JPH11284835A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress the formation of an illegal duplicate image by moving to a 2nd mode wherein operation is different from that of a 1st mode when specific information is detected from a recording medium and moving to the 1st mode even after movement to the 2nd mode if the specific information is detected, and forming an image based upon image information. SOLUTION: Image information stored in an image memory 22 is displayed by a display means 23 such as a CRT display and the read image is confirmed. An operator who has looked at the displayed image operates an operation means 24 provided to the printer to set color balance and adjust density. An image processing means 25 performs an image process for color balance as to the image information stored in the image memory 22 based on the set level by the operation means 24. The processed image information is displayed by the display means 23 at each time and the operator makes adjustment until an image that goes with the operator is obtained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer for reading image information from a recording medium storing the image information and forming an image on a recording material based on the read image information, and more particularly, to forming an unauthorized duplicated image. With regard to the suppression of noise.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a technology for reading image information (hereinafter, also referred to as an original image) and a technology for forming an image based on an original image (hereinafter, also referred to as a duplicate image) have been developed.
It has become possible to copy image information (original images) recorded on various recording media with high quality.
Regarding the reading of the original image, various recording media, for example, films such as negative films and positive films, color prints such as photographic paper and printed matter, floppy disks (FD) and optical disks (CD, DVD, M
O, MD, etc.), an original image can be read from a removable storage device having a removable storage medium such as a memory, an internal memory such as a memory of a digital camera, and a computer memory via a network. Further, a duplicate image based on the original image read from these recording media can be formed on various recording materials with high quality. In particular, when a silver halide photosensitive material is used as a recording material, a high-quality duplicate image can be formed due to the excellent granularity, sharpness, gradation, and the like of the silver halide photosensitive material.

[0003] With the recent development of digital technology and formatting, it has become easier to exchange image data between various devices, and it has become easier to form a duplicate image from such an original image. .

[0004]

As described above, a new problem has arisen when a duplicate image can be easily formed from an original image with high quality. This is because it is not easy to distinguish between the original image and the duplicated image that duplicates the original image, and if the duplicated image is distributed maliciously or in good faith, it has the same value as the original image. It is a problem that is misunderstood. A duplicate image that is not equivalent to the original image but is misunderstood to be of equivalent value must be called an illegal duplicate image.

However, in a conventional printer that reads image information from a recording medium storing image information and forms an image on a recording material based on the read image information,
A duplicate image is created from the read original image without any restrictions, and there is no way to suppress the act of forming an illegal duplicate image.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a printer capable of suppressing formation of an illegal duplicate image.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a printer having a first mode for reading image information from a recording medium on which the image information is recorded and forming an image on a recording material based on the read image information. When specific information is detected from the recording medium, the mode shifts to a second mode in which operation different from the first mode is performed. When specific information is detected, the mode shifts to the first mode even if the mode shifts to the second mode. Thus, the present invention can be solved by a printer provided with a shift unit that enables formation of an image based on the image information. With this printer, formation of an illegal duplicate image can be suppressed.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer, FIG. 2 is a block diagram related to control of the printer, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram related to image formation by the printer. This printer reads image information from a recording medium storing image information and forms an image on a recording material based on the read image information.

In the printer of this embodiment, the reading means for reading the image information from the recording medium storing the image information includes a plurality of reading means for reading the image information stored on various recording media. Means. The plurality of reading means include a transparent original scanner 1
1, a reflective document scanner 12, a removable storage device 13, a connection terminal 14, and a network interface 15. In FIG. 1, the removable storage device 13, the connection terminal 14, and the network interface 15 are not shown and are omitted.

The transparent original scanner 11 is a reading means for reading image information stored (recorded) on a recording medium of the transparent original. Specifically, the transparent original scanner 11 captures light transmitted through the transparent original by an image pickup device such as a CCD. This is a so-called film scanner that photoelectrically converts an image recorded on a transparent original and reads image information. The image information read by the transparent document scanner 11 is transferred to an image memory as image storage means for storing image information via an input / output unit 21 for exchanging data between the control means 20 of the printer and each reading means. 22. The transparent original is a negative film such as a 135 film or an APS film or a positive film (reversal film) photographed and developed by a camera.

The reflection original scanner 12 is a reading means for reading image information stored (recorded) on a reflection original recording medium, and more specifically, a light reflected from a reflection original placed on an original platen (no sign). Is a so-called flatbed scanner in which an image is captured by an image sensor such as a CCD, and an image recorded on a reflection original is photoelectrically converted to read image information. The image information read by the reflection document scanner 12 is stored in the image memory 22 via the input / output unit 21. Note that the reflection original is a printed matter, photographic paper, or the like.

The removable storage device 13 is a reading means for reading image information stored in a storage medium.
Is a floppy disk (FD) or optical disk (CD,
A storage medium such as a DVD, MO, or MD is configured to be detachable, and image information is read by reading image information recorded on the attached storage medium. Image information read by the removable storage device 13 is stored in the image memory 22 via the input / output unit 21. In addition, this removable storage device 1
When the storage medium is a writable recording medium, means 3 also serves as a writing means for writing image information to the writable storage medium.

The connection terminal 14 is a terminal connected to a video output terminal or a digital terminal provided in a digital camera such as a digital still camera or a digital movie camera. The connection terminal 14 performs serial communication or parallel communication with the digital camera. By reading the image information recorded in the internal memory such as the memory of
This is reading means for reading image information. This connection terminal 14
The image information read from the digital camera is stored in the image memory 22 via the input / output unit 21.

The network interface 15 is an interface for connecting to a network such as a local area network (LAN) or the Internet. The network interface 15 reads out image information recorded in the database from a database connected via the network. And reading means for reading image information.
The image information read from the database by the network interface 15 is stored in the image memory 22 via the input / output unit 21. In addition, various information (data) stored in the database can be searched through the network interface 15.

The plurality of reading units 11 to 15 are connected to a control unit 20 via an input / output unit 21, and control of reading image information is performed based on a control signal from the control unit 20. You. The image information read from the plurality of reading units 11 to 15 is stored and accumulated in the image memory 22 via the input / output unit 21 as described above. The image information stored and stored in the image memory 22 is a so-called digital signal.

The image information stored in the image memory 22 is
The displayed image is displayed on display means 23 such as a CRT display or a liquid crystal display, and the read image is confirmed.
Then, the operator who sees the image displayed on the display means 23 operates the operation means 24 provided on the printer,
Set color balance and density adjustment. The printer stores the image information stored in the image memory 22 in the image processing unit 25 based on the setting from the operation unit 24.
Performs image processing (adjustment of color balance and density). The image information that has been subjected to the image processing is displayed on the display unit 23 each time, and this adjustment is performed until the image is satisfactory to the operator.

The image processing means 25 displays the image information read by each of the reading means 11 to 15 on the display means 23.
Prior to the display, image processing may be automatically performed. In this case, whether or not to perform the image processing automatically may be selected according to the type of the reading unit (in accordance with the type of the recording medium). For example, a transparent original scanner 11
In the case of a (transparent original), image processing such as LATD correction and color balance correction is automatically performed due to the presence of a film base color and color area. In the case of a reflective original scanner 12 (reflective original), automatic processing is performed. , The image processing should not be performed.

When image processing is performed by the image processing means 25 and the image is satisfactory to the operator, the operator presses a print button (not shown) provided on the operation means 24 for instructing printing. Upon receiving this button press, the image information stored in the image memory 22 (the image information processed by the image processing unit 25) is transferred to the image forming unit 30 and is stored on the recording material P based on the image information. Image is formed.

In this embodiment, the image forming means 3
0 is an exposure unit 3 for exposing the recording material P to form a latent image
1 and a developing unit 32 that develops the latent image formed by the exposure unit 31 and visualizes the latent image.

In this embodiment, a color photographic paper (hereinafter simply referred to as photographic paper) P which is a silver halide photosensitive material is used as the recording material P. The printing paper P is stored in a magazine M in a roll shape. Then, the photographic paper P is pulled out of the magazine M by the transport means 26, and is sequentially transported on the exposure stage 34 below the exposure unit 31 and further in the developing unit 32, and onto the paper output tray 36. The paper is ejected. In the present embodiment, the magazine M
The roll-shaped photographic paper P stored in the printer is pulled out by a draw-out roller (no symbol), and is provided with a predetermined print size (for example, a size selection button (not shown) provided on the operation means 24 for designating a print size). Is cut by the cutter 35 serving as a cutting means to a length (the length in the sub-scanning direction, which is the horizontal direction in FIG. 1) designated by (1). The sheet-shaped photographic paper Pc is sequentially transferred to the transport unit 2.
6 is carried.

The exposure section 31 of the image forming means 30 transmits each light having a different wavelength based on the image information transferred from the image memory 22 onto the sheet-like photographic paper Pc conveyed by the conveying means 26 on the exposure stage 34. And exposure means for performing exposure. In the present embodiment, the exposure unit 31
In order to expose each wavelength component of the light of a plurality of wavelength components, a red head 31R that exposes red light, a green head 31G that exposes green light, and a blue head 31B that exposes blue light Each head 31
R, 31G, and 31B are array heads in which a plurality of recording elements (light-emitting elements) are arranged linearly (in an array) in the main scanning direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper of FIG. 1). In addition, each head 3
The 1R, 31G, and 31B are arranged in parallel in different positions in the sub-scanning direction, so that the actual exposure is performed with the timing shifted by the difference. In the present embodiment, the exposure by the exposure unit 31 is performed with red light (R), green light (G), and blue light (B). However, yellow light (Y), magenta light (M ) And cyan light (C).

The red head 31R has a light emitting diode array (hereinafter, referred to as an LED array) 311R as a light source for emitting red light, and a Selfoc lens array 312R as an imaging optical system. On the other hand, green head 3
The 1G and blue head 31B has vacuum fluorescent tube arrays 311G and 311B as light sources, selfoc lens arrays 312G and 312B as imaging optical systems, and filters 313G and 313B for color separation. In addition,
In this embodiment, a green filter is used as the filter 313G. However, in general, a yellow filter has a higher transmittance of green light than a green filter, and therefore,
A yellow filter may be used. Then, based on the image information, the LED array 311R, the vacuum fluorescent tube array 311
G and 311B emit light, and the light is imaged by the SELFOC lens arrays 312R, 312G and 312B on the sheet-like photographic paper Pc conveyed on the exposure stage 34 (for the green head 31G and the blue head 31B). Are transmitted through the filters 313G and 313B), red (R), green (G), and blue (B) light are applied to the sheet photographic paper P.
c, and an image (latent image) is formed based on the image information.

In the present embodiment, the red head 31
Although the LED array 311R is used only for R, an LED array emitting light of each color may be used as a light source for the green head 31G and / or the blue head 31B. In addition, although the heads in the form of an array are used as the heads 31R, 31G, and 31B, a configuration in which laser light emitted from a semiconductor laser is polarized in the main scanning direction by a rotary polygon mirror may be used. (In this case, light of a plurality of components having different wavelengths may be exposed simultaneously or for each wavelength).

The developing section 32 is a means for carrying out processing for visualizing a latent image while conveying the conveyed sheet photographic paper Pc at a constant speed. The developing unit 32 is provided with a plurality of tanks for storing a processing liquid to be brought into contact with the sheet-like photographic paper Pc in order to process the sheet-like photographic paper Pc. That is, a color developing tank 321 for storing a color developing solution for color developing the sheet-like photographic paper Pc on which the latent image is formed.
And a bleach-fixing tank 322 for storing a bleach-fix solution for bleach-fixing the color-developed sheet-like photographic paper Pc.
And a stabilizing tank 323 for storing a stabilizing solution for stabilizing the bleach-fixed sheet-shaped photographic paper Pc. A drying unit 324 for drying the printing paper Pc is provided. Therefore, the sheet-shaped photographic paper Pc is conveyed along a predetermined conveyance path by the conveyance roller (no reference numeral) of the conveyance means 26, and the color developing tank 321 and the bleach-fixing tank 3 are conveyed.
22, the stabilization tank 323, and the drying unit 324 sequentially pass through, and the latent image formed by the exposure unit 31 is visualized.

As described above, in the printer, image information is read from the recording medium storing the image information by the image reading means 11 to 15, and an image based on the read image information is printed on the recording material P by the image forming means 30. Can be formed.

With the advance of digital technology, in such a printer, when an image based on image information read by the image reading means 11 to 15 is formed on the recording material P, a high quality image is formed. I can now do it. In particular, when a silver halide photosensitive material is used as a recording material as in the present embodiment, high quality images can be obtained due to the excellent granularity, sharpness, gradation, and the like of the silver halide photosensitive material. It can be. For this reason, for example, an original image of a professional photographer or the like is a copyrighted work, and if a banknote is used as an original image, a duplicate image becomes a fake bill. May be duplicated in quality.

For this purpose, in the present embodiment, a pattern recognition process is performed on a read image, and when specific information is detected, an operation different from the above-described image formation is executed. Here, the different operation is an operation of suppressing formation of an illegal duplicate image, and the operation of suppressing the formation will be described later. First, specific information will be described. The specific information may be a specific pattern characterizing images appearing in many of the images taken by professional photographers, copyright information indicating that the work is a copyrighted work, It may be predetermined image information relating to a reliable printed matter or the like.

Here, a specific pattern which characterizes an image, which appears in many images photographed by professional photographers, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a specific pattern characterizing an image of a subject that is often photographed by professional photographers. The images photographed by many professional photographers are, for example, commemorative photos such as the coming-of-age ceremony, the wedding ceremony, the entrance ceremony, the graduation ceremony, the ceremony of Shichigosan, etc., the certificate photo, the matchmaking photo and the like.

FIG. 4A shows an example of a commemorative photo for the coming-of-age ceremony. As a feature of the image of the print 50, a person who is the subject 51 is arranged at the center, and the background portion 52 is monochromatic and has almost the same brightness because of studio photography. When the specific pattern is recognized in the background portion 52 by the pattern recognition processing in this way, the professional photographer or the photo studio is considered to be the copyright holder of the original image, so that formation of an illegal duplicate image by the printer is suppressed. Is performed. In the case of studio shooting, the upper part of the background part may be darkened and the lower part may be brightened so that the face of the subject 51 can be seen. Therefore, a pattern in which the upper part of the background part 52 is dark and the lower part is bright is also specified. It may be recognized as a pattern. In the case of outdoor photography, the shadow of the subject 51 is strongly observed on one side, but in the case of studio photography, the illumination is adjusted to make the shadow less noticeable. Therefore, even when a plurality of shadows of the subject appear and their strengths (darkness) are uniform, it is preferable to be recognized as a specific pattern.

Of the above-mentioned prints, prints such as Shichigosan, a proof photograph, a matching photograph, and the like have the same features as those of the commemorative ceremony photograph. In the figure, a female in Japanese clothes is shown as the subject 51. However, when the subject 51 is a male, a black formal wear is worn, so that a case where the ratio of black to the subject 51 is high may be recognized as a specific pattern.

FIG. 4B shows an example of a commemorative photograph of the wedding. As a feature of the image of the print 60, two persons who are subjects 61a and 61b are arranged at the center. When the wedding commemorative photo is taken in the studio, it can be recognized as a specific pattern as in the example of FIG.
When photographed in a reception hall or the like, it cannot be recognized as a specific pattern in the example of FIG. In the case of a Western-style wedding, it is common for men to wear black costumes, and for women to wear monotonous and poorly colored wedding dresses, such as pure white. Therefore, a case where the clothing of one subject 61a is black and the variation of color of the clothing of the other subject 61b is poor is recognized as a specific pattern.
In the case of Japanese clothing, it is common for men to wear black clothing and for women to wear red and mainly embroidered with gold and silver threads. Therefore, the case where the clothing of one subject 61a is black and the clothing of the other subject 61b is mainly red and contains a large amount of light reflected by gold or silver threads may be recognized as the specific pattern.

FIG. 4C is an example of a commemorative photo of the graduation ceremony. As a feature of the image of the print 70, a large number of persons are arranged as subjects 71 at the center with a horizontally long angle,
It is common for these persons to wear uniforms and be aligned. Therefore, a pattern in which the color of the subject 71 changes at a specific cycle appears. A case where a large number of persons are arranged as the subject 71 and the color changes at a specific cycle may be recognized as a specific pattern. Further, it is preferable that the title portion 72 including the character imprinted on the lower part of the commemorative photograph be recognized as a specific pattern. Of the above-mentioned prints, the print of the entrance ceremony is recognized as a specific pattern similar to the print of the graduation ceremony.

Next, a case where the specific information is copyright information will be described. As the copyright information, there are copyright specifying information capable of specifying the copyright and copyright display information simply indicating that the work is a copyrighted work. The copyright specifying information may be any information that can directly or indirectly specify the copyright, such as the name of the copyright owner, the signature of the copyright owner,
The copyright owner's ID, the mark indicating the copyright owner, the name of the work, the ID of the work, the copyright ID, a specific mark determined by the Wedding Photography Association, a specific mark determined by the Photographers Association, and There are the address of the right holder and the payee of the copyright fee. As the copyright notice information, the copyright cannot be directly or indirectly specified, but may be any information that indicates that the printed image is a copyrighted work (indicating the existence of the copyright). For example, "This is protected by copyright" and "Reproduction is prohibited."

The copyright information given to the printing paper P may be an image or a symbol (for example, a bar code), and may be visible or invisible on the printing paper P. In the case of invisible, for example, copyright information is added to the image information using a digital watermark, or when the photographic paper P is provided with a magnetic layer, the copyright information is magnetically applied to the magnetic layer. Is given. In this case, since the information is provided on the assumption that this information is read by a device, etc.,
It is preferable because this information can be easily read. It is preferable that the copyright information among the copyright information is visible on the photographic paper P, that is, a visible image. This is because, by making the copyright display information a visible image, it is possible to notify a person who intends to copy the work as a copyrighted work and call attention to the person.

The copyright information may be provided on the front side (the side on which an image is formed based on the image information) of the photographic paper P or on the back side. The copyright information may be provided on the entire surface, but when the copyright information is provided as a visible image on the surface, the edge (end) of the photographic paper P
It is preferred that it is given to.

FIG. 5 shows an example of photographic paper (print) on which an image has been formed with the copyright information added thereto.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an original image and a print (photographic paper P) to which copyright information has been added. FIG.
Prints to which copyright information has been added to the original image shown in (a) are as shown in FIGS. In this case, the copyright information includes the copyright holder ID “ID: 1234”, which is copyright identification information, on the front side of the photographic paper P.
Is added to the original image, and further, the character "This is protected by copyright" which is copyright display information is added (printed) on the back side of the photographic paper P.

The print (photographic paper P) shown in FIG.
In this example, one piece of copyright information is provided, but only one piece of copyright information may be provided. The print in FIG. 5 is an example in which two pieces of copyright information are provided in a visible manner. One piece of copyright information (copyright specifying information in the example of FIG. 5) is made invisible, such as a digital watermark, and the other piece of copyright information is made invisible. By giving the copyright notice information as visible, it is possible to easily (mechanically) detect the copyrighted work based on the invisible copyright information, and to effectively operate a printer or the like that can suppress infringement of the copy right. It is preferable because it can be used.

Next, the predetermined image information will be described. The predetermined image is an image of banknotes, stamps, checks, securities such as currency exchange, and image information related to these images is referred to as predetermined image information. These are printed materials in which the amount of money is described (face value), and the face value is trusted. Even if the amount is not specified as in the case of a stock certificate, image information of a printed matter whose value is trusted may be used as the predetermined image information. When the printer of the present embodiment detects such predetermined image information, it performs an operation of suppressing formation of a duplicate image.

Next, the operation of the printer according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, among the plurality of reading units 11 to 15, the reading unit corresponding to the type of the recording medium on which the image information is recorded is driven to read as image information (S11). For example, if the recording medium is a color negative film, the transmission original scanner 11 is used.
The image information is read by driving the removable storage device 13 for a storage medium, the connection terminal 14 for an internal memory of a digital camera, and the network interface 15 for a database, and stored in the image memory 22 as a digital signal. Let it.

Then, the control means 20 detects whether or not specific information is added to the image information stored in the image memory 22 (S12). This detection is performed by reading the images read by the reading units 11 to 15 so as to correspond to the three cases where the specific information is a specific pattern characterizing the image, copyright information, and predetermined image information. The information is detected by performing pattern recognition processing in the control means 20. Therefore, in this case,
The detecting means for detecting the specific information given to the recording medium is constituted by the reading means 11 to 15 and the control means 20.

In the detection of the copyright information, if the copyright information is provided by magnetism or a bar code and can be directly detected, the reading means 11
15 to 15, a sensor may be provided as a detecting means for detecting the copyright information.

In S12, if no specific information is detected, a duplicate image from the image information recorded on the recording medium does not correspond to an illegal duplicate image, and therefore can be freely copied. Therefore, the operator, as described above,
After checking and adjusting the image displayed on the display means 23 (omitted in FIG. 6), the print button (not shown) is pressed (S13). The printer (the control unit 20) that has received this button press transfers the image information (the image information processed by the image processing unit 25) stored in the image memory 22 to the image forming unit 30.
As described above, an image is formed on the sheet photographic paper Pc based on the image information (S14). This S11 → S14
Is referred to as a first mode.

On the other hand, when specific information is detected in S12, the control means 20 shifts to the second mode, which is a mode for performing an operation different from the first mode. In some cases, a plurality of pieces of copyright information are given to the recording medium. In this case, when at least one piece of copyright information is detected, the mode may be shifted to the second mode. In the present embodiment, as the second mode, first, image formation is prohibited (S15). Thus, even if the operator presses the print button, image formation is not performed. As a method of prohibiting image formation, when the operation unit 24 is configured by a touch panel, the print button may not be displayed.

The type of the specific information detected in S12 is checked whether it is predetermined image information, copyright information, or a specific pattern (S16).

If the specific information detected in S16 is copyright information, the printer checks the copyright (S17).
This is because when copyright information is detected as specific information, the copyright information may be detected even though the copyright information is not given due to an error during image recognition. Done. For that purpose, based on the detected copyright specifying information, a database or a storage device such as the storage means 27 connected via a network is accessed to check whether the copyrighted work is registered. In this case, a plurality of copyright specifying information is stored in the storage device such as the database or the storage means 27, and it is determined whether the detected copyright information matches the stored plurality of copyright information. Collate.

If the result of the copyright confirmation (S17), that is, the result of the collation of the storage device such as the database or the storage means 27 that obtains the information that there is no corresponding copyright information, the registered work is not registered. Is determined not to exist (S18),
The prohibition of image formation is released (S19), and the mode shifts to the first mode. That is, as described above, the operator confirms or adjusts the image displayed on the display unit 23 (not shown in FIG. 6), and then prints a button (not shown).
Is pressed (S13), and the printer (control means 20) which receives the press of this button transfers the image information stored in the image memory 22 (the image information processed by the image processing means 25) to the image forming means. Then, as described above, an image is formed on the sheet photographic paper Pc based on the image information (S14).

On the other hand, if the result of the copyright confirmation (S16), that is, the result of the collation of the storage device such as the database or the storage means 27, that the information that there is the matching copyright information is obtained, it is determined that the work is a work. Judge (S18), display means 2
A display (attention display) indicating that the read image information is protected by copyright is made on S3 (S20).

Thereafter, when the copyright fee is paid (S21), the prohibition of image formation is released (S19), and the mode shifts to the first mode. That is, as described above, the operator confirms or adjusts the image displayed on the display unit 23 (omitted in FIG. 6), and then presses the print button (not shown) (S13). The printer (the control means 20) which receives the pressing of this button is connected to the image memory 22.
Is transferred to the image forming means 30, and as described above, an image is formed on the sheet photographic paper Pc based on the image information. Is performed (S14).

Here, the copyright fee payment process is a process for paying a copyright fee to a copyright holder in order to copy this work. For example, CAT (credit card
Use the Authorization Terminal) to pay the copyright fee with the credit card of the person trying to copy, or the lab where this printer is installed receives the copyright fee from the person trying to copy With this, payment processing of a copyright fee is performed, and payment processing of a copyright fee is performed via a network interface using electronic money. In these cases, the transfer destination (payee) is stored together with the copyright information in a storage device such as a database or the storage unit 27, and when the copyright is confirmed in S17, the transfer destination is obtained along with the verification result. Alternatively, a copyright fee may be stored in the storage device, and the copyright fee may be obtained. Alternatively, the transfer destination and the copyright fee may be recorded on the recording medium as the copyright specifying information, and the payment process of the copyright fee may be performed based on the recorded transfer destination and the copyright fee. Further, the payment processing of the copyright fee may be performed according to the set number of prints.

When the above-mentioned payment of the copyright fee is made, the operator presses a payment-processed button (not shown) provided on the operation means 24 to perform the payment processing. As a result, the mode can be shifted to the first mode. However, when the CAT is connected to this printer or when electronic money is used, the payment processing of the copyright fee can be performed without pressing the payment completed button. It can be considered that the operation has been performed, and the mode can be automatically shifted to the first mode.

Therefore, in the printer of the present embodiment, after the copyright fee is paid in S21, the mode is shifted to the first mode, and an image is formed on the photographic paper P based on the image information. As a result, the copyright holder can obtain a legitimate copyright fee. What is formed in this case does not correspond to an illegal duplicate image.

On the other hand, if the copyright fee has not been paid in S21, the display means 23 displays "Do you want to forcibly print?" (S22). When a forced print button (not shown) provided on the image memory 24 is pressed, the image processing means 25 degrades the image quality of the image information (read image information) stored in the image memory 22 (S23). Transferring the image information of the deteriorated image quality to the image forming means 30;
As described above, an image is formed on the sheet photographic paper Pc based on the image information (S14). Here, the term “deterioration” refers to a decrease in the number of pixels (decimation), a change in color (for example, conversion into a single color of blue), a mosaic, an “x” mark, or “C”.
This is to significantly lower the quality of the image formed on the photographic paper P, for example, by inserting characters such as "OPY".

If the specific information detected in S12 is a specific pattern, a warning is displayed to the effect that the read image information may be related to the copyrighted work (S24).

Then, the operator discusses with the client who has requested the formation of the duplicate image, and when it is confirmed that the image does not correspond to the illegal duplicate image, the prohibition of the image formation is released (S19), and the print button (not shown) Is pressed (S13), and the printer (control means 20) which receives the press of this button transfers the image information stored in the image memory 22 (the image information processed by the image processing means 25) to the image forming means. Then, as described above, an image is formed on the sheet photographic paper Pc based on the image information (S14).

Further, as a result of the consultation, there is a possibility that the copy may be an illegal copy, but if the client strongly desires the copy, the operator presses a forced print button (not shown) provided on the operation means 24. Then, by the image processing means 25,
The image quality of the image information (read image information) stored in the image memory 22 is degraded (S23), and the image information of the degraded image quality is transferred to the image forming means 30. An image is formed on the photographic paper Pc based on the image information (S14).

If the specific information detected in S12 is predetermined image information, the image data in the image memory 22 is cleared (S25), and the second mode is ended. When the second mode is terminated after clearing the image data, printing is resumed and the image information is read (S11).
If you do not print, you cannot print. Therefore, it is not possible to shift from the second mode to the first mode, and if the original image is a predetermined image, formation of a duplicate image can be reliably prevented. Then, even if an attempt is made to copy the predetermined image again, if predetermined image information relating to a printed material or the like whose face value is trusted is detected in S12,
The routine proceeds to S24 again, and it is possible to reliably prevent the formation of a duplicate image when the original image is a predetermined image.

As described above, in the present embodiment, S
In step 12, when specific information is detected,
0 shifts to the second mode, which is a mode for performing an operation different from the above-described first mode, so that formation of an illegal duplicate image can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, in the second mode, formation of an image based on the read image information is prohibited (S15), and a plurality of pieces of copyright specifying information are determined based on the detected copyright specifying information. Is accessed (S17), and a notice is displayed on the display unit 23 indicating that the copy of the read image may correspond to an illegal copy image (S20 and S24), and the detection is performed. Payment processing of the copyright fee is performed based on the copyright identification information thus obtained (S2).
1) Since the image formed based on the read image information is degraded (S23), it is useful for protecting the copyright, especially the copy right which is one of the copyrights. It is possible to suppress the copyright and strengthen the protection of the copyright which has been left unchecked, particularly the copy right which is one of the copyrights.

In addition, since the mode shifts to the second mode when a specific pattern is detected even if the copyright specifying information cannot be obtained from the original image, the formation of an illegal duplicated image can be suppressed and the protection of copyright can be strengthened. .

When predetermined image information such as banknotes is detected from the original image, the mode shifts to the second mode in the same manner as described above, so that the formation of an illegal duplicated image can be suppressed and the protection of copyright can be strengthened. it can.

In the second mode, these S15,
S17, S20, S21, S23, S24, S25
It is not necessary to perform all of them, and the printer may be operated in the second mode by combining one or a plurality of them.

In the above-described embodiment, S1
If no copyright information is detected in step 2, or S18
7, the operator presses a print button (not shown) (S13) to form an image on the sheet photographic paper P based on the image information (S14). As shown in the flowchart, an image may be automatically formed on the sheet photographic paper P based on the image information without pressing the print button (without pressing) (S14). .

In the above-described embodiment, a sheet-like photographic paper P made of a silver halide photosensitive material is used as a recording material, but a reversal film or a negative film may be used. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the image forming unit 30 for forming an image on the silver halide photosensitive material is used, but various image forming units such as an ink jet system, an electrophotographic system, and a thermal transfer system may be used.

[0065]

According to the printer of the present invention, formation of an illegal duplicate image can be suppressed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram related to control of the printer.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram related to image formation by a printer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a specific pattern characterizing an image of a subject that is often photographed by professional photographers.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an original image and a print (photographic paper P) to which copyright information has been added to the original image.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the printer.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a modification of the operation of the printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11 transparent document scanner 12 reflective document scanner 13 removable storage device 14 connection terminal 15 network interface 20 control means 22 image memory 23 display means 24 operation means 30 image forming means P recording material (printing paper)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification symbol FI H04N 1/00 B42D 15/10 531C 1/40 B41J 29/00 Z // B42D 15/10 501 G03G 21/00 554 531 H04N 1 / 40 Z

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A printer having a first mode in which image information is read from a recording medium on which image information is recorded and an image based on the read image information is formed on a recording material, when a specific information is detected from the recording medium. A mode is shifted to a second mode in which operation different from the first mode is performed. When specific information is detected, the mode is shifted to the first mode even if the mode is shifted to the second mode, and an image is formed based on the image information. Characterized in that the printer is provided with a transition means for enabling the printer. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the specific information is a specific pattern characterizing an image, and the specific information is detected by a pattern recognition process. 3. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the specific information is copyright specifying information which is assigned to a recording medium and can specify a copyright. 4. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the second mode is a mode in which formation of an image based on read image information is prohibited. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second mode is a mode for displaying on the display means that the read image information is protected by copyright. Printer. 6. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the second mode is a mode for deteriorating an image formed based on read image information. 7. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein in the second mode, when the copyright identification information is detected, a storage device storing a plurality of copyright identification information is accessed.
7. The printer according to 5 or 6. 8. The printer according to claim 7, wherein the second mode performs a payment process of a copyright fee based on the detected copyright identification information. 9. In the second mode, after performing the payment processing of the copyright fee, the mode is shifted to the first mode to form an image on the recording material based on the image information. 9. The printer according to claim 8, wherein 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transition to the first mode by the transition unit cannot be performed when the specific information is predetermined image information.
10. The printer according to 7, 8, or 9. 11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined image information is image information of bills or securities.
The printer according to 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10. 12. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer forms an image on a silver halide photosensitive material based on the image information.
The printer according to 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11. 13. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer forms an image based on the image information by performing a plurality of exposures with different wavelengths on a recording material.
13. The printer according to 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12.