited document is prevented.

As the fluorescence information of the copy-inhibited document effective in this embodiment, a regular pattern as shown in FIG. 27 is recorded on the entire surface of the document, or the entire surface of the document is painted with the fluorescence information. Is good. Further, as long as this fluorescent information is one that exhibits a transparent property in visible light, it does not pose a practical problem in normal applications other than illegal copying applications.

The control block in this embodiment is shown in FIG. Here, as in FIG. 25, instead of performing the pattern matching of the fluorescent mark, the number of pixels of the fluorescent information contained in the document is counted. In the figure, the same configuration as in FIG.
The same number as 5 is attached.

Reference numeral 20401 is an AND gate
The signal obtained by converting the infrared fluorescence reading signal IR into the light amount / density in 02 is validated by the P-ENB signal from the CPU 417,
An OR gate 407 synthesizes with a normal visible recorded image.
The IR signal is corrected by the delay means 401 for the reading phase shift of the CCD from the visible information in the sub-scanning direction. For example, when the fluorescent information is printed on the copy-inhibited document, a moire fringe or the like is generated between the fluorescent information and the visible information. If it is generated, the effect of blocking the copy due to the intended moire can be effectively utilized.

The CPU 417 reads the count result of the counter 20101 as a CNT signal, detects that the copy prohibited document is being copied when the count result is a predetermined value or more (eg 128 pixels or more), and P-ENB
Visualize infrared fluorescence information by setting the signal to "1",
Prevent normal copy operation.

FIG. 29 shows the processing flow of the CPU in this embodiment.

In step 20501, the CPU sets the counter 2
0101 and F / F20103 are cleared, and the P-ENB signal is set to "0".

At step 20502, the first scan is started. Here, the printer outputs magenta and counts the number of pixels of fluorescence information from the document.

Next, in step 20503, it is detected whether or not the number of fluorescent pixels is a predetermined value (128) or more.
If it is determined in 20503 and there is no possibility of forgery, that is, if the number of fluorescent pixels is less than or equal to a predetermined value, 20
2nd scan, 3rd scan, 4t in 504
The h-scan is performed, and in a normal operation, it is developed with four color toners of M, C, Y, and Bk, and fixed and output at 20505.

On the other hand, in 20503, if a predetermined number or more of fluorescent pixels are detected and it is determined that there is a possibility of forgery, in 20506, forgery prevention measures are taken. Specifically, the P-ENB signal is set to "1", and the recorded image in which the fluorescence information is combined is sent to the printer unit at the time of recording of C, Y, and Bk. As a result, normal copy operation cannot be performed.

<Other Embodiments> In the above embodiment,
The infrared light component near about 700 nm is used as the excitation light, and infrared fluorescence having a peak at about 800 nm is emitted from the recognition mark. However, the visible light region is used as the excitation light. For example, the information indicating the copy-inhibited document may be configured with fluorescent ink so that infrared fluorescence of 700 to 800 nm is emitted.

In this case, in the above embodiment, R,
Although a filter for cutting infrared light in FIG. 20 is provided as a filter for the G and B reading CCD, the filter 208 for cutting infrared light in the light source has a characteristic of 65 in FIG.
A filter that cuts 0 nm or more is used.

As a result, the light input to the R, G, and B line sensors is only in the special case of emitting infrared light from the recognition mark of the copy-inhibiting document or similar infrared fluorescence. CCD for reading R, G, B as in the example
Since it is not necessary to have a characteristic of cutting infrared light including near infrared light of 650 nm or more, the cost of the CCD can be reduced.

Further, by using light in the ultraviolet light region as the excitation light, the information indicating the copy-inhibited original may be formed by fluorescent ink so that infrared fluorescent light of, for example, 700 to 800 nm is emitted.

In this case, in contrast to the first embodiment, illumination such as a metal halide lamp having a light emitting component also in the ultraviolet region is used as a light source, and a filter 208 for cutting infrared rays in the light source is used as shown in FIG. By using a filter that cuts off 650 nm or more of the characteristic (3), the R, G, B and IR sensors are configured so that the direct reflected light of the infrared light from the light source does not enter. The spectral characteristic of the original illumination light thus obtained is 206 in FIG.
Shown in 01. The R, G, B reading CCD filter has the respective R, G, B spectral characteristics of FIG. 19, and further cuts the ultraviolet light of 400 ns or less and the infrared light of 650 nm or more, 20604 in FIG. Provide a filter that also has the characteristics of. The IR sensor is shown in FIG.
Only the fluorescent component of ultraviolet is read by using the filter of the characteristic that cuts visible component and ultraviolet component of. Then, by using the short-wavelength ultraviolet excitation light 20602 whose light energy is relatively larger than that of visible light or infrared light, infrared fluorescence 20603 of a higher level is obtained.
This allows more reliable recognition of the fluorescent mark (recognition mark).

The CCD shown in FIG. 15 is not limited to the reading of infrared fluorescence and visible information, but is similarly used for reading visible information and infrared information. A sensor for reading infrared light having a thick light-receiving layer is provided outside the sensor for reading visible information.

The CCD shown in FIG. 15 is not limited to the reading of infrared light other than visible light and visible information, but is similarly used in the case of reading ultraviolet light information and visible information other than visible light. That is, in order to effectively read short wavelength ultraviolet information, in the cross-sectional structure diagram of the sensor shown in FIG. 17, the thickness of the photoelectric conversion layer composed of the p layer contributing to photoelectric conversion and the n layer above it is reduced. Must be set. Therefore, it is necessary to surely separate structurally the photodiode and the charge transfer portion that is formed on both sides of the photodiode and performs the serial operation, and suppress electrical induction. Therefore, the distance between the ultraviolet light reading sensor and the other line sensor is configured to be wider than the distance between the other sensors. Further, a sensor having a different structure of the light receiving layer is provided outside the other sensors to simplify the configuration of the CCD.

The CCD shown in FIG. 15 is not limited to the reading of infrared fluorescence and visible information, but is similarly used for reading visible information and ultraviolet, visible, and infrared fluorescent information. . That is, the fluorescence reading sensor is provided outside the multi-line sensor for reading weak fluorescence information, or the line interval is set wider than the line interval between other sensors to prevent crosstalk from information other than the fluorescence information. Hold down. Infrared light is read outside the sensor for reading visible information.

In all of the above embodiments, a common illumination system is provided for reading visible information and exciting fluorescence, but this may be combined with illumination lamps having different characteristics to emit light. Examples of this combination include a FL lamp for visible light and a halogen lamp for infrared excitation light, a halogen lamp for reading visible light and an FL lamp (black lamp) for generating only ultraviolet excitation light, and the like.

In the above embodiment, the standard white plate is used to correct the visible light reading data and the infrared light fluorescence data. However, the standard white plate for visible light correction and the infrared fluorescence are used. The reference plates to be corrected may be independently prepared in different places.

As the same reference plate, a white reference plate with visible light and an infrared fluorescent material exhibiting substantially transparent characteristics in the visible may be applied in layers.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the specific original is detected by using the fluorescence information which shows the characteristic that it is almost transparent to visible light, thereby affecting the actual use condition in visible light. It is possible to detect copy-protected documents without giving them.

Further, since the document information is discriminated using information other than visible information, the discrimination information contained in the document cannot be discriminated visually, and cannot be discriminated by the ordinary image reading means. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the confidentiality of the copy-inhibited document with respect to the copy-inhibited operation. Further, since the specific original is identified by using information other than visible information as compared with visible information, it is possible to intentionally reduce the information confusing with the identification information as compared with the case of using visible information, and it is possible to specify with higher accuracy. The original can be identified.

By recording information that cannot be identified by visible light as visible information, it is possible to easily discriminate an unauthorized copy from a copy-prohibited document.

Further, since the visible information and the non-visible information are read at the same time and the original is discriminated by using the non-visible information, the visible information is used while discriminating the original in real time with respect to the image data output operation. Since the accuracy of the document discrimination can be improved, it is possible to effectively realize the copy inhibition operation for the copy inhibited document.

Furthermore, the information other than the visible information of the copy prohibited document is converted into the visible information in real time during the visible information output,
It is possible to output together with the visible information from the document, and it is possible to prevent complete visible data output from the copy-protected document with simple control.

In addition, since the illumination for reading the visible information and the information other than the visible is made common, and the separation of the visible information and the information other than the visible is performed by each independent sensor, the intensity of the illumination light of both the visible and the non-visible is different. To improve with a simple configuration. Further, since the sensor is provided separately for visible and non-visible, the gain for each read signal can be optimally set.
As a result, the S / N ratios of visible information and non-visible information can be optimized, which is effective in achieving both high-quality document reading and high-precision document determination with a simple configuration.

Further, by providing a filter that passes the excitation wavelength component of the fluorescence component to be detected and attenuates the fluorescence wavelength component in the optical path from the document illumination lamp to the document,
It is possible to read fluorescence information with a good S / N ratio.

Furthermore, by providing a filter that cuts wavelengths other than visible light after the common optical system for visible light and light other than visible light and before the sensor for reading visible light, the influence of light other than visible light is provided. It becomes possible to read no visible information.

Further, by providing a filter for cutting the excitation light or the visible light with respect to the fluorescence after the common optical system for the visible light and the light other than the visible light and before the sensor for reading the light other than the visible light, S It is possible to read light other than visible light with a good / N ratio.

Further, it is possible to reliably detect the copy prohibition information by using the fluorescence information generated by the illumination such as a halogen lamp which has been used conventionally and which has a large amount of infrared light.

Further, by configuring the sensor for detecting optical information other than visible light as a sensor for reading visible information monolithically, it is necessary to secure an optical path by using a special optical system such as a prism for reading information other than visible light. Therefore, it is possible to accurately read light other than visible light with respect to the same document position with a simple optical system, and it is possible to accurately prevent forgery such as combining the recognition mark and document information.

Further, by changing the thickness of the light-receiving layer of the sensor for reading optical information other than red-visible which is monolithically constructed with the visible sensor, a good visible reading and a good non-visible reading can be made. Can be realized on the same chip.

Further, the thickness of the light-receiving layer is changed between visible and non-visible by making the line interval between the sensor for reading light information other than visible light and the other sensor for reading visible light wider than the other line interval. It becomes easy to cope with the complicated structure of the CCD for dealing with wavelengths other than visible light, and the yield of the CCD is improved.

By configuring a sensor for reading light other than visible light on the outermost side of a plurality of sensor lines, it is possible to cope with wavelengths other than visible light, such as changing the thickness of the light-receiving layer between visible light and non-visible light. Therefore, it becomes easy to deal with the complicated structure of the CCD, and the yield of the CCD is improved.

Further, the sensor for detecting fluorescence information is monolithically constructed with the sensor for reading information other than fluorescence, so that it is not necessary to secure an optical path by using a special optical system such as a prism for reading fluorescence information. Therefore, it becomes possible to read the fluorescence information with high accuracy for the same document position with a simple optical system, and it is possible to accurately combine the document information with the recognition mark.

Further, by making the light receiving area of the sensor for reading the fluorescence information larger than that of the sensor for reading the visible light, even if the minute optical information other than the visible light generated by the fluorescence is S / S equivalent to that of the visible light. High-quality reading with good N ratio is possible.

Further, by configuring the sensor for reading the fluorescence light on the outermost side of the plurality of sensor lines, the crosstalk of the visible read signal having a relatively large signal level and the like, for the weak read signal of the fluorescence, can be obtained. The influence can be reduced, and highly accurate fluorescence reading becomes possible.

Further, by setting the line interval between the fluorescence reading sensor and the other visible light reading sensor to be wider than the other line intervals, the signal level is relatively large for a weak read signal such as fluorescence. It is possible to reduce the influence of the visible read signal, and it is possible to perform highly accurate fluorescence reading.

Further, the standard density means for correcting the sensitivity unevenness due to the main scanning position due to the light distribution unevenness or the like with respect to the read signal of the sensor for reading light information other than visible light is provided in common with the visible light. Miniaturization is possible.

Further, by using the read signal from the reference density plate for signal correction for the sensor for reading the fluorescent information, the circuit gain of the fluorescent read signal is set or the sensitivity unevenness of the fluorescent read sensor is corrected, It is possible to optimally set the dynamic range of read signals other than visible, and there is no overflow etc. equivalent to visible.
Further, it becomes possible to read fluorescence information with a high S / N ratio.

Further, by using the read signal from the reference density plate for signal correction for the sensor for reading light information other than visible light, the circuit gain of the read signal other than visible light is set and the sensitivity unevenness of the sensor is corrected. As a result, it is possible to optimally set the dynamic range of the read signal other than visible light, and it is possible to read optical information other than visible light with a high S / N ratio without overflow and the like equivalent to visible light.

[0192]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably and efficiently determine a specific original.

In particular, control based on information other than visible information can be performed at high speed.

Further, since the original is discriminated based on the information other than the visible information, it is possible to make a reliable discrimination with less errors as compared with the case of the visible information.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a detection state of an identification mark of a copy-prohibited document according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a color copying apparatus using the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a detection operation of a copy-protected document in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a signal processing unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart of image control signals in the first to third embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of noise removal of a fluorescence signal in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for detecting the position of a fluorescent mark in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an address generation unit for a memory that stores a fluorescent mark according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a control flow chart of the CPU in the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an operation flow chart of pattern matching of the CPU in the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a thinning operation diagram of fluorescent marks in the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of fluorescent mark pattern matching in the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a spectral characteristic diagram of a filter immediately after a document illumination lamp in the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a spectral characteristic diagram of a document illumination lamp in the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a CCD sensor according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a filter characteristic diagram for an infrared reading sensor according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of photoelectric conversion of CCD in the present embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a spectral sensitivity characteristic diagram of the CCD according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a spectral sensitivity characteristic diagram of the visible line sensor according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a spectral sensitivity characteristic diagram of the visible line sensor according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 21 is an analog signal processing unit according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a control flow of dimming and circuit gain in the present embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a light quantity control block of a document illumination lamp in the present embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a fluorescence characteristic diagram in this example.

FIG. 25 is a configuration diagram of a signal processing unit in the second embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a control flow chart of the CPU in the second embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a printing state of fluorescence information of a copy-inhibited document in the third embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a configuration diagram of a signal processing unit according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a control flow chart of the CPU according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a characteristic diagram of infrared fluorescence due to ultraviolet excitation light.

FIG. 31 is a characteristic diagram of a standard white plate used in this example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 210 CCD line sensor 409 8 × 8 block processing circuit 410 Fluorescent mark detection circuit 4009 Binarization circuit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification number Reference number within the agency FI technical display location G03G 15/00 102 15/01 S 21/00 (72) Inventor Tsutomu Utagawa 3 Shimomaruko Ota-ku, Tokyo Chome 30-2 Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Toshio Hayashi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Tetsuya Nagase 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo No. Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Takehiko Nakai 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A reading unit for reading visible information and non-visible information of a document, and a discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not the document is a specific document based on the information other than the visible information. Is an image processing apparatus that simultaneously reads the visible information and information other than visible information. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information other than visible information is infrared information. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information other than visible information is information based on fluorescence. 4. A detecting means for detecting non-visible light information reflected from the original document, and a judging means for judging whether the original document is a specific original document or not according to the optical information detected by the detecting means. An image processing apparatus comprising: 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical information other than visible light is infrared information. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light information other than visible light is information based on fluorescence.