JPH0622062A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To effectively analyze the outgoing source of a hard copy by integrating additional information in the image of an original and printing out this image in the case of taking the hard copy of the image read from the original. CONSTITUTION:A drawing part 14 outputs image data extracted by a packet analysis part 11 and a floppy disk analysis part 12 on an image memory 16. An image read part 3 reads image data from the original set on an original platen and outputs them to an image discrimination and restoration part 13. When a code transmitter is incorporated in the original, code information transmitted from the original is received and outputted to an additional information managing part 18. The additional information managing part 18 summerizes and manages the digital additional information added to image data read from respective sources. Then, new additional information is integrated in the image data stored in the image memory 16. Based on the image data outputted from the image memory 16 and added the additional information, an output part 6 prepares the hard copy and outputs it.

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 for analyzing a source of hard copy outflow.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years,
With the development and spread of copying machines, infringement of copyright by copying of copyrighted material and illegal copying of confidential documents have become problems. However, the conventional analog copying machine cannot perform high-level judgment of the original document, and the hard copy (the second and subsequent generations) must be managed at all in the partially copied part. Was impossible.

Conventionally, various devices and methods have been proposed in order to prevent leakage of confidential documents to the outside by copying. For example, in order to prevent illegal copying of banknotes, securities, etc., a copying machine has been proposed in which a pattern of a characteristic portion of an original image for which copying is prohibited is stored and a copying operation is prohibited (JP-A-2-52384). Issue). In this copying machine, if the entire original image is stored as a characteristic portion, it is possible to cope with a case where a part of the original image is copied, but the characteristic portions of all original images for which copying is prohibited are stored. In order to do so, a large-capacity memory is required, resulting in high cost.

On the other hand, when a confidential document is leaked to the outside by copying, in order to discriminate the leak source of this document, identification information of the copying apparatus at the time of copying and information such as copy date and time are represented by a bar code. , A method of adding this to a part of a copied document has been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-1111).
No. 61). However, with this method, there is a problem in that a barcode added to a copied document is hidden, or if a barcode added to another document is pasted and copied again, no effect can occur. is there.

Further, even when the copied original is edited or tampered with by cutting and pasting, for example, by changing the typeface of the print characters of a normal document and a confidential document when copying, A method has been proposed (US Pat. No. 4,837,737) that makes it possible to distinguish between normal and confidential documents. However, this method has a problem that no effect can be produced when the document consists only of figures and graphs.

Furthermore, in image processing by a computer, a method of synthesizing character data in image data is
A paper by Yasuhiro Nakamura and Kushio Matsui, "Combining Image and Character Coding Method Using Ternary Density Pattern" (1988)
, Journal of Image Electronics, 3-9). This is one pixel in image processing (the image processing using the so-called density pattern method) in which the total of the density values of the dots in the small area of n × n dots is used as the density value of one pixel of the document displayed on the display. Paying attention to each pattern displaying the density of, the character data is combined with the image data by the arrangement of each pattern.

However, when this method is used in a copying machine,
It is not possible to confirm the dot pattern that determines the density of each pixel from the copy document once printed out. Therefore, even if the character data to be combined with the image data includes the information for identifying the original, such as the user name, the code number of the copying machine, the date and time of copying, it is not possible to read this. It is possible. Therefore, according to this method, if a confidential document is illegally leaked, the source of leak cannot be discriminated from this copy.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus which effectively analyzes the source of hard copy outflow.

[0009]

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus which identifies a document through first reading means for reading an image of the document and radio waves from a code transmitter incorporated in the document. Second reading means for reading digital additional information for reading, additional information read by the second reading means,
A management unit that manages the image of the original read by the corresponding first reading unit in association therewith is provided.

According to another aspect of the image processing apparatus of the present invention, digital additional information for identifying the original is provided through first reading means for reading the image of the original and radio waves from a code transmitter built in the original. A second reading unit for reading the image, and an embedding unit for embedding the additional information read by the second reading unit in the image of the original read by the first reading unit;
And an output unit for printing out the image of the document in which the additional information is embedded by the embedding unit when the copying is executed.

[0011]

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the image of the original is read by the first reading means, and the additional information for identifying the original, for example, by the radio wave from the code transmitter incorporated in the original, for example, is added. The additional information such as the book name and the page number is read by the second reading unit, the read additional information and the corresponding image of the original document are associated with each other, and the management unit manages this.

According to another aspect of the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the image of the original is read by the first reading means, and additional information for identifying the original is transmitted via a radio wave from a code transmitter incorporated in the original. It is read by the second reading means. Then, when copying is performed, the additional information read by the second reading unit is embedded in the image of the original read by the first reading unit by the embedding unit, and the original image in which the additional information is embedded is printed out.

[0013]

Embodiments of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail below in the following order with reference to the accompanying drawings. (1) Schematic description of copy management system (2) Binarization and embedding of additional information (3) Detailed description of processing device 100 <3-1> Functional block configuration of processing device 100 <3-2> Each function Outline of block <3-3> Configuration of IR section 3 <3-4> Configuration of operation section 4 <3-5> Configuration of P analysis section 11 <3-6> Configuration of F analysis section 12 <3-7> Configuration of image discrimination / restoration unit 13 <3-8> Configuration of drawing unit 14 <3-9> Configuration of additional information management unit 18 <3-10> Configuration of confidentiality management unit 20 <3-11> Communication management unit 5 Configuration <3-12> Configuration of main control unit 7 (4) Detailed description of management device 200 <4-1> Configuration of functional block of management device 200 <4-2> Format of storage device 205 <4-3> Functions of management device 200

(1) Schematic Description of Copy Management System The image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment has a size that cannot be apparently identified by a general user when a hard copy of an image read from an original is taken. The digital additional information is embedded in the image of the original document, and a process of printing out this is performed.

The additional information embedded in the hard copy is
It is composed of information such as whether or not it is a confidential document, the number of copies from the original document, and by whom and when. Therefore, it is possible to prohibit an unauthorized person from illegally copying a hard copy in which the additional information is embedded and taking it out, and when a confidential document is illegally leaked, it is embedded in the taken out hard copy. By reading the additional information stored, it is possible to confirm and track the outflow route.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a hard copy management system. This system includes a plurality of image processing devices 100,
, And a management device 200. The image processing apparatuses 100, 101, ... Make a copy of the document and transmit the number of copies to the management apparatus 200. The management apparatus 200 grasps the usage status of each image processing apparatus 100, 101, .... The administrator performs various types of maintenance of the image processing apparatuses 100, 101, ... Based on this. The image processing apparatuses 100, 101, ... As a source for outputting the image data, the computer 102 in addition to the original 103.
And a floppy disk (FD) 104.

The image data includes, for example, only image information related to print output when the original 103 is an original, and image information when the original 103 is an original that has been copied at least once from the original. In addition to the above data, digital data of additional information embedded in the image in the previous process is included.

The processor 100, 101, ... Embeds additional information in the hard copy when making a hard copy based on the image information included in the image data output from each source, and also through the line 105. And transmits the additional information to the management device 200.

The management device 200 includes processing devices 100 and 10
Based on the additional information transmitted from 1, ..., The total number of illegal copies and the outflow route created based on the image data output from the source are also analyzed.

The following "Table 1" shows unique additional information added to the hard copy created based on the image data output from each source, and common additional information that is always added regardless of the form of the source. And information.

[Table 1]

Next, each additional information shown in the above "Table 1" will be described. The book code is a unique code registered in all manuscripts and is used to specify a book.

The device identification code is an identification number unique to a processing device having the information adding function of the present invention, and identifies which processing device (100, 101, ...) Is a hard copy processed and created. It is used to

The volume name is an identification code of the floppy disk 104, which is a storage medium, and is used to identify which floppy disk is a hard copy created based on image data input.

The generation numbers added by the processing devices 100, 101, ... To the image data output from the respective sources are used to manage the order of the hard copy made from the original document or the like. It is the data that is collected. FIG. 2 shows the generation number embedded in the hard copy of each generation. As can be understood from this, the data of the generation number information increases with each next generation. If the image data output from the source does not include generation number additional information, the generation number information is always added when the hard copy is created. If the source is the original 103 and the information of the generation number has already been added, the value changed to the next generation number is added to the hard copy.

On the other hand, the copy number is a number indicating, regardless of the generation number, the number of the hard copy created from the original document or the like. As shown in FIG. 3, the copy number includes an identification code unique to the processing device, a source number unique to the source, and a copy number number for managing the number of copies. When the number of processing devices is one, the source numbers are sequentially assigned. In addition, when there are a plurality of processing devices, a number is assigned to each processing device in order, or a copy number and an identification number unique to each processing device are used together. However, since the copy number is the same as the lowest information of the generation number, it is possible to omit it if the relation is defined in advance in the system.

As described above, by including the copy number in the additional information, it is possible to easily compile the order of the hard copy created from the original document. Here, by comparing the number of copies stored by a legitimate user with the totalized result, it is possible to determine whether or not an illegal copy has been executed.

Further, when the personal identification number is not set in the image data output from the source, the user can set the personal identification number from the operation unit provided in the processing devices 100, 101, ....

Additional information composed of generation information for identifying a document, user information of a copying apparatus, apparatus identification information, etc., as shown in the above "Table 1", is added to a hard copy at a plurality of locations on the printing section. It is possible to grasp the outflow route of the copy by embedding it in the file and reading it later.

(2) Binarization and Embedding of Additional Information Next, binarization of the additional information shown in the above "Table 1" by the hard copy management system of the present invention and hardware of the binarized additional information The embedding processing in a plurality of places such as the printing portion in the copy will be described in detail.

The method of binarizing each additional information shown in the above "Table 1" is not particularly limited, but an example thereof will be shown below.

Most of the additional information can be defined with a fixed size. For example, the book code is 20 digits (20
A data length of (bytes) is sufficient, and the book name is 20
A digit (20 bytes) data length is sufficient. For the same reason, 2 bytes are allocated for the page number, 8 bytes for the copy number, 4 bytes for the user ID number, 3 bytes for the date and time of use, 2 bytes for the personal identification number, and 2 for the total number of pixels. One byte is assigned to the byte and the number of generation numbers.
Here, of the additional information shown in "Table 1", only the generation number is variable length data, and data of 2 bytes x number of generation numbers is allocated. This is because it is not necessary to prepare extra data by increasing the data length as the number of generation numbers increases.

FIG. 4 shows the additional information represented by each data length as continuous data. At least two or more pieces of this data are embedded in each hard copy. Further, the order of each of these additional information is predetermined, and if there is no corresponding data, temporary data such as "0" is input.

The additional information embedding process performed by the processing device 100 needs to be performed so as not to be noticeable to the general public. However, since the data shown in FIG. 4 is long, it may be difficult to embed it in a hard copy inconspicuously. In the present embodiment, in order to deal with this, the above data is divided into blocks of a predetermined bit length and embedded in the hard copy. Here, a block number for identifying a position in the data is added to each of the divided data. If it is difficult to embed even the data divided into blocks, the priority order is determined for each block and the embedding of the blocks is omitted.

In order to read the data of the additional information from the hard copy, the data of each block with the block number is read and rearranged in the order of the block number to restore the above data. Here, the data of the block that cannot be read is deleted.

The formation of the block data is not limited to the above case, and the data to be divided may be of variable length and a code number for identifying the format may be added to the beginning of each data as shown in FIG. good. Here, the compressed code is code data compressed by a predetermined compression algorithm. However, in this method, it is necessary to determine the code number, the format, the compression algorithm of the compressed code, and the like in advance.

In this embodiment, the additional information data shown in FIG. 4 is divided into 8-bit units. FIG. 6 shows block data of block number 1 and block number 65 when data of certain additional information is divided into 8-bit units. In this case, the block number is displayed with 7 bits,
A total of 15-bit block data is defined by the MSB having a value of "11" and the LSB having a value of "01". To read each block data embedded in the hard copy, the MSB with the value of "11" and "01"
If there is a predetermined number of pixels between the LSBs having the value of, this is determined as embedded block data.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the block data of block number 1 shown in FIG. 6 is embedded in an actual image. When embedding block data in an image, one of the binarized data (for example, a value of 0) is represented by a pixel having the same density as that of a peripheral pixel, and the other data (for example, a value of 1) is represented by a pixel of a peripheral pixel. It is represented by a pixel having a density slightly different from the density (hereinafter referred to as density data). Further, in FIG. 7, each density data of the block data is formed with an interval of 1 pixel. As shown in the figure, one block consists of 2 + 7 + 8 + 2 = 19 bits, and if there is a black line portion of 40 dots in the hard copy image,
It is possible to embed this block data. Here, 40 dots is 1/10 inch (about 2.5 mm) in the case of a printer / image reader having a resolution of 400 dpi, and a black line of this length exists in a normal character image. It is thought that. Therefore, 40 dots can be sufficiently embedded.

Next, a process of converting each block data formed by dividing the data of the additional information into a predetermined dot unit into density data and embedding it in the image in the hard copy will be described.

FIG. 8 shows an example in which block data of additional information is converted into density data and embedded in a figure such as a character. (A) in the figure is an enlarged view of a normal character "a" of about 12 points printed on a hard copy.
(B) in the figure is a further enlargement of a part of the print character "a". In this example, the additional information is embedded in the two elliptical portions shown. (C) in the figure is an enlargement of the elliptical portion in which the additional information is embedded. The density data has a predetermined pitch (pixel interval) as shown in FIG.
Embedded in. The concentration data shown in (c) is
The block data of (d) is converted.

The block data of the additional information can be embedded at any position regardless of the position or direction. By making the embedded position of the additional information unspecified, it is possible for a user who attempts to illegally take out a confidential document or the like to hide the additional information embedded in the hard copy and copy it.

However, if the block data is embedded in one place, it becomes conspicuous as image noise. Since it is desirable that the additional information embedded in the hard copy is not recognized by general users, it is dispersed and embedded in the hard copy. As one example, as shown in FIG.
There is a method of embedding additional information in one direction in order from the corner of the paper. Further, in order to minimize the loss of information even if dirt or partial cutting and pasting is performed, it is desirable to repeatedly embed a plurality of sets in one hard copy as shown in FIG. In this case, in consideration of the possibility that some additional information data may be mistakenly restored due to dirt or the like, an odd set of additional information is embedded in the hard copy, and valid data is determined by majority voting. .

In the case of a document with a complicated density change, it is difficult to distinguish the image and the embedded additional information. Therefore, when embedding the additional information, a place where the density does not change is selected. However, as shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to embed feature points over a plurality of regions in a place where there is no density change or in a region that does not include a density band for additional information even if there is.

In principle, for the embedding of the additional information, a predetermined density band is assigned for the density data created from the block data. However, FIG.
As shown in (a), in the case of a halftone image in which the image density changes continuously, the density value around the density band Wa used by the density data representing the block data is changed. That is, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 11B, in the density band Wb following the density band Wa used in the density data, the inclination of the density change of the original image is changed. As a result, the density value of the image of the original document in the density band Wa is changed to be outside the range of the density band Wa.

FIG. 12 shows a method of embedding density data obtained by converting block data of additional information when it is not possible to embed continuous long density data in a figure such as a knitting pattern into one figure. is there.
In this case, each pattern itself is used as one density data to represent additional information. Further, as shown in the figure, there is also a method that does not use density data indicating LSB or MSB but embeds reference patterns in parallel (four in the figure) and embeds additional information by this length. This method has an advantage that the width can be widened but the length can be shortened.

By executing the above processing, it becomes possible to embed the additional information in the image of the original and print it out as a hard copy. Therefore, by reading the additional information embedded in the hard copy, it is possible to obtain information such as whether the hard copy relates to a confidential document, and when, by what copying machine by whom and how many copies were made. be able to. By using this, it is possible to trace the source of leakage of confidential documents that have been illegally leaked.

(3) Detailed Description of Processing Apparatus The configuration and operation of the processing apparatus 100 will be described in detail below. <3-1> Configuration of Functional Blocks of Processing Device 100 FIG. 13 shows the configuration of each functional block of the processing device 100 shown in FIG. 1 and the flow of main data. Here, the flow of information that controls the timing and the like of the entire processing apparatus 100 is omitted.

In FIG. 13, thick lines indicate lines in which image information data flows. The middle line indicates the line through which the operation information data flows. The dotted line indicates the line through which the additional information data flows.

<3-2> Outline of Each Functional Block An outline of each functional block shown in FIG. 13 will be described below.
A detailed description of each functional block will be given later. The external interface unit 1 is means for inputting the image information output from the computer b to the packet analysis unit 11.

The packet (P) analysis unit 11 analyzes image data input from the computer 102 via the external interface unit 1 and extracts image information and additional information.

The floppy disk device (FDD) 2 is
This is means for inputting the image data output from the floppy disk 104 to the F analysis unit 12.

The floppy disk (F) analysis unit 12
Image data input from the floppy disk 104 via the floppy disk device 2 is analyzed to extract image information and additional information.

The drawing unit 14 creates image data corresponding to the image information extracted by the packet analysis unit 11 and the floppy disk analysis unit 12, and outputs it to the image memory 16.

The image reading section 3 reads the image data from the original 103 set on the original table, and when the original is an original, outputs the image data consisting of only image information to the image discrimination / restoration section 13, and In the case of the document to which the additional information is added, the image data including the additional information and the image information is output to the image discrimination and restoration unit 13. If the original has a code transmitter, the code information transmitted from the original is received and output to the additional information management unit 18.

The image discrimination / restoration unit 13 analyzes the image data read from the image reading unit 3, extracts image information and additional information, restores additional information, and restores image data consisting of only image information. I do.

The additional information management unit 18 collects various additional information added to the image data read from each source, embeds new additional information in the image data stored in the image memory 16, and collects the additional information. The additional information is transmitted to the management device 200 via the communication management unit 5.

The image memory 16 is a memory for editing the image data to be hard copied by the output unit 6.

The filing device 8 stores the image information from the image memory 16 and the additional information from the additional information management unit 18 in association with each other.

The operation unit 4 sets copy conditions, displays additional information read from each source, displays a warning message when the confidentiality management unit 20 determines that copying is prohibited, and further displays the user ID number and source. Input such as specifying the form.

The output unit 6 follows the instruction from the operation unit 4 and
It is an electrophotographic printer that creates and outputs a hard copy based on image data with additional information output from the image memory 16.

The editing unit 17 executes the falsification processing of the image on the image memory 16 in accordance with the instruction from the operation unit 4.

The confidentiality management unit 20 determines whether or not to prohibit the hard copy based on the additional information collected in the additional information management unit 18 and the information set by the operation unit 4.

The communication management unit 5 reads the image data from the source or creates a hard copy every time the line 1 is connected.
Information regarding the creation of a hard copy such as additional information is communicated to the management apparatus 200 shown in FIG.

The main control unit 7 reads the image data from each source, activates the packet analysis unit 11, the floppy disk analysis unit 12, the image reading unit 3, etc., and processes the entire processing apparatus 100 such as hard copy processing and confidentiality management processing. Control the sequence of.

<3-3> Structure of Image Reading Unit 3 FIG. 14 shows the structure of the image reading unit 3. The image reading unit 3
When the image data is read from the original 103 set on the original table, and when the original is the original, the image data including only the image information is output to the image discrimination / restoration unit 13 and the original is added with the additional information. The image data including the additional information and the image information is output to the image discrimination / restoration unit 13.

If the original has a code transmitter, the code information transmitted from the original is received and output to the additional information management unit 18 described later. The manuscript having a code transmitter built therein is specifically assumed to be a book or the like having a transmitter for transmitting information for preventing copying contrary to the copyright law.

The image reading section 3 includes an image reading control section 301.
And an image reading unit 302 for reading image data of a document set on the document table or on the automatic document changing device 307, and information such as a book name and a book code output from the code transmitter 3030 embedded in the document. A code information reading unit 303 that reads code information, an image interface unit 304, a code interface unit 305, various electrical components 306, and an automatic document changing device 30.
7 and 7.

The image reading unit 302 reads the image data of the document set on the document table and outputs it to the image reading control unit 301. The image reading control unit 301 outputs this image data to the bus B7 via the image interface unit 304.

The code information reading unit 303 reads code information other than the image information and outputs it to the image reading control unit 301. The image reading control unit 301 outputs the code information read by the code information reading unit 303 to the bus B11 via the code interface unit 305.

The automatic document changing device 307 removes the document on the document table of the image reading section 302 and automatically sets the next document. The image reading control unit 301 is connected to various electric components 306 and controls a motor or the like that drives the image reader.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an apparatus that functions as the image reading unit 302 and the code information reading unit 303. The apparatus includes a document glass 3021, a scanner unit 3022, an exposure lamp 3023, an antenna coil 3031 or a coil 3031 ′, and a transmission / reception unit 303.
2 and a code conversion unit 3033. The code information reading unit 303 adopts a wireless system using radio waves, and outputs code information such as a book name or a book code output from a code transmitter 3030 built in a document 103 such as a book to an antenna coil 3031. Read with. By adopting this method, the original glass 3021
It is possible to eliminate a reading error caused by dirt on the sheet. However, the code information reading unit 303 does not function for a document such as a sheet document that does not include a code transmitter.

Antenna coil 30 for receiving radio waves
31 is made of a transparent material on the original glass 3020. The antenna may have a coil 3031 ′ provided on the scanner unit 3022 instead of the antenna coil 3031. When the antenna 3031 on the original glass 3021 is used, in order to prevent a reading error due to noise generated by the image reading unit 3 itself, reading is performed before scanning or turning on the exposure lamp 3023 for actual image reading. Further, even when the antenna 3031 ′ of the scanner unit 3022 is used, reading is performed during the preliminary scan in which the exposure lamp is not turned on in order to reduce noise as much as possible.

FIG. 16 shows a processing flowchart of the image reading section 3. When the image reading unit 3 is turned on, first, the position of the scanner unit 3022 is set to the initial position, and the output of the exposure lamp is made constant (step S301). When the user presses a code information reading key (not shown) provided on the operation unit 4 (step S30)
If YES in step 2, the reading process of the additional information of the document set on the document table is executed (step S303). Here, if the code transmitter is made to meet the manuscript,
The code information is received by the antenna 3031 or 3031 ′ and is output to the image reading control unit 301 via the transmission / reception unit 3032 and the code conversion unit 3033 (step S30).
4). When the user presses an image reading key (not shown) provided on the operation unit 4 (step S30).
5 is YES), the image reading unit 302 starts operating, the original set on the original glass 3021 is illuminated by the exposure lamp 3023, the scanner unit 3022 is moved to read the image data of the original, and the read image data is read. Output to the image reading control unit 301 (step S30)
6).

As described above, in the image reading unit 3 of the present embodiment, the book name, the book code, etc. output from the code transmitter 3030 built in the original 103 such as a book are transferred by the wireless system using radio waves. The code information is read by the antenna coil 3031. By adopting such a method, it is possible to eliminate a reading error caused by a stain on the original glass 3021. Further, since the code transmitter is built in the original 103, it cannot be tampered with. Furthermore, the code information read from the code transmitter is embedded in the image of the original as additional information in the additional information management unit 18 described later, and even if a part of the book is copied, it is embedded in the hard copy. The source of the leakage can be traced by reading the additional information provided. In this way, it is possible to identify and trace an illegal copy that is against the copyright law.

<3-4> Configuration of Operation Unit 4 FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the configuration of the operation unit 4 shown in FIG. The operation unit 4 sets copy conditions, displays additional information read from each source, inputs a personal identification number, and the confidentiality management unit 2
When the copy prohibition is judged to be 0, a warning message is displayed, and further, the user ID number and the source form are designated.

The operation section 4 includes an operation control section 401 for controlling the operation section 4, a message display section 402, and a setting input section 4
03, an IC card interface 404, an interface 405 that connects the operation unit 4 and an external function unit via a bus Bg, a calendar 406 that manages calendar information, and a preset identification code unique to each processing device. And a unique information memory 407 in which is stored.

The message display unit 402 displays the additional information read from the source and the warning message when the confidentiality management unit 20 determines that copying is prohibited.

The setting input unit 403 executes designation of the source form, conditions of the output unit 6 for creating a hard copy, tampering instruction to the editing unit 17, input of user ID number, and the like.

In the IC card interface 404,
User I using the IC card that each user owns
Enter the D number. The information input here is always output to the external functional unit via the interface 405.

The calendar 406 has a built-in backup timer, and manages the year, date and time.

<3-5> Configuration of Packet Analysis Unit 11 The packet analysis unit 11 shown in FIG. 13 analyzes the contents of image data from the computer 102 input from the external interface 1 via the bus B5. The packet analysis unit 11 uses the interface 11 as shown in FIG.
2, a buffer 113 for storing temporarily input image data, a packet analysis processor 111, a work memory 114 for executing analysis processing, and an interface 1 for outputting image information regarding print output to the bus B3.
16 and an interface 117 that outputs additional information to the bus B11.

The image data input from the computer 102 to the interface 112 has a predetermined format, and is composed of image information and additional information as shown in FIG. Here, the additional information includes a data name such as a file name and a page number, and is output to the additional information management unit 18 via the bus B11. The image information is made up of data such as format designation, print position designation, character code and graphic code, and the drawing unit 1 is connected via the bus B3.
4 is output. The drawing unit 14 to which the image information is input forms image data in the image memory 16 according to the image information.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the analysis process of the packet analysis unit 11. This processing may be performed by a single processor or may be performed by the processor 701 of the main control unit 7 in a time-sharing manner. After the initial setting (step S1101), when the image data is received from the external interface 1 connected to the computer 102 (YES in step S1102), the analysis process is executed (steps S1103 to S1109). The data of the character code and the figure code in the image information is (step S110).
If YES in step 3, the image is output to the drawing unit 14 (step S1).
104). Similarly, the format control data such as the format designation and the print position designation included in the image information is (step S1).
(YES at 105), it is used for the internal editing condition changing process (step S1106). The additional information is (step S
If YES at 1107), it is output to the additional information management unit 18 (step S1108). Of the input data, data that is neither of the above is used for other processing (step S1109).

<3-6> Configuration of Floppy Disk Analysis Unit 12 Floppy disk analysis unit 12 shown in FIGS. 1 and 13.
Analyzes the image data stored in the floppy disk read by the floppy disk device 2. As shown in FIG. 21, the floppy disk analysis unit 12 includes an interface 122, a buffer 123 that stores temporarily input image data, a floppy disk analysis processor 121, and a work memory 124 for executing analysis processing. , An interface 126 for outputting data of image information to the bus B3, and an interface 127 for outputting data of additional information to the bus B11.

Although a plurality of files are stored in the floppy disk, the file designation is designated by the operation unit 4 via the bus B9. The data in the floppy disk is formed in a predetermined format, as shown in FIG.
It is composed of image information and additional information as shown in. Here, the additional information includes a volume number of the floppy disk, a data name such as a file name, and a page number, and is output to the additional information management unit 18 via the bus B11. In addition, image information can be specified in the format, print position,
It consists of character code and graphic code data, and the drawing unit 1
4 is output. The drawing unit 14 to which the image information data is input forms an image in the image memory 16 according to the image information data.

FIG. 23 shows the floppy disk analysis unit 12
5 is a flowchart of the analysis processing of FIG. This processing may be performed by a single processor or the processor 701 of the main control unit 7.
May be executed in a time-sharing manner. After initialization (step S1201), the floppy disk device 2
When the image data is received via the bus B6 connected to (YES in step S1202), the analysis process is executed (steps S1203 to S1209). Of the image information, the data of the character code and the graphic code related to printing (YES in step S1203) is output to the drawing unit 14 (step S1204). Similarly, the format control data such as the format designation of the image information and the print position (YES in step S1205) is used for the internal editing condition changing process (step S1206). The additional information (YES in step S1207) is output to the additional information management unit 18 (step S1208). Of the entered data,
Data that is neither of the above is subjected to other processing (step S1209).

<3-7> Configuration of Image Discrimination / Restore Unit 13 The image discrimination / restoration unit 13 shown in FIG. 13 analyzes the image data input via the bus B7, and outputs image information relating to printing and additional information. The embedded block data is separated, the block data is restored to continuous additional information, and the image data of the original document before the additional information is added is restored.

As shown in FIG. 24, the image discrimination / restoration unit 13 includes an interface 132 to which image data is input via the bus B7, an image memory 133, an image analysis processor 131, a feature point memory 134, and a block. It comprises a management memory 135, an interface 136 for outputting the restored image data to the bus B4, and an interface 137 for outputting the extracted additional information to the bus B11.

FIG. 25 shows a flowchart of the processing executed by the image discrimination / restoration unit 13. In the image discrimination restoration unit 13,
After the initialization (step S1301), when the image data is input (YES in step S1302), the density distribution is divided into blocks (step S1303), and the coordinates of the density corresponding to the feature point are picked up (step S1304). Here, the feature point indicates, for example, a pixel having a predetermined density, which represents the value 1 in FIG. Further, the coordinates of each feature point are converted into a plurality of binary numbers having a predetermined length from the predetermined positional relationship as shown in FIG. 7 (step S305). The binary numbers extracted in block units are arranged and returned in the order of block numbers according to a predetermined procedure, and reorganized into additional information (step S1306). When the extraction of the additional information from the characteristic points is completed, the characteristic points are deleted from the image information, and the image data before the additional information is added is restored (step S1307). Here, the erasing of the characteristic points is executed by replacing the characteristic points with the densities around the characteristic points. The extracted additional information is the interface 137.
Is output to the bus B11 via (step S130).
8). Also, the restored image data is output to the bus B4 via the interface 136 (step S1).
309).

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of the process (step S1305) for digitizing the characteristic points shown in FIG.
The digitization of the feature points is performed by judging from the positional relationship of the feature points. In this embodiment, one block of additional information is linearly embedded within a predetermined range. If this relationship is defined in advance for each system, the embedding need not be a straight line, but may be a circular arc, for example.

Specifically, first one feature point is searched for (step S1310). Next, all other feature points existing adjacently within a predetermined distance are searched (step S131).
1). The maximum distance is the length of one block (= bit length × distance between bits). Next, it is confirmed whether these coordinates have a predetermined positional relationship (a straight line in this embodiment) (step S1312). As a result, incorrect coordinates and data are deleted (step S131).
3). The coordinates of the valid data are converted into binary numbers (step S1314). Each binary number includes the number of bits (step S1315) and the upper and lower identification bits (step S1316).
Check. If everything is normal, it is stored as valid block data (step S1317).
The above process is performed for all the extracted feature points (step S1318).

Numerical processing of the characteristic points (step S13)
The block determined to be valid in 05) is converted into additional information in the next additional information restoration processing (step S1306). FIG. 27 is a flowchart of the additional information restoration processing. First, the block numbers included in the valid block data are arranged in order (step S1320). here,
If the minimum required types of blocks for restoring the additional information are available (YES in step S1321), the information of each block is confirmed (step S1322).

In the case of this embodiment, since a plurality of sets of additional information are embedded in one hard copy, it is used to confirm whether or not the data of the same block number match. If the information of the same block number does not completely match, this is decided by the majority vote. If the information of the block number cannot be specified even by using the majority rule, the block is invalidated (step S1324).
When a predetermined number or more of block data judged to be invalid are present, the hard copy having the additional information is judged to be a falsified original composed of a plurality of originals stuck together, and the additional information is ignored to Informs the additional information management unit 18 that the document is a falsified document (YES in step S1323).
S).

When the valid block data is specified, each additional information is reorganized according to a predetermined procedure (step S1325). In addition, the defective data is
Initialize with a given value (zero, blank, etc.).

By executing the above processing,
The additional information embedded in the image of the original can be read. The read additional information is processed by the main control unit 7, the additional information management unit 18, and the management device 200, which will be described later, such as prohibiting copying of a confidential document and confirming the outflow source of the hard copy in which the additional information is embedded. Used for.

<3-8> Structure of Drawing Unit 14 The drawing unit 14 shown in FIG. 13 is an image of a character code and a graphic code sent from the packet analysis unit 11 and the floppy disk analysis unit 12 via the bus B3. Image data is expanded in the image memory 16 according to the information.

The specific system and configuration are the same as those used in the bit map type printer controller. However, when the developed image has gradation, the density band used for the density data (see FIG. 7) created by converting the block data of the additional information is not used.

<3-9> Configuration of Additional Information Management Unit 18 In the additional information management unit 18 shown in FIG. 13, the packet analysis unit 11, the floppy disk analysis unit 12, the image reading unit 3, the image discrimination restoration unit 13, and the operation are performed. The additional information sent from the unit 4 via the bus B11 is collected and managed for each source. In addition, a hard copy process (steps S701, S711,
In S718), new additional information is generated for each hard copy based on the aggregated additional information, and the additional information is embedded in the image data stored in the image memory 16 (step 742).

FIG. 28 shows the structure of the additional information management unit 18. The additional information management unit 18 includes a processing device 181, a code input unit 182, a drawing unit 183, an operation information interface 184, a code output unit 185, and a pixel counting unit 1.
And 86.

The processing device 181 embeds additional information in the image memory 16 when creating a hard copy. The image memory 16 is directly accessed via the bus B1 to search for additional information of a predetermined item designated by the operation unit 4. At that time,
An empty area of the image memory 16 is used as a necessary work area. Actually, the main controller 7 controls the processing device 181.

The pixel coefficient section 186 measures the pattern area of the image developed in the image memory 16. The image is composed of grayscale information of a predetermined resolution, but here,
For simplification, the total number of pixels having a predetermined density or more is treated as an area. In order to further improve the management accuracy, the area for each predetermined concentration may be managed.

The following "Table 2" shows additional information transmitted from each functional unit to the additional information management unit 18.

[Table 2] The value of the confidential rank included in the source-related information in "Table 2" is defined as, for example, 5 for the highest confidential rank, and the lower the value, the lower the degree of confidentiality. When the value of the confidentiality rank is 0, it means that the document is a normal document that does not require confidentiality.

The additional information transmitted to the additional information management unit 18 is classified and managed for each source as shown in "Table 3" below. Normally, only one set of source-related information is included for one page, but a falsified original made by cutting and pasting a plurality of originals includes a plurality of sets of source-related information. In such a case, the additional information management unit 18
Manage multiple sets of source-related information. However, the same value is used for information other than the source related information.

[Table 3]

The following "Table 4" shows a method of adding new additional information and a method of updating the new additional information.

[Table 4] In the additional information shown in the table, the volume name is additional information output from the computer 102, and the data name is additional information output from the floppy disk 104.

In the above "Table 4", the generation number is added to the generation 1 when a new hard copy is made, such as data from the floppy disk 104 or the computer 102 or a copy from the original 103. In the case of re-copying from a hard copy once generated, the generation number next to the generation embedded in the hard copy is added (see FIG. 2).

When a hard copy is created from an original document to which additional information is not added at all, additional information is newly generated (generation number is 1). At this time, the document name and the like can be input by the user from the operation unit 4, and can also be automatically generated from the date and the user name.

As described above, by changing the predetermined information forming the additional information and newly embedding it in the image of the original,
User name for each hard copy, copy date and time,
It is possible to easily analyze the outflow source based on the number of copies.

Next, FIG. 29 shows a flowchart of the embedding processing (step S742) of the additional information into the original image portion, which is executed by the additional information managing portion 18 according to an instruction from the main control portion 7.

This processing is executed by the program stored in the processing device 181 provided in the additional information management section 18. First, as will be described later, binary block data divided by a predetermined number of dots is generated (step S1801). Next, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in order to embed each block data in the image in the hard copy, it is converted into a minute density block signal based on the value of the block data (step S1802). Processor 18
In step S1802, the area 1 is searched for an area for embedding the block data converted into the density block signal in the image in the hard copy (step S1803). Here, an area with a predetermined length for embedding the embedded data is searched (YES in step S1804), or there is no predetermined length for embedding, but the density change is gentle and the area is expanded to an adjacent area and embedded. When a possible area is searched (YES in step S1805), the embedding position of each block data is determined (step S1).
806), and further, the density value of each density block corresponding to the place where the block data is embedded is determined (step S1).
807).

In the processing device 181, the above step S18 is performed.
Each block data subjected to the processing of 01 to S1807 is written in the character code or graphic code data of the image information (step S1808). After performing the above processing on all the additional information (YES in step S1809).
S), this is repeated for a predetermined number of sets (see FIG. 9) to be embedded in one hard copy (step S1).
(YES in 910), and the embedding process ends.

FIG. 30 shows a process of generating embedded data in which the data of the additional information is divided by a predetermined number of bits, a block number is added to this to create block data, and this block data is converted into pixel density data. (Step S
1801) is a flow chart.

First, a check code for enabling reproduction and a code for error correction are calculated in the block data to be embedded (step S1820), and the data length of the additional information shown in FIG. 4 is calculated (step S1821). .
Next, it is determined how many bits the data should be divided into, and the number is calculated (step S1822). Further, a block number is added to the divided data based on the number of divisions calculated in step S1822 (step S1823), and a mark LSB indicating the start point of the block data and a mark MSB indicating the end point are added respectively (step S1824).
And S1835). By executing the above processing, embedded data (block data) having the configuration shown in FIG. 6 is generated.

<3-10> Configuration of Security Management Unit 20 In the security management unit 20, when the additional information management unit 18 detects a confidential document having a security rank value of 1 or more, the personal identification number is input to the operation unit 4. When the book code is set in the additional information, the user is requested to input the book code. When the personal identification number or the book code is input from the operation unit 4, the value is compared with the personal identification number or the book code managed by the additional information management unit 18, and the result is output to the operation unit 4. Here, if the value of the personal identification number or the book code input from the operation unit 4 is different from the value managed by the additional information management unit 18, the copy operation is prohibited.

By performing the above processing, it is possible to effectively prevent the unauthorized outflow of confidential documents. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the above processing is executed in the confidentiality management processing (step S715) of the main control unit 7 which will be described later.

<3-11> Configuration of Communication Management Unit 5 In the communication management unit 5, additional information collected and managed by the additional information management unit 18 is read every time image data is read from a source or a hard copy is created. , Management device g via line e.

<3-12> Configuration of Main Control Unit 7 FIG. 31 is a diagram showing the configuration of the main control unit 7. The main control unit 7 controls reading of image data from each source, activation of the packet analysis unit 11, the floppy disk analysis unit 12, the image reading unit 3 and the like, and execution of sequences such as hard copy processing and confidentiality management processing.

The main control section 7 is composed of a processor 701, a program memory 702 and a data memory 703, and is connected to each functional block of the processing apparatus 100 via an interface 704.

FIG. 32 shows a processing flowchart of the processor 701 provided in the main controller 7. In the main controller 7, after the power is turned on and the controller is initialized (step S70).
1) Then, the initialization of the entire hard copy processing system is instructed (step S702), and the process waits for a processing request (steps S703 and S704). The process is started when the user specifies it from the operation unit 4 (Y in step S703).
ES), the data may be received from the computer 102 (YES in step S704).

From computer 102 to packet analysis unit 1
If there is a request for analysis in step 1 (NO in step S703)
(YES in step S703), the packet analysis unit 11 analyzes the image data for one page as described above, and separates the additional information and the image information. The packet analysis unit 11 outputs image information to the drawing unit 14, creates image data, stores the image data in the image memory, outputs the extracted additional information to the additional information management unit 18, and then performs the main control. The unit 7 is notified of the completion of the processing.

After receiving the notification of the completion of the processing from the packet analysis unit 11, the main control unit 7 sends the additional information output from the packet analysis unit 11 to the additional information management unit 18 via the communication management unit 5 to the management device. The image data stored in the image memory 16 is output to the output unit 6, and the hard copy process is executed (step S706). These processes are performed by the computer 102.
It is executed for each page of image data input from.

The command that the user operates the operation unit 4 to give an instruction includes the activation of the output unit 6 (YE in step S707).
S), there is a status setting for each function (NO in step S707 to step S720). Furthermore, the activation of the output unit 6 from the operation unit 4 includes the hard copy process of the file stored in the floppy disk 104 (YES in step S708) and the hard copy process in the image reading unit 3 (NO in step S708). In step S712
There is).

When making a hard copy of a file stored in the floppy disk 104 (step S
If YES in step 708, the floppy disk analysis unit 12 is activated by an instruction from the operation unit 4 (step S70).
9). As described above, the floppy disk analysis unit 12 separates the image information and the additional information from the input image data. The floppy disk analysis unit 12 includes the drawing unit 1
4 to output image information, create image data, store the image data in the image memory 16 and output the extracted additional information to the additional information management unit 18, and then to the main control unit 7 to complete the process. To notify.

When the main controller 7 receives a notification of the completion of processing from the floppy disk analysis processor 12, the additional information output from the floppy disk analysis processor 12 to the additional information manager 18 is sent via the communication manager 5. And transmits it to the management device 200 (step S710), and sends the image memory 16
The image data stored by is output to the output unit 6 and the hard copy process is executed (step S711). The file of the floppy disk 104 stores information on a plurality of pages, and the above processing is executed in page units. When hard copy of all pages is completed (step S71
If YES in step 2), the next input is awaited. In the floppy disk analysis unit 12, page numbers are sequentially added at the same time as the page format.

When the user instructs a hard copy from the image reading unit 3, the image reading unit 3 is activated (step S713). Here, the image reading unit 3 reads the image data of the document set on the document table, and when the document is a book including a code transmitter, reads the code information. Next, the image discrimination / restoration unit 13 is activated (step S714). The image discrimination / restoration unit 13 detects each block data of the additional information embedded in the image data read by the image reading unit 3, as described above,
After being restored to continuous data, it is output to the additional information management unit 18, and the image data before the additional information is added is restored and stored in the image memory 16.

When the processing in the image discrimination / restoration section 13 is completed, the main control section 7 executes the confidentiality management processing described later (steps S715 and S706). If the manuscript is not a confidential document, or if the manuscript is a confidential document and a predetermined number such as a personal identification number is input from the operation unit 4 (YES in step S716), it is output to the additional information management unit 18. Book code information and image discrimination and restoration unit 13
The additional information restored in step S1 is transmitted to the management device 200 via the communication management unit 5 (step S717), and the image data stored in the image memory 16 is output to the output unit 6 to execute the hard copy process. (Step S71
8). If a plurality of originals are set in the automatic original changing device 307 shown in FIG. 14, the processing is executed for all the set originals (step S719).

When each main operation mode is set from the operation unit 4 (step S720), when the confidential mode is set (YES in step S721), the mode is changed (step S722). Further, in addition to managing the confidential document at the time of copying, when the recording confirmation process for managing the generation of the hard copy and the total number of copies is instructed (YES in step S723), a password input is requested ( If it is confirmed that the password matches the set password (step S724) (YES in step S725).
S), the recording confirmation process described later is executed (step S726). Further, as other processing, processing for adding an additional function to the hard copy (step S727) is executed.

FIG. 33 shows a flowchart of the hard copy process (steps S706, S711, S718). First, the area of the pattern of the image developed in the image memory 16 is measured. The image is composed of grayscale information of a predetermined resolution, but in this embodiment, for simplification,
The total number of pixels having a predetermined density or higher is treated as the pattern area (step S730). Next, source extraction processing for confidentiality management, which will be described later, is performed (step S73).
1).

In the next step S732, the image memory 1
It is determined whether or not the document developed in No. 6 has been tampered with. Here, the determination as to whether or not the original has been tampered with is made by checking whether or not the difference between the total number of pixels set in the additional information and the total number of pixels of the read original is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. It is executed by That is, when the value of the total number of pixels set in the additional information and the value of the total number of pixels counted in step S730 match or are within a predetermined allowable error range, the document is not falsified and is normal. If the difference between the two values exceeds the allowable error range, it is determined that the original has been tampered with. Further, even when the image discrimination / restoration unit 13 determines that the document is a falsified document in which a plurality of sets of additional information are embedded and is cut and pasted,
The read original is determined to be a falsified original.

In step S732, the image memory 1
When it is determined that the document developed in 6 is a document that has been tampered with, tampering recording processing, which will be described later, is executed (step S733), and the result and additional information included in the document are displayed on the operation unit. 4 is displayed (step S73)
4). At this time, additional information such as a personal identification number is not displayed for confidentiality management.

Next, when the setting is made in advance from the operation section 4, the editing section 17 is requested to edit the original image (step S735). When the original image is changed as a result of the editing process of the original image (step S
(YES in 736), it is determined that a part of the document image has been tampered with, and tampering recording processing is performed (step S737). After the falsification recording process is completed, the image data is temporarily saved in the image memory 16 (step S738).

After the image data is saved in the image memory 16, the hard copy of the number of copies set in advance from the operation unit 4 is performed (steps S739 to S74).
5). The main control unit 7 issues an instruction to the processing device 181 included in the additional information management unit 18, generates new additional information (step S739), and causes the management device 200 to communicate (step S740). After that, the data saved in the image memory 16 is read again (step S741), and the embedding process of the additional information is executed (step S742, see FIGS. 29 and 30). Next, the output unit 6 is activated (step S743), the image data is read from the image memory while being synchronized with the output destination device, and this is printed out.
After the completion of the process (step S744), the above process is repeated for the set number of copies, and then the process returns. The generation number and copy number of the additional information added to the hard copy are changed for each hard copy. Also,
As the total number of pixels, the number counted for the image after the editing process (step S735) is added.

FIG. 34 shows a sampling process (step S73).
11 is a processing flowchart of 11). The sampling process is a process for monitoring what kind of document is being copied for each user.

The additional information management unit 18 confirms the user name with the IC card set (step S77).
0), comparing additional information (stored in the additional information management unit 18) about the source currently in hard copy with the hard copy information previously copied by the user stored in the filing device 8. Yes (step S77
1). If the source currently in hard copy is a new source (YES in step S772), the additional information and image data added to the source are stored in the filing device 8 (step S773 and S774) Return.

FIG. 35 is a processing flowchart of the recording processing (steps S733, S737, S757) of a falsified document. When it is determined that the document read by the image reading unit 3 has been tampered with, the additional information regarding the source of the image and the image data are stored in the filing device 8 (steps S781 and S782) and the process returns.

FIG. 36 is a security management process (step S71).
The flowchart of the process of 5) is shown. When the security management process is executed, the main control unit 7 activates the security management unit 20,
The value of the confidential rank included in the additional information of the source read by the additional information management unit 18 is checked. When it is confirmed that the value of the confidential rank is set to 1 or more (YES in step S750), the operation unit 4 is requested to output confirmation information such as a personal identification number (steps S751 to S75).
5). Here, when the book code is set in the additional information in advance as the confirmation information (step S751),
Input the code number from the operation unit 4 (step S75
2). Further, when the personal identification number is set in the additional information (step S753), the personal identification number is input from the operation unit 4 (step S754). In step S755, the input code number or personal identification number is compared with each number set in the additional information. If the input number does not match the number set in the additional information, a warning message is displayed on the operation unit 4 (step S7).
56), tampering recording processing is executed (step S757),
After the image data and the additional information of the document which is about to be illegally copied are filed in the filing device 8, the process returns.

By the confidentiality management process (step S715), it is possible to effectively prevent the confidential document from being illegally leaked. Further, for a manuscript whose confidentiality rank value is set to 0, it is not required to input a personal identification number and the like, so that there is an advantage that it does not hinder the copying of a normal manuscript.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart of the recording confirmation processing (step S726) for confirming the recording information. In this process, the hard copy history is confirmed from the additional information such as the generation number and the copy number stored in the filing device 8. As the confirmation method, a method of searching for additional information of a predetermined item designated by the user via the operation unit 4 and displaying the searched additional information on the operation unit 4 for confirmation (step S763), There is a method (steps S764 to S767) in which the additional information and the document image corresponding to the additional information are printed out by the output unit 6 and are confirmed.

When the user sets an item of additional information to be retrieved from the operation unit 4 (step S760), the filing device 8 retrieves the additional information of the corresponding item and the document data corresponding to this additional information. (Step S7
61). Here, the items to be set include the user and the image corresponding to the user stored in the filing device 8 by the extraction processing (step S731, refer to FIG. 34) described above.

When the additional information of the set item is stored in the file (step S762), this is displayed on the display unit 4.
Is displayed on the screen (step S763), and if there is a print output request, the additional information and the image data corresponding to the additional information are read out to the image memory 16 (step S763).
765), the output unit 6 is activated (step S766), and this is printed out (step S767). The above processing (steps S761 to S767) is performed by the filing device 8
After all the image data having the additional information stored in the file are repeated and the search for the additional information of the set items is completed (step S768),
To return.

By the processing of the recording confirmation processing (step S726), it is possible to easily analyze the outflow source or the like for the original image to which the predetermined additional information is added. Also,
Since it is possible to check a falsified and edited document, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to identify the presence or absence of falsification or editing from the document image itself as in the conventional case.

FIG. 38 shows the additional information adding process (step S
It is a figure which shows the processing flowchart of (727). Operation part 4
When additional information is input from (step S790),
If this is the personal identification number (step S791) and it is a new setting (YES in step S792), the personal identification number is set in the additional information and stored in the additional information management device 18. If the input additional information has a confidential rank (step S794) and is a new setting (YES in step S795), the confidential information is set in the additional information, and the additional information management unit 18
Remembered in. If the additional information input from the operation unit 4 is not any of the above information, other processing is performed (step S797).

(4) Detailed Description of Management Device 200 <4-1> Functional Block Structure of Management Device 200 FIG. 39 is a diagram showing the functional block structure of the management device 200. The management device 200 receives a terminal 201 for inputting and displaying to operate the device, a printer 202 for printing a processing result, and additional information sent from each processing device via a line 105. A communication management unit 203, a processing device 204 that controls the entire management device 200, and a storage device 205 that stores all received additional information.
Composed of and.

<4-2> Format of the storage device 205 The additional information received by the communication management unit 203 is the processing device 2
04 to the storage device 205. Normally, the management device 200 includes a plurality of processing devices (100, 101, etc.).
Are connected. As the additional information received by the communication management unit 203, information regarding all hard copies processed by each processing device is sent.

The additional information stored in the storage device 205 is
It is stored and managed systematically as shown in FIG. The additional information is first classified for each device, and the information of each device is stored as one record for each source of one page. Each record stores the additional information embedded in the read source and the additional information embedded in the generated hard copy.

Here, the additional information embedded in the source includes the book code and the book code, as already described in "Table 1."
It is composed of a book name, a page number, a copy number, a user ID number, a date and time of use, a personal identification number, a total number of pixels, a number of generation numbers, and a generation number. The additional information embedded in the generated hard copy includes the copy number, the user ID number, the date and time of use, the total number of pixels, the number of generation numbers,
It is composed of the generation number.

<4-3> Functions of the management device 200 In the management device 200, the processing from the terminal 201 to the processing device 2 is performed.
By giving an instruction to 04, using the additional information stored in the storage device 205, the total copy number totaling process of a specific original document, the process of confirming the outflow route of the specific original document, and the confidential information, as will be described later. Processing such as retrieval of a document whose rank value is set to 1 or more is executed.

FIG. 41 is a processing flowchart executed by the management apparatus 200. When the additional information is transmitted to the management device 200 from the additional information management unit 18 or the confidentiality management unit 20 (YES in step S5001), the additional information is stored in the storage device 205 (step S5002). When the terminal 201 instructs the processing device 204 to totalize the total number of copies including generational copies (step S5003).
YES), and the total copy number totaling process described later (see FIG. 42).
Refer to) is executed (step S5004). When the terminal 201 instructs the processing device 204 to confirm the distribution route (YES in step S505), a distribution route confirmation process (see FIG. 44) described later is executed (step S5006).

When a confidential document copy detection process is instructed from the terminal 201 as another process (step S5007), a record having a confidential rank value of 1 or more in the additional information is searched for, and this is searched by the operation unit 4 Or output to a printer. As a result, it is possible to grasp the copy status of the confidential document. If necessary,
Name of each source, user name (or user ID number)
You can know.

FIG. 42 is a processing flowchart of the total copy number totaling processing (step S5004 in FIG. 41). The management device 200 can use a plurality of records to find out how many hard copies have been taken from a given source. This makes it possible to check the outflow amount of the hard copy and, for example, by comparing it with the separately recorded outflow amount, it is possible to judge whether or not the hard copy from the source is illegally outflowed. it can.

First, the source to be totaled is the terminal 201.
Is input to specify a document (step S5010).
Normally, the manuscript name, book code, page number, etc. are used. All records related to the specified source are read from the storage device 205 (step S5011). Next, the generational relation of each record is analyzed, and a systematic diagram showing the number of copies in each generation of the corresponding record is created (step S5012). Normally, the system diagram matches the generation number, but does not match when there are multiple sources with the same document name. In such a case, the copy number is used. Next, the number of copies is totaled (step S5013). Here, when there are a plurality of system diagrams, they are totaled for each system diagram. While displaying this result on the terminal 201,
If necessary, print output is performed (step S5014).
By executing the total copy number totaling process, the display and printout of the total copy amount as shown in FIG. 43 can be obtained.

FIG. 44 is a processing flowchart of the distribution route confirmation processing (step S5006 in FIG. 41). The management device 200 can trace the outflow route of the copy by using the plurality of records. By using this, it is possible to check what number of generations of which hard copy that has leaked from a predetermined source was copied by whom and in what device. Therefore, it is possible to trace the source of leakage when a confidential document is illegally leaked.

Similar to the total copy number totaling process, first, a source for confirming distribution is input from the terminal 201 (step S5020). Usually, the manuscript name, book code,
Specify the source using the page number. Next, all records related to the designated source are read from the storage device 205 (step S5021). The generation relation of the read record is analyzed and a systematic diagram of the record is created (step S5022). Normally, the systematic diagram matches the generation number, but it does not match when there are multiple sources with the same document name. In such cases, the copy number is used. Next, according to the system diagram, the user name or user ID number,
Alternatively, the terminal number, such as the device number used for copying, can be obtained.
Is displayed on the screen, and is printed if necessary (step S5023). By executing the distribution route confirmation processing, an example of the display or printout of the distribution route of the copy as shown in FIG. 45 can be obtained.

[0152]

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the additional information for identifying the original, such as the additional information such as the book name and the page number, is transmitted from the code transmitter incorporated in the original via radio waves. Since the two-reading means reads the additional information, the additional information can be read without being affected by the stain on the document surface or the stain on the document glass. Further, since the additional information relating to the identification of the original read by the second reading unit is managed in association with the corresponding image of the original, the outflow source of the original can be easily analyzed.

In the image processing apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, the additional information for identifying the original is read by the second reading means from the code transmitter incorporated in the original via the radio wave. Alternatively, the additional information can be read without being affected by the stain on the original glass. Further, the additional information relating to the identification of the original read by the second reading means can be embedded in the image of the original by the embedding means, and this can be printed out by the output means.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a hard copy management system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hard copy of each generation and a part of additional information embedded in the hard copy.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of copy numbers.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing binarized data of additional information added to a hard copy.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing each piece of divided data when the binary data of additional information is divided into data of variable length.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state of block data of block numbers 1 and 65 when binarized data of certain additional information is divided into 8-bit units.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a case where the block data of block number 1 is converted into density blocks to be actually embedded in an image.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which block data is embedded in a figure such as a character.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a method for embedding each block data of density-blocked additional information in a hard copy.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an embedding example in the case of embedding additional information in a document having a complicated density change.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a change of the density value of the original image when the density value of the original image continuously changes.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an embedding method in a case where an image of a document is a knitting pattern or the like and long data cannot be embedded continuously.

13 is a diagram showing a configuration of each functional block of the processing device 100 shown in FIG. 1 and a flow of main data.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image reading unit 3.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration of a device that functions as an image reading unit 302 and a code information reading unit 303.

16 is a diagram showing a processing flowchart of the image reading unit 3. FIG.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a configuration of an operation unit 4 shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a configuration of a packet analysis unit 11.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a format of image data input from the computer 102.

20 is a diagram showing a processing flowchart of the packet analysis unit 11. FIG.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a configuration of a floppy disk analysis unit 12.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a format of image data input from the floppy disk 104.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a processing flowchart of the floppy disk analysis unit 12.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image discrimination restoration unit 13.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a flowchart of processing executed by the image discrimination and restoration unit 13.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the digitizing process of the characteristic points shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a process of restoring additional information.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a configuration of an additional information management unit 18.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a process of embedding new additional information in the additional information management unit 18.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a process of generating embedded data.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main control unit 7.

FIG. 32 is a processor 701 provided in the main controller 7.
It is a figure which shows the processing flowchart of.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a flowchart of hard copy processing.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a processing flowchart of a sampling process.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a processing flowchart of falsified document recording processing.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a processing flowchart of security management processing.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a processing flowchart of recording management processing.

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing a processing flow chart of additional information addition processing.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing the configuration of the management device 200.

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing a state of additional information stored in the storage device 205.

41 is a diagram showing a processing flowchart of the management apparatus 200. FIG.

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing a processing flowchart of total copy number totaling processing.

43 is a diagram showing the total copy number totalization processing result displayed on the operation unit 4 or printed out by the output unit 6. FIG.

FIG. 44 is a diagram showing a processing flow chart of distribution channel confirmation processing.

FIG. 45 is a diagram showing a distribution route confirmation processing result displayed on the operation unit 4 or output by the output unit 6.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 ... Image reading unit 4 ... Operation unit 5 ... Communication management unit 6 ... Output unit 7 ... Main control unit 13 ... Image discrimination restoration unit 18 ... Additional information management unit 20 ... Confidentiality management unit 100 ... Processing device 102 ... Computer 103 ... Original document 104 ... Floppy disk (FD) 105 ... Line 200 ... Management device 3030 ... Code transmitter 3031 ... Antenna

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A first reading unit for reading an image of a document, and a second reading unit for reading digital additional information for identifying the document via a radio wave from a code transmitter incorporated in the document. An image processing apparatus comprising: a management unit that manages the additional information read by the second reading unit and the corresponding image of the document read by the first reading unit in association with each other. 2. A first reading unit for reading an image of a document, and a second reading unit for reading digital additional information for identifying the document via a radio wave from a code transmitter incorporated in the document. The embedding unit that embeds the additional information read by the second reading unit in the image of the document read by the first reading unit, and the image of the document in which the additional information is embedded by the embedding unit is printed out when copying is executed. And an output unit for performing the image processing.