JPH11234515A - Image processing method and device, and copying machine, scanner and printer provided with the device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the image processing unit that detect marks with pre scribed color and shape the in an original and extracts a specific pattern consisting of the plural marks. SOLUTION: In the device 10, an image input section 12 gives any of red, green blue RGB color signals to a binary processing section 13. The binary processing section 13 generates a binary image from the given color signal, the binary image is given to a mark position detection section 15 via a 1st storage device 14, where the binary image is made to match with a shape of a mark and the mark position information is extracted. The mark position information is fed to an arrangement matching section 17 via a 2nd storage device 16, where an adaptability value as to whether or not marks are arranged in a prescribed way is obtained and outputted. Binary processing is conducted simply based on a single color and the color is the signal received at first, then the recognition of shape is finished at an early point of time and image forming can be interrupted before the image is finished so that malfunction is suppressed at the stage as early as possible.

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 apparatus suitable for preventing reading, printing, etc. of a document in which copying of banknotes, securities, confidential documents, etc. is prohibited, and mounting the same. To copiers, scanners and printers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the development of a copying 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 a faithful copy can be easily obtained. Was. However, it is necessary to consider that although the copying of banknotes and securities is originally prohibited by society, there is an increased risk of forgery and misuse of confidential documents for removal. Various anti-counterfeiting devices have been developed. As one of them, for example,
2. Description of the Related Art There is an image processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. -210591.

That is, such a processing apparatus is mounted on a full-color digital copying machine which reads an original image placed on an original platen and performs a copying process by scanning the entire surface of an original four times. When a document on a table is placed, the bill is likely to be present based on the watermark B of the bill A to be detected (see FIG. 35) A to be prevented from being forged by the first scan. Detect the correct position.

At the time of the second scan, an accurate position and an angle of the bill (accurate position coordinates of the bill on the platen) are detected based on the position of the watermark B. That is, the length and size of the bill A to be detected
Since the shape is known in advance, the edge (hatched portion) C of the bill A is extracted by binarizing it with a predetermined threshold value, and the coordinates (x1, y
1), (x2, y2) are obtained.

[0005] As a result, the inclination θ is obtained, so that during the third scan, a red stamp that is present in the case of a banknote is obtained from the accurate position (coordinates and angle θ of the vertex D of the document) obtained at the second scan. The position coordinates (x3, y3) of E are calculated, and based on the calculated position coordinates, an image of an area where the red seal is present is extracted, and it is determined whether or not the image is a red seal.

As described above, by performing the scan three times, it is determined whether or not the detection target (a bill in this example) is placed on the platen, and the bill or the like is placed on the platen and copied. If it is detected that the data is about to be copied, a predetermined forgery prevention process such as displaying the entire screen in black or prohibiting copying is performed at the fourth scan.

[0007]

However, the above-mentioned conventional device requires a very large memory capacity corresponding to at least the size of a bill or the like to be detected. This inevitably causes a problem that the types of bills and the like that can be detected are reduced.

Further, three scans are required to determine whether or not the document placed on the document table is a copy-prohibited material such as a bill.
If there is any tampering such as folding, the position of the red seal E cannot be determined, and as a result, the document being processed is
Cannot be detected.

In order to solve such a problem, for example, as shown in FIGS. 36A and 36B, a guide line F composed of a wide solid line or a broken line is printed so as to surround the specific pattern E. It is conceivable to cut out the inside of the area surrounded by the guide line F and determine whether or not there is a predetermined specific pattern. That is, when the guide line F as shown is used, separation from other image information is easy, and the calculation of the inclination and angle and the calculation of the vertex coordinates can be easily performed using the straight line portion. I can do it accurately.

However, with such a configuration, since the guide line F is conspicuous (has a large characteristic), its existence, and furthermore, the existence of the specific pattern E specified by the guide line F can be easily visually recognized. As a result, the falsification of the guide line F or the specific pattern E (addition of an extra line, deletion of a part, etc.) is easily performed, and recognition (cutout) of the specific pattern itself or recognition of the specific pattern is performed by the falsification. May not be determined as a specific pattern.

Then, the location of the bill A and the guide line F
At least two scans are indispensable, such as detecting the position of a specific pattern, extracting the position of the specific pattern, and determining whether the specific pattern exists in the area. It cannot be applied to an apparatus that reads an image by scanning. When a specific pattern is to be extracted immediately, pattern matching with the specific pattern must be performed each time one pixel is read in the raster direction, and the direction of the specific pattern (the angle at which the original image is placed on the platen) ) Is unknown, it is necessary to perform the pattern matching in consideration of the rotation angle, which is practically difficult.

Further, the conventional method and the guide wire F
Is suitable as a feature amount from a symbol present in a document in which copying or the like is prohibited, such as a red seal of a banknote (can be reliably determined, and general copying or the like is not prohibited) (It does not exist in the manuscript) A specific pattern is set as appropriate and pattern matching is performed with it.There are many types of manuscripts where copying etc. is prohibited even in Japan, and all such manuscripts are If such an attempt is made, an enormous amount of memory capacity and processing time are required, and the original functions such as real-time copy processing are impaired. In addition, three scans are required until a copy-prohibited item is finally determined, which is a bottleneck in high-speed processing.

Further, when a copy-prohibited material such as a new pattern appears after a copying machine or the like is manufactured, it cannot be handled or detected, and a new feature amount is determined for detection.
It is necessary to make the copier or the like learn, which is complicated. The problem becomes even more pronounced when including foreign countries.

[0014] The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described various problems. If there is a specific pattern to be configured, it can be detected reliably, and a predetermined process for easily and accurately making a determination (such as actually performing the determination and extracting information necessary for the determination) can be performed. Provided are an image processing method and apparatus which can complete image recognition at a time when shape recognition is fast, can interrupt image formation before an image is completed, and can suppress malfunction as much as possible, and a copying machine, scanner, and printer using the same. It is in.

[0015]

In order to achieve the above object, in an image processing method according to the present invention, an image for detecting a mark having a predetermined color and shape existing in given image data is provided. This processing method is based on the premise that detection of the mark is performed based on one color signal of a plurality of color signals forming a color image (in the embodiment, threshold processing is performed). Then, when the plurality of color signals are sequentially provided in the order of surface for each color, one color signal used for detecting the mark is provided first, and the predetermined processing is performed. 1).

On the other hand, an apparatus suitable for carrying out the above method is an image processing apparatus having a function of detecting a mark to be detected in given image data,
Binarization processing means including at least a shape extraction unit for performing threshold processing using one of a plurality of color signals forming a color image, and a binary image output from the binarization processing means And a mark position detecting means for reading out the binary image stored in the first storing means and performing matching with a mark to be detected, wherein the one color signal is the color image. Are configured to be the first color signals to be applied when a plurality of color signals forming are sequentially applied in the order of surface for each color (claim 2).

[0017] Preferably, the second storage means stores the mark position information detected by the mark position detection means, and a plurality of marks based on the mark position information stored in the second storage means. And a layout matching means for matching with a specific pattern (claim 3).

Further, in the copying machine, the scanner and the printer according to the present invention, any one of the image processing apparatuses described above is mounted, and the image data output from the original reading means of the copying machine is converted into a color signal. Means to input to the image processing device in parallel with the means,
The input / output signals to the control means of the scanner or the printer are configured to be input in parallel to the image processing apparatus.

The mark or the specific pattern is detected based on the image data obtained by the predetermined scan, and it is determined whether or not the mark or the specific pattern exists in the original being copied. When it is determined that the image data exists, a control signal is sent to the processing means to control predetermined processing such as copying, image reading, and output (printout).

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, when a mark having a predetermined color and shape is extracted (shape recognition), threshold processing is performed by focusing on one predetermined color signal. Then, by appropriately setting the predetermined color, the density of the predetermined color signal among a plurality of color signals (RGB, YMC, Yab...) Used for forming a color image increases. For example, if you set it to yellow,
High density of B signal, Y signal and b signal (small numerical value)
Therefore, a large difference appears from the color signals (B signal, Y signal, b signal) of the surrounding background portion. Therefore, by performing threshold processing on such a signal, the background portion and the mark portion can be separated, and the shape can be recognized based on the separation.

If one color signal used for shape recognition is transmitted first when each color signal is transmitted in plane order, the transfer of the other color signals is completed before the image is completed (image completion). A process for determining whether or not a mark exists is performed. Therefore, if there is a mark to be detected, the processing can be stopped there.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the specific pattern to be detected is configured by arranging predetermined marks in accordance with a predetermined rule. Therefore, it is determined by the arrangement matching means whether or not the marks extracted by the above method / method (the positions of which are stored in the second storage means) are arranged in a predetermined positional relationship. Ask for degrees. If the degree of conformity is high, it is determined that there is a specific pattern, and predetermined processing (prohibition processing) for copying, reading, outputting, and the like is performed. The prohibition process includes not only the stop process that does not perform the process but also the case where a predetermined process is performed on the original image, such as printing the entire image black (the same applies hereinafter).

Further, when a banknote or the like is to be copied using a copier equipped with the image processing apparatus of the present invention, or when an original is read or printed using a scanner or a printer (claims 12 to 14). If a specific pattern existing in the document to be processed is detected, a copy stop command or the like is issued, and the same thing as the original image is not copied, read, or printed.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an image processing method and apparatus according to the present invention and a copier, a scanner and a printer equipped with the same will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First,
A preferred embodiment of the image processing method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, in this embodiment, for example, a specific pattern 1 as shown in FIG. 1 is provided at a predetermined position in an original image to be detected such as a copy-prohibited object, and the image data is sent to the image data. The presence or absence of the specific pattern 1 is determined, and if the specific pattern 1 exists, a detection signal is output.

Here, the specific pattern 1 will be described. The specific pattern 1 is constituted by arranging a plurality of marks 2 at appropriate positions. In the present embodiment, each mark 2 is formed into a small triangle, and is formed of a frame with a center removed as described later, and further, is formed of a predetermined color. The arrangement rule of each mark 2 is 2 in this example as shown in FIG.
In the example shown in the figure, one mark 2 is arranged at a predetermined position on a line L1 constituting the inner square side.
Are arranged, and ten marks 2 are arranged at predetermined positions on a line L2 constituting the outer square side.
By arranging the mark 2 on the square (rectangular) side in this way, the specific pattern 1 is printed so that the side is parallel to the vertical and horizontal axes of the original image, thereby matching the scanning direction at the time of image reading. Therefore, the hardware for detection can be reduced (the window can be reduced). Further, when the specific pattern 1 is actually printed, only the mark 2 is arranged as shown in FIG. 1 and there are no lines L1 and L2, so that it is difficult for a third party (general person) to understand the regularity. , Hard to be tampered with.

Further, since each mark 2 only needs to be able to specify the coordinate position where the mark 2 exists, it can be made smaller (compared to a conventional guide line), making it difficult for a third party to understand its existence. But the recognition rate does not decrease. By reducing the size in this manner, the window size for detecting the size can be reduced, the detection circuit for the mark 2 can be configured with a simple and inexpensive circuit, and the processing speed can be increased.

Further, in the present invention, each mark 2 is formed using a predetermined color as described above, and the color is set to be the same or similar for all the marks 2, and color data such as RGB is used. A color in which the density of one color signal of the three signals for expression is high.

In the image processing method of the present embodiment, the specific pattern 1 having the above-described characteristics is used, and the specific pattern 1 relating to a predetermined position of the original image to be detected is first provided. Then, when reading or outputting the original image, the image data is scanned to determine the likeness of the specific pattern 1. If a new bill is issued in order to detect the mark 2 and the specific pattern 1 as described above, the above-mentioned mark or the like may be applied when the image is printed. Can be countered (detected) by this system consisting of

In this embodiment, since the specific pattern 1 is composed of a plurality of marks 2, first, the mark 2 existing in the original image is detected, and its existing position is obtained.
At this time, since the density of the predetermined one color signal of the three color signals of the mark 2 is increased, the image signal of the one color signal is subjected to threshold processing to be binarized. Thus, the mark 2 is extracted, and the shape is recognized.

When extracting a mark, the degree of conformity of the shape is obtained from binary data obtained by only shape extraction based on one color signal.

Next, the position of the extracted mark is obtained, and the likeness of a specific pattern (degree of conformity) is obtained based on whether or not a predetermined positional relationship exists. In particular,
As shown in FIG. 2, since each mark 2 constituting the specific pattern 1 of this embodiment is located on the side of a double square, a double window corresponding to the square is set, and the window is set to, for example, While scanning in the raster direction, it is determined whether or not the mark 2 existing in the window has a predetermined positional relationship.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the dummy marks 3 and 4 are printed at appropriate positions along with the specific pattern 1 to be printed, falsification becomes more difficult. Specifically, in the example of FIG. 3, a dummy mark 3 (marked with an “x” in the figure) 3 having the same shape and the same color as the mark 2 is arranged at a place other than the two square sides described above. doing.
The dummy mark 3 is extracted as a candidate for a mark constituting the specific pattern 1 in the above-described first mark detection process, but the relative positional relationship performed using the double window performed next is used. Since it is excluded by the check, there is no false recognition.

On the other hand, since a third party does not know which mark is the mark 2 constituting the specific pattern 1 to be used for recognition and which mark is the dummy mark 3 (in FIG. 3, the mark “x” is added for convenience). However, the mark 2 is actually formed in the same shape and color as the mark 2 and is not marked with “x”), and it is difficult to falsify the mark 2 only.

On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 4, a dummy mark (shown by hatching) 4 having the same shape as the mark 2 is arranged on the side of the square. And this dummy mark 4
The mark 2 is formed in a different color. Therefore,
The dummy mark 4 is removed when binarized for shape extraction and / or when color is extracted in the mark detection processing at the preceding stage in the image processing method, and the mark is not extracted. Therefore, even if it is located on the side of the square, it is not erroneously recognized.

Also, in this example, since the mark 2 and the dummy mark 4 are different only in color, for a third party,
It is not known which mark is the mark 2 or the dummy mark 4 that constitutes the specific pattern 1 used for recognition, and it is difficult to falsify only the real mark 2.

Although not shown, the same effect can be obtained by arranging a dummy mark having a size different from that of the mark 2 in the shape of a triangle or a different shape around the mark 2. By using in combination, the effect of preventing tampering is further enhanced.

When the mark 2 is formed, the predetermined color used is under the above-mentioned condition (the density of a certain color signal is high).
May be anything as long as it satisfies
Any one of cyan and magenta is preferable because the density of any one of the color signals at the position of the RGB signal becomes high (the numerical value of the signal is small) and the detection accuracy becomes high. Further, when the predetermined color is yellow, RGB, La
Regardless of the signal form of b or YMC, the density of the predetermined color signal (B, Y, b signal) is high, so that the shape can be recognized with certainty. It is more preferable because its existence is hardly known.

Next, an embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention suitable for carrying out the above-described image processing method will be described. First, before describing an embodiment of the present invention, the structure of an image processing apparatus partially shared with the apparatus of the present invention will be described. Such an apparatus is an apparatus for performing the following method.

That is, in order to reliably extract the pixels constituting the mark 2, in addition to the shape recognition based on the one color signal, it is determined whether or not the pixel has a predetermined color density. Do. That is, if one color signal is simply subjected to threshold processing, another color (a color other than the color constituting the mark 2) having a density equal to or higher than the threshold may be extracted as a binary image. is there. Therefore, the pixels having the color are extracted by filtering the acquired image data with respect to the densities of the three color signals and extracting pixels having a constant width of density.

Then, the shape recognition based on one color signal and the color recognition as to whether or not the image is drawn with a specific color are separately performed, and the logical product of them is taken to reliably extract the pixels constituting the mark. I do. It is determined whether or not a mark of a predetermined shape exists in the binary image composed of the pixels thus extracted. This completes the mark detection process.

FIG. 5 shows the overall configuration of the image processing apparatus. In this example, it is assumed that the image processing apparatus is mounted on a full-color copying machine and uses a full-color copying machine to prohibit copying of bills and the like. In this case, there is shown a processing device for detecting this and stopping the copying process. That is, as shown in the figure, image information read by an image sensor of a copying machine is provided to an image input unit (buffer IC) 12 in the image processing apparatus 10.

This image information is sequentially sent in real time by a predetermined area as scanning by an image sensor such as a CCD advances.
Specific data is 8-bit color data for each of the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) components, which are full-color information.

Then, the RGB color signals are supplied to the binarization processing unit 13 via the image input unit 12, where
The image data (binary image) obtained by the binarization processing is stored in the first storage unit 14. The binary image stored in the first storage unit 14 is sent to the mark position detection unit 15, and the mark 2 constituting the specific pattern 1 is extracted from the binary image, and the location of the mark 2 is specified. 16 is stored.
The portion up to the second storage device 16 is a portion for performing the above-described mark extraction processing.

Then, the location data of each mark 2 stored in the second storage device 16 is sent to the location matching unit 17 where the location of each mark is determined in a predetermined location (specific pattern 1) using a predetermined window. (See FIG. 1), the degree of conformity is determined, and the result of determination is sent to the degree-of-fit output unit 18. Then, the adaptability output unit 18 outputs a detection signal to the copying machine main body when the given adaptability is equal to or more than a predetermined value.

Next, the function and configuration of each section will be described. First, the binarization processing unit 13 includes a shape extraction unit 13a, a color extraction unit 13b, and an AND element 13c that calculates a logical product of outputs of the units 13a and 13b. Then, the shape extracting unit 13a supplies one of the high density color signals suitable for extracting the shape from the RGB signals from the image input unit 12 to the highest level.
The remaining color signals or all the color signals are supplied to the color extraction unit 13b. In this example, since the mark 2 formed in yellow is detected, a B signal is supplied to the shape extracting unit 13a.

As shown in FIG. 6, the shape extracting unit 13a
A threshold value process is performed. An 8-bit comparator is used in accordance with the number of bits constituting the color signal. The B signal supplied from the image input unit 12 is input to one input terminal a, and the other input terminal b Enter a fixed threshold in. When a <b, the output becomes “1” (the higher the density, the smaller the numerical value). In the present embodiment, the threshold value is fixed, but a floating binarization circuit that changes the threshold value according to the density of the document may be used. With such a configuration, a more accurate shape can be obtained.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the color extracting section 13b has a certain width (upper limit to upper limit) for each of the RGB signals.
A 4-bit window comparator (b>a> c) which receives RGB signals and compares them with the upper and lower limits by extracting pixels having a density existing within the range of (lower limit).
The output becomes 1 at the time of (1)), and a 3-input AND element that takes the logical product of the outputs of the window comparators. The upper limit value and the lower limit value of each window comparator are values obtained by taking a predetermined margin with respect to the RGB signal representing the color of the mark 2 to be detected. This allows
If there is a pixel having a certain width in each of the RGB signals, the output of the AND element becomes “1” and is extracted as a candidate for a pixel constituting the mark 2.

The reason why a 4-bit window comparator used in the color extracting unit 13b is as follows:
This is because, in general, color unevenness (color difference) is large in a printed matter, so that high-precision color separation is meaningless. On the other hand, since shape recognition must be performed accurately, the shape extraction unit 13a uses an 8-bit comparator as described above. In this way, by separating shape recognition and color extraction,
While extracting a shape with high accuracy, it is possible to accurately specify a color constituting the shape while absorbing an error due to color unevenness.

The color signal (B signal) used for the determination by the shape extraction unit 13a may not be used for the determination by the color extraction unit 13b. That is, two signals of the R signal and the G signal may be respectively input to the 4-bit window comparator, and the outputs of the two window comparators may be supplied to the two-input AND element. Thereby, the circuit configuration can be simplified. That is, when the output of the shape extraction unit becomes “1”, the output of the window comparator that processes the B signal in the color extraction unit 13b often becomes “1” in many cases.
In particular, when the density of a specific signal such as yellow is high, the upper limit value set in the window comparator is the maximum (FF ...)
Alternatively, the lower limit is often the minimum (00...).
Since substantially the same determination processing as that of the comparator shown in (1) is performed, the detection accuracy does not decrease so much even if omitted in such a case.

On the other hand, the above-described binarization processing unit 13
This is a configuration for extracting a mark 2 to be detected that is composed of one color (including a similar color in a range extracted by the color extracting unit 13b). For example, when a plurality of colors are used as the colors that constitute the mark 2 Is to provide an appropriate number of shape extraction units 13a and color extraction units 13b and connect them in parallel to the image input unit 12. And if each color is completely different,
A plurality of binarization processing units 13 are provided, each output is received by an OR element and a logical sum is obtained to generate a final binary image.

For example, if the density of color signals for shape recognition is substantially equal and the density of the remaining color signals is related to some extent so as to be different, the shape extraction unit 13a is used in common and the color extraction is performed. This can be achieved by providing a plurality of extraction units 13b alone, connecting the output of each color extraction unit 13b to an OR element, and connecting the output of the OR element and the output of the shape extraction unit 13a to an AND element. With such a configuration, if the mark 2 to be detected is formed in a plurality of colors and the dummy mark 4 is formed in a different color from the mark 2, it becomes more and more difficult for a third party to recognize the true mark. . On the other hand, in the image processing apparatus, the pixels constituting the original mark 2 can be reliably extracted by appropriately providing the binarization processing section 13 and / or the circuits and elements constituting the same, as described above. The rate does not decrease.

Further, the principle of extraction in the binarization processing unit 13 will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a triangular mark 2 ("a portion surrounded by a double triangle") ) Is printed, if the portion other than the mark 2 is white, the mark 2 portion absorbs the B signal light out of the RGB light and reflects the G and R signals without absorbing it. On the other hand, portions other than the mark 2 reflect all RGB signals. Therefore, the reflectance of the R, G, and B signals for the pixels in the direction indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 7A is B at the portion where the mark 2 exists, as shown in FIG. The amplitude of the B signal is large, and the other color signals maintain high reflectance. Therefore, since this reflectance directly corresponds to the numerical value of each color signal, by setting a predetermined threshold value for the B signal, only the pixels constituting the mark 2 are extracted.

Similarly, when cyan ink is used, R
As shown in FIG. 9, only the R signal greatly changes the reflectance for the pixel to selectively absorb the color G. When the magenta ink is used, the reflectance for the pixel is selectively absorbed because the color G is selectively absorbed. As shown in FIG. 10, only the G signal greatly changes. Therefore, the R signal is input to the shape extraction unit 13a when the image is formed in the cyan color, and the G signal is input to the shape extraction unit 13a when the image is formed in the magenta color. Good.

Further, as shown in FIGS.
When the mark 2 is printed using green and red inks,
To absorb any two light (colors other than the color)
In the case of the blue mark, the amplitudes of the R and G signals are large (see FIG. 1).
1) In the case of a green mark, the amplitudes of the B and R signals are large (FIG. 12), and in the case of a red mark, the amplitudes of the B and G signals are large (FIG. 13). Therefore, for example, when it is desired to detect a blue mark, the shape can be made to emerge by sending either the R signal or the G signal to the shape extracting unit 13a and binarizing it, as is clear from FIG. .

In order to extract the magenta color mark as described above, the G signal may be binarized.
At this time, blue and red marks can be extracted at the same time (see FIGS. 11 and 13). Therefore, when it is desired to extract only the mark of magenta (the red and blue marks are not used, or even if they are used, they are used as dummy marks), one system of the color extracting unit 13b is provided and set in the window comparator. The upper and lower limits are set high for the R and B signals, and low for the G signal. This allows
Since blue and red are not extracted by the color extraction unit 13b,
In the binary image output from the AND element 13c, only the mark composed of magenta is output. On the other hand, when it is desired to extract red and blue marks, the color extraction unit 13b is provided with a plurality of systems according to the number of colors to be extracted, and sets upper and lower limits including the density for extracting each color. be able to.

As described above, from the binarization processing unit 13, the pixel of the desired color constituting the mark 2 to be detected is represented by "1", and the pixels of other colors are represented by "0". A binary image is output and stored in the first storage device 14. In the present embodiment, the first storage device 14 includes a predetermined number of line buffers. That is, since it is only necessary that the mark position detecting unit 15 can detect the mark 2 and extract the position of the mark 2 based on the binary image described above, it is not necessary to store all image data of the document. Line.

FIG. 14 shows an example of the binary image stored in the first storage device 14 (line buffer). Note that one cell in the drawing corresponds to one pixel.
That is, as described above, in this example, the mark 2 is formed of a triangle, and the center is outlined to distinguish it from dirt in the image, so that the pattern shown in FIG. 14 is a minimum triangle. In this embodiment, the size of each mark is made as small as possible to reduce the size of the detection hardware and to make it difficult for a third party to find the mark. The pattern shown in FIG.

The mark position detecting section 15 is provided in the first storage device 1
4 is read out to detect the pattern of the pixels forming the triangle shown in FIG. 14, and in this example, a 5 × 4 pixel window (Q00 to Q
34), and the two of Q02, Q11, Q13, Q20-Q24
When the value data is 1 and the binary data in the other portions becomes 0, the output (HIT) is set to “1”, and the loss location information is stored in the second storage device 16.

As described above, the determination result (with a mark:
1, no mark: 0) is stored in the second storage device 16. In the present embodiment, when storing in the second storage device 16, 5 × 4 pixels shown in FIG. (See FIG. 16). As a result, the data amount is reduced to 1/20, so that the subsequent specific pattern detection (detection of the arrangement relation of the marks) can be easily performed with a small data amount. It is preferable that the size of one new cell at the time of compression be set to a size that can accommodate one mark. When a mark exists so as to extend over a plurality of cells among the new cells divided in this way, mark detection is performed on any one cell (for example, the cell having the largest area). Enter "1".

As shown in FIG. 17, the internal configuration of the mark position detecting section 15 for performing the above-described processing is as follows.
× 4 window portion 15a and its window portion 15a
And a decoding circuit 15b for receiving data (1/0) of each pixel detected by the above and determining whether or not the data is in a predetermined arrangement.

More specifically, the window section 15a
Are the Qijs constituting the window, as shown in FIG.
Is composed of flip-flops, four columns each having five columns connected in series are prepared, and the pixel data (1/0) stored in each line of the line buffer configuring the first storage device 14
Are input to the corresponding flip-flop column in order from the first pixel to the first flip-flop. Each flip-flop is supplied with the clock CLK at the same time, and synchronously transfers data to the next flip-flop.

Thus, every time a clock is input one by one, it becomes the same as scanning one pixel at a time in the main scanning direction. If the last pixel data (1/0) of each line is input, , And the pixel data is input from the beginning shifted one line down. This is equivalent to shifting one pixel in the sub-scanning direction. Accordingly, the output of each flip-flop when five pixels from the top are input is as shown in the figure, and is equivalent to the window shown in FIG. Then, the output MWQij of each flip-flop (i = 0 to 3,
j = 0 to 4) are supplied to the decoding circuit 15b.

As shown in FIG. 19, the decode circuit 15b is composed of a 20-input AND element, and when a mark to be detected is inputted, an input terminal constituting a white pixel is invertedly inputted. . Thereby, the black pixel “1”
Are in a predetermined form, all inputs of the AND elements constituting the decoding circuit become 1, and the output (HIT) of the decoding circuit becomes "1". And any one
Even if the values of the two pixels are different, the input to the AND element includes “0”, and the output (HI
T) becomes 0. The data based on the position of each valid mark 2 is stored in the second storage device 16 based on the output of the decoding circuit 15b, and the data stored in the second storage device 16 when a specific pattern is detected is detected. FIG. 20 shows a diagram of the data. Note that one cell in the figure corresponds to the size of 5 × 4 pixels in the image data obtained by capturing the original image.

As described above, from the mark position detection unit 15, the compressed mark 2 in which the portion where the mark 2 to be detected is present becomes "1" and the pixels of the other colors appear as "0".
The value image is output and stored in the second storage device 16,
In the present embodiment, the second storage device 16 also includes a predetermined number of line buffers. Further, since a specific pattern is detected based on the compressed binary image, it is not necessary to store all image data of the document, and the number of lines is set to several tens of lines required for subsequent processing.

On the other hand, the arrangement matching section 17 for detecting the specific pattern 1 has a configuration as shown in FIG. That is, a window 17a having a predetermined size is provided, and the second storage device 1 is used by using the window 17a.
Scan the mark information (1/0) stored in 6.

In the present example, the mark 2 is arranged on the side of the double square as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as the specific pattern 1 to be detected, so that the second pattern shown in FIG. “1” stored in the storage device 16 may be extracted at the same time, and a margin for one cell is provided further outside the side of the outer square where the mark exists, and 1 as shown in FIG.
A 0x10 window was used. The hatched portions (inner circumference W1 and outer circumference W2) in the figure are areas where data is actually acquired.

As a specific configuration of the window section 17a, as shown in FIG. 23, ten columns of ten stages of serial input / parallel output flip-flops are provided, and the first flip-flop of each column is provided with the second storage device 16 The data is given in order from the head data of the corresponding line buffer. Thus, by the same operation as that of the 5 × 4 window 15a provided in the mark position detection unit 15, the given data is sequentially transferred in synchronization with the clock CLK, and the output of each flip-flop at a certain time is , As shown in FIG.
Functions as 10 windows.

In the output, a cell A corresponding to the inner circumference W1 and the outer circumference W2 shown by hatching in FIG.
WQ33-36,43,46,53,56,62-66
(Above inner circumference W1), AWQ11-18, 21,28,3
1,38,41,48,51,58,61,68,7
The specific pattern 1 is detected using the data of 1, 78, 81 to 88 (the outer circumference W2).

The data (output of the above-mentioned predetermined flip-flop) stored in each cell of the outer periphery W2 is sent to the outer peripheral collation data latch circuit 17b, and the data stored in each cell of the inner periphery W1 (the above-mentioned predetermined data). The output of the flip-flop is sent to the inner circumference collation data latch circuit 17c and latched in accordance with the movement of the window section 17a.

The outer periphery collation data latch circuit 17b is provided in the circuit shown in FIG.
5, and holds the input data when a latch signal is given. And in this example,
Among the outputs of the cells constituting the window shown in FIG. 24, the cells existing in the area of the outer periphery W2 are arranged in order so as to make one round in the clockwise direction, with AWQ15 at the top. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 25, AWQ
15, and AWQ14 is input to the last D latch.

Similarly, inner circumference collation data latch circuit 17c
Is composed of twelve D latches as shown in FIG. 26. Of the outputs of the respective cells constituting the window shown in FIG. The AWQ 34 is input to the last D latch.

Further, the inner circumference collation data latch circuit 17c
Is output from the address decode circuit 1 as shown in FIG.
7d, the 12-bit data latched by the inner periphery collation data latch circuit 17c is used as address data, and the corresponding outer periphery dictionary storage unit 17e is accessed.
One of the outer peripheral dictionary data of 0 degree, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees is output to the comparison circuit 17f.
The comparison circuit 17f is also supplied with 28-bit data latched by the outer periphery collation data latch circuit 17b, where both data are compared bit by bit, and the result of the match / mismatch is sent to the count circuit 17g. It is supposed to be sent.

That is, in general, when copying a certain original, the original is processed in a state where the original is placed parallel to the original platen. Even in such a case, the orientation (orientation) of the original when the original is placed is determined. There is a possibility that at least one of up, down, left and right is inverted. In other words, even if it is a specific pattern,
As shown in FIGS. 27A to 27D, there are four types depending on the orientation of the original. Therefore, assuming that each mark 2 constituting the specific pattern 1 is stored in a predetermined area in the second storage device 16, the type of data latched by the matching latch circuits 17b and 17c via the window 17a is as follows. There are four types as shown in FIG.

In addition, the types are limited as described above, and the relationship between the data latched from the mark existing on the inner circumference W1 at a certain angle and the data latched from the mark existing on the outer circumference W2 is one-to-one. It is in. Moreover,
When the arrangement of the marks is appropriately set, different data is obtained at each angle as shown in FIGS. Therefore, one area (the inner circumference W1 with a small number of data in this embodiment) is 4
It is determined which of the types of data corresponds, and if there is a match, the possibility of the specific pattern is high, and the angle of the specific pattern is known. The reference value (data for a specific pattern) of the data to be obtained can be selected.
Therefore, the reference value is compared with the data actually obtained from the outer circumference W2, and when the degree of coincidence is high, the specific pattern can be recognized. The arrangement matching unit 17 is configured based on such a principle.

Further, in this embodiment, the inner circumference W1 and the outer circumference W
In order to efficiently use the data obtained from the data No. 2, the data from the inner circumference W1 having a small number of data is used as the address as described above, and the predetermined address in the outer circumference dictionary storage unit 17e has the data shown in FIG. The data string described in the section is stored.

Thus, the inner circumference collation data latch circuit 1
The data latched in 7c is used as an address, and if there is a corresponding one of the four types of addresses shown in FIG. 28, the outer peripheral dictionary storage unit (ROM) 1 corresponding to the address
7e is output and compared by the comparison circuit 17f, the mark information existing on the inner circumference W1 is checked by checking whether or not there is a corresponding address. Is determined, and the mark information (collation data) present on the outer circumference W2 is compared with an actually read reference value to arrange the mark 2 constituting the specific pattern 1. Is determined.

The comparison circuit 17f includes a D latch unit D1 for storing the acquired outer periphery collation data and a D latch unit D2 for storing outer periphery dictionary data (reference data) at a predetermined angle given from the outer periphery dictionary storage unit 17e. , Each D latch section D
1, a two-input matching circuit CC for comparing the data stored in D2, and a parallel-input serial-output shift register SR that receives the output of each matching circuit CC and sequentially outputs the same. Each of the sections D1, D2, CC, and SR has 28 stages according to the number of data (28 pieces) constituting the outer circumference W2.

With this configuration, the data transferred from the outer periphery collation data latch circuit 17b and the data (reference data) provided from the outer periphery dictionary storage unit 17e are:
Stored in the corresponding D latch units D1 and D2, respectively.
The signal is input to the corresponding matching circuit CC at a predetermined timing. Therefore, when the reference data and the presence / absence of the actually extracted mark are equal, the output of the matching circuit CC is “1”, and when they are different, the output of the matching circuit CC is “0”. Then, the determination result corresponds to the shift register S
Stored in R. Next, a shift clock is applied to the shift register SR, and the data stored in the shift register SR is sequentially input one bit at a time to the count circuit 17g.

In the counting circuit 17g, the given data counts the number of “1.” That is, if the collation data acquired from the outer circumference W2 all match the reference data stored in the dictionary, the shift register All the 28 bits output from are set to 1, while if all of them do not match, all the output 28 bits are set to 0. Therefore, the larger the count value, the higher the degree of conformity to a specific pattern. In this example, the count value is set as the degree of conformity of the detected pattern to the specific pattern, and the count value is output to the copying machine main body via the degree of conformity output unit 18.

Then, the copying machine determines whether or not the document being processed is a copy-prohibited material based on the acquired conformity. If the document is recognized as a copy-prohibited material, a predetermined copy prohibition process is performed. Conversely, the image processing apparatus determines whether or not the object is a copy-prohibited item (if the degree of conformity is equal to or greater than a certain threshold value, it is determined that the item is a copy-prohibited item and a detection signal is output). You may.

FIG. 30 shows a preferred embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, unlike the above-described apparatus example, the determination processing is performed based on one color signal. That is, the image processing apparatus 10 ″ of the present embodiment is the same as the image processing apparatus 10 shown in the apparatus example of FIG.
Of the binarization processing unit 13 of this embodiment is different in that the color extraction unit 13b and the AND element 13c are removed and only the shape extraction unit 13a is included, and the other configurations are basically the same (the image input unit 12). Differs in that it processes only one signal). Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the units having the same functions, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, assuming that the color of the mark to be detected is yellow, a B signal is input to the image input unit 12 in the case of the RGB image format, and a Y signal is input to the image input unit 12 in the case of the YMC image format. A signal is input, and in the case of the Lab image format, the b signal is input to the image input unit 12.

Then, the image input unit 12 receives the given 1
Are sent to the binarization processing unit 13 ', where B, Y, b
Since the numerical value of the given signal becomes smaller regardless of which signal is used, the reference value to be compared in the shape extraction unit 13a is set to a small predetermined value common to them, so that the binarization processing unit 13 ' Is generated, the corresponding yellow pixel becomes “1”, and a binary image is generated and stored in the first storage device 14. The first storage device 14
The similarity is output by performing the same processing as in the first embodiment based on the binary image data stored in.

With such a configuration, the image processing apparatus 10 ″ can use different image data formats (RGB, YMC, La).
The copying machine driven by b) can be shared, and the shape can be correctly extracted.

Further, only one color signal may be used for the determination, which not only simplifies the circuit configuration but also a copier which scans a plurality of times or a copier in which data is given in a surface order. First, a color signal to be used is acquired and given to the image processing apparatus 10 ″. Thereby, it is determined whether or not the specific pattern is included relatively early (before the image is completed). So you can
The image forming process can be reliably stopped before the image is completed. Therefore, there is no possibility that a completed image is output by mistake.

FIGS. 31 and 32 show an example in which the above-described apparatus is actually incorporated in a copying machine. As shown in the drawing, an image of the original is read by a CCD 34 serving as an image sensor by using a reflected light of light emitted from a lamp 32 on an original 31 placed on an original table 30 via an optical system 33. The lamp 32 and the plane mirrors constituting the optical system 33 are moved at a predetermined speed and scanned, and a predetermined portion of the original 31 is
The image data (R, G, B) is sequentially read by the CD 34 and sent to the signal processing unit 35.

As shown in FIG. 32, the signal processing unit 35 includes a normal color processing circuit 36 and the above-described image processing device 37 according to the present invention. The data is sent to the processing device 37 in parallel. It should be noted that although three signals of RGB in the figure are input, the image processing device 35 of the present invention makes a determination based on one color signal (a color signal transmitted first), so that RGB is used.
Any of the signals may be input, or a predetermined output signal (for example, a Y signal) of the color processing circuit 36 may be input.

The color processing circuit 36 separates the components into magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (Bk) components, and outputs the components to the printing unit 38.
Then, the scanning is actually performed four times, and one component of the above four components (M, C, Y, and Bk) is output to the laser driver 39 disposed on the input side of the printing unit 38 with one scanning. Then, a predetermined position of the photosensitive drum 40 is irradiated with a laser beam. After the four scans are completed, a copy process is performed on the copy paper to make a copy 41.
Is output. Since the mechanism for performing a specific copying process is the same as that of the conventional one, a description thereof will be omitted.

On the other hand, in the image processing device 37, while performing the signal processing in the color processing circuit 36, the image processing device 37 adjusts the above-mentioned shape based on one color signal of the received RGB signals. Perform a process to determine the degree. Then, the obtained conformity is sent to the determination unit 42 on the PPC side.

The determination section 42 determines whether or not a specific pattern is present in the document being copied based on the received conformity. If the degree of conformity is high, the copy prohibition in which the specific pattern is printed is prohibited. It determines that the object is an object, and issues a control signal for stopping the output of the laser driver 39 or sends a control signal to the color processing circuit 36 to perform various copy prohibition processes such as, for example, setting the entire copy screen to a black image. Will do.

When the image processing device 37 does not output the degree of conformity but has a function of making a determination,
The determination unit 42 is unnecessary, and the output of the image processing device 37 (a detection signal is generated when a specific pattern is detected) may be output to the laser driver 39 and the color processing circuit 36.

Although the above embodiment has been described with reference to the case where the present invention is applied to a copying machine, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a color scanner, a color printer, an F
Of course, the present invention can be applied to AXs, communication transmission devices, and other various devices.

As an example, as a scanner,
A configuration as shown in FIG. 33 can be adopted. That is, the scanner is roughly divided into the input unit 50 and the control unit 51.
And an output unit 52. And the input unit 5
In the case of 0, the original is scanned with light from the light source, and the reflection (transmitted light) obtained therefrom is detected by a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD, a photomultiplier, or a photodiode, converted into an electric signal, and transmitted to the control unit 51. It is supposed to be sent. And the control unit 51
In this example, the number of electric signals from the input unit is increased or decreased, image processing such as predetermined gradation correction and contour enhancement is performed, and the corrected signal is sent to the output unit 52.

Further, the output section 52 performs data conversion as necessary based on the signal supplied from the control section 51 and outputs the data to a predetermined output device. That is, when the scanner and the printer are separated (only pure reading is performed), temporarily read image data is stored in a storage device (output device) in order to send information to a separately formed printer or the like. Therefore, a predetermined process required for the writing process is performed.

When the output device is a printer or the like (disposed in an integrated device), a predetermined signal-to-electric conversion is performed, and a predetermined signal conversion for writing on a paper medium (photosensitive material) is performed. Perform processing. The specific configuration of each part is
Since a conventionally known general one can be used, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Here, in the present invention, an image processing device 53 is provided, and a signal relating to image data obtained from the input unit 50 is input to the image processing device 53 together with the control unit 51. As the image processing device 53, any of the various types of processing devices that finally obtain the degree of suitability for a predetermined specific pattern described in each of the above embodiments can be used.

The image processing device 53 performs predetermined processing on the basis of the given image data to determine the degree of conformity necessary for detecting a specific pattern, and sends the degree of conformity (output inhibit signal) to the control unit 51. Will be sent. Then, the control unit 51 makes a final determination as to whether or not the pattern is a specific pattern based on the degree of conformity, and stops signal output to the output unit 52 when it is determined that the specific pattern. In addition,
Such a prohibition signal may be given to the input unit 50 or the output unit 52.

Also in this embodiment, the image processing device 53 may perform a final determination of a specific pattern, and may output a prohibition signal when the specific pattern is detected.
Then, in that case, the control unit 51 performs the predetermined prohibition processing based on the prohibition signal.

FIG. 34 shows an example used for a printer. That is, the image data (electric signal) is directly input from the scanner or via a medium such as a storage device.
Given to. Then, after performing a predetermined image conversion process (conversion to data according to its own output mechanism) in the control unit 55, a predetermined electro-optical conversion process is performed in the output unit 56,
It reproduces image data given on a photosensitive material.

As described above, when the scanner is not provided with the image processing device 53 having the operation stopping means for detecting the specific pattern, even if the original is a read-inhibited image, the image data is not read. Read it.

Therefore, the output signal of the control unit 55 is supplied to an image processing device 57 (equivalent to the above-described image processing device 53), where predetermined image processing is performed to determine the degree of conformity of the specific pattern, or to detect the specific pattern. Perform processing. Then, in the case of the method of obtaining the degree of conformity, the degree of conformity is sent to the control unit 55, and the control unit 55 makes a final decision on whether or not the pattern is a specific pattern based on the degree of conformity. Stops the data output from the control unit 55 to the output unit 56. Alternatively, an operation inhibition signal may be directly sent to the output unit 56 to stop the output unit 56.

Also, in the present embodiment, in the case where the image processing device 57 performs a final determination of a specific pattern, a prohibition signal is output to the control unit 55 when the image processing device 57 detects the specific pattern. I do. Then, data output from the control unit 55 to the output unit 56 is stopped. The output unit 5
Alternatively, an operation prohibition signal may be directly sent to 6 to stop the output unit 56.

[0104]

As described above, in the image processing method and apparatus according to the present invention, a binary image in which a mark portion is raised by performing threshold processing or the like while focusing on one color signal is generated. And shape extraction can be performed. Therefore, since a device for executing such processing can be constituted by a comparator having a predetermined number of bits, the binarization circuit can be simplified, and the system can be reduced in scale and inexpensive.

Since only a specific color is extracted and a mark is detected as described above, for example, when a mark printed in another color having a low density of one color signal is mixed and arranged. In addition, since the image processing apparatus performs threshold processing or the like using the one color signal, only the mark to be detected can be specified and detected, so that the recognition rate does not decrease. Since the color other than the party does not know which color is the specific pattern, it is difficult to falsify (prank).

When color signals are transmitted in a frame-sequential manner, by transmitting a color signal used for shape recognition first, shape recognition is completed at a quick point in time, and image formation is interrupted before an image is completed. And malfunction can be suppressed as much as possible.

Note that by making it possible to recognize that the color of the mark is yellow, RGB, Lab, YMC
Either signal form can be used to recognize the shape, and not only can the device be shared, but it is difficult for humans to recognize it, so that the possibility of tampering is reduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the specific pattern to be detected is formed by arranging predetermined marks in accordance with a predetermined rule. Although it is an element, it is difficult for anyone other than the party to know which part is the specific pattern, so it is difficult to falsify (tamper). Even if it is tampered (tamper), it is unlikely that the falsified part is a specific pattern, The rate does not decrease. In addition, since the mark only represents coordinates and does not need to have a feature amount itself, the mark can be made small, and as a result, the existence of the mark itself is difficult to understand and it is harder to be falsified. In addition, by making the mark small in this way, the mark search processing can be performed at high speed, and the mark detection circuit can be made small and inexpensive.

Further, when a mark is arranged, if the mark is set at the outer periphery of a certain figure, even if the same mark is placed at a place different from the outer periphery, the mark is not used for detecting a specific pattern. Can be used as a pattern, making it more resistant to tampering.

The image processing apparatus is mounted on a copying machine, a scanner, or a printer.
6) For copying prohibited items such as banknotes and securities, etc., reliably prohibit the output of the copied items (do not copy, copy / output images different from originals (copying prohibited items), etc.)
Further, reading and printing of the original can be stopped.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a mark and a specific pattern used in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating mark arrangement rules used in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a mark, a dummy mark, and a specific pattern used in the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of a mark, a dummy mark, and a specific pattern used in the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of another image processing apparatus having components common to the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a shape extraction unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a color extraction unit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a binarization processing unit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a binarization processing unit.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a binarization processing unit.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a binarization processing unit.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a binarization processing unit.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a binarization processing unit.

FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of contents stored in a first storage device.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a window used in a mark position detection unit.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a state stored in a second storage device.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a mark position detection unit.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a window unit forming a mark position detection unit.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a decoding circuit constituting a mark position detection unit.

FIG. 20 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of contents stored in a second storage device.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of an arrangement matching unit.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a conceptual example of a window unit forming an arrangement matching unit.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing specific hardware constituting the window unit.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a conceptual example of the output of the window unit.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of an outer periphery collation data latch circuit that forms the arrangement matching unit;

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of an inner circumference collation data latch circuit that forms the arrangement matching unit;

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of window output of a specific pattern.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing data stored in an outer peripheral place storage unit 17 and addresses thereof.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an example of a comparison circuit included in the arrangement matching unit.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a preferred embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of a copying machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of a copying machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scanner according to the invention.

FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer according to the invention.

FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a conventional image processing apparatus.

FIG. 36 is a view for explaining one solution for solving the conventional problem.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Specific pattern 2 Mark L1, L2 Perimeter of figure 10, 10 ', 10 "Image processing unit 13, 13' Binarization processing unit 13a Shape extraction unit 13b Color extraction unit 13c AND 14 First storage device 15 Mark position detection unit 16 second storage device 17 arrangement matching unit 50 input unit 51 control unit 52 output unit 53 image processing device 55 control unit 56 output unit 57 image processing device

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Masahito Yanagita, Inventor Omron Co., Ltd. (10) Hanazono Todocho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture (72) Inventor Masataka Chiga 10, Okayama Todocho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Inside the corporation

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image processing method for detecting a mark having a predetermined color and shape existing in given image data, wherein a plurality of color signals forming a color image are detected when the mark is detected. Is performed based on one of the color signals, and when the plurality of color signals are sequentially given in a plane order for each color, one color signal used for detecting the mark is first And performing the predetermined processing. 2. An image processing apparatus having a function of detecting a mark to be detected in given image data, the image processing apparatus using one of a plurality of color signals forming a color image. A binarization processing unit having at least a shape extraction unit for performing threshold processing, and a first storing a binary image output from the binarization processing unit
Storage means; and a mark position detection means for reading out the binary image stored in the first storage means and performing matching with a mark to be detected, wherein the one color signal comprises a plurality of color images forming the color image. An image processing apparatus characterized in that when a color signal is sequentially applied in a plane order for each color, the color signal is a first applied color signal. 3. A second storage means for storing mark position information detected by the mark position detection means, and a specific pattern comprising a plurality of marks based on the mark position information stored in the second storage means. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an arrangement matching unit that performs matching with the image data. 4. At least means for reading a document, color signal conversion means connected to the reading means for converting the read image data into a signal for printing, and receiving an output from the color signal conversion means; A copying machine comprising a printing unit for performing a predetermined printing process, wherein the image processing device according to claim 2 or 3 is mounted, and image data output from the unit for reading the document is converted to the color signal conversion unit. The image processing apparatus is configured to input the image data in parallel to the image processing apparatus, and the image processing apparatus detects at least the mark based on image data obtained by a predetermined scan. It is determined whether or not the copy is prohibited, and when it is determined that the copy is prohibited, a control signal is sent to predetermined processing means of the copying machine to control copying. Seared copier. 5. An input device for reading a document, a control device connected to the input device for performing a predetermined image conversion process on the read image data, and an output device connected to receive an output of the control device. A scanner comprising: an output unit that outputs data to the image processing apparatus; and an image processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein image data output from the input unit is output to the image processing unit in parallel with the control unit. The image processing device is configured to detect at least the mark based on given image data, and determine whether a pattern based on the mark exists in the document that is undergoing mark reading processing. The scanner sends a control signal to predetermined processing means of the scanner to determine whether or not it has the pattern. A scanner that controls the picking process. 6. A printer comprising: control means for performing a predetermined image conversion process on given image data information; and output means for receiving an output of the control means and performing a predetermined print process. 2 or 3 is mounted, and the image data input to the printer is input to the image processing device in parallel with the output unit, and the image processing device is configured to output the image data based on the given image data. It is determined whether or not a pattern based on the mark exists in the image being read and processed by at least detecting the mark, and when it is determined that the image has at least the pattern, the predetermined processing means of the printer is used. A printer that sends control signals to control output processing.