JPH10150542A - Image-processing method and image-processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow the image-processing system to accurately discriminate whether or not image data are output inhibited data in the image-processing system, where image data are transferred among independent devices such as an image input device, a computer and an image forming device. SOLUTION: Image data are stored in a storage device of a computer, while a parameter relating to an image size of an original is added to the image data. When the image data from an image-forming device is output, the image data given to an image side restoration section 22d is normalized by 100%, based on a parameter acquired by a parameter extract section 22c and a specific image-discriminating section 22e takes matching discrimination with reference data (data with respect to 100% sized image) stored in a dictionary 22f, so as to discriminate whether or not the image data are output inhibited data and gives a stop signal to an image-forming section 22b, when the image data are output inhibited data to inhibit the output of the data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing method and an image processing system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the development of an image forming apparatus such as a full-color copying machine in recent years, the quality of a copied image has reached a level indistinguishable from the original image and the naked eye, and such faithful copying can be easily obtained. Was. Along with this, although copying of paper money and securities is originally prohibited in society, it is necessary to consider that the risk of being misused for counterfeiting will increase. (For example, an image processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-210481).

[0003] These various devices register an image relating to a copy-prohibited material such as a banknote in advance, and determine whether or not the input image includes the image (a specific recognition method is as follows). Variously developed). When such an image is recognized, various copy prohibition means are employed, such as printing out the entire surface of the copy paper in black, or stopping the copy processing itself.

[0004] By the way, a copying machine is basically to faithfully copy and output an object (original) placed on an original platen at its original size or at a predetermined magnification except for a copy prohibited material such as a bill. When an image similar to (i.e., an image that can be legally copied instead of a bill) is input, it is necessary to recognize that the image is not a bill and perform the normal copying process as it is. Therefore, the degree of coincidence (threshold of the determination criterion) when performing the recognition determination is inevitably increased.

[0005] When the copying process is performed by reducing or enlarging the image by the scaling function of the copying machine, the size (shape) of the image data given to the image processing apparatus from the copying machine main body side becomes the reference data registered in advance. (1: 1 magnification: 100%), the degree of coincidence is reduced, and it may be recognized as not a bill.

[0006] When the deviation of the scaling ratio is about several percent to several tens percent, the size is different if compared directly with a genuine banknote, so that the size is different. It is difficult to understand when looking at only (differential) things alone, and even more so for foreign banknotes, which are not usually used.

Therefore, as an apparatus for coping with the conventional magnification, for example, a plurality of types of reference patterns corresponding to each magnification are prepared, and magnification information is acquired from the copier main body during actual copying processing. In some cases, matching processing is performed based on a reference pattern corresponding to the obtained magnification.

Further, as shown in JP-A-6-237379, a thinning process is performed on image data based on scaling information (the thinning number increases as the enlargement ratio increases).
In some cases, the image after the thinning is made to have a fixed size, and the image after the thinning and the reference pattern are matched. As a result, the size of the image to be compared (after thinning) becomes constant irrespective of the scaling factor, so that only one type of reference pattern needs to be prepared. Then, a thinning pattern at the time of thinning processing is generated using a cyclic shift register.

On the other hand, recently, as the resolution of a printer has been improved, and the resolution of a computer such as a personal computer and a scanner connected to the printer have been improved, for example, a banknote or the like is read by a scanner and is stored in a memory in the personal computer. And then outputting the image data stored in the memory to a printer, there is a possibility that banknotes, securities, etc. may be forged.
Therefore, it has become necessary to take countermeasures against counterfeiting and the like in a printer which finally forms an image and outputs a counterfeit product.

[0010]

However, in the case of the above-mentioned printer, the image processing apparatus for preventing forgery in a copying machine in which various countermeasures have been conventionally taken is directly applied for the following various reasons. I can't.

That is, in the case of a copying machine, as shown in FIG. 1, a reading section 1 for reading a document and an image forming section 2 for forming and outputting a read image are incorporated in the same apparatus. When performing the copying process, first, the reading unit 1 reads a document placed on a document table, sends the read image data to the recognition unit 3 together with the image forming unit 2, and performs a predetermined recognition process in real time. Is recognized as a specific document such as a copy-prohibited material, the above-described predetermined copy prohibition process is performed. The operation of each unit is controlled by the control unit 4.

When a forgery is performed using such a copying machine, the "genuine article" for the forgery object is often placed on the platen. Then, as described above, since the image is read and the image is formed and output, the copying machine also provides information as to whether the original was copied at the same magnification or the magnification processing was performed and, in the case of the magnification, what percentage was enlarged / reduced. Since the control unit 4 of the main body is known, the recognizing unit 3 can perform the recognition process according to the magnification by acquiring the information from the control unit 4, and the recognition can be performed easily and with high accuracy. It becomes possible.

However, in the case of a printer, although the image data to be output is already stored in a memory of a computer or the like, it is not known what percentage of the original document is relative to the original document. However, as described above, it is not possible to recognize that the predetermined image is being output by the recognizing process corresponding to the scaling.

On the other hand, since the printer is a final output device in a counterfeiting operation, there is no actual harm even if output is not prohibited unless the object (image to be output) is difficult to distinguish from the real one. Therefore, at first glance it is difficult to identify, for example, 90%
Recognizing that it is output with a delicate magnification of about 110%,
It suffices if output can be prohibited.

Therefore, in addition to the recognition processing unit corresponding to 100%, a plurality of recognition processing units corresponding to N% (N is an arbitrary numerical value in the range of 90 to 110) are provided, and the plurality of recognition processing units are used. By performing recognition processing on the image data to be output respectively and determining the recognition processing result in an integrated manner, it is determined whether or not the image should be output-prohibited. Similarly, it is conceivable to perform a predetermined output prohibition process.

However, it takes too much time to perform recognition processing a plurality of times while switching the recognition algorithm by using one recognition processing unit, so that real-time processing becomes impossible. On the other hand, it is also conceivable to prepare as many recognition processing units as the number of scaling factors (N%) to perform recognition processing, and to configure a circuit so that each of the recognition processing units performs parallel processing on image data to be output. Can be With such a configuration, the time required for the recognition process can be the same as that of a single device. However, if the recognizing unit 3 corresponding to one type of scaling factor (actual magnification) has a configuration as shown in FIG. 2, the recognizing unit 3 'corresponding to the scaling factor.
As shown in FIG. 3, the circuit configuration becomes large and the cost is increased.

That is, when only the same magnification is considered, as shown in FIG. 2, the recognizing unit 3 includes the resolution converting unit 5 on the input side, and reduces the resolution of the input image data to a predetermined low resolution and blurs. An image is formed. And
By performing recognition processing based on such blurred image data, it is resistant to print misalignment and noise,
High-speed recognition processing is performed with a small circuit scale. The blurred image data is temporarily stored in the memory 6, and the image data of the predetermined area stored in the memory 6 is subjected to pattern matching by the candidate pattern extracting unit 7, and the candidate pattern which is considered to be a specific pattern is obtained. Is extracted, and when a candidate pattern is detected, necessary information (detection signal and position information, etc.) is sent to the data extraction control unit 8, and the data extraction unit 9 outputs the extracted signal from the data extraction control unit 8. The image data of a predetermined area stored in the memory 6 is extracted based on the extracted data, and the extracted (cut out) image data is provided to the determination unit 10 at the next stage. In the determination unit 10, the dictionary 1
The reference pattern stored in No. 1 is matched, and it is determined whether or not the reference pattern is a specific pattern. If the specific pattern is determined, a detection signal is output.

On the other hand, the size of the specific pattern to be recognized is different in order to cope with the magnification change. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the candidate pattern extraction units 7a to 7e are The data candidate extraction control units 8a to 8e, the data extraction units 9a to 9e, the determination units 10a to 10e, and the dictionaries 11a to 11e are required. An integrating unit 12 for making a determination is also required. Thus, the circuit scale increases.

Further, in each case, since the magnification of the output image with respect to the real document is unknown, each magnification (N%)
Needs to be given to the integration unit 12 to perform a comprehensive judgment process. Since it is determined whether or not one of the given recognition results matches the scaling factor, many recognition results differ from the actual scaling factor of the image data. Since the (recognition result) is also used as the determination material, the recognition range is widened, and even an image forming action that is not forgery may be recognized as a specific document (false recognition: too much) and output prohibition processing may be performed. .

Further, when the image reading unit and the forming (output) unit are integrated as one device as in a copier, the resolution is fixed, so that only the magnification should be considered. In an image processing system that transfers image data read by an image input device targeted by the present invention to a computer and outputs image data stored in the computer to an image forming device, an image input device connected to the computer The image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus are independent of each other, and the types of connectable apparatuses are various. Therefore, the resolution of the image input apparatus and the resolution of the image forming apparatus may be different. Then, when the resolution is different even if the magnification does not change, if the image is formed without taking care of the difference in the resolution, there is a problem that the size is enlarged / reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and has as its object to solve the above-described problems and to provide an image input / output device such as an image input device / computer / image forming device. Even if the data is transferred, the image data can be handled correctly (image processing) by each device, and the structure is simple, and even if the image size such as the magnification or the resolution is changed, it can cope with the change and the error is generated. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing method and an image processing system capable of suppressing the possibility of recognition as much as possible, prohibiting output of an image to be prohibited, and permitting output of a normal image.

[0022]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the image processing method of the present invention, when storing image data in a storage unit attached to a computer, information (for image size) of the image data is stored. In the embodiment, a magnification and a resolution correspond to “parameters”, and when the image data is transferred to another device, the information is output as a pair (claim). Item 1).

When the computer corrects the image data, if the correction is related to a change in the image size, the computer stores the information stored in the storage unit in accordance with the change. The content may be changed (claim 2).

As an image processing system suitable for carrying out the above-described method, given image data is stored in a storage unit (corresponding to "storage device 21a" in the embodiment) attached to a computer. In the image processing system for outputting image data in the storage unit, a part (corresponding to a “header part” in the embodiment) for storing information on an image size of the image data is provided in the storage unit, and the image data is stored in the storage unit. When the image size changes due to modification, the information is also changed by a change unit (in the embodiment,
(Corresponding to a "header correction unit"), and when outputting the image data stored in the storage unit, the information is also output in pairs (claim 7). Further, in addition to the function of reading an original, the image input device connected to the computer transfers the read image data to the computer together with information on the image size at the time of reading (in the embodiment, “ Parameter setting section 20b, parameter registration circuit 20
e "etc.) (claim 8).

Here, the term "attached to the computer" includes a unit integrated inside the computer, such as a memory and a hard disk in the computer, and an external independent storage device. The “image size” in the present invention refers to the image size of an image registered in a storage unit for a real (original).

With this configuration, the image data has information because the image size of the image data is added to the image data. Therefore, for example, when the image data is output to a device having a different resolution from the input device, the resolution is reduced. Since an image can be formed in consideration of this, it is possible to output a desired size. Further, even when image data is transferred between different apparatuses, the apparatus that has received the image data can know the image size of the original document based on the image. That is, for example, when image data obtained by reading a document, which is an image input device, is provided to the image forming device via a computer, and is printed out there, when the image input device is separated from a computer or an image forming device, The image size of the image data to be processed is known.

In particular, when the image data is modified in the computer, and the modification changes the image size such as enlargement / reduction, it is possible to follow the modification. Then, the information is changed, so that the information in the storage unit is always suitable for the related image data.

When the image data stored in the storage unit is output by the image forming apparatus, a specific pattern is included in the image data based on information about the image data to be output stored in the storage unit. Recognition processing may be performed to determine whether or not there is (claim 3). As an image processing system suitable for carrying out this method, for example, the computer or an image forming apparatus connected to the computer is provided with an image size of image data to be output stored in the storage unit. Image recognition means for recognizing whether or not there is a specific pattern in the image data based on the above information (claim 9). The recognition process is performed as follows.
The image forming apparatus or the computer may be used. And
Specific examples of the processing based on the information include, for example, those described in claims 4 and 5, and of course, other processing may be used.

In the recognition processing performed based on the information, the image data is normalized based on the image size of the image data to a reference image size constituting reference data, and the normalized image data is matched with the reference data. (Claim 4). The image processing system suitable for carrying out the method further includes, for example, a dictionary storing reference data corresponding to a reference image size, wherein the image recognition means includes information about image data to be output. (In the embodiment, the image data is normalized to the reference image size based on “acquired by the“ parameter extracting unit 22c ”.)
"Realized by the" image size restoration unit 22d ")
It is configured to match the normalized data with reference data stored in the dictionary (claim 10). An example of this specific configuration is described in detail in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, and in this embodiment, the reference image size is 100%, but is not limited to this value.

Further, a plurality of types of reference data corresponding to different image sizes are prepared, reference data to be used is selected from the plurality of types based on the information, and the selected reference data and the image data are compared. Matching may be performed (claim 5). As an image processing system suitable for carrying out this method, for example, further comprising a dictionary storing reference data corresponding to different image sizes, wherein the image recognizing means adjusts the image size of the image data to be output. The reference data to be used is selected from the plurality of types on the basis of the plurality of types, and the selected reference data is matched with the image data. An example of this specific configuration is described in the embodiment shown in FIG.

In the present invention, since the image size is added to the image data as defined in claims 1, 2, 7, and 8, the size of a specific pattern in the image data can be known. (Size) can be set with almost no excess or deficiency. Also, since the image size is known for comparison, recognition, and judgment processing with reference data, only one recognition algorithm needs to be used, and unnecessary information may enter. Can be suppressed as much as possible, the specific pattern can be reliably detected, and no erroneous detection or oversight occurs.

Further, when the image size is known, the type of the reference data can be reduced and the memory capacity can be reduced by normalizing to a predetermined image size, for example, as defined in claims 4 and 10. When a plurality of types of reference data are provided as in claims 5 and 11, the amount of memory used increases accordingly, but only one reference data is actually used because the image size is known. As shown in FIG. 3, the integration processing becomes unnecessary, and the recognition accuracy increases.

Further, an output image size of an image formed by the image forming apparatus may be obtained, and the recognition processing may be performed only when the output image size is within a predetermined range. . As an image processing system suitable for carrying out this method, for example, a means for determining an output image size of an image formed and printed out by the image forming apparatus (in the embodiment, the “image size restoration unit 22d, corresponding to the image size calculation unit 22g), and the recognition processing is performed only when the output image size obtained by the means is within a predetermined range. Here, the output image size refers to the size (image size) of the image finally printed on paper or the like and printed out with respect to the original document. Therefore, when the image data stored in the storage unit is output as it is, the image data becomes equivalent to the information stored in the storage unit. Is subjected to predetermined arithmetic processing, such as multiplying the information stored in the image data by information on image size change performed in the output processing.

In other words, the purpose of detecting image data containing a specific pattern is to prevent forgery, etc., and when it is extremely different from the real size, it is not necessary to detect the image data. In addition, there is a demand that it is not necessary to detect an extremely reduced image that cannot be restored to the original image data even if it is enlarged later. Therefore,
According to the sixth and twelfth aspects, as a result of obtaining the output image size, recognition processing is performed only on an image that is within a certain range. Can be omitted or simplified.

The matching processing in the recognition processing means can perform various kinds of processing in addition to pattern matching / template matching, extracting and comparing feature amounts, and includes what is generally called recognition processing.

[0036]

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of an image processing system according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the present system reads a document (original image) placed on a platen with an image input device 20 such as an image scanner, and the like.
The image data is transferred to the computer 21 connected thereto as image data and stored in a storage device in the computer 21. Then, the image data stored in the storage device is output to an image forming apparatus (printer) 22 connected to the computer 21, where an image is formed on a predetermined sheet and printed out.

The output image is output from the image input device 2.
The image read at 0 (the image stored in the storage device) may be output as it is, or may be processed by performing various image processing by the computer 21. Further, each device may be connected via various communication lines as well as directly connected by a cable. The transfer of image data may be performed via various storage media other than the above. Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the simplest configuration is shown, but a plurality of computers may intervene until the image is finally output to the image forming apparatus. In addition, three devices 11, 12,
13 need not be connected at the same time. For example, when the image data stored in the computer 12 is supplied using a storage medium such as an FD or a CD-ROM, the image input device 20 Not connected to computer 21.

The functions of the basic image data acquisition, transfer, and image forming processing are the same as those of the conventional image processing system, and a detailed description of each unit will be omitted.

Here, in the present invention, the image data to be transferred is sent together with parameters such as the magnification (relative to the original image) and the resolution of the image. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the transfer frame of the image data is sequentially transmitted for each line from the first line. In this example, one transfer frame is added with information on the parameter at the beginning, and the image data + the parameter Is to be transferred.

In order to perform such processing, the image input device 20 is configured as shown in FIG. That is, the computer 21 transmits and receives data via the host I / F 20a. When reading a document, first, parameters necessary for reading, such as magnification and resolution, are given from the computer 21 side, and the parameters are registered in the parameter setting unit 20b via the host I / F 20a. . Then, the original image placed on the platen is read using the CCD 20c,
The read data is provided to the image processing unit 20d, where image processing such as black pixel correction and thinning is performed. The image processing in the image processing unit 20d is executed based on the parameters set by the parameter setting unit 20b. And if it is a conventional device, the image processing unit 20
In d, the image data generated by performing the desired processing is directly transferred to the computer 21 via the host I / F 20a. In the present invention, a parameter registration circuit 20e is provided between the two 20a and 20d. The image data generated by the image processing unit 20d is temporarily stored in the parameter registration circuit 20.
e. Then, the parameter registration circuit 20e reads the parameters such as the magnification and the resolution set in the parameter setting section 20b, and combines the read parameters with the image data to form a transfer frame as shown in FIG. Then, the transfer frame is transferred to the computer 21 via the host I / F 20a.

In this example, the parameter setting unit 20b
Are stored in the setting unit 20b. If the image input device 20 has a function of inputting a parameter such as a magnification, the parameters stored in the setting unit 20b may be stored in the setting unit 20b. Of course it is good.

On the other hand, the computer 21 has a data structure in the storage device 21a for storing image data based on the transfer frame sent from the image input device 20, as shown in FIG. That is, in the related art, only the image part storing the image data is used, but a header part is provided at the head of the image part. Then, the parameters in the transfer frame shown in FIG. 5 are stored in the header section, and the subsequent image data is stored in the image section. Note that specific data stored in the header section includes the number of main scanning images (number of pixels), the number of sub-scanning images (number of pixels), magnification, resolution, and the like, as shown in the figure.

Further, a header correction section 21b for correcting data stored in the header section is provided. The header correction unit 21b executes various applications installed in the computer 21 and corrects the data in the header part as needed when the image data stored in the storage device 21a is corrected. The information stored in the header section is adapted to the state (image size) of the image data stored in the image section.

The specific functions are as shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, when the computer 21 reads out the image data stored in the storage device 21a, performs various image processings, and thereafter stores the data in the image portion, whether the image processing is related to the image size. It is determined whether or not it is (ST1). If it is not related to the image size, the process of the header correction unit 21b ends.

On the other hand, in the case of processing relating to the image size, the process proceeds to step 2 where parameters are read from the header portion and predetermined parameter values are changed (ST2, ST2).
3). This change processing is performed, for example, when the current magnification registered in the header portion is 50% and the image data stored in the image processing is reduced to 70%, 0.5 × 0.7 = 0.3
5 is calculated, and 35% of the calculation result is obtained. Then, the parameter value is changed to the value thus obtained, and the changed parameter is written in the header (ST4).

The processing up to this point is the processing of the header correction unit 21b. If the image size is not changed after performing such processing, various types of image processing on the image data stored in the actual image part are performed as they are. Will do. By doing so, the header section always stores information about the image size such as the magnification of the current image data stored in the image section with respect to the original original image.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the internal structure of the image forming apparatus 22. As shown in FIG.
When an image output command is received from the computer 21, parameters (designation of magnification, resolution, and the like) for forming the image are given from the computer 21, and the parameters are stored in the parameter setting unit 22a. The image data to be subjected to image formation is read from the image unit in the storage device and stored in the image forming unit 22b. Then, the image forming unit 22b performs various types of image processing according to the parameters provided from the parameter setting unit 22a, and prints out on paper. Since such a configuration is the same as the conventional one, a detailed description of each part will be omitted.

In the present invention, the parameter extracting unit 2
2c is provided so as to obtain the parameters of the image to be formed (printed) stored in the header section of the storage device 21a. Then, the storage device 21a of the computer 21 acquired by the parameter extracting unit 22c
Parameters such as the magnification of the current image data stored in the storage unit, and parameters stored in the parameter setting unit 22a (parameters for performing image processing on the image data)
Is given to the image size restoring unit 22d.
Further, the image size restoration unit 22d includes a storage device 2
The image data stored in 1a is also given.

The image size restoring unit 22d restores the image data to 100% image size of the original image based on the given predetermined parameters and the image data, and determines the restored image data as a specific image. Part 22
e. In this example, the image data stored in the storage device 21a is directly provided to the image forming apparatus 22, and the image processing for performing a final change in magnification or the like instructed by the computer 21 is performed by the image forming unit 2
2b, the magnification of the image data given to the image size restoring unit 22d is a parameter value stored in a header section in the storage device 21a. Therefore, for example, if the magnification stored in the header part is 125%,
When the given image data is reduced by 80%, the image data is restored to 100% of the original image.

If the resolution is different without changing the magnification or the like, the size of the finally output image will be different if the output processing is performed as it is. That is, resolution 40
The image read at 0 dpi and 100% magnification is used as is 6
If an attempt is made to output the image data at the same magnification to a 00 dpi image forming apparatus, the image data is reduced if the image data of each line is output as it is. Therefore, by performing image processing such that the data is not interpolated and reduced so as to be appropriately interpolated, data of the same magnification can be obtained. At the time of zooming, the same processing is required for interpolation and thinning out. In this example, since information about the resolution of the image data stored in the storage device 21a is also provided as a parameter, the image data can be output at a desired magnification in consideration of the resolution. The processing for this is performed by setting each parameter in the parameter setting unit 22a in consideration of the computer 21 in advance, or by giving the information of the header part of the storage device 21a to the image forming unit 22b and responding there. Can also. Furthermore, when the restoration processing is performed in consideration of the information regarding the resolution, more accurate determination can be performed.

Further, in this example, if the magnification stored in the header portion is 125% and the instruction from the computer is "output the image data stored in the image portion by reducing it by 50%", The image data formed and output by the image forming unit 22b is 62.5% of the original image. Then, for example, in order to prevent false images of banknotes, securities, etc., those that are 62.5% smaller than the real size can be recognized as fake at a glance. Therefore, in such a case, there is a case where the image output does not need to be stopped. In order to respond to such a request, an image size such as a magnification of the actually output image with respect to the original image is obtained based on parameters such as a magnification provided from the parameter setting unit 22a and the parameter extracting unit 22c. A certain range (for example, 9
0 to 110%, 95 to 105%, etc.), whether or not the image size restoring unit 22d performs the restoration process to allow output regardless of whether the original is a prohibited matter such as copying, Even if it is performed, it is not sent to the specific image determination unit 22e. Of course, without providing such a function, image output may always be prohibited in the case of a prohibited object such as copying regardless of the size of the output image.

The specific image determining section 22e determines whether or not a specific image exists in the image data provided from the image size restoring section 22d.
When a specific pattern that matches or is similar to the reference pattern exists in the restored image data, a stop signal is output to the image forming unit 22b. It has become. The image forming unit 22b receives the stop signal.
Performs a predetermined process such as stopping output, filling the whole or a part with black or the like, or combining and outputting predetermined characters / marks ("sample", "copy", etc.) which can be recognized as fake. .

In the present embodiment, the specific image determination section 22e
Is always 100% (1: 1) of the original image, so the dictionary data stored in the specific image dictionary 22f is also independent of the image size to be actually output. Only 100% is required. Further, since the 100% image data is compared with the reference pattern, the memory capacity and the circuit scale are reduced, the determination process can be performed easily and in a short time, and the accuracy is improved.
Note that the reason for normalizing (restoring) to 100% is to reduce the deformation ratio with the actual image data.
It may be 90%, 110%, or the like, or may be normalized to an arbitrary image size outside or within the range.
Then, in that case, the size of the reference pattern stored in the dictionary may be in accordance with the magnification. Note that the determination processing in the specific image determination unit 22e is performed, for example, by referring to FIG.
And various recognition algorithms can be performed.

FIG. 10 shows another configuration of the image forming apparatus. In this example, unlike the embodiment described above,
A plurality of dictionaries 22f 'corresponding to image sizes are prepared. Then, based on the image size such as the magnification of the given image data, a dictionary serving as a comparison reference when the specific image determination unit 22e 'performs the determination processing is selected. Then, the specific image determination unit 22e 'compares the reference data stored in the selected dictionary with the given image data to determine the degree of coincidence.

Also in this example, the image size calculation unit 22g calculates
Based on the parameter information given from the parameter setting unit 22a and the parameter extraction unit 22c, the image size to be actually output is obtained. If the image size is out of the predetermined range, the specific image determination unit 22e 'does not perform the determination processing. I have. That is, from the image size calculation unit 22g, information as to whether or not to perform the determination processing, and if so, information regarding the magnification of the given image data and the like, is given to the specific image determination unit 22e '. At 22e ', a predetermined determination process is performed as necessary based on the information.

In this embodiment, since a dictionary having the same image size as the image data is selected, there is no need to restore and normalize the image data to a predetermined image size as in the above-described embodiment (storage). (The image data in the apparatus is directly supplied to the specific image determination unit), and the number of processing steps is reduced, thereby enabling faster and more accurate processing. However, since a plurality of dictionaries are prepared, a large amount of memory is required. Note that the other configuration and operation and effect are the same as those of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 described above, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the internal structure of the image forming apparatus 22 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, for example, processing units other than the image forming unit 22b are incorporated in a computer, and it is determined whether or not an image is output by the computer. In the case of outputting the image data, the image data stored in the storage device 21a is thinned out and the image data corrected to a desired size is output, and the image forming device 22 prints out based on the image data. Of course it is good.

[0058]

As described above, in the image processing method and the image processing system according to the present invention, data is stored and held and transferred in a state where image size information is added to image data. Images can be correctly handled between different devices. In addition, by performing image processing based on the added image size, real-time recognition processing can be performed with a simple structure, and even if the image size such as magnification or resolution is changed in the middle, erroneous recognition can be performed. The output of a normal image can be permitted, while the output of a normal image can be permitted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a virtual processing device (recognition unit) is mounted on a conventional copying machine.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the recognition unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a conventional problem.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one embodiment of an image processing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transfer frame when transferring image data.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the image input device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a storage device and a header correction unit in the computer.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the use of a header correction unit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 20 image input device 20e parameter registration circuit 21 computer 21a storage device 21b header correction unit 22 image forming device 22c parameter extraction unit 22d image size restoration unit 22e, 22e 'specific image determination unit 22f, 22f' specific image dictionary 20g image size calculation unit

Claims (12)

[Claims] When storing image data in a storage unit attached to a computer, information relating to the image size of the image data is also stored and held. When transferring the image data to another device, the information is stored in the storage unit. An image processing method that outputs a pair. 2. When the computer performs a process of correcting the image data, if the correction process relates to a change in the image size, the computer stores information stored in the storage unit in accordance with the change in a predetermined size. 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the content is changed. 3. When the image data stored in the storage unit is output by an image forming apparatus, the image data is specified in the image data based on the information about the image data to be output stored in the storage unit. 3. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein a recognition process for determining whether or not there is a pattern is performed. 4. A recognition process performed based on the information includes: normalizing to a reference image size constituting reference data based on an image size of the image data; and performing matching between the normalized image data and the reference data. 4. The image processing method according to claim 3, wherein the image processing is performed. 5. A recognition process performed based on the information includes: preparing a plurality of types of reference data corresponding to different image sizes; and selecting reference data to be used from the plurality of types based on the image size of the image data. 4. The image processing method according to claim 3, wherein the selected reference data is matched with the image data. 6. An output image size of an image formed and printed out by the image forming apparatus, and the recognition process is performed only when the output image size is within a predetermined range. The image processing method according to claim 3. 7. An image processing system for storing given image data in a storage unit attached to a computer and outputting image data in the storage unit, wherein the storage unit stores information on the image size of the image data. Providing a portion, when the image data is modified and the image size is changed, a change unit for changing the information is provided, and when outputting the image data stored in the storage unit, the information An image processing system characterized in that the image is output as a pair. 8. An image input device connected to the computer has a function of transferring the read image data to the computer together with information on an image size at the time of reading, in addition to a function of reading a document. The image processing system according to claim 6, wherein: 9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the computer or the image forming apparatus connected to the computer includes a specific pattern in the image data based on the information about the image data to be output stored in the storage unit. The image processing system according to claim 7, further comprising an image recognition unit that performs recognition processing of whether or not the image processing is performed. 10. A dictionary storing reference data corresponding to a reference image size, wherein the image recognition means corrects the image data to the reference image size based on the information on the image data to be output. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the normalized data is matched with reference data stored in the dictionary. 11. A dictionary which stores reference data corresponding to different image sizes, wherein the image recognizing means selects reference data to be used from the plurality of types based on an image size of the output image data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the selected reference data is matched with the image data. 12. An image forming apparatus comprising: means for obtaining an output image size of an image formed and printed out by the image forming apparatus, wherein the recognition processing is performed only when the output image size obtained by the means is within a predetermined range. The image processing system according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein: